Principal teaches about King at Palm Coast event SEE PAGE 3
EE FR
MARIAN WRIGHT EDELMAN: MORAL COURAGE IS STANDING UP FOR WHAT IS RIGHT PAGE 4
MLK BASKETBALL TOURNEY: A TIME FOR HOOPS AND TO HONOR ICON SEE PAGE 7
East Central Florida’s Black Voice JANUARY 19 - JANUARY 25, 2017
YEAR 42 NO. 3
www.daytonatimes.com
Reflecting on MLK, what’s to come Daytona residents at King events had plenty to say about political controversies.
MLK day events in Daytona Beach began with a breakfast, followed by a march, which started and ended at Allen Chapel. A worship service followed the march.
Trump vs. Lewis
BY ANDREAS BUTLER DAYTONA TIMES
Hundreds gathered Monday at Allen Chapel A.M.E. Church to honor slain civil rights icon, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on the federal holiday. But while they reflected on King and his legacy, there was concern about the nation’s current events, specifically this week’s change in power from President Barack Obama to Donald Trump.
Participants weighed in on the change in presidents and the controversy sparked after U.S. Rep. John Lewis, a civil rights icon, stated in a “Meet the Press’’ interview that Trump isn’t a “legitimate president.’’ After Lewis’ comments, Trump took to Twitter and said that Lewis was “all talk, talk, talk — no action or results.’’ “I respect John Lewis. I think that he had a point. Trump did the same thing with Obama questioning his credentials to
be president. Lewis had a right to say what he did,” said the Rev. Nathan Mugala, pastor of Allen Chapel who chaired the Daytona MLK Scholarship Committee. He also is a member of the Black Clergy Alliance. Resident Cheryl Henry-White stated, “On one front, it’s sad to see. At the end of the day, he is president. We must come to that reality. We have to support him, but we have the constitutional right to voice our opinions, but we must find common ground and come together to achieve what is best for the nation as a whole.”
On Obamacare Trump has also promised to See MLK, Page 5
DUANE C. FERNANDEZ SR./HARDNOTTSPHOTOGRAPHY.COM
Areas pastors lift their voices in song during a Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. service on Monday at Allen Chapel A.M.E. Church in Daytona Beach.
New police chief plans to boost outreach in Black community BY ANDREAS BUTLER DAYTONA TIMES
PHOTOS BY DUANE C. FERNANDEZ SR./HARDNOTTSPHOTOGRAPHY.COM
Author, filmmaker and professor Booker T. Mattison addresses a large crowd at Bethune-Cookman’s Performing Arts Center on Jan. 12 during the kickoff event for the F.R.E.S.H. Book Festival. The event included a film festival featuring three short films by Mattison.
Something for everyone at book festival More than 40 authors participate in sixth annual literary event. COMPILED BY DAYTONA TIMES STAFF
For book lovers, the Midtown Cultural and Educational Center was the place to be last weekend. More than 40 authors from across the country participated in the F.R.E.S.H. Book Festival held Jan. 12-14 in Daytona Beach. From comic books to romance novels to scientific theoretical research, there was something for everyone. This was the festival’s sixth year of existence and the second year of a partnership agreement with the City of Daytona Beach. The F.R.E.S.H. Book Festival was created in 2012 by Donna Banks-Gray, who also is an author, to promote literacy in the Black community. F.R.E.S.H. stands for fiction, romance, erotica, spiritual and health.
Films first Bethune-Cookman hosted the book festival’s kickoff event on Jan. 12 at the See FESTIVAL, Page 2
The Daytona Beach Police Department is under a new command. Longtime Daytona Beach Police Officer Craig “Spike’’ Capri was sworn in as chief during a ceremony last week in front of a packed house at City Hall. “I’ve always had faith in myself, this department and community. I am very excited about leading this force. Since I came back here when I was a rookie, I knew this was the place that I wanted to be,” said the new police chief. Capri spent 27 years with the department on patrol, bike patrol and in narcotics. He has held the ranks of sergeant, lieutenant and captain. Capri replaced Mike Chitwood, recently sworn in as Volusia County sheriff. He served as interim police chief before being promoted and was a deputy chief under Chitwood. “I know the city and its dynamics. I know what the city needs. I’ve put in time to see the different parts of the community. I was able to see exactly where we need to put our resources. People know my name, what I am about and what I do. I can bridge the gap between the community and department. I am going to lead by example,” Capri told the Daytona Times.
Black promoted
From left are Daytona Beach Leisure Services Director Percy Williamson, author Harold Michael Harvey, Daytona Beach Commissioner Paula Reed, authors Brenda Jackson and Booker T. Mattison. At right is Donna Gray-Banks, founder of the F.R.E.S.H. Book Festival.
Captain Jakari Young, 37, is being promoted to deputy chief and will become second in command during a ceremony at 10 a.m. Friday. Jan. 20 at police headquarters, 129 Valor Blvd. “I am humbled, honored and excited about the move. I feel extremely blessed,” said Young. He will become the second-ever Black deputy chief and second in command. “This position is different from any other that I have had. I had fun in my previous posts. This is not about me but about the men and women of this organization and this city. I will put this city on my back and do what needs to be done. I think the former chief left us in good hands,” Young stated. Young has spent 16 years with See CHIEF, Page 5
ALSO INSIDE
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