L-R-Majority Leader Tyrae Woodson-Samuels, Miesha Sarah Stokely and BOL Chair Vedat Gashi
Majority Whip Terry Clements, left, with Honorees Environmental Leaders of Color and Chair Gashi
Honors Environmental Leaders of Color (ELOC) and Miesha Sarah Stokely
The Westchester County Board of Legislators celebrated African-American Heritage Month on Feb. 11 with a ceremony lauding two exceptional honorees: Environmental Leaders of Color (ELOC), a Mount Vernon-based non-profit developing the next generation of environmental leaders, advocates, and innovators in underserved communities and providing pathways to climate-related careers and Miesha Sarah Stokely MSN, FNP-BC, RNC-OB, C-EFM, a passionate community advocate from Mount Vernon, co-owner of Cupcake Cutie Boutique, and Family and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner committed to improving the quality of life, mental well-being of Black women and reducing their maternal mortality rates.
Board Chair Vedat Gashi (D- New Castle, Ossining, Somers, Yorktown) convened the ceremony, welcoming guests and noting this year’s national theme, African-Americans and Labor. “This theme is particularly fitting for our celebration tonight. Not only do we recognize the important role African-American people have played in shaping the social, economic, and cultural fabric of our country through their labor but, by honoring our remarkable guests, we are recognizing the important work African-American residents do right here in Westchester County every day,” he said.
Majority Whip Terry Clements (D- New Rochelle, Pelham, Pelham Manor) presented the first proclamation to Dr. Diana Williams and Marvin Church, Co-Founders of ELOC whom she called “Two irreplaceable community leaders whose dedication to environmental justice and education has transformed the lives of so many young people. They have championed innovative, student-led solutions to environmental challenges. One standout project, the “Don’t Strain Your Drain” Campaign, was developed by students here with us tonight. Their campaign raised awareness about the dangers of improperly disposed cooking oil. Now a full-scale community initiative, it led to the creation of drop-off sites at Mount Vernon fire stations helping prevent costly infrastructure damage and environmental hazards. It is a privilege to celebrate these community leaders, students, and their mentors for their tireless efforts to build a sustainable future for all.”
Majority Leader Tyrae Woodson-Samuels (D- Mount Vernon) presented the second proclamation to Miesha Sarah Stokely and said, “Tonight we have the privilege of honoring a woman whose journey embodies the essence of resilience, service and excellence. Her career as a nurse, and now as a nurse practitioner and medical director, speaks to her deep commitment to community health, particularly in the areas of maternal care and mental health. She has dedicated over a decade to ensuring women and children receive the care they deserve. What began as a way to fundraise for the Black Student Nursing Association at the University of Miami transformed into Cupcake Cutie, a thriving business in Mount Vernon that brings joy to so many. But she didn’t stop there. Miesha founded Black Girls Bake, a nonprofit providing opportunities for young women to develop their skills, pursue their passions, and build businesses of their own.”
View Monday night’s event program here.
Immediately following the celebration, the Board of Legislators convened aregular meeting in which it took action to protect the people of Westchester from the malicious use ofdigitally deceptive material. In a unanimous bipartisan vote, legislators passed a local law making it a local crime to use images, video, and audio—created with AI and shared without consent — to harass, extort, sexually exploit, impersonate, or otherwise abuse residents.
“This law is a critical step in protecting our community from the growing threats of AI and other emerging technologies being misused to deceive or harm our most vulnerable populations, especially seniors and youth,” said Legislator Judah Holstein (D- Eastchester, New Rochelle, Tuckahoe) sponsor of the law, which was developed in partnership with the Westchester District Attorney’s Office and the County Law Department and approved by the Board’s committees on Legislation, Information Technology and Cybersecurity, and Public Safety last month. “Thank you to everyone who helped move it forward.”
Legislator Erika Pierce (D- Bedford, Lewisboro, Mount Kisco, North Salem, Pound Ridge, Somers)notified the board that she will be submitting a resolution opposing Con Edison’s proposal to increase gas and electric rates in Westchester starting in January 2026. Con Edison, which serves more than 9 million people in Westchester County and New York City, filed a rate increase proposal in late January with the New York State Public Service Commission. If approved, rates for residential customers would increase an average electric bill by 11.4 percent and an average gas bill by 13.3 percent, according to Con Edison.
The Board also set a Public Hearing for March 10, 2025 to advance a local law ensuring all volunteer fire and volunteer ambulance corps members residing in Westchester County are eligible for a 10% county property tax exemption, regardless of the location of their service within Westchester County.
