Florida Courier, November 24, 2017 by Central Florida Communicators Group, LLC

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Remembering Della Reese and Earle Hyman See page B2

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NOVEMBER 24 – NOVEMBER 30, 2017

VOLUME 25 NO. 47

TIME TO GO Seven years after a massive quake, Haitians will soon lose protection from deportation.

MIAMI – After years of being shielded from deportation from the United States while their disaster-prone country continues to recover from its devastating 2010 earthquake, tens of thousands of Haitians will now lose that safeguard. The special deportation protection known as Temporary Protected Status, or TPS, will be revoked for at least 50,000 Haitians living and working across the U.S.

window to go back to their struggling homeland or legalize their status in the United States. At the end of the period, Haitians will return to the immigration status they previously held, leaving them facing possible detention and deportation. The decision comes 14 days after the Department of Homeland Security announced it was terminating TPS for 2,500 Nicaraguans and delaying a decision for 57,000 Hondurans, which automatically gave them a six-month extension after their current status expires in January. The announcement Monday, while pleasing to immigration hardliners who argue that the provision was never meant to be permanent, deals a hard blow to longtime Haitian and immigration advocates. The status had been set to expire Jan. 22.

Eighteen months

‘Not ready’

The protection will expire July 22, 2019, giving Haitians living in the U.S. under TPS an 18-month

“Haiti is not ready to absorb 58,000,” said Marleine Bastien, a South Florida Haitian activist

BY JACQUELINE CHARLES AND PATRICIA MAZZEI MIAMI HERALD / TNS

CAROLYN COLE/LOS ANGELES TIMES/TNS

Fearing the Trump administration’s immigration policies, Georges Joseph, in the gray sweatshirt, brought his family to an illegal border crossing into Canada from New York after hearing a false rumor that asylum seekers from Haiti were welcome in Canada. who has pushed for at least an 18-month extension of TPS. “It’s going to be a disaster for the 58,000 families in the U.S. and a disaster for Haiti. Clearly they are not making decisions

based on facts on the ground, but rather politics. This is purely unacceptable.” Enacted in 1990, TPS allows nationals from countries facing civil strife or major natural disas-

ters who are already in the United States to temporarily remain and work here. But President Donald Trump has repeatedly pledged to See HAITIANS, Page A2

Last African ‘Big Man’ quits

2017 FLORIDA CLASSIC

‘…And the truth shall make you free’

Zimbabwe’s Mugabe resigns COMPILED FROM WIRE AND STAFF REPORTS

Zimbabwe’s 93-year-old Robert Mugabe, the last of his generation of African heads of state who went from fiery liberation hero to avaricious dictator to seeming victim in old age of his own misrule – resigned from office after 37 years of leadership during legislative impeachment proceedings on Tuesday. The fate of Zimbabwe hangs in the balance as the country awaits its next leader. That is widely expected to be Emmerson Mnangagwa, the vice president whom Mugabe recently dismissed and accused of treason. “I think he’s more practical than Robert Mugabe … but he is also authoritarian,” said Tom McDonald, a former U.S. ambassador to Zimbabwe who leads the International Government Policy team at the Baker Hostetler law firm in Washington. “He has a very checkered record. He has blood on his hands from the 1980s,” in which thousands of people were massacred in a stronghold of a Mugabe political rival. Mnangagwa, who was then the country’s security minister, has denied that he played a role in the slaughter.

CHARLES W. CHERRY II / FLORIDA COURIER

Fought the British

Energetic members of Israel United in Christ, located in Apopka, preached to hundreds of passersby just before the Nov. 18 Florida Classic game kickoff in Orlando. Read a recap of this year’s Florida Classic and view more pictures on B1 and at flcourier.com.

Mugabe spent a decade in jail during the colonial era when the country just north of South Africa See MUGABE, Page A2

SNAPSHOTS ADOPTIONS | A3

Dr. Castell Bryant appointed FMU acting president COMPILED FROM WIRE AND STAFF REPORTS

A home for Jeremiah FLORIDA | A3

FOOD | B3

Retailers expect A holiday season of good meal to holiday sales remember

ALSO INSIDE

MIAMI GARDENS –The Board of Trustees of Florida Memorial University (FMU) selected Dr. Castell Vaughn Bryant as acting president, effective Nov. 20. Bryant replaces Dr. Michelle Howard-Vital, the school’s current interim president, who is on medical leave. Bryant earned undergraduate and graduate degrees from Florida A&M University and a doctorate at Nova Southeastern University. She also served as a member of the FAMU Board of Trustees and Florida Board of Governors, and

as president of several campuses of MiamiDade College.

Short tenure at FAMU Of particular note is Bryant’s service at FAMU. A 2004 state audit of FAMU’s financial operations found, among other things, that the university had poor accounting practices and had spent millions of dollars beyond its budget. Dr. Castell The trustees hired Bryant as Vaughn interim president in January Bryant 2005. She quickly fired or reassigned dozens of employees, cut budgets and implemented stricter financial controls. In 2006, Bryant and former Bethune-Cookman University President Dr. Trudie Kibbe Reed devised the Florida Classic Consortium.

Their goal was to maximize the financial gain both institutions derive from the annual FAMU vs. B-CU football game and its ancillary events. (Bryant later served as interim vice president for academic affairs at B-CU under Reed.) But the financial and accounting problems were never solved as Bryant made way for her successor, Dr. James Ammons, in May 2007.

‘Veil of secrecy’ In a widely distributed July 2007 St. Petersburg Times newspaper article, she criticised her alma mater, stating, “FAMU lacks a common purpose, clarity of outcomes and a willingness to make the necessary changes. “…What HBCUs have in common is operating behind a veil of secrecy that covers processes and understandings that are slowly eating away the solid foundation of the institution. What goes on on campus stays on campus, and nobody questions it. At one time, this may have been necessary, but the world is changing.”

COMMENTARY: CHARLES W. CHERRY II: RANDOM THOUGHTS OF A FREE BLACK MIND | A5 COMMENTARY: BRUCE DIXON: AN ANALYSIS OF ROBERT MUGABE’S ZIMBABWE | A5

FOCUS

NOVEMBER 24 – NOVEMBER 30, 2017

‘When I get that feeling…’ America and the world are in the midst of a historical and significant moment regarding sexual relations and appropriateness. I think any elected official that has committed a sexual crime should be impeached, expelled or thrown in jail.

Who would be around? If every citizen believes that any politician, whether he (or she) apologizes, repents, atones and asks a “victim” for forgiveness or not, should resign from office because at some time in their lives they have said or done something sexually inappropriate; called someone a “bitch,” “whore” or a “dog”; commented about a man or woman’s body; pulled a girl’s hair in the third grade; rubbed thighs with someone on a crowded church pew; patted someone’s butt after a good sports play; sneaked an unwanted kiss on prom night; or kicked off their heels under the restaurant tablecloth and used their foot to rub a man’s legs or other body part, for instance – if every sexually inappropriate act should be condemned, there

LUCIUS GANTT THE GANTT REPORT

wouldn’t be a political devil in Washington, D.C.! No politician, or person, is perfect. If God can forgive murderers, thieves and other sinners, why can’t you if they change their lives and behavior? I’m just saying!

Moore and Franken It’s November 2017 and much of the talk about sexual impropriety concerns a candidate for the United States Senate in Alabama, Republican Roy Moore, and a Senator, Al Franken, D-Minnesota. Both men have been accused of sexual misconduct. Franken, a former comedian, was accused of kissing a woman some kind of way without her consent and taking a photo that appeared to show him touching her breasts while she was sleeping.

Moore, a former district attorney and judge that was suspended for violating court orders, was accused of sexual misconduct many, many times by women much younger than him – including a teen who was 14 at the time of the act – and of prowling around an Alabama mall looking for children to perform sex acts with. Moore was banned from the mall after too many young people complained about him. Franken apologized almost immediately after he was called out. The victim of his misdeeds forgave him and said she had no desire to have him expelled from or investigated by the Congress. On the other hand, Moore denied even knowing any of the approximately nine women that accused him. Moore basically said every one of the ladies were straight-out liars and puppets of the Democratic Party and the Republican political establishment. Well, if you apologize for your sin(s), repent, atone and ask the victim for forgiveness, more than likely God will forgive you. And no one is hurt or offended more than sexual victims. So I don’t understand why politicians seek to pun-

ish and expel Franken from Congress when the victim says she wants no part of that. The political (and some religious) supporters of Roy Moore say they will vote for him to represent the state of Alabama, regardless of how many people say he is a child predator, pedophile and a perpetrator of sexual misconduct. If Roy More denies misconduct, they believe him and disbelieve every man, woman and former child that accused him!

In denial Just like supporters of President Trump that discount his own admissions on audio and videotape that explicitly caught him talking about how he kisses women without their consent, and how he even grabs some women in the cat that rhymes with “tussy,” Moore’s political lovers say accusers have no proof of sexual misconduct. They say no one saw him molesting teenage girls! To me, that explanation is stupid. You can’t see air, but you know when you breathe it in. You can’t see God, but you might believe He is real and everywhere at the same time. The politicians that you love and voted for have politicized sexual misconduct.

MUGABE was known as Southern Rhodesia. He took power at independence in 1980 after a long guerilla war. He became a template for the continent’s so-called Big Men, who often behaved no better than their colonial predecessors, ruling as authoritarians and amassing vast riches at the expense of their citizens. In Zimbabwe, Mugabe and his family were notorious for enriching themselves even as the country tumbled toward destitution.

Sexual misconduct is not about political parties. Men and women of both groups have probably sinned sexually in some way at some time. At some point, voters must cast their ballots for a candidate and in a way that is best for the city, state, nation and the world! Don’t let politicians, news networks or wicked and deceitful individuals distract you from forgiving people as you would want to be forgiven. Don’t let anyone give you a rinky-dink reason for voting the wrong way and for the wrong person. Sexual healing is always good, but unwanted sexual feeling is very bad on every level!

Buy Gantt’s latest book, “Beast Too: Dead Man Writing,” on Amazon.com and from bookstores everywhere. It makes the perfect Christmas gift. “Like” The Gantt Report page on Facebook. Contact Lucius at www.allworldconsultants.net.

Seventeen more years Once considered a progressive leader who helped nurture economic prosperity in Rwanda, Paul Kagame, the country’s president since 2000, has also become tyrannical. A referendum has cleared the way for him to stay in power until 2034. In neighboring Burundi, President Pierre Nkurunziza triggered a coup attempt in 2015 after he announced he would seek a third term, in defiance of the constitution. He crushed the rebellion and won reelection after a court ruled that his first term didn’t count because he was elected by parliament, not popular vote.

List of ‘Big Men’ The spectacular corruption that typified many liberationwarriors-turned-authoritarians of Mugabe’s generation was perhaps best exemplified by Mobutu Sese Seko of the Democratic Republic of Congo, which he renamed Zaire. He was believed to have embezzled billions of dollars in national funds. Similar behavior characterized the rule of Omar Bongo, who was not Gabon’s first leader, but headed his country for 42 years until his death in 2009. While amassing a personal fortune, he reportedly built only three miles of freeway a year in a country in dire need of paved roadways, and his nation had one of the world’s highest infant mortality rates, according to news reports. Another longtime leader – also implicated in corruption and abuse of power – is at the helm in Equatorial Guinea. Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo has ruled since 1979, when he toppled his own uncle.

ward democracy and respect for human rights. But those hopes are unrealized in many cases. The Human Rights Foundation, a nonprofit that tracks closed societies, says countries in Africa that it considers democratic – 14 in all – are outnumbered by 19 full dictatorships and another 19 it calls “competitive authoritarian regimes,” in which autocrats allow elections to be held while engaging in serious anti-democratic abuses.

Puppets of US, USSR

Challenges, violence

During the Cold War, the U.S. and the Soviet Union propped up many of these leaders with foreign aid while ignoring their abuses. Keeping them as allies was considered paramount in the battle between the superpowers. The fall of communism brought the promise of a new era in Africa, one in which Western powers could push leaders to-

Paul Biya of Cameroon and Ismail Omar Guelleh of Djibouti are among several African leaders who have succeeded in abolishing presidential term limits to extend their time in office. Others have simply rejected the outcome of elections; still others have sought constitutional changes to allow them to stay in office. Mugabe lost the first round of

Political gamesmanship

HAITIANS impose tighter immigration controls, with many of his supporters saying the program has been abused. Congress, critics of the program say, needs to provide a permanent fix for the more than 300,000 Haitians and Central Americans who currently are protected from deportation under TPS.

ter its initial 2010 designation. But Kelly, who repeatedly emphasized the “temporary” in TPS, was not keen on granting another renewal or re-designation. After traveling to Haiti in late May to meet with Haitian President Jovenel Moise, Kelly told the Miami Herald that he believed that conditions in Haiti had improved. He cited as proof Moise’s plans to rebuild the country’s quake-damaged presidential palace, and that the United Nations was pulling out its peacekeeping mission.

gua, Honduras and El Salvador, Canada recently sent a Spanishspeaking member of parliament, Randy Boissonnault, to Miami. His task: to persuade the Haitian and Central American communities to discourage migrants from crossing into Canada because they falsely believe it’s a safe haven.

Multiple extensions

Leaving America

In May, then Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly – now Trump’s chief of staff – announced a limited extension of six months for Haitians. It took effect July 22. But the decision came with a strong signal from Kelly that it could be Haiti’s last reprieve. Haiti had received four 18-month extensions on TPS af-

Nonpartisan sin

Uganda in particular, is not the people, but leaders who want to overstay in power,” according to news reports. Today, Museveni, has become one of those leaders. In 2005, he secured a change to the constitution and is now serving a fifth presidential term.

from A1

If the politician or candidate that you love is accused of sexual misconduct, you believe him. If you don’t like the politician or candidate, you believe the accusers.

Some successes XINHUA/ZUMA PRESS/TNS

Zimbabwe’s 93-year-old President Robert Mugabe, left, emerged from house arrest last week to officiate at a graduation ceremony of Zimbabwe Open University in Harare, Zimbabwe.

In response, an unprecedented wave of Haitian TPS-holders illegally crossed into Frenchspeaking Quebec out of fear that they would be detained and deported back to Haiti. Quebec has a large community of Haitians, most of whom speak French. Fearful of a similar surge, this time involving not only Haitians but TPS-holders from Nicara-

presidential elections in Zimbabwe in 2008. His response was to launch a campaign of deadly violence that ultimately forced the opposition leader to withdraw from the second round of voting. Similar maneuvers were enough to sink some other regimes. In 2010, Ivory Coast’s strongman, Laurent Gbagbo, rejected his defeat at the polls, and the political upheaval that followed led to a six-month civil war. Gbagbo was ultimately arrested and extradited to the International Criminal Court. Undemocratic practices persist today, sometimes under a thin guise of adherence to norms. In the Republic of Congo, Denis Sassou-Nguesso engineered a referendum in 2015 to allow him to serve a third term as president. In Namibia, Sam Nujoma wangled a third term in office by amending his country’s consti-

Employed, with kids According to a recent study by the Center for Migration Studies, most Haitians on TPS have been living in the United States for 13 years and have 27,000 U.S.-citizen children among them. More than 80 percent are employed, while 6,200 have mortgages. TPS advocates have maintained that terminating the program would be cruel and families would be torn apart. And Haiti, they say, still hasn’t been sufficiently rebuilt after the 2010 earthquake to accept the influx. “Some disasters take a long time to recover from,” said Ran-

tution in 1999. He finally relinquished power in 2005. In the country that Mobuto once led, which is again known as the Democratic Republic of Congo, President Joseph Kabila assumed power 10 days after his father was assassinated in 2001. His term was due to expire in December 2016, but elections have since been pushed to next year. In Senegal, President Abdoulaye Wade was elected to his second term in 2007. Although a constitution voters approved in 2001 limited presidents to two terms, Wade persuaded a court to allow him to seek a third because his first term began before the constitution was adopted. The move backfired, and in 2012 Wade lost reelection in a landslide. Uganda’s Yoweri Museveni, who came to power through a rebellion in 1986, was once commended for writing that “the problem of Africa in general, and

dolph McGrorty, an attorney and director of Catholic Legal Services in Miami, which provides legal advice to the Haitian community. “What happened in Haiti is a good example … It takes time.” In Haiti’s case, advocates say the country is in no condition to handle the influx, seven years after the 7.0-magnitude quake created billions of dollars in damages, left 300,000 dead, 1.5 million injured and an equal number internally displaced.

Hurricane damage And the country remains vulnerable. Hurricane Matthew hit the southern region and created $2.8 billion in damages last year, followed by brushes from hurricanes Irma and Maria, and the country continues to suffer from a deadly cholera epidemic, a disease introduced by U.N. peacekeepers. Last week, the Office of Civil Protection confirmed that at least five people had died and

Not all African countries are on a path away from democracy. South Africa, which admittedly has a different colonial history than the rest of the continent, has been able to avoid leadership by a strongman, though political shenanigans by President Jacob Zuma have caused some concern. Nigeria is on a democratic trajectory. The opposition swept to power in 2015, and the outgoing president was commended for ceding the election. Liberia has held democratic elections since 2005, including this year. However, a runoff vote scheduled this month was postponed because of alleged irregularities in October’s first round. Ghana has had more than 20 years of peaceful political transitions, even after bitterly contested elections. Sierra Leone has also had peaceful elections and governmental transitions, despite still being in recovery from a disastrous civil war that began in the 1990s.

Ann M. Simmons and Laura King of the Los Angeles Times / TNS contributed to this report.

10,000 homes were flooded after days of rain. Haiti advocates spent months lobbying for support to continue TPS, including a campaign of newspaper editorials and letters of support from faith leaders, governors, city councils and congressional lawmakers on both sides of the aisles. Haiti’s U.S. Ambassador Paul Altidor, who requested an 18-month extension in an October letter to Department of Homeland Security Acting Secretary Elaine Duke, noted that the country’s crippling economy relies heavily on the diaspora working in the U.S. and islands near Haiti that were also hit by hurricanes in 2017. They contribute more than $2.4 billion annually in remittances to the Haitian economy.

Herald staff writers Patricia Mazzei and Mary Ellen Klas and McClatchy correspondent Franco Ordonez contributed to this story.

NOVEMBER 24 – NOVEMBER 30, 2017

FLORIDA

Holiday shopping forecast looks bright In spite of the impact of Irma, the Florida Retail Federation is predicting an increase in sales over last year. SPECIAL TO THE FLORIDA COURIER

TALLAHASSEE – The Florida Retail Federation (FRF), the state’s premier trade association of retailers, expects holiday sales to increase 3 percent to 3.5 percent over last year. “This season should be another strong one for our retail members, thanks to a 10-year low unemployment rate, a strong housing market, high consumer confidence and 100 million tourists leaving with more than what they came with,” said FRF President/ CEO Scott Shalley. “Due to the increased competition among retailers, consumers should expect great deals and discounts as they enjoy the annual holiday shopping season with friends and family.”

Economy credited The impact of Hurricane Irma on Floridians played a significant factor in the final forecast number for FRF. The storm caused damage in major population areas in Southwest Florida, South Florida and the Keys and the Jacksonville area. Many residents are still recovering and possibly unable to spend as much on holiday shopping this year. However, the overall strength of Florida’s economy and the resilience of the state’s retail industry will help make up for this potential loss of sales. “Hurricane Irma hit our state extremely hard, particularly in these areas, and we factored in this impact in our forecast, but we feel the overall strength of our economy and the incredible recovery efforts that have taken place will help lessen the impact on retail sales this holiday season,” said Shalley.

What they’ll spend Consumers are expected to spend an average of $967 on gifts, according to FRF’s partners at the National Retail Federation, which is up significantly from 2016’s average of $935 and higher than the previous record of $952 in 2015. This breaks down to $608 spent on gifts for family, friends and co-workers, $218 spent on

CARL JUSTE/MIAMI HERALD/TNS

Jean Waugh, left, shops for clothes with her cousin Ramona Spalding on Thanksgiving Day last year at Old Navy inside Dolphins Mall in Miami. decorations, flowers and greeting cards, and $141 spent by the shopper on themselves. Total spending is expected to increase to more than $678 billion, up from $655 billion last year thanks in part to the continued growth and spending of millennials.

270,000 businesses Consumer spending accounts for 75 percent of Florida’s gross domestic product totaling $155 billion each year. In particular, the holiday shopping season accounts for 20 percent to 40 percent of a retailer’s annual sales and steady yearover-year sales shows increasing economy stability. Florida’s retail industry totals more than 270,000 businesses which employ 2.7 million Floridians, and is responsible for one out of every five jobs.

Tourism influence One continued significant advantage that Florida enjoys over most other states is the influx of more than 100 million tourists, almost all of whom leave the state with more than they brought, bringing even more buying power with them. “Tourism continues to be a powerful influence on the success of Florida’s economy and specifically the retail industry, and 2017 is expected to set a new record on number of tourists which is great news for our members,” Shalley noted.

Popular gifts Gift cards are expected to be most popular shopping item for the 11th year in a row, followed by clothing and accessories, books, movies or music, electronics, home décor and furnishings and jewelry.

The most popular toys this holiday season will include Hatchimals, Toys from the new Star Wars and Justice League movies, Barbies and LEGOS, Nerf toys, and toys from Disney Junior shows.

Shopping early Forty percent of shoppers began their holiday shopping before Halloween to help spread out their spending with 29 percent complete by Black Friday. “Retailers are responding to the demand by consumers to have the holiday shopping experience prior to the traditional late November/December timeframe,” Shalley explained. “This is why consumers are already seeing holiday decorations and themes in stores, as retailers try to get shoppers in the Christmas shopping mindset earlier.”

Holiday jobs One of the positive impacts of the holiday shopping season is the increase in employment. These jobs include workers stocking inventory, customer service, warehousing and even management. Nationally, the industry is expected to see between 500,000-555,000 seasonal jobs. The increase in hiring and the increase in economic activity during the holiday season have a positive impact on industries outside of just retail. “The holiday season is a great time for new or returning professionals to enter the workforce as millions of temporary jobs turn into full-time jobs once the holiday shopping season is over,” said Shalley. “We look forward to the thousands of new jobs that families will have this year as a result of Florida’s retail industry.”

Crump starring in new series titled ‘Who Killed Tupac?’ SPECIAL TO THE FLORIDA COURIER

TALLAHASSEE – Prominent civil rights attorney Ben Crump, who gained national recognition representing the families of Trayvon Martin, Michael Brown, Tamir Rice, and other victims of gun violence, is starring in a new six-part television series, “Who Killed Tupac?” “Who Killed Tupac?” follows Crump and a team of investigators as he conducts, for the first time ever, a no-stone-un-

turned investigation 20 years after Shakur’s death. The series promises to bring to light confidential, exclusive documents, interviews, and information that will be used to both support and discredit some of the key theories that have surrounded the unsolved murder over the past two decades.

Premiered Tuesday Crump provides his own personal and legal analysis, based on the facts, to either corrobo-

rate or disprove those theories. He works closely with Mopreme Shakur, Tupac’s brother, over the course of the investigative series. The limited series investigates the 1996 murder of the prolific and controversial rapper and actor. It premieres on Tuesday, Nov. 21, at 9 p.m. on the A&E Network. “Tupac’s influence on society is still felt today, and the public is still keenly interested in finding out what really happened to him,” Crump said. “Some truly fascinating discoveries will be revealed each week.”

Mopreme Shakur, Tupac’s brother, and Ben Crump, right, work closely together during the investigative series.

PHOTO BY CHILDREN’S HEART GALLERY TAMPA BAY/PEZZ PHOTO

ADOPTIONS

A home for Jeremiah Church One Child of Florida is reaching out to families and individuals in communities across the state in efforts to help find permanent homes for children. Children featured in this monthly spotlight are waiting for a permanent home and/or mentor. They have no family identified to adopt them. November is National Adoption Month. Churches are asked to partner with One Church One Child in sharing information with congregations and extending Watch-Care Ministries to children. The Rev. Beverly Hills Lane, state president for One Church One Child of Florida and vice president for National One Church One Child, is challenging fellow pastors to get involved and encouraging families to open their hearts and homes to children in foster care.

Meet Jeremiah Jeremiah’s a sweet, playful kid who loves games of all kinds. He can be a little shy, but he has a big heart and he cares for other people, and so it makes sense that his biggest goal is to become a firefighter when he grows up. Jeremiah tries hard in school - excelling especially in math - and he’s very proud of being chosen as a library aide this year. He is a very thoughtful, loving kid who wants and deserves to have his sweet, affectionate nature reciprocated by a forever family. He’ll thrive in a loving, patient two-parent home that will nurture his many talents and help him to retain contact with his family out of state. For more information about becoming an adoptive or foster parent, mentor, partner or volunteer, contact the following: SunCoast Region, LaKay Fayson; Southeast Region, Cora Perry; Northwest, Northeast, Central and Southern, Paulette Glover at 1-888-283-0886 or info@ococfl.org. The website is www.ococfl.org.

EDITORIAL

NOVEMBER 24 – NOVEMBER 30, 2017

We get the Weinstein matter, but what about our Black girls? We get the Weinstein matter, but what about our Black girls? I stopped watching broadcast news five years ago, after a sex crime was reported near where I live. The local news was beginning to feel like trauma porn and was much too close to home. The news purge had been a healthy choice, until national news infiltrated my timeline, the Twitterverse and the whole webosphere with film executive Harvey Weinstein’s alleged history of rape and sexual assault against women he worked with. Not long after, actor Kevin Spacey entered a band of “unusual suspects” – grown-ass men accused of sexually preying on children. Spacey apologized to his accuser, actor Anthony Rapp, who was 14 years old at the time he says he was assaulted, for “what would have been deeply inappropriate behavior” that Spacey doesn’t quite recall.

Not newsworthy? While all of this is disturbing, none of it hits close to home like the more obscure, resurfacing news of R&B musician R. Kelly and his alleged bizarre sexual practices and undying affinity for underage Black girls. Apparently, the victimization of young Black girls is not newsworthy enough for the mass media or the court of public opinion to be engrossed or enraged at Weinstein levels. Both treat the sexual assault of Black girls as if it were hardly news at all. To a fault, they are right. The predatory sexualization of young Black girls is so ubiquitous, it is damn near an accepted social and cultural norm.

Humanity denied The system of slavery helped us arrive at this place, where Black girls are denied humanity. In captivity, their bodies were perpetually preyed upon. In bondage, they were much more than field hands and domestics. Not only did they have the duty of being medical lab rats, as was the case of Anarcha, Betsey and Lucy – three slave girls used for gynecological experimentation by physician J. Marion Sims – but they were also forced to sexually perform as bed wenches and breeders. In the most profound case, an enslaved Sally Hemmings bore six children by her master, Thomas Jefferson, the first at age 15 – when he was 43.

No ‘love affair’ Because Jefferson kept her

IDA HARRIS GUEST COMMENTARY

For Black girls, there is no Black collective rallying against these crimes. There is no public shaming or takedown of sexual violators, because society gives zero f---s, and the Black community protects its villains and devalues its girls. close, in a bedroom adjacent to his own, many historians make the mistake of romanticizing Hemmings and Jefferson’s relationship as some enchanting antebellum love affair, but we must be clear of its obvious implications. The dynamic between slaveholder and slave is one of absolute power. A sexual relationship between a fully-grown man and an adolescent child is absolutely salacious. It is statutory rape, albeit sanctioned by the laws of the land at the time. And although White supremacist, capitalist patriarchy serves as a springboard for society’s well-established disregard of young Black girls, the slave code ended 152 years ago. We all should know better and do better – especially the Black community.

Nothing unusual Growing up between the late 1980s and early ’90s, during the peak of the crack era, it was not uncommon to see fresh, baby-faced girls in the company of men who were well into their mid-20s or older. The practice of courting minors was not exclusive to any particular demographic of men. It included the dopes, the pushers, the addicts, everybody – and for the most part, they were all pedophiles. These sexual preda-

The moral hypocrisy of the Republican Party By now, everyone is familiar with Judge Roy Moore of Alabama running to fill the U.S. Senate seat vacated by Attorney General Jeff Sessions. The sexual assault allegations surrounding Judge Moore has caused many of his Republican colleagues to withdraw their support of his candidacy. Even the Republican National Committee has pulled back their financial support. Because these allegations are serious, Judge Moore has refused to admit any guilt. In fact, he and many of his supporters have gone so far as to demonize the women. While these women have been suffering in silence for years, Moore’s supporters are willing to overlook their voices. This is a classic case of silencing the victim because of White male supremacy. Political leaders such as Sen. Mitch McConnell and Rep. Paul Ryan are asking Judge Moore to

DR. SINCLAIR GREY III GUEST COLUMNIST

step down. Isn’t it amazing how they are trying to do the right thing? Now they want to be champions of the victims and the silent sufferers.

Some questions Where were their voices when Donald Trump was seen on television bragging about “grabbing women by the p---y?” Where were their voices when Trump mocked the mentally ill? Where were their voices when Trump spoke ill of Mexican immigrants? The Republican Party to likes to brag about family values, but they have not done a good job. In fact, when one really looks at

tors, in the heart of many ‘hoods, exacted power over teenage girls through fast cars, money and drugs. I know According to the Connecticut Alliance to End Sexual Violence, approximately 40 percent of Black women report coercive sexual contact by age 18. I am no stranger to this lifestyle. I know firsthand about having one’s virginity pounded into extinction, at the age of 14, for a pair of Reebok 54-11’s and a pair of gold bangle earrings, compliments of a 23-year-old “fan.” I was finessed. It was like taking candy from a baby, and it was also euphemized rape. Not one rational adult intervened. Sexual predation, for many Black girls, starts long before the age of sexual awareness. They become innocent victims in their own households, social settings, churches and schools under the guise of supervision. These girls are preyed upon by family members, community leaders, religious figures and educators.

Victimized twice In a lot of cases, they are disappointed in and dismissed by adults they should be able to trust. Some are victim-shamed; others are disbelieved or silenced by threats, like those the now13-year-old alleged victim of Jelani Maraj, the brother of rapper Nicki Minaj, describes; those experienced by 18-year-old Anna Chambers, who tells of having been sexually assaulted by two New York City police officers while detained; and those made against the unprecedented number of girls whose names we do not know. Yes, #ThemToo.

Some statistics Sexual violence is projected onto Black girls at a higher rate than it is onto other races and ethnicities. In the Fourth National Incidence Study of Child Abuse and Neglect: • African-American women were 1.75 times more likely than White women to have experienced child sexual abuse. • African-American women were more likely to report the occurrence of child sexual abuse during adolescence. • African-American women were more likely to report an increased incidence of perpetrators living in the same household. These facts are hella disturbing and reflect a culture of sexual violence against Black girls that remains “crickets.” Where’s the community outrage? Where is the overwhelming media cov-

family values from their perspective, it’s all about marriage between one man and one woman and being pro-life.

Remaining silent Nothing about ensuring that all children receive a quality education. Nothing about protecting women who are willing to step out and confront sexual assault. And nothing about providing quality healthcare to those who really need it. What’s happening with Roy Moore is nothing more but a reminder of what has been happening in the world for so long: White male supremacy wrapped in religion that caters to White dominance. Perhaps the question is when will people wake up and see the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth?

A warning Here’s a stern warning for all those who choose to believe and follow in the fake “family values” perpetrated by people like Roy Moore and those within the Republican Party. Your evil will not prevail. God,

VISUAL VIEWPOINT: SENATE CANDIDATE ROY MOORE

PAT BAGLEY, SALT LAKE TRIBUNE

erage?

Girls devalued For Black girls, there is no Black collective rallying against these crimes. There is no public shaming or takedown of sexual violators, because society gives zero f---s, and the Black community protects its villains and devalues its girls. Tarana Burke, founder of the #MeToo movement – an initiative that supports young women surviving sexual assault – agrees that in the Black community, the value of girls is at an all-time low. “We all have to be accountable for how we view and protect and cast our Black girls,” Burke says. In a phone interview, she expressed that “the world diminishes Black girls and the Black community upholds it.” This flagrant attitude toward young Black women is the very thing that keeps R. Kelly in business and away from major media attention.

Kelly gets a pass Burke makes it clear that Weinstein and Kelly are of the same ilk. She notes that while the former receives a national flogging for sexually assaulting grown White women, the latter continues to get away unscathed for alleged sex crimes against underage Black girls. Black people’s allegiance to Kelly is reflective of how the Black community celebrates its villains, and hints at the lack of value placed on young girls. “Black people have to shift their way of thinking when it comes to Black girls. We have to believe our young girls and recognize when they’ve been violated. Support them,” Burke says. As simple as it seems, Burke’s statement is a whole word. But what statement is Snoop Dogg making when he features R. Kelly at his wife’s birthday event? What do his actions convey to young

the Creator of the universe, will hold those who oppress the poor accountable for their actions. He (God) will defend the voice of the silent sufferers and give them victory over their abusers. And He (God) will punish those who preach about family values, but create policies that hinder the least and less fortunate from getting ahead.

CREDO OF THE BLACK PRESS The Black Press believes that Americans can best lead the world away from racism and national antagonism when it accords to every person, regardless of race, color or creed, full human and legal rights. Hating no person, fearing no person. The Black Press strives to help every person in the firm belief...that all are hurt as long as anyone is held back.

Julia T. Cherry, Senior Managing Member, Central Florida Communicators Group, LLC Dr. Glenn W. Cherry, Cassandra CherryKittles, Charles W. Cherry II, Managing Members

Ida Harris writes for MyBrownBaby.com, DAME magazine and USA Today’s AllTheMoms.com. This article previously appeared in The Root and Portside. Click on this commentary at www.flcourier.com to write your own response.

Not real leaders People like Roy Moore and hypocritical members of the Republican Party who are silent on moral issues are fake leaders. The Bible declares, “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will

Dr. Sinclair Grey III is a minister, speaker, writer, and success coach. Contact him at drgrey@sinclairgrey.org or on Twitter @drsinclairgrey. Click on this commentary at www. flcourier.com to write your own response.

Dr. Valerie Rawls-Cherry, Human Resources

Charles W. Cherry, Sr. (1928-2004), Founder

That also goes for those uncles who we know have their own Weinstein-length histories of fondling pubescent nieces; brothers who overpower young sisters, as Kevin Spacey allegedly did his victim; friendly neighbors who stalk our girls’ bodies; “Ahk” and them from the corner bodega, who bribe young daughters into storeroom closets; hustlers who pick and pluck them; pimps who turn them out. Like Robert Kelly, they ain’t s--t. When we seek accountability from others, perhaps we hold ourselves accountable as well – for aiding and abetting, for being quiet, for turning blind eyes to those in close proximity. ’Cause at the end of the day, if we’re going to normalize pedophilia and sexual misconduct in our own spaces, perpetuated on our own girls, then we must acknowledge our own complicity – admit that we, too, ain’t s--t. Justification for that type of foul ain’t justice at all. If we stop letting heathens off the hook for sexualizing our babies, then perhaps we can stop blaming our babies for being sexualized.

recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? “So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus you will recognize them by their fruits.” (Matthew 7:15-20 ESV.)

Dr. Glenn W. Cherry, Sales Manager

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We know them

What’s happening with Roy Moore is nothing more but a reminder of what has been happening in the world for so long: White male supremacy wrapped in religion that caters to White dominance.

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.

Black girls? He’s a clown, taking a dump on Black-girl value. Instead of inviting predators to the barbecue, Sunday dinner and birthday bashes; instead of calling out a high-profile Hollywood rapist; perhaps we should be as vigilant in calling out our own. As Burke puts it, “Kelly belongs to us. He is ours to deal with.” We must begin to fully reckon with that dealing.

Jenise Morgan, Senior Editor Angela van Emmerik, Creative Director Chicago Jones, Eugene Leach, Louis Muhammad, Lisa Rogers-Cherry, Circulation Penny Dickerson, Staff Writer Duane Fernandez Sr., Kim Gibson, Photojournalists

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NOVEMBER 24 – NOVEMBER 30, 2017

An analysis of Robert Mugabe’s Zimbabwe Amid some brief gunfire and a few explosions, military spokespeople in Zimbabwe declared last week that President Robert Mugabe and his wife were safely in custody while, they said, a layer of criminals around the president were hunted down and apprehended. They found 10 million U.S. stashed in the home of the country’s finance minister, a political ally of the president’s wife. Military authorities were obliged to insist that despite appearances this was not a coup, lest diplomatic and economic sanctions be thrown upon Zimbabwe.

Wartime leader Robert Mugabe had been Zimbabwe’s leader, either as prime minister or president since the fall of Rhodesia’s regime in 1980. A teacher before he became a politician, Mugabe founded ZANU, the Zimbabwe African Peoples Union, to struggle against British colonial rule. He served a decade in prison for his political activities before escaping. ZANU, under his leadership, was one of the major players in the “chimurenga,” the people’s war against Rhodesia’s apartheid government. Mugabe came out of the bush to sign the Lancaster Agreement, which laid down the conditions under which the White minority government was dissolved and became prime minister when ZANU-PF won the 1980 election.

Back and forth In a Facebook exchange with Black Agenda Report contributor Ann Garrison, David Van Wyk, a South African who lived more than a decade in Zimbabwe, described Mugabe as having swung from left to right and back and forth over almost 40 years. “Anything to remain in power.

BRUCE A. DIXON BLACK AGENDA REPORT

That does not mean that he was all bad. In the early days his interventions in health and education were very progressive. His interventions on the land question came far too late. His indigenization program in mining also came too late… “His first fifteen years he spent dancing to the tune of the West. That effectively deindustrialised the country and led to massive unemployment. The next fifteen years became very confused and possibly self-serving, taking decisions that he thought would keep him in power. He did not allow for new leadership to emerge within the ruling party or within ZANUPF. “(Emmerson) Munangagwa (who is scheduled to formally assume Mugabe’s office any day now) is already 73 years old and one of the few remaining original ZANU leaders, but one of the least inspiring also. (Robert Mugabe’s wife) Grace also was bad news...”

No democratic development In the same exchange, Black Agenda Report contributor Ajamu Baraka noted that although the Lancaster Accords, which were brokered by Henry Kissinger, severely limited the freedom of the new Zimbabwean government, ZANU-PF was under pressure from its allies in frontline countries and other liberation movements in the region to sign. Errors were made, said Baraka as ZANU didn’t “...radicalize its structures, didn’t promote real democratic development beyond its own party.”

Pan-African entrepreneurship is the key to our future The National Black Chamber of Commerce is coming into its 25th year of existence. My wife Kay and I have come a long way since drawing plans on her kitchen table in suburban Indianapolis. It was a dream, and our plans were an underestimate of what we were about to jump-start. The timing was to our advantage. We went from one chapter to 13 to 39 and now to the mid-100s. It is a fascinating story of challenges, victories, envy, war, and a long session of looking power in its eyes and snatching what God led us to. It could not have come this far without the grace and guidance of our Heavenly Father.

friend, Jimmy Webb, stated that, “If it is a dog-eat-dog world for us out there, then Harry will be famous. There is no more a vicious dog than he.” The “survivors” picked up the pieces in Memphis and carried on. There would be other leadership challenges, but each time we would grow stronger. Our acceptance into the business world would gradually build.

Not easy

The strategy works

It hasn’t been a simple trip through the proverbial rose garden. We incorporated in Washington, D.C., in May 1993. By September, there was a “shootout” between the board members at a meeting in Memphis, Tenn. It reminds me of my high school classmates who were predicting our futures. My lifetime

What Mahatma Gandhi said is true: “First they ignore you; then they laugh at you; next they fight you. In the end, you win.” That has been our strategy. It worked for him and it has worked for us. As we solidified our brand – National Black Chamber of Commerce, Inc., which is the intellectual property of Harry and Kay

HARRY C. ALFORD GUEST COLUMNIST

Random thoughts of a free Black mind, v. 307 ‘Don’t s—t where you eat.’ Glenn and I heard that from Dad. “Don’t have a honey where you make your money.” That’s what another Black male business owner says he was told. Those are common-sense things passed down from one generation of Black male entrepreneurs to another. What do they mean? Keep Your Hands Off Women Who Work For You. STAY FOCUSED ON MAKING MONEY. Maybe men in Hollywood, in courthouses, in statehouses, or in Washington D.C., have amassed so much power and/ or money that they figure they could do or say anything to any woman at any time, as King Don Trump revealed in the infamous Access Hollywood tape… New rules – Occasionally,

QUICK TAKES FROM #2: STRAIGHT, NO CHASER

CHARLES W. CHERRY II, ESQ. PUBLISHER

people treat me as a minor celebrity, usually after a speech, book signing, etc. When a woman I don’t know asks to take a picture with me, I have very clear “rules of engagement.” I position myself by standing at attention. I allow her to approach me. Some women grab me by my waist, lean in, and nestle themselves on a shoulder. Others stand six inches away from me with both their arms down, as if

EDITORIAL

VISUAL VIEWPOINT: PUERTO RICO CONTINUES TO WAIT

“Zimbabwe is not Cuba,” said Baraka, “but we will never know what it could have been because of the unique circumstances that it emerged from and the systematic efforts to undermine its evolution.”

He’s not kidding Diplomatic hostility, a cynical and slanderous media campaign, and threats of economic sanction have characterized the West’s relations with Zimbabwe almost four decades now. U.S. government spokespeople like Susan Rice and Samantha Power have regularly and falsely accused its government of genocide and crimes against humanity. WikiLeaks has published documents conclusively linking the Zimbabwean opposition lionized in the Western press to a river of Western money. Zimbabwe also took part in the invasion of Congo, arrayed against the murderous forces of U.S. pit bull regimes of Rwanda and Angola, and more or less on the side of Tanzania and the Congolese government of Laurent Kabila.

DAVE GRANLUND, POLITICALCARTOONS.COM

fired in person. Munangagwa fled the country instead and consulted with the military, his political allies, and with South Africa, the regional power. Apparently, the lights were all green. The troops moved. Robert Mugabe is out, and Munangagwa Millions killed will formally assume office in the Trouble was it seems nobody in next few days. that scrum was on the side of the Congolese people, and six mil- Could be worse lion Congolese have died as their Zimbabwe could be far worse nation has been turned into vast free-fire and resource-extraction off than it is. In the whole conzones devoid of anything like civ- tinent, only the governments of il society to provide roads, schools, Eritrea and Zimbabwe have rehealth infrastructure or safety. The fused America’s AFRICOM, and of Zimbabwean army and some of course Somalia and Libya have no the president’s cronies are thought central governments. Mugabe is to be credited with to have lucrative mining and other keeping AFRICOM, its notorious interests in Congo to this day. Last week’s crisis was precipi- solder-to-soldier relations and tated, according to The Guard- ubiquitous training, material and ian, when Mugabe summoned logistics support out of Zimbabwe. Munangagwa – his comrade in the bush during the 1970s and Close to China long-designated heir-apparent The Guardian depicts the Zimto the presidential office – to be babwean military as having broad

and deep ties, an “all-weather friendship,” with China, which is making enormous investments throughout Africa. To the extent that this is true, we can expect the decades-old campaign to isolate and vilify Zimbabwe to continue, and aid to the parties of Western puppets to flow. But as Ajamu Baraka said, Zimbabwe is not Cuba. It’s not even Venezuela, where popular organizations and the army itself stepped in to restore Hugo Chavez against an attempted right-wing coup. Despite some progress, ZANUPF seems to have failed to use its four decades of state power to organize the handoff to the masses of its people the power to run their own economy, their own country. The fruits of ZANU-PF’s successes and failures will be reaped by its people.

Alford, assignable to their heirs – there became an eventual mandate to expand off shore. To continue our success and ensure our growth, we had to become global. There are phenomenal people we must credit in the expansion of our worldwide exposure. One of the first persons to affect our future was Pat Harrison. Patricia de Stacy Harrison (official name) became deputy secretary of State. President George W. Bush appointed Colin Powell as secretary of State and the general and Pat went back to New York City.

zil, which is more than twice that of the United States.

ing to love it!” he said We led a mission of 32 members and we found out that the ambassador was right. We loved it! The nation shows so much promise and is destined for a great future. We started an ongoing event. Going to Cuba – it is still a work in progress.

Global networking

The Bush administration was fond of the NBCC, as we had publicly stated during his campaign that he had committed the best platform for small business development. Pat brought us in and appointed me a “cultural ambassador.” That meant I was to travel abroad and develop positive relationships with non-governmental organizations. The Caribbean and Mexico were key places for our travel and meetings. While in Kingston, Jamaica I was introduced to the ambassador from Cuba. He sat me down and explained for two hours why I should give attention to Cuba. “Don’t listen to everyone else. Go see it for yourself. Get an official license from your Treasury Department and see what my country is all about. You are go-

Another influence on our global activity was Johnny Ford, the founder of the World Conference of Black Mayors based in historical Tuskegee, Ala. Through this organization, he built a network of Black mayors through the African Diaspora. One of whom is Oscar Gamboa of Colombia. Oscar started visiting the NBCC more than 10 years ago. That relationship is building towards serious dialogue in Colombia and other nations throughout the African Diaspora. Colombia is becoming a key player in uniting the leadership throughout the Diaspora. From Brazil is the dynamic Benedita da Silva. When we first met the very impressive Ms. da Silva, she was vice governor of the state of Rio de Janeiro. She convinced us to take a trade mission to the nation. To our surprise, it was one of the best trade missions ever accomplished by the NBCC. We took 84 businesses and came out with over $34 million in confirmed contracts. The biggest impression from that trip was the massive Black population of Bra-

they’re making a hostage video. Usually, it’s somewhere in between. Regardless of how this picture happens, I’m not leaning in. I’m not touching anywhere but around and above the waist – if they have one. My fingers are together, not spread apart like I’m trying to grab a handful of female flesh. And I’m not kissing ANY woman I don’t already know. Given the current environment, I may have to rethink taking pictures with women I don’t know at all, lest I be accused of groping somebody. And yes, my ass HAS been occasionally patted, pinched, felt on, or otherwise ‘examined’ during such encounters. As a heterosexual man, I take that as a compliment if it’s a woman doing the patting. If it was a guy, there’d be a fight… The Florida Classic experience – It’s my second-favorite event in the state, behind the annual Miami-Broward Carnival. And other than the lack of natural sound, the press box is

the best seat in the house. One thing my press box seat allowed me to notice was the difference between the Florida A&M University and Bethune-Cookman University fan bases. Rattler fans come late after the game has started, and sometimes as late as the second quarter. Wildcat fans get there early or on time. Subsets of both fan bases duck out for food or restroom breaks during the first half. Nobody moves during halftime so they can see the bands perform, then they dash out immediately afterwards. Evidently, some Rattler fans leave after the bands perform and never come back. There were lots of empty seats on the FAMU side in the third quarter and it got emptier in the fourth quarter, even as the game tightened up. My conclusion? FAMU fans are like Miami Dolphins fans: casual and fair-weather. If the team loses, they don’t show up or leave early. B-CU fans are like Green Bay Packers fans: diehards who are with their team,

‘Ambassadorship’ helps

Bruce Dixon is managing editor of BlackAgendaReport.com. Contact him at bruce.dixon@ blackagendareport.com.

On Chamber board Our interaction with Cuba brought us some “cred” with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, which was starting to warm up to the nation at the same time as us. I was eventually invited to join the board of directors of the organization. That was 2001, and I am still active. One day at the Chamber, I met Alan Kyerematen (pronounced “cherry-martin”) who was the current Ghana ambassador. We hit it off! Alan organized a very productive trade mission to Ghana, which became our official introduction to the continent which is our motherland. These interactions form the genesis of our international focus. I would be remiss to leave out Patrick Lozes who connected us with France, and Juan Verde, who introduced us to the Canary Islands (Spain). The NBCC is truly a globally active organization attempting to “connect the dots” throughout this world that is modernly known as the African Diaspora. Our legacy stands firm and our future is very bright.

Harry C. Alford is the cofounder and president/CEO of the National Black Chamber of Commerce. Contact him via www.nationalbcc.org. win or lose… Time to redirect the culture – I’ve bemoaned the lack of sportsmanship and trash-talking that’s crept into the Florida Classic rivalry over the years. It manifested itself again this year with the bands playing over each other in the stands, the helmet-to-helmet ‘discussions’ on the field, and multiple unsportsmanlike conduct penalties that resulted in one Rattler getting ejected from the game. It’s time for university leadership to take control. My suggestion? After the game, each team, led by its respective president followed by the coaching staff, walks toward each other from opposite sides of the 50-yard line and shakes hands, fist bumps, etc., as they walk past. That reminds us all that this is just a spirited competition between two HBCUs. Folks, just be careful not to grope anyone as you pass by…

Follow the Florida Courier on Twitter @flcourier, and like our Facebook page.

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NOVEMBER 24 – NOVEMBER 30, 2017

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COURIER

Commodores founder discusses book and reunion See page B5

NOV. 24 – NOV. 30, 2017 Sorority helping Blacks learn to swim See page B6

SHARING BLACK LIFE, STATEWIDE WWW.FLCOURIER.COM

SECTION

TOJ

SEVENTH STRAIGHT FOR WILDCATS

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

Bethune-Cookman University Wildcats hold hands during the playing of their alma matter by the Marching Wildcats band after their victory in the Florida Classic over archrival Florida A&M University.

FAMU coach resigns days after loss to B-CU in close Florida Classic

BY ANDREAS BUTLER FLORIDA COURIER

ethune-Cookman University (B-CU) rallied past Florida A&M University (FAMU) on Nov. 18 for a thrilling 2924 win in the Florida Blue Florida Classic at Camping World Stadium in Orlando. The Rattlers went into the fourth quarter 2410, but the Wildcats clawed their way to the lead, racking up 19 points to clinch the game. Two days after the annual gridiron grudge match between the instate rivals, Florida A&M Athletics Director Milton Overton Jr. announced that Alex Wood, FAMU’s head football coach had resigned, effective immediately.

Seventh B-CU win Bethune-Cookman has won the Florida Classic seven straight years. The first matchup between the teams took place in 1925 although the Florida Classic’s inception was in 1978. Attendance at Saturday’s game was 47,819, an increase from last year when there were 45,728 spectators. “It feels great to win the Florida Classic. It’s always a great atmosphere. We were down in the game; we didn’t waver. We’ve been there before. Our kids continued to fight,” commented B-CU Coach Terry Sims. Wood remarked after the game, “We lost a tough football game. Our kids played great. We had some miscommunication issues today, especially on the special teams play. We lost some close games this year.”

Bethune-Cookman tight end Ja-Quan Lumas (86) reaches across the goal for a touchdown while a Florida A&M defender tries to deny him during the first quarter of the Florida Classic. FAMU’s Andrew Hines (9) is also in pursuit.

Wood touts program FAMU (3-8 overall, 2-6 Mid-Athletic Eastern Conference) was competitive this season, losing several one-possession games (North Carolina Central 20-14, Norfolk State 35-28, Hampton 31-27, Morgan State 34-31 and BCU 29-24). The Rattlers hasn’t won the Classic since 2010. Wood went 8-25 during his three years at the school. After the game on Saturday, he talked about the direction of the football program. “We haven’t won a lot of games, but we are a better program. We’re not just competing on the field. Our graduation rate has risen from 40 to 80 percent, which will raise the athletic department’s rate,” Wood noted. “We have improved in strength and conditioning, culture, APR rate and more players are taking classes during the summer and more. I know the program is in better shape than it was when I got here.’’

More athletic changes

Florida Classic MVP Florida A&M University quarterback Ryan Stanley (14) and Bethune-Cookman University quarterback Larry Brihm Jr. (2) accept their trophies after the game.

B-CU and FAMU fans show their support for their teams during the annual Florida Classic, which is like a family reunion for alumni and supporters of the teams.

“Wood has served FAMU Athletics with honor as he worked to help rebuild the Rattler football program during the past three seasons. We thank him for his dedication and service,” Overton said in a statement on Monday. Edwin Pata, FAMU’s offensive line coach, will serve as interim coach. Pata is an FAMU alumnus and former Florida State football player. Interim Athletic Director John Eason will lead the search for a new coach. Overton announced last month that he’s leaving FAMU to take an athletic director job at Kennesaw State University in Georgia. See CLASSIC, Page B2

FLORIDA COMMUNITY CALENDAR Jacksonville: Keyshia Cole & Friends will be at the Veterans Memorial Arena on Dec. 29. With K-CI & JoJo, Ja Rule, 112, Doug E. Fresh, Carl Thomas and the 69 Boyz. Fort Lauderdale: The Colors of Christmas is Dec. 6 at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts. Performers: Peabo Bryson, Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis Jr., Ruben Studdard and Jody Watley. Tampa: The Numb the Pain Tour featuring 21 Savage stops at The Ritz Ybor on Nov. 26. Miami: The Art Blues & BBQ Festival is Dec. 2 from 2 to 7 p.m. featuring the Chicago Blues AllStars, Ike & Val Woods and the Valerie Tyson Band. Location: African Heritage Cultural Arts Center. RSVP at www.ahcacmiami.org Pompano Beach: A Dru Hill concert featuring Sisqo, Jazz & Tao and Tony, Toni Tone will be at

CALENDAR & OBITUARIES the Pompano Beach Cultural Center on Nov. 25. Miami: The Black Saturday Comedy Show featuring Rickey Smiley, Deray Davis and Marvin Dixon is Nov. 25 at the James L. Knight Center. Orlando: Songs for the Soul: An Intimate Evening with Brent Smith and Zach Myers is Dec. 12 at House of Blues Orlando.

NOVEMBER 24 – NOVEMBER 30, 2017

ANTHONY HAMILTON

The Miami Funk Fest is 5 p.m. Dec. 30 at the Miramar Regional Park Amphitheater. Performers: Keith Sweat, Anthony Hamilton, 112, Uncle Luke and Trina.

Hollywood: Kevin Hart: The Irresponsible Tour stops a Hard Rock Live on Dec. 21 and the CFE Arena on Dec. 31. Miami: Lady Gaga’s world tour stops at the AmericanAirlines Arena in Miami on Nov. 30 and Tampa’s Amalie Arena on Dec. 1. Orlando: Catch Jagged Edge with Sammie on Dec. 3 at the House of Blues Orlando. Miami Gardens: Free one-one business consulting sessions are available through December for Miami Gardens residents. Call M.D. Stewart & Associates for an appointment at 305-890-4984.

JANET JACKSON

CEELO GREEN

The singer’s State of the World Tour stoops at the BB&T Center in Sunrise on Dec. 11 and Jacksonville’s Veterans Memorial Arena on Dec. 12.

Catch him Dec. 15 at the Faena Theater in Miami Beach.

She began performing at her local church at just 6 years old, kicking off a love for gospel music that would eventually launch her career. After a brief stint in a gospel group of her own, the Meditation Singers, she embraced a jazzier sound under the influence of artists like Ella Fitzgerald and Sarah Vaughan. The shift in sound quickly rocketed Reese to fame on the back of hits like “Don’t You Know,” “And That Reminds Me” and “Someday (You’ll Want Me to Want You),” which were spread out over 16 studio albums throughout the ’50s, ’60s and early ’70s.

Co-host with Carson The popular tunes scored the singer three Grammy nominations over the years, with the most recent nod coming in 1998 for Best Traditional Soul Gospel Album. Reese wound down her musical career in the ’70s, and solidified herself as a double threat with a successful transition into a Hollywood acting career.

LIONEL HAHN/ABACA PRESS/TNS

Della Reese and her husband, Franklin Lett Jr., attend a gala to pay tribute to Ray Charles and to raise money for the Ray Charles Performing Arts Center in Los Angeles on Sept. 29, 2004.

Renowned singer, actress Della Reese dies at 86 BY RACHEL DESANTIS NEW YORK DAILY NEWS/TNS

Della Reese, the big-voiced songstress who eventually launched a successful acting career in shows like “Touched By an Angel,” died Sunday night at her home in California. She was 86. Reese was mourned in a touching tribute by her “Angel” co-star Roma Downey, who said the star was “like a mother to me.” “Through her life and work she touched and inspired the lives of millions of people. I had the privilege of working with her side by side for so many years on ‘Touched By an Angel.’ I know heaven has a brand new angel this day. Della Reese will be forever in our hearts. Rest in peace, sweet angel. We love you,” she said.

Gospel star The star was born Delloreese Patricia Early in Detroit in 1931.

CLASSIC from B1 Sealing the deal On Saturday, BethuneCookman scored the final 19 points of the Florida Classic game for the win. Larry Brihms’ two-yard score with 1:15 left to play and Diquan Richardson’s interception at the threeyard line with 36 seconds remaining sealed the deal for the Wildcats. Brihm earned team MVP honors throwing for 280 yards with a touchdown and running for two scores for B-CU. He also was MVP in the 2016 Florida Classic. “It just feels good to get the touchdown in. We stole the game at the end. It’s great to win this game. We’ve won it all five years that I was here,” responded Brihm.

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Bragging rights again Richardson had two picks in the game for the Wildcats. He said, “I couldn’t imagine anything better to go out on top with a gamewinning pick. I just played inside technique. It feels good. I’m a senior and I’ll go out on top with bragging rights and never having lost to them.”

Controversial play Ryan Stanley threw for 236 yards with a score for the Rattlers, garnering him team MVP honors. “We did some good things, but we just didn’t finish. We have to execute,” stated Stanley. Florida A&M led 24-10 with 14:54 to play after an eight-yard score by Devin Bowers. After the Wildcats cut the lead to 24-17, FAMU

She launched her own variety show, “Della,” in 1969, which ran for one season, and became the first Black woman to co-host “The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson” a year later. “I was tired of the road, and doing TV meant I could stay home,” she told the New York Times in 1998. “It was very obvious to me I was the first Black woman with her own show when one executive told me they had a hard time finding sponsors because my gums were blue.”

Signature role Reese expanded her resume with roles on TV shows like “Chico and the Man,” “Welcome Back, Kotter,” “It Takes Two” and “The A-Team,” and in movies opposite stars like Redd Foxx and Martin Lawrence. But it wasn’t until the 1994 CBS series “Touched By an Angel” that Reese scored her signature role. For 211 episodes of the popular religious fantasy series, Reese — who became an ordained minister in the ’80s — starred as supervising angel Tess.

Retired in 2014 She scored two Emmy nominations and a Golden Globe nomination for the divine role, which wrapped up in 2003. “I’ve had so many different chapters in my career, so many different audiences, but it always comes back to me talking to God,” she told the New York Times of the role in 1998. “My life doesn’t seem remarkable to me. I assume once I have prayed, the answer is on its way.” Reese’s health deteriorated in recent years following a 2002 diabetes diagnosis, and she retired from acting in 2014 after a final appearance on the Hallmark Channel series “Signed, Sealed, Delivered.” Reese is survived by her husband of 34 years, Franklin Lett, and children Deloreese, James, Franklin and Dominique.

had the ball and did a controversial play on special teams early in the fourth quarter.

Failed fake punts The Rattlers had the ball at their 34-yard line with a fourth down and four yards to go. Punter Chris Faddoul was tackled by B-CU’s Cameron Rigby on a fake punt run attempt. Rigby avoided two FAMU blockers on the play. “We watched a lot of film and we saw them try a lot of fake punts. We prepared. We had Rigby in that spot. He is just one of those players that you can count on. He is a smart and discipline player,” said Sims. Wood said, “That’s a call that we shouldn’t have let get to the field, but we did. It’s on me.” The Wildcats got the ball at the Rattlers 32-yard line with 9:17 to play and end-

ed up cutting the lead to 24-23 after Michael Jones’ four-yard score with 7:02 remaining. The extra point attempt was blocked.

Wildcats score first B-CU drew first blood and led 7-0 on a 35-yard touchdown pass from Brihm to Ja’Quan Lumas with five seconds left in the opening quarter. FAMU tied the game at 10 when Stanley found Kareem Smith for a 31-yard touchdown pass with 2:35 remaining in the first half. FAMU outgained B-CU in rushing yardage 133 to 77. The Rattlers turned the ball over three times compared to just one turnover for the Wildcats. Frank Brown caught seven passes for 72 yards. Jawil Davis six passes for 74 yards, Kaveon Mitchell five passes for 44 yards and Lumas two for 43 yards and a

‘Cosby Show’ grandpa Earle Hyman dies at 91 EURWEB.COM

Earle Hyman, the actor who played Grandpa Huxtable on “The Cosby Show,” died on Nov. 17 at age 91. Hyman died at the Lillian Booth Actors Home in Englewood, N.J., according to his nephew, Rick Ferguson. During “The Cosby Show’s” eight-year run, Hyman appeared in a recurring role as Cliff Huxtable’s father, Russell, who Earle would often hilariously clash Hyman with his son while at the same time, serving as a voice of wisdom to his grandchildren.

Emmy nomination In 1986, Hyman received an Emmy nomination for outstanding guest performance in a comedy series on “The Cosby Show” for an episode called “Happy Anniversary.” “That’s the one episode that was the most loved, most seen. People just loved it. It just shot off the charts,” Hyman said in 2009 on the podcast “Just My Show.” “We just had a ball, and the atmosphere just went over into a kind of reality. We were no longer Clarice and Earle, we were really Anna and Russell Huxtable.”

Stage star too In the 1980s, Hyman was also known for his work on the popular animated show “Thundercats.” His role was that of the gruff, musclebound warrior Panthro. Hyman also has a highly regarded background in theater that began on Broadway in 1944 with the play “Anna Lucasta.” He also has, under his belt, thousands of performances as the lead of Shakespeare’s “Othello.” His stage credits also include “The Merchant of Venice” and an all-Black production of Samuel Beckett’s “Waiting for Godot.” Hyman, the son of schoolteachers with Native American and African roots, was raised in Brooklyn, New York, and began his film career with an uncredited appearance in the Oscar best picture winner “The Lost Weekend” (1945).

touchdown for B-CU. Ricky Henrilus ran for 95 yards with a touchdown while Smith caught five passes for 67 yards with a score and Brandon Norwood four passes for 56 yards for FAMU.

B-CU resurging Bethune-Cookman had a bounce-back campaign in 2017 after going 5-6 in 2016. The Wildcats also lost a few close games (Howard 26-24, North Carolina A&T 24-20) that could have given them a shot at the MEAC title, Celebration Bowl and/or the FCS playoffs this year. “Last year, we had a lot of guys out and had to rely upon a lot of guys who we wouldn’t have had too. Our guys healed and grew together,” added Sims. B-CU won its last four games and six of its last seven to finish 2017.

More than a game The Florida Classic is more than the football game. It’s billed as a weekend for college friends to reunite and a time for families to come together and fans to show out during a showdown of the two HBCUs. The tailgating started early Saturday with Rattlers and Wildcats cranking up their grills and enjoying a picture-perfect day in Orlando with family and friends from around the country. After the game, fans of both teams were treated to a performance by rapper T.I. He performed after the game just outside Camping World Stadium on Tinker Field. T.I. performed as part of tailgate parties at HBCUs this season sponsored by Coors Light.

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NOVEMBER 24 – NOVEMBER 30, 2017

FOOD

A festive meal to remember FROM FAMILY FEATURES

Make your perfect holiday story complete by serving one of the best holiday dinners you’ve ever enjoyed. A prime rib roast paired with savory toppings is guaranteed to earn rave reviews from the whole family. Add easy gourmet sides and a holiday dessert to create a memorable meal that may well become a new holiday tradition. Best of all, it’s even easier than you may expect. Upscale side dishes can make the meal complete. If you’re short on time or want to eliminate some of the fuss, you can take almost all the work out of a holiday dinner by using prepared side dishes from Omaha Steaks. Options like Brussels Sprouts with Bacon and Shallots, Roasted Root Vegetables or Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes can lend a special touch to your holiday feast. No festive feast is complete without dessert, and individual-sized Sticky Toffee Pudding Cakes are a perfect solution. They’re made with real, premium ingredients, so all you need to do is pop them in the microwave straight from the freezer. Find more recipes for a holiday dinner to remember at OmahaSteaks.com.

HORSERADISH CREAM Active time: 30 minutes Total time: 30 minutes 1/2 cup mayonnaise 3 tablespoons prepared horseradish 1 tablespoon white vinegar, plus 1 teaspoon 1 teaspoon kosher salt

FIGGIE ONION JAM Active time: 30 minutes Total time: 1 hour 2 tablespoons unsalted butter 1 medium red onion, peeled and diced into 1/4-inch pieces 1 cup dried black Mission figs, stems removed 1 cup water, divided 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar, divided 1/2cup sugar 3/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon black pepper 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract In 4-cup sauce pot, melt butter over low heat. Add onions. Cover and cook on low 15 minutes until onions have softened. Add figs, 1/4 cup water, 1/4 cup vinegar, sugar and salt. Cover and cook on low another 15 minutes until figs have softened. Remove pot from heat and add black pepper and vanilla extract. Pour into blender or use immersion blender to process until smooth. Add remaining water and vinegar to blender for smoother jam or leave as-is for a more chunky texture.

REVERSE-SEARED CHATEAUBRIAND Active time: 30 minutes Total time: 4 days 2 pound Omaha Steaks Chateaubriand Roast any variety Omaha Steaks Rub Thaw roast completely in refrigerator before cooking; allow 48-72 hours. Season roast with rub 12-18 hours before cooking

and leave uncovered in refrigerator overnight. When ready to cook, heat oven to 225 F. Place roast on elevated rack in roasting pan. Roast 2 hours, or to internal temperature of 120-125 F. Let roast rest 30-45 minutes. Broil on high 2 inches from broiler, 4 minutes on one side, 2 minutes on other side, or until brown crust uniformly covers roast.

REVERSE-SEARED ROASTING The reverse searing method can lead to a well-browned holiday roast with an evenly cooked interior that’s tender and flavorful. 1. A day before cooking, dry brine or season roast and leave it uncovered in the refrigerator to develop crust and flavor. This dries the outside of the roast and forms a layer that allows even browning

while locking in moisture. 2. Place roast in the oven at a low temperature to cook evenly from edge to edge. Take it out at an interior temperature of 5-10 degrees below desired finished temperature; it will cook a little more while resting and during searing. 3. Remove from oven and sear roast in a broiler, grill or hot pan to create the crust.

1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper 1/8 teaspoon black pepper 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream In medium mixing bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, horseradish, vinegar, salt, cayenne and black pepper. Whip cream to soft peaks using stand mixer. Gently fold into mayonnaise mixture. Chill until ready to serve.

REVERSE-SEARED PRIME RIB ROAST Active time: 30 minutes Total time: 4 days 4 pound Omaha Steaks Bone-In Frenched Prime Rib Roast any variety Omaha Steaks Rub Thaw roast completely in refrigerator before cooking; allow 48-72 hours. Season roast with rub 12-18 hours before cooking and leave uncovered in refrigerator overnight. When ready to cook, heat oven to 225 F. Place roast on elevated rack in roasting

pan. Roast 3 hours and 15 minutes, or to internal temperature of 120-125 F. Let roast rest 30-45 minutes. Broil on high 2 inches from broiler, 4 minutes on one side, 2 minutes on other side, or until brown crust uniformly covers roast. Tip: For easier carving, trim roast from bones prior to cooking. Stand rib roast on end so ribs are pointed up. Using sharp knife, cut along bone, being careful not to cut into roast. Tie roast up with butcher’s twine to hold it together while cooking.

FOOD

NOVEMBER 24 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; NOVEMBER 30, 2017

Popping up a winter wonderland

Edible, handmade holiday decor perfect for gifting

FROM FAMILY FEATURES

â&#x20AC;&#x2122;Tis the season to pop up some holiday fun by creating a scenic winter wonderland that tastes as great as it looks. Gather the kids and make a hands-on family holiday tradition out of crafting festive, edible decorations. Popcorn is the perfect choice to pop up and eat while trimming your popcorn tree and decking out your creations. At 30 calories a cup, whole-grain, freshly popped popcorn offers a nutritious alternative to traditional holiday party nibbles. Popcorn is naturally low in fat and calories, non-GMO, gluten-free, has no artificial additives or preservatives and is sugar-free. These clever recipes can help you make edible decor or gifts to give to friends, family and co-workers. Find more creative holiday recipes at popcorn.org. FESTIVE POPCORN TREES Yield: 10 trees 10 cups air-popped popcorn 1 bag (10 ounces) miniature marshmallows 2 tablespoons butter 1 teaspoon vanilla extract nonstick cooking spray green decorating sugar blue decorating sugar 1 tube white frosting with decorating tip small, colorful candies (such as sprinkles and miniature silver dragees) Place popcorn in large bowl. Place marshmallows and butter in medium saucepan over medium-low heat. Stir until marshmallows are melted and mixture is smooth. Remove from heat. Stir in vanilla extract. Pour mixture over popcorn in bowl. Toss well to coat popcorn evenly. Line baking sheet with foil. Spray hands with nonstick cooking spray then scoop up about 1 cup popcorn mixture. Shape mixture into cone, keeping base flat to form tree. Sprinkle tree with decorating sugars; place tree on baking sheet. Make nine additional trees. Pipe frosting on trees to make garland then decorate with sprinkles and silver dragees, as desired. Serving suggestion: Place each tree on sugar cookie and decorate serving

tray with shredded coconut to resemble snow. Notes: For best flavor and color, start recipe with unflavored white popcorn. You can make your own colored sugar by adding food coloring to sugar then stirring in bowl or shaking vigorously in sealed container. Add additional food coloring for more intense tones. HOLIDAY POPCORN SNOWMAN Yield: 5 snowmen 1 package (1 pound) large marshmallows 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter or margarine, plus additional 1 teaspoon vanilla 10 cups popped popcorn sprinkles (optional) licorice (optional) gum drops (optional) cinnamon candies (optional) In large saucepan, melt marshmallows and 1/4 cup butter. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla. Let stand 5 minutes. Pour over popcorn and stir mixture. Butter hands well and form into balls. Decorate with sprinkles, licorice, gum drops and cinnamon candies, as desired. CHOCOLATE POPCORN REINDEER Yield: 8 reindeer 8 cups unsalted, unbuttered popped popcorn

2 1/2 cups mini marshmallows 1/2 cup chopped dark chocolate or dark chocolate chips 2 tablespoons butter or light olive oil 1/4 teaspoon salt 16 pretzel sticks 16 eyeball candies 8 red candy-coated chocolate candies Place popcorn in large mixing bowl. In saucepan set over medium heat, heat marshmallows, chocolate, butter and salt, stirring often until smooth. Toss marshmallow mixture with popcorn until well combined. Scoop 3/4 cup popcorn mixture into ball. Repeat with remaining mixture to make eight balls total. Place each ball in paper muffin cup liner.

Insert pretzel stick on each side of ball to resemble antlers, attach two eyeball candies for eyes and red candy for nose. Let cool completely. Tip: Eyeball candies can typically be found in baking aisles of supermarkets or bulk food stores. HOLIDAY WREATH POPCORN TREATS Yield: 8 wreaths Nonstick cooking spray 3 quarts popped popcorn 4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) butter or margarine 3 cups miniature marshmallows 3 tablespoons lime gelatin dessert mix small red candies jellybeans

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red fruit leather Lightly spray large mixing bowl with nonstick cooking spray and place popcorn inside. In medium saucepan over low heat, melt butter. Stir in marshmallows and gelatin dessert mix until marshmallows are melted and mixture is smooth. Pour over popcorn and mix until coated. Spray hands with cooking spray and press firmly to form into 9-inch logs then bend to form wreaths. Place wreaths on wax paper. Press candies and jellybeans into wreaths as decorations; cut fruit leather to make ribbon and add. Serve immediately or wrap individually in plastic wrap for storage. Add ribbon tie to plastic wrap as decorative closure. Tip: Soak saucepan before cleaning.

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NOVEMBER 24 – NOVEMBER 30, 2017

Meet some of

FLORIDA’S

finest

FINEST & ENTERTAINMENT

Think you’re one of Florida’s Finest? E-mail your high-resolution (200 dpi) digital photo in casual wear or bathing suit taken in front of a plain background with few distractions, to news@flcourier. com with a short biography of yourself and your contact information. (No nude/ glamour/ fashion photography, please!) In order to be considered, you must be at least 18 years of age. Acceptance of the photographs submitted is in the sole and absolute discretion of Florida Courier editors. We reserve the right to retain your photograph even if it is not published. If you are selected, you will be contacted by e-mail and further instructions will be given.

Thousands of Caribbean culture lovers converge on South Florida every year before and during the Columbus Day weekend to attend the annual Miami Broward Carnival, a series of concerts, pageants, parades, and competitions. On Carnival Day, “mas” (masquerade) bands of thousands of revelers dance and march behind 18-wheel tractor-trailer trucks with booming sound systems from morning until nightfall while competing for honors. Here are some of the “Finest” we’ve seen over the years. Click on www.flcourier to see hundreds of pictures from previous Carnivals. Go to www. miamibrowardcarnival. com for more information on Carnival events in South Florida. CHARLES W. CHERRY II / FLORIDA COURIER

Commodores founder talks new book, reunion BY STACY M. BROWN NNPA NEWS WIRE

Thomas McClary, the legendary founder of the super group, the Commodores, has a new book that takes readers on a journey through Motown, the Civil Rights Movement and a backstage war for the ages. McClary, who co-founded the group with Lionel Richie, recently released “Rock and Soul,” a stirring autobiography where readers also learn about his activism. “I kept getting questions as to when are the original Commodores going to do reunion and, after hearing that for the ‘umpteenth’ time I realized that people wanted to know,” said McClary. “So, I started to think about it and started writing things down.” The book details McClary’s recruitment of Richie, one of the biggest selling artists in the history of Motown Records. “When I met Lionel, he was a very shy guy and I had to convince his grandmother and parents to allow him to play in the band,” McClary said. “I pushed him out to become the lead singer after our initial lead singer was drafted into the Vietnam War. I overheard Lionel singing in the shower one day and I said, ‘hey, you can sing.’”

Trademark controversy When the book begins, McClary is in a courtroom. One of the members secretly trademarked the Commodores name, barring McClary’s use, while performing separately. “I think readers will be surprised at how perseverance played a role in our success and they will also be surprised to know that, even though we had a very united front, behind the scenes things weren’t so kosher,” he said. “I’m the founder and all of us were equal as it relates to corporate ownership and the name. One of the guys decided he was going to take it on his own to trademark the name and I’m still handling it.”

Civil rights leader The singer, musician and songwriter is credited along with Richie for writing nearly

all of the Commodores music, a bevy of hits that’s led to multiple Grammy nomination and induction into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame. In addition to his musical prowess, McClary counts as one of the Civil Rights Movement’s unsung heroes. The first African-American to integrate Lake County Public Schools in Eustis, Florida, amidst formidable racial tension, McClary walked with boldness when entering the doors of the all-White school. He also fought to open doors of opportunities for other AfricanAmericans and he continues to work to help others overcome racial bigotry and other obstacles. McClary said it’s as important today as ever before. “Man, I never thought I’d be appreciative of a president like George W. Bush,” he said. “To compare him to what we have in office today, I never thought I’d long for a George Bush.”

Optimistic on reunion McClary said fans have repeatedly asked about a possible reunion of the original Commodores, a group that turned out such iconic and time-tested hits as “Brick House,” “Easy,” and “Just to be Close to you.” “It’s going to happen. I’ve spent 30 years trying to make it happen and Lionel and I recently performed together in New Zealand and at the Superdome, so I’m optimistic that a reunion with the five living original members will happen,” said McClary, whose recollections about the great “Motown Sound” is recorded in the new book that has others taking notice.

Praise for book Kool & the Gang Founder Robert Bell wrote a moving review of “Rock and Soul” calling it “an emotion filled memoir of a cherished walk and a celebration of life, through the highs and lows of a natural born star. Thoroughly entertaining and moving.” Hall of Fame NBA Star Julius “Dr. J” Erving also praised McClary’s memoirs. “A resounding testament of the resilience of the force that is Thomas McClary,” Erving said. “This book gave pure energy to my soul.”

WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

Commodores legend Thomas McClary wrote a new book about his time with the iconic band and his activism during the Civil Rights Movement. He was the first Black to to integrate Lake County Public Schools in Eustis, Fla. Riveting, rousing, and outright inspiring, “Rock and Soul” is an intimate portrait of McClary, said the book’s publishers, 13th & Joan.

Some highlights The 362-page book recounts the Civil Rights Movement, and McClary’s early days of leaving home to attend Tuskegee University where he met Richie. It highlights McClary’s rise from the concrete of societal im-

posed standards to musical genius. McClary relentlessly laid the foundation to form a sound and a family of talent that the world had yet to witness. Countless hours with his guitar, and blood, sweat, and tears became synonymous with crafting a sound that intricately fused rhythm and blues, funk and rock, pop and jazz, and moved audiences to undeniable emotion with a language that knew no barriers.

“Obviously I have a lot of respect for Berry Gordy and what he did at Motown and for Black people,” McClary said. “Stevie Wonder has always been incredible, as has Smokey Robinson and Suzanne de Passe. We learned a lot from all of them, the likes of Norman Whitfield and Marvin Gaye all of whom had an open door policy, where we could ask how they did what they did and what we could use to improve our situation.”

CULTURE

NOVEMBER 24 – NOVEMBER 30, 2017

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ferent organizations have tried to tackle and the Centers for Disease Control has tracked. The disparities are most pronounced in swimming pool drownings. African-Americans ages 5 to 19 drown in swimming pools at rates 5.5 times higher than Whites, according to the CDC. AfricanAmerican children ages 11 to 12 are at even greater risk; they drown in swimming pools at rates 10 times that of peer Whites. “Parents are taking their kids to pools and the beach and so many of them don’t know how to swim,” said Barbara Sawyer, president of the Baltimore chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho. “Anything could happen while they are in the water.”

History and hair KENNETH K. LAM/BALTIMORE SUN/TNS

Olympic medalist Maritza Correia McClendon, center, lets Maddox Cherry, 8, of Clarksburg, Md., and his sister Mila, 6, wear her Olympic silver and other medals during a swimming workshop at Fort Meade, Md.

Sorority helps to boost numbers of Blacks who swim Sigma Gamma Rho has partnered with USA Swimming to provide clinics around the country. BY ANDREA K. MCDANIELS BALTIMORE SUN/TNS

The children lined up along the side of the pool at the Gaffney Fitness Center at Fort Meade like ducks behind their mother. Volunteer coaches guided them into the water and ran through basic swimming techniques.

The children ducked their faces underwater and blew bubbles, then kicked their way across the pool with the aid of coaches who pulled them along by their hands. Then they floated on their backs; their arms and legs spread wide. The youngsters were taking part in a swim clinic organized by Sigma Gamma Rho, an AfricanAmerican sorority. The organization, in partnership with USA Swimming, has been hosting swim clinics and other events around the country for five years to address the large number of African-Americans who can’t swim and sometimes drown. They named the initiative

Swim 1922 as a tribute to the year the sorority was founded.

Drowning stats Sixty-four percent of AfricanAmerican children can’t swim; they drown at a rate nearly three times higher than their White peers, according to USA Swimming, the national governing body for the sport In Maryland, the disparity in drowning is not as great. One of every 100,000 White people died by drowning in 2012 compared to 1.3 of every 100,000 African-Americans, according to the Maryland Health Department. The Baltimore City Health Department said Whites drowned at higher rates in the city but officials haven’t explored the reason. The Sigma Gamma Rho initiative is part of a broader effort by USA Swimming to increase the sport’s diversity.

Most in pools The national disparity in drownings has been a problem for some time, one that many dif-

Sigma Gamma Rho surveyed 3,200 women in its organization in 2012 to try to learn why African-Americans aren’t swimming at higher rates. The sorority found some of its members had bad experiences as children, either near-drownings or being thrown into the water unexpectedly. Others were worried about the additional work involved with African-American women’s hair care, while others said swim lessons cost too much. Other research has found historical influences such as the past segregation of public pools, which African-Americans once were forbidden to use. Even after the end of formal segregation, many Black people said they were made to feel unwelcome at municipal pools.

Helping Black kids “Swimming as a skill, as a recreation, as a sport and as a social activity has been passed down generationally among white Americans,” said Jeff Wiltse, a professor of history at the University of Montana and author of the book “Contested Waters: A Social History of Swimming Pools in America.” “This wasn’t the case with African-Americans.” In Baltimore, 4M Swim and Recreation Inc. has taught generations of Black children to swim.

Ebony Rosemond started Black Kids Swim in Largo, after noticing the lack of diversity at her daughter’s swim meets. The organization promotes swimming among African-Americans and has a website that includes hair care and water safety tips and articles on famous Black swimmers. “We started the organization to educate parents and promote the sport to kids,” Rosemond said. “We want to show African-American children there are others who look like them who are excelling in the sport.”

Black moms first Sigma Gamma Rho, using volunteer coaches provided by USA Swimming, started out teaching Black mothers who they hoped would also want their children to learn to swim. If a parent can’t swim, there is only a 19 percent chance that a child in that household will learn to swim, according to USA Swimming. The sorority then began holding clinics to teach children as well. Formal swimming lessons can reduce the likelihood of childhood drowning by 88 percent, according to USA Swimming. “It’s about getting more people into the pool,” said Dawne Stanton, president of the Silver Spring alumni chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho, which sponsored the Fort Meade clinic. “It’s about water safety and saving people’s lives.”

Olympians assist The one-day clinics are meant to expose families to swimming and spark an interest in taking more classes. The sorority brings in high-profile African-American swimmers to help teach some of the classes. The growth in the number of African-American Olympian swimmers, such as Simone Manuel, 21, the first African-American woman swimmer to win a gold medal, has put a more diverse face on the sport in recent years. Maritza McClendon, who in 2004 became the first Black woman to make the U.S. Olympic swim team, helped coach the children at Fort Meade.

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MACY’S CARD/SAVINGS PASS DOESN’T APPLY TO DOORBUSTERS

EXTRA

EXCLUDES ALL: Deals of the Day, Doorbusters, Everyday Values (EDV), Last Act, Macy’s Backstage, specials, Super Buys, athletic clothing/shoes/accessories, baby gear, watches, cosmetics/fragrances, designer handbags, designer jewelry/watches, designer sportswear, electrics/electronics, furniture/mattresses, gift cards, jewelry trunk shows, select licensed depts., previous purchases, restaurants, rugs, services, smart watches/jewelry, special orders, special purchases, select tech accessories, toys, 3Doodler, American Rug Craftsmen, Anova, Apple Products, Ashley Graham, Avec Les Filles clothing, Barbour, Brahmin, Breville, Briggs & Riley, Brooks Brothers Red Fleece, COACH, Demeyere, Destination Maternity, Dyson, Eileen Fisher SYSTEM, Fitbit, Frye, Global Cutlery, Hanky Panky, Jack Spade, Judith Leiber, Karastan, kate spade new york, Kenneth Cole men’s shoes, Kiehl’s, KitchenAid Pro Line, Le Creuset, Levi’s, littleBits, Locker Room by Lids, Marc Jacobs, select Michael Kors/Michael Michael Kors, Michele watches, Miyabi, Movado SELECT SALE IN STORE AND SELECT SALE & CLEARANCE ONLINE: CLOTHING & Bold, Natori, Nike swim, Original Penguin, Panache, Rimowa, Rudsak, Sam Edelman, Shun, Spanx, Staub, Stuart Weitzman, S’well, ACCESSORIES. EXTRA 15% OFF SELECT SALE IN STORE AND SELECT SALE & CLEARANCE ONLINE: JEWELRY, SHOES, COATS, SUITS, DRESSES, LINGERIE, SWIM Tempur-Pedic mattresses, The North Face, Theory, Tommy John, Tory Burch, Tumi, UGG®, Uttermost, Vans, Vitamix, Wacoal, Wolford & Wüsthof; PLUS, ONLINE ONLY: kids’ shoes, Allen Edmonds, Birkenstock, Hurley, FOR HER; MEN’S SUIT SEPARATES & SPORT COATS AND HOME ITEMS. USE YOUR Johnston & Murphy, Merrell, RVCA & Tommy Bahama. Cannot be combined with MACY’S CARD OR THIS PASS 11/22-11/25/17. MACYS.COM PROMO CODE: HURRY any savings pass/coupon, extra discount or credit offer except opening a new See macys.com/deals for online exclusions Macy’s account. Extra savings % applied to reduced prices.

20 OFF %

BLACK FRIDAY PRICES IN EFFECT 11/22-11/25/17. Merchandise will be on sale at these & other sale prices through 1/2/2018, except as noted.