Charles Oakley and group

One of the toughest and most loyal players in NBA history, Charles Oakley, came to Mt. Vernon on March 23 for Community Together, a free series of conversations with industry leaders and change agents committed to Westchester County’s efforts to stop gun violence.



The Friendship Worship Center hosted the in-person event that was also live-streamed. Oakley held an intimate conversation with community members and shared excerpts from his newly released memoir, The Last Enforcer, which tells of his life experiences from on and off the court. In-person attendees received a complimentary copy of Oakley’s book. Oakley played in the NBA from 1985 to 2004 with the Chicago Bulls, New York Knicks, Toronto Raptors, Washington Wizards, and the Houston Rockets.

The Mount Vernon Youth Bureau, The Guidance Center of Westchester and Westhab, Inc. have been contracted by the WPWDB to provide educational and employment services as part of the NYS Gun Violence Reduction Program. The program provides resources and services to help participants explore career opportunities, achieve a high school equivalency diploma, enroll in higher education, and obtain long-term employment that leads to a career, not just a job. Youth counselors and participants attended the Charles Oakley event.

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Pictured above: Back row, left to right: Liz Oliveto, Youth Program Director, WPCCN; Aisha Williams, Guidance Center; Debbie Burrell, Mount Vernon Youth Bureau; Eli Hall, Mount Vernon Youth Bureau; Jamal Ballard Mount Vernon Youth Bureau; Unidentified; Olivia Anderson, Mount Vernon Youth Bureau; Dena Williams, Unidentified; Cynthia Turnquest-Jones, MVYB board member and a community advocate; Alexis Llyod, Guidance Center,
Front row, left to right: Keisha Carter, Guidance Center; Miles Bradshaw, Guidance Center, Adriana Desire, Guidance Center; Dr. Traci Alexander, Charles Oakley; and Leandrea Reid, Guidance Center.