B-CU’s Thompson makes MEAC Hall of Fame SEE PAGE 7
East Central Florida’s Black Voice
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Old-school activists express dismay about tactics of Black Lives Matter members SEE PAGE 4
MARCHING WILDCATS CHOSEN FOR BATTLE OF THE BANDS IN ATLANTA SEE PAGE 7
NOVEMBER 12 - NOVEMBER 18, 2015
YEAR 40 NO. 46
www.daytonatimes.com
Reed presses for review of city’s hiring practices NAACP letter, EEOC complaints fuel request for equity analysis at City of Daytona Beach BY PENNY DICKERSON DAYTONA TIMES news@daytonatimes.com
Alleged discrimination at the City of Daytona Beach continues to advance as a priority for African-American leadership, city employees and citizens. On the heels of two officially filed EEOC complaints, Cynthia Slater, president of the Volusia County-Daytona Beach Branch of the NAACP addressed the
commission during both the Oct. 21 and Nov. 4 scheduled meetings. Among Slater’s most resonant statement was the following: “The NAACP has been bombarded with complaints from employees from the city of Daytona Beach throughout the years and our legal redress committee has held meetings with the city manager and his administrators with very unsettling outcomes. Therefore it is with this great sense of responsibility that the organization speak out to what we believe are unfair practices in hiring and promotions within the city.”
One response The Daytona Times sent emails
to Mayor Derrick Henry and each city commissioner prior to going to press on Nov. 4. Included were several queries regarding the city’s intent to respond to Slater’s allegations and her request for “a full review of minority employees including hiring practices, terminations, promotions and the like be investigated by this commission.” Commissioner Paula Reed was the only officiant to respond with excerpts from a more extensively drafted email that she read verbatim at the Nov. 4 commission meeting. Reed stated that amidst technical challenges, she attempted to send the communication to fellow commissioners, the mayor and city manager. “Our staff needs to resemble
the city that we serve and these comments imply that there is an underserved representative of race and gender,” Reed’s letter stated. “As a manager, Paula the commission Reed oversees the management of maximum efficiencies for operations. It is our responsibility to not take these concerns lightly.”
Reed: ‘Do something’ “The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in times of comfort and convenience but where he stands in
times of challenge and controversy.’’ These words by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. preceded Reed’s letter. She publicly encouraged her fellow commissioners to take heed and acknowledge Slater’s consistent outreach to them as the single unified body able to initiate change. “As Cynthia Slater continues to come before us, we may have a challenge,” said Reed. “She’s obviously presenting some type of controversy, and I think we have a responsibility as the managing body of the policy and issues that take place in the city to actually do something.’’ Please see REED, Page 2
B-CU to honor 40 grads under age 40 during Classic weekend BY PENNY DICKERSON DAYTONA TIMES news@daytonatimes.com
PHOTOS BY ALBERTO N. JONES
The plight of breast cancer in Havana was addressed by Cuban researchers and professionals during the “Pink to Pink” tour. A highlight was a visit to the National Oncology and Radiobiology Institute.
‘Pink to Pink’ tour to Cuba
Twelve American medical students are among the hundreds receiving free training at the Latin American School of Medical Sciences.
BY PENNY DICKERSON DAYTONA TIMES news@daytonatimes.com
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alm Coast resident Alberto N. Jones organized a trip to his native Cuba last month and included breast cancer survivors, physicians and well-wishing comrades. His wife, Silvia, is a survivor and served as motivation for the trip. In homage, Jones titled the voyage: “Pink to Pink” tour. Clinicians from the United States whose advocacy for the pastel color of breast cancer hope traveled to Havana with Jones in October to both commemorate and learn more about Cuba’s fight against breast cancer. The tour was as much an act of solidarity as a humanitarian gesture to provide the necessary care to women in rural areas who cannot access medical care due to lack of funding or localized facilities not having adequate equipment. Jones shared the highlights from the groundbreaking tour with the Daytona Times.
Bon voyage The group left Tampa on a Saturday and immediately upon arriving in Havana met with a women’s support group called “Alas Por La Vida,” and professionals involved in cancer treatment and research. “At 9:30 a.m. on Monday, we arrived at the Comandante Manuel Fajardo ClinicalSurgical Hospital in the Vedado neighbor-
ALSO INSIDE
Palm Coast man leads trip to help area physicians and others learn more about the country’s battle against breast cancer.
hood,” said Jones, who additionally shared that they were greeted warmly by physicians and members of Alas Por La Vida. “We spent two hours going over a detailed description of the incidence, prevalence, mortality rate, diagnosis, surgery, chemotherapy, radiation and the critical lack of post treatment,” added Jones.
Critical cancer in Cuba Medical advances and non-profit organizational support for breast cancer in Cuba pales in comparison to the plethora of grants, support groups and oncology specialists that are available for women in America.
“Even today, breast cancer screening has been drastically reduced,” shared Jones. “Cuba lacks mammography machines, spare parts or re-agents. These discoveries brought some visitors to tears.” Tour participants served as a captive audience as Cuban patients and survivors shared moving testimonials regarding their initial diagnosis. Universal among patients in any country is high anxiety and a level of despair. In Cuba, the latter was compounded by the lack of basic resources to treat many patients during what is known in Cuba as Please see CUBA, Page 2
Jada Wright-Greene earned bragging rights in 2000 as a coveted Bethune Cookman University (B-CU) alumna. Today, she is CEO and publisher of Heritage Salon Magazine. Greene’s path to greatness was followed by Gregory Drane, who left the Wildcat yard in 2002 and is now a Littany Lion at Pennsylvania State University where he is director of athletic bands. Darnell Walker rounds off the select trio. The Emmy Award-winning filmmaker and author graduated in 2005 and remains at the top of his game. Collectively, they are joined by 37 of their alumni peers and comprise the B-CU Inaugural 40 Alumni under the age of 40 who have been singled out for making great strides in their professions.
Nov. 20 reception The “40 Under 40’’ recipients are a group of the university’s top graduates under the age of 40 who exemplify the acronym for B-CU’s core values - Faith, Integrity, Respect, Service and a Thirst for Knowledge (F.I.R.S.T). These alumni have further achieved distinction in their respective fields and have demonstrated outstanding service and loyalty to B-CU and their community. Bethune-Cookman University will welcome inaugurates during this year’s Florida Blue Florida Classic Weekend in Orlando. On Friday, Nov. 20, from 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., the public is invited to a free rooftop, recognition reception at Orlando’s ONE80 (Amway Center, 400 W Church St.) The event requires an RSVP at www.BCU40under40.com. The Florida Blue Florida Classic game will be held at the Orlando Citrus Bowl on Saturday, Nov. 21. For details about the Florida Classic weekend, visit www.floridaclassic.org.
COMMUNITY NEWS: NEW SMYRNA CHURCH TO HOST SOUL FOOD FESTIVAL | PAGE 3 BUSINESS: SIMMONS DROPPING FEES, MAKING AMENDS AFTER RUSHCARD GLITCH | PAGE 8
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7 FOCUS
NOVEMBER 12 – NOVEMBER 18, 2015
Medals of Honor for local students Dr. Edison Jackson, president of BethuneCookman University, places a medallion around the neck of a student from Elementary School in Deltona. With him is Volusia County Councilwoman Joyce Cusack. The university recently hosted student breakfasts and luncheons for local students and their parents to celebrate academic excellence. All students who participated made the honor roll, showed significant gains or received citizenship recognition. Participating schools included Turie T. Small Elementary, Campbell Middle, Westside Elementary, Palm Terrace Elementary and Spirit Elementary. PHOTO COURTESY OF B-CU
REED
from Page 1 Petition and prove Reed petitioned the commission to “research and examine” Slater’s contingencies to best determine the validity. Suggested was a study of hiring practices to address the issues. “During our last commission meeting held on Oct. 21, Cynthia Slater head of the Volusia County Chapter of the NAACP stood before us and expressed concern about unequal, unfair and discriminatory hiring practices in our city,” Reed remarked. “If they are true, let’s do something about them [allegations]. And if they are not true, let’s prove that it is not true.”
External equity analysis A City of Daytona Beach equity analysis was suggested by Reed to leverage internal complaints. Commonly used in the business arena, an external equity analysis delves into employees’ perceptions of the conditions and rewards of their employment, compared with those of the employees of other firms. Reed suggested that the business model be implemented by the City of Daytona Beach.
CUBA
from Page 1 a “Special Period” following the collapse of the Soviet Union. Moreover, the psychological aspects of cancer in Cuba were discussed, including the toll the disease takes on a woman’s aesthetic appearance. There is limited access to prosthesis, medically appropriate bras following surgery procedures like mastectomies, wigs to transition the effects of balding from chemotherapy and more.
Cuban Ministry of Health One of the trip’s highlights was a visit to the National Institute of Oncology and Radiobiology where they were received by some of the highest- ranking leaders. Among them was the Cuban Ministry of Health – who serves as the head of Mastology – the leader of the group fighting breast cancer, physicists and nurses. The group viewed a wider, deeper PowerPoint presentation of this malady in Cuba with worldwide comparative statistics, which was followed by intense question-and-answer discourse. Due to time constraints, they were unable to tour the entire hospital facility; however, they did peruse the radiology department.
Florida oncologist joined tour Dr. Anand M. Kuruvilla, an oncologist with the First Radiation Oncology Group at the Cancer Center of Putnam, joined the “Pink to Pink” tour. He shared that most profitable for him was the unique oppor-
Mayor agrees
“I thought about this further. I said, let’s hire an external evaluator to assess our hiring practices and procedures of current employees and applicants over the past 24 months to ensure that there is no bias in the process,” Reed noted. “This would include demographics of all employees including salaries, statistics, and data regarding our applicant pool including who all applied, internal applicants and external applicants, current Human Resource expense data related to hiring.”
Examine city policy In Lt. Larry Stoney’s EEOC complaint against the city fire department, a leading allegation was that the city was not adhering to its own policy with regard to posting positions, promotions and hiring. An African-American, Stoney believes he was denied a promotion to fire chief based on his race and internal discord. Reed believes the city needs to pursue an employee assessment to acquire an employee perception on employee advancement, hiring practices, and establish a policy dialogue with employees. “Conduct an employee assessment. Who applied? Who was hired?” said Reed. “We’re the policymakers. Maybe there’s something wrong with our policies. Maybe they need
tunity to meet Cuban professionals in his field, including Dr. Maria Caridad Rubio (ministry of health), Dr. Dagmar Alfonso Estevez, radiation oncologist at Cuba’s National Institute of Oncology and Radiobiology in Havana and Jose Alonso Sampler, radiation physicist and others. “I came away with the following impressions: Cuba has a population of approximately 11 million and has achieved a mind-boggling literacy rate exceeding 99 percent,” said Kuruvilla. “Cuban infant mortality rates are less than 4.63 deaths per 1,000 live births, (better than the U.S.) and adult life expectancy is almost the same as ours (approximately 78 percent) and their cars for sure, clearly last longer!”
More mastectomies in Cuba According to Kuruvilla, huge potential for improvement exists in increasing breast conservation rates for women in Cuba. Barriers to the latter include the embargo, which he hopes will soon be lifted. In the interim, the tragedy is that the lack of readily available emulsion chemicals has made it challenging to detect breast cancer. As a result, over 50 percent or more women are faced with the inevitable choice to have mastectomies due to being diagnosed with advanced disease at their initial presentation.
Radiation equipment woes “Due to the expense involved, it is not practical to develop the infrastructure to set up radiotherapy facilities that are as ubiquitous as in the States,” Kuruvilla explained.
DUANE C. FERNANDEZ SR./HARDNOTTSPHOTOGRAPHY.COM
Local NAACP president Cynthia Slater addresses the Daytona Beach commission at the Nov. 4 meeting. to be more stringent or maybe they just need to be upheld. Conduct a roundtable discussion with management and the NAACP to determine the perception that’s on the inside,” Reed added.
Immediate opposition At the close of Reed’s letter, Mayor Henry opened the floor to commissioners for comments and/or rebuttals. Commissioner Pam Woods spoke without haste.
“Before we spend money, we need to get an actual breakdown of employees in our city,” said Woods, who reiterated that it was something the city has both had in the past and once updated. “We need a breakdown by race, gender, all minorities because when we’re talking about minorities, we’re talking about all minorities. We need our facts first and then let’s determine what we need to do next. Because let’s just say we get the information and it’s not factually dispropor-
tionate? Or, it’s worse than what we thought,” added Woods. Woods’ stance was that the city should start with the aforementioned information and then decide hiring an outside evaluator. Reed responded, “My only concern, and I’m amenable to that if that’s what I get tonight, but how can the person being questioned actually evaluate themselves. I think the data wouldn’t lie. The data should just be factual.”
“I am 100 percent in agreement with what I have read in your memorandum,” Henry told Reed. “But I think we need to decide how we continue on because we need to have something concise and concrete about what we want.” According to Henry, it was in his notes and his intent to address Slater’s comments that night. He further stated that he had received in the past week a few calls from people who do not work for the city saying that individuals (who are employed by the city) are unhappy, and that “people who work here are not allowed to speak with us.’’ Henry added, “People need to understand that they cannot just come and tell us what people are saying because they do not report to us. There are rules that prohibit that from transpiring. “We cannot bury our heads in the sand and pretend as if nothing exists. It may or may not be anything, but it is our responsibility to get the facts first. I think you want to know how much data has changed over a time period to find out if there is some veracity to the claim by staff members that they are being harassed or discriminated against.’’
PHOTO BY ALBERTO N. JONES
An entourage of more than 20 multicultural physicians, spouses, and breast cancer advocates traveled to Cuba for the 2015 “Pink to Pink” tour. Kuruvilla further stated that Cuban surgeons clearly have the surgical skillsets to tackle lumpectomies and their radiation oncology teams already have HDR (high dose rate) capabilities and skills. The Florida-based oncologist is seeking assistance from his U.S. peers to set up digital mobile units for preventive screenings in rural Cuban communities. He and his staff also are willing to return to the country and offer free training.
head of International Relations extensively explained how the school successfully operates. “It is structured free of any race, gender, age, sexual or religious divisions,” explained Jones. “No student has ever been injured in Cuba due to violence coming from others and all students’ needs including free housing, meals, books, laboratory, transportation and monthly stipend is covered by the Cuban government,” Jones added.
Free med school in Cuba
12 American students
On the outskirts of Havana is the Latin America School of Medical Sciences where more than 2,400 medical students from across the globe receive free medical training. The educational center was created in 1998 and, to date, students from more than 120 countries have entered and graduated from their classrooms. A presentation led by the
Members of the “Pink to Pink” tour met with approximately 12 students from the United States who are first and secondyear students currently enrolled. Students openly shared their feelings regarding studying and living in Cuba, the challenges of developing and mastering language skills, inter-student relations with peers and
of course, being homesick. The only out-of-pocket expenses the students incur are the cost of their airline tickets to return home during their summer vacation.
larger scale, stateside professionals can assist students seeking to identify an internship opportunity at a local health care facility or a post-graduate residency.
Honoring their efforts
Joyful return home
“These beautiful youths far away from home are working hard to become physicians. They are committed to returning to the United States and offering their services to those in underserved communities,” said Jones. “For those of us who are tired of going to vigils, protests, memorials and shedding tears over violent deaths among our youths, these students represent a unique opportunity for Americans to pool our resources and extend moral support to encourage them to study harder,” Jones added. Suggestions offered by Jones included sending them an e-mail, stethoscopes or a gesture as small as a ballpoint pen. On a
The “Pink to Pink” tour members have returned home more engaged, energized, committed and determined to strengthen this bridge of love between the U.S. and Cuba. Their united efforts will benefit men and women on both sides of the Florida Straits. “The fight against breast cancer with our peers in Havana, Cuba, turned out to be far beyond our wildest dream,” shared Jones. “We embraced, laughed, promised to stay true to the struggle and left them with a symbolic donation of cancer-ware items.” Jones proudly reports that they have been invited to return on March 8, 2016 for the commemoration of Woman’s Day and the 15th anniversary of Alas Por La Vida.
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NOVEMBER 12 – NOVEMBER 18, 2015 COMMUNITY DECEMBER 14 - 20, 2006
M A YNEWS OR
Palm Coast celebrates opening of lakefront City Hall The next chapter in the City of Palm Coast was celebrated with hundreds attending a ribbon-cutting ceremony, inaugurating a lakefront City Hall in Town Center at 160 Lake Ave. City, county and neighboring officials came together on Nov. 3 with residents for the grand opening of the $9.15 million, two-story office building, longingly awaited after the city’s 1999 incorporation. City Manager Jim Landon kept the ceremony flowing as master of ceremonies and officially dedicated the building’s ownership to the residents of Palm Coast, who, by the way, turned out more than city officials had anticipated. Former Mayor James Canfield said, “As the City Council changes, each City Council develops a certain personality, and the people on the council have individual focus, individual favorite things (that) they want to see the city establish.” The former mayor cited the 1999 City Council: Jim Holland, Ralph Carter and Jerry Full, who have all passed away, and William Venne who would later join the current City Council to assist with the dedication. The city manager who served with Canfield was none other than Dick Kelton, who also would join in on the commemoration. Canfield expressed esteem for the 2015 City Council, which is made up of Mayor Jon Netts, members Jason DeLorenzo, Heidi Shipley, Vice Mayor Bill McGuire, and Steve Nobile – and joined with City Manager Jim Landon, who together Canfield said, “They made it happen!”
From coffee shop to City Marketplace At the beginning of the former mayor’s tenure, City Hall office hours were kept at the old Kmart coffee shop. City Hall ascribed to evolve in office space at Palm Coast Community Center and the Flagler County Library, then located in the Palm Harbor Shopping Center. A turnaround led to space at One Corporate Drive at the old ITT headquarters and on Commerce Boulevard where Palm Coast Data situates. And for the last seven years, City Hall has opened its doors and rented offices at the City Marketplace on Cypress Point Parkway. With the baton passed to the 2015 City Council, Mayor Jon Netts said, “Nov. 3, 2015: A new day brings a new era to Palm Coast. Today is a historic moment in the narrative that defines our city. Together, we begin a new cycle that celebrates a small
and the Business Assistance Center. One hundred thirty five employees have occupied the new City Hall. A future add-on will connect a plaza for outdoor events and another phase will provide a promenade, where both features will be dependent upon future funding. At the end of the day, guided tours were conducted by city staffers from 4 to 8 p.m. Plentiful were souvenirs and finger foods catered by Canfield’s Restaurant of Palm Harbor Golf Course, musical collaboration featuring harpist Alana Fitzgerald and the string quartet of the Flagler Youth Orchestra. The actual ribbon cutting took place at 5:15 p.m. and, subsequently, at 6:30 p.m., the first City Council convened.
COURTESY OF THE CITY OF PALM COAST
Mayor Jon Netts, center left, is surrounded at the ribbon cutting with the current City Council, members of the former City Council and other public officials.
PALM COAST COMMUNITY NEWS JEROLINE D. MCCARTHY
town with a very big presence. “On this Tuesday evening (will be) the first time (that) a Palm Coast City Council will meet in our new City Hall,” continued the mayor. “I am honored to stand before all of you as we open these doors. This is our first permanent building constructed for the sole purpose of serving the people of this community.” The mayor added that the recent opening of the Portugese Consulate, construction of the outdoor phase of the Palm Coast Arts Foundation Performing Arts Center - the Landings Apartment Complex - the beautification and reconstruction of Town Center’s entrance at Bull Dog Drive “are all excellent illustrations that continue to fuel this area of economic opportunities.”
Land donated by developers The new building connects with a onestory Community Wing of 41,309 total square footage. It took less than 11 months to complete and will not be paid for with taxpayers’ dollars. But Town Center property owners will be borne by the costs. ITT, the original site developers of Palm Coast,
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donated the land in Town Center to build a City Hall. Architect C. T. Hsu and Associates of Orlando created the building plans. The Gilbane Building Company, headquartered in Providence, Rhode Island, was the construction management company. Representatives of both firms acknowledged the team effort and sticking to the budget while having completed the job on time. The Business Assistance Center in the new building becomes the hub where the public can pay utility bills and other customer services can be performed for permits, code enforcement, zoning, etc. The office at 2 Utility Drive in Palm Coast will remain open for managing utility service and paying utility bills. Anyhow, the Community Wing provides a food service set-up and lodges and configures the City Council chambers to other gathering rooms as rentals and/or community meeting rooms.
More to come Officials, moreover, expended the building cost to gear energy efficiency and safety, conference rooms identified by the different Palm Coast subdivisions, colors selected to complement the Palm Coast brand, and with city departments overseeing Finance, Administration, Community Development, which entails Building, Code Enforcement, Planning, Construction Management and Engineering, Information Technology, along with Customer Service,
Soul Food Festival Saturay at New Smyrna church The Allen Chapel AME Church of New Smyrna Beach will celebrate 125 years of worship and service to the community with a Soul Food Festival on Nov. 14 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Along with lots of soul food for sale like oxtails, ribs and collard greens, the festival will include entertainment by a blues band as well as heritage dancers and drummers. All vendor
Nov. 30 will be Shirley Chisholm Day A campaign to create awareness of Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm has begun with Office Divvy in Palm Coast and supported by Natural Nubian, an organization with a focus on the holistic approach to well-being. According to the Office Divvy’s Facebook page, Mayor Jon Netts and the City of Palm Coast will proclaim Nov. 30, 9 a.m., as Shirley Chisholm Remembrance Day. A formal proclamation of the late congresswoman’s legacy will be held at the new Palm Coast City Hall. Check out Office Divvy’s Facebook page to see how you can spread the word regarding Congresswoman Chisholm, who lived in Palm Coast for a while, where she wrote and lectured.
Flagler NAACP meets Nov. 17 Branch President Linda Sharpe Matthews has invited the community to the NAACP meeting a week earlier on Nov. 17, 6 p.m. at the African American Cultural Society, 4422 U.S. 1 North, Palm Coast. The meeting will transpire earlier in order to observe the Thanksgiving holiday. For further details, contact the NAACP at 386-446-7822. ••• As always, remember our prayers for the sick, afflicted and bereaved.
Celebrations Birthday wishes to Shaunte’ White, Nov. 14; Kyle White, Nov. 18. Happy anniversary to Richard and Rose Williams, Nov. 12; and Bill and Shirley Day, Nov. 16.
space is free of charge. The church is at 344 Sheldon St. Call Pastor Jeffery Dove for details at 386-855-4087 or email him at jeffreydove@hotmail.com.
Port Orange plans holiday events The City of Port Orange will host an evening of seasonal music on Dec. 5 at its Christmas in the Park. The music begins at 6 p.m. at the Kenneth W. Parker Amphitheater stage, 2001 City Center Circle.
Mayor Allen Green and City Council members will be there for the official lighting of the City Center Complex trees. The city’s 38th Annual Christmas Parade is Dec. 6 at 2 p.m. The parade route starts at Nova Road and will run east on Dunlawton Avenue to Lafayette Street. The parade will consist of bands and floats centered on the year’s theme, “A Superhero Christmas.’’ To reserve a place in the parade, contact the Parks and Recreation Department at 386-506-5851.
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R4
7 EDITORIAL
NOVEMBER 12 – NOVEMBER 18, 2015
What’s wrong with the truth? Award-winning film director Quentin Tarantino gets high props for stepping up to tell some truth about the many murders of African-Americans at the hands of misbehaving police officers. How, after all, can you justify the killing of a baby boy, Tamir Rice? Or the illegal choking of Eric Garner? Michael Brown stole some cigarillos. Does that deserve the death penalty? We can call the roll and then we can describe a murder. That’s all Tarantino did.
His words Here’s what Tarantino said: “I’m a human being with a conscience, and if you believe there’s murder going on, then you need to rise up and stand up against it. I’m here to say I’m on the side of the murdered.” Tarantino isn’t a “cop hater.” He is, as he said, a human being with a conscience. Too bad we can’t say the same thing about Patrick Lynch (ironic last name), the president of the New York City Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association, who called for a boycott for the Tarantino film, “The Hateful Eight,” scheduled for release in December. I’m not a huge Tarantino fan, but if the police are going to boycott his film, I will see it at least twice (or buy tickets for somebody) just to have his back. What is wrong with the truth? Quentin Tarantino didn’t say that every police officer is a murder-
DR. JULIANNE MALVEAUX TRICEEDNEYWIRE.COM
There is nothing wrong with the truth. Quentin Tarantino spoke it. The rabid Patrick Lynch opposes truth and calls for boycotts on a Tarantino film to punish him. er. He called out those who are and said that he stood with those killed – the Eric Garners, Michael Browns, Tamir Rices of the world.
Every killing justified Patrick Lynch and those who share his opinion have so embraced the “thin blue line” that they refuse to decry unacceptable police behavior or even express remorse for the unnecessary killings of citizens. There is an attempt to justify every killing; an attempt to say it is alright to use a chokehold deemed an illegal maneuver; to massacre a soon-tobe-married Sean Bell; to fire 41
Rigged: Racial bias in jury selection “Illegal and unconstitutional jury selection procedures cast doubt on the integrity of the whole judiMARC H. cial process. They create the apMORIAL pearance of bias in the decision of individual cases, and they increase TRICE EDNEY WIRE the risk of actual bias as well.” – Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall, of color continue to be unlawfulPeters v. Kiff (1972) ly excluded from jury service because of their race. During the Reconstruction Era, Congress passed the Civil Rights All-White jury Act of 1875. The act guaranteed In 1987, Timothy Foster, an Afriall citizens, particularly AfricanAmericans, equal treatment and can-American, was convicted and access to public accommoda- sentenced to death by an all-White tions, public transportation and jury in the murder of an elderly protected their right to serve on White woman. Foster, who was 18 years old at the time of the crime, is juries. This week – 140 years after the seeking a new trial on the basis of passage of the Civil Rights Act of racial discrimination by the pros1875 – the Supreme Court heard ecution, who he claims deliberateoral arguments in a Georgia death ly singled out and purged all propenalty case that serves as an in- spective Black jurors. tolerable reminder that people Coincidentally, Foster’s death
Truth will set you free A wise sage once said, “A lie can run around the world before the truth has gotten its shoes on.” Assessing the performance of Republican presidential candidates in the current campaign, I can only assume that those responsible for their coaching used that quote as foundation for their last preparation, because the lies were flying fast and furious! As with the quote of Lady Gaga who said, “I’m telling you a lie in a vicious effort that you will repeat my lie over and over until it becomes true,” numerous people have used words to that effect. Over the past 7 years we’ve seen this strategy successfully used by the Republican right to diminish confidence in President Obama’s administration, while approving no initiatives to spark economic recovery in our nation.
Flawed and dated Arguably, the most fact-checked
DR. E. FAYE WILLIAMS, ESQ. TRICE EDNEY WIRE
and refuted claim made during the debate came from Carly Fiorina. She asserted that 92 percent of the job losses in President Obama’s first term belonged to women. Unfortunately, she was using a flawed and dated talking point from Mitt Romney’s unsuccessful 2012 campaign. While it was true that job losses from the recession continued to increase during the early period of President Obama’s first term (and women lost a higher percentage of those jobs), by the end of President Obama’s first term, both men and women gained jobs. The most obvious effort to ob-
VISUAL VIEWPOINT: RUSSIAN JET CRASHES IN EQYPT
bullets at an unarmed Amadou Diallo (19 of the bullets hit him), to sodomize Abner Louima. In the Louima case, several “officers of the peace” were tried and convicted, but they are among the very few who pay the price for their rouge activities.
Cops won’t speak up Any human being ought to shudder at these extreme police killings. Too many police officers seem to think this behavior should not be decried. The police officers that I know speak among themselves about rogue police officers and their unacceptable behavior, but they don’t speak up. So, there are police officers that choose to rape some of the women they stop for traffic violations. There are police officers that coerce delinquent young girls into prostitution. There are police officers that take the drugs confiscated in drug busts for their own use or to sell. There is silence from police unions regarding these actions. Police unions with integrity would uplift good officers and criticize bad ones. They’d assert, and then enforce, a code of conduct. They’d say there is zero tolerance to illegal police behavior, and then they’d enforce it. Unions are supposed to defend their members, and that makes sense. Even as they defend those that are unjustly accused, they must also be quite clear that they
OSAMA HAJJAJ, JORDAN
oppose illegal behavior.
Mourned by all Officer Randolph Holder, a Guyana native whose application to the police academy included an essay that said he wanted to be a role model, was killed in late October by a criminal who was fleeing from him. His death was a tragedy. His family, the community, and his fellow officers mourn him. We who are human must mourn him. We who depend on law enforcement officers to maintain order in our communities must condemn the culture of violence that led to his death. And we who are human and object violence must also object the police violence that left Eric Garner dead. We must also criticize the grand
al government and the Supreme Court to address and eliminate racial discrimination in the jury selection process, the practice continues to run rampant and unchecked throughout our criminal justice system – a system where more than half of the people on death row are people of color. African-Americans make up 42 percent of that number, while they make up only 12 percent of the United States population. Deliberately excluding people of color from juries only serves to undermine our confidence in the credibility of our nation’s criminal justice system. How can we believe justice is being served if the system is so blatantly rigged? And studies have shown that diversity makes for a better jury. In comparison to all-White juries, racially diverse juries are said to take longer to deliberate, they consider a wider variety of perspectives when deciding and make fewer factual errors. We cannot allow our constitutional right to be judged by a jury of Still racist our peers to be abused based on Despite the efforts of our feder- a prosecutor’s implicit or explicit sentence came only a year after the Supreme Court had ruled in Batson v. Kentucky that excluding potential jurors based on race was unconstitutional and violated the equal protection clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. The clear message of Batson v. Kentucky to not exclude jurors based on race failed to police the behavior of prosecutors in Timothy Foster’s case. And Foster’s case is a textbook example of racial discrimination that is often so hard to prove. In this rare instance of welldocumented misconduct, prosecutors used a variety of methods to single out and remove potential Black jurors. After getting access to the prosecution’s jury selection notes in 2006, Foster’s lawyer found “an arsenal of smoking guns in this case,” including prosecutors highlighting the names of potential Black jurors, circling the word “Black” on questionnaires, and taking note of Black jurors as “B#1” or “B#2.”
fuscate and distort the truth with doubletalk came from the mouth of Ben Carson, who denied a “relationship” with Mannatech, a manufacturer of nutritional supplements. It’s easy to understand Carson’s reluctance to acknowledge a relationship or involvement with the company, since it had paid a $7 million settlement to resolve a deceptive marketing lawsuit.
‘Relationship’ exists Mannatech’s claim that their supplements could cure autism and cancer couldn’t be substantiated with empirical data and accordingly, the company was discredited in the marketplace. Carson’s only admission was that he made a couple of speeches for Mannatech and that he believes their product to be a good product. He also called allegations of a connection beyond the speeches “total propaganda.” Yet allegations from the National Review and Wall Street Journal tell of a more compli-
cated and involved relationship between Mannatech and Carson. These publications describe a relationship that is at least 10 years old and which has visual evidence of Carson endorsing and promoting Mannatech’s products. Other allegations have Mannatech funding an endowment in Carson’s name at Johns Hopkins University. Merely propaganda? You decide! Not to be outdone, “the Donald” offered his own take on how to fool yourself into thinking your lie is working. He lied about a criticism he made about Marco Rubio and an unseemly connection with Facebook founder and billionaire Mark Zuckerberg. Quick-thinking moderator Becky Quick did an on-broadcast fact check that showed Trump for the liar he is. Of course, Trump ignored his lie and never directly addressed her question.
No investigation The danger of these lies is that the uninformed will take them as
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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jury that decided that his murderer, ‘Officer’ Daniel Pantaleo, did nothing wrong. We must decry the folks who said that Garner was complicit in his own death because he was overweight.
Spoke the truth There is nothing wrong with the truth. Quentin Tarantino spoke it. The rabid Patrick Lynch opposes truth and calls for boycotts on a Tarantino film to punish him. Where are the police officers that will cross the thin blue line to hold fellow officers accountable? Why are so many silent in the face of police brutality, murder, and injustice?
Julianne Malveaux is an author and economist based in Washington, D.C.
racial bias – lives are at stake.
No punishment If we are going to effectively address prosecutorial misconduct, there must be real enforcement of rulings like Batson v. Kentucky to prevent the exclusion of jurors based on their race. Along with enforcement, there must be punishment. Right now, prosecutors are not taken to task when racial bias rears its ugly head during jury selection. With enforcement and monitoring, we can discover the patterns and punish the offenders. Foster’s case has pulled back the curtain on an ugly and unlawful practice that we must remedy if we want a criminal justice system we can believe in. Fortunately, we are decades past the allWhite juries of the Jim Crow era, but we have a long way to go if we are committed to bring justice into our jury pools for all our nation’s citizens.
Marc Morial is president and CEO of the National Urban League.
fact. Even in the face of contradicting evidence, some will never question or investigate beyond the statement. Our first task as informed political observers and voters is to learn to, at least, overcome the lies. In a 1962 commencement address to Yale University graduates, President Kennedy said, “The great enemy of truth is very often not the lie – deliberate, contrived and dishonest – but the myth – persistent, persuasive and unrealistic. Too often we hold fast to the clichés of our forebears...We enjoy the comfort of opinion without the discomfort of thought.” Or as my dear mother would say, “They told lies and the truth ain’t in them.”
Dr. E. Faye Williams is national chair of the National Congress of Black Women, Inc. Contact her via www.nationalcongressbw.org.
Central Florida Communicators Group, LLC, P.O. Box 48857 Tampa, FL 33646, publishes the Florida Courier on Fridays. Phone: 877-352-4455, toll-free. For all sales inquiries, call 877-352-4455; e-mail sales@flcourier.com. Subscriptions to the print version are $69 per year. Mail check to P.O. Box 48857 Tampa, Fl 33646, or log on to www.daytona.com; click on ‘Subscribe’.
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5 7
M ANATION YOR
NOVEMBERDECEMBER 12 – NOVEMBER 18, 2015 14 - 20, 2006
NABIL K. MARK/CENTRE DAILY TIMES/TNS
A group of Penn State University students organized a protest in reaction to the events in Ferguson, Mo., on Dec. 2, 2014, in University Park, Pa. The students dressed in black and laid on the floor of a school building for 45 minutes, many wearing signs that said “Black Lives Matter.”
Taking issue with Black Lives matter approach Longtime civil rights leaders dismayed by in-your-face tactics of young activists BY ANGEL JENNINGS LOS ANGELES TIMES (TNS)
Long before Black Lives Matter made a mark in Los Angeles, there were the Rev. Cecil “Chip” Murray, Najee Ali, Earl Ofari Hutchinson. They and a handful of other Black civil rights and religious leaders led the charge whenever issues of race and police brutality arose in South Los Angeles. They organized marches and held news conferences. But they also broke bread with L.A.’s political establishment, seeing it as an effective way to bring reforms. Now there are new kids on the block, and they are shutting down freeways, disrupting community meetings, and camping outside Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) headquarters and Mayor Eric Garcetti’s Windsor Square home. Last month, they confronted Garcetti at a forum in a church, eventually following the mayor — chanting along the way — to his car. Inside and outside Holman United Methodist Church, longtime L.A. activists witnessed the scene, aghast. Embarrassed. Angry.
New tactics The hundreds of members of the fresh crop of community activists — many of whom came of age during the 1992 Los Angeles riots — reject the traditional tactics of the “old guard.” Despite their relative youth, they have adopted acts of civil disobedience used during the 1960s civil rights era and are more interested in pushing city officials and politicians to make change than in sitting on their commissions and boards — and waiting. United under the banner of the national group Black Lives Matter, they are actually a loose coalition of organizations that believe that a more in-your-face approach to issues like excessive use of police force is not only more effective, but justified. “You can’t attempt to employ 1980s and 1990s strategies in a 2015 moment,” said Pete White, founder of Los Angeles Community Action Network and a member of Black Lives Matter. “There’s a push back against methods and individuals whose message did not work.”
Just making noise? For the veteran activists — many of whom grew up in the era
AL SEIB/LOS ANGELES TIMES/TNS
Activist Najee Ali, seated center, is supported by a group of Black civil rights activists as they block Spring Street in front of the Hall of Justice in downtown Los Angeles on Sept. 30. when the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. preached nonviolence — the actions of some of the protesters distract from their message. “With Black Lives Matter being a new organization with young activists, they don’t have the experience or discipline to be more effective advocates,” said Ali, the director of the advocacy group Project Islamic Hope. “They seem like a one-trick pony and all they can do is disrupt and make noise.” The distinct approaches have caused a rift between activists like Ali and the young bloods — an echo of the kind of ideological disagreements that have surfaced within the world of Black activism over many generations. The protest over Garcetti at the West Adams forum laid L.A.’s latest version of it bare.
Mayor dissed The Rev. Kelvin Sauls, a part of the established group of Black reformers, invited Garcetti to host his first town hall meeting with area residents at his church. Eventually the hourlong discussion was interrupted by protesters affiliated with Black Lives Matter. About 50 demonstrators turned their backs on the mayor as he spoke to a crowd of several hundred. When Garcetti attempted to leave, the demonstrators surrounded him and chanted as he walked to his car. One activist jumped on the trunk of the car as the mayor stepped inside. In the following days, each side held dueling news conferences. Patrisse Cullors, co-founder of the national Black Lives Matter group, said Garcetti promised to work with the activists to hold a
MARK BOSTER/LOS ANGELES TIMES/TNS
Three members of Black Lives Matter, from left, Patrisse Cullors, Melina Abdullah and Pete White, followed by Pastor Kevin Sauls, greet the media after a meeting with Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti in Los Angeles on July 9. forum, but then went behind their backs and partnered with Sauls.
Apology sought Later, a group of clergy and other leaders of well-known organizations demanded an apology from the protesters, accusing them of being disrespectful and using words that seemed akin to a public spanking. “I was raised by strict Southern grandparents that told me that if I acted up in public then I would get my discipline in public,” said Xavier Thompson, president of the Southern Missionary Baptist Church. “We will not tolerate irreverent behavior.” On Oct. 25, Garcetti had planned a return visit to Holman United Methodist Church.
But Sauls said he decided to cancel the event after news of it was leaked online. Jasmyne Cannick, a political consultant, said that the mayor appeared to be dividing the Black community into “good Black people” and “bad Black people,” essentially classifying Black Lives Matter among the latter by leaning on the generally older, seasoned activists and seeming to exclude the new voices.
Not invited Last summer, in the hours before the Los Angeles Police Commission issued its ruling critical of two officers involved in the shooting death of Ezell Ford, Garcetti spoke with Hutchinson, Ali and other traditional civil rights lead-
ers to gauge the temperature among residents in South L.A. Later, he invited the same group of Black leaders to a meeting at City Hall to talk with Matt Johnson, an entertainment lawyer he appointed as the president of the police commission. Members of Black Lives Matters said they did not receive a call or an invitation to the Johnson meeting. The group had been lobbying the police commission to hold the officers responsible in Ford’s death and were vocally opposed to Garcetti’s selection for the commission. The mayor’s office did not respond to requests for comment. “What those who are being targeted often do is use a divideand-conquer strategy,” said Fredrick Harris, a political science professor at Columbia University. “Perhaps this is a strategy to divert attention away from the demands of the more contentious activists.”
Compared to SNCC Robin D.G. Kelley, a history professor at UCLA, said that Black Lives Matter is reminiscent of the 1960s Student Non-Violence Coordinating Committee (SNCC), which organized sit-ins to protest segregation. These groups “are called outsiders, troublemakers, disruptive and never had the kind of political legitimacy that people expected them to have,” he said. “But they were able to win concessions.” Cullors held the first Black Lives Matter meeting in 2013 after demonstrators took to the streets to protest a jury’s acquittal of George Zimmerman, a Florida man who shot and killed Black teenager Trayvon Martin, who was not carrying a weapon. About 30 people, mostly college students, showed up, said group organizer Melina Abdullah. “Black Lives Matter” became a rallying cry during protests after the shooting of 18-year-old Michael Brown in Ferguson, Mo., in August 2014 by a White police officer — and again in L.A. during protests over police killings of Black men around the country. Abdullah said that Garcetti has forced the group members to take a “hard-line agitation approach to him when we could be working … with him.” Despite the tension, both groups of activists said they are willing to work together toward a common goal. “This is not about the Black community airing out its dirty laundry,” Thompson of Southern Baptist Missionary Church said. “We will come together behind closed doors.”
R6
7 CLASSIFIEDS
NOVEMBER 12 – NOVEMBER 18, 2015
The LATCH system makes it easier to be sure your child’s car seat is installed correctly every time. Just clip it to the lower anchors, attach the top tether, and pull the straps tight. To find out more, visit safercar.gov.
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7
SPORTS MA YOR
NOVEMBERDECEMBER 12 – NOVEMBER 18, 2015 14 - 20, 2006
2016 MEAC Hall of Fame Class to include B-CU’s Lynn Thompson Lynn Thompson, BethuneCookman University’s vice president for Intercollegiate Athletics, will be inducted as one of five members into the 2016 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Hall of Fame Class. The inductees will be enshrined during an awards brunch on Thursday, March 10, 2016, beginning with a welcoming gathering at 9:30 a.m. at the Sheraton Waterside Hotel in Norfolk, Va. They also will be recognized
before the 6 p.m. men’s basketball game during the 2016 MEAC Basketball Tournament on March 10 at the Norfolk Scope Arena in Virginia. “I’d like to congratulate the 2016 Hall of Fame class for all their accomplishments both athletically and professionally,” said Dennis E. Thomas, MEAC Commissioner. “The honorees have made significant contributions to their communities, institutions, and this conference.”
25th year at B-CU The MEAC Hall of Fame highlights former stud e n t- a t h l e t e s , coaches, university and conferLynn ence adminisThompson trators as well as special contributors, who have enriched the legacy of the conference since its inception in 1970. Enshrinees were selected by a 13-person committee made up of administrators and representatives from member institutions. Thompson, now in his 25th year as the head of the B-CU’s Department of Athletics, was named vice president of Intercollegiate Athletics on June 11 by Dr. Edison Jackson, the university’s president. Thompson’ previous title was director of athletics. During his tenure overseeing the 17-sport department, Thompson has directed the Wildcats to a total of 64 championships, beginning with 44
Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) crowns, including a dynasty of 12 baseball championships in the past 15 years; a run of five consecutive softball titles from 2000-2004 – as well as three consecutive titles from 2010-12. B-CU football has won a total of six MEAC titles, including at least a share of the last three consecutive from 2012-14. Additionally, the Wildcats won the school’s first-ever national HBCU championship in 2010.
Men’s ministry leader Away from the athletic fields, Thompson is heavily involved in the B-CU Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) and for over 10 years, he has served as a staff pastor at Calvary Christian Church in Ormond Beach and is leader of the men’s ministry. The inaugural Hall of Fame class was inducted on May 29, 1981, during a 10-year anniversary banquet in Greensboro, N.C. Since its establishment, the MEAC Hall of Fame has enshrined 133 people, including the class of 2016.
Other inductees Other honorees in the 2016 class are LaShondra Dixon-Gordon, a former standout basketball player at Hampton University who is now an assistant coach at Norfolk State; Bobby Moore, a former South Carolina State defensive lineman who is now assistant principal at Blakeney Elementary School in Waynesboro, Ga.; David Oliver, a former Howard University track and field star who has gone to win numerous world championships; and retired football coach Joe Taylor, whose career includes years at Hampton, Florida A&M and Virginia Union, ranking him third all-time in wins among HBCU football coaches, behind John Merritt (Tennessee State) and Eddie Robinson (Grambling State). Tickets for the induction brunch are $35 per seat or $300 per table (10 persons). Tickets can be purchased by calling the MEAC office at 757-951-2055.
Marching Wildcats chosen again for Honda Battle of the Bands Bethune-Cookman University’s marching band has been selected again as a Final 8 band to participate in the 14th annual Honda Battle of the Bands. Students, alumni and fans from America’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) helped select eight top marching bands to perform at the Honda Battle of the Bands Invitational Showcase, on Jan. 30, 2016 in Atlanta. The 2016 lineup consists of new and familiar HBCUs, including first-time participant, Lincoln University (PA) and 11th-time participant, BethuneCookman University. The bands and the conferences they’re in are: • Alabama A&M University, Marching Maroon & White (Southwestern Athletic Conference) • Alcorn State University, Sounds of Dyn-O-Mite (Southwestern Athletic Conference) • Bethune-Cookman University, Marching Wildcats (Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference) • Jackson State University, Sonic Boom of the South (Southeastern Athletic Conference) • Lincoln University (Pa.), Orange Crush Roaring Lions (Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association) • Prairie View A&M University, Marching Storm (Southwest Athletic Conference) • South Carolina State University, Marching
The Marching Wildcats will participate in the Atlanta event for the 11th time. Donovan Wells is the band director. PHOTOS BY DUANE C. FERNANDEZ SR./DAYTONA TIMES
“101” (Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference) • Tennessee State University, Aristocrat of Bands (Ohio Valley Conference)
How they’re selected The eight bands were selected through a process that included online fan voting as well as feedback from band directors, HBCU presidents and American Honda representatives. In addition to a $20,000 grant from Honda to support their music education programs, each participating HBCU will receive travel and accommodations to the Invitational Showcase in Atlanta. “Honda Battle of the Bands is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that helps HBCU student musicians showcase their talent and discover their greatness, both on and off the field,” said Steve Morikawa, vice president of Corporate Community Relations, American Honda. “Honda is proud to have a longstanding relationship with America’s HBCUs, and is honored that many students consider this event a highlight of their collegiate experience.” Group and individual tickets to the showcase are available for purchase starting at $10. For more information, visit HondaBattleoftheBands.com.
Flawless conference record for women’s volleyball team SPECIAL TO THE DAYTONA TIMES
Bethune-Cookman’s volleyball squad made history in Durham, N.C., on Sunday, Nov. 9 when the team took a 3-1 (19-25, 25-19, 25-14, 25-16) victory from North Carolina Central University to finish the regular-season perfect in Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference play. The 10-0 flawless MEAC record is the first in school history as the 13 B-CU regular-season victories marks the most by the Wildcats since 2004. After a rocky start in the first, B-CU allowed the Eagles to take only its third MEAC set loss of the season, falling 25-19. Momentum changed in the second after a Hazel Ortiz Rosado kill opened the set. After a mid-set 3-0 run for the Wildcats, as they pulled ahead 1914, NCCU called a timeout, before B-CU finished the set at 25-19 and knotted the match at one.
Pulls ahead The intermission worked in favor of the Wildcats, as B-CU jumped out early in the third and never allowed the Eagles a chance in the set. Late in the third, a 7-0 run propelled the Wildcats to a 24-12 lead, before B-CU captured the 25-14 victory and pulled ahead in the match 2-1. During the third the Wildcats only committed one hitting error as a team, finishing .419 after going 14-1-31 during the set. In the fourth and final set B-CU and the Eagles battled back-andforth early on, as the Eagles last lead came at 11-10. A 5-0 run ended the set at 2516, sparked by two Rakaya Neely kills and two huge exclamation Neely/Ortiz Rosado blocks.
Career-assists record A balanced effort anchored the Wildcats offensively, as Rhea Si-
COURTESY OF B-CU ATHLETICS
B-CU’s volleyball team made history by winning all of its MEAC games this season. mon led B-CU with 13 kills, followed by 11 from Jill Arlaud and seven a piece from Phylecia Armstrong and Neely. Running the offense, Ortiz Ro-
sado moved into second place all-time at B-CU in career assists during the match after just two seasons with the Wildcats. She passed Megan Myer’s 1,703 as-
sists midway through the first set, and after finishing with a matchbest 38, the senior’s total has moved to 1,739 during her career. Defensively, Ortiz Rosado also recorded her 12th assist/dig double-double of the season, finishing with 13 digs, while Normarie Rolon led the Wildcats picking up 17 digs and Alexas Thomas trailed with 10. On the net B-CU out blocked the Eagles 13.0 to 6.0, while Neely led the way with eight total blocks including three solo, and Delicia Pierre trailed with four. Next on the plate for the Wildcats, after finishing first in the south, B-CU awaits Coppin State, who finished fourth in the north, during the first round of the 2015 MEAC tournament in Princess Anne, Maryland.
This story is courtesy of B-CU Athletics.
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7BUSINESS
NOVEMBER 12 – NOVEMBER 18, 2015
Simmons halts fees, hires extra help after RushCard glitch BY STACY M. BROWN NNPA NEWS SERVICE
Russell Simmons hasn’t slept much since news broke in mid-October that users of his RushCard couldn’t access their own money and were locked out of their accounts, due to a computer glitch, leaving some unable to make rent payments, pay utility bills or buy groceries for their families. “Technology glitches happen, but this was a tsunami,” said Simmons in an exclusive interview with the NNPA News Wire. Users began experiencing problems when Simmons’ company switched to a new transaction-processing provider, something that he said they’ve done successfully at least four times. “We made the transfer of processes four separate times in the past and the next thing you know, I get a text message that we sent to our customers that we were down for two hours,” said Simmons, the iconic business magnate who founded Def Jam Records and the Phat Farm clothing line. “Our call center usually gets about 600 calls and now it’s [getting] 600,000 calls.” Simmons said that three multi-billion dollar corporations were involved in the process and each has been helpful in resolving the technical issues related to the latest transition.
Repaid cardholders Simmons credited Mas-
terCard CEO Ajaypal Singh Banga with immediately responding to the problem and helping to fix it. “He’s the CEO of a $120 billion company and he picked the telephone up on the first ring,” Simmons said, adding that Banga has talked a lot about finding ways to reach underserved communities and others who don’t use traditional banks. In the aftermath of the outage that wreaked havoc on the lives of thousands of cardholders, RushCard created a multi-million dollar fund to compensate customers who were affected. Simmons also said that he has heard the criticism about the outage loud and clear and he’s accepted it and now he’s doing everything in his power to make his cardholders whole, even going beyond that. “The way I view it, I will take every complaint and claim and pay it, if it has any legitimacy,” said Simmons. “I’ve heard people being put out of their apartments or in the hospital needing medicine and what I have done, what I do, is if they say they [lost] $400, I’ve given them back that exact amount and I’ve also adjusted their fees.”
No fees for months In addition to restoring customer accounts in full, Simmons said that from Nov. 1, 2015 through February 29, 2016, RushCard customers will enjoy a nofee holiday, which will ex-
empt card users from paying monthly, transaction and ATM fees during that period. People who open new accounts will also be eligible for the no-fee holiday benefits, but all cardholders will still be responsible for paying third-party fees. While it will cost him money, he said it’s just one way of regaining the trust of his loyal customers. “I like when this company is really profitable, then we can go out and help the community in a way that no bank, no non-Black institution ever will,” he said. UniRush, LLC, the company that owns RushCard, was co-founded by Simmons 12 years ago to help low-to-moderate income individuals and families have an easier time paying bills and managing their money. “The RushCard is the embodiment of my message of empowerment, because it is a better and more transparent option for millions of ‘underbanked’ and ‘unbanked’ Americans, who often suffer at the hands of large financial institutions,” Simmons said.
No maintenance fees Simmons also said that fees for his card aren’t as high as other prepaid cards and RushCard members have access to 25,000 free ATMs. According to Bankrate. com, the Prepaid Visa RushCard “Pay As You Go
VALERIE GOODLOE/NNPA NEWS WIRE
Russell Simmons, founder of the RushCard, said that he will take every complaint and claim from customers who were affected by the recent outage and pay it, if it has any legitimacy. Plan” is among a handful of cards that have no monthly maintenance fees. The card does carry an activation fee that ranges between $3.95 and $9.95 and users are also charged 50 cents for every out-of-network ATM balance inquiry. In comparison, Walmart’s MoneyCard Plus has a $3 monthly maintenance fee, an activation fee that can
be as high as $4 and charges $1 for every ATM balance inquiry, except for inquiries made at MoneyPass ATMs. Simmons said his company has hired additional employees to help answer and resolve customer complaints and that cardholders should continue to report problems and any financial hardships caused by the two-week outage to
the RushCard call center. “I want my customers to know that we will restore RushCard as the gold standard of [prepaid debit card] services in our community,” said Simmons. Simmons continued: “I want to assure those who rely on the RushCard that I will not rest until we have regained your trust.”