Peekskill Recognizes Three for Black History Month

From the Daily Peekskill on Wednesday, February 15, 2012

PEEKSKILL, N.Y. -- Members of the city common council and community members gathered Tuesday night to recognize the accomplishments of three city natives in honor of Black History Month.

The council recognized Rosette Kearse, Alan "Chip" White and posthumously honored Kathleen Moshier for their contributions to the city and society. Deputy Mayor Drew Claxton presented Kearse, White and the family of Kathleen Moshier proclamations naming the month for them.

Kearse is a longtime member of the Mt. Lebanon Church Sanctuary Choir and the Mervin L. David Ensemble. She is also an active member of the women's and singles ministries. Kearse was also honored by the Peekskill Youth Bureau in 2009, where she volunteers as part of the Women's History Month celebration.

Kearse thanked her family and her church family for their support and said she was thankful for the strength the lord had given her in order to keep doing all the things she does.

"At 71 years old that's pushing it, and I know he keeps me [going] every day," Kearse said.

Alan "Chip" White is an acclaimed jazz drummer and composer who grew up in Peekskill and graduated from Peekskill High School. He later attended Ithaca College and the Berklee College of Music in Boston. White has recorded with many popular artists and has toured around the world. He has also recorded several successful solo albums.

White said he enjoyed growing up in Peekskill, where he learned about drumming from his father and playing in the high school marching band. He also urged young people to stay in school.

"Education is the highest form of art," White said. "If you want to do something you need to get an education as our president of the United States has done, and everyone can do that if we work hard."

Kathleen Moshier was one of the first African-American entrepreneurs in Westchester who started her interior decorating company, K's Workroom, in the 1950s. She was an advocate for affordable housing and served on numerous boards including the Peekskill Museum and school boards, the NAACP and Westchester African-American Historical Society.

David Moshier, Kathleen's younger brother, said his sister had a strong will that allowed her to get things done in the community. He thanked the city for their recognition on behalf of the Moshier family.

"She would not be able to sit here in this room and accept this while she was alive, so for the city to honor her in this way we really do appreciate it," Moshier said.