Daytona Times - February 20, 2014 by Central Florida Communicators Group, LLC

Civil rights film festival coming next month See page 3

EE FR

GEORGE E. CURRY: Another Florida man gets away with murder See page 4

Daytona State violinist wins strings competition See page 2

East Central Florida’s Black Voice FEBRUARY 20 - FEBRUARY 26, 2014

YEAR 39 NO. 8

www.daytonatimes.com

WPUL-AM 1590 goes silent Technical problems cause shutdown FROM STAFF REPORTS

fter 25 years, five months, 18 days, 21 hours, three minutes and 21 seconds of continuous radio broadcasting, WPUL-AM 1590, Volusia County’s only Black-owned radio station, signed off for the foreseeable future on Monday morning, Feb. 17, at 3:03 a.m. The reason for the shutdown: Technical problems.

Covered for 20 years For almost 20 years, WPULAM covered Ormond Beach to the north to New Smyrna to the southeast. But since 2008, the station has operated at reduced power after its longtime landlord refused to renew the lease of its broadcast tower off Nova Road in South Daytona. The station searched for other broadcast sites, but other local radio station owners couldn’t – or wouldn’t – allow WPUL-AM to “share’’ broadcast sites. Because of its reduced broadcasting area, WPUL began to lose

local listeners – though it had more than 50,000 online listeners at the time it was shut down.

New group Last year, the broadcast license was assigned to a new Black ownership group, Psi Communications LLC. The new group decided to shut WPUL down temporarily to find another broadcast tower site and improve the station’s signal before placing it back on the air. Under Federal Communications Commissions rules, a radio Please see WPUL, Page 2

DAYTONA TIMES FILES

The Daytona Times covered WPUL-AM’s debut in Daytona Beach in 1988.

Revitalization of Midtown moves closer to reality BY ASHLEY D. THOMAS DAYTONA TIMES aysheldarcel@gmail.com

PHOTOS BY DUANE C. FERNANDEZ, SR./HARDNOTTS PHOTOGRAPHY

Students enrolled in the barber program at Daytona State College practice their skills on mannequins.

Students find new career at barber school BY ASHLEY D. THOMAS DAYTONA TIMES aysheldarcel@gmail.com

A booming Midtown is one step closer to reality as the next step of the Midtown Master Plan is undertaken. The City of Daytona Beach has received two request for proposals (RFPs) to implement the area’s redevelopment. The redevelopment will be executed with input of the public from either Real Estate Research Consultants (RERC) of Orlando or Jones Lang LaSalle of Miami. “I would have sold tickets if I knew so many people would be here,” said Thomas R. Kohler, senior principal of RERC, to the standing room only crowd at the Feb. 14 meeting. Kohler gave a presentation on his experience with redeveloping other minority areas at the public interview meeting for his firm. Jones Lang LaSalle was interviewed at a previous meeting. The meetings were initially closed to the public but Daytona Beach Commissioner Paula Reed requested that the meetings be opened for input from the residents that were affected by the plan to which the city commission agreed.

Board to rank proposals

Daytona State College held a ribbon cutting for the opening of its new barber school at the New Smyrna Beach campus Feb. 12. College and elected officials, dignitaries, Chamber members and Daytona State students and staff attended the event. Jonathan Worsham, lll was honored as Barber Student of the Year, at the ceremony and says he looks forward to owning his own barbershop one day. His dream derives from days of his youth sweeping up and cleaning at Etavis Russ’ shop on what locals know as Second Avenue. Russ is Worsham’s uncle and has owned his shop for 40 years. “I swept up and watched him work and saw how relaxed the atmosphere was,” Worsham explained. “It is a great opportunity for those right out of high school or those looking for a career change.” “With the downfall of the economy, I saw this as a cost effective way to get into a new profession. It will

A ribbon cutting was held at the New Smyrna Beach campus of Daytona State College for the new barber program on Feb. 12. be a profession, not a job, but a career. Anyone is who is willing and able can do it.”

Increase in demand The college estimates the demand for barbers in Florida is expected to increase nearly 10 percent over the next decade due to an increasing population, higher incomes and demand for personal appearance services.

New graduates usually begin working with an established barbershop, with median annual wages around $25,000. With experience, many become entrepreneurs, opening their own barbershops or salons. Full-time daytime classes will be offered in New Smyrna Beach-Edgewater and part time evening classes in Deltona. The 12- to 16-month barPlease see BARBERS, Page 2

Deputy City Manager Paul McKitrick, sits on the selection committee of the Midtown Redevelopment Services Board, the committee that will choose the highest-ranking firm. According to McKitrick, the committee was to meet Feb. 20 to rank the participating RFPs. Following the ranking, the RFPs will be submitted to City Manager Jim Chisholm who will review the rankings and submit the results to the city commission for final approval. The rankings will take into account each firm’s approach to the project, experience and qualifications, schedule for completion and budget and cost effectiveness. The award will then be made to the firm that offers the best value to the city. However, it is important to note that although one company may receive a higher ranking than the other, the city commission has the final say meaning it is possible that the highest ranker is not chosen if the commission does not see fit.

Vision for Midtown The plan the two firms are vying to implement was designed back in 2010 by Florida A&M University (FAMU) students and staff with input from the Midtown Redevelopment Area board, residents and businesses. The vision of the plan is to “preserve the unique historic and cultural qualities of the AfPlease see MIDTOWN, Page 2

Former NFL player tackles diabetes in Daytona Beach BY ASHLEY D. THOMAS DAYTONA TIMES aysheldarcel@gmail.com

Kendall Simmons is no longer tackling defensive players on the football field, but he’s tackling a different beast – type 1 diabetes. The former NFL player will be the featured speaker at a free diabetes seminar at the Center for

ALSO INSIDE

Health and Wellness at Florida Hospital Memorial Medical Center on March 5 at 2 p.m. Simmons played in the NFL for nearly 10 years after being drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers as the 30th overall pick in 2002. Following his first season, Simmons was selected as the team’s rookie of the year. Shortly before his second sea-

son began in 2003, Simmons was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes and was not sure if he would be able to continue his football career. Remarkably, with the Kendall help of team docSimmons tors and a strong support network, Simmons returned to the field that same year. “My story is unique, but everybody’s story living with diabetes or some type of illness is,”

Simmons said while at an American Diabetes Association Walk to Stop Diabetes last year.

Shares story with others As he learned to manage his diabetes, he regained his strength and flourished on the football field. In 2005, he started all 16 regular season games and all four playoff games with the Pittsburgh Steelers, winning Super Bowl XL over the Seattle Seahawks. Today, he has partnered with Novo Nordisk, a global healthcare company dedicated to dia-

betes care, to raise awareness of the importance of properly managing blood glucose levels and to demonstrate that diabetes can be successfully integrated into your life and ambitions. Now retired from the NFL, Simmons is still very active in the diabetes community. He has spoken to children and adults with type 1 diabetes across the country to let them know that the disease can be managed. Simmons hopes that his story can be an inspiration to children and Please see DIABETES, Page 2

COMMENTARY: Charlene Crowell: Rebuilding wealth lost during Great Recession | 4 COMMENTARY: MARC H. MORIAL: Black History Month IS Needed now more than ever | 4

7 FOCUS

FEBRUARY 20 – FEBRUARY 26, 2014

Daytona State music student earns top honors at symposium SPECIAL TO THE TIMES

Juaquin Trumpet is a sophomore at Daytona State College.

Daytona State College student Juaquin Trumpet hopes someday to be regarded among the best violinists in the world, and it looks like he’s headed in the right direction. Trumpet, a sophomore in Daytona State’s instrumental music program, recently earned top honors in the string division of the 2014 Florida College System Activities Association (FCSAA) Winter Music Symposium at the University of South Florida in Tampa. Competing against 10 other string instrumentalists in his division, Trumpet, 19, won for his

City schedules Juneteenth celebrations for June 19-20 FROM STAFF REPORTS

Daytona Beach Leisure Services Director Percy Williamson says planning has begun for this year’s Juneteenth celebrations. The annual event, which will be in its 13th year, will feature a June 19 banquet at the Midtown Cultural and Educational Center on George Engram Boulevard and a festival featuring family events, food, vendors and entertainment at Cypress Street Park on June 20. Also known as Freedom Day or Emancipation Day, the Juneteenth

performance of Henryk Wieniawski’s Scherzo-Tarantelle, Op. 16. “It was an impressive performance of what is considered a highly technical piece, especially considering that Juaquin just picked up the violin seven years ago and has been self-taught until he began his formal instruction at the college two years ago,” said Peter Waidelich, director of instrumental music and assistant chair of the Mike Curb College of Music, Entertainment and Art at Daytona State.

Earned scholarship The FCSAA and the Florida

Association of Schools of Music (FASM) sponsor the student artist contest every year. Students compete in categories of brass, keyboard, percussion, strings, woodwinds, classical guitar, voice and jazz performance. With his win in the string division, and upon earning his associate of arts degree from Daytona State, Trumpet will receive a music scholarship of $1,000 per year for two years from a participating college or university that is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music. “I hope to transfer to Stetson after DSC,” he said, “but after that, I only know that music will be my main thing.”

holiday is an abbreviated form of “June Nineteenth.” It marks the day Blacks in Texas belatedly received word that President Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation had freed the nation’s slaves.

About Juneteenth Black Americans commemorate Juneteenth as the date in 1865 when Union Gen. Gordon Granger arrived with his troops at Galveston Island and read President Lincoln’s proclamation freeing the state’s 200,000 slaves. The proclamation had originally taken effect on Jan. 1, 1863, but word didn’t reach Texas until two months after Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee surrendered to Gen. Ulysses S. Grant, and more than two years after the proclamation was issued. For more information or to participate in the Daytona Beach events, contact Leisure Services at 386-671-8337.

Daniel fast ties leaner diet to reverence for God In their place, participants are to eat essentially a plant-based diet: fruits and vegetables, legumes, nuts and seeds. Whole grains are allowed, including brown rice and popcorn; certain oils; and water and juice. Some fast for 21 days; some more, some fewer. But the food is just part of it. Followers are encouraged to pray more, read their Bibles, or listen to praise music or podcasts of sermons — some of which are provided or sold on church- and Daniel-related websites. Some churches send out daily devotionals on Facebook and Twitter.

BY ANNYSA JOHNSON MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL/MCT

MILWAUKEE — Melissa Taylor stirs a steaming pot of soup atop the stove in her north side Milwaukee kitchen. There are lentils and carrots, tomatoes and celery, a bay leaf that bobs to the surface with each turn of the wooden spoon. It’s a feast, by some standards, famine by others — and a staple for the spiritual journey on which she and her husband, Josh Taylor, will soon embark. On Feb. 10, the Taylors began a 21-day “Daniel fast,” a biblically inspired period of prayer and relative deprivation, various versions of which have become increasingly popular in evangelical Christian circles. Based on passages in the “Book of Daniel,” these so-called fasts — they’re partial fasts, really — have spawned a small industry of howto books and devotionals, blogs, recipe exchanges and longer-term plans that encourage healthy eating as a show of reverence for God’s creation.

New year practice “It’s meant to humble your flesh,” said the Rev. Mike Brownie, the Taylors’ pastor at Rehoboth New Life Center in Milwaukee, who began a period of fasting with church members last weekend. “It’s all about seeking God,” Brownie told adherents at a recent Tuesday night Bible study on the subject. “If you draw near to him, then he is going to draw near to you.” Fasting is an ancient practice common to most faith traditions. Many Christian churches fast early in the new year as a kind of cleansing and to mark a new beginning. The idea is to deprive the physical self, so one can focus more intently on the spiritual; to subjugate the ego, to better hear the divine.

Story of Daniel Those are the aims of the Daniel fasts, but with a twist. In deciding what will and will not pass their lips during this prayerful period, followers look to scripture, specifically two passages in the Book of Daniel.

MIDTOWN from Page 1

rican-American Midtown District, while creating a new era for Midtown that is the model of an environmentally, economically, and socially sustainable community.”

WPUL

from Page 1 station can “go dark” – be off the air – for a total of 364 consecutive days before the license to broadcast is permanently forfeited.

Since 1988 WPUL’s first day on local airwaves was Sept. 1, 1988. It was then known as WZIP-AM and was a country-western music station. A group of investors, including Daytona Times founder Charles W. Cherry, Sr., put up the initial capital to purchase the station from D&H Radio in 1988. All of the investors were graduates of More-

Nutritionists skeptical

A passage from the book of Daniel in the Bible states: “I, Daniel, mourned for three weeks. I ate no choice food; no meat or wine touched my lips.” Daniel is the story of a prophet, a diviner of dreams, held captive in Babylonia some 600 years before the birth of Christ. In Chapter 1, Daniel vows to eat only vegetables and water rather than defile himself with the royal food and wine provided by his captors (after which Daniel is said to appear healthier than those who ate the king’s foods). Later, in preparation for a vision, he says: “I, Daniel, mourned for three weeks. I ate no choice food; no meat or wine touched my lips.”

Dietary guidelines From these few words, proponents of the Daniel fasts have developed variations of these dietary guidelines that in some ways mimic a vegan diet: No meats; no dairy; no sweeteners; no leavened bread or baked goods; no refined or processed foods; and no coffee — though some allow herb teas and honey.

The Rev. Jerry Michaelson of Oakbrook Church in Sussex, Wis., which is beginning a fast this month, said he saw a drop in his blood pressure and cholesterol level after a 21-day Daniel fast two years ago. “At the beginning, you go through some detoxing symptoms — headaches from giving up caffeine,” said Michelle Pope, office manager and the pastor’s wife at First Assembly of God in Waukesha, Wis., which completed a Daniel fast in January. “But after that you feel wonderful.” Nutritionists are skeptical of health claims related to fasting and raise concerns about fasts that are overly prolonged or restrictive. At the same time, they’re encouraged by plans that replace processed foods and sugars with whole grains, fruits and vegetables. “A fast is meant for a short period of time. And any of the ones that are just fruits and vegetables are going to be missing out on key nutrients,” said Amy Kulwicki, a registered dietitian with Froedtert Hospital and the Medical College of Wisconsin who has had clients on the Daniel fasts. The Daniel fasts have been around for years, but they got a big boost after Saddleback Church mega-Pastor Rick Warren launched his Daniel Plan, a long-term program for healthy eating and exercise, in 2011. Though similar to the fasts in some ways, his plan limits certain kinds of fruits, adds lean meats and dairy, and even coffee and alcohol, depending on the phase.

Midtown was known as a booming Black entertainment, residential and business district in its heyday but according to residents, suffered unfortunate side effects of integration in the 1950s and 1960s as Blacks sought the wares, restaurants, businesses and homes of the greater Daytona Beach area. As more and more resi-

dents left the area or chose to spend their dollars outside of the community, businesses closed, vacant buildings grew in number. Midtown began to suffer. But through the vision of community activists, elected officials and the action of the Master Plan those scenes of Midtown could soon be just a memory.

Streetscaping and businesses

house College and members of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity. “When we bought the station, we originally wanted to play groups like Earth, Wind and Fire and Kool and the Gang all day, every day,” explained current General Manager Charles W. Cherry II. “But when we changed the format, all the previous advertisers dropped us. That taught us that we should think about things before making a big move in the radio business.” For almost 20 years, local gospel DJ and concert promoter Mattie Howard was the backbone of the station. From WPUL-AM’s first day on the air in 1988, she played gospel music every weekday morn-

ing starting at 6 a.m., until leaving for health reasons in 2003. “Ms. Howard was dedicated to God, the community, and the station,” Cherry said. “She never wanted to miss a day on the air, no matter how tough it was for her to show up at the studio.”

then moved from WPULAM to WCFB-FM (Star 94.5) in Orlando, where it has remained. The station also has broadcast a number of formats, including urban adult contemporary music, gospel music, and progressive talk. Various programs have aired over the years, including jazz, health and medical, a show selling discount items, and local talk, Christian ministry, politics, and sports. Radio station technology evolved at WPUL-AM from eight-track cartridge machines, reel-to-reel tape and vinyl records to cassettes, then to mini-disks and CDs, then to computer files. Programs were tracked first by handwritten records, then by computer.

Only Black music station For years, WPUL-AM was the only full-time Black music radio station in Central Florida. The station tried to stay on the technological cutting edge to stay competitive. It was one of the first local stations to air broadcasts via satellite, and aired the “Tom Joyner Morning Show’’ in the early 1990s. The “Joyner’’ show

Urban design and neighborhood structuring, streets and transits, parks and green space, community gardens and public markets, businesses and residences as well as the expansion of several sites throughout the area are all part of the revitalization efforts.

Keeping options open Trumpet is a graduate of Colonial High School in Orlando. Upon earning his diploma, he enrolled at Daytona State where he found the tuition to be affordable and had family living in the area. While he plays multiple instruments, Trumpet said his first choice is the violin. Similarly, he’s keeping his options open as far as his future career is concerned. “I’d like to become a professional musician, a composer or a teacher, maybe get some of my music published,” he said. “I’m interested in film scoring, too, and have an idea for a movie.”

BARBERS from Page 1

bering program will be for people who want to become barbers and who, unlike cosmetologists, are specially trained to trim mustaches and beards and shave with straight blade razors. However, those students who have already completed cosmetology school will be able to transfer those credits and skills over to the barbering school as well in a barber-bridge program for licensed cosmetologists to add barber skills to their repertoire. Students are taught how to cut all types of hair Worsham added, “ethnic, Caucasian and from curly to straight.” The barbering program rapidly filled its first available seats last fall, and the first classes will graduate in July with 16 students, followed by 17 students next December. Already, 23 students have completed the barber-bridge program, with 100-percent success rate. As a training program with a full-service clinic, DSC’s barbering offers services to the public on specified days. For appointments, call 386-4236320. For more information about the barbering and cosmetology programs at Daytona State, visit www.DaytonaState.edu/barbering or call Lorraine Gerrity, chair for both programs, 386506-4452, or April Winkel, barber instructor, 386-423-6320.

DIABETES from Page 1

others with diabetes. “I just try to use mine (his story) to inspire folks that no matter what you have going on in your life you take it with a grain of salt and find something positive out of it,” he said. The free diabetes seminar will be held in the Medical Office Building, of the hospital, 305 Memorial Medical Parkway in Daytona Beach. Light refreshments will be provided. Reservations are required. To RSVP call 386-231-2229.

The plan has created a foundation to revitalize the area, Daytona Beach Midtown Redevelopment Project Manager Charles Bryant said in an interview with the Daytona Times at the plan’s inception. “We didn’t have anything in place before. We couldn’t get anything done. We always heard we didn’t have a plan. Now we

have a blueprint, where do we want to go,” Bryant said. “Don’t sit down and wait until we make changes. We don’t know everything. We are learning too.” “Don’t come after everything has changed. Be a part of the process. Don’t wait until the building is built to complain,” he demanded.

The station went from broadcasting over a transmitter with vacuum tubes literally held together by duct tape and chicken wire to its current transmitter that has run 24-7 for years with minor maintenance and without a major hiccup.

bers. “We told him it was no problem. When we got it done, he proudly showed the studio off to everyone who came by his MLK office. It made it a lot easier on him to walk downstairs from his office and get on the air whenever he believed it was necessary to speak to the community.” The last songs played on the air: “The Star-Spangled Banner” by Whitney Houston; “God Bless Africa” by Ladysmith Black Mambazo; and “Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing,” by the Morehouse College Glee Club. The station will remain silent until another tower site is located. Operations of Daytona Times and the Florida Courier will remain unaffected.

Moved to MLK In 1999, WPUL-AM established a secondary studio at the Daytona Times building on South Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd. in Daytona Beach to reduce costs and move closer to the center of the Black community. “Daddy (Charles W. Cherry, Sr.) didn’t think we could have the transmitter at Nova Road and a studio at MLK,” Cherry II remem-

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M A YNEWS OR

FEBRUARY 20 – FEBRUARY 26, 2014 COMMUNITY DECEMBER 14 - 20, 2006

Sorority serves dinner to Flagler veterans The Chi Delta Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority (AKA), Inc. celebrated the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with regard to Chapter 86 of the Flagler Beach Disabled American Veterans, which takes in Flagler County. Under President Sue Fray’s leadership, the sorority prepared and served dinner to 20 veterans, their guests, and others at Chapter 86. Commander Alfonsa Phillips, service officer of the Disabled American Veterans chapter, expressed sincere gratitude and appreciation for the recognition. The veterans reflected on years of service from their respective military branches while enjoying the fellowship of the hostesses.

‘Race’ continues Feb. 21-23 Switching gears, the drama, “Race,” made its way to the City Repertory Theatre, and many thanks to Director Assistant Melissa Arnold for telling me about the performance. The play, written by David Mamet, made its New York debut in 2009 at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre. It touts a cast in Palm Coast, featuring John Pope, Tony Felton, Phillipa Rose and Jonathan Haglund. It credits director John Tony Sbordone and Felton light designer Jim Lynam. Lucy Davis, mother of Army Wives’ actor Wendy Davis, is listed among the board of directors. Sbordone writes “...I want to give praise to this hard-working

COURTESY OF CHI DELTA OMEGA CHAPTER/AKA

The Chi Delta Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority celebrated Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. by preparing dinner for disabled American veterans.

Palm Coast Community news Jeroline D. Mccarthy

Palm Coast Mayor Jon Netts, his wife, Priscilla; attorney Sid Nowell, his wife, Sharon; former “Motown and Mo’ ‘’ director Carlos Ann Butler, and Bill Settles and his wife, Donna. Also stepping out were Emma Adams, Olivia Braxton, Sandra Nurse, Jackie Wallace Gonzalez, Mavis Krause, among other theatregoers. Tickets are $20 for adults, and $15, students. The remaining shows are set for Feb. 21, 7:30 p.m.; Feb. 22, 7:30 p.m.; and Feb. 23, 2 p.m. For ticket information, call 386-585-9415. The City Repertory Theatre of Hollingsworth Gallery is located in the City Marketplace at 160 Cypress Point Parkway, Suite B207, Palm Coast.

cast, all of whom were conscripted at the 11th hour to bring you this drama. Tony Felton, in particular, felt so strongly about this show that he made time to rehearse between two jobs and his active family life...” The play embarks upon a journey where Mamet writes: “Race is the most incendiary topic in our history, and the moment it comes out, you cannot close the lid on that box.” Mr. Mamet further scribes that the “theme is race and the lies we tell each other on Flagler NAACP the subject.” Be prepared for ma- meets Feb. 25 ture subject matter and language. The Flagler County NAACP The turnout Sunday garnered will hold its Feb. 25 general

membership meeting at 6 p.m. at the African-American Cultural Society, 4422 North U.S. 1, Palm Coast. Everyone is invited to learn of the undertakings of the branch. For further details, contact the NAACP at 386-446-7822.

Florida Friends for Obama plans rally Feb. 22 Florida Friends for Obama will present President Barack Obama’s Year of Action Plan in a rally on Feb. 22, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Belle Terre and Pine Lakes Parkway, located down from Mother Seton Catholic Church. The organization will say yes to giving America a raise, giving the unemployed a chance for equal pay, and taking a stance on gun control. Organization president Loyce

Nottage Allen requests participants bring a canned food item for donation to the local food pantry. She also requests that participants bring rally signs. For further information, contact Allen at 609-412-4049. ••• As always, remember our prayers for the sick, afflicted and bereaved.

Celebrations Birthday wishes to: The Rev. Gillard S. Glover, Feb. 20; Desiree Quarterman, Feb. 21; Shauntice Shephard, Feb. 25; Renata McCarthy, Feb. 26. Happy anniversary to: James and Ruby Sims, Feb. 20; Roy and Gloria Benjamin, Feb. 25.

Cinematique to host Civil rights film festival The Friends of the Daytona Beach Library and Cinematique will present a two-day film festival featuring three films that dramatize events from America’s civil rights and post civil rights eras. The films will be shown at the Cinematique Theater, 242 S. Beach St., Daytona Beach. They include: • Lee Daniels’ “The Butler” 7:30 p.m. March 8. The 2013 film is based on the true story of Cecil Gaines, a White House butler who served eight American presidents over three decades. • “Selma, Lord, Selma” 2:30 p.m. March 9. Based on true events, this film tells the story of “Bloody Sunday” through the eyes of an 11-year-old African-American girl named Sheyann Webb. • “Fruitvale Station” 5:30 p.m. March 9. This film logs a day in the life of Oscar Grant III, a 22-year-old San Francisco Bay area resident who crosses paths with friends, enemies, family and strangers on the last day of 2008.

No charge Following each film, Ben Trotter will lead a discussion of the film and its background. Trotter, a library assistant at the Daytona Beach Regional Library at City Island, has a bachelor’s degree in film from the University of Central Florida. There is no charge for the movies, but tickets are required. To obtain tickets, contact Deborah Shafer at dshafer@volusia.org or 386-257-6036, ext. 16264. Adults attending Sunday’s matinee with their children will be given priority for that event. Food and beverages will be available at the theater. The film festival is part of the Connecting with the Community series, a two-year program funded in part by a partnership grant from the Florida Humanities Council. Throughout 2014, the library will sponsor book talks, dramatizations, panel discussions, films and music programs commemorating the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

BRIEFS ‘42’ at Jackie Robinson Ballpark on Feb. 28 The movie “42” will be shown at Jackie Robinson Ballpark Friday, Feb. 28. The Daytona Cubs will open their concession stand at 5 p.m., and the movie will be shown at dusk. Moviegoers will watch the free screening from the stands. The popular 2013 film tells the story of Robinson, who played at the ballpark in 1946 when it was named the Daytona City Island Ballpark. The following year, Robinson signed with the Brooklyn Dodgers, becoming the first AfricanAmerican to play in American Major League Baseball.

brary at City Island, 105 E. Magnolia Ave. The free events are part of the library’s Connecting with the Community series, a two-year program funded in part by a partnership grant from the Florida Humanities Council. Throughout 2014, the library is sponsoring book talks, dramatizations, panel discussions, films and music programs commemorating the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The grant will continue into 2015, when the programming emphasis will change to contemporary issues. For more information, call Adult Program Coordinator Deborah Shafer at 386-257-6036, ext. 16264.

Free events

Daytona State to host FAFSA assistance day

Author Chris Lamb will discuss his biography, “Blackout: The Untold Story of Jackie Robinson’s First Spring Training,” at 2 p.m. Saturday, March 1, in the auditorium of the Daytona Beach Regional Li-

Daytona State College will host a College Goal event from noon to 4 p.m. on March 1 at the Daytona Beach and DeLand campuses. Financial aid specialists will help collegebound students and their

The 1999 film “Selma, Lord Selma’’ stars Jurnee Smollett as Sheyann Webb, front, and Clifton Powell, left, as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

families complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Those interested can stop by the Daytona Beach Campus, Baker Academic Support Center/computer lab, at 1200 W. International Speedway Blvd., or the DeLand Campus, Business Hall, room 115, at 1155 County Road 4139, on Saturday, March 1, from noon to 4 p.m. For more information, visit www.DaytonaState. edu/FinAid or call 386-5063015.

Open house for lifeguards set for Feb. 22

Volusia County’s Beach Safety Division will host an open house from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 22, at the Lifeguard Headquarters and Administration Center, 515 S. Atlantic Ave., Daytona Beach. Residents can tour the facility and learn about summer lifeguard jobs. On the third floor, residents can watch a recruitment video, enjoy refreshments and talk to lifeguard instructors. Lifeguard vehicles, a jet ski and rescue boat will be

displayed outside. Volusia Surf Lifeguard Association apparel and novelty items will be available for sale. For more information, call 386-239-7873.

Division at 386-736-5935, ext. 12490.

County plans workshops for prospective vendors

Harvest Time International’s Volunteer Services Department has many volunteer positions available. Individual volunteers and group volunteers are essential in helping with the local community assistance program. Volunteer opportunities consist of sorting or stocking of relief products such as household goods, and food for distribution in the Community Hope Center. The center in Port Orange provides immediate assistance upon qualification. Families in need are able to receive same day assistance after qualifying through the client services office. If interested, email Maria Delgado at maria@harvesttime.org.

Volusia County’s Purchasing and Contracts Division will hold two workshops for vendors who want to learn how to do business with the county. The workshops will be in the first-floor training rooms of the Thomas C. Kelly Administration Center, 123 W. Indiana Ave., DeLand, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 4, and 9 to 11 a.m. on Wednesday, March 5. County representatives will demonstrate how to register as a vendor; submit bids, proposals and quotes; and discuss state and local ordinances relevant when working with the county. Staff will explain the information channels available to vendors and answer questions. For more information, call the Volusia County Purchasing and Contracts

Harvest Time International seeking volunteers

Bible study scheduled at Chiles Academy A Community Bible study will take place every second and fourth Tues-

day from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Chiles Academy, 868 George Engram Blvd., Daytona Beach. The study begins on Feb. 25 and will be conducted by Minister Edna Sturgis.

Parenting dialogue takes place Feb. 21 at Chiles Academy The Pyramid Community Cafe dialogue continues on Feb. 21 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The event takes place at the Chiles Academy, Room 216W, 868 George W. Engram Blvd., Daytona Beach. Hosted by Corey Best and Alicia Garvin, the topic is “Knowledge of Parenting and Child Development.’’ Questions for discussion: When you’re faced with challenging behavior from your child/children, where do you turn for support? And, has it helped the relationship between you and your child/children? For more information, call 386-322-6102, ext. 7.

7 EDITORIAL

FEBRUARY 20 – FEBRUARY 26, 2014

Another Florida man gets away with murder As we approach the second anniversary of Trayvon Martin’s murder on Sanford, Fla., justice again has been shortchanged in the Sunshine State. Last Saturday, a hung jury could not decide whether Michael Dunn, a 47-year-old White computer programmer, was guilty of murdering Jordan Davis by fatally shooting him in the chest groin. According to court testimony, Dunn pulled into the parking lot of a Jacksonville convenience store and became involved in an argument after he accused 17-year-old Jordan Davis and three of his teenage friends of playing their music too loudly. Apparently, an argument erupted. Dunn’s lawyer claims that Davis used vulgarity-laden language to tell his client what to do to himself. Witnesses said Dunn shouted at Davis: “You can’t talk to me that way!” And to prove his point, Dunn opened fire on the Black teenagers, striking Jordan Davis twice. Even as the teens peeled rubber trying to get away, Dunn, 6’4” and 280 pounds, continued to shoot into the vehicle, firing 10 times in all.

Invisible shotgun He would later say that he thought he saw the barrel of a shotgun protruding from a window of the Dodge Durango SUV.

George E. Curry NNPA COLUMNIST

I supposed to do if they wouldn’t listen?” For starters, he wasn’t supposed to take the kid’s life. But he did. His lawyer plans to argue that Dunn was Standing his Ground. His lawyer, Corey Strolla, told Rolling Stone last year, “I don’t have to prove the threat, just that Mike Dunn believed it.” Evidently, Strolla sold the jury on that belief. They couldn’t agree that his client murdered Jordan Davis, who was shot twice. But in their contorted reasoning, they found him guilty of three counts of attempted second degree murder. In other words, he was not guilty of murdering Davis, but was guilty of attempting to murder Davis’ three friends, neither of whom were struck by a bullet. Florida State Attorney Angela Corey said she will retry Dunn on first-degree murder charges. But this is the same State Attorney who unsuccessfully prosecuted George Zimmerman for first-degree murder. If she puts on a case as poorly as she did against Zimmerman, Dunn won’t have anything additional to worry about.

But no such weapon was ever found and for good reason – it did not exist. Even Dunn’s girlfriend said he never told her about the teens having a shotgun. And what did Dunn do after he killed the Black teenager? He returned to the hotel room where he was staying after attending his only son’s wedding. He acted as if he had just finished a routine day at the office. He didn’t bother to notify police. Dunn acted as if nothing had happened. But something did happen. Jordan Davis had his life cut short that day. The high school senior would never get the chance to make his parents proud by donning a cap and gown and walking across a stage to receive his high school diploma. He would not get a chance to attend college or pursue a career. He wouldn’t even get a chance to breathe again because he wasn’t supposed to talk George E. Curry, former edto a White man that way. itor-in-chief of Emerge magazine, is editor-in-chief of the NaListen to me, son tional Newspaper Publishers According to Rolling Stone, Association News Service (NNDunn told detectives, “They PA). Write your own response at didn’t follow my orders. What was www.daytonatimes.com.

The GOP accommodates evil Just when, six years in to the Obama presidency, I think I’m hardened to the deranged anti-Obama rants of conservatives and Republican Party officials, I’ve been reminded that the cesspool of bigotry is bottomless. And that there are always people out there willing to splash around in the filth. One example of this maxim occurred at a town hall meeting held by Oklahoma Republican Rep. Jim Bridenstine. Exactly where and when the meeting was held is at yet unclear; Bridenstine’s office has declined to be specific about it. But, according to a youtube.com video of the meeting, presumably held in his district, Bridenstine listened as a woman in the audience declared that President Obama “should be executed.” The woman, who is seated and cannot be seen, speaks somewhat disjointedly, but her point is clear enough. “I want to ask you about President Obama,” she says. “He’s not president as far as I’m concerned. He should be executed as an enemy combatant, really. … And the other thing is, too, with Congress doing nothing, that legally allows this moron to make decisions. He has no authority! None!”

LEE A. DANIELS NNPA COLUMNIST

matching the woman’s incoherence, says, “Look, everybody knows the lawlessness of this president. He picks and chooses which laws he’s going to enforce or not enforce. He does it by decree. When he can’t create a law through Congress, then he uses – bureaucracies in the executive branch … When he can’t even get that done, then he uses foreign bodies,” and launches into a rambling claim that Obama tried to get the United Nations to subvert the Second Amendment. Later, at the end of the meeting, when another woman says, “The only way I see out of this is to overwhelmingly change the Senate, so that we can get the S.O.B,” Bridenstine responds: “You’re absolutely right. As long as [Senate Majority Leader] Harry Reid and the Democrats are in charge … there is nothing to hold this president accountable.” On Feb. 5, after the youtube.com video went viral, Bridenstine’s ofNothing to laugh about fice released a statement, contendBridenstine laughs, then, ing, “A public figure cannot control

what people say in open meetings. I obviously did not condone and I do not approve of grossly inappropriate language. It is outrageous that irresponsible parties would attribute another person’s reckless remarks to me.” That statement, of course, didn’t explain why Bridentstine’s responses at the meeting indicated his agreement with the comments both women made. Today, however, their use is a sign of the desperation of those who see the American tradition they’ve most valued – the immoral tradition of exclusion – be slowly but surely defeated by its moral twin: the tradition of inclusion. That’s why the president of the United States that Rep. Jim Bridenstine shows no respect for has been twice elected to office, and why the indecent, anti-democratic law the Kansas House approved will undoubtedly soon join the thousands upon thousands of the old Jim Crow laws on the trash heap of history. They’ll be like dust in the wind.

Lee A. Daniels is a longtime journalist based in New York City. His latest book is Last Chance: The Political Threat to Black America. Write your own response at www.daytonatimes. com.

Black History Month: Needed now more than ever “There is no more powerful force than a people steeped in their history. And there is no higher cause than honoring our struggle and ancestors by remembering.” – Lonnie Bunch, founding director, National Museum of African American History and Culture Ever since the 2009 election of Barack Obama as America’s first Black president and the 100th anniversary of the National Urban League in 2010, the perennial debate about the need for Black History Month has intensified. Some have questioned the need for a special month to recognize the many unknown and unsung achievements of AfricanAmericans. With Obama as president, the logic goes, we have now achieved Dr. King’s dream of a non-racial America. Last year, we celebrated the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington and the passage of the Voting Rights Act. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the 1964 Civil Rights Act and the repeal of the poll tax. But unfortunately, the suppression of voting rights and other instances of racial discrimination remain. All one needs to do is look at the glaring disparities between Blacks and Whites in income, employment, incarceration rates, educational achievement and health status to see that race still matters in America.

MARC H. MORIAL TRICE EDNEY WIRE

In 1926, after centuries of Blacks being excluded, not only from the mainstream of American life, but also from the textbooks in our schools, African-American historian Carter G. Woodson did a service to all Americans when he created Negro History Week, which was expanded to Black History Month in 1976. Woodson’s vision was one of unity and inclusion. He said, “What we need is not a history of selected races or nations, but the history of the world void of national bias, race, hate and religious prejudice.” That is a goal that America is still struggling to achieve.

Recognition through the years In fact, legislatures in a number of states, including New York, Illinois, Pennsylvania and New Jersey, have passed laws mandating or encouraging teachers to broaden their history courses to include more ethnic, racial and gender diversity. These celebrations serve a dual purpose: first to build self-esteem among historically oppressed people, and sec-

ond to remind all Americans that in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds, our diversity is our greatest strength. Black history is American history. While the story and achievements of African-Americans are especially celebrated this month, the contributions we have made and the struggles we still face deserve recognition every day of the year. Next year, for the first time, Black History will enter the mainstream when the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African-American History and Culture opens on the National Mall in Washington. The Museum describes itself as “a place of meaning, of memory, of reflection, of laughter, and of hope. It should be a beacon that reminds us of what we were; what challenges we still face; and point us towards what we can become.” As we honor those who have made history, we must also recognize that we are history in the making. Through our work, commitment to equality and civic engagement, we can and we must, in the words of President Obama, continue to “right the wrongs of history and make our world anew.”

Marc H. Morial, former mayor of New Orleans, is president and CEO of the National Urban League. Write your own response at www.daytonatimes. com.

VISUAL VIEWPOINT: THE LAST STRAW

LUOJIE, CHINA DAILY, CHINA

Rebuilding wealth lost during Great Recession February, Black History Month, is usually a time when communities and organizations honor the achievements of our forefathers. But this year, the Center for Responsible Lending (CRL) and key allies chose February to convene a symposium that addressed communities of color and consumer financial services. Co-convening organizations with CRL were the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies and the National Consumers League. Held February 6 at the Washington D.C. offices of the Joint Center, the day-long event brought together policymakers, lawmakers, civil rights leaders and consumer advocates to address predatory lending practices in mortgages, auto finance and more. Participants included U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), U.S. Representative Keith Ellison (D-Minn.), Edith Ramirez, Chairwoman of the Federal Trade Commission, and FTC Commissioner Mignon Clyburn.

Steeper and harder recovery “The wealth losses caused by the Great Recession will likely persist for years if not decades for many families,” observed Julia Gordon, a symposium presenter and Director of Housing Finance and Policy for the Center for American Progress. “For consumers of color, the road to recovery will be even steeper and harder due to a range of bad practices that targeted these consumers and continued discrimination in the lending context,” continued Gordon. “To enable families and communities of color to rebuild wealth, it’s essential to offer equitable access to safe and sustainable credit, while also remaining vigilant against any form of predatory lending.” Another symposium speaker, Dedrick Muhammad, Senior Director of the NAACP Economic Department, recently wrote about the civil rights organization’s concerns about wealth inequality in its January newsletter. “Closing this wealth and income gap is as much a practical issue as it is a moral one: the U.S. economy can’t thrive when it lacks a solid middle class”, wrote Muhammad in the January 2014 edition of The Angle, the NAACP newsletter. “Americans have begun engaging in economic justice fights at both state and local levels, some which successful-

Charlene Crowell NNPA FINANCIAL WRITER

ly lead to 13 states raising their minimum wage this year.” Independent research by CRL determined that the typical household has just $100 left each month after paying for basic expenses and debt payments. After controlling for inflation, the typical household had less annual income at the end of 2010 than it did at the beginning of 2000. Moreover, as worker productivity increased, the workplace has seldom rewarded them with higher pay.

Additional findings Additional findings revealed that: • The Great Recession hit Black households more severely because a higher share of assets were invested in their homes; and • The nation’s middle class of all races lost more net worth from the decline in home prices than the top 20 percent of income earners lost from the stock market plunge. • The mortgage panel discussion included the National Council of La Raza, the National Urban League, National Community Reinvestment Coalition and the Center for American Progress. A second panel, dedicated to auto finances abuses, added voices from the League of United Latin American Citizens and a discussion of a new CRL report that found consumers of color still report paying higher interest rates on dealerfinanced car loans than other consumers. “Considering growing racial disparities in employment, homeownership and wealth, CRL and its partners strongly believed the event was necessary to draw attention to the disturbing economic trends that are causing harm in communities”, said Ken Edwards, CRL’s Vice President for Federal Affairs. “We convened the symposium; now we must utilize that insightful dialogue to push for progressive changes going forward.”

Charlene Crowell is a communications manager with the Center for Responsible Lending. Write your own response at www.daytonatimes. com.

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FEBRUARY 20 – FEBRUARY 26,DECEMBER 2014 ENTERTAINMENT 14 - 20, 2006

Drake apologizes for Rolling Stone blowup BY GERRICK D. KENNEDY LOS ANGELES TIMES/MCT

Drake has apologized for railing on Rolling Stone after the magazine bumped him off the cover in favor of Philip Seymour Hoffman. He took to his website on Feb. 14 to issue an open letter “to clear the air about an extremely emotional day.” “I completely support and agree with Rolling Stone replacing me on the cover with the legendary Phillip Seymour Hoffman. He is one of the most incredible actors of our time and a man that deserves to be immortalized by this publication,” Drake wrote. “My frustration stemmed from the way it was executed. The circumstances at hand are completely justifiable (on the magazines behalf ), but I was not able to salvage my story or my photos and that was devastating.”

Felt violated

Mohamen Mehdi Ouazanni, left, was Satan in the History Channel’s “The Bible.” Complaints that he looked like President Obama caused producers to cut the actor from the sequel.

Satan cast out of ‘Bible’ sequel Producers of miniseries delete devil scenes to avoid more Obama lookalike drama EURWEB.COM

The devil will not be represented in the sequel to History Channel’s “The Bible,” all because the actor playing him looks too much like President Barack Obama, and producers don’t want the drama. Scenes featuring actor Mohamen Mehdi Ouazanni as Satan have been edited out of the movie “Son of God,” one of the producers told The Hollywood Reporter. “It gives me great pleasure to tell you that the devil is on the cuttingroom floor. This is now a movie about Jesus, the son of God, and the devil gets no more screen time,” said Ro-

man Downey, who produced the movie with her husband, Mark Burnett.

between Obama and Satan.

Focus on Jesus

He went on to write that had he been given the choice, he would have waited “until it was my time.” “I understand the magnitude of the cover they chose but I just wasn’t given that option and that made me feel violated. I apologize to anybody who took my initial comments out of context because in no way would I ever want to offend the Hoffman family or see myself as bigger than that moment,” he continued. The rapper-singer created a Twitter firestorm on Feb. 13 when he admonished the publication in a series of tweets to his more than 14 million Twitter followers (some of which were subsequently deleted). He vented over remarks on Kanye West that he believed were off the record and was peeved that he lost Drake the cover “last minute” after the mag replaced him with a tribute to Hoffman, who died of an apparent overdose on Feb. 2.

This time around, though, Downey says she’s eager to avoid a similar sitThe film, which will be released uation, even though Jesus and Satan on Feb. 28 from 20th Century Fox, is both made their appearance in “The primarily a reshaped version of last Bible” miniseries during the same year’s hit TV miniseries “The Bible.” Client: Fifth/Third Bank Bleed: Region: ‘DoneUSdoing interviews’ so it would have made sense For “Son God,’’ the 10-hour episode, Campaign: BHNof Newspaper Trim:of 9.889” x 10” Language: English that “Son God” also include Satan. Drake went so far as to say that he was “disgustminiseries to be cut down Agency Job #:needed 610-FTFTBNP4001 Live: Notes: None “Someone made a comment that ed” by the publication and later added that he’s #/AD ID: hours QFRC3705 toADthe two or so that focused: Downey 02/6/14 1:55 PMthey went Keyline 100% “done doing interviews for magazines.” the actor whoScale: played the devil vagueesDate on Modifi Jesus; says CR: Output at:our 100% The rapper didn’t further address another issue out of their way to leave the con- ly resembled president, and sudAD Round: Page: he has with the magazine — that it used comments troversial Satan out of the film. denly the media went nuts,” Downey he made over West’s polarizing “Yeezus,” saying he A year ago, bloggers immediately said. “The next day, when I was sure was ambivalent about the album and criticizing NOT TO BE USED FOR COLOR APPROVAL noted the similarities between Satan everyone would only be talking about some of the album’s lyrics. in “The Bible” miniseries and Obama Jesus, they were talking about Satan AM: R. Bernadine P: E. Garber BM: J. Lewandowski “After dwelling on it for a few hours or days you and side-by-side comparisons went instead.” will come to the conclusion that you brought it on viral over the Internet. She added: “For our movie, ‘Son of yourself almost every time,” he went on to write. “I Burnett, Downey and History, God,’ I wanted all of the focus to be respect Rolling Stone for being willing to give a kid which aired the show, each issued from Toronto a shot at the cover. I guess this is a day statements supporting the president on Jesus. I want his name to be on the to learn and grow.” and slamming those that made the lips of everyone who sees this movie, “false connection,” as History put it, so we cast Satan out.”

10-hour miniseries

HISTORY IS MADE BY THOSE WHO ASK QUESTIONS. The curious bank and its 20,000 employees proudly support and celebrate Black History Month.

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FEBRUARYDECEMBER 20 – FEBRUARY 2014 14 - 20,26, 2006

Fort Lauderdale becomes home for Black tennis Hall of Fame, training facility in the works; national tournament for amateurs, families scheduled in August BY KITTY OLIVER NNPA NEWS SERVICE

Plans are under way in Fort Lauderdale for the American Tennis Association (ATA), the country’s oldest organization for Black tennis players, to establish a permanent home for recreational tennis and the training of future professional players. The project will create a Black Tennis Hall of Fame, as well, to showcase historical memorabilia on the contributions of AfricanAmericans to the sport – items that have only been seen so far in a limited way in occasional traveling exhibitions. The ATA, founded in 1916 in Washington, D.C., created a circuit of clubs and tournaments for Black tennis players who were excluded from the U.S. Lawn Tennis Association. Since then, the mostly volunteer organization, now based in Maryland, has remained in the forefront of the sport, challenging the racial barriers of segregation, cultivating promising young talent, providing a vital social network for African-American professionals (notables include Althea Gibson and Arthur Ashe), and influencing younger Black stars such as the Williams sisters and Sloane Stephens.

3,000 amateur players As a first step, the ATA has moved its annual National Championship Tour-

C.W. GRIFFIN/MIAMI HERALD/MCT

Sloane Stephens, who was born in Broward County, hits a forehand against Olga Govortsova in a second-round match during the Sony Open tennis tournament at Crandon Park in Key Biscayne on March 20, 2013. nament to Greater Fort Lauderdale using four professional tennis venues throughout the county. More than 3,000 amateur adult and youth tennis players and their families are expected again this year in late July and early August for the 97th annual event. According to Philadelphia oral surgeon Dr. Franklyn Scott, president of the ATA, “There is so much history of AfricanAmericans in tennis but it

has only been told sporadically, and a lot of people have benefited from this history. The goal is to bring African-American tennis enthusiasts and players together on a regular basis to enjoy the sport in the top vacation destination for African-American travelers in the U.S.”

Community partnerships VStarr Interiors, a firm co-owned by Venus Williams, has created a de-

sign for the headquarters. Sites are being considered in Fort Lauderdale’s historic Black Sistrunk community as part of a larger economic development effort where tourism is playing a big part. The Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention and Visitors Bureau (GFLCVB) is spearheading the initiative, partnering with Greeks and historically Black colleges and universities and the ATA. “Everything we do is about community partnerships and relationships that encourage growth,” said Albert Tucker, Vice President for Multicultural Business Development, who has been leading the charge. The multicultural market has become one of the fastest growing segment in the travel industry, he pointed out. For a long time, however, marketing to this group was not aggressively pursued by many segments of the travel industry.

Multicultural appeal Over a decade ago, the GFLCVB, led by president Nicki E. Grossman, recognized the area’s appeal to African-American, Caribbean American and Hispanic travelers and a fullservice Multicultural Business Development Department was created within the GFLCVB specifically to market to the multicultural

traveler and pursue largescale events, groups and convention business. Culturally, the Fort Lauderdale/Broward County area now rivals Queens County, NY, as the most diverse multi-ethnic urban area in the country where African-Americans, Caribbeans and Hispanics represent more than 50 percent of the population. People of color make up more than 60 percent of the 131,000 Broward residents directly employed in the hospitality industry and comprise almost a quarter of the 11 million visitors to the area each year.

Economic impact Black travelers comprise the lion’s share of the market and Greater Fort Lauderdale has hosted a wide range of African-American professional organizations, including the World Youth Netball Championships with the estimated economic impact in excess of $10 million; the 100 Black Men of America who came in 2010 and will bring their conference back to the area in June and the Biennial Conference of the International Association of Black Professional Fire Fighters. Others include the National Association of Black Law Enforcement Executives; the United States Hispanic Contractors Annual Conference; the National Bowling Association, which brought more than 10,000 bowlers and their families resulting in

an economic impact of $14.5 million; and groups of Black accountants, government officials and gospel artists.

More major events The National Urban League will convene its annual conference for the first time in Fort Lauderdale in July 2015. The Urban League’s new state-of-theart multipurpose Community Empowerment Center is part of the historic Black Fort Lauderdale Sistrunk Boulevard corridor, a hub of cultural and economic revitalization which includes the landmark African American Research Library and Cultural Center and the Midtown Business and Arts District. Black organizations are drawn to the area by events such as the annual Jazz in the Gardens music festival held March 14-16 this year featuring top national talent in jazz, R&B, hiphop and gospel; by international cricket, soccer, and Australian rules football matches; as well as world-class African-American and Caribbean cultural presentations. As Albert Tucker of the CVB notes, “We want people to recognize that we’re not just the ocean. We’re about community, which is thrusting Broward County into the national and international spotlight.”

This story is special to the NNPA from the Westside Gazette.

Sharpe, Marino let go from NFL show EURWEB.COM

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CBS has made some off-season changes in its NFL pregame show. Longtime fixtures Shannon Sharpe and Dan Marino have been fired from “The NFL Today,” while newly retired tight end Tony Gonzalez will join the program for the upcoming season, the network confirmed. “Having just stepped off the playing field, Tony brings a fresh and insightful perspective,” CBS Sports chairman Sean McManus said. “As a future Hall of Famer, we are excited for him to share his knowledge, experiences and opinions with our viewers. Addressing his dismissal, Sharpe told TMZ, “Things happen. They made the best decision for them and now I have to make the best decision for me.”

‘No hard feelings’ The former NFL tight end says he has “no hard feelings” toward CBS, adding, “They’ve been great to me.” As for Gonzalez, Sharpe says they’re friends and he wishes Tony the best of luck. “I know Tony wanted to do this so I’m happy for him and his family.” McManus said in Tuesday’s announcement: “While we welcome Tony, we want to acknowledge Dan Marino and Shannon Sharpe who have contributed greatly

Shannon Sharpe was fired this week from “The NFL Today’’ on CBS. to the success of The NFL Today for more than a decade. “Dan and Shannon are true Hall of Famers on the field and in front of the camera. As they pursue other professional opportunities, we thank them for their hard work and dedication and wish them nothing but the best.” According to TMZ, Shannon is currently considering his employment options. “I have strong beliefs, ideas and passions. I can do more than just sports … I don’t want to box myself in,” he said.

7 DIASPORA

FEBRUARY 20 – FEBRUARY 26, 2014

Slavery reparations case gathers steam in Caribbean BY TONY BEST NNPA NEWS SERVICE

Caribbean nations that revised the century-old issue of reparations for slavery with their announced plans to bring a lawsuit against Britain for its commercially profitable role in the trans-Atlantic slave trade are moving a step further in preparing their case. Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, St. Lucia, Antigua, Grenada, Suriname, the Bahamas and their neighbors are accelerating the pace of research, collecting evidence at the individual national levels to boost the region’s legal argument for compensation for the brutality of slavery and native genocide. The evidence collection exercise picked up steam when representatives of almost a dozen Caricom states met recently in Barbados and decided to gather the relevant evidence that would support the demand for reparations.

Operational plan Research in the United Kingdom where a case is to be filed has already shown that some of Britain richest and most influential families, including the British Royal family, benefitted from slavery, and the United Kingdom should therefore provide financial compensation to the developing countries for the lingering effects of the abhorrent trade in human beings. Earl Bousquet, chairman of St. Lucia’s National Reparations Committee, who represented his Eastern Caribbean country at the meeting in Bridgetown, said the states agreed on a regional approach designed to guide the way evidence was compiled and presented in a court of law.

CARL JUSTE/MIAMI HERALD/MCT

Gorge Huggins, left, talks about the cultural connection between his ancestors and the drum, as Neville McLeggon plays with daughter Nevisha on Aug. 22, 2007, in Accompong Town, Jamaica. As the English-speaking Caribbean marked the bicentenary of Britain’s abolition of the slave trade, Jamaicans were told to celebrate their ancestors who led the anti-slavery effort. “The meeting adopted a regional strategic and operational plan to guide the work of the reparations movement at the regional and nation levels and in its interface with Africa and Europe as well as the Caribbean and African Diaspora,” said Bousquet. “We also looked at research and translation, mobilization and public education, inter-governmental relations, media strategy, preparation of a regional strategic and operational plan and financial of the regional commission and the national

committees,” he added.

Attracting attention In the meantime, the threatened lawsuit is attracting attention Europe where legal experts, historians and analysts are assessing the case’s merits and are already warning the case was going to trigger a protracted battle. A British cabinet minister, reflecting the attitude of the current David Cameron administration has rejected the Caribbean’s claims for compensation. In Scotland, which is mounting its own cam-

paign to become a sovereign nation, separating itself from the U.K., the issue hasn’t gone unnoticed. “Scotland will no doubt hear” about the human rights abuses that are central to the reparations case “as it prepares to move forward into self-government, history speaks to the present,” wrote a reader of the Herald Scotland publication.

Debate in Denmark In Copenhagen, Enhedslisten, a far-left party, has called on Denmark to apologize to the Caribbean

for its role in the slave trade between 1670 and 1802. “An official apology is important for two reasons: one is to pay sympathies to the descendants of slaves and the other is to have a debate in Denmark about slavery and our slavery past,” said Nikolaj Villumsen, the party’s foreign affairs spokesman. Denmark had a colonial presence in the Caribbean for several decades, ending in 1917 when it sold the U.S. Virgin Island to Washington for $25 million. It is estimated that as many as 100,000 slaves were trans-

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ported on Danish ships to the Caribbean, North America and Europe before the European country became the first to prohibit slavery in 1792. With Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, St. Vincent’s Prime Minister, taking over the chairmanship of Caricom, the 15-member grouping of English, Dutch and Creole-speaking Caribbean states, the reparations issue is expected to become more highly visible over the next six months.

This story is special to the NNPA from the New York Carib News.