A pictorial glance at Bike Week 2013 See page 5
U.S. POSTAGE PAID Permit #189 Daytona Beach, FL
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Daytona
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JAMES CLINGMAN: There are more PRESORTED STANDARD wealthy Black people than you know Page 4
A ROUNDUP OF LOCAL SPORTS See page 7
East Central Florida’s Black Voice
www.daytonatimes.com www.daytonatimes.com
MARCH 14 - MARCH 20, 2013
YEAR 38 NO. 11
Teen’s death helps to spark mentoring program
PEOPLE SPEAK
Daytona commissioner, grieving family on mission to stop violence involving local youths BY ANDREAS BUTLER DAYTONA TIMES butleramj@yahoo.com
Ji’Ron Jeffery Dent was not related to Daytona Beach Mayor Derrick Henry or his brother, Zone 5 City Commissioner Patrick Henry, but both are slated to speak at the late teen’s
funeral this Saturday. The 17-year old died at Halifax Hospital on March 7 from a gunshot wound to the head. He was shot on March 4 in the Madison Heights subdivision following an argument over a stolen vehicle. This incident and others involving youth have
the mayor will also speak,” Patrick Henry told the Daytona Times this week. Dent’s funeral is set for 2 p.m. at Living Faith World Ministries, 950 Derbyshire Road in Daytona Beach.
Ji’Ron Dent
Patrick Henry
sparked Patrick Henry to start a mentoring program. “I was asked to speak by the young man’s mother and I will do so. My brother,
Reaching out The mentoring program is being started by Patrick Henry and will be housed in the Derbyshire area with 15 teenage boys to start. So far, 12 young men are signed on, but others are
inquiring. “The mayor – my brother – and I have talked about this for a long time. The recent incidents made me realize that I cannot wait any longer,” the commissioner said. “I was thinking, ‘What am I waiting on?’’’ Dent’s family wants people to know that he wasn’t perfect but says his life was taken way too soon. “He has a record and has even been involved in illegal activity. That is no se-
Bike Week started slow, but event expecting to rev up this weekend
cret, but he still did not deserve to be killed. The family is devastated and grieving for the loss of their loved one. They are now reaching out to help others save kids’ lives,” said Norma Bland, a community activist and spokesperson for Dent’s mother, Trena Cord, and family. “I think that it is a wonderful idea for Mr. Henry who has worked with children for a long time to do Please see program, Page 2
Assembly to focus on homeless, jobless BY JAMES HARPER DAYTONA TIMES harperjames59@yahoo.com
Dr. L. Ronald Durham hopes more than 2,000 residents will fill the Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune Performing Arts Center on March 18 to help persuade city and county elected officials to do something about the homeless and jobless issue in the area. Durham, pastor of Greater Friendship Missionary Baptist Church in Daytona Beach, also is chairman of F.A.I.T.H. (Fighting Against Injustice Toward Harmony Organization). F.A.I.T.H. is hosting its annual Action Assembly on Monday starting at 6:30 p.m. at the center, 698 W. International Speedway Blvd. The inter-faith organization, made up of 32 church organizations in Volusia County, has been in existence for 12 years. The Action Assembly is free and open to the public. Durham hopes more than just members of the organization will attend.
B-CU now a member ASHLEY THOMAS/DAYTONA TIMES
Motorcycle enthusiasts share stories of years past as well as plans for the weekend during Bike Week 2013. BY ANDREAS BUTLER DAYTONA TIMES butleramj@yahoo.com
Bike Week brings up to 500,000 bikers and millions of dollars to the Daytona Beach area annually, and the Black community is expecting its share. The event kicked off on March 8 and will run through March 17. The heart of Bike Week activities in Black Daytona occur on Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune Boulevard (formerly Second Avenue). Although crowds were low on Mon-
day and Tuesday, there was still plenty of excitement, optimism and enthusiasm in the air. “I have been coming here for 20 consecutive years. So far things are slow. Crowds are low, but I am expecting a big increase this weekend,” said Larry Geter. Geter is in town as a food vendor. He owns Doo Dad’s Express Seafood & More out of Woodbine, Ga.
Events on MLK too Local vendors were hopeful of the possibilities of Bike Week.
Former NAACP president appointed to Volusia’s Children and Families Advisory Board BY JAMES HARPER DAYTONA TIMES harperjames59@yahoo.com
Former Daytona Beach NAACP president Marjorie Johnson recently was appointed to the Volusia County Children and Families Advisory Board. Johnson, who is the second Black serving on the influential board along with
Daytona resident Dr. Willie Kimmons, was nominated for the post on Feb. 28 by Volusia County Councilman Joshua Wagner. The council voted 6-1 on Johnson’s appointment with Councilwoman Pat Northey dissenting. Johnson, founder of MJ Communications, which has her wearing several hats including political consultant, told the Daytona Times this week she is hon-
“We are going to do our usual things. We are opening up everything for the bikers and trying to get them here early. We will have open mic about every night with local talent and on Sunday we will have a block party/festival with jump houses for the kids,” said Sam Ferguson. Ferguson owns the Safari Lounge on Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard. In recent years, he has tried to bring more activities to the boulevard. “It hasn’t gone as planned. Everyone is used to going on the Avenue (Dr. Mary Please see BIKERS, Page 2
ored to be on the board. The advisory board recommends to council members which women and children agencies should be funded from money budgeted by the council. The budget for fiscal year 2012-2013 is $2,246,352. Marjorie Johnson said she hopes Johnson to help identify and choose agencies that are deserving of financial help who have been neglected in the past.
What the board does The advisory board consists of nine members – one member representing each district, and two members each appointed by the county chair and vice chair for the east and west sides of Volusia. The board is responsible for assessing
Durham said he is proud to announce that Bethune-Cookman University is now a member of F.A.I.T.H., and the school’s interim president, Dr. Edison Jackson, has pledged support. F.A.I.T.H.’s accomplishments include the clean-up of drug hotspots, the re-establishment of a drug treatment program in the county jail, passing a local hiring ordinance at the county level to help local employers and employees. The organization also has a SAVE (Sentencing Alternatives for Volusia Enforcement) Docket program that helps those Please see F.A.I.T.H., Page 2
and evaluating children and community needs, recommending appropriations for various programs servicing children and families, and providing advice and recommendations to the county council on children and families matters. Agencies apply through a bidding process, which is administered through the county’s purchasing department. The Children and Families Advisory Board reviews the bids and makes recommendations for funding to the county council. Some of the agencies currently receiving funding are the Boys and Girls Club, Children’s Advocacy Center, Council on Aging, Easter Seals, Sickle Cell Disease Association, Volusia Literacy Council, and the YMCA. Johnson will participate in her first meeting in April.