Daytona Times - July 30, 2015

Vince Carter returns for annual camp SEE PAGE 2

EE FR

JULIANNE MALVEAUX: For centuries, Black lives didn’t matter SEE PAGE 4

A GOLDEN REUNION IN DAYTONA FOR CAMPBELL’S CLASS OF 1965 SEE PAGE 3

East Central Florida’s Black Voice JULY 30 - AUGUST 5, 2015

YEAR 40 NO. 31

www.daytonatimes.com

Volusia closer to building homeless shelter Volusia Safe Harbor would provide 200 additional beds for males and females

BY PENNY DICKERSON DAYTONA TIMES news@daytonatimes.com

Daytona Beach could have fewer homeless persons living on its streets in 2016 if the proposed Volusia Safe Harbor shelter project advances from conversation and blueprints to a 200-bed res-

idential facility for male and female adults.

Homelessness expert and former San Antonio, Texas, elected official Robert J. Marbut, Ph.D., was contracted and submitted a 39-page analysis, including a five-year forecast. In an excerpt, he advised city officials and community leaders: “Change from a culture of enablement to a culture of engagement. Providing street-level services and feeding, although wellintentioned and good-hearted, enables homeless individuals

rather than engages homelessness.”

Location and land The imminent goal is to advance a streamlined Volusia Safe Harbor mission statement that calls for the “use of compassionate, dignifying and respectful engagement activities, to reduce the number of adults within Volusia County whom are experiencing chronic and street-level homelessness.”

An existing site plan has been executed to connect the pro-

posed 32,800 square-foot building with the Stewart-MarchmanAct crisis center building in Daytona Beach to create a duality that is accessible for residents to take advantage of community resources delivered through an integrated effort.

Volusia County will grant up to $4 million toward the estimated $3.8 million construction and donate a parcel of land near the county jail. The proximity is controversial and may advance a stigma that homelessness is criminally associative in-

stead of an individual’s temporary or chronic lapse in housing or shelter.

Cities must help pay Multiple Volusia County municipalities must contribute an additional $1.6 million to build Volusia Safe Harbor. Dissension looms because not every surrounding city believes it is part of the homelessness problem and based upon property tax and affordability, cities may be rePlease see SHELTER, Page 2

B-CU expands degree offerings

BY DAYTONA TIMES STAFF

PHOTOS BY DUANE C. FERNANDEZ SR./HARDNOTTSPHOTOGRAPHY.COM

On stage are Jeremiah Lemon, Stephanie Corley, Pastor Melvin Dawson, Jasper Stringer, D’Asia Burkes, Carl Payne, LaKesia Muhammad and Gaysha Hill.

Backstage with Playwright Andre Darby DeLand resident brings theatrical, musical talent to local audience

BY PENNY DICKERSON DAYTONA TIMES news@daytonatimes.com

D

eLand playwright and gospel recording artist Andre Darby returned to his high school alma mater last week for the production of his original, comedy-drama stage play, “My Prodigal Child.”

Held in the DeLand High School auditorium, the community production was inspired by the biblical story of the “Prodigal Son.” Darby’s production centers on a woman who abandons motherhood in the efforts of pursuing a lavish lifestyle with her drug-dealing boyfriend. However, her praying mother refuses to give up hope and believes her daughter will find her way home.

“The highlight for me is when main character Vanessa realizes no matter how much you mess up in your life or the direction you go, it’s great to be able to come home, find redemption and a fresh start in life,” stated Darby, who is proud to return to his native roots to advance the performing arts.

A starring role A 40-year-old accomplished songwriter, pianist and drummer, Darby wrote the play in 2013 following the stage debut that catapulted his own career. He was cast in the lead role of his first audition and starred in the gospel musical “Tell Hell I Ain’t Coming,” which toured in the United Kingdom. When the tour ended, Dar-

Bethune-Cookman University (B-CU) continues its quest to advance as not just a formidable HBCU but a top-ranked small university in America. In addition to naming Joe Petrock its chairman of the board of trustees this month, the university recently expanded its degree offerings with seven new academic programs, six of which lead to online degrees plus a master’s in public health.

While the college has boasted record enrollment over the past two years, offering online and blended degree programs keeps the institution further apace with national trends in higher education and accommodates a growing student population.

Breeding more Wildcats “We have students who want to be Wildcats but circumstances prohibit them from doing so,” stated Dr. Arletha McSwain, dean of B-CU’s Online College.

“However, the online degree programs allow them to still fulfill their desire to be a B-CU Wildcat and get a quality education,” she added.

The institution now offers 44 degrees via its main campus and the Online College and the four new online, undergraduate degrees include psychology, accounting, international studies and information systems management.

The Online College added graduate degrees in criminal justice and exceptional student education and students also can obtain a master’s degree in public health starting this fall. B-CU hopes to add two doctorate degree programs within the next year.

Game changer

Plans are in the works to take “My Prodigal Child’’ to venues in Orlando and Jacksonville. by was ready to take his creativity to the next level.

“I received a call on a Wednesday to replace ‘American Idol’ winner Ruben Studdard in the gospel musical “I Need an Angel,” Darby shared. “I had to report for the performance the next day and that’s where I met cast members Carl Payne, Jackee Harris and many others who I kept in touch with.”

Celebrity in the cast Payne is best known for his multiple co-starring roles as a comedic sidekick in two television sitcoms made popular in the 1980s – “Cockroach’’ on “The Cosby Show’’ and “Cole Brown’’ on “Martin.’’

Darby was able to hire his talented friend to star in “My Prodigal Child” for Please see PLAY, Page 7

Developing a competitive Online College has helped B-CU surpass national statistics to position itself as an institutional “game changer.”

According to a 2013 report by Insidehighered.com, of the 106 total historically Black institutions in the United States, only 27 – or about 25 percent – offer fully online degree programs, compared with 24 in 2012 and 19 in 2010.

Further, the number of public HBCUs offering such programs increased from 18 last year to 21 in 2013, but only six of the 55 private HBCUs currently offer online programs, which is a number that has stayed stagnant since 2010.

“But the numbers are growing at an ‘appropriate pace’ and mirror the patterns of institutions nationwide,” said Roy BeaPlease see B-CU, Page 1

ALSO INSIDE

COMMENTARY: DR. E. FAYE WILLIAMS: ANSWERS NEEDED IN SANDRA BLAND’S DEATH | PAGE 4 ENTERTAINMENT: DOES ONE BLACK BALLET SUPERSTAR SIGNIFY REAL CHANGE? | PAGE 5

7 FOCUS

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JULY 30 – AUGUST 5, 2015

Learning basketball, life skills Students from around the country learned basketball and life skills this week during Daytona Beach native Vince Carter’s camp at Mainland High School. The Vince Carter Youth Basketball Academy was for boys and girls ages 7 to 17.

Carter, a Daytona Beach native, credits camps he attended as a kid with helping him become an all-star basketball player. He now plays for the Memphis Grizzlies.

He has held the academy since entering the NBA in 1998.

Seminar to focus on how to respond to a shooting in a public place SPECIAL TO THE DAYTONA TIMES

A lone gunman targets innocent people in a church, school, mall, restaurant or movie theater. Once considered extremely rare, these horrific tragedies are becoming more frequent.

Response techniques for first responders – law enforcement and emergency medical services - have evolved to be able to better identify and neutralize the threat quicker and to save lives.

Often overlooked in training, however, are preventative actions the public can take to increase their own chances of survival if they are ever in the middle of an active shooter situation. Survival may depend on whether or not a person has a plan.

Free to attend The Daytona Beach Police Department will provide a workshop for the public on Thursday, Aug. 6, from 6 to 8 p.m. at police headquarters, 129 Valor Blvd.

The seminar is co-sponsored by the local chapter of the NAACP and the Black Clergy Alliance. There is no cost to attend the seminar.

“This is an opportunity to educate our community on the dangers of these types of situations. The whole purpose of this seminar is to get people to think about what to do in the event they are confronted with an active shooter situation. The people who stay calm and have a plan are more likely to survive,” said Daytona Beach Police Chief Mike Chitwood.

LANCE ROTHWELL/SPECIAL TO THE DAYTONA TIMES

Youngsters from around the country learn basketball basics during the Vince Carter Youth Basketball Academy.

Palm Coast church to present free youth summit First Church of Palm Coast is hosting a free youth summit on Aug. 15 for youngsters 8-17.

Speakers will include Flagler County Sheriff James Manfre; Anthony Brown, mentor, Flagler County Schools; Sam Sword, former NFL linebacker; Shenette Howard, Miss Shenette Florida InternationHoward al 2006; Nickelodeon personality and radio host Rahman Johnson; along with TV personality Shani Lodge, who interviews celebrities on the red carpet at the Stellar Awards.

Music will be performed by Melvin Eugene Cotton III, aka G.E.N.E.; Jessica Rogers; Jeremy Wallace; and others.

Breakfast is at 8 a.m. with workshops from 9 a.m. to noon. Lunch is noon to 1 p.m. Talent auditions are from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., which will in-

clude a step-show tryout. A concert is 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. with guest performances of Christian vocal, dance, hip-hop and poetry.

A worship service at First Church is Aug. 16, 10 a.m., which will highlight the winners of a Youth Talent Showcase. First Church, the pastoral ministry of the Rev. Gillard S. Glover, is located at 91 Old Kings Road North, Palm Coast.

Seats are limited; sign up by calling 386-446-5759.

Allen Chapel A.M.E. to celebrate Men’s Day The Men’s Ministry of Allen Chapel A.M.E. will have its Men’s Day worship service on Aug. 9 at 9:45 a.m.

This year’s Men’s Day theme is “A New Season for Men Living Victoriously.” Allen Chapel is located at 580 George W. Engram Blvd., Daytna Beach.

The Rev. Henry L. Postell II is the guest preacher. He is the presiding elder of the North Orlando District, which comprises 24 A.M.E. churches. Postell also is the owner

and operator of Postell’s Mortuary, LLC in Orlando. He serves on several boards and organizations in the Central Florida community. He is married and the father of two children.

The worship service also will include Jamarien Moore, who has appeared on “Sunday Best” as the guest gospel soloist. Moore is president of the A.M.E. Young People’s Department for the 11th Episcopal District.

For more information about Men’s Day, call the church at 386-255-1195.

B-CU

from Page 1 sley, who manages the Digital Learning Lab at Howard University and conducted his study with a systematic survey of the websites of HBCUs.

Visits to Shady Oaks at Daytona available Aug. 1 A pre-grand opening for Shady Oaks at Daytona is Saturday, Aug. 1 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. It’s located on Sixth Street between Nova Road and Derbyshire Road.

Shady Oaks at Daytona is a community presented by Dynamic Development & Investment Corp. and sales and marketing by Real Estate Experts of Central Florida, Inc. For more information, call 386872-7602.

Nursing program advances The B-CU nursing program additionally touts growth and academic success. The program has accepted the

SHELTER

Proposed beverage tax

from Page 1

quired to contribute inequitable amounts.

A 50/50 formulary was proposed during ad-hoc committee meetings of the Volusia Safe Harbor work group held over the past year. Participants include representatives from Daytona Beach, South Daytona, Ormond Beach, Orange City, New Smyrna Beach, DeLand, and a host of community organization leaders.

They have been charged with executing contracts that pledge support, agreeing to a five-year funding plan, approving budgets and facility management, and more.

Populations and poverty During a May meeting, Morbut stated, ‘It may be unfair to base the amounts solely on populations. The homelessness community is transient and move from region to region, which may skew the numbers.

Further consideration must also be given to how weather impacts those moving patterns.”

Dale Arrington from the City of Deland expressed, “Poverty levels should not be used as a basis since a larger geographic area would pay more and there is a possibility that a larger city may have a smaller number of homeless using the facility.”

Arrington further suggested the proposed 50/50

best cohort of 40 students seen in recent years with incoming students’ test scores ranking above average with some topping board standards.

Moreover, 78.7 is the passing rate for students in 2015. Dr. Sandra Tucker, Dean of Nursing, is extremely excited about the program and its future success.

Information about these and the other academic programs can be found at www.cookman.edu/academics.

DUANE C. FERNANDEZ SR./HARDNOTTSPHOTOGRAPHY.COM

A meeting about the 200-bed homeless shelter in Daytona Beach was held July 24 at Daytona Beach City Hall. formula may need to be “adjusted” based on the number of actual use if there is a disproportionate share based on the poverty level.

New Smyrna’s voice Donna Banks was the lone African-American representative at the July meeting. A community resource coordinator for the New Smyrna Beach Community Redevelopment Agency, Banks served as the municipality’s voice.

“A shelter or some form of assistance for people who would not otherwise have housing is crucial in New Smyrna,” said Banks, who estimated 200 homeless persons dwelled in her city.

“We have the perfect weather and get more than our share of homeless, but they are transient,” Banks told the Daytona Times.

“Some pick-up work during the Daytona 500, then head to the festival in the Keys or within a given week travel from Daytona to St. Augustine. Realistically, we can permanently claim 100 homeless persons.’’

New Smyrna Beach offers temporary shelters when weather plummets lower than 40 degrees. Facilities like the Edgewater Alliance Church is a support, but New Smyrna is without long-term shelter for the chronically homeless.

“It’s sad because many are veterans, mentally

disabled or addicts,” said Banks. “It presents a real catch-22 and our story isn’t different from any other city.”

‘Make it happen’ Community advocate and human rights activist Marjorie Johnson is a regular at Daytona Beach city commission meetings and a former president of the local NAACP. She offered the following: “Homelessness is a serious issue and should take priority with Daytona Beach, but I don’t see them making it a priority. We have to take care of the least of the people and spread the wealth, not just put money in special interest.”

Johnson said she advocates for any and everybody: Black, White, rich or poor, and America’s homeless are traditionally deemed disenfranchised targets for harassment and violence.

“Treat these people like human beings,” Johnson told the Times. “They are pushed around, arrested and taken to jail. Our homeless people feel unwanted.”

Johnson encourages the county and city to work together as they have in the past for Orange Avenue and pier renovations.

“Find the money like you find it for everything else,” Johnson urged. “Make it happen.”

Daytona officials are considering a food and beverage sales tax, which could yield an estimated $4 million per year toward Volusia Safe Harbor funding.

The proposition follows a 1992 initiative implemented by the Florida Legislature, supported by thenGov. Lawton Chiles and the Miami-Dade County Commission whereby a 1 percent sales tax was imposed on food and beverages sold in restaurants with over $400,000 in sales and a liquor license. Volusia County seeks similar support from local businesses, excluding hotels and motels.

Miami-Dade currently generates $18 million per year from taxes, which provides a portion of the operating cost of the area’s homeless assistance centers. Volusia County tentatively plans to present a bill when the Florida Legislature convenes in 2016.

Public meetings In August, three public meetings are scheduled throughout Volusia County followed by a succession of town hall meetings led by city leaders in September in October.

If public consensus and acquired funding are met, the architectural designs of Army veteran and Daytona architect Bill Chapin will be executed and Volusia Safe Harbor will open in late 2016.

AUGUST 15, 2015 • DAISY STOCKING PARK 555 MARY MCLEOD BETHUNE BLVD • DAYTONA BEACH

ACTIVITIES INCLUDE

MUSLIM WOMEN’S C/STYLES ASSOCIATION ENTERTAINMENT

Mayor’s Backpack Giveaway 9 am – Noon (or until supplies last) This event is for Daytona Beach children ages 5-18.

“Youth on the Move” 10 am – 12 pm • For ages 4-12 Children’s Activities Adults, 21+ are welcome from 6 pm – 10 pm for live entertainment.

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JULY 30 – AUGUST 5, 2015 COMMUNITY DECEMBER 14 - 20, 2006

M A YNEWS OR

A GOLDEN REUNION FOR CAMPBELL SENIOR HIGH GRADS

PHOTOS COURTESY OF CAMPBELL SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL CLASS OF 1965 COMMITTEE

A group of Centipedes gather for a picnic during the 50th reunion.

Class of 1965 celebrates 50th anniversary with vigil, banquet, picnic and church

Above: Reuben Sims, reunion chairman, speaks during the worship service.

Sims lives in Houston, Texas.

Right: There was plenty of food and fellowship during the weekend activities.

The Campbell Senior High School Class of 1965 held its 50th reunion last month in Daytona Beach with 61 classmates in attendance.

Campbell, an all-Black high school in Daytona Beach, was operational from 1929 until 1969.

Volusia County schools integrated in 1970.

The Golden Reunion for the Centipedes began on Thursday, July 9, with a candlelight vigil for 44 deceased classmates. Daytona Beach Commissioner Paula Reed, Volusia County Councilman Joshua Wagner and Volusia School Board Vice Chairman Ida Wright brought greetings to the class.

On July 10, Daytona Mayor Derrick Henry was the keynote speaker at a banquet. The Love Band provided entertainment for more than 100 attendees, who danced the night away to sounds of the ‘60s.

More fellowship A class picnic on July 11 was well-attended with classmates wearing commemorative shirts in green and gold and sporting fedoras with 1965 Golden Reunion headbands.

That night, the classmates gathered at Caribbean Jacks for further fellowship.

The reunion ended on July 12 with worship service at Mount Bethel Baptist Church in honor of Campbell High School’s historical beginnings at this church in 1885. Forty-eight classmates, their spouses and guests were in attendance. The Golden Reunion closed out with a luncheon at Duff’s Original Buffet.

Ten years ago, the class celebrated its 40th reunion in Daytona Beach with more than 70 classmates in attendance.

Left: Class members strike a pose at one of the reunion events.

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7 EDITORIAL

JULY 30 – AUGUST 5, 2015

For centuries, Black lives didn’t matter It ought to be unnecessary for an activist movement to hinge on the principle of the equivalency of life.

In the worlds of Democratic presidential candidates (don’t get me started on the Republicans), there is a compelling need to point out that Black Lives Matter and White lives matter. The problem with stating the obvious is that White lives have always mattered, and institutional racism has structured a lesser value for Black lives.

Asserting that Black Lives Matter is to rebut the inherent supposition that Black lives do not matter. Black lives have been devalued since the development of our Constitution when it counted enslaved people as three-fifths of a person. To proclaim that Black Lives Matter is to rebut this constitutional flaw.

We still live with the legacy of enslavement, when Black folks were other people’s property.

Black folks aren’t property now (unless they are the much-exploited convict laborers), but unequal treatment is not just historical – it still happens. That’s why the Black Lives Matter movement is so important.

Started by protests The movement was a constructive outgrowth of the Trayvon Martin killing, furthered by the protests that happened in the wake of a Missouri grand jury’s failure to bring charges against Darren Wilson, the killer of 18-year-old Michael Brown. As multiracial crowds proclaimed, “Black Lives Matter,” it seemed

JULIANNE MALVEAUX NNPA COLUMNIST

We live in a racist and patriarchal society where the value of Black life is too often diminished. That’s why there is a special need to assert that Black Lives Matter. that, across the board, people were acknowledging the existence of institutional racism. Too bad Democratic presidential contenders can’t do the same.

Candidates defensive Martin O’Malley and Bernie Sanders faced protestors at the progressive Netroots Nation conference earlier this month. Instead of acknowledging the legitimacy of the Black Lives Matter movement, both candidates were prickly. Sanders threatened to leave the stage because the protester’s chants drowned him out. Candidate Hilary Clinton was not present. She either missed the opportunity to engage, or was

For whom should we vote in 2016?

During the last seven years, we’ve seen our nation go from an economically challenged state of affairs to one of confusion, division, hate and hopelessness.

It isn’t what President Obama promised. But he did say he was going to fundamentally change America. He has done that, and we are in a worse position since the 1970s.

Our rivals (Iran, China, Russia, etc.) no longer fear us and regard us as “chumps.” They may be right. Our friends such as Israel, England, France, etc. see us as undependable and afraid of standing up for what is right. We are not acting like the greatest and richest nation on earth, and that is a threat to our future.

spared embarrassment if she emulated the stances of O’Malley and Sanders.

To clean up their acts, all of the candidates need to listen to leaders of the Black Lives Matter movement instead of talking at people the way politicians are most likely to do. If they listen, they might hear the frustration that young folks feel when the police stop them for simply walking while Black.

They might hear the despair some will share when, even while fully prepared, they find few opportunities for employment, and too many doors slammed in their faces. They might understand that Blacks have a different reality than Whites do, and it shows up in terms of economic, educational, and social indicators.

Causing changes In the wake of Michael Brown’s massacre, Ferguson elected two new Black members on the city council. Now Andre Anderson, an African-American man from Glendale, Ariz. has been appointed interim police chief there. Ferguson is under pressure to do better. What about the rest of our country?

If Michael Brown’s killing was the impetus for Ferguson voters to go to the polls, that’s a good thing – though it shouldn’t take that. If the Black Lives Matter movement does the same thing nationally, the Democratic nominee has a better chance of winning in November 2016.

Young voters rushed to the

election cycle to bring positive and strong change. We are looking for someone who will make our military strong again. Someone who will rejuvenate our economy and jumpstart more jobs and development.

Dear Lord, send us a great leader! Who will that be?

one Black, two Hispanics and one woman. Democrats have four candidates: a governor and three senators. The current polls are exciting as the rankings change and have become unpredictable. Debates are coming soon, and this should expose the true colors of the candidates.

On the Republican side, the governors look quite impressive. Gov. Scott Walker has a great track record in turning Wisconsin around. I heard him speak before Republican state representatives, and he had the 2,000 attendees on their feet throughout his motivational speech.

Gov. John Kasich has a great track record for fiscal responsibility in Ohio. His problem is he waited too long to got into the race.

Gov. Walker is rolling over him and is catching the front leader – Donald Trump.

Race is underway

Shaking things up

HARRY C. ALFORD NNPA COLUMNIST

The current primary race for 2016 has started. Republicans We need leadership have an unheard-of 16 candiWe hunger for strong leader- dates, at last count. It isn’t tership and are looking to the next ribly diverse in gender or race:

VISUAL VIEWPOINT: ELECTION

BOB ENGLEHART, THE HARTFORD COURANT

polls in 2008, riveted by candidate Obama’s optimistic “Yes We Can” mantra. Will they come out for White Democrats, no matter how progressive, who don’t respect their movements and their ideas? If the Black Lives Matter movement is not treated respectfully, it is likely that many voters will stay home.

The video showing the brutality involved in the vicious arrest of Sandra Bland, the Prairie View A&M University alumnae who died in jail earlier this month, makes it clear that the Black Lives Matter movement is much needed. Their pressure to stop police brutality has pushed police departments to use video cameras, and made it possible for us to see the repugnant behavior of State Trooper Brian T. Encinia, who roughed Sandra Bland up. criticism. In fact, he is attacking anyone who says anything negative about him. The voters seem to love his confidence and his “telling it like it is” style. He is leading in the polls and is creating all the attention.

This is causing a great problem for the Republican National Committee. They have a person leading in the race who has no true loyalty to them. Trump is actually an independent, but is running in the Republican primary.

Ross Perot did that in 1992. He pulled out of the GOP and ran as an independent, taking 19 percent of the overall vote. That caused President George H.W. Bush to lose to Bill Clinton, who won with just 42 percent of the vote. Thanks to Perot, that was enough.

Could Trump do the same if he decides to pull out of the Republican side and run as an independent? This would surely benefit the Democratic Party.

Trump, the successful entrepreneur, has shaken up the race. He Hillary leads is financing his own campaign, On the Democratic, side there and that makes him his own boss is Hillary Clinton who believes without having to consider any she is the “anointed one.” Mary-

We already know Don’t tell me that White lives matter. That’s not new information.

Whose faces are on our money?

Whose statues grace legislative buildings? Who leads the overwhelming majority of Fortune 500 companies? Who dominates our legislative bodies? Our AfricanAmerican president, supposedly the most powerful person in the world, is ill-treated by Congress, often for racial reasons.

We live in a racist and patriarchal society where the value of Black life is too often diminished.

That’s why there is a special need to assert that Black Lives Matter.

Those who would be president ought to embrace that concept instead of denying it.

Julianne Malveaux is a Washington, D.C.-based economist and writer. land Gov. O’Malley, Senator Jim Webb and independent Senator Bernie Sanders are her competition. It seems lopsided in Hillary’s favor, but her shady past keeps getting in her way. More people regard her as dishonest.

To the surprise of many, Sanders is starting to gain significant support. If this becomes a growing trend, Hillary may face a new opponent: Vice President Joe Biden, who is standing on the sidelines.

Dr. Ben Carson is holding steady on the Republican side, which may make him a handsome vice presidential selection.

Other than that, there isn’t much direct Black input. The Congressional Black Caucus will have no “juice” in this matter, and that is too bad.

This campaign is strange. Only time will only tell.

Harry C. Alford is the cofounder and president/CEO of the National Black Chamber of Commerce. Contact him via www.nationalbcc.org.

In Bland’s death, questions must be answered The questions left by the death of Sandra Bland are too unsettling to fully express. Living under the shadow of violent executions of Black people, I join the declaration that Black Lives Matter.

As a Black woman, I’m angered by the feeble assertion by the Waller County Sheriff’s Department that Sandra’s death was self-inflicted. I’m outraged at the unprofessional and inhumane treatment initially inflicted upon Sandra by this overly aggressive policing and the ensuing treatment she was forced to endure until her death. Sandra’s treatment provides indisputable evidence that the lives of Black men and women are under threat by rogue cops in every corner of America.

Seen it before I’m a native of the South. I have witnessed the disparate treat-

ment of Black people by Southern police. I can only imagine that the initial charge of “improper lane change” resulted, in part, from an Illinois license plate and the complexion/gender of the driver. A lack of subservience in response wasn’t helpful either.

or whim of a detaining officer.

The officer’s demand that Ms. Bland put out her cigarette had nothing to do with the issuance of a traffic citation. His demand that she exit her vehicle had everything to do with the fact that she asserted her rights.

After ordering her from her car, forcefully extracting her and threatening to taser her, I find it questionable that she would be directed out of the range of the dash-cam. From that point, we have only the audio of the encounter and an incomplete unofficial video taken by a bystander.

Won’t take abuse

Cops escalated incident

I imagine some who wear the uniform lack the understanding that Blacks folks, especially the young, are no longer willing to passively take unjustified abuse from anyone. They can no longer expect compliance with any wish

Officers who had taken Ms. Bland to the ground and were videoed with their knees in her back, ordered the bystander to leave the area and stop photographing them. The bystander argued that he was on public property, and

DR. E. FAYE WILLIAMS, ESQ. TRICE EDNEY NEWSWIRE

watched as Bland was picked up from the ground and taken to the police vehicle. Anyone viewing the dash-cam and bystander video with open eyes can see that the party or parties escalating the incident were cops.

In management circles, it is said that operational imperatives are determined at the top and filter their way through the organization by way of supervision and leadership. Considering the history of Sheriff R. Glenn Smith, the treatment of Sandra Bland is not surprising.

Sheriff Smith was previously fired from his position as police chief of Hempstead, Texas, for bad police work and allegedly making racist remarks. After his firing, he ran for and won the position of Waller County sheriff.

Sheriff not helpful His questionable history fol-

Charles W. Cherry II, Esq., Publisher

Opinions expressed on this editorial page are those of the writers, and do not necessarily reflect the editorial stance of the newspaper or the publisher.

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lowed him as the Texas Commission on Jail Standards previously cited the Waller County Jail for not checking on inmates on an hourly basis as required by law. Combined with what appeared to be a disingenuous explanation of the death of Sandra Bland, Smith raised more questions than he answered.

In one of her last posted Facebook videos, Sandra Bland stated, “It is not good between Black and White people, but I want us to try and get past that.” Before we can get past her death, a significant number of questions MUST be answered truthfully and justice MUST be served.

Dr. E. Faye Williams is national chair of the National Congress of Black Women, Inc. Contact her via www.nationalcongressbw.org.

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JULY 30 – AUGUST 5,DECEMBER 2015 ENTERTAINMENT 14 - 20, 2006

MAYOR

Does one Black ballet superstar signify real change?

BY ELLEN DUNKEL PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER/TNS

Misty Copeland was showered with love and attention when she became the first African-American principal ballerina at American Ballet Theatre last month. She received thousands of congratulatory tweets. Her promotion was big news in media nationwide.

Ballet fans rejoiced, and so did many who had never heard of her.

Would this mean a new era of opportunity for ballerinas of color in a world of white swans, snowflakes, and sylphs?

The outlook depends on whom you ask.

Joan Myers Brown, founding artistic director of Philadanco in Philadelphia, created her troupe 45 years ago “because there were no opportunities for Black dancers, not because I wanted to have a Black company.”

It’s her feeling that Copeland, 32, won the new post not only because she’s a fine ballerina but because she’s so marketable.

She’s light-skinned (her father is White) and has a killer body. She was on the cover of Time, did an ad for Under Armour that’s been viewed nearly 9 million times on YouTube, and was a presenter last month at the Tony Awards. Her memoir, “Life in Motion,” was a bestseller, and she’s going to star in Broadway’s “On the Town” for two weeks next month.

“If she hadn’t been appointed a principal,” said Brown, “there would’ve been a whole lot of confusion.”

Still about skin color JOE SCHILDHORN/BFA/SIPA USA/TNS

Misty Copeland attends “An Evening with Misty Copeland” at Smyth, a Thompson Hotel, on June 24 in New York.

On the other hand, Copeland was turning heads with her technique long before she was a star, said Gabriella Yudenich, a for-

mer soloist with Pennsylvania Ballet. The two trained together in 2000 as 16-year-olds at a summer program at ABT. “She was the ‘it’ girl in our level that summer,” Yudenich said.

“We were in awe of her talent!”

Michaela DePrince, 20, also trained at ABT. Born in Sierra Leone and raised in Cherry Hill, she has performed in benefits around the world and was featured in the ballet documentary “First Position.” The film rights for her memoir, “Taking Flight,” have been sold, and she has a strong following on social media.

But, says Brown, “the darker women have a harder time,” and after a season at Dance Theatre of Harlem, DePrince found success across the Atlantic at the Dutch National Ballet, one of the world’s premier troupes.

“They just seemed to not focus on my skin color like some American companies,” she said. “So I suppose you could say it was easier (to get hired overseas) in that respect.”

More diversity in Europe DePrince has been promoted for next season to coryphee, or demi-soloist, bypassing the corps de ballet. On July 1, while still an apprentice, she danced a pas de deux from Swan Lake on Dutch TV, and “no one really said anything about me being a Black white swan.”

This difference in attitudes does not surprise Bojan Spassoff, who with his wife, Stephanie Wolf Spassoff, directs Philadelphia’s Rock School for Dance Education, where DePrince studied for many years.

The Rock has students from many cultures. It offers outreach programs in 30 city schools and

scholarships to promising students it finds there. But where would the Spassoffs direct a talented Black dancer starting a career?

“Right now, unfortunately, I would probably point to Europe,” Bojan Spassoff said. “In Europe, they’re actually looking for diversity. There is a lot of opportunity.

For the most part, it boils down to talent.”

Looking beyond ‘robots’ Pennsylvania Ballet, too, is interested in dancers with varied looks, said Angel Corella, its artistic director and a former ABT principal whose career overlapped Copeland’s.

“Misty is a beautiful dancer,” he said. “The first thing I did when she joined (ABT), I . . . asked if I could dance with her.”

(He noted that there is diversity in his own family. Along with his dancer sister, Carmen, he grew up with Emi, who was born in Guinea and adopted at 2.)

Corella is not looking for the traditional corps de ballet that’s been standard for hundreds of years, in which everyone looks identical, “like robots.” A corps can create cohesion other ways, he said. “I tell them they have to create an atmosphere. Almost all breathing together. At the end of the day, you want a company where everyone has a kind of energy.”

Yes, he said, “there are certain canons you have to follow in the ballet world. The dancer has to have a good line, proper turnout, flexibility, good turn, good jump.”

But “you can be of any color.”

Buddy Guy: Doing what he can to keep the blues alive

BY SCOTT MERVIS PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE/TNS

Muddy Waters, BB. King, Howlin’ Wolf, John Lee Hooker …

Run down the list of blues legends and just about all of them are gone. Most of them long gone.

Except for Buddy Guy. “He’s bigger than life,” says Ron “Moondog” Esser, the owner of Moondog’s Rock Blues Bar near Pittsburgh. “Especially now that B.B. is gone, he IS the guy. Buddy Guy is the guy. I don’t consider Eric Clapton to be a real blues guy. He’s White and he’s from England and he’s really a rock guy turned blues guy. Buddy Guy is the guy. I mean, that’s it.”

Nobody close?

“Nope.”

Guy, at 78, is 11 years younger than King, who died in May, and a different type of showman, as anyone who’s seen him run through the crowd with his guitar playing vicious licks well knows.

He grew up in Louisiana, but launched his career in the epicenter of electric blues, Chicago, around 1957 after moving there to pursue custodial work. After winning a guitar competition, he was signed by Chess Records to do session work for the likes of Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf and Sonny Boy Williamson.

Chess wasn’t sure what to do

with his more aggressive style as a solo artist, so 1967’s “Left My Blues in San Francisco” was his first and last album with the label.

Elvis to Clapton He went on to record with Vanguard and in 1969 was showcased at the Supershow in England with Eric Clapton, Led Zeppelin, Stephen Stills, Jack Bruce and others. He opened for the Stones in the ’70s. But lacking the commercial success B.B. King had with songs like “3’Clock Blues,” “Every Day I Have the Blues” and “The Thrill is Gone,” Guy was more influential than popular. Clapton would say, “Buddy Guy was to me what Elvis was for others.”

Popularity came later, starting around 1990 when Clapton put him on the “24 Nights” allstar blues show at London’s Albert Hall. What followed was a run of Grammy-winning albums on Silvertone: “Damn Right, I’ve Got the Blues” (1991, with Clapton, Jeff Beck and Mark Knopfler), “Feels Like Rain” (1993) and “Slippin’ In” (1994).

In recent years, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall (2005), won another Grammy (2010, for “Living Proof”) and was awarded at the 2012 Kennedy Center Honors.

CHARLIE VARLEY/SIPA USA/TNS

Buddy Guy performs on May 3 at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival.

Not celebrating legacy But he’s hardly just kicking back and celebrating his legacy.

He sounded more alive than ever, and so did his fiery guitar on “Rhythm & Blues,” a double album he released in 2013. He has followed that with the new album “Born to Play Guitar,” due out July 31, which features guest spots from Joss Stone, Kim Wilson, Billy Gibbons and Van Morrison — on a tribute to B.B. King

called “Flesh & Bone.”

The last song on the album, “Come Back Muddy,” looks back to one of the guys who set him on this course.

“I worry a lot about the legacy of Muddy, Wolf, and all the guys who created this stuff,” he said recently. “I want people to remember them. It’s like the Ford car — Henry Ford invented the Ford car, and regardless how much technology they got on them now, you still have that little sign

that says ‘Ford’ on the front.

“One of the last things Muddy Waters told me — when I found out how ill he was, I gave him a call and said, ‘I’m on my way to your house.’ And he said, ‘Don’t come out here, I’m doing all right. Just keep the damn blues alive.’ They all told me that if they left here before I did, then everything was going to be on my shoulders. So as long as I’m here, I’m going to do whatever I can to keep it alive.”

Epps joins documentary about fatherlessness as executive producer “Daddy Don’t Go” captures two years in the lives of four disadvantaged fathers in New York City as they fight to defy the odds against them.

And the odds are real. According to the Census Bureau, men living in poverty are more than twice as likely to become absent fathers than their middle-class peers.

Prolific television and film actor Omar Epps has joined on as executive producer Omar for the documenEpps tary film, “Daddy Don’t Go.” Epps is an award-winning actor who recently starred in ABC’s drama “Resurrection.”

Epps also played a pivotal role in the powerhouse hit Fox medical drama “House” for eight seasons for which he received an NAACP Image Award for “Outstanding Supporting Actor in a

Drama Series” in both 2007 and 2008.

The highly successful series was Emmy nominated for “Outstanding Drama Series” from 2006-2009.

Epps can relate As someone who grew up fatherless, the issues in “Daddy Don’t Go” resonate with Epps personally and are close to his heart.

“Being the product of a fatherless household, ‘Daddy Don’t Go’ delves into an issue that’s close to my heart. In the media, we’re always inundated with the notion that Black men and/or men from impoverished areas are absent fathers.

“Daddy Don’t Go’ chronicles the journeys of four such men and their respective battles to parent their children. It’s time men like these have a platform and a voice to challenge the statistics and common ideology about the issue of fatherhood.”

“Daddy Don’t Go’’ focuses on dads who are there for their kids and the struggles they face.

Not deadbeat dads The subjects in “Daddy Don’t Go” shatter the “deadbeat dad” stereotype. Alex is a single father of West Indian descent who lives with his toddler son “Junior” in a decaying Harlem shelter.

He successfully keeps Junior out of the foster care system for two years but then faces a new challenge to his family’s well-being: possible jail time. Nelson is a former Latin King gang member and full-time daddy to his

young son and his partner Rebecca’s two daughters. Nelson is adamant about staying away from the lure of “street life” even in the face of unemployment.

Roy is a White ex-offender who won full custody of his toddler son when the boy’s mother succumbed to drug addiction. Roy and Caiden now live with his parents as Roy tries to overcome his criminal past as well as a troubled relationship with his own father.

Omar is an African-American father of three who rescued his children from their abusive mother but now struggles to keep them in his care.

By allowing the viewer extraordinary access into the lives of its subjects, “Daddy Don’t Go” offers audiences an intimate look at the obstacles that countless disadvantaged fathers face in trying to parent their children.

R6

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from Page 1 what he refers to as a seriously discounted, “Homeboy Rate.”

Payne was the only paid performer in the $7,500 budget comprised of local theater volunteers who rehearsed for three months prior to the July 25 show.

Payne joined the cast three days prior to curtain call and according to Darby, he equitably combined scripted and improvisational acting for a stellar performance.

“No matter what I accomplish, I like to give back to my community,” said Darby who seeks to establish mentoring programs for performing arts in the urban community to build a platform for locals of all ages to showcase their talents, but reminds that community support is very important, which is how Tyler Perry got his start.

“It takes support to build dreams,” Darby quipped.

Above: Cast members witness a wedding.

Left: LaKesia Muhammad is Vanessa in the play.

Below left: Vanessa (LaKesia Muhammad) gets a proposal.

Famous brother He also looks forward to teaming up with his Grammy-award winning brother Terrence Trent D’Arby, who is currently based and touring in Milan, Italy.

“We have discussed producing a duet, and he’s interested in being part of a musical score for a DVD production of my play,” said Darby.

Negotiations are currently underway for 2016 performance dates in Orlando and Jacksonville.

Below: Carl Payne, far right, is shown with the cast.

Above: Vondra Langrin portrays Momma Annie.

Right: A villain adds drama to the production.

PHOTOS BY DUANE C. FERNANDEZ SR./ HARDNOTTSPHOTOGRAPHY.COM

The movie “Focus,’’ starring Will Smith, was released earlier this year.

Daytona library showing free movies on Fridays The Daytona Beach Regional Library at City Island shows a newly released blockbuster movie at 2 p.m. every Friday.

Upcoming movies are: • “Focus”: Aug. 7. Will Smith stars as a con man who is thrown for a loop by a woman from his past. Rated R, 105 minutes.

• “Kingsman: The Secret Service”: Aug. 14. A spy agency recruits an unrefined street kid into its training program.

Colin Firth and Samuel L. Jackson star. Rated R, 129 minutes.

• “Wild Horses”: Aug. 21.

Robert Duvall stars as a detective who opens a 15-year-old missing person’s case. Rated R, 100 minutes.

• “McFarland USA”: Aug. 28. This film, based on a true

story, tells the story of a group of novice runners who build a championship cross-country team. Kevin Costner stars. Rated PG, 128 minutes.

The free movies are sponsored by the Friends of the Library.

For more information, call Adult Program Librarian Cindy Fouraker at 386-257-6036, ext. 16166.

Port Orange Government film festival airs Aug. 21 The eighth annual Port Orange Government TV (pogTV) Film Festival for Volusia County high school students will air Aug. 21 at 8 p.m. on Bright House Networks channel 498.

For those who do not have cable, you can view the pogTV video stream from the city’s web site at www.port-orange. org.

Money for winners The goal of the festival is to encourage the educational experience of high school filmmakers by providing a real world opportunity beyond the classroom that showcases their talents.

The festival received nine short films from local high schools. Students from Deltona High, Mainland High, Pine Ridge High and Spruce Creek High submitted films for judging.

After screening the films, the winners will be announced on pogTV. Filmmakers are competing for $150 for first place and $50 for second place. The two top-ranked films will compete for the overall film festival award and an additional $50 via a weeklong online vote from pogTV’s web site.

For more information, call 386-506-5522.

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7EDUCATION

JULY 30 – AUGUST 5, 2015 and salary and earnings and the repayment performance of students.

Even though Blacks are taking on more student loan debt, in recent years that increased burden has delivered mixed results on enrollment rates.

Hispanics move ahead

NNPA NEWS SERVICE

Johnny C. Taylor, Jr., president and CEO of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund, warns against criticizing the cost of a degree.

Even though Blacks borrow more for college, enrollment declines

BY FREDDIE ALLEN NNPA NEWS SERVICE

WASHINGTON – Recognizing that a college degree is one of the surest paths to a job and economic security, Black families are taking on more student loan debt than White and Hispanic families, according to a new report by Wells Fargo.

According to the report, student loan debt increased by roughly 97 percent between the 1995-1996 school year and 2015 and Black undergraduates that started school during the 20112012 school year can expect to borrow $28,400 for a four-year bachelor’s degree compared to Hispanics who will borrow $27,600.

The total price of atten-

dance for Black full-time students increased 115.4 percent during the 20112012 school year compared to the 1995-1996 school year and White students experience 113.6 percent jump over the same time period.

More getting aid The report stated, “The average out-of-pocket net price (which is the price after aid plus student loans) increased 88.7 percent for Blacks, 80.8 percent for Asians and 74.7 percent for Whites between the 2011 and 2012 school year compared to the 1995 and 1996 school year.”

In addition, the report found that more than 60

percent of Black undergraduate students qualify “for some type of aid from the federal government” compared to 50 percent of Hispanics and 34 percent of Whites and Asians.

John Rasmussen, the president of personal lending and the head Education Financial Services at Wells Fargo said that two primary realities often frame the conversation about higher education: student loan debt and the growing costs associated with earning a degree.

“The outstanding amount of student loan debt has now exceeded $1.2 trillion,” said Rasmussen. “That is larger than credit card debt and automobile debt.”

Being practical He also noted that the cost of college over the past 20 or 25 years has increased at a pace that is significantly faster than inflation.

“Families are trying to be really practical,” said Rasmussen. “Trying to keep costs down now, staying in state more, exploring community college options, and asking tough questions like, ‘Are my kids ready to go to college?’”

Rasmussen added that students and families want federal loan programs that are easier to navigate, better information about the true costs of federal loans and what families can expect for outcomes like graduation rates, job placement rates

A 2014 report by the Wells Fargo Securities, LLC Economics Group, that linked educational attainment to economic success, found that Black enrollment in degree-granting institutions has increased considerably since the Great Recession, but that enrollment rate “slowed down noticeably in 2011 and 2012.”

The report said, “This slowdown in Black enrollment in degree-granting institutions plus the strong increase in the enrollment of Hispanics has helped push the Hispanic rate above the Black rate for the first time since the early part of the 1970s.”

Much higher income The 2014 report cited research that showed that individuals that obtained a bachelor’s degree earned a median income of $50,360, compared to people who finished high school that earned $29,423.

“An associate’s degree leads to a median income of $38,607, more than $9,000 higher than a high school diploma. Those with a graduate degree have a median income of $68,064, 35.2 percent more than those with a bachelor’s degree,’” the 2014 report said.

Even though Blacks 1824 years old ranked last in enrollment at degree-seeking institutions in 2012 (36.4 percent vs. 42.1 percent of Whites and 37.5 percent of Hispanics), Blacks 18-26 years-old who earned bachelor’s degrees or more, were unemployed just 4.6 percent of weeks from

1998-2011. Blacks (18-26 years-old) who only earned a high school diploma were unemployed nearly three times as long (12.6 percent of weeks) during that time period.

Whites, 18-26 who entered the labor market with bachelor’s degree or higher, were unemployed 2.8 percent of weeks between 1998 and 2011, compared to White high school graduates with no college experience who were unemployed 6.8 percent of weeks.

Keeping hope alive Rasmussen fears that all of the noise in the mainstream media questioning the value of college will have a negative effect on the Black community.

“We need to be really careful on our messaging around the costs so that kids and families don’t give up hope,” he said. “It takes work and effort and if people view that it’s not worth the effort, then we will have this unintended consequence of underrepresentation of kids of color going to school.

Johnny C. Taylor, president and CEO of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund, agreed.

“If the message in high schools is consistently ‘Don’t go to college, because it’s too expensive and you’re going to take on all of this debt and you should just go and get a job,’ America is going to have a real challenge as it browns and grays at once,” said Taylor.

“Twenty years from now, when you look around and say, ‘There are no AfricanAmericans in leadership roles within industry, within government, within any job that requires a bachelor’s degree,’” it will be because people who criticized the high costs of college talked the Black community out of going to college.”

“The reality is that college is still a great investment,’’ Taylor added.