Ormond library hosting Black History events SEE PAGE 3
EE FR
DR. E. FAYE WILLIAMS: HOW DID WE COME TO THIS, AMERICA? PAGE 4
East Central Florida’s Black Voice
HALIFAX ACADEMY BASKETBALL TEAM: COMPETITIVE AND CONFIDENT SEE PAGE 7
JANUARY 26 - FEBRUARY 1, 2017
YEAR 42 NO. 4
www.daytonatimes.com
Black History Month observances shaping up BY ANDREAS BUTLER DAYTONA TIMES
people be taught AfricanAmerican history.
The start of Black History Month is less than a week away and programs to educate area residents on the achievements and sacrifices of African-Americans will be plentiful. Black History Month grew out of “Negro History Week,” the brainchild of noted historian Carter G. Woodson in 1926. In 1976, it became officially recognized by the U.S. government as Black History Month. For Linda Herring, assistant director of the Mary S. Harrell Black Heritage Museum, it’s vital that young
Harrell’s legacy Each year, the New Smyrna Beach museum hosts a free festival. This year’s festival is Feb. 3-5 at Pettis Park. “It’s extremely important to celebrate our history. My mother, who founded this festival which now bears her name, always wanted to teach young people about our history,” Herring said. “She wasn’t prejudiced, but she had pride in our history. She wanted kids to know what happened and the things they don’t know about. She wanted kids to
“She wanted kids to know our culture, heritage and where we came from.’’
will include music, art, cultural exhibits, demonstrations, historical tools, food, historical dress and storytelling.
Tribute to B-CU founder
Linda Herring, assistant director, Mary S. Harrell Black Heritage Museum know our culture, heritage and where we came from. Our ancestors did many great things. We invented many things that we still use today. You don’t know where you’re going unless
Mary S. Harrell you know where you come from.’’ The Mary S. Harrell Black Heritage Festival will include free tours of the museum, which his located near Pettis Park. The event
The Museum of Arts and Sciences (MOAS) will kick off Black History Month a day early. On Jan. 31, a “Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune Comes to Life’’ program will be held in partnership with the Florida Humanities Council. The event will take place at the Mary McLeod Bethune Performing Arts Center at Bethune-Cookman University (B-CU) from 6 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. The
SECOND IN COMMAND
event is free to the public. There’s also a Smithsonian-affiliated exhibit at MOAS that celebrates the opening o the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C. “A Place for All People: Introducing the National Museum of African American History and Culture’’ is a commemorative poster exhibition that hails the museum that opened in Sept. 24, 2016. The posters highlight key artifacts that tell the rich and diverse story of the African-American experience. The exhibit was organized by the Smithsonian See MONTH, Page 2
Retired firefighter wants to encourage children through book BY ANDREAS BUTLER DAYTONA TIMES
Anthony “Tony’’ Thompson is a retired firefighter who spent 21 years with the Daytona Beach Fire Department. He also worked with the Department of Juvenile justice for 14 years. In his book titled “In His Arms,’’ which will be released this month, he attempts to inspire youth to stay out of trouble and avoid being incarcerated or caught up in the system. “Especially with my experiences with the juvenile system, I said to myself that I needed to write a memoir or something to warn my kids and others about the system. I want to encourage them not to go that way,’’ said Thompson.
Pipeline to prison PHOTOS BY DUANE C. FERNANDEZ SR./HARDNOTTSPHOTOGRAPHY.COM
A packed room of family, friends and fellow officers watch as Jakari Young and others are promoted during a ceremony the morning of Jan. 20.
Jakari Young is the second Black to climb the ranks to deputy chief BY DAYTONA TIMES STAFF
Deputy Chief Jakari Young has been with DBPD for 16 years.
Free tests available on Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day The Florida Department of Health (DOH) in Volusia County will offer free rapid HIV tests from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 7 at DOH locations in Daytona Beach, New Smyrna Beach and Orange City. “Everyone should take advantage of this
ALSO INSIDE
The Daytona Beach Police Department (DBPD) promoted one of its own to deputy chief on Jan. 20 during a promotions ceremony held at police headquarters. Captain Jakari Young was promoted to deputy chief, which makes him second in command at the police department and the second Black to hold the position. “I am humbled, honored and excited about the move. I feel extremely blessed,” Young said in an interview that ran in last week’s Daytona Times. He has spent 16 years with the force,
opportunity to confirm their HIV status,” said DOH-Volusia Administrator Patricia Boswell. “When a person knows their status, they can protect themselves and their partners.” Rapid HIV tests only require a finger stick to collect a small drop of blood and produces results within 15 minutes. If a test result indicates a blood draw is needed to confirm the rapid results, it also can be done at a nocost onsite, Boswell added.
Testing locations Rapid HIV testing is being offered as part
serving as a detective, sergeant and lieutenant. “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,” he added, referring to former Police Chief Mike Chitwood, who is now Volusia County’s sheriff. New Police Chief Craig “Spike’’ Capri, with the department for 27 years, was sworn in earlier this month at a ceremony at City Hall. DBPD’s first Black second in command, Deputy Chief Ben Walton, left in 2012 to take a position as the executive director of public safety for the Philadelphia Housing Authority.
of National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. Testing is available to anyone. DOH-Volusia locations are: 1845 Holsonback Drive, Daytona Beach 717 W. Canal St., New Smyrna Beach 775 Harley Strickland Blvd., Orange City The department also offers educational information on HIV transmission and protection. Clients with positive results may receive counseling from the department. HIV treatment also is available through the Ryan White Program for clients who qualify. Appointments are not necessary. For more information, call 386-274-0662.
In both professions, Thompson has seen a lot. He saved lives as a firefighter and saw people deal with tragedy. In the juvenile justice system, he saw its effects on youth. “It was a tragedy seeing our kids go through the system, putting themselves in harm’s way and being labeled for the rest of their lives. It led to a lot of them eventually going to prison. Once you’re in the system, it’s hard to get out,’’ he explained. In America, Blacks still face a lot of injustice and are incarcerated at high rates. It also holds true for youth in juvenile detention. According to Thompson, “It’s like wildfire. Kids are locked up for wanting to be popular. Many steal cars while others even steal all the keys at car lots. Kids fall to peer pressure. They got locked up for skipping school, armed robbery and home invasions. They also knew that being in juvenile that they didn’t have to do adult time. Juvenile time was usually nine to 15 months.”
‘Encourage them’ Thompson believes that adults can do more to keep kids out of detention. “We need to remind ourselves that we are our brother’s keeper. Adult males need to spend more time with kids. Not just theirs but others. We must encourage them,” Thompson related.’
COMMUNITY NEWS: BLACK HISTORY MONTH EVENT TO INCLUDE JAZZ, POETRY AND ART | PAGE 3 PERSONAL FINANCE: WHAT AFRICAN-AMERICANS NEED TO KNOW BEFORE FILING TAXES | PAGE 8
See BOOK, Page 2