The climb is complete. The rebuild is done. The Oklahoma City Thunder are champions.
In a series that has defied expectations, the Oklahoma City Thunder just captured their first championship in franchise history. The Thunder were the best team in the league during the regular season, finishing with a franchise-record 68 wins. OKC’s core players, including Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, and Chet Holmgren, are relatively young, suggesting the possibility of more championship runs in the future. Fans in Oklahoma City celebrated the team’s first championship since the move from Seattle. Mount Vernon’s Gus Williams, known for his volume scoring and electric on-court style, who in 1979 helped the Seattle SuperSonics win their only championship. The SuperSonics, a historic NBA franchise, moved to Oklahoma City in 2008.
The best team all season was the best team at the end, bringing the NBA title to Oklahoma City for the first time. Gilgeous-Alexander finished off his MVP season with 29 points and 12 assists, and the Thunder beat the Indiana Pacers — who lost Tyrese Haliburton to a serious leg injury in the opening minutes — 103-91 in Game 7 of the NBA Finals on Sunday night.
“It doesn’t feel real,” said Gilgeous-Alexander, the Finals MVP. “So many hours. So many moments. So many emotions. So many nights of disbelief. So many nights of belief. It’s crazy to know that we’re all here, but this group worked for it. This group put in the hours and we deserve this.”
Jalen Williams scored 20 points and Chet Holmgren had 18 for the Thunder, who finished off a season for the ages. Oklahoma City won 84 games between the regular season and the playoffs, tying the 1996-97 Chicago Bulls for the third most in any season. Only Golden State (with 88 wins in 2016-17) and the Bulls (with 87 wins in 2015-16) won more. A major accomplishment for the team that had a 22-win season in the 2020-2021 season, under coach Mark Daigneault’s first season as head coach. Followed by a 24-win season in 2021-2022. In 2025, the Thunder achieved significant success, culminating in their first NBA championship win.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (SGA) also made NBA history. Winning the NBA Finals and Finals MVP, he joined a very exclusive club of players who have won both the regular season MVP and Finals MVP in the same year. Gilgeous-Alexander is the first player since LeBron James in 2013 to win both the regular season MVP and Finals MVP in the same year. This should also solidify his place as the greatest player in Thunder history, surpassing Russell Westbrook, making him the first player in Thunder history to lead the franchise to an NBA title, further cementing his legacy.
Furthermore, winning the Finals makes the three-time NBA All-Star and three-time All-NBA First Team member only the fourth player to achieve a scoring title, MVP, and hoisting the Larry O’Brien trophy in the same season, alongside Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in 1971, Shaquille O’Neal in 2000, and Michael Jordan four times, in 1991, 1992, 1996, and 1998.
Oklahoma City’s KOCO 5 News SKY 5 captured fans taking to the streets in downtown Oklahoma City to celebrate Sunday night’s win against the Indiana Pacers for the Thunder’s first championship.
Pacers forward Pascal Siakam was part of the Toronto team that won in 2019, Thunder guard Alex Caruso was part of the Los Angeles Lakers team that won in the pandemic “bubble” in 2020, Milwaukee won in 2021, Golden State in 2022, Pacers forward Thomas Bryant and Denver prevailed in 2023, and Boston won last year’s title.
And now, the Thunder get their turn. The youngest team to win a title in nearly a half-century has reached the NBA mountaintop, and SGA may have arguably made the case as the greatest player in Thunder history!
The Thunder are the second-youngest team in at least the last 70 years to win a finals, with an average age per player of 25.56, when weighted for playoff games played, according to the league. Only the 1976-77 champion Portland Trail Blazers were younger, by an average age of about half a year per player.
Last year, with Holmgren on the court for 82 games, Oklahoma City became the youngest team to ever finish first in the conference. After a disappointing — but perhaps necessary for learning purposes — loss in the second round in 2024 to the Dallas Mavericks, the Thunder returned this season stronger by adding Caruso and Hartenstein.
Again, this is the second championship for the franchise. The Seattle SuperSonics won the NBA title in 1979, but there’s nothing in the rafters in Oklahoma City to commemorate that title. In October, a championship banner is finally coming. A Thunder banner.
It was one of those days when the sky was thick with clouds and the rain came down like it had something to say. But the weather couldn’t drown the moment. On Saturday, June 14, 2025, at The Greentree Country Club located at 538 Davenport Ave in New Rochelle, the NAACP Mount Vernon Branch gathered community leaders, elders, and youth to pay tribute to the past elected Mayors of Mount Vernon, NY.
And listen, if you weren’t there, you missed more than a program.
You missed a pulse. One made possible with the support of dedicated partners like Zonzini Pipeline Service Inc, WORLDGROUP914, Ridgeway Garden Center, Stonewell Management, and others who believe in investing in Black legacy.
Lois Campbell Opened the Gates
Before any music dropped or mics got warm, Lois Campbell stepped forward and laid the foundation. Her words didn’t just welcome us, they rooted us. She brought grace, depth, and truth, reminding us that community doesn’t start with applause. It starts with intention. Lois didn’t just open a ceremony. She opened a space for reverence.
Legacy in the Air, Even in the Rain
Inside the Greenntree Country Club, there was a stillness that felt powerful. Elders embraced. Students stood tall, eyes wide. You could feel it, the culture. The history. The love. The rain outside wasn’t a nuisance. It was a symbol. It felt like ancestral tears, watering the soil of the legacy we were there to celebrate. This wasn’t a staged event. It was a living, breathing archive of who we are.
The Ceremony Had Heat from the Jump
Kathie Brewington, president of the NAACP Mount Vernon Branch, brought the presence that only comes from years of service. Then Kay Starr, our Mistress of Ceremonies, guided the energy like a master storyteller, flowing effortlessly between moments with rhythm and grace.
And then, Matthew Samuels, a student from Denzel Washington School, stepped up to sing “Lift Every Voice and Sing.” Whew. He didn’t sing to us. He sang for us. He sang through us. His voice wasn’t just beautiful, it was powerful. Transcendent. The whole room froze, then filled with something you can’t name but you know when you feel it.
From the Pulpit to the Past
Pastor Michael Basedo, Senior Pastor and Founder of Christ Tabernacle Church, brought a prayer that didn’t just bless the event; it charged us. His words reminded everyone in the room that public service is a sacred calling. That leadership is more than policy; it’s people. And this city? Deserves leaders who show up even when the lights are off.
Then came the students of Denzel Washington School, led by Jahelyn Jacobs, delivering a history of the NAACP with clarity, pride, and purpose. They didn’t just speak it, they lived it. You could see it in their posture, their tone, and their fire. Our future? In excellent hands.
Mayor Shawyn Patterson-Howard Brought the Truth
When current Mount Vernon Mayor Shawyn Patterson-Howard took the mic, the room leaned in. She spoke with the weight of responsibility and the clarity of purpose. She honored her predecessors but didn’t sugarcoat the truth. “Legacy is not a statue you walk past, it’s a standard you live by.” Bars. Absolute bars.
She reminded us that real leadership isn’t about being liked, it’s about being loyal. Not to power. But to people.
Chapter of Black Brilliance
Mayor Ernie Davis. Mayor Richard Thomas. Each brought their truths, their scars, and their wisdom. This wasn’t a victory lap; it was testimony. They spoke on budgets, barriers, and the weight of leadership when the spotlight fades but the challenges remain.
Mayor Ronald Blackwood, the first Black mayor of Mount Vernon, was honored posthumously. His name was spoken with reverence. A reminder of the doors he opened and the path he paved.
Mayor Clinton I. Young Jr. was not in attendance, but his legacy was acknowledged with deep respect. Keisha Skipper, President of NAACP Yonkers, presented in his honor, recognizing his lasting contributions to Mount Vernon’s civic life.
These weren’t just officials. They were community architects. And hearing them reflect?
It hit differently.
We Weren’t Just Celebrating, We Were Healing.
Every nod in the crowd. Every hand on a heart. Every teary eye. It wasn’t performative. It was personal. Mount Vernon came together not just to applaud, but to affirm. To say “We see you. We thank you. We remember.”
This was healing in real time.
Legacy Is a Living Thing
That’s what stayed with me most. The truth is that legacy isn’t a look back, it’s a leap forward. This wasn’t a commemoration. It was a call to action. The baton didn’t just get passed; it got placed in the hands of a new generation. Quietly. Clearly.
Mount Vernon reminded us that history doesn’t belong to the past. It belongs to the people brave enough to carry it forward.
And if you missed this moment? You still have time. Time to listen. Time to act. Time to show up.
Because Mount Vernon isn’t just history. It’s happening.
On the evening of June 21st, former President Donald J. Trump ordered a series of coordinated airstrikes on Iran’s top nuclear facilities in an operation labeled “Midnight Hammer.” The U.S. military targeted key sites in Natanz, Isfahan, and Fordow using stealth bombers and submarine-launched cruise missiles. Trump took to the airwaves declaring the strikes a complete success, stating the Iranian enrichment infrastructure was “totally obliterated.”
While the mainstream media focuses on the geopolitical implications and military precision of the strikes, the real political story is unfolding here at home. Trump’s decision not only marks a dramatic escalation in U.S.–Iran tensions but also stands in direct conflict with the core beliefs of many within his own political base—particularly the MAGA movement.
One of Trump’s signature campaign positions was his outspoken rejection of endless wars and foreign entanglements. He ran against the legacy of the Bush-Cheney war doctrine, criticized the Obama-era interventions, and promised to refocus American resources inward. Many of his supporters embraced that vision: secure the borders, rebuild the economy, avoid foreign wars. That anti-interventionist stance became a foundational pillar of his appeal to working-class voters, veterans, and political independents.
This latest move, however, raises serious questions about whether Trump is now contradicting the very message that fueled his rise to power. The use of military force, without congressional authorization, resembles the same establishment-driven foreign policy that Trump once condemned. Across independent conservative media, voices that once championed Trump are expressing deep concern. They are asking whether this signals a return to neoconservative influence, wrapped in different branding.
It’s also important to examine the domestic costs of this decision. Military strikes don’t exist in a vacuum. They come with financial, political, and social consequences. Defense contractors may thrive, but working families at home often suffer. As we brace for possible economic ripples—rising fuel prices, increased defense spending, and reduced attention to domestic crises—the question remains: what’s the real return on investment for the American people?
At the same time, the timing of the strike raises flags. With an election season underway, the bombing conveniently shifts national conversation away from pressing domestic concerns like housing affordability, education reform, economic instability, and healthcare access. War, historically, has served as a reset button for political narratives. The question is whether this is a strategy to reframe Trump as a wartime leader—or a calculated move to dominate the news cycle.
Now Trump’s base faces a defining moment. Do they stay loyal regardless of contradictions? Or do they hold the former president to the very principles he used to challenge the political establishment? The MAGA movement has long claimed to stand for America First. That slogan was never just about immigration or trade—it was also about rejecting the costly legacy of American empire-building overseas.
This moment is bigger than missiles. It is a test of political integrity. It is a reminder that the decisions made abroad have consequences at home. And it is a chance for voters—across party lines—to judge leadership not by bravado, but by consistency, priorities, and results.
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As Kenny Plummer continues to assert political influence in Mount Vernon—promoting candidates, guiding campaign decisions, and positioning himself as a leader in the city’s political future—newly obtained documents raise serious questions about the financial interests that may be shaping, or benefiting from, his involvement. What began as public concern over his role in the controversial Rise Up Mount Vernon PAC has evolved into a broader examination of possible conflicts of interest, undisclosed financial obligations, and ethical concerns that merit closer scrutiny. At the center of this controversy is a fourth-floor condominium on Nosband Avenue in White Plains, New York—and a mortgage agreement with PMP Lending LLC, a company affiliated with a real estate development firm based in New Rochelle.
For the people of Mount Vernon, understanding who is behind the money, messaging, and political maneuvers is essential. If Mr. Plummer seeks to play a central role in shaping the city’s leadership, residents deserve full transparency—not just about the candidates he supports, but about the financial and political networks that may be influencing those choices. Where there is power and influence, there must also be accountability.
What the Documents Reveal
1. Confirmed Mortgage with PMP Lending LLC
A Uniform Commercial Code (UCC) Financing Statement filed with the Westchester County Clerk confirms that Kenny Plummer and a co-debtor entered into a mortgage agreement with PMP Lending LLC. The agreement provides the lender with a broad secured interest in the property, including not only the real estate itself but also associated fixtures, appliances, rental income, leases, insurance proceeds, eminent domain claims, and contracts for maintenance or renovation. Such comprehensive mortgage terms are common in commercial lending and indicate a significant financial relationship between the borrower and lender.
Given that the mortgaged property is located in White Plains and that PMP Lending is affiliated with a real estate development firm in New Rochelle, this arrangement raises important public interest questions—particularly in light of Plummer’s political role in Mount Vernon. Residents may reasonably ask: Why is a politically active figure with confirmed financial obligations tied to properties outside of Mount Vernon so heavily involved in shaping the city’s political landscape? What influence, if any, do these financial relationships have on campaign activity, endorsements, or policy advocacy?
These questions speak to a broader concern about transparency and accountability in local governance. While there is no evidence that the mortgage itself is improper or illegal, it underscores the need for political figures to clearly disclose financial ties that may intersect with public responsibilities—particularly when those ties involve entities that could have an interest in municipal decisions
Who Is PMP Lending LLC—and Why It Matters
PMP Lending LLC is not only a lender but is also affiliated with a real estate development firm based in New Rochelle, New York. This dual role—financial institution and developer—raises reasonable questions about how financial and political interests may intersect, particularly when connected to individuals involved in public political activity.
In Westchester County, developers from cities like New Rochelle have historically expressed interest in expanding their influence into neighboring municipalities such as Mount Vernon. In this context, any financial relationship between a politically active figure and a development-linked entity in a neighboring city warrants careful public scrutiny. While there is no evidence of wrongdoing, the potential for perceived conflicts of interest exists—especially if the developer-lender could benefit from decisions related to land use, zoning, or contracts influenced by political actors.
The mortgage between Kenny Plummer and PMP Lending LLC goes beyond a typical financial transaction, as it includes control over property-related income streams and contractual arrangements. When considered alongside Plummer’s involvement in local political endorsements and campaign financing, this financial relationship raises legitimate questions about transparency and the balance of influence in Mount Vernon’s decision-making process.
At the time of publication, a request for comment was sent to PMP Lending LLC representative William O’Connor. No response has been received.
Even more troubling is the question of whether Kenny Plummer was ever legally eligible to serve as District Leader in the first place. Under New York Election Law § 6-122, candidates for party positions—such as District Leader—must be bona fide residents of the Assembly district they seek to represent. This requirement is not symbolic—it’s a legal mandate to ensure local leadership reflects the will of the people actually living in the district.
By his own admission, Plummer splits his time between White Plains and Mount Vernon. And while he may have held a lease or utility bill in Mount Vernon, that alone does not establish legal residency or domicile. In New York, domicile is defined by where a person actually lives with the intent to remain. Simply put, it doesn’t matter if your name is on a lease or if the lights are on in an apartment—if it’s not your true, permanent home, it doesn’t meet the standard.
This apparent violation of the residency requirement not only undermines the integrity of his position, but it also suggests Plummer misled both the party and the public. Ultimately, the legal and ethical pressure surrounding this issue forced him to resign, casting a shadow over the political judgment of those who allowed it to happen in the first place
2. Federal Tax Liens Totaling Over $69,000
Public records from the Internal Revenue Service’s Small Business/Self-Employed Division show that two federal tax liens have been filed in Kenny Plummer’s name: one totaling $45,016.47 for income taxes reportedly owed from 2016 and 2017, and another for $23,852.38 related to 2013. These liens, which appear to remain active, apply to all property and assets associated with Plummer. While the existence of tax liens does not imply criminal wrongdoing, they raise legitimate questions about financial transparency—particularly given his active role in political endorsements and campaign operations. It is unclear whether these liabilities have been disclosed to political committees or party leadership, a matter that may warrant further review under applicable ethics or disclosure requirements.
3. Power of Attorney on File
Title documents include a Unit Owner’s Power of Attorney signed by Kenny Plummer, authorizing the condominium board and its affiliated developer to act on his behalf in matters related to the property’s transfer, leasing, or legal management. While such an arrangement is not unusual and is not illegal, its existence is noteworthy given Plummer’s political activity in Mount Vernon. If any individuals or entities connected to the condominium’s development also have business or political interests in Mount Vernon, the relationship could warrant closer public scrutiny to ensure transparency and avoid any perceived conflicts of interest.
What the Documents Reveal
A Pattern of Political Gain Amid Public Decline
Since Kenny Plummer’s emergence as a behind-the-scenes powerbroker in Mount Vernon politics, the city has not improved—it has declined. Trash piles up across neighborhoods. Violent crime remains unaddressed. Housing code enforcement is uneven, and development projects continue to move forward with little to no community input. Meanwhile, candidates tied to the Rise Up Mount Vernon PAC—backed by developer dollars—are now positioned to shape the city’s future.
Plummer, who carries significant unresolved tax liabilities and maintains a private financial relationship with a developer-lender based in New Rochelle, isn’t just participating in politics—he appears to be orchestrating outcomes. Which begs a fundamental question: Who is Mount Vernon being developed for—its people, or the financiers and interests backing its political operators?
Why This Matters
Kenny Plummer currently serves as a District Leader in Mount Vernon, a position of political influence in the local Democratic Party. He has played a public role in endorsing candidates and guiding campaign strategy, and is directly linked to the Rise Up Mount Vernon PAC—a political action committee that has accepted sizable donations from development-connected entities. One poll site worker referred to him as “the boss,” underscoring the perception of his influence.
Recently uncovered documents show that Plummer took out a mortgage with PMP Lending LLC, a company affiliated with a developer firm operating in New Rochelle. That mortgage secures not only the property itself, but also rental income, insurance payouts, and renovation contracts—suggesting a deep financial relationship. When combined with over $69,000 in unresolved federal tax liens, this creates a picture of a political figure under substantial private financial obligation.
If that developer-lender has interests in projects or influence within Mount Vernon, and if Plummer is guiding which candidates are supported and how campaign resources are distributed, this raises serious ethical concerns and the appearance of a conflict of interest. The public has a right to know whether city politics are being influenced by outside financial actors or undisclosed debts.
Possible Legal and Ethical Violations
The findings in these documents raise potential violations under state and federal law, including:
New York Public Officers Law § 74 (Code of Ethics): Prohibits public officials or political leaders from engaging in actions where financial interests may conflict with public duty.
New York Election Law §§ 14-126 and 17-152: Addresses illegal coordination between PACs and candidates, as well as improper campaign financing.
18 U.S. Code § 1346 (Federal Honest Services Fraud): Prohibits schemes that deprive the public of honest services by way of undisclosed financial entanglements.
26 U.S. Code § 7201: Criminalizes willful tax evasion or concealment of federal tax obligations.
If Plummer failed to disclose his financial relationship with PMP Lending, his federal tax liabilities, or any material benefits while engaging in campaign endorsements or political organizing, he may be subject to ethics complaints, civil penalties, or even formal investigation.
Complaint Filed with JCOPE: Residency, Lobbying, and Ethics
A formal complaint has been submitted to the New York State Joint Commission on Public Ethics (JCOPE) against Plummer, alleging multiple violations of state law. The complaint asserts that Plummer no longer resides in Mount Vernon—potentially violating Public Officers Law § 3 and Election Law § 2-110, which require residency for holding political office.
It also alleges that Plummer has engaged in unregistered lobbying activity, including arranging a $25,000 developer contribution to the Rise Up PAC—possibly violating the Lobbying Act. This echoes his prior history: in 2012, JCOPE found Plummer guilty of failing to register lobbying activity on behalf of developers through his firm, DiRA Consulting. He admitted the violation and paid a fine.
Taken together, these allegations point to a repeated pattern of political activity entangled with private developer interests, raising serious concerns about transparency and the integrity of local governance.
A Pattern of Silence
Despite mounting concerns and documented evidence, Mount Vernon’s Democratic leadership has remained publicly silent. To date, only one Democratic-endorsed official—City Comptroller Darren Morton—has denounced the Rise Up Mount Vernon PAC. Other candidates who have benefited from PAC funding have yet to respond to questions about Plummer’s role or disclose whether they were aware of his financial entanglements.
This silence is more than political caution—it suggests a broader culture of unaccountability within the local party structure. When financial influence goes unchecked and ethical boundaries are blurred, public trust is eroded, and the political process becomes compromised.
The Public Deserves Answers
Mount Vernon residents deserve to know the full scope of Kenny Plummer’s financial relationships—especially if those relationships influence who gets elected, how money flows through campaigns, and which developers benefit from city contracts.
This is no longer a partisan issue. It is a matter of ethical leadership, legal compliance, and public accountability. Mount Vernon cannot afford to let private interests dictate public outcomes.
Black Westchester Magazine will continue to follow this developing story and report on new findings as they emerge.
The National Baptist Convention, USA (NBCUSA) has accepted a $300,000 donation from Target. This decision has led to criticism and controversy, particularly in the context of a Target boycott initiated by certain Black community leaders and activists who are protesting the retailer’s reduction of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives.
Critics are questioning the timing of the donation, as accepting the donation during a boycott effort undermines the boycott and is a “stunning act of betrayal to Black America.” Some view the $300,000 as insignificant given Target’s overall revenue and consider it insufficient to address community needs effectively. There are claims that the NBCUSA leadership did not consult with or reach out to the leaders of the Target boycott before accepting the donation.
The newly installed President of the NBCUSA, Dr. Boise Kimber, stated that the donation will be used to provide scholarships, support senior citizens, and invest in entrepreneurship programs.
Roland S. Martin, Host/Managing Editor of Roland Martin Unfiltered, blasts the National Baptist Convention, USA for taking $300K from Target in the middle of a boycott!
“In a stunning act of betrayal to Black America, the National Baptist Convention, USA has accepted a $300,000 donation from @target. The leadership of this Black Baptist church denomination made no effort to talk with, consult, or reach out to the leaders of the Target boycott. Their actions are reprehensible, and they deserve to be called out in every possible way. Trust me, this is not the last time I will speak on this. If your church is one of the 31,000 churches under their leadership, you need to demand that your pastor go on the record as to whether he or she supports the conventions decision to take this dirty money from target these questions should be shouted out on Sunday morning, so please let us know,” Martin posted on social media, Friday evening.
“The National Baptist Convention takes $300K from Target with no public-facing programs, no investment in Black businesses, and no accountability. How the hell are you saying $300K will support scholarships, senior citizens, and entrepreneurship across 31,000 churches and 7.5 million people? Make it make sense,” Nikki Porcher, founder of Buy from a Black Woman (BFABW), a Nonprofit Organization that helps bring awareness to Black Women business owners and the people who support them, posted. “Leadership means knowing when to say no. It means your community comes first. It means knowing that people trust your choices. I turned down $250K because I understood what was at stake. But too many people out here saying yes for crumbs and leaving the rest of us to clean it up. This? This right here is why. Because do you know what happens now, Dr. Kimber? This one agreement might have just shut down every other conversation that was in motion. It sends a message: Black people can be divided. And now those of us doing the real work have to fight even harder just to be believed. Just to be funded. Just to be seen. This isn’t how you rebuild trust. This isn’t how you invest in community. This isn’t it. And you’re having it in Montgomery?!!”
Some Black faith leaders, including Rev. Jamal Bryant, have expressed discontent with Target’s actions regarding DEI initiatives, viewing them as a lack of commitment to the Black community and prompting called for boycotts and protests like the “#TargetFast” and “#TargetBoycott”.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries stood before the American people and said with a straight face:
“Not a single undocumented immigrant gets a dime in federal taxpayer dollars for any part of comprehensive Medicaid coverage.”
Let’s call it what it is: a lie dressed up as legalese—carefully crafted to mislead, distract, and protect a broken political narrative.
Jeffries wants you to believe that undocumented immigrants aren’t costing taxpayers a thing when it comes to Medicaid. What he conveniently leaves out is that state taxpayers—not federal—are footing the bill. And the price tag is growing fast.
In California alone, the cost of providing health care to undocumented immigrants through its Medi-Cal program is expected to reach $8.4 billion this year. New York, Illinois, and other blue states have similar programs that use state money to offer Medicaid-style coverage to undocumented adults, children, and pregnant women. These are not emergency-only services—they include cancer treatments, mental health care, and ongoing primary care.
Despite House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries boldly stating that “not a single undocumented immigrant gets a dime in federal taxpayer dollars for any part of comprehensive Medicaid coverage,” official government reports tell a different story. In 2024, a federal audit found that California improperly claimed $52.7 million in federal Medicaid funds for undocumented immigrants—money that should have been covered by state funds only. Even more revealing, a CBO-backed analysis from the House Budget Committee confirmed that between 2021 and mid-2024, over $16.2 billion in federal and state Medicaid dollars were spent on emergency medical services for undocumented migrants nationwide—services which are, by law, reimbursed by the federal government.
Federal Tax Dollars Were Used in Two Ways:
Emergency Medicaid Services
The $16.2 billion figure cited by the CBO-backed House Budget Committee (2021–2024) includes federal reimbursements for emergency medical care provided to undocumented immigrants.
Emergency Medicaid is federally funded under limited conditions — such as childbirth, trauma, or life-threatening illness.
Improper Billing in California
The $52.7 million identified in the 2024 federal audit was money that California wrongly claimed from the federal government for services to undocumented immigrants.
This was federal Medicaid money, and California has agreed to repay it.
These facts directly contradict Jeffries’s claim and prove that federal tax dollars are indeed being used to provide healthcare for undocumented immigrants. Whether through emergency Medicaid or improper billing, the financial burden is very real—and it’s federal taxpayers who are footing the bill.
So when Jeffries says “not a dime of federal money,” he’s hiding behind technicalities. You’re still paying for it. Just not through D.C.—through your state taxes.
And let’s be clear: this isn’t just about numbers. It’s about priorities. While millions of Black Americans, working-class families, and struggling seniors fight for basic care, Democratic leaders are spending billions to provide full benefits to non-citizens—then lying to your face about it.
Migrants and those abusing the system are the primary targets of the proposed reform—not mothers, seniors, and families who genuinely need care. Jeffries made his misleading claim while attacking a Republican bill that would block federal Medicaid matching funds to states offering full benefits to undocumented immigrants. He warned that “14 million people” could lose coverage if the bill passed. But that number is intentionally misleading—it includes millions of American citizens who would be affected by broader policy changes, such as new work requirements for Medicaid and the scaling back of Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies. The ACA, also known as Obamacare, provides financial assistance to help low- and middle-income Americans afford private insurance. The proposed bill wouldn’t strip coverage overnight—it would tighten eligibility rules, reduce waste, and restore accountability. Most of those “14 million” would face adjustments to benefits, not total loss of care. Jeffries’s rhetoric leaves that part out on purpose.
He’s mixing truths and half-truths like a slick salesman, trying to distract you from the fact that his own party has made promises they can’t pay for and put the needs of citizens second to political gamesmanship.
At the core of this debate is a question too many are afraid to ask: Why are American citizens—especially Black communities—always expected to sacrifice for everyone else?
Why are we told there’s “no money” for mental health programs, housing, or small business support—yet there’s always billions available for those who aren’t even supposed to be here?
For Black Americans—who are disproportionately represented in low-income and Medicaid-eligible populations—this debate exposes a deeper injustice. While state budgets stretch to cover undocumented immigrants with full healthcare benefits, many Black families still face barriers to accessing quality care, mental health services, and affordable prescriptions. Resources meant to uplift struggling citizens are being diverted, while politicians like Hakeem Jeffries downplay the impact. Instead of prioritizing communities with generational health disparities, these policies often sideline Black Americans in favor of political agendas that offer symbolic virtue over real solutions. It’s a betrayal of both trust and need.
Jeffries isn’t just being dishonest. He’s gaslighting the very people who put him in office. And the silence from other so-called Black leaders on this issue is just as shameful.
This is bigger than immigration—it’s about truth, priorities, and who this government really serves.
If Black America doesn’t start demanding receipts—not slogans—we’ll keep getting played. And politicians like Hakeem Jeffries will keep counting on our silence.
Wednesday, June 18th, 2025, was not just another date on the calendar. It was a reckoning. It was Westchester’s call to consciousness. And it happened in one of the most symbolically loaded buildings in the county, Philipse Manor Hall, the oldest building in Yonkers, located at 29 Warburton Ave. A site once held up by slavery, now transformed into a stage for policy, power, and liberated truth.
At 8:30 AM, while the city was still stretching its limbs, the Westchester Women’s Agenda (WWA) was already in motion, hosting their 4th Annual Juneteenth Legislative Event, themed “The Movement in Movement.” And baby, the theme was not metaphor. It was a mandate.
Because listen… this wasn’t your auntie’s brunch panel. This was radical remembrance meets legislative strategy. This was a political revival in the house that bondage built.
The event featured a panel discussion with Q&A, followed by a Town Hall conversation regarding the history of enslavement and the road to repair. Panelists consisted of Dr. Jennifer Lewis – Westchester Center for Racial Equity Director, Kym McNair – Senior Director of Social Transformation, My Sisters’ Place, and PISAB Educator, Greenburgh Town Clerk Lisa Maria Nero, and Moderator Yakira Young – Content Strategist, YK Digital LLC.
We Don’t Just Gather, We Shift Timelines
The morning kicked off with registration, food, and fam reconnecting, but don’t get it twisted. From the first handshake to the final word, this was a ritual. A reclamation. A resetting of the civic table.
Michael Lord, Museum Director, and Kate Permut, WWA Board Chair, reminded us: we’re not just guests here, we’re healing on haunted land. And we came to make policy out of pain.
Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins followed up with opening remarks that didn’t just acknowledge Juneteenth as a holiday, they honored it as a promise we still haven’t fully delivered. And his words rang louder than the walls ever did.
And then came the anchor: Tasha Young, our Mistress of Ceremonies and Juneteenth Curator. Her presence? Ancestral. Incendiary. Instructive. She didn’t just guide the room, she summoned it into alignment. We weren’t here for comfort. We were here for clarity.
The Panel Wasn’t Just Powerful, It Was a Pulse Check on Freedom
Moderated by the laser-sharp Yakira Young, the panel didn’t come to play; they came to provoke, empower, and realign. These weren’t just titles on a flyer. These were women who lived the work every day.
Dr. Jennifer Lewis set the tone with a deep dive into the truth most folks try to tiptoe around: you cannot separate liberation from mental health. Period. She pulled back the curtain on how the trauma of systemic racism is not just historical, it’s neurological. She told the truth about how healing in our communities won’t happen through quick fixes or performative panels; it happens when we get real about the emotional labor Black women carry, and when we center wellness as policy, not just practice. Her presence was both clinical and spiritual, like the therapist and freedom coach you didn’t know you needed in the same body.
Kym McNair? Whewwww. Sis didn’t just speak; she plugged us into a timeline I didn’t even know I needed to observe until she laid it out plain. She connected dots across generations from our grandmothers who couldn’t speak their truths to us, to our daughters watching how we hold ours. She made it clear: reproductive justice isn’t just about policy, it’s about legacy, lineage, and liberation. In that moment, she didn’t just give us history, she gave us ancestral orientation. And now? I’ll never unsee it. Kym wasn’t just talking policy, she was talking possession. Reclaiming the right to our bodies, our time, our voices. All of it.
Hon. Lisa Nero, Westchester through and through, brought the courtroom to the community. She reminded us that while the language of the law might be coded, our power to interpret and influence it is real. She broke down what justice actually looks like when we’re in the room and at the table, not just subjects of policy, but architects of it. And she made it plain: reform doesn’t happen in the abstract; it happens when we hold the system accountable, line by line, case by case. Lisa held that mic like a gavel, and every word carried weight. She didn’t just advocate. She armed us with a strategy.
This wasn’t your average panel discussion. This was a spiritual subpoena. A collective download. A policy remix with liberation on the beat. They didn’t just speak. They activated. And if you were in the room, you left differently.
Town Hall: This Is What Democracy Should Look Like
Led by Lesley Mazzotta and Tasha Young, the Town Hall cracked the floor open. It wasn’t a Q & A. It was testimony, strategy, and calling things by their real names.
And in a county like Westchester, where redlining, racial wealth gaps, school inequity, and silent segregation still exist, you better believe these truths needed airtime.
Because we can’t liberate what we’re still too polite to name.
Westchester Is Not Neutral Ground. It’s a Sacred Battleground.
Let me say this plainly: Westchester has receipts. This country raised revolutionaries and raised rent. It gave us civil rights history and quiet suppression. It’s got towns with million-dollar median incomes and neighborhoods still fighting for basic resources.
That’s why this event mattered. Because culture state space means confronting that duality on purpose with vision, with action, with legislation that uplifts Black women and every woman whose power has been overlooked, undervalued, or underfunded.
And doing it at Philipse Manor Hall? Whew. That was ancestral alignment. We stood in the same place where our people were once enslaved and declared, not anymore.
Call to Action: If You Felt This, Move Differently
This isn’t a vibe. It’s a responsibility.
Don’t just “like” the recap. Get in the room next time.
Don’t wait on change, BE the bill, BE the budget, BE the ballot.
Don’t let Juneteenth end in June. Let it live in how you vote, how you advocate, and how you love your people forward.
Because in Westchester? We’re not just remembering history. We’re rewriting it. With our full chest. With policy. With purpose. And with each other.
You cannot talk about soulful, timeless R&B music without mentioning the name Atlantic Starr, best known for their hits like, Always – The romantic ballad that became a signature track for the band, Secret Lovers – that popular and upbeat song that showcases their signature sound, Circles – The catchy and memorable song that gained significant popularity and Silver Shadow – A soulful and atmospheric song that highlights their instrumental skills. The group’s founding member, Wayne Lewis, has died at the age of 68. The band confirmed his passing in a social media post on Friday (June 7), noting that the musician died on Thursday. No cause of death has been disclosed.
“It’s with great sadness we have to post the passing of Wayne Lewis on June 5, 2025,” Atlantic Starr wrote on Facebook. “Please keep the family in your prayers and respect their privacy #waynelewis #restinpeace #flyhigh Sunrise 4/13/1957 Sunset 6/5/2025 #restinpeaceWayne.”
Lewis served as a vocalist and keyboardist for Atlantic Starr, which he co-founded in 1976 in Greenburgh, N.Y., alongside his brothers David Lewis (vocals, guitar) and Jonathan Lewis (keyboards, trombone), as well as drummer Porter Carroll Jr., bassist Clifford Archer, and percussionist-flutist Joseph Phillips. Other early members included lead singer Sharon Bryant, trumpeter William Sudderth III, and saxophonist Damon Rentie. Bryant and Rentie were later replaced by Barbara Weathers and Koran Daniels, respectively.
“To Our Atlantic Starr Family and Our Global Facebook Family,
On behalf of my immediate family, I want to extend my deepest and most heartfelt gratitude to each of you who have shared such love, respect, and beautiful memories about my beloved brother Wayne. The outpouring has been overwhelming—a wave of comfort and compassion that truly feels like a God-sent tsunami, surrounding us with a peace that surpasses all understanding. I can’t explain it, but maybe that’s what happens when a life filled with love is poured out—it comes back in a ferociously beautiful current. Wayne wrote a song when he was about 10 years old called “You’re Beautiful.” In it, he said: “It’s truly beautiful to be important, but it’s more important to be beautiful.” That was Wayne. Beautiful in heart, spirit, and purpose.
He will forever be remembered not only as a gifted composer, producer, artist, and performer—but as someone who simply lived to make another person’s life “better.” Isn’t that our purpose, family? Yes. Yes, it is. Please continue to keep us in your prayers, and remember that Wayne loved and cherished each and every one of you. Wayne, you completed your mission. Your family—spread across the world—is heartbroken, but also deeply grateful that God loved us enough to give us a gift called YOU,” David Lewis shared on Facebook.
“Greenburgh and the world is mourning the passing of Wayne Lewis – a Greenburgh legend and founder of Atlantic Starr,” Greenburgh Town Supervisor Paul Feiner shared. As Joseph Boykin said in a Facebook post, Wayne was part of a “group filled with super talented, beautiful human beings. His gift was immense, writing, producing, playing, and entertaining and thrilling fans and audiences all over the world. He loved to spread love with the music he blessed us with.”
On Sunday, April 2, 2017, Wayne appeared on Black Westchester Magazine presents The People Before Politics Radio Show Episode 119 to chop it up with host Damon. K. Jones & AJ Woodson and Co-Host Dr. Robert Baskerville about Atlantic Starr’s album Metamorphosis, the Unsung Documentary, local politics, and their upcoming CD Release party and street renaming.
Wayne and Jonathan Lewis of Atlantic Starr came back to People Before Politics Radio again with their younger brother Steven Lewis on Sunday, September 29, 2018
“Rest in power, my brother. You represent God, your family, and the Greenburgh community. It was an honor to call you a brother,” BW Publisher Damon K. Jones, who grew up in Greenburgh, shared. On the show, Damon described hearing the group on the radio for the first time and what they meant to Greenburgh.
Atlantic Starr Honorary Street Naming Ceremony
On Monday, June 5, 2017 from 6:00 to 8:00pm, a held a program Greenburgh Town Hall, 177 Hillside Avenue, White Plains/Greenburgh, NY, 10607 to honor original and current members of Atlantic Starr with a commemorative street sign to be placed along Old Tarrytown Road at the intersections of Hillside Avenue, Manhattan Avenue and Knollwood Road. Students from the Woodlands High School Jazz Band and the Bailey Elementary School Chorus performed, along with other local music and spoken word artists. The street commemorative signs were approved at a Town Board meeting earlier. Greenburgh Town Supervisor Paul Feiner, Council members Ken Jones, Francis Sheehan, Diana Juettner and Kevin Morgan unanimously voted to approve the street sign designation.
SAMPLE THIS, SAMPLE THAT
Sampling, a core component of hip-hop, involves incorporating snippets of existing music or sounds into a new composition. It’s a technique where artists reuse audio, often from records, to create fresh beats, melodic phrases, or vocal samples. Sampling has played a significant role in hip-hop’s development, allowing for innovation, repurposing of existing sounds, and even creating new narratives.
In my book, “We Got Our Own Thang – A Look At Hip-Hop From The 914,” I showed the great contributions artists from Westchester made to R&B and Hip-Hop, including Greenburgh’s own Atlantic Starr. Our brother Wayne Lewis’ voice lives on not only through his original recordings but continues to live through the next few generations through the artists that sampled them. See a list of tracks I found that sampled Greenburgh’s own Atlantic Starr.
SECRET LOVERS (1985) I’m Goin Back by Jadakiss feat. Nesha (2004) – Multiple Elements The Way We Live by Noreaga feat. Chico DeBarge (1998) -Vocals / Lyrics Problems by Next feat. Koffee Brown (1997) – Vocals / Lyrics Love in This Club, Part II by Usher feat. Beyoncé & Lil Wayne (2008) – Hook / Riff
LET’S GET CLOSER (1982) Nobody Does It Better by Nate Dogg feat Warren G (1998) – Multiple Elements A+Z by A+ feat. AZ (1996) – Hook / Riff I’ve Changed by Jaheim feat. Keyshia Cole (2007) – Multiple Elements Closer Than Close by Nipsey Hussle (2008) – Multiple Elements Closer Than Close by Luniz feat. Dru Down (2002) – Multiple Elements Let’s Get Closer by Bow Wow (2011) – Multiple Elements Closer Than Most by French Montana (2009) – Multiple Elements The Hard Part by Joe Budden (2011) – Multiple Elements My Arms Are the Brooklyn Bridge by Lil B (2012) – Multiple Elements Closer Than Friends by Domino and Mo (2006) – Vocals / Lyrics
SECOND TO NONE (1983) Street Life by Mic Geronimo feat. Monifah (1997) – Multiple Elements 2nd to None by Dolla Boy feat Tity Boi & Raekwon (2007) – Multiple Elements
ALWAYS (1987) Dead Bent by MF DOOM (1997) – Vocals / Lyrics Reality Used to Be a Friend of Mine by P.M. Dawn (1991) – Multiple Elements 4 Ever by Method Man feat. Megan Rochell (2006) – Vocals / Lyrics
AM I DREAMING (1980) Am I Dreaming by Wale (2005) – Multiple Elements Throw Some D’s (Cookin’ Soul Remix) by Cookin’ Soul (2008) – Multiple Elements
ALL IN THE NAME OF LOVE (1987) The M.I.C. by MF DOOM (1998) – Hook / Riff
TOUCH A FOUR LEAF CLOVER (1983) Life on the Line by AZ (2007) – Multiple Elements 4 Leaf Clover by Erykah Badu (1997)
SEND FOR ME (1980) Shame – by Tyrese (2015) – Vocals / Lyrics Bladey Mae Beat 47 by 9th Wonder (2013) – Multiple Elements
WHEN LOVE CALLS (1980) Willing & Waiting by Mary J. Blige (2003) – Multiple Elements
MYSTERY GIRL (1980) Double Shots by Mobb Deep feat. Big Noyd (2003) – Multiple Elements
Wayne Lewis may no longer be with us in physical form, but through his timeless music, he will live forever.
Funeral Arrangements for Greenburgh’s beloved Wayne Lewis from the internationally acclaimed group “Atlantic Starr” will be held on Sunday, June 29, 2025, at Woodlands High School, 475 Hartsdale Avenue, Hartsdale, NY
• 11:00 AM – Viewing
• 1:00 PM – Funeral Service
• Repass to follow immediately in the school gymnasium
Black Westchester offers our sincerest condolences and prayers to all his family, friends, fans, and all the lives he touched. He was a true Black Westchester Legend!
What began as a Sunday service at Friendship Worship Center turned into a bold political and spiritual charge, as Archbishop C. Nathan Edwers used the Father’s Day platform to endorse three prominent local candidates: retired Police Lieutenant and former PBA President Nicholas Mastrogiorgio, former Mayor André Wallace, and sitting Mount Vernon City Court Judge Peter Davis.
Opening with a sobering truth — “One in three Black men will be incarcerated in their lifetime, compared to one in seventeen white men” — Bishop Edwers reminded the congregation that their silence at the ballot box equates to consent. “We’ve been taught to hate ourselves,” Edwers shared with the congregation. “But it’s a new day. And we thank God for this new day.”
Bishop Edwers emphasized the urgency of supporting male leadership in local government. “I’m not casting shade, I love the ladies,” he said, “but we need some men on that council. If all three women win, we’ll be left with just one man. That’s not balance.”
Nick Mastrogiorgio, a lifelong Mount Vernon resident, former police officer, and union president, spoke of his commitment to bridging gaps between law enforcement and the community. “Instead of sitting back and complaining, I stood up,” Mastrogiogio said. “I was the first union president to reach out to the United Black Clergy. We need unity again in Mount Vernon.”
André Wallace, former mayor, former city councilman, and longtime businessman, addressed what he sees as a fight for the city’s soul. “They’ve removed my face from campaign posters,” Wallace warned. “Developers are spending hundreds of thousands to block me because I know where the money is and what they’re trying to do. Our city is over half a billion dollars in debt. They want our land, and they’re trying to sell us out.”
Judge Peter Davis, a 31-year legal veteran and current city court judge, cautioned against overlooking qualified male judicial leadership. “If I’m voted out, there will be no full-time male judges left in Mount Vernon. You don’t see me often because most of you don’t end up in court — and that’s a good thing. But I’ve served, prosecuted, defended, and done hundreds of pro bono cases for this community.”
He concluded with a spiritual moment, referencing a tragic plane crash in India with only one survivor, seated in 11A — the same seat number listed on his ballot line. “I got chills,” Judge Davis continued. “We are survivors. I am a survivor. And I’m here to keep serving.”
Bishop Edwers closed with a reminder that inclusion must go both ways. “We don’t want to repeat the mistake of excluding women. But we also don’t want to be excluded. Let’s be one people — Black, brown, white, yellow — working together to build a safe, strong, and united Mount Vernon.”
Donald J. Trump built his political brand on a bold promise: no new wars. It was more than a talking point — it was a rejection of the neoconservative playbook that dragged America into costly, endless entanglements in Iraq and Afghanistan. From the moment he launched his 2016 campaign, Trump positioned himself as a peacemaker, a disruptor of the military-industrial complex, and the president who would bring our troops home. In 2024, that promise was renewed and amplified. He told his base he would stay out of Ukraine, avoid World War III, and stop funding other people’s battles.
But now, in the face of escalating tensions between Israel and Iran, that promise is under pressure — and many of Trump’s most loyal supporters are wondering if he’s about to break the very deal that got him elected.
A Subtle Shift — Or a Sudden Betrayal?
Recent reports confirm that Trump has approved strike plans for Iran’s nuclear facilities, even as he stops short of authorizing direct military action. The Fordow enrichment site, buried deep under Iran’s mountains, is being reviewed as a possible target. Meanwhile, Trump’s rhetoric has taken a sharp turn. His demand that Iran accept “unconditional surrender” echoes the Bush-era bravado that once led America into a trillion-dollar quagmire in Iraq — a war Trump himself condemned.
To be clear: Iran is not a saintly regime. It funds terror, suppresses its people, and has repeatedly vowed to destroy Israel. But the question isn’t whether Iran is dangerous. The question is whether military intervention by the United States is necessary, justified, or wise — and whether it violates Trump’s covenant with the voters who put him back in the White House.
The MAGA Dilemma
Among Trump’s America First base, the idea of joining another foreign war — especially one on behalf of another nation — is a red line. Steve Bannon, one of the ideological architects of the movement, recently warned that escalating military action would “tear the soul out of MAGA.” Many veterans, nationalists, and working-class voters who supported Trump didn’t do so out of love for political theater. They did it because he promised to put America first — not Israel, not NATO, not Saudi Arabia.
And let’s be real: Israel has the most powerful military in the region, nuclear weapons, and overwhelming U.S. financial support. If they choose to strike Iran, that’s their call. But why should American troops, American tax dollars, and American credibility be put on the line?
From Peacemaker to Warmonger?
If Trump greenlights a U.S. strike on Iran, he will join the same club he once denounced: Bush, Cheney, and the interventionist wing of the Republican Party. And no matter how strategic or “limited” the strike may seem, the consequences could be catastrophic — from retaliatory attacks on U.S. embassies and oil infrastructure, to another generation of wounded veterans and wasted treasure.
The betrayal wouldn’t just be political. It would be moral and generational. It would tell every young American who believed in his anti-war message that the swamp won again.
The Choice Ahead
Trump still has a choice. He can double down on diplomacy, remind the world that peace through strength doesn’t require bombs, and stand firm on the principles that made him an outsider. Or he can join the globalist chorus, strike Iran, and become the very thing he warned us about.
His base is watching. History is watching. And if he breaks this promise, it won’t be forgotten.
