Daytona Times - May 25, 2017

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Store brings fresh produce to Midtown PAGE 2

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JULIANNE MALVEAUX: GOOD NEWS FOR SOME IN THE CLASS OF 2017 PAGE 4

WINNERS OF MIDDLE SCHOOL BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT SEE PAGE 7

East Central Florida’s Black Voice MAY 25 - MAY 31, 2017

YEAR 42 NO. 21

www.daytonatimes.com

On to the next pressing issue Freedom Fund Banquet will tout local NAACP’s accomplishments and will highlight the work left to be done. BY ANDREAS BUTLER DAYTONA TIMES

When the Volusia County/ Daytona Beach NAACP meets for its annual Freedom Fund Banquet on June 10, there will be discussion about what’s next locally for the civil rights organization. The organization has been an active force in the community

and most recently led the protests against Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos as BethuneCookman University’s commencement speaker earlier this month. The local NAACP united with students, alumni and community residents in their effort to get the university to rescind its offer for DeVos to speak. “United We Stand’’ is the theme of this year’s banquet, which will include awards to area residents as well as scholarships to deserving students. The banquet will begin at 7 p.m. at the the Daytona Beach Hilton Ocean Walk Resort, 100 North Atlantic Ave.

Plenty of concerns NAACP President Cynthia Slater said the local civil rights organization is working locally and statewide to get things done. “We are workCynthia ing very closely Slater with the school district and Superintendent (Tom) Russell on some things that we want to see accomplished as well as minority hiring and budget concerns. The Florida Legislature has proposed cutting $10 million from our local school system. We are always

working to build relationships,” Slater told the Daytona Times. The NAACP is a national and local force ensuring voting rights. Slater said, “We are always looking at legislative issues when it comes to voters’ rights. There is so much at stake. We must be ready for the 2018 governor’s race that we must really be cognizant of. Registering people to vote is always one of our greatest issues. Politics is a big issue. We’ll be lost as a people if we don’t vote, educate voters and mobilize voters.”

Votes, jobs There aren’t many reports on voting rights infringements here locally, Slater noted.

McNorton and friends to help local kids again Former NFL player’s annual football clinic set for June 1-2 at Derbyshire Park BY ANDREAS BUTLER DAYTONA TIMES

Hundreds of kids participate in the Bruce McNorton Football Clinic in Daytona Beach each year. The former NFL player’s annual event will take place at the Derbyshire Sports Complex, 849 Derbyshire Road, on June 1 and June 2. Registration starts at 4:30 p.m. on June 1. The clinic is free for boys and girls ages 6 to 20. “Yes, girls can come! When we first started, we had more high schools but since 7-on-7 (football programs) got more popular, they left. We get more young kids now ages 8 to 14,” McNorton told the Daytona Times.

“Not too much locally as nationally. One thing we must maintain is our relationship with our county Supervisor of Elections. We must keep up with laws and assure that there are no discriminatory actions taking place during elections. We keep an eye out on what happens on a state level, but the important thing is to make sure that no discriminatory problems during local elections,” she explained. Employment is another fight. “You can’t do anything if you don’t have a job. We want to make sure that in this community that new employers come into this area hire people in our own See NAACP, Page 2

Businessman and activist Joel Fears dies BY ANDREAS BUTLER DAYTONA TIMES

Joel Van Fears, a local electrical engineer and longtime community activist, died on May 21. He was 78. Mr. Fears and his wife of 49 years, Mary Jackson Fears, often teamed up for Civil War re-enactments and did plenty of research on the people they portrayed from the era. Their awardwinning docudrama “Filling The Gap’’ was nominated for an NAACP Image Award. Mrs. Fears is the author of “Civil War and Living History Reenacting About People of Color.’’ Funeral services for Joel Fears are scheduled for 1 p.m. May 27 at Stewart Memorial United Methodist Church, 317 Mary McLeod Bethune Blvd. A viewing is scheduled for May 26 from 5 until 7 p.m. at the church and Saturday morning from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Retired from NASA

Advice from pros Local coaches as well as pro friends of McNorton will work with the students. The camp will focus on teamwork principles, proper techniques, championship mindset and football fundamentals. The coaches also will offer academic advice. “I think what makes this camp different from the others is that the guys working at this camp are not here for photo opportunities. Our coaches and training are out there, encouraging kids and working with them instead DUANE C. FERNANDEZ SR./HARDNOTTSPHOTOGRAPHY.COM of watching and discussing what they will do after the clinic,” re- A youngster learns football fundamentals during a previous clinic hosted by Bruce McNorSee CLINIC, Page 2 ton, who grew up in Daytona Beach.

Mr. Fears was born in Lufkin, Texas on Aug. 10, 1938. He was the youngest of seven children. He was a graduate of Prairie View A&M University. A Navy veteran, Mr. Fears retired from NASA where he spent 30 years as an electrical engineer and project manager. Mr. Fears also worked for three years after retirement at thenDaytona Beach Community College, now Daytona State University. He was a lifelong member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers and the National Technical Association.

‘True civil rights man’ Mr. Fears also was a lifetime member of the NAACP. “He was on our Executive Committee for many years. He See FEARS, Page 2

Mainland grad racks up plenty of scholarships; decides on Stetson On to Stetson

BY ANDREAS BUTLER DAYTONA TIMES

Thousands of local high school students will graduate during Memorial Day weekend. O’Shyn Powers is one of about 380 students graduating from Mainland High in Daytona Beach. Mainland’s ceremony will take place on May 26 at 7 p.m. at the Ocean Center. The 18 year-old will graduate in the top 10 percent of her class. “I am very excited. I am happy that all of my hard work is paying off,” responded Powers.

ALSO INSIDE

Powers boasts a 4.2 grade point average and has racked up $300,000 in academic scholarships. She will graduate magna cum lade. Powers will attend Stetson University in DeLand and major in science in the fall. She has a scholarship for $44,000 per year up to four years to attend the school. “I don’t feel any pressure. I think I am pretty much ready. My parents have prepared me. I am ready for the next step in life,”

commented Powers, whose goal is to be an anesthesiologist.”

Stayed focus Powers enjoyed her time in high school and stayed quite busy. She served as president of her class from her freshman year until junior year, was the Student Government Association treasurer and historian. She also was a cheerleader in ninth and 10th grades. “The most challenging thing See GRAD, Page 2

O’Shyn Powers is one of the many area students graduating this weekend. The Mainland High student will attend Stetson University in the fall.

COMMENTARY: MARC MORIAL: SHUT DOWN TRUMP’S SHAM VOTING FRAUD COMMISSION | PAGE 4 NATION: U.S. HOUSE BILL WOULD LIMIT POWERS OF FIRST BLACK LIBRARIAN OF CONGRESS | PAGE 5


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