Black resistance is an integral part of US history. Black people have an extensive history of fighting against systems of white supremacy. Representative Al Green continued this legacy at President Trump’s address to Congress.
Representative George Latimer called this protest “inappropriate,” illustrating two concerning trends for Democrats: a lack of willingness to fight for justice in a meaningful way and using decorum to suppress valid dissent against an increasingly authoritarian regime.
“When a president—my president, your president—is speaking, we don’t interrupt, we don’t pull those stunts,” Latimer told Axios. Referring to Green’s act of resistance as a “stunt” is trivializing at best and dangerous at worst. Latimer recommends that lawmakers sit in quiet reverence to someone threatening democracy rather than use their platform to hold those in power accountable.
This is not about respecting the presidency; it’s about refusing to place decorum over the lives of humans. Green’s interruption wasn’t a “stunt” but a demand for answers on policies that disproportionately affect marginalized communities. A white congressman chastising a Black colleague for protesting policies that harm communities of color represents a long history of silencing dissenting voices from underrepresented groups. Black folks know all too well that calling for civility is a way to silence people of color, maintain the status quo that excludes us, and dismiss necessary demands for justice.
Throughout history, all forms of disruptive actions were deemed “inappropriate” at that time. Without these forms of protests, we would not have had the Civil Rights Movement, gotten women the right to vote, or won the five-day work week. Disruptions have always been pivotal to changing unjust systems.
Al Green’s actions remind me of the biblical story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego (Daniel 3:23-26). These men were asked to kneel before a King’s golden idol but refused; subsequently, being thrown into a fiery furnace as punishment. Their defiance was not about being “disrespectful to the president” but about standing firm in their convictions against an unjust command. Similarly, Representative Green’s refusal to kneel to oppressive policies parallels this act of faith and courage—electing to brave the fire rather than negotiate on what is right.
Democracy is under threat, and Democrats can not afford any more passivity. The party needs fighters. The party needs leaders who are willing to stand up against the face oppression and actively disrupt the injustices going on. This time calls for leaders who dare to resist, not those who shrink in the name of politeness and formalities. In the pursuit of a more equitable society, true civility lies not in the absence of disruption but in the presence of justice.
About the author: Dr. haley pilgrim is a sociologist, corporate strategist, and activist. A Ph.D. graduate from the University of Pennsylvania, she has deep expertise in inequality and intersectionality. She is currently a board member for the Boys and Girls Club of Mount Vernon, Mount Vernon’s Charter Review Commission, and the Westchester Black Women’s Political Caucus. With a track record of driving change across sectors, dr. pilgrim is dedicated to advancing equity, transparency, and strong governance.
Welcome to another powerful episode of Black Westchester presents The People Before Politics Radio Show, where we bring you important news from a Black perspective that mainstream media won’t cover and give you that Real Talk For The Community.
People Before Politics Radio, Giving You Real Talk For The Community Since 2014!
Black Westchester presents the People Before Politics Radio Show every Sunday night, 6-8 PM, simulcasting live on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube and archived on BlackWestchester.com. Giving you that Real Talk For The Community since 2014.
To support the Black Westchester and the People Before Politics Radio Show, which provides the News With The Black Point Of view and gives you the real talk for the community for free, make a donation via PayPal at www.PayPal.me/BlackWestchesterMag. In the words of Ray Charles, “One of these days, and it [might not be] long, You’re gonna look for [us], and [we’ll] be gone.” Support independent, Black-free media!
Subscribe, hit the notification bell, and join the conversation this Sunday. At Black Westchester, we always put People Before Politics!
The Grace HBCU Weekend 2025 college fair commenced on Saturday, February 22, 2025, featuring representatives from Benedict College, Clarke Atlanta University, Cheney University, the University of Pennsylvania, Florida A&T University, Hampton University, Howard University, Jackson State University, Lincoln University, Morgan State University, Morehouse College, Norfolk State University, North Carolina AT&T, Oakwood University, Spellman College, Tuskegee University, the University of Maryland, Eastern Shore, Virginia University, and Xavier University.
The primary objective of an HBCU fair is to provide students and families with information regarding Historically Black Colleges and Universities. The Grace Baptist Church HBCU Weekend 2025 serves as a valuable resource for students, assisting them in navigating the college admission process and exploring financial aid and scholarship opportunities. Students have the opportunity to engage in conversations with HBCU representatives and gain insights into campus life, academic programs, and financial aid assistance.
Grace Baptist Church, located at 52 South 6th Avenue in Mount Vernon, has established a dedicated room that simulates a college dormitory, providing students with an immersive experience that allows them to envision their future living arrangements within a college environment. This unique feature has garnered significant student appreciation as it offers a tangible connection to the college life experience.
A marching band comprised of Mount Vernon City School District students entertained attendees throughout the weekend, showcasing HBCU entertainment options.
The event will conclude on Sunday, February 23, 2025, with a Grace Baptist Church service commencing at 11:00 AM. Attendees were encouraged to wear their college attire, including T-shirts, sweatshirts, and sorority or fraternity regalia.
Thank you to Senior Pastor, Dr. W. Franklyn Richardson, for the vision and ther Grace Baptist Church HBCU Weekend Committee!
Yonkers has undergone its third shooting in three days. Weeks before that, relatively close to where I live, there was a stabbing inside a pizzeria that took the lives of two teenagers. Years before that, on the same street as the pizzeria, a teenage girl was shot dead while trying to help her sister with a school project. I could continue reciting tragedies dating back to my time in kindergarten but I think I’ve made my point that the youth of Yonkers have an inseparable relationship with the violence in their community; that is, our memories, our childhood, our identity has been marked by the tragedies of our community in such a way that we can’t define our childhood or teenage experience apart from the violence we were exposed to.
In such instances, this exposure to violence, this impression from violence, influences the psyche as it weaves itself into the culture of the Yonkers youth and their daily lives.
For example, you’ve heard of or experienced firsthand the effects of street crowding, traffic, and car pollution. Many young people may prefer calling an Uber or driving to a place that’s well within walking distance because they feel unsafe passing through certain neighborhoods. It’s evident that the streets would crowd when the sidewalks are unsafe. For this reason, carbon emissions are rising, air quality is declining, and a 5 minute drive may now take 20.
For example, you’ve seen an increase of youth illegally possessing weapons. Many young people find themselves in need of greater protection from their increasingly dangerous environments. The police won’t help them—they’re not designed to. The police are things of the state, their job isn’t to do the right thing as much as it is to uphold the law. Fortunately, the right thing and the law often overlap, but most scared, defensively weapon possessing, youth understand that unless a rebellious wave of magnanimity possesses the officer, they’ll be subject to the same force of punishment as their perpetrator of endangerment. In such nuanced cases as this, a child possessing a weapon for their own safety may feel estranged from the cops as they think their own comfort is criminal. And, following this reasoning, naturally, they’ll take it upon themselves and their weapon to handle any hostilities or interactions in which they feel threatened. In essence, the instability of their environment places enmity between the youth and their neighbors, and such unexamined hostilities evolve into a psychology of “Me vs You” and a cycle of preemptive violence.
For example, you’ve noticed how the music that young people are listening to is increasingly coarse and crude and vulgar and violent. Many adults make the mistake of attributing the youth’s violence problems to the music that they listen to. Such an assessment can only be made with an ill-informed understanding of art. Art is a reflection of the artist, a revelation of the reality that the artist is subject to. Art itself cannot be the source of the problem so much as it may be the articulation of the problem, the expression of the problem, the translation of the problem, or even, perhaps, the exacerbation of the problem. Do you want to change the art the youth consume? Change the reality in which they live! But regardless, the presence of violence will continue to manifest itself in the leisure of the youth so long as it is present in the time during which they’d blossom.
I’ve given you three examples of the distinct ways in which a violent culture fruits a violent youth. Our youth have suffered far too long under the inadequacies and incompetence of their government hitherto. They have become casualties in the war against the enduring effects of racism and martyrs in the ongoing liberation struggle. For, to “mártys”—assuming the word martyr’s Greek origin—is to witness, and the Yonkers youth has bore witness to the historical violence against their people and assumed the culture imposed upon them perfectly, as any child would.
They are not to blame. I hope you know that. And I hope your solution wasn’t to increase policing in our struggling neighborhoods since that’s obviously going to cost government funding that could be going toward more sustainable,empathetic, and generally humane solutions. These children are victims, and in their victimhood, they became perpetrators of injustice. I implore you show mercy to the kids who have done wrong because wrong is only done when an individual has an ill informed morality, making it the responsibility of the society to educate them, or if they don’t care about how doing wrong will affect them, in which case they are self harming and need help rehabilitating.
All that being said, it’s time I introduce to you what I’ve reasoned may sustainably combat and permanently reduce violent crime in the youth of Yonkers.
First, for the youth who have already committed acts of violence, they should not be imprisoned. If you want a comprehensive understanding of how imprisonment does not help reduce youth violence but can actually exacerbate the issue or humiliate and dehumanize the perpetrator, I suggest reading Are Prisons Obsolete by Angela Davis and Policing the Black Man, edited by Angela Davis. My point here is clear: Yonkers citizens do not want their city to leave the youth to become wretches or to punish the youth for following the moral example that the city has laid out for them. We’re living in biblical times, y’all. I’m telling you to forgive them for they know not what they’ve done. And if it needs to be through legislation or an upending of imprisonment programs, I ask you to care about the soul of the young people first and foremost.
In this coming budgeting season, see if there’s a way to begin establishing an alternative for imprisonment for the corrupted youth and, once established, fight to make that program the standard as opposed to imprisonment. Also, on a related note, there should be a bill passed saying that if a youth is carrying a firearm or a knife but they feel endangered and they don’t want to use their weapon and they need the help of the police, the endangered youth cannot be prosecuted for their possession of the weapon if they called 911 to intervene in the altercation. Akin to how the Good Samaritan Law protects youth when underage substance consumption is involved and how the NYS Department of Health states, “Nothing should stop you from calling 911 in a life-or-death situation.” Such a protection would only strengthen the bond that youth have with their local police, making Yonkers far safer.
Second, which is the most important point I’ll make in this message, for far too long,you have taken a passive approach to preventing gun violence, and there needs to be a more active approach… through the schools. I’m a big fan of Snug, trust me. I’m a S.I.C. Shooter always,
I believe in the efforts of Hezues R, the Gun Violence Prevention Task Force, the Glocs-4-Ocs program, the whole 9. But there needs to be more. With such instances as this, it’s imperative that we address these issues primarily and immediately. We mustn’t rely on extracurricular activities alone to stop gun violence, we mustn’t believe that gun violence can be combated by asking “gang bangers” on a megaphone, outside of a former shooting site, to put down their guns and sing Kumbaya. We must address this issue for what it is. This is an issue of poverty, inopportune circumstances and bad education. This isn’t to undermine, invalidate, or discredit any of the powerful and impactful efforts that Gun Violence Prevention programs have been enacting thus far. This is to bring to light to the fact that the government needs to take a more active approach in bringing this battle to the ruins in which this war first begins, the classroom. Of course, these kids won’t think straight if they aren’t eating at home and are eating unhealthy food in school. Of course, these kids will carry guns and knives and not pepper spray; guns and knives are all they know. Of course, these kids are gonna start robbing, trapping, and scamming! I’m 16, if you destabilized my household and I had to watch my mother, my world, struggle, I couldn’t tell you that I wouldn’t be out there selling ounces. There is an opportunity deficit in the Yonkers community that starts in the minds of the youth.
To break that barrier and get them to see the alternatives, meet them where they are: the classroom. I need a Snug representative in every school the same way there are guidance counselors. I need you to help Hezues bring Glocs-4-Ocs to the schools so any student who’s carrying a weapon in school—gun, knife, whatever lethal weapon—has an incentive to turn a new leaf on campus! We need a day in the city dedicated to ending gun violence: a Gun Violence Prevention Day, where, annually, students in grades 5-12 are given a lecture in their auditorium about the dangers of gun violence, the psychology of the juvenile, and the resources that the city has to help them if they’re considering going down that path. And have police there! Have them speak! Let’s put an end to the distrust that many youth feel towards the police. Let’s support families. Let’s build communities. Let’s agree that our children are our world and unite in the fight for justice and breaking generational trauma.
And on that note, this cooperation with our public schools needs to be in this year’s budget. Let me be frank for a second and speak to you all like adults. I’m aware we’re an underfunded bunch. I used to go to Albany every year to ask for more funding. But this isn’t the time to talk dollars. There was a time for conversation. A time when we can play semantics like tennis and bounce ideas off of each other amidst a round table discussion. A time when we can leisure ourselves about this topic and converse over potential solutions while sipping our double cappuccino macchiatos. But that time has passed. This is a time of urgency. A time of action. It is not just supererogatory to organize against gun violence, it’s obligatory. Children are dying. Plain and simple. Honestly, I don’t give a **** what kind of money you have to move around to make this happen. I don’t care what department needs to take the cut. Take the cut out of your paycheck if you need to. Matter of fact, take it out of mine too! In the words of William Wordsworth, “the child is the father of man.” Nothing should be more important than supporting our children. All other matters are but dust, and to dust they shall return. They’re nothing in comparison to the fathers of the future, and so we should bow our heads and genuflect in modesty before these beacons of hope as we pour forth our all into them to ensure they become right and just. Let every one of us suffer so they may never again.
Thirdly, and lastly, support me. Support me and other organizations trying to create alternative directions for our Yonkers youth. My organization is hosting an Annual Summer Sports Giveaway to provide sports equipment to youth who need it. The Moxie Project has been gracefully supported by the Yonkers High School Advancement Club for our first year, 2024. In light of recent events we’re thinking of sponsoring buildings in underserved neighborhoods to have a more direct and immediate impact on the communities who are most vulnerable. I’m an upcoming organization focused on the youth so helping me in helping the community will ultimately expedite the rate at which we reach our mutual goal of serving our people.
To close, I’d like to draw attention to our American heritage and traditional American values. We are a republic, and republic comes from the Latin “rēs pūblica,” roughly translating to “the public thing” or, as I like to call it, “thing of the people.” Let us all, may we be activists, laborers, philanthropists, or politicians, deny ourselves, assume our responsibilities, and follow the path to righteousness. Let us do the best we can for our children, and let me remind you that investing in the disenfranchised, the victims, and the future is the responsibility of the strong and is not just morally upstanding but patriotic. If you care for our American heritage and the future of our nation, taking my advice is intuitive. And in the words of Aimé Césaire:
“A civilization that proves incapable of solving the problems it creates is a decadent civilization. A civilization that chooses to close its eyes to its most crucial problems is a sick civilization. A civilization that plays fast and loose with its principles is a dying civilization.”
Let us not be decadent. Let us not go blind. Let us thrive and not merely survive but flourish by paving the way for our children to become stronger than we could ever be.
Authentically, Your favorite 16-year-old activist, Jordan Alexander Bond-Mendez
Newark, NJ – March 8, 2025 – A community is in mourning following a tragic shooting in Newark, New Jersey, where a 14-year-old boy allegedly shot and killed a police officer and wounded another. The shocking incident has raised concerns about youth violence and illegal firearms in urban communities.
Incident Details
The shooting occurred on the evening of March 7, when officers from the Newark Police Department were investigating illegal firearms activity near Broadway and Carteret Street. Detective Joseph Azcona, a 26-year-old officer with five years of service, was fatally shot before he could even exit his vehicle. Another officer, whose name has not been released, was also struck but survived with non-life-threatening injuries.
Authorities reported that the 14-year-old suspect was also wounded during the confrontation and is currently receiving medical treatment. He has been charged with multiple offenses, including murder, attempted murder, and illegal possession of a firearm.
Eyewitness Accounts and Community Reactions
Witnesses described the scene as chaotic, with officers rushing toward the suspect before a series of gunshots erupted. Residents expressed their shock and sorrow over the violent turn of events. One bystander, Randy Mejia, recalled hearing loud bangs, initially mistaking them for a car crash before realizing it was gunfire.
Newark Mayor Ras Baraka addressed the tragedy, emphasizing the need for stronger community and family involvement in preventing youth violence. “This is not just about policing; it’s about our families, our children, and ensuring they don’t have access to firearms or get involved in situations like this,” Baraka stated.
Law Enforcement and Political Responses
Law enforcement agencies across the state have expressed their condolences to Azcona’s family and colleagues. The Newark Police Department called his death a devastating loss, describing him as a dedicated officer who put his life on the line to protect the community.
Governor Phil Murphy also released a statement, condemning the violence and vowing to continue efforts to address gun violence, particularly among young individuals. “A 14-year-old should never have access to a firearm. We must work together to stop these tragedies from happening,” Murphy said.
Ongoing Investigation and Legal Proceedings
As the investigation continues, authorities are looking into how the teenager obtained the weapon. Prosecutors have indicated that they will seek to charge him as an adult, given the severity of the crime.
The incident has reignited debates on gun control and juvenile crime, with activists calling for stronger measures to prevent young individuals from obtaining firearms. Others emphasize the need for increased investment in mentorship and community programs to steer youth away from violence.
Conclusion
The death of Detective Joseph Azcona has left a deep scar on the Newark community and beyond. His bravery and service will not be forgotten, while the circumstances of this tragedy serve as a harsh reminder of the urgent need to address gun violence and youth crime in America
New York, NY – Recent developments in the federal corruption case against New York City Mayor Eric Adams have raised concerns about potential political motivations influencing the prosecution. Internal communications among prosecutors, coupled with high-profile resignations within the Department of Justice (DOJ), have intensified the debate over the integrity of the legal proceedings.
The DOJ released internal communications among prosecutors involved in Mayor Adams’ bribery case, shedding light on internal disagreements regarding the prosecution’s direction. The department criticized the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York for its handling of the case, suggesting that the prosecution prioritized public spectacle over constitutional order. These revelations have fueled speculation about potential political biases influencing the case.
Resignations Signal Deepening Controversy
The controversy escalated with the resignation of key DOJ officials. Danielle Sassoon, the acting U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, resigned after refusing to comply with orders to dismiss the charges against Mayor Adams. In her resignation letter, Sassoon expressed concerns about dismissing the indictment for reasons unrelated to the case’s merits, highlighting potential political considerations. Similarly, Hagan Scotten, a lead prosecutor in the case, resigned, emphasizing that prosecutorial power should not be used to influence elected officials.
Recommendations for Dismissal Amid Political Concerns
Adding to the complexity, Paul Clement, a court-appointed attorney reviewing the case, recommended dismissing the charges against Mayor Adams with prejudice, effectively preventing future prosecution on these charges. Clement argued that the case had been tainted by the appearance of political influence and that allowing the possibility of future prosecution could undermine public trust in the judicial system.
Mayor Adams Maintains Innocence Amid Allegations
Mayor Adams has consistently denied any wrongdoing, refuting allegations of accepting bribes or illegal campaign contributions from Turkish nationals. He has characterized the legal proceedings as politically motivated attempts to undermine his administration. Despite the indictment, Adams has vowed to remain in office and defend himself against the charges.
Implications for the Justice System and Political Landscape
The unfolding situation has significant implications for the perception of impartiality within the justice system and the political climate in New York City. The internal disputes and resignations within the DOJ have sparked discussions about potential political interference in legal prosecutions and the need for safeguards to maintain the integrity of judicial processes. As the case progresses, the final decision on the charges against Mayor Adams will be closely watched for its impact on public trust in legal and political institutions.
The presiding judge’s forthcoming decision on whether to dismiss the charges with or without prejudice will play a pivotal role in determining the case’s trajectory and its broader implications for governance and justice in New York City.
Recent Developments in Mayor Eric Adams’ Corruption Case
In today’s hyper-partisan political climate, division has become the norm, overshadowing the fundamental purpose of government: serving the American people. Both Republicans and Democrats have spent years vilifying each other, making it seem as if cooperation is impossible. But the reality is, bipartisanship is not just preferable—it’s necessary for true progress.
For Democrats, the past several years have been defined by their opposition to Donald Trump. They have called him every name in the book—even comparing him to Hitler—and yet, he still won both the popular vote and the electoral college. To continue down this road of relentless attacks is not just ineffective—it is political suicide. The real question is: Who are they doing this for? Have they forgotten that independent voters ultimately decide who gets into the White House? Instead of addressing the concerns of working-class Americans, Democrats have built their platform around hating one man, and history has proven that focusing on tearing down an opponent rather than offering real solutions does not win elections.
The debacle at the President’s recent address to Congress is a prime example of this political blindness. Their obsession with sticking to the “Hate Trump” and “Trump is Bad” narrative has made them incapable of reading the room. And not being able to read the room is a political failure. The American people are watching, and instead of showing leadership, Democrats displayed chaos, reinforcing the very reasons why so many voters are turning away from them.
Congressman George Latimer, Congressional District 16, New York
Even though I didn’t agree with some of Congressman George Latimer’s campaign rhetoric during his bid for the 16th Congressional District of New York, I have to give him credit for accurately reading the room regarding the Democrats’ behavior at the recent presidential address to Congress. Latimer, as quoted by Axios, acknowledged the inappropriateness of the disruptions, stating, “When a president—my president, your president—is speaking, we don’t interrupt, we don’t pull those stunts.”
Now, I know we can easily point fingers at Republicans for similar behavior, but if you vote for Democrats, what Republicans do shouldn’t be an excuse. I guess we’ve conveniently forgotten Michelle Obama’s famous quote: “When they go low, we go high.” Now, it seems, when they go low, we just act stupid.
In this context, “reading the room” refers to Latimer’s ability to recognize the importance of maintaining decorum during the presidential address and understanding how the public would perceive such disruptions. His statement reflects an awareness that respect and order should be upheld, regardless of political affiliation. The fact that he—a Democrat—could see this while so many in his party could not speaks volumes. Instead of pushing an agenda of governance and solutions, they once again resorted to theatrical stunts, proving they are more interested in political showmanship, likes on social media than leadership.
Beyond their public outbursts, the Democrats’ “doom and gloom” strategy and deliberate misrepresentation of legislation are even more alarming. Instead of engaging in honest debate, they frame every Republican policy as an existential threat to democracy, relying on fear tactics rather than constructive dialogue. If a piece of legislation is flawed, the logical approach would be to improve it—that’s what lawmakers are elected to do: negotiate, refine, and craft laws that serve all Americans.
As President Trump stated in his speech to Congress, “There is nothing I can do to make them like me.” True to form, the Democrats proved him right, handing him the high ground moving forward. Rather than working towards solutions, they choose to distort facts, mislead the public, and reject Republican-led initiatives outright, no matter their merit. This isn’t governance—it’s obstruction for the sake of political theater
A growing problem for Democrats is their treatment of dissenting voices within their own party. Those who hold differing opinions are often vilified, canceled, or labeled as traitors. Black Democrats, in particular, may be smeared as “Uncle Toms” for expressing independent views.
The Democratic Party has created an echo chamber where disagreement is met with personal attacks rather than open debate. This approach alienates supporters and contributes to declining approval ratings. A Quinnipiac poll shows Democratic approval in Congress at a historic low of 21%, while Republican approval has surged to 40%.
Instead of encouraging discussion, Democrats increasingly rely on bullying tactics to silence opposition. The party that once championed free thought and open-mindedness now embodies the very suppression it claims to oppose.
First, it was Barack Obama publicly degrading Black men on a national stage. Now, it’s preachers calling other Black people Uncle Toms simply because they have different political views. The hypocrisy is glaring. How can we preach diversity to the white man while suppressing diversity of thought within our own community? True diversity isn’t just about race—it’s about ideas. Telling Black people that they must all think the same way is nothing more than modern political slavery. It strips away individuality and reduces an entire race to a voting bloc, rather than a community of free-thinking individuals capable of forming their own opinions.
This mindset isn’t just harming their political chances—it’s destroying their presence in the social media and podcast space. One of the main reasons Democrats are losing in this arena is their tendency to alienate Democratic-leaning voices who dare to challenge them. Joe Rogan, once a self-described liberal, was pushed away simply for having different views. Rather than engaging in dialogue, Democrats attempted to cancel him, turning him into a powerful independent voice that now attracts millions of listeners from across the political spectrum. The same happened with Elon Musk, who was once a Democrat but is now public enemy number one. Instead of understanding his concerns or finding common ground, they launched personal attacks, pushing him further to the right.
Even longtime Democratic supporter and sports analyst Stephen A. Smith has criticized how Democrats treat each other. The phrase “Democrats eat their own” has been repeated often, and they continue proving it true. By silencing dissent within their own ranks, they are not fostering unity—they are creating a party that punishes free thought and alienates anyone who dares to question the status quo.
Democrats also seem to have forgotten that elections are not won solely by appealing to their most radical base. They have alienated moderate Democrats and independents—the very people who determine elections. When independent voters see a party obsessed with Trump rather than economic stability, national security, and real policy solutions, they turn away. Trump won because these voters saw through the noise and focused on results. Insulting Trump voters, ridiculing Black conservatives, and demonizing differing opinions doesn’t change minds—it solidifies opposition. If Democrats want to win again, they need to stop trying to destroy their opponents and start offering better solutions.
Bipartisanship is not about abandoning principles; it is about finding common ground for the greater good. Some of America’s greatest legislative achievements—the Civil Rights Act, major infrastructure projects, and economic reforms—were the result of both parties working together. This is the type of leadership voters expect. Instead, we now see lawmakers more focused on performance politics than actually governing. Theatrics may win applause on social media, but it doesn’t build roads, create jobs, or strengthen the economy.
On November 5, the people made their choice, electing a Republican president and giving the GOP control of both the House and Senate—for the same reasons we’re seeing play out now. Yet, Democrats continue repeating the same mistakes, expecting different results—a textbook definition of insanity. This isn’t just bad strategy; it’s starting to look like a political mental health crisis within the party, where emotion overrides logic, and outrage replaces governance.
It’s not hard to see: if Democratic leadership keeps prioritizing partisan battles over real progress, they risk alienating the very voters who ultimately decide elections. The future of American leadership won’t be determined by who yells the loudest, curses the most, dances to Kendrick Lamar songs, or posts out-of-touch social media rants, but by who actually delivers results. Until our leaders grasp this reality, they will keep failing the very people they claim to represent.
Diversity isn’t just about race—it’s about thought. And the moment we forget that, we become the very thing we claim to stand against.
Sunday, March 8th, is International Women’s Day (IWD). IWD has been around for over a hundred years, as have many of the issues still impacting women’s advancement. Since 1911, IWD has belonged to all who care about women’s equality. In celebration of IWD, I share an excerpt from my book, “Black Westchester Celebrated Black Women Of Westchester,” to highlight Black Women’s achievements in Westchester County. Below is a timeline of just some of the many Black Women in Westchester who made history. It is just a small representation of the many women of African descent who have made and are making a significant difference in their communities. While we celebrate Black History Month in February and Women’s History Month in March, Black Westchester believes Black History and Women’s History should be celebrated 365 days a year. This timeline is meant to do just that.
1828
Briarcliff Manor resident Sojourner Truth became the first African-American woman to win a lawsuit against a white man.
1864
Amanda Foster co-founded The Foster A.M.E. Zion Church in Tarrytown. It is the oldest black church in Westchester County and possibly one of the oldest in the state.
1912
Beatrice Jackson-Conway became the first Black girl to graduate Washington Irving High School in Tarrytown.
1916-1918
Madam C.J. Walker, the first Black female millionaire, built her estate, Villa Lewaro, on North Broadway in Irvington. The mansion is an astounding testimony to the genius of Vertner W. Tandy, New York’s first certified black architect. The 32-room mansion includes exquisite stained-glass windows, vaulted ceilings, marble staircases, and intricate ceiling moldings. Villa Lewaro was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1976. Villa Lewaro was the intellectual gathering place for notable leaders of the Harlem Renaissance, such as James Weldon Johnson, Zora Neale Hurston, W. E. B. Du Bois, and Langston Hughes.
1919
On May 25, 1919, haircare entrepreneur Madam C.J. Walker, who invented, patented, and brilliantly marketed hair and cosmetics for women of color, died in Irvington. At that time, she was regarded as the wealthiest African-American woman in America. In 1917, she joined the executive committee of the New York Chapter of the NAACP.
Early 1920’s
Ella Fitzgerald, dubbed “The First Lady of Song,” Ella Fitzgerald (1917–1996) was the most popular female jazz singer in the United States for more than half a century. As an African American woman, she experienced not only the adulation of this country but also some of its most hideous and persistent moral defects. Raised in Yonkers, Ella lived and worked at a time when, for her, entrance to most white-owned clubs was through the back door. She literally conquered the bigoted, the insensitive, and the racist with love through song while serving as an ambassador for both music and our country.
1923
New Rochelle resident Anna Jones became the first African American woman to be admitted to the New York State Bar
1939
While further up the Hudson valley, about an hour north of Westchester in Dutchess County, I include this because of its significance. Jane Bolin became the first Black woman to serve as a judge in the United States when she was sworn into the bench of the New York City Domestic Relations Court on Saturday, July 22, 1939 – at the age of 31 – paving the way for our first Black Woman to serve as a justice of the United States Supreme Court, Ketanji Onyika Brown Jackson 83 years later. Brown was nominated on February 25, 2022, confirmed by the United States Senate on April 7th, and sworn into office on June 30th. Bolin was also a first black woman to graduate from Yale Law School in 1931, the first to pass the New York state bar examination in 1932, and the first to join the New York City Law Department. For twenty years, Bolin was the only black female judge in the country.
1940
On Tuesday, June 11, 1940, Cecil H. Parker integrated Mount Vernon schools by becoming the first full-time Black teacher.
1942
On July 7, 1942, the White Plains Supreme Court awarded a Black teenage girl $300 in damages after she was discriminated against when she was barred from entering a Mount Vernon skating rink.
1943
Hastings On Hudson resident Mamie Phipps Clark was the first Black woman to earn her Ph.D. in experimental psychology, which she did from Columbia University. She and her husband, Kenneth B. Clark, founded the Northside Center for Child Development, which helped thousands of emotionally troubled children living in Harlem. The couple’s research on black children’s perceptions of themselves was instrumental in the 1954 Brown v. Board of Education Supreme Court decision that found segregation in public schools unconstitutional
1946
New Rochelle native Ellabelle Davis – one of the first African-American women to perform in the world’s greatest concert halls – was voted “Most Outstanding Singer of the Year” by the American League of Composers. She was the first African American to play the lead role of Aida during her 1946 performance at the Opera Nacional in Mexico. She resumed her role as Aida at Ma Scala in 1949 and recorded for Decca in February 1950. Posthumously and opera based on David was performed in 2009, and she was inducted in the New Rochelle Walk of Fame in 2011
1955
On July 26, 1955, nine women met and organized a section of the National Council of Negro Women for Westchester County, N.Y. The Westchester Section was chartered on August 29, 1955, by the National President and CEO of NCNW, Vivian C. Mason. For almost 70 years, the Westchester Section has continued to grow and thrive. The Westchester branch of the NCNW is a voluntary nonprofit membership organization helping women to improve the quality of life for themselves, their families, and the community.
In 1955, Port Chester resident Dr. Joyce Yerwood, after spending 18 years in Westchester County, she moved her medical practice (opened in 1937) to Stamford, Connecticut, becoming the first female African American physician in Fairfield County. In 1939, she founded the Little Negro Theater performing arts group. As the group grew, she bought a storefront in Stamford, which became Stamford Negro Community Center in 1943. The center moved to its current location in 1975, and it was renamed the Yerwood Center. With a career that spanned five decades, Yerwood used her practice to provide quality medical care for low-income families. Her impactful work sat at the intersection of social justice and health equity.
Also in 1955, Yvonne DeMarr-Jones became the first Black teacher in Elmsford
Rose Kittrell became the first African-American Woman to open a state–chartered school in White Plains
1960’s (I could not find the exact year)
Mary Ellen Cooper became the first Black woman to serve on the Mount Vernon School Board
1963
In 1963, tackling threats to civil liberties, Lester Brown – along with her husband Robert Sumner Brown, a native of Rye who made history becoming the first African American appointed to the Local Draft Board of White Plains – was also engaged in Rye organizations that defended equal rights for African Americans and also for women. She met obstacles head-on, chairing “a brotherhood seminar of civic leaders of Westchester,” which boldly asked the question, “Is Rye really facing the problem of discrimination?”
1965
Betty Shabazz, educator, civil-rights advocate, and widow of Malcolm X, moves to a two-story home in Mount Vernon shortly after her husband, Malcolm X, is assassinated. She later relocates to Yonkers. Shabazz was helped financially after Malcolm X’s death by black celebrities, like the wife of actor Sidney Poitier, who threw a fund-raising party for the young widow. Eventually, she was able to buy a home to raise her six girls, and then the royalty checks from “The Autobiography of Malcolm X” began pouring in.
Also in 1965, Rita Gross Nelson became the first woman of color to serve as a patrol cop in Westchester County. She became the first Black woman to serve as a patrol cop in Yonkers, blazing a trail for others, including Fredricka Hreyo, the second Black woman to join the force.
1968
In October 1968, Actress Ellen Holly – a longtime White Plains resident – became the first black actress to be cast as a recurring cast member on daytime TV. Holly played Carla Gray on One Life to Live, a role she played from 1968 to 1980 and again from 1983 to 1985.
1971
Pearl C. Quarles served on the New Rochelle Board of Education from 1971 through 1980. She became the first African-American to serve as its President.
1973
On August 27, 1973, Carole J. Morris founded the Mount Vernon Neighborhood Health Center
1974
In 1974, at the age of 15, Stephanie Mills was cast as Dorothy in the original Tony Award-winning Broadway production of The Wiz.
1976
Alice C. Scott of Mount Vernon and Joan Mosley of Greenburgh founded and started The Westchester Black Women’s Political Caucus, Inc. (WBWPC), in Joan Mosley’s Greenburgh home.
Lois Bronz made history was elected the first black and first woman to The Town of Greenburgh Town Board. She served in this position until 1993, when she left to become a member of the Westchester County Board of Legislators
1977
Dr. Marie E. Lane Cobb became the first African-American woman named Director of a Department of the Westchester County Government when she was named Director of Women and Youth Health Services in 1977
1980
Nancy E. Fitch became the first female to serve as Mount Vernon City Clerk
1983
September 17, 1983, Vanessa Williams became the first African American winner of the Miss America title when she was crowned Miss America 1984
Dr. LaRuth Gray served as the first Black woman superintendent of New York’s Abbott Union Free School District in Irvington from 1983 through 1989. In February 2025, Westchester County honored Dr. La Ruth Gray with the Cecil H. Parker Award for Education.
Also, in 1983, Debbie Allen became the first Black woman to win a Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Television Series – Musical or Comedy. She won for her role as Lydia Grant in FAME.
1986
June 19, 1986, Delores Johnson became the first female Captain in the New Rochelle Police Department
1988
Yonkers native Mary J. Blige signs recording deal with Uptown Records
1989
Brenda Dowery made history when she was appointed the first African-American Mount Vernon Associate Judge by Mayor Blackwood (who was the first African-American Mayor of Mt. Vernon)
1991
Symra Brandon made history as Yonkers’ first African-American Councilwoman. She served six terms until she was term-limited in 2003.
Notable Mention: Lorraine Lopez made history as Yonkers’ first Latina Councilwoman in 1999
1992
Andrea Stewart-Cousins became the first African-American to serve as Director of Community Affairs for the City of Yonkers
Yolanda Robinson became the first African American Reporter/Anchor for News 12 Westchester
1993
The Honorable Rhoda C. Quash was the first African-American woman elected to the New Rochelle City Council and served for six years, representing Council District 3 (1993-1999). She was a 30-year resident of the city and lived at Risley Place for over 20 years until her passing in May 1999. On April 18, 2013, Risley Place received a secondary naming as “R.C. Quash Place” her honor
The Honorable Ruth Hassell-Thompson became the first African American Woman elected as a Mount Vernon Councilwoman. Three years later in 1996, she made history again as the first African-American Council President
Maureen Walker made history when she became the first woman, the first African-American, and the first person of Caribbean descent to be elected to serve as Comptroller in the City of Mount Vernon.
1994
Lois Bronz makes history as the first African American woman to be elected to serve on the Westchester County Board of Legislators
Alfreda Williams became the first African American to be elected Greenburgh Town Clerk
Sarah Louise “Sadie” Delany and Annie Elizabeth “Bessie” Delany, known as the Delany Sisters, at the age of 105 and 103 respectively, became internationally known after the Guinness Book of World Records recognized the sisters as the world’s oldest authors in 1994
Saturday, October 29, 1994, pioneering dancer, choreographer, and teacher Pearl Primus of New Rochelle dies at home. She was 74
1995
Dr. Brenda Smith became the First African American Woman Principal of Mount Vernon High School
1996
Vinnie Bagwell created a bronze statue entitled “The First Lady of Jazz, Ella Fitzgerald” in her honor. It stands in Yonkers Metro-North Railroad Station Plaza, located at 5 Buena Vista Avenue.
Appointed by then New Rochelle Mayor Tim Idoni in 1996, Judge Gail B. Rice was the first African American woman to preside over the New Rochelle City Court. In January 2020, upon her retirement, she was succeeded by her son, former Councilman Jared Rice.
In 1996, Robin Douglas launched The African American Chamber of Commerce for Westchester & Rockland (AMCCWR)
In 1996, LaFern Joseph Brothers founded Sisters In Support, a Peekskill-based nonprofit group that aids minority women & families while concurrently sponsoring the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Tour
1997
Ethel Jackson released her 1997 memoir, “My Memories of 100 African-American Peekskill Families,”
2002
Lois Bronz made history as the first African American chair of the Westchester County Board of Legislators. She served as chair from 2002-2004
Dr. Brenda Smith made history again, this time becoming the First African American Female Superintendent in Mount Vernon, a position she held until 2007.
2004
Phylicia Rashād became the first black woman to win the award for best leading actress in a play in the 2004 annual Tony awards in New York. Although she may be best known for her role as Clair Huxtable on the sitcom The Cosby Show, Rashād made history when she won the coveted Tony Award for her role as Lena Younger in Lorraine Hansberry’s A Raisin in the Sun.
Cynthia Hood shattered the glass ceiling several times in the City of White Plains, first by becoming the first African American Female Detective in the White Plains Police Department in 2004, then the first African American Sergeant in 2005, and the First African American Detective Sergeant shortly afterward.
2006
In 2006, the Union Child Day Care Center in Greenburgh, which was established in 1966, was renamed The Lois Bronz Children’s Center (LBCC)
January 2009, after the passing of M. Paul Redd, Sr., Ms. Sandra Blackwell became the publisher and editor of The Westchester County Press, the county’s sole voice in Black Media for decades.
2011
Sorraya Sampson became the first Black Woman President & CEO of the Urban League of Westchester
November 2014 Nadine Hunt-Robinson became the first African-American woman elected to serve as White Plains Common Council
On December 13, 2011, Jennifer Carpenter became the first Black Female Supervisor in the Mount Vernon Police Department when she was promoted to sergeant.
2015
September 21, 2015, Ms. Tamika Y. Rose made history by opening the first African-American Female Minority owned insurance brokerage business in Elmsford at 75 No. Central Avenue.
October 2015, Dr. Belinda S. Miles was installed as the 3rd president of Westchester Community College, making history as the first African American and first female to be appointed to this prestigious assignment.
Dr. Evelyn Collins founded the Performing and Visual Arts Magnet School – formerly known as Nellie A Thornton High School – in Mount Vernon, NY, in 2015. On Tuesday, June 23, 2020, the school was officially changed to the Denzel Washington School of the Arts (DWSA). The school grew a grade each year until it reached capacity as a secondary school in July 2020.
2016
February 5, 2016, Stephanie G. Vanderpool made history as the first African American Woman appointed to the role of Commissioner of Assessment and Taxation (City Assessor) in the City of Mount Vernon.
March 2016, MaryAnn Carr made history when she was elected the first African American to serve on the Town Board in Bedford
April 2016 Nichelle Johnson Muhammad is appointed Mount Vernon City Court Judge by then Mayor Richard Thomas. In November 2016, she made history as the first Muslim judge elected to Mount Vernon City Court
Friday, May 6, 2016, NYS Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins is inducted into Westchester Women’s Hall of Fame during 7th Annual “In The Company of Women” Luncheon at the Westchester Marriott, 670 White Plains Rd., Tarrytown
November 8, 2016, Yonkers resident Justice Janet C. Malone became the first Black Female Justice elected to the New York State Supreme Court, Ninth Judicial District, and the First Barbadian-born Female Jurist
2017
Biondi School Inducted Judith Johnson, Member of New York State’s Board of Regents, into Its Black History Wall of Fame on February 10th
Billboard ranked Mary J. Blige as the most successful female R&B/Hip-Hop artist of the past 25 years.
Mary J. Blige made history as she scored an Oscar nomination for both her performances in the original song in the film Mudbound. With Best Original Song and Best Supporting Actress nominations, she was the first performer to be nominated for both singing and acting in a film.
On Friday, February 9, 2018, Kathie Davidson became the first African-American Administrative Judge of New York state’s Ninth Judicial District.
May 2018, the New York Liberty moved from Madison Square Garden to the Westchester County Center, marking the first time in over two decades that a professional sports league has called the county home. Their season tipped off on Sunday, May 20
Villa Lewaro – the estate of Madam C.J. Walker, the first Black female millionaire – was purchased by the New Voices Foundation. The Foundation offers women of color entrepreneurs access, capital, and expertise to scale their businesses through funding, networking, and learning opportunities. A planning and advisory team that includes preservationists, historians, and other groups continues to explore possibilities and provide recommendations for the Foundation’s rehabilitation and future use of the property. The Foundation offers women of color entrepreneurs access, capital, and expertise to scale their businesses through funding, networking, and learning opportunities. A planning and advisory team that includes preservationists, historians, and other groups continues to explore possibilities and provide recommendations for the Foundation’s rehabilitation and future use of the property.
December 16, 2018, noted Civil Rights and Union Icon Doris Turner Keys passed away at 88
2019
On January 9, 2019, NYS Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins makes history as the first woman and first African American woman when she was formally elected Senate majority leader by her colleagues
March 12, 2019, Joan Grangenois-Thomas was elected Village of Port Chester Trustee. She is the first woman of color and only the second woman in almost twenty years to serve on this Board.
October 2019, Lisa Willis made history as the first woman ever to become an assistant coach for the Westchester Knicks. W. K. is a member of the G League of the NBA’s New York Knicks. The former NY Liberty WNBA player is the first female coach in the franchise’s 73-year history, as there were 11 women on NBA benches as assistant or player development coaches that season, and two, including her, in the NBA G League.
October 4, 2019, Krista Mann became the first Black female Lieutenant of the Mount Vernon Police Department when she was promoted by then-mayor André Wallace
Saturday, October 19, 2019, the Mount Vernon City School District dedicated its newly renovated Woods Auditorium in the Denzel Washington School of the Arts at Nellie A. Thornton Campus to Phylicia Rashad, a longtime Mount Vernon resident, Rashad is a trailblazer, from her role as the grounded working mother Clair Huxtable in “The Cosby Show” to her groundbreaking Tony Award as the first woman of color to win a Best Actress award.
November 2019, Shawyn Patterson-Howard became the first African American woman elected Mayor of the city of Mount Vernon. She also shattered the glass ceiling as the first African American woman to be elected mayor in Westchester County’s 43 municipalities.
November 2019, Tasha Freeman-Diaz became the first Black person, man or woman, to represent District 3 in the Yonkers City Council. Three years later, in January 2022, she was elected Yonkers City Council Majority Leader
When Michelle Nicholas became the executive director of Girls Inc. Westchester in 2019, she made history as the nonprofit’s first person of color, first immigrant, and its youngest-ever director.
December 2019, Mount Vernon native Sochie Nnaemeka becomes New York Working Families Party State Director
2020
Monday, January 6, 2020, Nadine Hunt Robinson made history again as she became the first African-American woman to serve as White Plains Common Council President.
January 2020, Deborah Norman is appointed Mount Vernon’s first female Fire Commissioner.
Spring 2020 – For the first time in the City of Yonkers’ history, there were two women of color, Karen Best & Verris Shako, on the ballot for the Yonkers City Court Judge. On Tuesday, June 23rd, Best and Shako won the Democratic Primary and went on to make history as the first two African-American women elected to serve on the bench in Yonkers
Notable Mention: In 2019, Elena Goldberg Velasquez became the first Latina elected to serve as a Yonkers City Court Judge
Summer 2020 – Grammy Award-winning, Oscar-nominated singer, songwriter, actress, producer, and philanthropist Mary J. Blige teamed up with Fantinel Winery in 2020 to create a line of wines – Sun Goddess Wines – that are absolutely made for sipping in the summer sunshine. The collection includes a Rosé and Italian Sauvignon Blanc.
Marvise Rainey became the first African American Policewoman in the Village of Ossining
January 2021: NY Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins served twice as acting lieutenant governor of New York under Governor Kathy Hochul for 16 days in 2021 after former Governor Andrew Cuomo resigned and again between April and May 2022 following Lt. Gov. Brian Benjamin’s resignation, April 12, 2022. Stewart-Cousins is the first Black woman to serve as the New York lieutenant governor, although in an acting capacity.
On Monday, April 5, 2021, Omayra Andino became the first Woman, first Black, and first Latina mayor of the village of Tuckahoe.
Efua Forson, the valedictorian at Mount Vernon STEAM Academy, is the first female student of color in the district’s documented history to be accepted with a full ride to Harvard University.
June 2021, Lakisha Collins-Bellamy is elected the first African American and Woman of Color to be elected President of the Yonkers City Council.
On July 7, 2021, Chief Judge Janet DiFiore and Chief Administrative Judge Lawrence K. Marks designated Hon. Kathie E. Davidson as Dean of the New York State Judicial Institute, a statewide judicial education and research center focused on the latest developments in the law and other disciplines that influence the law.
Saturday, August 28th, Black Women from Westchester including members of the Westchester Black Women’s Political Caucus (WBWPC), Sister 2 Sister International (STSI) and the Westchester branch of the National Council of Negro Women (NCNW) and other Westchester activists joined thousands of marchers in Washington, D.C., for the March On Washington For Voter’s Rights, nearly six decades after the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his “I Have a Dream” speech. They organized the bus ride from the Cross Country Shopping Center parking lot in Yonkers to the historic event, continuing the great efforts made by Black activists to expand civil rights and protect the right to vote.
September 2021, White Plains-based choreographer and educator Sidra Bell became the first African-American woman to create a dance for the New York City Ballet. Her work, “Suspended Animation,” debuted Sept. 30th at The Koch Theater for the ballet’s Fall Fashion Gala
November 2021 – Vivian McKenzie is elected the first African American Woman Mayor of City of Peekskill
2022
January 1st is first time in Yonkers history that a majority of the City Council is Black people or People of Color. The third time with a majority of women serving on the City Council and first time the Council is majority Black women or woman of color, Shanae Williams, follows a rich tradition of Black council members in District 1; Corazon Pineda-Isaac, a Latina who recognizes herself as a member of the African Diaspora- District 2; Tasha Freeman-Diaz, the first Black person, man or woman to represent District 3; and Lakisha Collins-Bellamy, the first Black person, man or woman, to be elected City Council President.
February 16, 2022, February 16th, Tajian Nelson makes history as the first African-American Female Westchester County Board of Election Commissioner after being unanimously selected by the Westchester County Democratic Party’s Executive Committee. She replaces Reginald Lafayette, who died in January. Nelson has worked at the board under Lafayette for years.
The Harriet Tubman – The Journey to Freedom sculpture was on display at Renaissance Plaza in White Plains from April 1st – June 30th. The City of White Plains was the only location in southern New York State to host the “Harriet Tubman – The Journey to Freedom” sculpture in 2022 after being installed in Peekskill through the month of February.
May 15, 2022
Mary J. Blige received the Icon Award at the 2022 Billboard Music Awards held at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Sunday, May 15th
June 2, 2022, Yonkers renamed a street to honor the city’s first Black female police officer, a native who many regarded as “Yonkers’ Mother.” Horatio Street between Dunbar and Clement Street is now also known as Rita Gross Nelson Way.
June 2022 Khaleelah Higgins-Brown opens the first Black-owned Comic Book Store in Westchester County, Mrz. Hulk 4 Life Comics and Cards at 5 W. Prospect Avenue in Mount Vernon
December 5, 2022, Leilani Yizar-Reid – founder of River Rise, LLC, a wellness advocacy organization that provides holistic and wellness programs for youth and families in Westchester – makes history when she is sworn in as the first African American Woman elected to the Village of Mamaroneck Board of Trustees.
2023
On January 3rd, Danielle Browne became the Youngest City Council President in the history of the city of Mount Vernon
On Tuesday, November 7th, Namasha H. Schelling made history as the first African-American to serve on the Pound Ridge Town Board, despite being targeted with hate rhetoric and signs popping up all across Pound Ridge. She may possibly be the first Black elected official in the town of Pound Ridge, period.
November 4, 2025, Danielle R. Browne makes history again when she is elected the youngest City Court Judge in the City of Mount Vernon
2026
January 22, 2026—The Coast Guard commissioned its 61st fast response cutter (FRC), Coast Guard Cutter Olivia Hooker, on Jan. 22 in Pascagoula, Mississippi.
February 2026—Lieutenant Khalia MC Carter became the first African-American woman ever promoted to Lieutenant in the 177-year history of the Peekskill Police Department. Today, she serves as Commanding Officer of the Community Policing Unit and as the department’s Grants Administrator, helping turn critical funding into real programs and results, including support for initiatives like the K-9 Unit, Domestic Violence Initiative, child passenger safety, traffic enforcement, and data-driven policing.
March 19, 2026—Janie McKennie and Michel Yant-Terry became the first Black Female Police Captains in the Mount Vernon Police Department. Both women will serve as Commanding Officers of the Detective and Patrol Divisions, respectively, starting Friday, March 20th.
The book, Black Westchester Celebrates Black Women Of Westchester, is available on Amazon, or email BlackWestchester@gmail.com to purchase your autographed copy directly from us.
With all the efforts to whitewash and even downright erase our history, Black Westchester is committed to continuing to document and celebrate because not only is African American History, American History, but it is to be celebrated 365 days a year.
On March 7th in Black History, the most significant event is “Bloody Sunday” in Selma, Alabama, 1965, where state troopers violently attacked peaceful civil rights marchers protesting for voting rights, drawing national attention to the brutality faced by African Americans seeking to register to vote; this event was a key turning point in the Selma to Montgomery marches. Today is the 60th Anniversary.
On March 7, 2015, President Barack Obama delivered remarks and then President Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama, and the First Family were joined by former President George W. Bush, former First Lady Laura Bush, Rep. John Lewis, former foot soldiers, and other dignataries in marching across the Edmund Pettus Bridge to commemorate the 50th Anniversary.
Thousands of marchers, led by Martin Luther King Jr., completed the first leg of the five-day Selma-to-Montgomery march. Marchers were protected by federalized Alabama National Guardsmen and U.S. Army troops. Selma-to-Montgomery march ended with a rally of some fifty thousand at Alabama capitol. One of the marchers, a white civil rights worker named Viola Liuzzo, was shot to death on U.S. Highway after the rally by white terrorists. Three Klansmen were convicted of violating her civil rights and sentenced to ten years in prison.
State and local police used billy clubs, whips, and tear gas to attack hundreds of civil rights activists beginning a march from Selma, Alabama, to the state capitol in Montgomery. The activists were protesting the denial of voting rights to African Americans as well as the murder of 26-year-old activist Jimmie Lee Jackson, who had been fatally shot in the stomach by police during a peaceful protest just days before.
The march was led by John Lewis of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) and the Reverend Hosea Williams of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC). The marchers crossed the Edmund Pettus Bridge and found themselves facing a line of state and county officers poised to attack. When demonstrators did not promptly obey the officers’ order to disband and turn back, troopers brutally attacked them on horseback, wielding weapons and chasing down fleeing men, women, and children. Dozens of civil rights activists were later hospitalized with severe injuries.
Horrifying images of the violence were broadcast on national television, shocking many viewers and helping to rouse support for the civil rights cause. Activists organized another march two days later, and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. urged supporters from throughout the country to come to Selma to join. Many heeded his call, and the events helped spur the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 three months later.
March 7, 1859 – The Acting Commissioner of General Lands for the United States, J.S. Wilson, stated that blacks were not citizens of the United States and, therefore, were not legally entitled to preempt public lands.
March 7, 1927 – Supreme Court decision (Nixon v. Herndon) struck down Texas law which barred Blacks from voting in “white primary.”
March 7, 1942 – First cadets graduated from flying school at Tuskegee. On March 7, 1942, the first five Black military pilots graduated from Tuskegee Army Air Field in Alabama. The graduates were: Captain Benjamin O. Davis Jr, 2nd Lt. Lemuel R. Curtis, 2nd Lt. Charles DeBow, 2nd Lt. George Spencer Roberts, and 2nd Lt. Mac Ross. The graduates became known as the Tuskegee Airmen.
March 7, 1950 – Retired Professional Football Player Franco Harris was born to an African American father and an Italian mother. His professional career lasted for 13 seasons, 12 of which he spent with the Pittsburgh Steelers. During this time, his statistics were in the top of the league, and he was an invaluable asset to his team. He helped them win four Super Bowls in 1975, 1976, 1979, and 1980. In their very first victory in 1975, the Steelers defeated the Minnesota Vikings 16-6. Harris was named the Most Valuable Player of the tournament, making him not only the first African American but also the first Italian American to be given this honor. He was very popular with Italian Americans in Pittsburgh, who called themselves “Franco’s Italian Army” and wore his jersey number “32” on their helmets.
March 7, 1985 – The charity single “We Are the World” was released. The song was written by Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie and raised funds for African famine relief. It was an immediate media sensation. It sold an astonishing 800,000 copies in three days and ultimately raised more than $60 million for African famine relief and inspired other musician-driven charitable efforts. Lionel Richie, Stevie Wonder, Paul Simon, Kenny Rogers, James Ingram, Tina Turner and Billy Joel sing the first verse; Michael Jackson and Diana Ross sing the first chorus; Dionne Warwick, Willie Nelson and Al Jarreau sing the second verse; Bruce Springsteen, Kenny Loggins, Steve Perry and Daryl Hall sing the second chorus; Jackson, Huey Lewis, Cyndi Lauper, and Kim Carnes sing the bridge. “We Are the World” concludes with Bob Dylan and Ray Charles singing a full chorus, Wonder and Springsteen duetting, and ad libs from Charles and Ingram.
March 7, 2008 – Rev. Margaret Fountain-Coleman made history as the First African-American Woman elected Village of Tuckahoe Trustee.
Rep. Al Green (D-Texas) heckled President Trump early in his speech, leading to Green’s removal from the House chamber where the president was addressing a joint session of Congress. Trump sought to continue his address without answering Green, but the Democratic congressman did not sit down.
Several other Democrats stood up and exited the chamber during President Trump’s address to a joint session of Congress on Tuesday, protesting his administration’s actions after six weeks in office. The first group of Democrats to walk out included Reps. Jasmine Crockett (Texas), Maxwell Frost (Fla.), Melanie Stansbury (New Mexico), LaMonica McIver (N.J.) and Lateefah Simon (Calif). A few removed their outer business wear to reveal black T-shirts with messages to the president on their backs. Florida Rep Maxwell Frost’s shirt said, “No Kings live here,” while others read, “RESIST,” in bold white letters.
Congressman George Latimer, who represents NY-16, tells Axios he felt the disruptions were “inappropriate,” telling Axios, “When a president — my president, your president — is speaking, we don’t interrupt, we don’t pull those stunts.”
As the speech continued for more than an hour, Democrats continued to pour out, including Reps. Mark Pocan (Wisc.), Lloyd Doggett (Texas), Judy Chu (Calif.), Ayanna Pressley (Mass.), Veronica Escobar (Texas), Pramila Jayapal (Wash.), Ilhan Omar (Minn.), Jamie Raskin (Md.) and Jared Huffman (Calif.).
Ten Democrats joined with House Republicans on Thursday to censure Rep. Al Green for his protest during President Donald Trump’s address to Congress this week — a formal condemnation of the Texas Democrat’s actions.
