Caribbean American Passport March 2013

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NEWS MAGAZINE It’s courage . . .

Caribbean American Passport Partners with Orlando Magic to host Caribbean Night at Magic Game Friday March 29th, 2013

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HO: Caribbean American Passport News Magazine and Orlando Magic partner to celebrate Caribbean Night with Caribbean Culture, Music & Food.

WHAT: The Orlando Magic will host Caribbean Night with dances and much more.

Fans are invited to arrive early in the arena and enjoy the Magic Caribbean Day event.

WHEN: Friday, March 29th , 2013. Pre-game performances start at 4:00pm.

WHERE: Amway Center, 400 W. Church St, Orlando, FL 32801 HOW: Tickets are $20.00 and include the game. Please call 407-427-1800.

Caribbean American Passport News Magazine is proud to announce that the Orlando Magic have designated Friday,

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. . . the courage of people raising kids, certainly women raising them – but it is also the courage of every man who defends his daughter’s right to an equal education, or every brother who challenges a law that keeps his sister from owning property or opening a business, or every husband who not only promises that the cycle of domestic violence can stop with him, but who proves it...Their cause is our cause. Women’s issues, as we know, are more than just women’s issues. They’re families’ issues, they’re economic issues, they’re security issues, they’re justice issues. And they matter to all of us, men as well as women, boys as well as girls, those of us who live in free countries as well as those

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Caribbean-Born Doctor led team that “cured” baby of HIV

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he “cure” of a baby from the dreaded disease HIV made news globally but missing from the story is the fact that a Caribbean-born doctor of Johns Hopkins’ Children’s Center in Baltimore led the team of researchers who found the “treatment.”

Guyana-born Dr. Deborah Persaud, a virologist at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, said in a news conference at the Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections in Atlanta on Sunday, that the child from Mississippi was born with HIV two-and-a-

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L I F E S T Y L E

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Guenet Gittens-Roberts, Publisher/Editor

Who Am I???

ne of my favorite movie stars is Jackie Chan, growing up in Guyana on a culture of Chinese movies and westerns, it had to be him or John Wayne, I know that I’m not alone, some might say Bruce Lee but mine is Jackie Chan (leave me alone, Sam gives me enough grief). Last week, I was watching for probably the 5th time one of his movies WHO AM I? About a week earlier I had gone through the process of sorting out who was ‘black’ at a planning meeting to honor ‘black businesses’ in Central Florida and it left me with the burning question...exactly Who am I? For us as Caribbean people, we come from a culture where we don’t lead with race as a description. When I lived in Guyana, to describe myself, I would say that I went to, Stella Maris then Queen’s College, grew up on Church Street, Alberttown, my parents made glee toys and owned NCE Screen Printers, where they did t-shirts, school badges and other promotional material. Coming from a grandmother, on my mother’s side, who is Indian, a grandmother on my father’s side who is half white and half black; both grandfathers being black, never made me think in terms of race.

However when Buju Banton sang: Me love me car, Me love me bike Me love me money and ting But most of all, Me love me browning That was the closest in race that I was ever described in the Caribbean, especially by my husband Sam. But here in America where there are so many labels...Who am I? Guyanese, Caribbean, South American, African American, Asian Pacific American, Caribbean American…....Who Am I?

vately to each other in mandarin and they live in Canada.

Living in that environment I could see the kids identifying strongly with the Asian community as they grow up.

Sam’s side of the family is even more mixed than we are…….one brother looks Italian but has dreadlocks down to the floor, one sister is married to a white American, and looks white but then she has a son who the kids at school said must have a black father when they saw her; she has other children and they are all unique in their own way; blond hair, blue eyes…brown curly/ kinky hair and even straight brown hair with brown eyes…..Who am I?.

So where do we identify...Who am I? I love identifying as Caribbean, since it covers and explains the true diversity of who we are as a people all of the wonderful mixtures of people, food and culture that we are.

Caribbean American covers people of African, Indian, Portuguese, White, Chinese and more. It also covers the Hispanic community from the islands like Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic and Cuba, the French Creoles of Haiti and Martinique to name a few.

Who am I? I am Caribbean American; I’m part of the growing Caribbean American community here in Central Florida, Florida and the nation as a whole. We are a vibrant part of the American community and we continue to contribute to the fabric that holds this great country together. We contribute through the many businesses that we own, operate, service and manage. Caribbean Americans have opened new businesses, even during this time of recession. We contribute to showcasing the diversity of our towns, our Cities, our States and our nation through the love of our culture which motivates us to present our many Caribbean events nationwide.

Then when I describe where Guyana is, I’m sometimes asked “well then aren’t you Hispanic”...to put one item to rest...Guyanese are not counted as Hispanic. One of the ways you’re counted as being Hispanic is by being from a country that was a Spanish Territory. Guyana is one of the only English speaking countries in South America, so we’re Join us March 29th at the Caribbean Night Celebration with not Hispanic, I actually called the Hispanic Chamber to the Orlando Magic to showcase and find out more about our find out. My children, on the other-hand, have found out, diverse culture and people right here in Orlando. due to their outward appearance, that they are identified as Hispanic in most circumstances. My daughter has curly hair which makes her look ‘Spanish’ and she loves Spanish and is always speaking in the language; so she is identiGGR Marketing & Public Relations fied as Puerto Rican; however whenever she straightens her 1230 Hillcrest Street, Suite 101 • Orlando, FL 32803 hair, she looks ‘black’. My son, who is darker than my 407-427-1800 • guenetroberts@yahoo.com For Media Information email: capnewsmagazine@yahoo.com daughter, has really tight curly hair, so he’s often identiShould you desire to review past copies of the publication fied as Dominican or even Black.

My brother is married to a black Jamaican, who was born in America - they identify strongly as Black American...that could be due in part to living in New York. He feels that we should all identify as Black since there are programs out there that we could be utilizing as Black Americans that would benefit us all as a community.

My sister is married to a Chinese/Amerindian mixed Guyanese - who looks Japanese than and he works for Toyota... where they keep sending him to Japan for further training. Her kids, 4yrs and 7yrs, are learning to speak mandarin and speak pri-

go to http://www.issuu.com/caribbeanamericanpassport and search for Caribbean American Passport News Magazine.

Publisher ........................................................... Guenet Gittens-Roberts Editor ..........................................................................Natasha Solomon Contributing Writers: ................................................... Rosemarie Roth ..................................................................................... Natasha Gittens ............................................................................. .Sandra Ann Baptiste . .................................. ................................................... Roger Caldwell ................................................................................ Nouchelle Hastings Contributing Photographers ........................................... Dillia Castillo .................................................................................. Tahara Thompson Distribution.................................................................... Samuel Roberts ....................................................................................... Frank Ambrose Copyright (C) 2010 GGR Marketing & Public Relations. All rights reserved.

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The State of Union Address; Bold and Breaking New Ground

and congratulated her for not giving up. But on another level, this incident showed that our systems are broken, and our leaders are betraying our ideals by forcing citizens to wait for hours for a basic and fundamental right voting.

By Roger Caldwell “Together, we have cleared away the rubble of crisis, and can say with renewed confidence that the state of our union is stronger,” said President Obama in his first State of the Union address since he has won his second term in office. Some of the president’s opponents cannot see the forest from the trees, and they believe that his speech is just rhetoric. But the president is aware that the American people made a choice in the 2012 election to continue down the road that he has initiated, and he now has a mandate.

President Obama is a change and transformational agent, and he has helped create more than 3 million jobs in the last 22 months, and six months before he took office the economy lost 4 million jobs. The president saved the auto industry, and the real estate market is starting to rebound. Whether one admires President Obama oratory skills, he can support his case with his record.

As result of this embarrassing situation in our state, the president is proposing a bipartisan panel that will develop solutions so that voting problems are corrected. In education, President Obama proposed that every 4 year old should receive quality child care, and high schools need to be redesigned to emphasize “real-world learning,” and tighter accountability for colleges receiving federal aid.

He also shocked many Republicans when he stated if you work fulltime you should not live in poverty and he is proposing to raise the federal minimum wage to $9.00 an hour. This speech was a liberal call to-arms and he asked for more support for gay rights, and the Congress to address climate control.

The president is also asking the Congress for $50 billion in infrastructure spending and a partnership to promote clean energy and improve manufacturing. He also asked for legislation for comprehensive immigration reform and told us he will bring home 34,000 American troops from Afghanistan.

But the most emotionally charged part of the speech was when the president began to talk about protecting our children and a common sense approach to gun reform and gun control.

“The defining issue of our time is how to keep that promise There were a dozen families at the address who had lost a alive. No challenge is more urgent. No debate is more impor- member of their family to gun violence, or they had been shot. tant. We can settle for a country where a shrinking number of people do really well while a growing number of Americans barely get by, or we can restore an economy where everyone gets a fair shot, and everyone does their fair share, and everyone plays by the same set of rules,” says the president.

we can restore an economy where everyone gets a fair shot, and everyone does their fair share, and everyone plays by the same set of rules

America is at a cross-road, and in order to maintain leadership in technology, banking, and manufacturing, there is a need for groundbreaking research and innovation. In this speech the president established a blueprint for the next four years, and he is focused on American ingenuity. America is back and President Obama refuses to let dream killers stop his progress.

This was the part of the speech where the applause was the greatest, and there have been 1000 deaths by guns across the country in the last two months.

“If you want to vote no, that’s your choice. But these proposals deserve a vote. Gabby Giffords deserves a vote. The families of Newton deserve a vote. The families of Aurora deserve a vote,” At the State of the Union address there was a 102 year old as President Obama made it clear what he believes.

Black woman named Desiline Victor who waited for six hours to cast her ballot in Miami, Florida. In this story, the president This is an extremely ambitious and aggressive plan, but Presidemonstrated the indomitable American spirit and when this dent Obama believes that he can ignite the true American spirit. woman recieved her sticker; the crowd at the polls applauded The president has four years and he will need our support.

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THE NINE MILE MUSIC FESTIVAL

By Wendy Roberts

Stephen, Julian and Damian Marley with a surprise guest appearance by Spragga Benz during their segment, 2 he 9 Mile Music Festival began as a labor of love, pio- Chainz, Future, Mavado (My personal favorite), Konshens, neered by, Cedella Marley Booker. Over the years the Jr.Reid, Capleton, Luciano, Machel Montano (another fafestival has had other names including “The Caribbean vorite), and Patrice Roberts. All of the artists were great Music Festival” finally evolving into what is known as the 9 performers on their own and they each gave the crowd a Mile Music Festival today. Keeping in alignment with its Name- different style of music. sake, This reggae music event is more than just Everyone seemed to be your average “concert”, mesmerized by the music it has a commitment to and the all around vibe of doing good and spreadthe concert. If you bought ing love. The 9 Mile Mutickets for the VIP section sic Festival is responsible then you would have for collecting over two (2) caught a glimpse of the million canned goods artistes who had perover its 18 year span, in formed earlier in the an effort to continuously night. Machel Montano Caribbean Passport team CAP Reporter Wendy CAP Reporter Michelle reporter Wendy Roberts and Roberts with Mavado Mohammed with give back to its commuenjoyed the Marley perforPublisher Guenet GittensSpragga Benz nity. Four canned goods mance standing directly Roberts with Machel Montano were required for entry, in front of us, just a regualong with a purchased lar guy enjoying the show. admission; the canned The entire night was a sucgoods collected are then cess and it wad definitely distributed to shelters in a night to remember. The Miami & Jamaica. crowd was one of the most diverse I’ve ever seen and This was my first year the show flowed well. All attending this event and the artists were humble I feel blessed to have and gave their all in their gone. The lineup inperformances. This is a Damian Marley Stephen Marley Julian Marley cluded a variety of differ- CAP Reporter Michelle Mohammed was one of the only reporters to get backstage definite must attend type ent artists from reggae to to talk with the Marleys after their amazing performance at the Nine Mile Festival. of show and I definitely hip hop to soca. The artwill be attending this She credits performer Spragga Benz with allowing her to get that scoop and enjoyed the warm, friendly family atmosphere that was evident behind the scenes. ist in attendance were event every year.

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ImmigrationINFO

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Immigration News for Our Community Knock, Knock, It’s Immigration at the door!

“Notice to Appear,” which initiates the removal/deportation process. Politely ask the Immigration officer if you can use the phone to call your family member to let them know you are safe.

5. Inform family member where you are & name of Immigration Officer: Once you get to speak with your family member, give them the name of the detention center you will be

By Attorney Gail S. Seeram, taken to and the name of the Immigration officer. This inGail@GailLaw.com formation will be helpful to the immigration attorney hired 1-877-GAIL-LAW to represent you.

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Do Not Sign any Documents: The Immigration Officer will @GailSeeram present numerous documents to you for your signature. DO NOT SIGN ANY DOCUMENTS. Simply write, “Refuse to his past week, while in conversation with a client in reSign” in the signature block. There have been numerous cases moval/deportation, she complained to me about how she where immigrants sign documents not knowing that they are was treated by immigration officers that came to her home. waiving a judicial hearing and choosing expedited removal/deThe doorbell rang at 6:30am and when her husband answered the portation. Once an attorney is retained to represent you, the door, two uniform officers said they were looking for someone in attorney will review the documents and advise you of the legal the area and asked him who lived at this address. Her husband ramifications of each document. answered truthfully and the offic7. Do Not Submit to Threats by ers let themselves into her home Immigration Officer: I have heard (without a search warrant). Before stories of Immigration Officers she knew it, two officers were standmaking threatening remarks such ing in her bedroom while she still as “If you don’t sign these docuhad her nightgown on and they ments or cooperate, we will hold asked her to come with them. She you here for 6-9 months” or “If you asked if she could change into reguhire an attorney, we will deport you lar clothes and they answered “yes” tomorrow”. Do not believe these but the female officer remained in statements. Removal/deportation her bedroom while she changed. is a process and takes at least 2-3 Yes, the officers had a final order for months with a final order or reher removal/deportation due to an moval/deportation. Immigration immigration case that she lost in Officers don’t like to see you hire immigration court. However, she an attorney because you will be addid not lose her right to be treated vised of reliefs and waivers that will as a human being and should have allow you to remain in the U.S. been given the respect and dignity Additionally, they know that when due to any individual regardless of an attorney is involved, they must their immigration status. be on their best behavior because the attorney will not hesitate to Unfortunately, many individuals speak with their supervisor or file a don’t know what to expect if Imcomplaint against the Department migration comes knocking at their of Homeland Security. door due to an expired visa/I-94, initiation of removal/deporta- 8. Exercise Right for Bond Hearing: The Immigration Officer tion proceeding due to commission of a crime, or execution of a will ask you if you want a hearing to determine bond – alfinal order of removal/deportation. Also, Immigration can visit ways answer, “Yes”. Contact your family members and tell your job and detain you at your worksite. Recently, Immigration them to hire an immigration attorney to represent you at has engaged in numerous worksite raids at corporations that hire a the hearing. large number of immigrants.

9. Be Patient: It is tough to be held in a detention center and to be away from your family. I always urge my clients to be paSo, what are the DO’S and DON’TS if Immigration comes tient with the process and don’t rush to give up and opt for knocking at your door or job? removal/deportation without a hearing. In most cases, my clients that are held in detention are eligible for some type of 1. Be Respectful: Refer to the Immigration Officer as “Sir” or relief from removal/deportation but we can only apply for such “Madam” or “Officer.” Though the Immigration Officer may relief in immigration court. There is a 1-2 years backlog in not treat you with respect, you should show respect because the immigration court but when you are in a detention centhe decisions regarding your detention, issuance of bond, or ter, your case can take 3-6 months. release initially rest in their hands.

10. Inform Immigration Officer of Special Dietary Needs or Medical 2. Get the name of the Immigration Officer: ask the officer for Conditions: If you have special dietary or food needs (such as his/her business card. If he/she is not willing to give you a vegetarian), make sure you inform the immigration officer so they business card, then casually ask for his/her name. Make a can make the proper arrangements for your food. Also, if you mental note or write down their name. have any medical conditions and require daily medicine, advise 3. Ask the Immigration Officer where you are being taken: this is the immigration officer so they can have your family bring your very important because in most states, Immigration has more than medicine or make arrangements for you to have your medicine at one detention center. As an immigration lawyer, I find it difficult the detention facility. to locate my clients when the family members cannot tell me where my client is being held. Sometimes, it takes 2-3 hours to call every Remember, at the end of the day, though Immigration Officers try to detention center in the state to locate my client. Immigration is make you feel that they are trying to help you, they are more connot always very helpful. cerned with their job security and showing statistically that the U.S. 4. While being processed-ask to use the phone: the first place is safer due to increased removal/deportation. The only person who Immigration will take you is to an office where you will be has your best interest in mind is your immigration lawyer. Our office fingerprinted and photographed. They will also ask you ques- is available 24/7 to assist in these types of detention emergencies – if tions about your status and family members and create a you get the voicemail message, simply hit “1” to be connected di“Record of Proceeding”. Also, they will serve you with a rectly to the lawyer’s cell phone.

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Magic,

Continued from page 1

March 29th, 2013 as the first “Caribbean Day” celebration. The program will include a Street Festival featuring Caribbean dancers, music, display tables, and other activities from 4-6 pm filled with the pageantry of the Caribbean through Carnival.

The dancers will range from Indian to African, traditional to Carnival and there will be a variety of dance styles. Caribbean snacks will be available and a short video on Caribbean culture to make this Magic Caribbean event an unforgettable evening depicting the colors and diversity of the Caribbean and to provide an interesting insight into this exciting culture. Caribbean American Passport News Magazine has partnered with local Caribbean Associations and will be using this as the official launch of their portfolio of exciting Caribbean Events lineup being promoted including - Phagwah March 31st, Islands Gone Wild April 21st, CAFA Fusion Festival April 28th, Orlando Carnival May 26th, CAHM Festival June23rd. Different levels of sponsorship packages are available. Tickets are available for Caribbean Night, a celebration of the culture and heritage of the Caribbean at $20.00 per person and include the basketball game.

For sponsorship packages, display tables and event information, please contact Caribbean American Passport News Magazine at 407-427-1800 or capnewsmagazine@yahoo.com.

GGR Marketing and PR is recognized as the ‘Passport to the Caribbean American Community’. Our multi-media platform, which includes the Caribbean American Passport News Magazine, Radio and Events is recognized as the premiere source of Caribbean news and events within the greater Central Florida community.

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JAMAICA: The Epicenter of Crisis in the Caribbean

By Owen Everard James

generally? Why do we not recognize the reality that unchanged behavior in the face of unchanging problems is most unlikely s the largest of the islands, but for to bring about changed outcomes? Why do those who suffer what I provocatively call “the big the most and are clearly marginalized appear so resigned to island” of Guyana, and the first to gain their plight? Are there opportunities to improve both our choices independence from the British, Jamaica and the related outcomes? If such opportunities do exist, are has always been seen as they shrinking to the point of irrelevance as we ceaselessly resomewhat of a bell- commit ourselves to the status quo? weather for achievement and progress in the re- It appears that the more obvious it becomes that we need smart gion. The early years af- solutions to our intractable problems the more political leadter Independence justi- ership attempts to redirect our survival concerns to political fied this view. Much has illusions like the urgent need to become a republic. It is very changed since then. The difficult to imagine a worse time than now in which to conconsensus is that Ja- template, let alone actually implement, such an indulgence. maica is worse off to- This may be justifiable only if we consider national pride as in day than it was during immediate need of triage and of significantly greater priority the ten years prior to than issues of survival. I am unaware, for example, of any and since Indepen- significant advantages gained by the Republics of Trinidad & Tobago and Guyana that could not have been gained had eidence in 1962. ther country remained simply an independent nation. I do It appears that Ja- understand and support the desire for republic status. I simply maica’s problem is consider this a luxury that should only be indulged after our twofold at its core: the many more pressing priorities have been addressed. In this reone is entrenched po- gard it is not accidental that the title of my new book is Sufferlitical tribalism; the other is a complex selfishness that may ers’ Manifesto: A New Way to an Old, Elusive Destination & a be defined simply as a confusing, flexible patriotism. While Challenge to the Best in us and Among us. politics tends to be tribal, patriotism by its very nature cannot be since it is essential to a people’s collective willingness I recall as a teenager in Jamaica, a small group in the capital to sacrifice on their county’s behalf. This is especially true in city of Kingston that self-identified as sufferers. The group extimes of crisis when the outcomes sought may appear distant emplified the reality that there was an underclass that was and even unlikely. There can be no question that Jamaica is confined to the very fringes of a society in which a few were in crisis. Similarly, there can be no doubt that the combined making visible, steady progress toward a better life in terms effect of the two identified problems is potentially catastrophic. of access to education, better jobs, increasing incomes and upward social mobility. Not too many years later, this small Prolonged survival in the embrace of political tribalism or flex- group of sufferers had so grown in numbers that the classifiible patriotism leads to a place in which indifference thrives and cation was widely applied and justifiably applicable across acquiescence grows in respect of stagnation, extensive poverty, much of the nation. Even members of the upwardly mobile destructive admiration of selfishness and greed, ineffective gov- class would conveniently self-identify as sufferers when imernment and the wholesale failing of national institutions meant portant aspects of their progress were stymied. Worthy of note to serve the people and move the country forward. We should is the fact that until recently there was a community just outbe much less concerned about party colors than we should be side of Kingston called Sufferers Heights. The place is now about accountability, performance and the measurement of known as Windsor Heights. Unfortunately, the dramatic performance on the part of those we elect to govern. We should change in name has yet to be matched by a comparable transall marvel as well as worry at the protracted resignation of those formation in circumstances. among us who suffer and are marginalized. This resignation The plight of the sufferers was acknowledged to be genuine by cannot be permanent and therefore has explosive potential. both those who were not too far removed from the condition and These circumstances provoke some distressing questions: Why those who were so far removed that acknowledgement was aldo we so frequently make such poor political choices? Why ways at war with indifference. Indifference always seemed to win. don’t we recognize the deficiency of related outcomes? Why do we remain committed to a traditional two-party-system-democ- Given the fact that the plight of sufferers was recognized as racy that continues to yield results that generally fail to ad- real from as early as the mid-1960s, one must wonder how vance either our personal welfare or the welfare of our country — Continued on page 25 —

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Two Young Women Address Domestic Violence in the Haitian Community in Central Florida

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s a result of the growing domestic violence tragedies in the Haitian community in Central Florida, a number of concerned citizens came together to form a task force to address this issue. While the task force idea did not “take root” at the time (and we hope that it can still happen), two young ladies got together and took action on behalf of domestic violence victims and their loved ones.

While the debut of LIPS’ Languages of Love workshop was a total and undeniable success, the road ahead is long and arduous. However, this inaugural success is due in part to the strong support from dedicated community volunteers (Fabienne Alphonse-Reid, and Mackenson Elysée), event presenters, and full endorsements by the Center for Multicultural Wellness and Prevention, Inc. (CMWP). CMWP believed so much in the innovative way that LIPS wants to While domestic violence has increasingly tackle domestic violence in our commubeen a silent killer in the Haitian comnities, that it was one of the leading sponmunity, it, however, does not discrimisors of this event along with: The Consunate. Domestic violence affects every cullate of Haiti in Orlando, Haiti 1 Stop, and ture, race, gender, ethnicity, and religious Orlando Caribbean Catering. LIPS also beliefs. In order to combat this very destructive pattern of be- received donated domestic violence educational handouts from havior, education and community outreach must be a priority Harbor House of Central Florida. to prevent senseless deaths that many have already suffered.

As such, Ms. Milda Monplaisir-Elysee and Ms. Rose-Nancy Jo- The work of Ladies In Production Services (LIPS) exemplifies seph decided it was time for a change and created Ladies In the meaning of caring, community service and proactivity in Production Services (LIPS). On February 9, 2013, LIPS launched the desire to do something worthwhile to bring about a much its first series of workshops geared towards promoting healthy needed change. To continue the mission of promoting healthy relationships and deterring domestic abuse and violence. Lan- relationships and deterring domestic abuse and violence, the guages of Love targeted couples and singles, young, old, and in- next event is scheduled for May 18th, as part of the Annual between to an evening of interactive and invigorating conver- Haitian Flag Day Celebration in Orlando. You are encouraged sations delivered by three dynamic, licensed relationship coun- to COME OUT AND JOIN THE FUN WHILE GAINING INVALUseling professionals. Pastor Ernst Thervil, and Drs. Clifford and ABLE INFORMATION ON HOW TO ENJOY A LONG-LASTING Joselle Laguerre presented and engaged our guests on the fol- HEALTHY RELATIONSHIP WITH YOUR PARTNER, FAMILY, lowing topics: Communication 101, Understanding and Express- FRIENDS, AND ASSOCIATES. ing Love Languages, and Initiating Change and Applying it Everyday. The event also featured local talents: spoken words by For more information, please contact LIPS, LADIES IN PRODUCZazou and musical performance by Ganouse Capricien and TION SERVICES, at 321-247-7806 or via e-mail at LIPSSINC@ Carlo Jean, who entertained the audience throughout the pro- GMAIL.COM. To be one of the first to like and learn about LIPS’ gram. All in all, everyone was enthralled the entire evening! upcoming events, please visit www.facebook.com/LIPSSINC.

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Faith Healers

What We Can Do to Reclaim Black Children Struggling on Our Watch

By Susan L. Taylor

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ix years after I first heard them, the statistics still haunt me: Eighty-six percent of Black children in the fourth grade read and do math below their grade level. Black girls between the ages of 15 and 24 represent the greatest number of new HIV infections. Homicide is the leading cause of death for our boys. The village is on fire! And our love is the saving, healing water that legions of our children are literally dying for. When we listen we hear their cries rising above the flames. Their voices carry the incendiary pain and humiliation of intergener-ational poverty that turns dreams to ashes: days of missed meals, uncertain safety and poorly resourced schools that plenish the pipeline to prison. These are among the many grievous thefts of potential impoverishing the lives of Black children in the land of plenty, a land made rich and powerful on the backs of our ancestors. And it’s happening on our watch!

love: We build schools and cultural institutions, develop businesses, write great books, compose great music and create dances that elevate the spirit. The generation that inspired me––that inspired the creation of Essence and the building of other Black institutions––stopped a war, moved young people out of gangs and into breakfast programs that often gave school children the only nutritious meal they had each day. We didn’t pull a trigger to settle a beef or join gangs to make family. Even if our own family was broken, our community was whole and stood in the gap. Grownups did not fear or neglect the young. They loved, protected and corrected us. Today, under-resourced Black children have been all but discarded.

While there are no people on earth more kind, caring and creative than us Black folks, a certain world-weariness has crept into our days. As a group, we able African Americans have half-stepped around our moral responsibility to care for “the least of these.”

We cannot minimize the external threats to Black advancement, but our greatest challenges are endemic. Ours is a spiritual crisis.

Our spirit is fed by faith and nourished in community. But the social bonds that once tied us to one another are frayed. We have forgotten who we are and what we’re supposed to be doing here; forgotten that “we are each other’s keeper…each other’s magnitude and bond,” as the late, great Pulitzer Prizewinning poet Gwendolyn Brooks reminded us. Like our fore-parents, who made possible the privileges we now take for granted, we must live for a purpose greater than the acquisition and accumulation of more stuff to stumble over, clutter our path and obstruct our vision. The terrain we traverse today is not even the rough side of the mountain; the rough side is behind us, cleared for us by those who came before us. We are uniquely positioned among people of African descent to make that final assault on the summit of our aspirations, if we will commit to doing what has become most difficult for us as a people: link arms and aims, make a plan and get along with one another to see it through.

Attorney General Eric Holder charged a national task force with investigating how exposure to violence impacts children. I attended his December 14th meeting at which the culminating findings in the Defending Childhood report were delivered. The violence that children of this nation are subjected to in their homes and communities and glamorized in the media is relentless and chilling. Expert after expert cautioned that exposure to violence traumatizes children and that, unresolved, We say that God is love. But love is a verb. It requires us to do those traumas easily lead to deep depression and dysfunctional something, to actively care for ourselves and serve one another behaviors. These socially disruptive behaviors—our young from the overflow. In the image and likeness of that Love and caring that gives Itself away to the people’s cries for help—lead the nightly news from world, we can move strategically, coast to coast, rousing shame and anxiety. We hold creatively toward economic and our collective breath and pray, Lord, don’t let the social justice. No obstructions crazed one be one of us. But the question that is never strewn in our path will deter or asked and answered is why are these young people impede us when we stand for the acting out? What I have come to know in my perhigh purpose and move forsonal and professional life is this: Understanding the ward—together! But we’ve got to cause of our pain and taking action to address it are move. We’ve got to push Black crucial to our healing. leaders to humble themselves, allow love, not ego, to lead. And if With understanding and action, we heal, grow and they won’t lead, then they must thrive in profound ways. Held up proudly, nurtured follow and bring their constituents and congregants along. Our and supported, we have in past generations succeeded despite children cannot continue to die outside the temple doors while we the often dire economic circumstances, troubled families and traumas that many of us endured coming of age. Who among us “praise His holy name” within. We are all here on assignment. We isn’t carrying some hurt or depression or self-sabotaging habit we honor God when caring for our vulnerable young. Hands that serve are holier than lips that pray. yet need to break?

In January we celebrated the 150th anniversary of the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation. Just six years before that hard-won acknowledgement of our humanity on the long march toward freedom, the U.S. Supreme Court decided the Dred Scott case, ruling that African Americans were “so far inferior that they had no rights which the white man was bound to respect.” But Frederick Douglass, even in the face of the Dred Scott decision, envisioned an end to slavery just down the road. If during the most despicable time in this nation’s history, a man who was born into slavery could lead abolitionists and a president to take a stand on the right side of history, let us not retreat from making the only moral choice before us in our time. We have everything we need: creativity, connectivity, education, resources, access, a history of triumph and a pantheon of way-showers. We can learn to work together better; choose healthier, life-sustaining behaviors; fill our hearts with love and gratitude and do this work that is ours to do. We can reclaim and secure the young lives we abandoned and rebuild the vilAmong my baby-boomer peers are real-world exemplars of the lage. And we can do it well by mentoring.

— Continued on page 21 — good that is possible when a generation cares and acts out of We are a remarkable species, living at an extraordinary time in history, a marvel of creation, human and divine. Love is the divine aspect of our being. It is restorative and healing and elevates everything it touches. That’s the promise. Love, God, Jehovah, Yahweh, Allah—call It what you will. Originating Spirit gave birth to all existence. It’s the energy that governs and balances all in creation, every cell in every living thing. It is the unchanging, unfailing, eternal aspect of our being. Spiritual awareness inspires the love, walk-on-water faith, courage and creativity needed to heal everything within us and around us, including the damage done to our people over the seas and centuries. With love and caring we can create the beautiful future we want.

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Orlando Carnival Set for Sunday, May 26th, 2013

Pageantry, color, music catch all the excitement of Orlando Carnival as thousands line up around the Citrus Bowl for the Orlando Carnival Parade on Sunday May 26th, 2013

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his year, is the 26th anniversary of the parade and the planning committee is hoping to work with local promoters, bandleaders and volunteers to make this an exciting weekend of activities in Orlando for Carnival weekend.

New leaders of the association include: • Carl Mahadeo, President • Malcolm Wiltshite, Vice President • Maria Buddy, Secretary • Cludeen Roundtree, Treasurer • Maureen Brizan, Asst. Treasurer • Kenneth Hayes, Public Relations • George Mascall, Asst. Public Relations • Vidal Jittan, Director of Entertainment

GGR Marketing & PR are working with the association to put together an exciting Carnival under the theme “Carnival is we Caribbean Fete.” The new leaders of the association have just returned Orlando Carnival 2011 from Trinidad & Tobago Carnival where they were inspired to bring performances by the new Calypso monarch and the new chutney monarch to the On Carnival Sunday, we invite you to bring your wavOrlando Carnival. We’ll announce the lineup of performers at ing flags, family and friends to Festival Field for an expression of unity...but remember...You don’t have to be the formal media launch of the Carnival at the end of April. from the West Indies...everyone’s invited to take part in The Carnival Association is reaching out to the community to the parade. For infor mation on bands, route, sponsorjoin their efforts by volunteering to help at this years' Carni- ship and booth information contact GGR Marketing & val. “The Orlando Carnival is a major event that needs to engage PR and we will provide you with the relevant infor mathe efforts of many willing and able volunteers. Volunteers are tion: 407-427-1800. needed from now until the event ends on May 26th. We’re asking people from all walks of life to volunteer to ensure we put forward Come to Orlando for the Memorial Weekend - The entire weekour best foot for this event this year.” end is devoted to special events with a Caribbean flavor!

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www.caccfl.com

Caribbean American Chamber of Commerce of Florida, Inc. A Message from Caribbean American Chamber of Commerce of Florida Inc.:

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hank you so much to everyone that attended February’s Business After Hours at Piazza Rialto Ristorante.

What a great turnout of members and guests!

Piazza Rialto was a great venue they were warm hosts especially Chef Eddie who treated us to loads of delicious food. Matthew the event coordinator, and the entire staff ensured we enjoyed our evening.

Caribbean American Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours at Piazza Rialto with Orange County Tax Collector Scott Randolph.

Check them out at 7782 Winter Garden Vineland Road, Windermere, FL. 34786 or online at www.piazzarialto.com and definitely stop by, enjoy the food and great atmosphere if you are in the area.

We issued a special challenge to our members to invite others and Anita Singh of PS Freight/ Laparkan had a team of 4 turn up because of her invitation. She wins hands down! As a gift to them please check out and like their facebook page at: http:/ /www.facebook.com/OrlandoLaparkan.

Thank you to our new Orange County Tax Collector Scott Randolph for attending and inviting us to apply for the job Visit the Chamber’s webpage at www.caccfl.com for photos and upcoming events. openings at the Orange County Tax Collector’s office.

Save the Following Dates: March 16th -11am - 3pm Citizenship Clinic at Rollins College March 20th Truffles Grill Winter Park http://caccfmarchbah.eventbrite.com/ March 20th-9am - 11am Basic Immigration Law for the Non Immigration Attorney 11:30 am - 1:00pm Cost: $21.00 March 26th New Member Orientation April 17th Taste Restaurant College Park http://caccfbahapril.eventbrite.com/ May 15th Oley’s Home Style Cooking Restaurant http://caccfbahmay.eventbrite.com/ Members are Free, Non - Members $5.00. Appetisers are provided by the restaurant and the Business After Hours run from 5:30pm -7:30pm.

June 1st-1pm - 4pm Our Business After Hours will be held at the Ribbon Cutting and Kick-Off Reception at Orlando City Hall.

For more information about the Chamber call CACCF President Guenet Gittens-Roberts at 407-427-1800 or email caccforlando@gmail.com.

Meeting of Volusia Businesses for the Caribbean American Chamber of Commerce of Florida, Inc. 6pm, Mon. March 18th, 2013 at Soul Cariba Restaurant 121 Howland Blvd., Suite 103 • Deltona, FL 32725 (In the Walmart Plaza)

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his is a free event meant to gather information from business people in the area about the services they need from the Caribbean American Chamber of Commerce of Florida to be able to provide a support arm for the Caribbean Business Community in Volusia County.

For more information 407-431-7418

BBIF Hosts First-Ever Statewide Black Business Beacons Event Saluting 187,000 Black Business in Florida HONOREES’ COMBINED GROSS REVENUE FOR 2012 WAS WELL OVER $300 MILLION AND ACCOUNTED FOR OVER 500 EMPLOYEES IN FLORIDA

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lorida’s top performing Black-owned businesses turned-out by the hundreds to attend the recently held, sold-out Black Business Beacons event, hosted by the Black Business Investment Fund (BBIF), on February 22, 2013.

Held during Black History Month, the Black Business Beacons Brunch event celebrated and saluted “Beacons: Our humble beginnings, our endless possibilities.” As defined, a BBIF Black Business Beacon is a trailblazing business with a strong foundation, a commitment to excellence and a commitment to the community as well as civically engaged and socially responsible.

Over 250 business owners, entrepreneurs, procurement specialists, executives and professionals convened in Orlando from

— Continued on page 22 —

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Mayor Dyer’s Neighborhood Summit

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n Saturday, February 23, 2013, more than 300 neighbor hood, arts and cultural, civic, community and faith-based leaders and volunteers joined Mayor Buddy Dyer for his 8th annual Mayor’s Neighborhood & Community Summit. The purpose of this annual Summit is to bring neighborhood and community leaders together for a day of learning, networking and sharing.

Jamaican American Association of Central Florida spent most of the day in workshop sessions where they gathered the resources and information necessary to build a strong, vibrant community that is the best place to live, work, retire and raise a family.

Both Sam and Sandra represent the Caribbean American Chamber of Commerce of Florida as members of the Chamber’s AdviSam Roberts, President of the Guyanese American Cultural As- sory Board, members of the Heads of Caribbean Organizations sociation of Central Florida and Sandra Fatmi, President of the and Caribbean American Heritage Month Planning committee.

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Guyana’s 43rd Republic Anniversary

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he Guyanese American Cultural Association of Central Florida (GACACF) recently celebrated the 43rd Republic Anniversary of Guyana on Feb. 23rd. The evening was celebrated at Soiree Event Center with six different food stations representing the diversity of Guyana’s many races.

Event attendees enjoyed the range of foods offered, the ability to pose next to Stabroek Market and they danced the night away. GACACF stated that this would be the style of celebration for their upcoming Republic Celebrations due to the response from attendees.

GACACF Republic Celebration Planning committee members and owners of Soiree and Carol Singh of Whimsies.

Indian dancers sponsored by Laparkan/PS Freight

Russell Permaul, Rick Singh, Mr & Mrs Conrad Taylor

Etty DeVeaux & Esmond Joseph

Terry, Phillip , Ricky, Clement, Lawrence and a friend pose in front of Stabroek Market.

Rick Singh, Guenet Roberts, Andy King, Sam Roberts

Attendees that evening enjoyed a simpler style to the proceedings.

Skip Roberts and Sue Ann Roberts

Attendee Ann Narine and fiancee visited from New York

Buxtonian Drummers performing at the event

Vanessa Churaman, Douglas Dobbs (Dobbs Funeral Parlor), Maureen Allegro

Junie Munroe in the middle with friends

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It’s courage,

Continued from page 1

of us who don’t. That’s why, including with the work of Secretary Clinton and Ambassador Melanne Verveer, the Obama Administration has put advancing the status of women and girls right at the center of America’s foreign policy...Statement by Secretary of State Kerry on the Seventh Annual Celebration of the Secretary of State’s International Women of Courage Awards.

To mark the 102nd anniversary of International Women’s Day.

ubscribe to Caribbean American Passport News Magazine today.

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President of the Jamaican American Cultural Association, Sandra Fatmi, with the winners at the Association's Domino Competition hosted at Taste of Jamaica Restaurant

For a limited time we are offering a one year subscription to CAP News Magazine at $25.00. This will also provide you with discounted admission to events, coupons for shopping at your favorite stores as well as updates on caribbean events coming up in our community.

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CARIBBEAN PERSPECTIVES An in-depth focus on Caribbean issues A CARICOM TOURISM SUMMIT IS LONG OVERDUE

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oncerns about the performance, operations, challenges and future of the region’s key foreign exchange earning tourism industry are among the main reasons that prompted a recent call by the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) for a Caricom Heads of Government Summit on Tourism.

that can be used to effectively promote the Caribbean as one brand,” Forstmayr told me.

Forstmayr, said among the issues to be raised with CARICOM leaders would be making it less cumbersome and expensive for visitors to the region, including revamping “excessive” airport improvement fees and departure taxes.

A recent meeting the CTO’s regional aviation committee called for the implementation of a single visa system for visitors travelling within the region, similar to that of the European Union “The Caribbean is the most tourism whereby visitors who are cleared at the initial port of entry can

By Sandra Ann Baptiste dependent region in the world and is continue travelling seamlessly throughout most of the memalso extremely vulnerable to both ber countries. external and internal forces and many of the issues that affect us really require a unified approach in order to obtain any level CTO Secretary General Hugh Riley said the Caribbean Tourof success or progress,” President of the Barbados Hotel and Tour- ism Development Company (CTDC), the marketing and busiism Association (BHTA), Patricia Affonso-Dass, told me in an ness development unit, owned equally by the CHTA and CTO, invited comment on the needs to be properly capitalised.

CHTA Summit proposal.

“Every stakeholder and decision maker in the industry needs Her St. Lucian counterpart to understand that this is an effort that needs to be sustained.

Karolin Troubetzkoy echoed We cannot just take action when there is a crisis,” Riley said in similar sentiments. “With a recent conversation. tourism being the number one source of revenue for the “While the forecast for tourism growth in 2013 is positive, there majority of Caribbean isare future storms on the horizon, and it’s best that we lock lands and the challenges afarms to tackle upcoming as well as current challenges – from fecting our individual tourdeclines in intra-Caribbean tourism to the onerous Air Passenism industry being globally ger Duty that is adversely affecting business from the United the same, it only makes sense Kingdom,” CTO Chairman and U.S. Virgin Islands Commisto dedicate an entire Summit sioner of Tourism, Beverly Nicholson-Doty commented. to tourism specifically.”

The timing, venue and cost of a small no-frills CARICOM TourTroubetzkoy, who is the Presiism Summit that will have tourism as its only agenda item Patricia Affonso Dass dent of the St. Lucia Hotel needs to be addressed sooner rather than later. and Tourism Association (SLHTA), told me at past Caricom Summits, tourism was the “stepchild of the agenda”. The Last For such a meeting to be CARICOM Tourism Summit was held in the Bahamas in 2001. productive, it is critical for Heads of Government to be The CHTA, which is hoping that a CARICOM Tourism Summit briefed on the state of the will be convened within the next six months, wants the agenda tourism industry, including to focus on airlift, travel facilitation, marketing, visitor secuby national private sector rity, human resource development, the environment and new associations, which should ways to encourage economic growth through a common apbe represented in delegaproach to the problems facing the industry. The association tions to the Summit. believes a Summit can lay the foundation for helping the industry to return to “levels of success last seen in 2006”.

I fully endorse the sentiments of Patricia AffonsoThe Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) has reported a 5.2 Dass, the President of the per cent increase in overall arrivals to the region in 2012 comBarbados association on the pared to 2011, visitor spending returning to pre-recession levneed for a CARICOM Tourels and hotel occupancy up by 7.1 per cent, but stressed that ism Summit: “Once and for Karolyn Troubetzkoy the industry still faces significant challenges. all the critical importance of tourism to this region needs to be agreed, focused on, champiCHTA Chairman Josef Forstmayr says the Caribbean needs to oned and all necessary measures put in place for its be marketed as a region through combined public and private sustainability and growth. There has been enough talk over sector efforts and joint funding. the years. It is now time for action and conviction.” (Sandra Ann Baptiste, a Specialist in Caribbean Affairs, is a business “ Some of the funds which the governments are allocating to consultant, trainer and writer. She is the Chief Executive Contourism boards to do their own marketing should be allocated sultant of CARIGOLD Associates and is the former head of the to a regional marketing fund, so we can create a pool of funds Guyana Office for Investment - GO Invest).

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POPS Writing Skills Workshop “Write the Vision”

Sarah Merine 12th Grade, Jones High School

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he Professional Opportunities Program for Students aspires to educate and cultivate its youth for their future through a series of workshops and community service outreaches.

Its most recent workshop held at the Metroplan Orlando office, which was undoubtedly my favorite. It was an annual writing workshop and Rap Session, hosted by Virginia Wittington, Director of Regional Partnerships and guest speakers were Former Florida State Senator Gary Siplin, Dr. Dorsey and Author, Erica Pooler.

setting targets changing our minds toward the concept of writing.

We learned that we must initially make an effort to write. We cannot simply throw a pen and paper in a box and expect an entire essay to manifest.

During the workshop, we learned the perfect acronym: W.R.I.T.EWrite a plan, Revisit the inspiration, Investigate, Tips on creativity, and Examples from other writings. Mr. Terrance Jones, Cameron Hopewell and Shawn Welcome elaborated on each one of these areas to arm us with the tools necessary to become more effective writers.

As youth we lack a full understanding of many things, even the basic concept of writing. In the work world, there is no time to train those who are unprepared. The POPS workshops aren’t just obligatory gatherings to take notes and hope something sticks to our minds. They are stepping stones to whatever successes we hope to achieve.

The writing workshop changed our minds towards the concept of writing. The session began with goal setting for writing. Goal

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BRYAN AND GARY ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR CREATING A PUBLIC FORUM FOR SOME OF THE MOST PROVOCATIVE AND THOUGHT PROVOKING TOPICS THAT DEAL WITH EVERYDAY LIFE. HERE’S A LETTER THAT ASKS ASKS:: “SHOULD I LET MY MAN MARRY ANOTHER WOMAN?”

Dear Bryan and Gary, I just want to get your thoughts on a decision that I have to make. I am one of those undocumented workers that you hear people talking about and so is my common law husband. Now he’s been working undercover for the past 10 years, but since the economy has turned he hasn’t worked and to tell you the truth, he is sick and tired of hiding and living under the radar. So…when his ex-boss offered to marry him and give him his old job back, he said he saw a way out. Now he says he wants to do it because: 1) It would allow him to get his papers, 2) He would be able to earn and cover his bills, and 3) He says he could better provide for me and our family. Now his boss says she wouldn’t want any money or anything from us, just the opportunity to spend some time with him so as to keep up appearances. She would want them to go to functions and family get togethers and such. AND, when he gets his papers, he promises to divorce her and marry me, but I don’t know. SHOULD I LET MY MAN MARRY ANOTHER WOMAN? And DO YOU THINK SHE IS SINCERE, OR IS SHE REALLY JUST AFTER MY MAN? Signed....Illegal Alien!!!!

GARY: Wow lady, it sounds like you’re between a rock and a hard place. Do you stay illegal, or do you get your own path to citizenship?

Bryan, what do you think?

BRYAN: Well, I like the fact that this family is willing to take control of their own destiny and since our government is taking their own sweet time, I can understand the need to do something about their situation. But, I don’t know about this boss lady. I don’t trust her. I think she has an ulterior motive. So, I wouldn’t do it.

GARY: C’mon man, this might be this guy’s only way to provide for his family and stop from hidGary ing. I think there are times that “A man’s gotta do what a man’s gotta do” and I think this is just one of those times.

BRYAN: And what happens when this woman starts treating him better that his common law wife? What happens when she doesn’t want to let him go? What happens when he discovers that the grass is greener on the boss lady’s side? You know what happens, this lady is STUCK having to raise their kids by herself while he is over there eating prime ribs.

GARY: Yes Bryan, but sometimes that is just the risk you have to take. She could be placed in that situation right now if her man gets arrested or someone reports him to Homeland Security. Their whole life is ONE BIG RISK, because at anytime they could be put on someone’s radar. So I say, some risks are worth taking.

BRYAN: Well Ms. Alien, although I agree with my colleague that some risks are worth taking, I don’t think this is a calculated risk. YOU and MOSTLY YOU stand to lose the most in this equation. The boss lady gets a husband and a worker and someone to parade around her family. He would get his papers, a job, and a CAKE THAT HE CAN ACTUALLY EAT.

YOU on the other hand, MIGHT get some table scraps. YOU my dear, ONLY get a promise that he will do right by you. And like my mother use to say, “A promise is a comfort to a fool.” I say don’t be a fool.

GARY: LOL, bwoy you definitely know how to frame and argument.

BRYAN: Well it’s all true Gary.

GARY: So what should she do then Bryan, continue hiding from the law?

BRYAN: Well I’m glad you asked. I say wait for the government, continue livBryan ing under the radar. You’ve already been doing it successfully for the past 10 years, so clearly you’re good at it. I say trust your instincts, if it sounds too good to be true it often times IS TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE. And lastly I say, hold on to your man. If that means you have to suffer a little, I’m sure you’ll feel better knowing that you’re suffering together.

Through THICK or THIN, for RICHER or POORER, in GOOD times and in BAD….when you are in a committed relationship you have to be ALL IN. GARY: HA HA HA….LOL, So let me see if I understand Bryan, You’re telling this lady to stay broke, stay under the radar, stay in whatever situation she finds herself in….RIGHT??

BRYAN: Right, but I’m also saying….Stay in LOVE, Stay with your MAN, Stay TOGETHER and it will work itself out.

GARY: Well Ms. Alien, you can listen to Bryan if you want to, but all that is going to do is keep you hungry, broke, and with no prospects for getting out of your situation. OR, you can stop thinking about just you and think about your man and your kids. What do they want? And lastly, TRUST the man that you’ve been with for all these years. TRUST that he will do right by you and his family. Just have a little faith and TRUST your man.

BRYAN: TRUST….Only in God should you TRUST Ms. Alien. If a person can stick themselves in their own eye, you can’t just TRUST anybody. Not only that, but this a MAN we’re talking about here. HELLO!!!!!!

GARY: O.K., I give up. You’re hopeless. If it were me, I would do what I had to do to get out of this situation.

But that’s just me. At the end of the day, you have to do what you think is in the best interest of you and your family….and that’s all I have to say.

BRYAN: Gary I’m not hopeless, I’m just letting this woman know the reality of life. But I do agree with you in the sense that at the end of the day, she will have to live with the decision that she makes.

GARY: So very true my friend, only she knows what she can live with. WHAT WOULD YOU DO IF CONFRONTED WITH THIS SITUATION? WOULD YOU LET YOUR MAN MARRY ANOTHER WOMAN? LIFE IS A JOURNEY THAT’S FULL OF UPS AND DOWNS, TWISTS AND TURNS, SUCCESSES AND FAILURES, AND A LOT OF THINGS IN BETWEEN. WHAT WOULD YOU DO IF FACED WITH THIS DECISION? E-MAIL US AT BACK2BASICLIVE@GMAIL.COM

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Black Children Struggling — Continued from page 11 —

Mentoring—a low-cost, high-returns solution—works miracles.

In the tradition of our ancestors, whether we are rich or poor, formally educated or not, and though none of our lives is perfect, we can provide a protective shield for the children. Done well and consistently, mentoring changes even the most challenged young lives. But when the call goes out for mentors, White women and men are the first respondents. Black women and men too often are not in the mix, while the wait lists at youth-serving organizations continue to swell with Black children, the vast majority of them our beautiful boys, waiting….

The National CARES Mentoring Movement, founded as Essence CARES in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, is committed to changing this in the now time! Before we began our work, there was no national infrastructure in place to engage desperately needed Black men and women volunteers. Operating in nearly 60 U.S. cities under the leadership of devoted volunteer community leaders, CARES is determined to ensure that all Black children needing guidance and role models are surrounded by a circle of caring, supportive adults who are committed to volunteering just one hour a week of their time as mentors. Because our program evaluators have determined that the stress of competing pressures is a major factor distracting many African Americans and diverting our energies away from critically needed engagement in mentoring today, CARES is building single-gender Wellness Mentoring Circles––safe spaces, where mentors share their challenges and triumphs, support one another, build community among themselves and learn to manage stress. When we are healthy and whole we’re better equipped to support our children. This year, in more than a dozen cities, we are piloting programs with our partners that undergird our children academically, emotionally and socially.

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— Continued on page 25 —

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BBIF Hosts First-Ever Statewide Black Business Beacons Event — Continued from page 13 —

across the State of Florida. With a massive statewide response to this event, the BBIF honored 50 Black businesses at the event from the following counties: Miami-Dade, West Palm Beach, Brevard, Orange, Osceola, Seminole, Lake, Volusia, Leon, Dual, Hillsborough, Pinellas and Gadsden.

The honorees’ combined gross revenue for 2012 was well over $300 million. The honored businesses also account for an employee base of over 500 Florida residents. Florida has the thirdhighest number of Black-owned businesses in the nation - out ranked only by New York and Georgia with 187,000 Black business in the state according to the 2007 census report.

The BBIF Black Business Beacons honorees were: ACY Contractors, LLC, Orange; AlphaGraphics - Lake Mary, Seminole; Angel Products, Seminole; BFA Environmental, Orange; Built to Prosper Companies, Orange; C & C Pharmacy, Orange; Cake in the City Bakery, Orange; Caribbean Superstore, Orange; Celebs Corner Kitchen, Duval; CH Publishing, Orange; Choice Security and Investigations, Inc, Orange; CMJ Resource & Development Group, Orlando; Construct Two Group, Orange; DARR Solutions, Orange; Event Grabber, Orange; GrassrootsMovies, Orange; HD Painting & Restoration , Orange; HNM Logistics, Orange; Horus Construction, Hillsborough; HZ Construction, Inc., Orange; IMDC Engineering , Orange; IROK Construction, Polk; Jazz Tastings Jazz & Wine Bar, Orange; Law Office of Marva Davis, Esq., Gadsden; Life Worth Living Pharmacy, Orange;

MK Waterproofing, Inc., Orange; MNH Weddings & Designs, LLC, Gadsden; Mobile Labs Express, Orange; Morehouse Realty, Orange; Oley’s Kitchen Restaurant, Orange; PA Wallace Associates, Orange; RL Burns Inc., Orange; Rhodes + Brito Architects, Inc., Orange; RYSE Magazine, Orange; Sam T’s Plumbing, Seminole; Sewing House Inc, Duval; Simmons Pediatrics, Duval; Siplin Law Firm, Orange; Soul Food Festival, Duval; Spectra Engineering & Research, Inc., Leon; Sterling Silver Scape and Sod, Inc., Osceola; TEC-Link, Hillsborough; The BRS Group, Inc., Orange; The Gregory Law Firm, Duval; The Handfield Firm, Miami-Dade; The Matthews Automotive Group, Volusia; Tobler Construction, Inc., Lee; Ver-Val Enterprises Inc., Okaloosa; WBQ Design & Engineering, Inc., Orange; West Orlando News, Orange; Wyche & Associates, Seminole.

Guardian Care Rehab & Nursing Center was honored as a Community Asset.

Event images available at www.BBIF.com

The Medical Committee of the Caribbean & Floridian Association, Inc. Presents

An Easter Sunday Luncheon Medical Presentation Featuring a Mental Health Presentation

By Ms. Kyria Lynch

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AIDS Baby,

Continued from page 1 —

half-years ago but now appears to be AIDS free.

The child, a little girl, has been off medication for about a year with no signs of infection. If the child remains free of HIV, it would mark only the world’s second known cure. The infant described in the report underwent remission of HIV infection after receiving antiretroviral therapy within 30 hours of birth.

The investigators say the prompt administration of antiviral treatment likely led to this infant’s cure by halting the formation of hardto-treat viral reservoirs—dormant cells responsible for reigniting the infection in most HIV patients within weeks of stopping therapy.

Specialists say the finding offers exciting clues for how to eliminate HIV infection in children. “Maybe we’ll be able to block this reservoir seeding,” Persaud said.

The finding, the investigators say, may help pave the way to eliminating HIV infection in children.

A report on the case was presented Sunday at the 20th Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (CROI) in Atlanta.

“Prompt antiviral therapy in newborns that begins within days of exposure may help infants clear the virus and achieve longterm remission without lifelong treatment by preventing such viral hideouts from forming in the first place,” Persaud said.

The researchers say they believe this is precisely what happened in the child described in the report. That infant is now deemed “functionally cured,” a condition that occurs when a patient achieves and maintains long-term viral remission without lifelong treatment and standard clinical tests fail to detect HIV replication in the blood.

The child described in the current report was born to an HIV-infected mother and received combination antiretroviral treatment beginning 30 hours after birth. A series of tests showed progressively diminishing viral presence in the infant’s blood, until it reached undetectable levels 29 days after birth. The infant remained on anti-virals until 18 months of age, at which point the child was lost to follow-up for a while and, the researchers say, stopped treatment. Ten months after discontinuation of treatment, the child underwent repeated standard blood tests, none of which detected HIV presence in the blood.

Test for HIV-specific antibodies—the standard clinical indicator of HIV infection—also remained negative throughout.

“Our next step is to find out if this is a highly unusual response to very early anti-retroviral therapy or something we can actually replicate in other high-risk newborns,” Persaud says.

Persaud was the lead author on the report, and University of Massachusetts Medical School immunologist Katherine Luzuriaga, headed a team of laboratory investigators. Pediatric HIV specialist Hannah Gay, M.D., associate professor of pediatrics at the University of Mississippi Medical Center, provided treatment to the baby.

Persaud was born on Aug. 23, 1960 in Guyana, South America and migrated to the U.S. at age 16. Her parents had divorced, and when she was 10, her mother went to America to find work. Six years later, Persaud and her three siblings joined her in Bushwick, Brooklyn, N.Y. She went on to earn a B.A., York College (CUNY) and an M.D. from NYU Medical School before doing her pediatric residency at Columbia-Presbyterian.

Persaud was a medical student at NYU in 1985 when the first cases of HIV were being identified in young, gay men. During her residency at Columbia Presbyterian, she started seeing infants presenting with the same type of pneumonia.

In 1997, she was hired by John Hopkins and by 2005 had won the Elizabeth Glaser Scientist Award. The award, which funds AIDS research, gave her $700,000 for five years to better understand drugresistant HIV in children both in the United States and abroad.

Jazz Entertainment with the popular “OCEAN BREEZE BAND” Orlando Garden Club, 710 E. Rollins, Orlando, FL Sunday, March 31st , 2013, 3:00pm to 7:00pm

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Today, eight years later, Persaud not only fulfilled this mission but could have helped find a cure for HIV in children, a historical achievement.

Her career highlights include the Aaron Diamond Fellow, NYU, the Doris Duke Clinical Research Fellow, JHUSOM and the Elizabeth Glaser Scientist Award.

She is married to William Moss, M.D., M.P.H, pediatric infectious diseases specialist and has three children: Taylor, 10; Ian, 8; Soraya, 6.

Asked what people should know about her she told The DOME, a John Hopkins publication: “I am the American dream.”

LEADING LADIES BEHIND THE SCENES AND ON THE FRONT LINE Welcome to my column on Leading Ladies behind the Scenes. Our column will introduce you to leading ladies who have branded their own recognition and blazed their own trails. These ladies work behind the scenes but manage the front line with high impact results. You might have heard their names or admired their work, but never met them up close and personal. Our column will give you the chance to meet these ladies so you can place a face with the name and their trendsetting work in our community, various organizations and in business. Thank you for celebrating their value with us.

Nouchelle Hastings: “Girl What Do You Bring to the Table?”

Anne Marie de Govia, a native of Trinidad and Tobago

A

nne Marie de Govia, a native of Trinidad and Tobago, lived in Washington, D.C. before relocating to Orlando, Florida over 20 years ago. She is the Assistant to the Dean of the College of Business Administration at the University of Central Florida (UCF) and serves as the Advisor to the Caribbean Students’ Association at UCF several years. At UCF, she also serves as a campus mediator and a member of the Student Conduct Board.

was past recipient of the “Women of Distinction” award for Education and Government from the Citrus Council of Girl Scouts and has received numerous awards from student organizations, including Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., and is very proud to have their annual “Excellence and Outreach Award” named after her.

The next time you stand in line to get your favorite coffee take a moment to reflect on the line in your life and what it means to know that Now that I have gotten the most important your work speaks volumes above even your information out front, I want to share from a name. Many have never met Anne Marie or place that I have not done before in my segmay not have recognized her humble presence ments. A prophetic or spiritual connection ocin many settings, but they know of her works curred when I first began to meditate on Anne and have benefitted hugely because of it. It does Marie (as I do with all of my writings, I ask the us proud to introduce to our community the Holy Spirit for guidance). A vision of a coffee ‘seed’ of accomplishment in that of Anne Marie bean came to me and I could not on my own de Govia as our Leading Lady Behind the Scene have known why. I really believe that what is for this special issue during Women’s Heritage ahead for Ms. de Govia is going to bring her Month. Incidentally, when I asked Anne Marie future even more prominence and bless the about her last name as I have never met anylives of our generation for years to come. one with that name, she laughed and said that was her family name as her dad was The Coffee Bean: A coffee bean is a seed of Portuguese…..really God I love your humor, the coffee plant. It is the pit inside the red or you have likened this woman to a coffee bean Anne Marie de Govia purple fruit often referred to as a cherry. Even (a seed) and her lineage is from one of the cofthough they are seeds, they are incorrectly referred to as ‘beans’ fee capitals of the world – it is no coincidence that the community because of their resemblance to true beans. The fruits - coffee was blessed by this seed called Anne Marie de Govia. cherries or coffee berries - most commonly contain two stones Nouchellehastings@live.com with their flat sides together. A small percentage of cherries contain a single seed, instead of the usual two. This is called a pea berry. As coffee is one of the world’s most widely consumed beverages, coffee seeds are a major cash crop, and an important export product, counting for over 50% of some developing nations’ foreign exchange earnings.

So when I was given the vision of the coffee bean and took the time to evaluate the coffee bean, it speaks growth and a major part of many economies – thus is the spirit of Anne Marie; she is the growth to many young professionals in the Caribbean community; not to mention her zest for life and commitment to supporting the Caribbean community overall. She is more than an advocate; she is a seed that has replicated many times over in the lives of one success story after another.

Ms. de Govia’s extensive community involvement includes: Advisor to the Caribbean Students’ Association at the University of Central Florida, Mediator at University of Central Florida, and Student Conduct Board Member at University of Central Florida. She is past Chairman of the Caribbean-American Chamber of Commerce of Florida where she served for 4 years - she also served as a Board Member of the organization for several years prior to becoming the Chairman. Anne Marie’s line of service include a processional of service such as but not limited to: Board member of the Orange County Branch of the NAACP, Officer of the Caribbean-American Cultural Association, Treasurer of the Southwest Orlando Jaycees, Chair of Orlando’s 1995 Martin Luther King Parade sponsored by the Southwest Orlando Jaycees and the City of Orlando, “Women of Distinction” Award Committee Member, Citrus Council of Girl Scouts, Volunteer at the Coleman Federal Prison in Lake County, Florida, Volunteer at the Coalition for the Homeless, Member of the Registration committee for the 1993 and 1994 African-American Male and Female Summits, Member of the Greater Parramore Business Association, the Parramore Heritage Renovation “Operation Clean Sweep” and “Green-up Parramore.”

Ms. de Govia received the University of Central Florida’s Staff Leadership Award for her service and leadership contributions both on campus and in the Central Florida community. She

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Vendors Wanted 24

Black Children Struggling — Continued from page 21 —

ternities and sororities to take action. We need all hands on deck, and the best way to get others to step up is to get engaged ourselves and express the joy we feel and the healing that occurs when doing God’s work.

The Epicenter of Crisis in the Caribbean — Continued from page 9 —

and why the numbers continued to grow and metastasize like a cancer to the point where, decades later, the vast majority of Jamaicans may be accurately classified as such. It would seem that this state of affairs is the most undeniably damning eviYou can email me at taylor@caresmentoring.org or visit our dence of all that as a nation our leaders have failed the people. website, www.caresmentoring.org, to get connected with a local This evidence forces us to question the performance and choices CARES Affiliate. You can also start a mentor-recruitment move- made by successive governments and demands that we thorment in your area. Linking arms and aims, we can ensure the oughly examine the perpetual indifference of government as village that now burns will be reborn, phoenix-like, from the ashes, well as the amazing resignation of sufferers themselves to this alarming state of affairs. Could it be that in the end we are all and that our children will soar, dreams first, into a new day. sufferers to varying degrees so that, like Sisyphus, we are conSusan L. Taylor is the founder and CEO of National CARES Mentoring demned to a condition of relentless futility?

Movement. For 27 years she served as the chief editor of Essence There is great irony in the reality that the newly independent magazine. Learn more about the programs of National CARES at colonies embraced wholeheartedly the very two-party-systemwww.caresmentoring.org. democracy that was the instrument of our subjugation for more than 300 years. Remarkably, we did so purposely without coercion, question, or controversy. In retrospect one finds it difficult not to wonder why a political system that justified slavery, relegated an entire people to the status of lesser beings, shamelessly compensated slave owners for their loss of property after the abolition of slavery with nary a consideration of compensating former slaves for their forced servitude, should ever be worthy of adulation and emulation by those it exploited so mercilessly and generally without remorse. Of equal concern is the fact that the system continues to be revered by many as the very best form of government possible. This hubris is not supported by either history or current reality. In fact, just about every former Caribbean colony is either in crisis or diligently engaged in preventing one. Once again Jamaica leads the way.

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Powerhouse Women Mirabai was a great saint and devotee of Sri Krishna. Despite facing criticism and hostility from her family, she lived an exemplary saintly life and composed many devotional bhajans. She was immune to the criticism and suffering of the world. She was born a princess but forsook the pleasures of a palace for begging on the streets of Brindaban. She lived during a time of war and spiritual decline, but her life offered a shining example of the purest devotion. Many were inspired by her infectious devotion and spontaneous love for Sri Krishna. Mirabai showed how a seeker could attain union with God, only through love. Her only message was that Krishna was her all. http:// www.biographyonline.net/spiritual/mirabai.html One of my favorite ladies in the bible is Ruth, a Moabite whose husband died and left her to “survive”. Instead of returning arjorie Brown of Paradise Café in Orlando is a woman to her past she persevered to her future by working in the who believes in helping others to see their greatest fields for the left over barley. She held onto the destiny that potentials. She was born in Jamaica but fitted right was placed upon her through marriage. She held unto things into the framework of America by creating the Jamaican Ameri- that were good. She labored for her household and the Lord can Association. Here she brings the best of both worlds to- blessed her faithfulness. Neither circumstances nor situations in her past were able to hinder her from moving forward to gether through education and cultural exchange. the things that were important for her family. She was deterDoreen Barker created Clarita’s House Outreach Ministries to mined not to sit and die but to be productive and be the leader extend the love she knew from her mother. This ministry al- of her family. lows her to share a meal, a blanket or a word of encourageI salute all women especially YOU the one who is head of ment to those in need. your household, even through you had no choice in the mat“Lady D” as she is so affectionatly known in our community, ter. I choose you, a woman of strength. We want to recogwill promote a cause or program that pertains to the spread- nize you, a woman who is a “Powerhouse” when it comes to ing of the gospel. She makes each person feels like they are raising children on very little money and not enough time in important and their project is worth the air time. Her joy is the day to make more. You are full of faith to believe that the “The children forum” where she interacts and plant good seeds bills will be paid by the end of the month. You are the woman who has inspired pride in your children. You are the woman of an exemplified woman of God. who has studied hard to advance your career. You are the Seeta Singh she works tirelessly, quietly beside her husband woman who has worked harder to increase your business and Hari at Lotus Financial Service/Mortgage & Insurance. She your ministry. We want to empower YOU, a woman of grace, represents a strong connection to the Caribbean community integrity and great honor. Thank you for inspiring confidence through the festivals and celebrations. Her commitment is to in your sons to be the men they are to be and your girls to be be the best wife and community activist to touch lives that women for all seasons. “Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.” Proverbs 31:29 needs a smile.

By Rosemarie G. Roth

M

I could go on but this space is not enough to mention the names We honor YOU a powerhouse woman with distinguished of all the women who have contributed to their community, ability. churches and families. What makes them stand out from the others? Powerhouse women are women of faith.

Education opportunities awaits you: * All Right Learning Center (407) 423-8058 Mark Finley in his book “Satisfied” separates the losers from * Cornerstone University of Florida (407) 879-1597 the winners. Now you choose! * Orange County Public Schools (407) 836-5550 Rosemarie Roth is the Director of Community Services at Alpha Point, Inc., operating at Silver Star Christian Church, Inc. 7510 Silver Star Road in Orlando.

Solid Rock Outreach Ministries 4213 N. Pine Hills Road, Orlando Offering Church services, education, food, clothes, senior citizen club Wednesdays 10-12 p.m.

To volunteer or to join us you can email moreministry@gmail.com, or go to www. alphapoint2.org, or call 321-460-3093.

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