NAACP New Rochelle Branch Empowers Our Youth

Written By: Talk of the Sound News


I thought the New Rochelle NAACP 3rd Annual Youth Empowerment Rally was both impressive and successful. This year, the event drew more youth by having a basketball tournament. We certainly need to keep the doors open to connect with our next generation. Sports is just one of the ways to connect. And the kids could really play ball. Congratulation to Isaac Young Middle School for winning the tournament.

I was grateful for the opportunity to speak briefly at the event as a candidate for City Council. And as I said during my remarks, the community owes a debt of gratitude to NAACP leaders like Ron Williams and Mark McClain for their leadership and ability to bring people together.

Lincoln Park gets a lot of usage. It is important to keep it looking nice and keeping the area safe. I noticed that there is a lot of papers and debris left in the park. And I learned from the organizers that the park was cleaned before the event. It may be a small thing to some, but keeping our park clean in the black community is important. It shows respect for where we live and play. And we need to clearly communicate this to our youth.

I was also curious to know why the grass was not cut. There happened to be a city employee from DPW at the park so I asked him. He said he had nothing to do with it and the grass was suppose to be cut every two weeks. Wouldn’t DPW have known that there was going to be an event at Lincoln Park. I am not trying to be critical. But I think the City should also have enough respect to make it look nice for the community that uses Lincoln Park.

Right up the street from Lincoln Park was a Friends and Family event at Shiloh Baptist Church. It did not take long to realize that this church was in forward motion. And after meeting Pastor DeQuincy Hentz, I could understand why. I introduced myself and listened to him speak about the history of his church and the black community of New Rochelle. His insights and ideas were excellent. And he was not shy about sharing them.

Shiloh Baptist is one of the oldest African American churches in New Rochelle. The original church was moved to its present location while the larger building was built solely by African American labor. Hentz informed me that they started building the addition which faces Lincoln Avenue in 1940. Because of WWII, the construction process was delayed. It was finished in 1960. I did not get a chance to see the sanctuary, but I look forward to learning more about the church and its members.

I love history. And New Rochelle is full of unexposed stories and treasures that need to be shared.