The Mount Vernon Branch of the NAACP brought together elected officials, community members, leaders, and residents, including NAACP Regional Director for the Mid-Hudson/Westchester region, Nicole Hines for an evening of reflection, faith, and civic engagement during its “Celebrating Black History Month” program on Thursday, February 19, 2026, held at Macedonia Baptist Church located at 141 South 9th Avenue.
The event celebrated Black History Month while hearing from an amazing guest speaker. The speaker was Westchester County Executive Kenneth W. Jenkins.
Kathie Brewington, President of the Mount Vernon NAACP, opened the evening by welcoming attendees and encouraging continued support for the organization, reminding guests of the importance of renewing their memberships. Her message underscored a key theme of the night: participation matters.
The program moved forward with remarks from community voices, including Judy Williams Davis who served as the Mistress of Ceremony, followed by Minister Andre Coleman, who grounded the room in faith. Drawing from Psalm 9:1–4, Minister Coleman reminded attendees that “God is in charge,” offering a message of reassurance and spiritual strength in uncertain times.
A moment of silence was held in honor of civil rights icon Rev. Jesse Jackson, recognizing his decades of leadership and advocacy for justice and equality.
The evening also made space for youth expression. Mount Vernon Poet Laureate Kaitlyn Smith sang the first verse of the Black National Anthem ‘Lift Every Voice And Sing,’ before delivering a moving poetry selection, including lines such as “our hair is joy” and “I love you, Black boy,” highlighting themes of identity, pride, and affirmation. Her performance served as a reminder that Black history is not only something to reflect on, but something that continues to be written by the next generation.
Mount Vernon Mayor Shawyn Patterson-Howard addressed the audience with personal reflections, sharing powerful stories about the legacy of slavery and her experiences traveling to Africa and Brazil. Her remarks connected the local community to the Black diaspora, emphasizing both shared history and ongoing resilience.
The program concluded with a keynote address from CE Ken Jenkins—the first Black County Executive in Westchester County history.
CE Jenkins delivered a direct and urgent message focused on civic responsibility. “History is trying to be erased,” he said, urging attendees to remain informed and engaged. He highlighted voter participation as a critical issue, noting that out of approximately 42,000 registered voters in Mount Vernon, only about 6,200 cast ballots in recent elections.
“You can’t agitate and legislate,” CE Jenkins stated, emphasizing the need to move beyond frustration and toward meaningful action. He said this line, referring to folks whom he met on his journey: Burt Wallace and Herman Keith, both former presidents of the Yonkers NAACP. He encouraged residents to not only raise concerns but also participate in the systems that create change.
In closing, CE Jenkins reminded attendees of the importance of identity and pride, stating, “Every once in a while, you have to remind people where you’re from.”
Throughout the evening, one message remained clear: Black history is not only about the past—it is about the present and the future. From faith and culture to civic engagement, the program served as both a celebration and a call to action for the Mount Vernon community.
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