Author: DAMON K JONES

New York, NY – October 24, 2023 In a heartfelt ceremony held on October 17, the New York League of Conservation Voters (NYLCV) celebrated the remarkable achievements of the Environmental Leaders of Color, a Mt. Vernon-based non-profit organization dedicated to empowering marginalized communities in the battle against climate change. The NYLCV recognized the Environmental Leaders of Color as their Non-Profit Honoree, lauding their unwavering commitment to education and advocacy for underserved communities facing the adverse impacts of climate change. Environmental Leaders of Color (ELC) is an organization driven by a profound mission to prepare disadvantaged communities for the challenges of…

Sundays in Westchester just got a lot more delicious and soulful with the exciting introduction of “Soul Food Sundays” at Cupcake Cutie Boutie. Located at 8 South 6th Ave, Mount Vernon, New York, Cupcake Cutie Boutique brings a delightful culinary collaboration to the city’s heart. In this exciting partnership, Cupcake Cutie Boutique, known for its delectable cupcakes, has teamed up with Westchester’s beloved food caterer, Good Kush Kitchen, to offer locals a dining experience like no other. A Unique Culinary Partnership Cupcake Cutie Boutique has always been dedicated to delivering irresistible treats, and now they’re taking their culinary offerings to…

In today’s media, intimate partner violence (IPV) is often depicted as a gendered problem, primarily affecting women. This portrayal has shaped much of our understanding of IPV, mainly through studies involving cisgender heterosexual women in relationships with men. However, it is imperative to recognize that IPV impacts individuals of all genders. IPV encompasses any harmful action within an intimate relationship, whether in the past or present, with the potential to cause physical, sexual, or psychological harm. This comprehensive definition includes various forms of abuse, such as controlling behaviors like financial abuse, physical aggression, sexual coercion, and psychological abuse. It is…

In adult behavior, there exists a phenomenon known as attention-seeking behavior, where individuals consciously or unconsciously vie for the spotlight, often in pursuit of validation or admiration from their peers. This intriguing behavior manifests in various forms, but at its core, it’s all about the yearning for attention and recognition. Consider scenarios where someone strategically drops hints about their accomplishments, subtly angling for compliments and validation. Or you’ve encountered individuals who thrive on stirring controversy, aiming to provoke a reaction from those around them. Others might embroider their stories, amplifying details to elicit praise or sympathy. And let’s remember those…

The one thing people who seek love rarely consider is that it all starts with YOU. How can you expect someone else to love you if you don’t love yourself? You can only expect a partner to help you if you are confident that you are worthy of love. And that’s where self-care comes into the picture. There are so many relationships that start great and end up not so great. The reasons for that are numerous: lack of self-love, lack of emotional intimacy, lack of communication, lack of compassion, lack of affection, or a combination thereof. However, the capacity…

There is an overwhelming amount of information in the media suggesting that sugar harms our health and that we should avoid all types of sweets. However, it is natural and acceptable to desire meals with a sweet taste. The consumption of fresh fruit, which provides natural sweetness, is beneficial to our health and a good source of calories for the body. There is a solid explanation for why our tongues have a high concentration of sweet receptors. Therefore, I strongly recommend incorporating substantial fresh fruit into your diet. You should also know that creating a whole meal using natural sweets…

If you’re trying to lose weight or eat healthier, drinking a little more water could make a big difference. A recent study found that adults who increased their water consumption by 1% ate fewer calories and less sugar, salt, fat, and cholesterol. According to researchers at the University of Illinois, drinking 1 to 3 more water glasses a day helped participants cut out 68 to 205 calories, along with the other positive changes. To put that in perspective, you’d have to jog for about 25 minutes or walk for about 45 minutes to burn 200 calories. For such significant results…

Black America was already struggling with historic levels of mental health problems amid the coronavirus pandemic. Black America paused for eight minutes and forty-five seconds and witnessed George Floyd’s killing. It co-signed all the stress and anxiety that exist in the Black Community. According to data from the Census Bureau, within a week after George Floyd’s death, anxiety and depression among Black Americans were shot to higher rates than any other racial or ethnic group, by 41 percent. That is approximately 1.4 million more people. A 2018 study in the journal Lancet found that Black Americans suffer higher levels of…

Maximizing your personal growth is a worthy pursuit. In fact, many people make personal development their primary purpose in life. But even if you just want to smooth up your rough edges, having an effective mindset for personal growth will make the process more enjoyable and your efforts more fruitful. The first thing that needed is an open mind. Personal growth requires considering new perspectives, ideas, habits, and beliefs. If you’re dead set on approaching the world in a particular way, you’re greatly limiting your growth. Only when you are open to all the various possibilities can your growth be…

For decades, we have heard our local leaders, pastors, and politicians speak on the importance of the black vote. We understand that our elders fought for the right for Black people to vote. The sacrifice of our elders was not a small task to ensure that black people could exercise their constitutional rights. In the previous presidential election, during the big Super Tuesday push by black voters to vote for Joe Biden for the Democratic nominee once again, the conversation of the importance of the black vote in our national elections was brought to the forefront. Now we are approaching…