Pan Africanism expert to speak at Flagler event SEE PAGE 3
EE FR
GEORGE CURRY: Is Obama trying to kill Black colleges and universities? SEE PAGE 4
CULTURAL DIVERSITY PAYS OFF FOR CHILDREN OF ALL AGES SEE PAGE 5
East Central Florida’s Black Voice JANUARY 15 - JANUARY 21, 2015
YEAR 40 NO. 3
www.daytonatimes.com
One City, One Vision, Two Years Daytona Beach Mayor Derrick Henry talks about his first two years in office BY ASHLEY D. THOMAS DAYTONA TIMES aysheldarcel@gmail.com
Nearly 14,000 residents voted in 2012 to elect Derrick Henry as the second Black mayor of Daytona Beach. The former Zone 5 city commissioner recently sat down with the Daytona Times to discuss his first two years of office, including challenges, triumphs and home life. DAYTONA TIMES: Your slogan during your campaign was
“One City, One Vision” What exactly did that mean? HENRY: One City, One Vision referred to the need for the citizens and the Derrick leadership of Henry Daytona Beach to unite behind common themes and abandon the polarizing individualistic agendas that have divided our city for too long. Beach side vs. mainland, business community against the residential community. … It was a call for recognizing that we have much to work on and we would best achieve our goals by acknowledging
our differences and working on those things that unite us and benefit us all. DT: It has been said that you and your team knocked on 7,000 doors. That’s a big chunk of the city. What did you learn about the community campaigning that way? HENRY: I learned that the residents have a great deal in common regardless of race, socioeconomics or religious beliefs. They all primarily want safe communities to live in, expanded opportunities and a better quality of life. I also learned that there was not as much frustration with events as is commonly projected, but those that are frustrated by them typically are concerned with quality of life is-
sues. I also learned that the primary concern in the core of the community are issues surrounding young people such as juvenile crime and finding ways to enhance the plot of school aged children. DT: What would you say are your top accomplishments since taking office? HENRY: 1. Building a cohesive commission, where respect and teamwork are the norm. 2. Improving the interaction between City Hall and the residents. Shifting the paradigm to say that we work for the residents and are open to them and in pursuit of ways that we can improve. 3. Becoming more amenable to the interest of the investment
community and more sensitive to those looking to the city for services and business. 4. Appropriating funding for Orange Avenue and moving forward with the project. DT: What has been the biggest challenge since taking office? HENRY: The challenge of being able to be hands on with programs that enhance the quality of life of young people. I thought I would be able to be directly involved in mentoring programs…. The reality is that children and issues that confront them are often put on the back burner as they are not a priority. Children do not vote and can’t advocate for themselves. I have Please see HENRY, Page 2
DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR., 1929-1968
‘Honor, educate and celebrate’
Clergy members of Daytona Beach lead last year’s march on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day. From left to right are Father Phil Egitto, the Rev. Nathan Mugala, the Rev. John T. Long, the Rev. Ronald Durham and and the Rev. Larry Edwards.
Local MLK celebrations will include march, banquet, worship service
The 33rd annual banquet scheduled for Thursday night falls on what would have been King’s 86th birthday. He was assassinated on April 4, 1968.
ASHLEY D. THOMAS DAYTONA TIMES aysheldarcel@gmail.com
Event helps students
“Honor, educate and celebrate” is the theme of this year’s Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. celebrations in Daytona Beach. The Rev. John T. Long, pastor of Tubman-King Community Church, is the chairperson of MLK Celebration for Florida, the group that puts on the weekend of events commemorating the life of King. Like years past, Long says a march, banquet and community day have all been planned.
Scholarship money from ticket sales will be raised for local high school and college students while honoring the life of King. It will be held at the Hilton Daytona Beach Oceanfront Resort, 101 N. Atlantic Ave. at 6:30 p.m. The keynote speaker will be former Circuit Judge Belvin Court Judge Belvin Perry Jr., who gained notoriPerry Jr.
Orange Avenue, from Caroline Street to Reva Street, will be closed to through traffic through about mid-March due to the $17.6 million dollar Orange Avenue Reconstruction Project. The project has
ALSO INSIDE
PHOTOS BY DUANE C. FERNANDEZ SR./HARDNOTTS PHOTOGRAPHY
Please see MLK, Page 2
Portion of Orange Avenue to be closed for about two months DAYTONA TIMS STAFF
Holding hands in 2014, these youngsters epitomize King’s “I Have A Dream” speech given in 1963.
been underway since June of 2014. The roadway’s base and surface are being rebuilt. New water, sewer and drainage systems are being installed, traffic signalization and street lighting will be upgraded and sidewalks are to be widened from 4 to 6 feet.
Full closure Businesses along this section of the roadway will remain open and access for patrons will be available via Orange Avenue and side streets by following posted detour signs. In addition, Adams Street, between Orange Avenue and Maley Street, is closed due to construction activity. The full closure of the roadway will allow for removal of the pavement, curbing and sidewalks on the northern side. Reclaimed and
portable water lines along with stormwater and sewer lines will be installed during this time.
Lane closures The westbound, northern traffic lanes, from Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd. to Beach Street, are closed for the demolition of concrete curbs and sidewalks to allow for the installation of underground utilities such as potable water and sanitary force mains. Traffic lanes have shift-
ed south and two-way traffic along Orange Avenue is permissible. Access to businesses is available. The construction schedule can change at any time due to weather or unforeseen conditions. Use caution, obey all posted signs and speed limits and allow extra time to reach your destination. Contact Thomas Huger, facilities construction manager for the City of Daytona Beach, at 386671-8750 for more information.
COMMENTARY: LEE A. DANIELS: WE NEED TO KNOW THE REST OF THE DREAM SPEECH | PAGE 4 SPORTS: B-CU’S YOUNG TRACK AND FIELD STARS SHINE AT RECENT MEET | PAGE 7
7 FOCUS
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JANUARY 15 – JANUARY 21, 2015
Daytona Beach honors its officers
Hospital names Fowler as director of Patient Financial Services Florida Hospital Memorial Medical Center has named Katrina D. Fowler as director of Patient Financial Services. In this role, Fowler is responsible for directing the operational, financial and personnel functions of the patient business office, including billing, cash posting, collections, customer service, accounts receivable vendor management, and revenue management/ nurse auditing. An Apopka resident, she earned a Bachelor of Science in Health Services Administration from the University Katrina of Central FlorFowler ida and a Master of Business Administration/Healthcare Management from the University of Phoenix.
Section 8 housing waiting list set to open The Housing Authority of the City of Daytona Beach has announced that pre-applications for the Housing Choice Voucher Program will be available for pickup from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Feb. 2-6 at 211 N. Ridgewood Ave. Suite 300. Pre-applications will be accepted Feb. 17 and Feb. 18 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. only. The housing authority will not accept faxed or e-mailed pre-applications. The pre-application is available online for printing only and not submission at www. dbhalf.org. Applications postmarked after Feb. 18 will be deemed ineligible and returned to sender by U. S. mail.
PHOTOS BY DUANE C. FERNANDEZ SR./HARDNOTTS PHOTOGRAPHY
Daytona Beach Police pays tribute to its officers earlier this month. Daytona Beach law enforcement and their supporters gathered at the Museum of Arts and Sciences for the annual Daytona Beach Police Law Enforcement Service Awards on Jan. 9. After giving remembrance to officers killed in the line of duty, a moment of silence was offered for the men and women who serve in Daytona Beach and around the country. “We lift up those who have done exceptionally well and we thank you that we are all able to come together to do so,” Paula Reed, Daytona Beach City Commissioner told the assembled. DBPD Chief Michael Chitwood presented awards for distinguished service, community service and medals of merit and honor among others. “As the police chief, this is absolutely the highlight of my year. This ceremony tonight encapsulates the work that goes on 24 hours a day 7 days a week by the men and women of this department,” Chitwood said.
Chapel AME Church, 580 George Engram Blvd. The breakfast will be followed by a commemorative march ending at Greater Friendship Church, 539 George Engram Blvd. Long relayed that the march is to give people an idea of what it was like to march during the civil rights era. Following the march, the memorial worship service is set to start at 10 a.m. The Rev. Dr. Larry Mills, senior pastor of Mt. Sinai Missionary Baptist Church in Orlando, will be the guest speaker.
Not a one-time affair
PHOTO BY DUANE C. FERNANDEZ SR./HARDNOTTS PHOTOGRAPHY
Nicer neighborhoods, going to college and having adults to look up to are all part of the dreams of the young people shown above.
MLK
events where money was raised or tickets were sold.
from Page 1
New scholarships
ety presiding over the Casey Anthony murder trial in Orlando in 2011. Perry currently works for the Morgan & Morgan law firm. Long says Perry was on the list for speaking last year but as a sitting judge, he could not speak at
Eight scholarships will be awarded at the banquet this year, including a pair of scholarships to students already enrolled in higher education. “We are awarding scholarships to six graduating seniors for $1,000 and for the first time we are award-
HENRY from Page 1
been frustrated by my inability to make more happen on their behalf. DT: Being mayor doesn’t pay full time, but you are always seen everywhere as if it’s a full-time job. How do you manage family, work and life as the mayor? HENRY: I start with supporting my family by insuring that the time that I spend with them is my first priority and of the highest quality, which means that I focus on them and try to cherish them each day. When I am serving as mayor or at work, I do the
ing two scholarships to Daytona State (College) students for $500 each,” Long shared. “We don’t want to just give our kids a push out to college and then they struggle the rest of the time so this is a scholarship for those currently enrolled.” The scholarship winners were chosen based on community service, an essay, recommendations and their grade point average.
FROM EDUCATOR TO MAYOR Mayor Derrick Henry, a Daytona Beach native, was sworn in as mayor of the City of Daytona Beach on Nov. 14, 2012, after garnering 55.5 percent of the vote in the general election for a fouryear term. He is the city’s 21st mayor since 1926, when the towns of Seabreeze, Daytona and Daytona Beach merged into one city. Henry is Daytona Beach’s second African-American mayor. Mayor Yvonne Scarlett-Golden was the city’s first Black mayor. She was first elected as mayor in 2003 and again in 2005. She succumbed to cancer in 2006. Prior to serving as the city’s top elected official, Henry was a teacher, assame thing. I give completely of myself and enjoy the moment that I am
Free lunch, breakfast On Saturday, a picnic will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. at the John H. Dickerson Center, 308 S. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. It will include a free lunch and health screenings open to the public. On Monday, the official King holiday, a free breakfast open to the public will be served at 8 a.m. at Allen
sistant principal, high school basketball coach, youth mentor, motivational speaker and served as the city’s Zone 5 commissioner from 2009 to 2011. In addition to fulfilling his duties as mayor, he remains a certified educator. He is the executive director for Step-byStep Expressions, Inc., which offers innovative training sessions for teachers and students. He also serves as an administrator on assignment for Putnam County. Henry is married to Dr. Stephanie Henry, an international educational consultant and creator of educational programs. He has two sons, Michael and Derrick Jr. Mayor Henry can be reached at City Hall at 386-671-8007.
in, which enables me to attend the moment. Most importantly, I am blessed
with a supportive wife (Dr. Stephanie Henry, who allows me to attend to my
The usually once-ayear event will be spread throughout the year in 2015. “We are going to hold quarterly events working with Bethune-Cookman University throughout the year to continue to spread the impact of Dr. King in our community, educate our young people and inspire our older people.’’ Long noted. “I expect that it (the first quarterly event) will be reflective of woman who have been involved in the civil rights struggle. It will probably be held sometime during Women’s History Month (March).’’ Additionally, the group will put on quarterly com-
various responsibilities without stress. DT: What grade would you give yourself as mayor? HENRY: I would not grade myself. I will simply look to improve in those areas that residents indicate a need for improvement. DT: Will you be looking to another elected seat in the future? Possibly on the county council, state representative or senator? HENRY: At this time, I am focused on the challenges of serving as mayor. Daytona Beach is the city of my birth and the place that I most want to impact. DT: Anything else you’d like to add? HENRY: I remain com-
munity service events throughout the year. “We will identify what the needs are, what our resources are and live out what it means to be a servant and to in this area create the beloved community that Dr. King spoke of so often.”
Awareness to injustice “In light of the new movie just released, “Selma,’’ it brought tremendous insight to the struggle and challenges that Dr. King experienced in removing segregation as the unwritten law of the land. And yet today with all of his accomplishments we still have much further to go,” Greater Friendship Missionary Church Pastor L. Ronald Durham told the Daytona Times. “Selma,’’ released in December, depicts the life of King and the march from Selma to Montgomery, Ala. during the civil rights era. Giving a nod to Long, Durham who previously headed the organization added that “Although our march is symbolic, nonetheless we recognize that we still march today to bring awareness to injustices that we so often face in the African-American community.” For more information, call 386-383-4177.
mitted to listening before I ask to be heard and hope that residents will continue to reach out to let me know how we can make our city a better place. I believe in the people who live here and I am honored to be their mayor.
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JANUARY 15 – JANUARY 21, 2015 COMMUNITY DECEMBER 14 - 20, 2006
M A YNEWS OR
Experts to reflect on Black history, social justice this month Upcoming events will set a standard for a can-do attitude of excellence representing a variety of interests. “I am excited about this opportunity to speak on Black history from antiquity to the present and beyond,” said Edward H. Brown, Jr. “With the coming of the 86th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King’s birth, coupled with the release of the movie, “Selma,” and current national protests against negative police activity in the Black community, the question Dr. King raised in his last book, “Where Do We Go From Here: Chaos or Community?”, is more relevant than ever. “Leaning on the traditional greatness of African people, a two-part dinner/lecture will attempt to answer this critical question,” affirms Brown.
‘Pan Africanism’ expert Author of “The New Pan Africanism 2020,” Brown received his baccalaureate degree in political science with a minor in history from Syracuse University. He earned a master’s in public administration (MPA) from the university’s prestigious Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs. Brown is a member of the African American Cultural Society (AACS). A statement released from the organization maintains that in 2013 and again in 2014, “our very own Edward H. Brown, Jr.’’ made presentations to the 37th and 38th Annual Conferences of the National Council for Black Studies (NCBS) at the Miami Marriott where Brown and his wife, Wilhelmina KiJoti-Brown, were joined by academic scholars, students and professional col-
PALM COAST COMMUNITY NEWS
can be reached at 386-446-5759.
Culver to speak at ecumenical service
Edward H. Brown Jr.
Rev. Dr. Gillard S. Glover
Dr. Terence Culver
Dr. Amir Whitaker
JEROLINE D. MCCARTHY
leagues. They came from the global African community, including Africa, the Caribbeans and America. More than 100 panels, individual presentations and roundtables explored the experiences and perspectives of African people. Brown’s papers on “Black Power” and “Pan Africanism” were well received. He was joined by other scholars – namely Dr. Maulana Karenga, Dr. Charles Ogletree, Edwidge Danticat, Danny Glover, Sonia Sanchez, Dr. Leonard Jefferies and Dr. Molefi Asante. Building on the great African freedom movements of Garvey, King, Malcolm, Nkrumah and Mandela of the 20th century and the presidency of Barack Obama in the 21st century, what are the next steps for Black people in our upward quest for justice and empowerment in our time? The two-part presentation will explore the question from a historic perspective and an eye on the ongoing struggle of Black/ African people for freedom, selfdetermination, empowerment and unification. Part I will cover Black history from the days of antiquity in Ancient Egypt/Kemet and to our struggle against enslavement, colonization, and the Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 1960s. Part II will pick up from 1964 and take us forward to 2020 and
Volusia council to consider beach ordinance The Volusia County Council will consider a proposed ordinance change to increase beach vehicular access fees at 9:05 a.m. at its Jan. 22 meeting in the Thomas C. Kelly Administration Center, 123 W. Indiana Ave., DeLand. Members discussed the issue during its Jan. 8 meeting and instructed staff to draft an ordinance that would simplify the fee structure and increase daily fees from $5 to $10, resident annual beach passes from $20 to $25, and nonresident annual passes from $40 to $100. At the same time, the County Council will consider a resolution to increase the daily fee at Lighthouse Point Park and Smyrna Dunes Park from $5 to $10. The annual park pass would remain at $20. Super passes, twilight passes and free re-entry for people with daily passes would be eliminated. The fees, which are collected from Feb. 1 through Nov. 30, have remained unchanged since 1993, while costs to maintain and protect the beach have increased to $10.5 million a year. Beach vehicle access fee revenues currently bring in $2.6 million a year. It’s expected that revenues would increase to $4.2 million under the proposed rates, reducing the burden on taxpayers. According to county officials, $2 of each daily pass will go toward beach-related capital projects. If passed, the ordinance would take effect almost immediately.
Halifax Health - Hospice seeking volunteers Halifax Health - Hospice is looking for caring, supportive and dedicated volunteers to provide help in patients’ homes, at Care Centers as well as programs and events. If interested, contact Stephanie.Sparks@ halifax.org or call 386-322-4701 ext. 6127.
Parkinson’s group to focus on laughter Learn how to “stay alive for the rest of your life” during a free program at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 28, at the Daytona Beach Regional Library at City Island, 105 E. Magnolia Ave. Motivational humorists Peg and George Goldtrap will take a practical and humorous look at the day-to-day challenges faced by people with Parkinson’s disease and their caregivers. The program is sponsored by the Parkinson’s Association of Greater Daytona Beach and the Friends of the Daytona Beach Library. Reservations are required and may be made by calling 386-676-6375 by Jan. 26.
Cultural Council schedules workshops for grant applicants The Cultural Council of Volusia County will conduct two workshops in January for
beyond. Join Bro. Brown for “2 Dinners,” along with “2 Power-Point Presentations,” on Jan. 18, 4 p.m., and Jan. 25, 4 p.m., at the African American Cultural Society, 4422 North U.S. 1, Palm Coast. A baked chicken dinner will be prepared for the first presentation and baked fish dinner for the second expose. Each dinner is $20 for an AACS member and $25 for a non-member. Reservations may be made at the AACS by calling 386-4477030, or online at aacspc.eventbrite.com.
Church to celebrate King’s life, legacy As the Rev. Dr. Gillard S. Glover preaches at the 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. services on Jan. 18, learn how God uses change agents like the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Special music will be provided, and persons of diverse ethnicities are invited to celebrate Dr. King’s life and legacy. The role of social justice will also be the topic of discussion following the 10 a.m. service. Located at 91 Old Kings Road North, Palm Coast, First Church
Chapter No. 2 of the New York City Transit Retirees of Florida will host their annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. ecumenical service on Jan. 19, 11 a.m., at the First Baptist Church, 6050 Palm Coast Parkway, NW, Palm Coast. Dr. Terence Culver will be presented as the guest speaker. He is the principal of Belle Terre Elementary School in Palm Coast. Music will be provided by the Community Chorus under the direction of Miss Linda Hodges. This year’s theme will be “There Is But One Race And That Is The Human Race.” “Our keynote speaker is Dr. Culver,” said chapter president Marie McCray, “and we are hoping that this will help young people to come. Tell your family and friends that an offering will be given to “Precious Hearts.” We have a favorite charity that we give to.” All are invited, and grandparents and parents are particularly encouraged to bring the grandchildren and children. For further details, call McCray at 386-986-4847 or Thea Smith, 386-446-4657.
‘The State of Black Education in Flagler County’ Despite some progress in Flagler County since the 1970s, two separate school systems remain for Blacks and Whites when comparing disciplinary practices, educational resources, minority teachers and student outcomes. Join Dr. Amir Whitaker, Esq., representing Flagler’s Black Students for the Southern Poverty Law Center, with his address of “The State of Black Education in Flagler County.” The presentation and Q&A session -- sponsored by the Flagler NAACP -- are free and will take place at 6 p.m. Jan. 27 at the African American Cultural Society,
Want to quit smoking? Health department has free resources SPECIAL TO THE TIMES
A new year is a new opportunity to set health goals and stick with them. For many, it is a chance to quit tobacco. Fortunately, Volusia County residents don’t have to do it alone. The Florida Department of Health and the Tobacco Free Florida program have free, proven-effective resources that can double a tobacco user’s chances of quitting. There are plenty of reasons to quit. In fact, quitting smoking can add up to 10 years to one’s life expectancy.1 The health benefits of quitting smoking begin almost immediately after one’s last cigarette and continue for years if one quits for good. “There are 88 deaths daily in Florida from tobacco-related illnesses,” said Dr. Bonnie J. Sorensen, director of the Florida Department of Health in Volusia County. “It is very important for people who smoke to stop and for those who do not smoke, don’t start.”
organizations wishing to apply for a Volusia County Community Cultural Grant. The workshops will be at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 27, in the second-floor training room of the Volusia County Historic Courthouse, 125 W. Indiana Ave., DeLand; and 2:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 30, in the third-floor conference room of the Volusia County Lifeguard Headquarters and Administration Center, 515 S. Atlantic Ave., Daytona Beach. The Community Cultural Grant provides general operating support to nonprofit organizations in Volusia County that have as their primary mission the delivery of cultural or heritage-based programs to the public. In 2014, more than $611,000 was awarded to 33 organizations. Applications must submitted online by 5 p.m. Friday, April 10. On May 27, the Cultural Council will review and score the grant applications to provide recommendations to the Volusia County Council. For more information, contact Cultural Coordinator Mike Fincher at mfincher@ volusia.org or 386-736-5953, ext. 15872.
COAD to review disaster resources next week Community Organizations Active in Disaster (COAD) will meet from 2 to 4 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 21, at the Florida Department of Health in Volusia County, 1845 Holsonback Drive, room 516-C, Daytona Beach. The public is invited. A representative from the Florida Catholic Conference will provide information about the group’s disaster resource capabilities. Also, COAD co-chairs Deanie Lowe and Frank Bruno Jr. will report on
No more butts. A Quit Coach at the 877-822-6669 can help residents assess their cigarette smoking addiction and help them created a personalized quit plan.
Ways to quit Quitting tobacco may be difficult, but it is not impossible. There are more former smokers than current smokers in the state. Those who have tried to quit in the past but relapsed are encouraged to try again as quitting smoking may require several attempts.
Volusia COAD’s activities since its inception in August 2013. COAD is a multi-agency group that assists local governments in organizing and deploying volunteers and resources in response to the unmet needs of local disaster survivors. Membership is open to individuals, faith-based groups, government agencies, civic clubs, volunteer organizations, social service agencies, business people and emergency management personnel. For more information, visit www.volusiacoad.org.
Palm Coast AACS to announce board members The African American Cultural Society (AACS) will hold a general meeting at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 24 at the African American Cultural Society Center, 4422 US Highway 1 North. The Election Committee will announce results of membership voting to fill three positions on the board of directors. Free morning refreshments will be available to all who arrive early at 10:30 a.m. For information, call 386-447-7030. For membership details, call Jean Tanner at 386-445-8403.
Mentors needed for teens in foster care Community Partnership for Children is recruiting mentors for teenagers in foster care. To learn about this program, register for the next orientation class. The orientation is Tuesday, Jan. 20, 5 to
4422 North U.S. 1, Palm Coast. Light refreshments will accommodate the presentation beginning at 5 p.m. Graduating from Rutgers University and completing a master’s and doctorate in educational psychology from the University of Southern California, Dr. Whitaker completed his fifth college degree at the University of Miami School of Law. He transitioned after his arrest at age 15 and upon entering the juvenile justice system. Moreover, both of his parents were incarcerated throughout their lives. Dr. Whitaker’s legal experience includes his work with the Juvenile Division of Miami’s Public Defenders. His research focused on decreasing school dropout and delinquency rates among atrisk youth. He founded “Project KnuckleHead,” a non-profit organization, which impacts more than 1,000 youth in Florida and California through mentoring, intervention, music, and after-school programs. Dr. Whitaker has worked at all levels from kindergarten to college, and holds teaching certification in Florida, California, and New Jersey. “He’s remediated himself, and has gone on to receive a degree in law,” said Linda Sharpe Haywood, branch president. “He’s coming with the real deal in the Flagler County schools. Please make sure you get this out to your friends and neighbors with kids.” For further details, call the NAACP at 386-446-7822. ••• As always, remember our prayers for the sick, afflicted and bereaved.
Celebrations Birthday wishes to: Thea Smith, Gladys Carr, Jan. 17; Donald Jones, Jan. 18; Kilus White, Sr., Jan. 19; Gloria Wilder, Jan. 20. Happy anniversary to Edward and the Rev. Lannie Thomas, Jan. 19.
Tobacco Free Florida helps tobacco users create comprehensive and personalized quit plans, which increase the chance of success. Free nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), like the patch or a combination of the patch and nicotine gum, is available while supplies last and if medically appropriate. Tobacco Free Florida offers three ways to quit. Call the Florida Quitline at 877-8226669 to speak with a Quit Coach who will help you assess your addiction and help you create a personalized quit plan. Tobacco Free Florida’s online cessation tool can be accessed at tobaccofreeflorida.com/webcoach. Sign up for group classes at your local Area Health Education Center (AHEC) by calling 877-822-6669 or visiting www. ahectobacco.com. The Department’s Tobacco Free Florida campaign is a statewide cessation and prevention campaign funded by Florida’s tobacco settlement fund. To learn more about Tobacco Free Florida and the state’s free quit resources, visit www.tobaccofreeflorida.com or follow the campaign on Facebook at www.facebook.com/TobaccoFreeFlorida or on Twitter at www.twitter.com/tobaccofreefla.
6:30 p.m. at Community Partnership for Children, 135 Executive Circle, Daytona Beach. To register, contact Susan Hiltz at 386547-2293 or via email at Susan.Hiltz@cbcvf.org.
Port Orange ranked one of the safest cities in state The city of Port Orange has been ranked the second-safest big city in the state. The consumer research company Value Penguin recently published the results of their “Safest Cities” study that compared a variety of crime metrics across 224 cities in Florida. Port Orange ranked the second safest among Florida cities with a population over 45,000, and 28th overall. According to the New York City-based Value Penguin, the report “highlights which cities and towns are doing an exceptional job in providing their residents with a safe place to live.” Mayor Allen Green stated, “The ranking is a compliment to our police department and the officers that serve this great community.” Added Chief of Police Gerald Monhan, “We are very encouraged by the results of this study and thank the men and women of the Port Orange Police Department and our citizen partners for their efforts in making the city of Port Orange a great place to live, work and raise a family. For a list of all the rankings in the report, visit www.valuepenguin.com/2014/12/ safest-cities-florida-study.
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7 EDITORIAL
JANUARY 15 – JANUARY 21, 2015
The ‘real’ dream speech I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character. I have a dream today! A suggestion for these days of special attention to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.: Whenever people cite this sentence from his iconic “I Have A Dream” speech, ask them if they know the rest of the speech. I’ve long suspected that people who cite that sentence as proof we today should stop taking race into account in the necessary re-ordering of American society haven’t bothered to understand – or, most likely, even read –the rest of the speech. So when people refer to that sentence, ask them to explain King’s also saying to the throng, “I am not unmindful that some of you have come here out of great trials and tribulations. Some of you have come fresh from narrow jail cells. And some of you have come from areas where your quest for freedom left you battered by the storms of persecution and staggered by the winds of police brutality.”
A complex sermon Or, ask them to explain his reminding America “of the fierce urgency of Now … It would be fatal for the nation to overlook the urgency of the moment. … The whirlwinds of revolt will continue to shake the foundations of our
LEE A. DANIELS NNPA COLUMNIST
nation until the bright day of justice emerges.” Those are just two of the extraordinary passages in what is a wonderfully complex sermon, full of hidden-in-plain-sight demands and warnings along with its call to our better selves. They and other passages illuminate the true meaning of its most famous sentence – a meaning underscored by the three “dreams” that immediately precede it and the one immediately after it. Before mentioning his children, King declares that “I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: ‘We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.’” He follows this with a “dream” that “one day on the red hills of Georgia, the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave-owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood,” and another that “even the state of Mississippi, a state sweltering with the heat of injustice, sweltering with the heat of oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice.”
children, he says, “I have a dream that one day, down in Alabama, with its vicious racists, with its governor having his lips dripping with the words of ‘interposition’ and ‘nullification’ – one day right there in Alabama little Black boys and Black girls will be able to join hands with little White boys and White girls as sisters and brothers.” In other words, King places his dream for all children squarely within the necessity of reforming three states with long histories of horrific state-sponsored and state-aided-and-abetted murders, beatings and other forms of violence that targeted Black children as well as adults. He uses children as the focus of his dreams not only because children are born without prejudice and fear, but also because their being “able to join hands” at “the table of brotherhood” could only occur with their parents’ acceptance of racial equality. Here, King was speaking directly to ordinary White southerners. Come, he said, for our children’s sake, let us recognize our common humanity. So, this Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, when people only reference the Dream Speech’s “the content of their character” line and let it go at that, you’ll know they’re just whistling “Dixie.”
Lee A. Daniels is a longtime journalist based in New York All children City. Write your own response And then, after he speaks of his at www.daytonatimes.com.
Is Obama trying to kill Black colleges? Is Barack Obama, the nation’s first African-American president, trying to kill Historically Black Colleges and Universities? If he’s not, he’s going to have a difficult time convincing HBCU presidents, trustees and alumni. Surprisingly, Obama has become their worst nightmare. Neither Obama, the First Lady, the Secretary of Education or the president’s closest advisers attended an HBCU and consequently, are tone death in recognizing what is broadly viewed as sound policy can inadvertently harm our nation’s HBCUs. President Obama’s proposal that the federal government pick up the tab for a worthy student’s first two years of community college is a case in point. Without a doubt, a move toward free, universal higher education is an excellent decision.
Tweak the proposal
GEORGE E. CURRY NNPA COLUMNIST
tary [of Education] to be a reliable authority as to the quality of training offered or is, according to such an agency or association, making reasonable progress toward accreditation.” HBCUs enroll only 3 percent of college students yet are responsible for nearly 20 percent of all bachelor degrees awarded to African-Americans. In some fields, the figures are significantly higher. President Obama noted, “America thrived in the 20th century in large part because we had the most educated workforce in the world. But other nations have matched or exceeded the secret to our success.” And the U.S. can’t afford to lose the valuable contributions of HBCUs. HBCUs compete directly with community colleges. If you make the first two years of college free to community college students – and not to HBCUs – you don’t have to be a rocket or social scientist to see that Black colleges will come out the losers.
But if the president had consulted the major organizations representing HBCUs, he would have heard suggestions on how to tweak his proposal so that it would not needlessly harm Black colleges, which it is certain to do. The amended Higher Education Act of 1965 defines an HBCU as: “…any historically black college or university that was established prior to 1964, whose princi- Wait, there’s more pal mission was, and is, the educaAnd the bleeding doesn’t stop tion of black Americans, and that there. is accredited by a nationally recogIf and when community college nized accrediting agency or asso- students decide to continue their ciation determined by the Secre- education, they may be more in-
clined to transfer to a state-supported public university, where costs are cheaper than those of a private or public HBCU. In many instances, that state-supported university might accept all of the student’s credits whereas the Black institution might accept some of them. Public HBCUs are likely to suffer under this scenario as well. If a Black student has attended a community college in Alabama, for example, he or she may be more prone to enroll in the University of Alabama or Auburn than they would if they had initially enrolled in Alabama A&M University or Alabama State. And given the costs, those students might totally bypass Tuskegee University, Talladega College or Stillman College, all private institutions.
What should be done? As one educator told me, it would have been better if Obama had said the federal government would pick up the first two years at a two- or four-year college. That would be better for most HBCUs. Because public tax dollars probably would not be designated for private colleges, the private and religious-affiliated institutions would still be in a bind.
George E. Curry, former editor-in-chief of Emerge magazine, is editor-in-chief of the National Newspaper Publishers Association News Service (NNPA.) Write your own response at www.daytonatimes.com.
A question of 21 times I find it very unsettling to hear police officers discuss how they believe that #BlackLivesMatter protesters and certain politicians, e.g., NYC Mayor de Blasio, are either unsympathetic to their plight or, worse, provoking violence. Ever since the murder of two NYC police officers there has been a concerted effort to shift the entire focus of the discussion regarding police abuse and lynching and turn it on its head, suggesting that the police are the victims of inexplicable anger. When NYC police officers turned their back on Mayor de Blasio during the funerals of the officers, or when they suggest that Rev. Al Sharpton is a demagogue for supporting and encouraging mass protests against police abuse, interestingly I never hear them discuss the question of “21 times.” Just in case you missed this, an analysis of the data on police killings noted that African-American youth are 21 times more likely than White youth of being shot dead by the police. [See: http://www.propublica.org/ article/deadly-force-in-blackand-white]
BILL FLETCHER, JR. NNPA COLUMNIST
cers has been to turn the tables. There is a desire, such as articulated by Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association leader Pat Lynch, to shift the discussion away from an examination of police violence and instead to focus on those who are challenging the abuse and lynching. Through incendiary suggestions, such as that Mayor de Blasio and others allegedly have blood on their hands for failing to back the police against the protesters, these demagogues are avoiding the real issue. Yes, the murder of the two NYPD officers was as inexcusable as it was tragic. That said, what does the PBA have to say about “21 times?” When they call for greater support from political officials, what do they actually mean? What it certainly sounds like is that they wish for the protests to cease and for the public and the political establishment to close ranks behind total support for any action carried out by the police. It’s not going to happen.
it surprise anyone, let alone be a source of controversy, that Mayor de Blasio cautions his bi-racial son about how to interact with the NYPD? Why should the anger of African-Americans, Latinos and Native Americans regarding our dealings with the police be difficult for anyone else to fathom? Those who are suggesting that the BlackLivesMatter protests have gone too far need to come to grips with the “21 times” question. How does one explain such a phenomenon? Clearly, there is crime in other communities. As I regularly note, Charlestown, Mass. has a reputation as being the bank robbery capital of the U.S.A. Given this, how would one explain that White youth of that segregated segment of Boston are Bill Fletcher, Jr. is the host of not facing the same level of threat The Global African on Telesuras Black youth a few miles away? English. He is a racial justice, labor and global justice writer Avoiding the issue Reason for caution and activist. Write your own reThe response by many police to sponse at www.daytonatimes. This is an astounding ratio. With a figure like this, why should the killings of the two NYPD offi- com.
VISUAL VIEWPOINT: US SENATE UNDER NEW MANAGEMENT
R J MATSON, ROLL CALL
The NAACP is irrelevant “Whoever loves money never has enough.” – Ecclesiastes 5:10 I would offer that verse from the wisest man in history to our national NAACP president and board. They sent me at least five letters in December asking for money to help meet a $100,000 goal. Are they that strapped for money? After all, when Ben Jealous left just a short while ago, he boasted about having increased their coffers from $29 million to $46 million during his tenure. Rather than the above Bible verse, maybe the folks at the NAACP subscribe to one of the most misunderstood and misused verses in the Bible, Ecclesiastes 10:19: “Money answers all things.” Having served in several positions in my local NAACP, including a brief stint as branch president, it is very clear to me that the primary purpose of the national NAACP is to get more money. While local branch members work tirelessly as volunteers, the national office is comprised of salaried elitists who pass down edicts from on high like a pimp in a 1960s Blacksploitation movie. “Branch betta have my money!”
Funds pocketed by national NAACP Most people don’t know that only $14 of each $30 membership fee stays with the local branch. Branches are not allowed to own real estate, and we only have one fundraiser per year, the Freedom Fund Banquet, from which 25 percent of the profit must be sent to the national as well. With thousands of local branches under its rule, you would think the NAACP would have enough money and not have to beg intermittently for another $100,000 or so throughout the year. After receiving the solicitation letters, I wrote back a few times but never got a response. I told them I would not be giving one dime to the organization until it cleans up its act vis-à-vis its treatment of local branches. They want their money on time,
JAMES CLINGMAN NNPA COLUMNIST
but they are not timely when it to comes to rectifying situations left by the likes of their field director, Gill Ford.
Unfavorable view What I now call “The National Association for the Acceptance of Corrupt Personnel,” is mired in legal battles with local branches, allows voter suppression and voter intimidation, requires voter photo ID’s at its elections, does nothing about corrupt practices in its local elections, that is, unless it’s to help their chosen candidate, and stands by a man who has left a trail of destruction in his wake by participating in and sanctioning illegalities in local elections. That man is Gill Ford; and they are asking us to send more money? You gotta be kidding me. In Cornell Brooks’ initial letter as president asked: “Is the NAACP still relevant?” The larger question is: “To whom is the NAACP relevant?” Is it only relevant to the national office and board? Is it only relevant to celebrities who get Image Awards? Is it relevant to convention hotels that offer suites and other perks to officers and board members? Is it relevant to young people who are well prepared to take the reins of the NAACP? Is it relevant only to unions and Democrats? Is it relevant and responsive to its many branches? Or, does the national office just see us as conduits through which our local money flows back to their coffers?
Jim Clingman, founder of the Greater Cincinnati African American Chamber of Commerce, is an adjunct professor at the University of Cincinnati. Write your own response at www.daytonatimes. com.
Opinions expressed on this editorial page are those of the writers, and do not necessarily reflect the editorial stance of the newspaper or the publisher.
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5 7
JANUARY 15 – JANUARY DECEMBER21, 14 2015 - 20, 2006EDUCATION
MAYOR
How do you help a baby learn? Word by word BY SARA NEUFELD THE HECHINGER REPORT (TNS)
On the third-floor hospital maternity ward at the University of Chicago Medical Center, Bionka Burkhalter had just given birth to her first child, a 7-pound, 4-ounce boy named Josiah. There was a knock on the door, and two women asked to give a presentation on how to build her baby’s brain. The 21-year-old single mother gave them her attention. In the next 15 minutes, she heard about the importance of talking a lot to Josiah, whose thick dark hair poked out from under a swaddle blanket in a bassinet beside her bed. She heard about tuning into his cues and responding when he cries, and about giving him a chance to communicate back to her, even if just through eye contact. Burkhalter is a test subject in one of many initiatives being piloted by the Thirty Million Words Project, which aims to prevent the achievement gap from starting with the power of parentchild talk — beginning at day one.
‘Word gap’ In this intervention with newborns, mothers still in the hospital learn research-based parenting practices less commonly known in poor households. There will soon be follow-up lessons at pediatric checkups. This winter, Thirty Million Words is embarking on a major long-term study of a home-visiting program that teaches communication skills to parents of slightly older babies. Children will be trailed from about 15 months old through at least kindergarten. Thirty Million Words was founded by University of Chicago pediatric surgeon Dana Suskind, who performs cochlear implant surgery on deaf children, allowing them to hear. Suskind was disturbed to discover that, after the same operation, some patients from poor families had more difficulty learning to speak than children from affluent homes. She became intrigued by a famous study finding that a hearing child born into poverty hears 30 million words fewer before age 4 than a middleclass peer. This so-called “word gap” has been getting a lot of attention lately, thanks to Hillary Clinton making it a pre-campaign campaign of sorts. Her Too Small to Fail partnership has spurred a White House conference on the topic, public service announcements on Spanish-language Univision, and strategic dialogue on TV shows like “Orange Is the New Black” and “The Fosters.” The American Academy of Pediatrics released a policy in June asking
JULIENNE SCHAER/HECHINGER REPORT/TNS
Bionka Burkhalter, left, listens to Beth Suskind from the Thirty Million Words Project give a presentation on building her new baby’s brain at the maternity ward at the University of Chicago Medical Center on Oct. 14, 2014. its 62,000 member doctors to encourage parents to read to their babies daily. There are now text message campaigns to give parents talking reminders and tips.
Promising results Thirty Million Words has promising results from a small pilot home-visiting program, and the national buzz has helped catapult the organization into a rapid expansion in Chicago. Suskind and her 13-member staff, plus graduate student interns and volunteers, are trying several approaches to reach families while measuring impact for potential widespread replication. These strategies do not simply involve the quantity of words spoken; they target parent-child relationships, in line with new research that the quality of communication matters most. “Obviously, language can in itself be a key part of building a child’s brain, but the parent relationship really is the basis for all of child development,” said Suskind, 46, a widowed mother of three school-age kids who sits on the Too Small to Fail advisory council. “We’re using the lever of parent talk to get into the parentchild relationship.”
Home visits Language, though, can be quantified where relationships can’t. In the long-term study that began in December, babies will wear a device recording how many words adults say to them in a day and how many chances they get to respond. Results will be collected from 200 children recruited from Early Head Start and other city programs. All families will receive six months of home visits, but parents won’t all learn about the same thing. Half in a control group will get lessons on nutrition. The other 100 will see the Thirty Million Words video curriculum, explaining scientifically backed communication skills. Parents will be taught to weave back-and-forth conversation into daily activities, from diaper changing to cooking dinner, and to explain to children why they are being asked to do things, rather than just directing them. They’ll be urged to go on a “technology diet,” since children need human interaction; their brains don’t build connections with televisions and computers.
How program works Burkhalter, who holds a GED
and lives with her mother on the South Side of Chicago, was one of 80 new moms who got the newborn presentation after giving birth at the University of Chicago in recent months. Feedback from these women will be incorporated into a video to roll out this summer in the maternity wards of the hospitals at the University of Chicago and Northwestern University, shown when newborns have their hearing tested. Similar videos are being developed to show parents on iPads while waiting to be seen at pediatric checkups. Before her presentation began, Burkhalter filled out a survey. She checked “somewhat agree” to the statement, “How smart an infant will be depends mostly on their ‘natural’ intelligence at birth.” She then turned to Beth Suskind and Iara Fuenmayor Rivas, who led her through a 59-slide PowerPoint. Beth is Dana Suskind’s sister-in-law and runs Thirty Million Words’ daily operation.
Honest feedback Despite having just been through 17 hours of labor, Burkhalter listened attentively as Beth Suskind explained that 85 percent of baby Josiah’s brain will
develop in the next three years. Her talking, responding and caring for him will make his brain grow strong. Every snuggle, every diaper change counts. She debunked a common myth that infants can be spoiled with too much attention, explaining that their short-term memories are still developing for the first six months — so Josiah needs to be reminded that Mommy is there to comfort him when he’s upset. “There are no perfect parents,” she said. “You’re teaching him he can count on you.” Asked for “brutally honest” feedback at the end of the presentation, Burkhalter didn’t have anything negative to say. She learned a lot. “I’m gonna talk to him when I’m changing his Pampers,” she said. She then took the same survey again. Beside the statement “How smart an infant will be depends mostly on their ‘natural’ intelligence at birth,” she had a new answer: “Strongly disagree.”
This story was produced by The Hechinger Report, a nonprofit, independent news website focused on inequality and innovation in education.
Cultural diversity pays off for kids of all ages BY LESLIE MANN CHICAGO TRIBUNE (TNS)
Your child may be engrossed with his Baby Einstein TakeAlong Tunes or trying to escape from the grocery cart. But he’s listening, processing and willing to teach us. In a recent study of 19-montholds, University of Chicago doctoral student Lauren Howard found that children who heard multiple languages in their neighborhoods were more receptive to people who spoke languages other than their parents’ language. “We measured imitation. At this age, that’s how they show us their willingness to learn,” explained Howard, the lead author of the report titled Neighborhood Linguistic Diversity Predicts Infants’ Social Learning. The experiments tested how well the infants could learn new tasks from a non-English speaker. The study, which included 82 children from the Chicago and Washington areas, was published in the November issue of Cognition. “Babies are not only affected by parents and caregivers — previous studies proved that — but also by people they hear at the store or on the bus,” Howard said. “Incidental exposure matters.”
Diverse by design Does this mean kids in diverse communities will grow up to have open minds? “It’s a start,” Howard said. “Al-
ready, at this age, they’re actively learning.” This is familiar territory for many adoptive families, said Adam Pertman, president of the Boston-based National Center on Adoption and Permanency. “Adoption is a good prism to understand issues like this because adoptive families have a ‘laboratory’ where they see this daily — not just with international adoption, but with interracial adoption,” said Pertman. While studies like Howard’s suggest that parents increase their children’s cultural exposure, “adoptive parents have been making these efforts for years and sociologists have been studying them for years,” said Pertman.
Defying expectations Mary Child and her husband, David Youtz, of Tenafly, N.J., are raising their four daughters, all adopted from China, in a multicultural community by intention. The benefits extend beyond language, Child said. Her 19-year-old daughter, Sophie, speaks English and is learning Mandarin, and her 10-yearold triplets speak English, are studying Spanish and will take Mandarin lessons in middle school. One reason Sophie appreciated the diverse high school she attended, said Child, is because “the kids there defied expectations, like she did. One student, for example, had parents who were Korean and Danish, but he
FOTOLIA/TNS
Very young children from culturally diverse neighborhoods showed a great willingness to learn from adults who spoke a language different from their parents’, a new study has found. spoke Swedish. Not all the kids looked like their parents, either.” Cultural diversity can be within reach, even in unlikely areas. Although she grew up in “not very diverse” Beaver Dam, Wis., Morgan Butterbrodt, 23, said she learned about other languages and cultures from the many students her family hosted through the AFSUSA international student exchange program (afsusa.org). “It’s the little differences that make you more compassionate and less judgmental,” Butterbrodt said. “Yuilya from Kazakhstan, for example, was very dis-
ciplined because she couldn’t go to college unless her grades were good. Matias from Paraguay wasn’t used to being on time because his culture is more laidback.”
Global classrooms For families unable to host a student for a whole year, AFSUSA offers other volunteer opportunities, such as being “welcome families” to ease students’ transitions. But there are countless ways to expose kids to other cultures, said Homa Sabet Tavangar, au-
thor of “Growing Up Global: Raising Children to be at Home in the World” (Ballantine); her website is growingupglobal.net. Just a few of her tips: Take the kids to foreign films. Sample ethnic restaurants. Put a world map on the wall, with a thumbtack on every country the kids learn about. Help your children’s teachers make global classrooms. Encourage the kids to invite friends of other cultures for dinner. If your native tongue is not English, use it with the kids, added Tavangar, who is bilingual. “They’ll thank you later,” she said.
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7 JANUARY 15 – JANUARY 21, 2015
GIVING BACK TO THE COMMUNITY Means Giving Something Greater Than Yourself It’s respect for others. It’s compassion for their needs. But more importantly, it’s giving hope. Whether donating to a food drive or volunteering your time to help fight hunger, giving back can leave a lasting impression. And just like the many selfless men and women who strive to make a difference in their neighborhoods, Publix also believes in supporting the communities in which we serve. So this Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, why not make it a day of service? One day can change a person’s entire life. We all have something to give. How will you make a difference?
Publix celebrates the spirit of giving back on this MLK Day.
To find out how YOU can give back please visit Publix.com/giveback
7
M SPORTS AYOR
JANUARYDECEMBER 15 – JANUARY 2015 14 - 20,21, 2006
B-CU’s young track stars shine at North Carolina meet SPECIAL TO THE TIMES
Jan. 10 was a big day for Bethune-Cookman’s track and field underclass women at the Joe Hilton Open on the campus of the University of North Carolina, securing three of B-CU’s eight first-place finishes as the Wildcats logged eight (five women, three men) additional Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Championships qualifying marks to conclude a very successful opening weekend. “Today was an additional opportunity for us to get a few more people qualified for the conference championships, and in that we were successful,” Director of Track & Field and Cross Country Donald Cooper said. “I’m excited about how much better we are going to get throughout the season. We have to tighten up on few things in terms of competition day situations, but that’s what these early meets are for.” “We have a lot of athletes that need to step up when they get their opportunities because for some there will not be that many. The
Julia MillsPorter wrapped up a solid opening weekend with her first collegiate win in the 800m. COURTESY OF B-CU ATHLETICS
staff did a good job this weekend and I am fortunate to have them,” Cooper added.
Golden moments Taking on the women’s half mile (800m), freshman Julia Mills-Porter collected B-CU’s first women’s gold of the day, earning first with a time of 2:20.98, beating out Morgan Brown in fifth at 2:32.14. In the men’s 800m, fellow freshman Christopher Jackson came in third in 2:01.05. Adding more weight to the distance team’s strength, sophomore Nyajock Pan earned victory in the women’s mile with a career-best time of 5:22.29. Senior Ricy Brown completed the sweep, winning the men’s mile with a time of 4:24.92. Improving on her preliminary-topping time, Summer Brown earned victory in the women’s 60m with a time of 8.94 seconds, beating out teammate Erica Jenkins, who finished second in 9.02 seconds. The men’s sprinters also combined to complete the 1-2 sweep, as senior
Angelo Cabrera ran a time of 6.76 to finish first, just ahead of freshman Kareem Fair in second at 6.80, while Nicholas Williams was eighth in 7.23.
More gold After leading the team with a first-place shot put finish on Jan. 9 at the Gene Anderson Invitational, senior Desiree Richardson added another women’s gold, topping the field in the weight throw with a mark of 16.09m (52-09.5 feet). Barry Kimbrough added a first place mark on the men’s side, winning the shot put with a distance of 15.08m (49-05.75 feet.).
Freshman Jamel Davis rounded out the count of first-place performances, coming out of the 400m victorious with a time of 50.48 while classmate Justin Martin was ninth in 53.35. Fellow freshmen Carlecia Spivey and Valencia Rolle were third and fourth respectively in the women’s quarter mile (400m) with times of 1:01.45 and 1:03.21, respectively. Spivey also recorded a second-place finish to lead B-CU in the women’s long jump, hitting a distance of 5.11m (16-09.25 feet), outleaping Kasie Trigg, who was fifth in 4.57m (15-00.00 feet). Demetrius Rooks and
N. Williams went second and third on the men’s side with marks of 6.52m (214.75 feet) and 6.43m (2101.25 feet), respectively.
On to Tennessee In the vertical jumps, senior Deidra Jordan came in second in the women’s high jump with a leap of 1.63m (5-04.25 feet). Princy Dorsainvil also tabbed a second-place finish vertically, earning silver in the men’s pole vault at 3.70m (12-01.50 feet), while Jessica DeRoux was fourth in the women’s vault at a height of 2.75m (9-00.25 feet). Rounding out B-CU’s
top finishers on Saturday, Nnamdi Davis was fifth in the men’s 60m hurdles in 8.99, and Summer Brown was sixth in the 60m dash in 8.18. With the Hilton Open in the books, the Wildcats wrapped up a double-meet opening indoor weekend, securing 22 total MEAC qualifying marks through two days on the Tarheels’ campus. Bethune-Cookman returned to action in Johnson City, Tenn. for the ETSU Track & Field Invitational on Jan. 16-17.
This story is courtesy of B-CU Athletics.
Wildcats to celebrate football team at Jan. 17 banquet SPECIAL TO THE TIMES
COURTESY OF B-CU ATHLETICS
The Bethune-Cookman football team claimed a share of the MEAC title again this year.
Racing legends parade, fun run set for Feb. 14 In addition to the roar at the race track, race fans can marvel at some of the legends of racing during the fourth annual Historic Racing Legends Beach/ Road Course Parade at 9:30 a.m. Feb. 14 in Ponce Inlet. Spectators should park at the Toronita parking lot on S. Atlantic Avenue. Votran will provide free shuttle service to and from the north and south turn beach ramps from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Through a cooperative sponsorship between Volusia County Government, the Town of Ponce Inlet and Racing’s North Turn restaurant, the vintage racecars will once again run down Atlantic Avenue, making the south turn onto the world’s most famous beach, ending at the famed north turn. These are the sites of the original north and south turns of the early beach and road course. This was the 4.1-mile course where the Grand National Race ran from 1948 until 1958, when it was relocated to the new Super Speedway, today known as Daytona International Speedway.
Four-mile run Following the parade, Racing’s North Turn restaurant will host driver autograph sessions and interviews conducted by Danny “Chocolate” Myers. New this year, residents and visitors can participate in the Legends Run, a four-mile fun run that will take runners and walkers on the same legendary route as the historic racing vehicles. The Legends Run foot race begins at 7:30 a.m., just north of the Beach Street ramp. For more information on the foot race, call 386-822-5062 or visit Volusia.org/legendsrun. For more information on the Historic Racing Legends Beach/Road Course Parade, contact Bob Coolidge at 386-956-3465 or HRLParade@aol.com or Rhonda Glasnak of Racing’s North Turn at 386566-1167.
Bethune-Cookman Football will hold its end of the season banquet Saturday, Jan. 17, at the Hilton Daytona Beach Resort/ Ocean Walk Village Hotel. The event will honor the 2014 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference champion Wildcats. The night starts with a reception at 6:30 p.m., held on the second floor of the Hilton just outside the grand ballroom. Interviews will take place with members of the 2014 team and coaching staff as well as a live Wildcat Insider show produced by The CatEye Network. The entire banquet will be broadcast live
via CatEyeNetwork.tv. The Wildcats are now under the direction of head coach Terry Sims, who accepted the position after the departure of head coach Brian Jenkins to a similar position at Alabama State in mid-December. Sims has spent the previous five years as the assistant head coach under Jenkins on the Wildcats staff.
9-3 overall record Bethune-Cookman concluded the 2014 season with an overall record of 9-3, including a conference mark of 6-2. The Wildcats claimed a share of their fourth MEAC title in the last five years, as
well as the third consecutive league title. B-CU began the season with a second consecutive defeat of FBS opponent Florida International University, the second time in school history the FCS Wildcats claimed a win over an FBS team. Bethune-Cookman finished the 2014 campaign ranked No. 23 in the final The Sports Network poll. It marks the third consecutive season the Cats have finished a season ranked in the Top 25 poll. For information about banquet tickets, call 386481-2465.
This story is courtesy of B-CU Athletics.
Former tire changer sues Michael Waltrip Racing BY JOE MARUSAK CHARLOTTE OBSERVER (TNS)
A former top tire changer for Michael Waltrip Racing sued the Cornelius, N.C.-based motorsports team on Tuesday, claiming he was fired a day before undergoing surgery for a shoulder injury suffered when he was struck by a car during a NASCAR race. Brandon Hopkins helped Michael Waltrip Racing to its first Mechanix Wear Pit Crew of the Year Award in 2012. He contends team officials “blacklisted” him after his surgery by falsely accusing him of stealing a pit gun used to remove lug nuts. As a result, he lost an unpaid internship with another NASCAR Sprint Cup team and paid work with a NASCAR Truck Series team, Hopkins says in the lawsuit filed Tuesday by Charlotte employment law lawyer Joshua Van Kampen in Mecklenburg County Superior Court.
‘Not about the money’ Hopkins, 28, is suing for damages, citing breach of contract, defamation, intentional interference with a contract and violation of
the N.C. blacklisting statute, according to his lawsuit. “It’s not about the money,” Hopkins told the Observer. “It’s about doing what’s right and what’s wrong and making sure this doesn’t happen to anybody else.” Drew Brown, spokesman for Michael Waltrip Racing, said the team doesn’t comment on litigation matters. Charlotte, N.C. lawyer Bill Diehl, who is defending Michael Waltrip Racing, declined to respond to the allegations. “We don’t try our case in the newspaper, and we’ll see the plaintiff and his I-need-somepublicity lawyer in the court when it’s time,” Diehl told the Observer. Replied Van Kampen, “I understand that defense counsel would like the public not to know what his client is accused of, but we have public courthouses in America for a reason.”
Injured in 2013 Hopkins says he was injured while changing tires for the No. 15 car driven by Clint Bowyer at Chicagoland Speedway in September 2013. About midway through the race, Bowyer’s car entered the pits in the top 10. As Hopkins finished the
passenger-side front tire, he began to make his way across the passenger side of the hood when Bowyer’s car took off. The car slammed the left side of Hopkins’s body, hurling him off the driver side of the hood, according to the lawsuit. Hopkins felt pain in his right shoulder that radiated into his neck. He was sent to rehab, which failed to stop the pain, the lawsuit says. In early 2014, the lawsuit says, he asked the team to open a workers’ compensation claim. He was sent to a doctor who gave him a cortisone shot that also didn’t alleviate the pain, the lawsuit says. An MRI revealed a torn labrum. In March 2014, a doctor with OrthoCarolina told Hopkins he needed surgery. Hopkins says he told a team official he would delay the surgery until he could no longer perform. After the April 2014 race at Texas Motor Speedway, he says he started losing feeling in his arm and requested surgery as soon as possible. A team official asked him to wait until after the season, or until the team knew whether it would make The Chase, according to the lawsuit. The Chase is the sea-
son-ending series of races among top drivers eligible to contend for the Sprint Cup championship. Hopkins says he “sucked it up” and worked through the summer.
Suddenly a ‘thief’ He was fired Aug. 6. Hopkins says the Aug. 7, 2014, surgery was a success and he “diligently” attended physical therapy. In late October, a doctor cleared him to return to work, the lawsuit says. But Michael Waltrip Racing officials told the teams that later retained Hopkins that he’d stolen a pit gun, according to the lawsuit. The lawsuit calls those claims “demonstrably false,” noting that Hopkins was the team member entrusted to transport the guns to each race. Just before his surgery, the lawsuit says, he mistakenly brought a pit gun home, thinking it was his personal pit gun. He didn’t want to leave it at the race shop because he knew the surgery would keep him out for a while. “Although this was a feasible and true explanation, MWR instead deduced that Brandon had suddenly become a thief,” the lawsuit says.
R8
Keeping the dream alive 7 JANUARY 15 – JANUARY 21, 2015
Bethune-Cookman University celebrates the legacy of
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
BETHUNE-COOKMAN UNIVERSITY
www.cookman.edu
Enter to learn. Depart to Serve.