A Poughkeepsie, New York community parent is calling for accountability after a routine youth basketball fundraiser at the Hyde Park Stop & Shop reportedly escalated into what many are describing as a painful example of racial profiling.
The incident involved members of Power Kingdom Bulliez (P.K.B.), an AAU travel basketball team consisting primarily of young Black and biracial boys.
According to a post shared on Facebook by parent Jena Lyn (also known as Jenna Dupilka) of Poughkeepsie, the team had secured full authorization to hold a donation-based fundraiser outside the grocery store.
She stated she had personally completed and submitted all required forms prior to the event.
The boys, including her son, were fundraising peacefully when a man allegedly photographed them and posted the image on Facebook, falsely accusing them of stealing money from their own donation bucket.
The post reportedly spread quickly, casting public suspicion on the minors.
Shortly after the social media post surfaced, the Stop & Shop store manager approached the boys, telling them they were “not authorized” to be at the location.
The manager allegedly did not verify the claim with an adult or check internal records before confronting the group.
When Lyn identified herself as the organizer and explained that all paperwork had been properly submitted, she said the manager’s response remained dismissive and unhelpful.
The situation escalated further when a woman approached and began recording the boys without consent.
When confronted by Lyn about why she was filming minors, the woman reportedly refused to stop or justify her actions. The video recording allegedly continued despite repeated requests to stop.
The boys, who are all minors, were left feeling humiliated and unsafe, said Jena Lyn.
“These actions collectively left the boys—who are all minors—feeling embarrassed, targeted, and unsafe.”
Jena Lyn
What began as a positive community service opportunity quickly transformed into an uncomfortable and alarming encounter.
Lyn said her son and his teammates felt targeted because of their race, calling the incident a painful reminder of how bias and assumptions can place young Black youth at risk.
She stated that the false theft accusation posted online and the subsequent treatment of the boys reinforced harmful stereotypes, damaging their reputation and emotional well-being.
Hyde Park community outraged by incident, urges stronger protections
The post has sparked conversation throughout the Poughkeepsie and Hyde Park communities, with many urging greater protections for youth fundraisers and stronger accountability when incidents involve suspected racial profiling.
Lyn expressed hope that speaking out would bring awareness and prevent similar situations from happening again.
She emphasized that the team was behaving responsibly, following established procedures, and simply trying to raise support for their athletic program.
Responses to Lyn’s recent post reveal a mix of anger, disbelief, and support for the team among community members.
One commented, “This is so disturbing!!” while another suggested Stop & Shop should compensate the team, writing, “Stop & Shop needs to ‘cut the check’ for that…10k or 20k.”
Some praised Lyn for advocating on behalf of the boys.
Pamela Malcolm commented:
Really glad you were able to advocate for these young members of the community. Young Black men are so often the target of this kind of discriminatory and harassing crap; good on Sue [Serino] for lending her support too.
Similarly, several comments highlighted the issue of racial profiling and harassment.
One wrote:
“Also, the racist neighbors of Hyde Park …disgusting. Especially when there are always other children out there asking for money without issue so it’s definitely a race issue.”
Some commenters debated the legal aspects of recording in public.
William Rugar and Corey Lown emphasized that people in public spaces do not have a guaranteed expectation of privacy, including minors, noting that the activity falls under First Amendment protections.
Furthermore, several people urged Stop & Shop to take responsibility.
BA Edge said, “People that made these kids feel this way should be ashamed as well as the manager at Stop & Shop. Corporate should intervene.”
Others focused on the emotional impact, expressing sympathy for the children.
Jennifer Bishop, a local lunchroom worker, wrote, “Poor boys, I’m so sorry they had to deal with that.” Alicia McIver pointed out the racial disparities, noting that similar fundraisers in other towns might not have been met with the same level of suspicion.
The incident has fueled a broader conversation about community accountability, racial bias, and the safety of youth participating in public fundraising events.
Many expressed hope that the experience would not discourage the boys from continuing to contribute positively to their team and community.
Likewise, Jena Lyn has also attached a link to a GoFundMe page on her post, inviting anyone willing to support the AAU basketball team with expenses such as travel, uniforms, and tournament fees so that the players can compete, grow, and represent the community.
