Florida Courier - May 15, 2015

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MAY 15 – MAY 21, 2015

VOLUME 23 NO. 20

REJECTED

The U.S. House of Representatives votes to end the Obama administration’s domestic phone spying program; Senate Democrats blocked a broad trade bill considered to be a centerpiece of the Obama legacy. al Security Agency program that collects and stores data from nearly every WASHINGTON – This week, Presi- phone call or cellphone call dialed or received in the United States. dent Obama couldn’t win for losing.

On Tuesday, Obama’s bid for a sweeping Pacific trade deal was dealt a Short in Senate stinging blow by lawmakers in his own Tuesday’s 52-45 vote in favor of a party when Senate Democrats suc- bill on trade-promotion authority for cessfully filibustered a White House- the president fell short of the 60 votes backed measure to give Obama the needed to break the Democratic filiauthority he said he needs to complete buster. The fast-track measure would the 12-nation Trans-Pacific Partner- let Obama submit a trade agreement ship. to Congress with the assurance that OLIVIER DOULIERY/TNS On Wednesday, the House over- lawmakers must approve or reject it On Wednesday, President Obama looked pensive during a bilateral meeting with Saudi whelmingly passed a bipartisan bill See OBAMA, Page A2 Arabian government officials in the White House. to dial back the once-secret NationCOMPILED FROM WIRE REPORTS

HARRIET TUBMAN / ‘WOMEN ON 20s’

All about the Tubmans, baby

An online grassroots campaign by the organization “Women on 20s” selected abolitionist and Underground Railroad ‘conductor’ Harriet Tubman as the overwhelming choice to replace Andrew Jackson’s portrait on U.S. paper currency. Secretary of the Treasury Jack Lew, appointed by President Obama in 2013, can make the change on his own at any time.

Scott goes to Washington, D.C. Continues fight against Obamacare

BY BRANDON LARRABEE THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA

COURTESY OF THE FLORIDA CIVIL RIGHTS HALL OF FAME

Edward Davis, Sr., Sallye Brooks Mathis and former Gov. Reubin Askew were all recognized.

Three inducted into state Civil Rights Hall of Fame SPECIAL TO THE FLORIDA COURIER

TALLAHASSEE – Sallye Brooks Mathis, Edward Daniel Davis and Reubin O. Askew were officially inducted into the Florida Civil Rights Hall of Fame for 2015 on Wednesday.

Sallye Brooks Mathis Sallye Brooks Mathis (19121982), was born in Jacksonville.

She earned an Associate of Arts degree from Bethune-Cookman College, studied at Tuskegee In-

ALSO INSIDE

stitute, and graduated from Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University. She enjoyed a 28-year career as a teacher in the Duval County Public School system.

She served in the NAACP, leading voter registration initiatives and organizing local events, and was a member of the League of Woman Voters.

In 1967, Mathis became one of the few Black women ever elected to the Jacksonville City Council. While serving there, she initiated legislation for a Citizens’ Police Review Board, free public toilets, and equal job opportunities in public agencies. She also fought for reduced bus fares for senior citizens. A Jacksonville school, the Sallye B. Mathis Ele-

A congressional committee will hold a hearing on Gov. Rick Scott’s showdown with the federal government over healthcare funding, but that meeting could come too late to help close a potential $2.2 billion hole in the state budget.

Scott announced Tuesday that U.S. Rep. Fred Upton, R-Mich., will have the House Energy & Commerce Committee look into the governor’s allegations that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is trying to illegally coerce the state into accepting Medicaid expansion.

Program expires The agency has said that Med-

SNAPSHOTS

icaid expansion will be a factor as it weighs a proposed revision to the Low Income Pool, or LIP, program, but has not explicitly said that the state must expand coverage to receive any funding.

The $2.2 billion LIP program, which mostly sends money to hospitals and other medical providers that care for large numbers of low-income patients, is set to expire June 30 unless state and federal officials reach an agreement.

“The committee’s hearing will bring much-needed attention to the Obama administration’s disappointing political power play at the expense of the health care of low-income families in our state,” Scott said in a statement issued by his office.

The governor has filed a lawsuit against the Obama administration to attempt to block federal officials from factoring whether the state has expand-

ed Medicaid into its decision on LIP. But federal officials say that they don’t want LIP to pay for the medical expenses of Floridians who could otherwise be covered

by Medicaid.

‘Falls short’ The agency said last week that, at first blush, the state’s new LIP application “falls short of key principles” that federal officials will consider when weighing the program’s future, but a spokesman said Tuesday the agency “is continuing to engage” with the state.

A spokeswoman for Upton’s committee confirmed in an email that a hearing was being planned, but didn’t indicate whether it would come before June 30, the deadline for the Legislature and Scott to agree to a budget before state government See SCOTT, Page A2

NATION | A3

FLORIDA | A6

HEALTH | B4

Stress from Baltimore unrest could linger

No hospital execs on state hospital panel

Egg freezing an option for single women

See HALL OF FAME, Page A2

COMMENTARY: CHARLES CHERRY II: RANDOM THOUGHTS OF A FREE BLACK MIND | A4 COMMENTARY: GLEN FORD: BRINGING THE CRISIS TO A HEAD IN BALTIMORE | A5

FOCUS

A2

MAY 15 – MAY 21, 2015

A woman on the $20 bill? Make her an entrepreneur There’s a campaign underway to remove President Andrew Jackson’s face from the $20 bill and replace it with a woman as a way of “promoting gender equality.”

The group Women on 20s wants Jackson’s portrait removed in time for the 2020 centennial of the 19th Amendment, which gave women the right to vote.

They also, of course, want to “make our money more egalitarian, inclusive and an affirmation of American values.”

This group, however, doesn’t just want any woman. They want a woman of their own choosing.

They will send President Barack Obama the specific woman they think should grace a future $20 bill.

Civil rights icon Rosa Parks, abolitionist Harriet Tubman and former first lady Eleanor Roosevelt were selected through an online vote from their 15 top choices. A fourth, Wilma Mankiller, the first female elected as a Native American tribal leader, was added “by popular demand” and as an obvious

DAVID W. ALMASI GUEST COMMENTARY

statement about the harsh Native American policies during the Jackson presidency.

(Editor’s note: Harriett Tubman received the highest number of online votes.)

Be bold All of these candidates share the distinction of being feminist icons, well-known historical figures or both. If this must be done at all, why not make a bold choice – one that’s free of a political agenda?

Since it’s money, how about having the first woman immortalized on paper currency be the first female self-made millionaire in American history?

Madam C.J. Walker is that woman, and her inspiring story makes her an ideal candidate.

Born on a Louisiana planta-

tion in 1867 to newly-freed enslaved Africans, the future Madam Walker was an orphan by the age of 7 and hard at work in the cotton fields. Her situation improved only slightly after moving to St. Louis, where she made just $1.50 a day doing laundry and cooking meals.

This drudgery led to her losing her hair and discovering a cosmetic product that helped her grow it back. She got a job selling the product to others, and later started her own company to market her own similar product.

Walker’s “Wonderful Hair Grower” grew from a product sold door-to-door to being offered in mail-order catalogs. It eventually became the flagship for a whole line of beauty products targeted toward the Black community.

Filled the void Walker persevered in a maledominated era where separatebut-equal Jim Crow discrimination was the law of the land. She saw how other businesses ignored Black customers, and she

stepped in to fill the void and became a success.

At the same time, she created jobs and new wealth in the Black American community. She founded institutions that educated tens of thousands of “Walker Agents” and built factories to make her products. In 1914, Walker told the National Negro Business League: “I am not merely satisfied in making money for myself, for I am endeavoring to provide employment for hundreds of women of my race.”

She also wasn’t stingy. Her philanthropic efforts built homes for the elderly, funded scholarships and helped build the YMCA in Indianapolis. Her inheritance helped foster the famed Harlem Renaissance.

She funded the newly-formed NAACP and National Conference on Lynching – lobbying President Woodrow Wilson herself late in her life to promote a federal ban on lynching.

All remembered The memories of Tubman, Parks and Roosevelt are already

could shut down.

“The committee, in its continued commitment to protect the Medicaid program so it is able to deliver on its core function of providing a lifeline for the most vulnerable, is keeping a close eye on the situation in Florida,” the spokeswoman said.

“Chairman Upton spoke with Gov-

OBAMA from A1

with no amendments.

The Obama administration said fast-track authority is necessary to complete negotiations with Japan, Vietnam, Singapore and eight other countries for what would be the biggest trade pact in American history.

The Trans-Pacific Partnership involves nations that make up about 40 percent of the world economy. Obama has staked part of his legacy on the accord, aimed at eliminating tariffs and other barriers and establishing highstandard rules on e-commerce, intellectual property and other areas of trade and investment.

Secrecy criticized Many Democratic lawmakers have criticized the secrecy in negotiations and fear that the trade deal will not deliver the kinds of benefits to American workers or provide the level of labor and environmental protections that the administration has promised it would.

Underscoring the divisive and unpredictable nature of trade politics, a handful of pro-trade Democrats came out against the motion just ahead of the vote, siding with Minority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada and others who insisted that the fast-track bill be packaged with measures aiding workers hurt by trade and preventing countries from manipulating their currencies to gain an eco-

state. In 1981, he published his book, “A Half Century of Struggle for Freedom in Florida,” a treatise on his civil rights battles.

from A1

mentary School, is named in her honor.

Edward Daniel Davis, Sr.

JOE BURBANK/ ORLANDO SENTINEL/ TNS

from A1

David W. Almasi is executive director of the National Center for Public Policy Research.

Click on this story at www.flcourier.com to write your own response.

HALL OF FAME

Gov. Rick Scott accuses the Obama administration of “coercing” Florida to take $2.2 billion in healthcare money for low-income Floridians.

SCOTT

immortalized in statues, awards, street and highway names and buildings. Rosa Parks even has an asteroid named for her! Madam C.J. Walker was on a postage stamp in 1998, but all of the others, with the exception of Mankiller (who died in 2010), similarly had stamps issued in their honor.

Rather than just pushing a name people already know, making Madam C.J. Walker the new face of the $20 bill would be an inspired choice. It would honor a clever entrepreneur, job creator and philanthropist. It doesn’t simply fulfill a political agenda and potentially foster division.

Madam C.J. Walker is someone everyone should admire and a fine candidate to represent American women on our currency.

ernor Scott today and the committee plans to hold a hearing in the coming months.”

Scott spent Tuesday in Washington, D.C., meeting with 14 members of the state’s congressional delegation as well as Upton and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, RKy.

Legislative impasse Funding for LIP is part of a complex health-care logjam that has left legislative leaders unable to reach

nomic advantage.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., speaking moments before the vote, vowed that the “issue’s not over.” He is expected to try again in the days ahead. Business groups roundly expressed disappointment with Tuesday’s vote.

Obama’s prospects for winning fast-track authority – and ultimately the Pacific trade deal – are still thought to be better in the Senate than in the House, where many conservative Republicans are wary of helping a president they oppose achieve a victory on a landmark accord.

Public support?

One line of argument that the White House has employed in its heavy lobbying is that public opinion is on the administration’s side.

Surveys from several research and news organizations show that significantly more Democrats today see “free trade” as positive, at least in theory. In a Gallup poll in February, 61 percent of Democrats viewed trade as an opportunity rather than a threat, up from 47 percent in 2011 and 10 percentage points higher than Republicans.

Such results have “really scrambled the conventional thinking about what rank-and-file Democrats think about this issue,” said Patrick Egan, an associate professor of politics and public policy at New York University.

House rebels The House bill restricting

agreement on a spending plan for the budget year that begins July 1.

Hoping to encourage federal officials to approve the state’s LIP proposal, the state Senate offered a $2.8 billion initiative that would use Medicaid expansion funding to help low-income Floridians purchase private insurance.

But Scott and the state House adamantly oppose the expansion alternative, which would be funded through the Affordable Care Act, commonly known as Obamacare.

phone spying passed 338-88, with both Democratic and Republican majorities determined to rein in a domestic intelligence program that sparked sharp concerns in Congress about violations of privacy and civil liberties.

The House bill faces a hurdle in the Senate, however, where GOP leaders are backing a bill to renew the controversial NSA program through 2020 either unchanged or with minor amendments.

Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., who is running for the Republican presidential nomination, has said he will filibuster if the Senate is asked to renew the bill without changes. Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., another opponent, has vowed to filibuster as well.

“The overwhelming vote in the House should send a strong signal to Senate Republican leaders that momentum is on the side of surveillance reform,” Sen. Patrick J. Leahy, D-Vt., said in a statement.

Sen. Richard Burr, R-N.C., chairman of the Senate intelligence committee, said legislation to stop the NSA from bulk collection of phone data “is trying to fix a system that isn’t broken.”

“As terror groups such as the Islamic State and al-Qaida grow in number, capability and technical sophistication, now is not the time to turn to an untested, unproven proposal as the House has done today,” Burr added.

Court order necessary The House bill would leave customers’ toll records with tele-

Edward Daniel Davis, Sr. (1904-1989), was born in Thomasville, Ga., and moved to Florida at an early age. An author, educator and businessman, Davis was educated at Paine College and Northwestern and Columbia Universities.

He worked as a high school principal in St. Augustine, Tampa and Ocala from 1929 to 1942. He was fired as head of Howard Academy in Ocala in 1942 because he led the Florida State Teachers Association in a legal move to obtain equal pay for Black instructors.

Starting in 1949, he was instrumental in a nine-year fight that he called one of his ‘’most frustrating experiences’’ to open the University of Florida School of Law to Black students. He founded the Florida Voters League, which was a key factor in Black voter registration increasing from about 40,000 in the early 1960s to more than 300,000 in 1964.

In 1978, he retired as president of the Central Life Insurance Company, the only Black-owned insurance company in the

phone companies, not the NSA. The government would need a court order to access specific records for terrorism or espionage investigations.

The Obama administration backed the House bill, but only as a compromise that preserves the government’s ability to track the communications of terrorism suspects and their contacts.

The dispute has taken on urgency because the provision in the USA Patriot Act used to justify the NSA’s bulk collection of phone records expires on June 1.

If lawmakers fail to act by then, the program presumably will end.

Court rules Driving the debate was the decision last week by the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, which ruled that the NSA had far exceeded its authority by collecting the call data of millions of people who were not specific targets. It did not order the program stopped, however, because of the likelihood of congressional action.

The House bill, called the USA Freedom Act, stops the NSA from storing domestic telephone toll records – the times, duration and numbers dialed or received of virtually every call.

Phone companies are required to keep customer toll records for at least 18 months under a Federal Communications Commission regulation. That rule will remain, so the NSA will have 18 months to seek permission from the Foreign Surveillance Intelligence

Reubin O’Donovan Askew Reubin O’Donovan Askew (1928-1979) was born in 1928 in Muskogee, Okla. In 1937, he moved with his mother and five siblings to Pensacola. Askew served in two branches of the United States military, in both houses of the Florida Legislature, two terms as Florida governor, and as United States trade ambassador.

As governor, Askew was a progressive reformer with regard to civil rights, taxes, judicial and executive reorganization and open government. In 1971, Askew appointed Miami’s Athalie Range as secretary of the Department of Community Affairs, making her the first African-American since Reconstruction and the first woman ever to head a state agency in Florida.

In 1975, Askew appointed Joseph Hatchett to the Florida Supreme Court, the first African-American to serve on the state’s highest judicial body. In 1978, Askew appointed Jesse McCrary, Jr. fill a vacancy in the office of Secretary of State; McCrary was only the second African-American to serve in this position and in the Florida Cabinet.

For more information on the Florida Civil Rights Hall of Fame, visit http://fchr. state.fl.us or on Facebook.

Court to seek data held by companies.

The bill also creates a panel of independent advocates at the FISA court for the first time to argue on matters of privacy and civil liberties. The court, which meets in secret, now hears only from government lawyers.

Supporters of the House bill say it also would prohibit the NSA from indiscriminate collection on a smaller scale, such as requests for all calling records from a city, state or ZIP code.

It also allows companies and individuals, for the first time, to challenge the gag orders that routinely come with data demands from the government under socalled national security letters.

Still necessary The administration has always argued that the bulk collection of phone data, which began under President George W. Bush after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, is legal.

But a public outcry forced Obama to call for moving the records out of government control after former NSA contractor Edward Snowden revealed the program’s existence in 2013.

If the House bill becomes law, it would mark the most sweeping change to emerge as a result of Snowden’s leaks.

Brian Bennett, Don Lee and Lisa Mascaro of the Tribune Washington Bureau (TNS) all contributed to this report.

NATION & FLORIDA

MAY 15 – MAY 21, 2015

A3

Stress of Baltimore unrest could linger for a while

BY ANDREA K. MCDANIELS BALTIMORE SUN/TNS

BALTIMORE — As rioters looted a CVS and other businesses at Pennsylvania and North avenues last month, Lekisha McCray’s two youngest children huddled in terror listening to it all from their apartment across the street.

Windows shattered and people cursed and screamed, frightening the 3- and 5-year-olds so badly that they ran to the back bedroom where they could lock the door and hide.

“They are going to come in here and get us,” the oldest of the two cried.

It was the worst of the unrest that engulfed the city for two weeks after 25-year-old Freddie Gray died from a spinal cord injury suffered in police custody last month. The streets of Baltimore have calmed significantly since then and CVS said they will rebuild.

But the emotional scars left behind will take much longer to heal. Sociologists liken the mental health effects of a riot to those of a natural disaster such as an earthquake or a hurricane, but with the added twist of being inflicted by other humans rather than happenstance.

Feeling hopeless McCray said her kids still get skittish when crowds gather on the street. “Ma, they’re coming back,” they’ll say, hugging her leg. The sight of the boarded buildings sometimes makes McCray feel hopeless and cry.

She said she lost her job as a cashier at retailer Downtown Locker Room,

which burned down during the riot, and constantly worries how she will take care of her family.

“My emotions are just all over the place,” she said.

Now that the Maryland National Guard Humvees have rolled away and the police have pulled down their barricades, city and health officials are bracing for the aftermath as the community left behind struggles to recover. The destruction of a neighborhood can be as traumatic as the death of a loved one, experts said.

Many of the hardest-hit neighborhoods have suffered from years of poverty, violence and neglect.

“We know that trauma is already everywhere in our communities,” said Baltimore’s health commissioner, Dr. Leana Wen. “Our families who are exposed to rampant violence, health disparities and significant poverty face it every day. This latest traumatic event will only make things worse.”

Years of grief The two days that protest boiled over into violence just pile on to the problems and emotional stress many of its residents have grappled with for generations, health officials said.

“It’s almost like a kettle they put on the fire,” said Tanya Sharpe, an associate professor at the University of Maryland School of Social Work who studies how African-Americans are affected by homicide and how to help them. “You can only expect that it will boil over eventually after people have experienced trauma after trauma after trauma.”

Historically, people who

BARBARA HADDOCK TAYLOR/BALTIMORE SUN/TNS

Left to right: Janine Bailey and her friend LeKisha McCray speak with Jane Lipscomb of the University of Maryland and Linda Green of the Baltimore city health department in the Governor’s Wellmobile on May 7. The University of Maryland School of Nursing Governor’s Wellmobile is offering information and referral services at the intersection of Fulton and North Avenues. endure riots suffer years later, research has found.

Max Herman, an assistant professor at New Jersey City University interviewed residents of the 1967 Newark and Detroit riots decades later and found many still dealt with emotional trauma from the experience.

Schools, churches helping Many described grief over loved ones who died and the loss of businesses they had worked hard to build.

Some distrusted the police, and those who had been children at the time relived memories of tanks, gunfire, helicopters and breaking glass.

“One can readily see the scars left on the physical landscape, the empty lots, burnt out buildings, abandoned homes,” Herman wrote. “But beyond the physical destruction wrought by the riots is the emotional trauma inflicted on the survivors, both personally and collectively.”

In Baltimore, to help address the issues, the city health department is work-

ing with schools, churches and community organizations to help get the word out about counseling services. Residents also can call the city’s 311 information line for referrals. Wen said the trauma can extend beyond the community to businesses that lost their properties.

Crying in the streets The University of Maryland Baltimore School of Nursing has parked a wellness van at the corner of Pennsylvania and Fulton Avenues.

That’s where McCray

Police militarization

Since 2010, civilian law enforcement agencies in Florida, including U.S. Dept. of State Narcotics Enforcement units based here, have acquired more and more surplus military gear designed for wartime scenarios. This is a result of the Department of Defense’s 1033 program, which provides excess military equipment -- including armored vehicles, helicopters, night-vision goggles and assault rifles -- to police forces.

Deep-rooted issues

9 5

2

14

Agencies that receive the most surplus equipment

18

In millions 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

11.

12.

13.

14.

15.

16.

17.

18.

19.

20.

21.

$209.69 $8.89 $6.46 $3.02 $2.93 $2.34 $1.85 $1.73 $1.51 $1.48 $1.48 $1.38 $1.34 $1.25 $1.22 $1.17 $1.16 $1.15 $1.13 $1.11 $1.06

U.S. Department of State Narcotics Enforcement U.S. DHS CBP Port of Jacksonville Brevard County Sheriff’s Office Saint Lucie County Sheriff’s Office Florida Highway Patrol Collier County Sheriff's Office Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office Sweetwater Police Department Nassau County Sheriff’s Office Putnam County Sheriff’s Office Coral Gables Police Department Pasco County Sheriff’s Office Martin County Sheriff’s Office Bay County Sheriff’s Office Polk County Sheriff’s Office Fort Pierce Police Department Federal Bureau of Prisons Gainesville Police Department North Miami Beach Police Department Lake County Sheriff’s Office Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office

Mine-resistant vehicle (MRAP)

Helicopter

Surplus equipment provided to Florida agencies

10

17

20 12 7

3

15

4 16

$163.22

13

21

1

6 19 8 11

Armored truck

$60.61

137

47

Total $289.73 million

17

Value of military surplus given to Florida agencies

$28.82

The amount of military equipment provided to Florida law enforcement agencies increased dramatically starting in 2010 and 2011, corresponding with the drawdown of U.S. military forces in Iraq and Afghanistan.

$15.94

In millions

$.06 1994

$.02 $1.26 $.53 ‘95

‘96

‘97

$.99

$.06

$.81

$.44

$.05

‘98

‘99

‘00

‘01

‘02

Source: Department of Defense 1033 data through May 13.

$2.03 $.63 ‘03

‘04

$.24 ‘05

$3.66 $1.21 $3.67 $2.33 ‘06

‘07

‘08

‘09

$2.54 ‘10

went one day last week to see if she could get counseling for a family member.

She said he has become angry and withdrawn because he can’t find a job or his way in life. She worried the recent events could harden him more.

Throughout the community, parents and teachers have found themselves trying to explain to their students and children the complexities of what took place.

What got less attention than the images of protesting and rioting were people on the streets crying, said Nikkia Rowe, principal of Renaissance Academy in West Baltimore. After the rioting, teachers at her school gathered the students in circles to talk about the experience. They told them to use one word to describe how they felt.

Panic, sad, anger, disappointment, the kids said one by one.

‘11

Graphic by KarBel Multimedia

‘12

$.59 ‘13

‘14

‘15

Exposure to violence can cause the build-up of stress in the body without people even realizing it. The symptoms will show up in unexpected or unnoticed ways, researchers and social workers have found.

Children have trouble concentrating in school or must deal with behavioral problems. Adults may suffer from depression and anxiety and feel a sense of hopelessness.

If this trauma is left untreated, it can lead to problems down the road. In particular, if children are not helped, they could turn to violence themselves, become more likely to struggle to hold jobs and have a hard time becoming productive members of society.

Healing will mean addressing the deep-rooted issues in communities like Sandtown-Winchester and involving the residents as part of the rebuilding, said one expert.

“The only good that can come out of this is if people don’t just focus simply on a burning car,” said Diana L. Morris, the director of the Open Society Institute-Baltimore. “We need to probe deeper and ask what level of frustration and feeling of being invisible would make these young people feel their actions simply don’t matter.”

Elder C.W. Harris, a local pastor in Sandtown-Winchester is hopeful change will come. He applauded the community coming together against the riots and planning many peaceful protests. He and others have fought hard for years to make the community better, opening a school, community center and urban farm.

He said he will continue to do his part to help the neighborhood recover.

“We will turn despair into positive action,” he said.

EDITORIAL

A4

MAY 15 – MAY 21, 2015

A grassroots solution to a national epidemic Like many individuals, I grew up without a father. My father was incarcerated for most of my life. In fact, the first time I met my father was in a Federal Correctional Institution. I also watched him get out of prison and go back to prison a few years after his release.

Like my father, men and women are being released into a society that is not conducive for them to become productive citizens, and as a result return to jail/prison.

Once someone is marked a ‘Felon’, they are legally barred from employment, housing, public benefits, education, participating in the political process, etc. What do we expect folks with criminal convictions to do upon their release?

‘Retribution supersedes rehabilitation’ We are living in the era of mass

MYKAL R. TAIRU BAN THE BOX DAYTONA

incarceration which retribution supersedes rehabilitation. Thousands of Black, brown, and White bodies are stuffed in American prisons each year. With 5% of the world’s population and 25% of the world’s prisoners, America is the most incarcerated country in the world. As Sen. James Webb, D-VA said “Either we’re the most evil people on earth, or we’re doing something wrong.” Mass incarceration is becoming overwhelming popular in the United States. People from local advocates to 2016 presidential candidates are urging folks to “end

mass incarceration.”

But what does the eradication of a system that is ingrained in the very fabric of our country look like? The solution involves a fusion of several issues. For this account, I will focus exclusively on the employment barriers for people with criminal convictions. Employment is a key component to a successful reentry, as the lack of employment often results in reoffending.

Ban the box Individuals with criminal records often have a hard time gaining employment due to a box on an application that inquires of their criminal record.

Studies have shown that once someone has checked that “box” on employment applications, the chances of getting an interview decreases. Since June, I

VISUAL VIEWPOINT: HUMAN RIGHTS

PAVEL CONSTANTIN, ROMANIA

Random thoughts of a free Black mind, v. 256 Bro. Prez’s presidential motto: If candidate Obama was known by “Yes We Can,” President Obama is known by “We Got This.”

Contrary to the president’s vow to be “the most transparent administration in history,” the Obama administration has been marked by secrecy, closed doors, “groupthink,” and lack of decision-making diversity. Since 2009, I’ve written about how Ivy League graduates with advanced academic degrees seem to be the only folks qualified to advise or lead in the Obama era.

“We Got This.” That’s what Bro. Prez said regarding Black America’s disproportionate pain (“a rising tide will lift all boats”), executing American citizens without due process via secret drone strikes, health care, reigning in Wall Street, negotiations with Iran, and collecting secret data on American citizens. That’s what he’s saying regarding the latest ‘free trade’ agreement (FTA) sellout of the U.S. middle class, the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP).

Why am I against it? I can’t specifically tell you, because much of it is secret. I can tell you that generally, FTAs such as the North American FTA under Bill Clinton have benefitted large multinational corporations that relocated manufacturing and assembly plants anywhere labor is cheap-

QUICK TAKES FROM #2: STRAIGHT, NO CHASER

CHARLES W. CHERRY II, ESQ. PUBLISHER

er than America. With Bro. Prez’s TPP, expect more facilities to relocate to Chile, Malaysia, Mexico, and Vietnam.

Another issue. Why is the GOP suddenly on Bro. Prez’s side on this – the same GOP that has attempted to destroy his presidency since its inception? Why are Democrats – including the normally sheepish Congressional Black Caucus – dead-set against TPP? Is it because Obama is desperate for a bad “legacy” deal?

America falls apart – On Tuesday, seven people were killed and 100-plus injured when an Amtrak train derailed in Philly. Cause of the wreck is unknown as of Wednesday night. Regardless of the cause, our roads, rail lines, and bridges are inevitably crumbling around us while we continue to spend $2 billion PER WEEK rebuilding Afghanistan and Iraq…

Contact me at ccherry2@gmail.com.

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.

THE 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.

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have been working with a group consisting of students, community advocates, and formally incarcerated leaders in our “Ban the Box” campaign that is urging the City of Daytona Beach to eliminate that “box” on its initial employment applications and to postpone it to later in the hiring process.

The ordinance, which has been adopted in 15 states and over 100 cities, does not guarantee employment for individuals with records, but it “levels the playing field.” We have received support from several elected officials, and we are still waiting for a first and second hearing.

Not second-class Many of the responses to our nation’s broken incarceration/ reentry policies, often times involve progressive policy. This

movement isn’t just about advocating for new policy. At the root of the issue lie our beliefs and perceptions. If we continue to think of formally incarcerated individuals as second-class citizens, then our efforts to change policy are futile. The life of building barriers to employment for individuals with criminal convictions has long since gotten old.

The time for our city to think differently and Ban the Box is now.

Mykal Tairu is the state program coordinator for the Vincentian Re-Entry Organizing project, a partnership between the Catholic Campaign for Human Development and the National Society of St Vincent de Paul. Click on this article at www.flcourier.com to write your own response.

Sustaining our community Whenever we spend money outside of our community for products and/or services, we are doing a disservice to our community. A disservice in that our local businesses are not supported. A disservice in that new jobs are not being created.

And a disservice in that we fail to enhance the value of where we live. With so much talk about building up our community, it’s time we invest in our community by establishing entities that benefit us. I’m not talking about bringing in reputable stores (e.g. CVS, Walmart, and Walgreens, just to name a few). I’m speaking of working with the men and women within the local community to use their skills and talents to bring about entrepreneurship.

Because sustaining our community has been missed, too many people are suffering financially and physically. By financially I mean having to travel distances for quality. On the physical side, many people are simply trapped with unhealthy choices that linger within their communities (e.g fast food establishments and liquor stores). For some reason, we have missed the importance of planting our own gardens and recycling. Unless we change our outlook on what’s important, we will continue to be faced with ‘cruel and unusual punishment’ with regards to our health and finances.

Reclaiming our community Sustaining our community or should I say, reclaiming our community is something that needs to be done immediately.

No longer can we waste our resources and then blame others when we don’t have it.

Let’s face it – knowledge is power and the ability to act on this power is within all of us. Bennie Hayden, founder of Marketing for Green, LLC says. “Through sustaining our community, we are creating opportunities for ourselves to support one another and therefore helping the next generation to make better choices.” When there’s an absence of choices, people will often times flock to that which does not present itself

DR. SINCLAIR GREY III GUEST COLUMNIST

Knowledge is power and the ability to act on this power is within all of us. as being healthy. Hayden also added, “All of have a social responsibility to use products and/or services that add value to the general well-being of the community.”

Here are some ways in which we can sustain our community: • Grow our own gardens which will ensure healthy eating • Conserve energy (e.g. cut off and unplug appliances when not using them) • Cut down on water usage • Buy environmentally-friendly products • Educate ourselves on issues relating to climate change, healthy living and how to reduce waste In addition to these steps, it’s important for us to support policies that addresses these very issues. As concerned citizens, we cannot dismiss the importance of healthy living and community empowerment.

Dr. Sinclair Grey III is an activist, speaker, writer, author, life coach, and host of The Sinclair Grey Show heard on Mondays at 2 p.m. on WAEC Love 860am (iHeart Radio and Tune In).

Contact him at drgrey@sinclairgrey. org or on Twitter @drsinclairgrey. Click on this article at www.flcourier.com to write your own response.

Solutions to help families hurting in their wallets American families are hurting. Most of us live paycheck to paycheck and are one missed paycheck from a financial disaster.

We have to deal with housing, groceries, transportation, utilities, healthcare and child care and still have money left over to save for a comfortable retirement.

But ends just aren’t meeting for many of us.

Making ends meet So it was an honor to talk about solutions at a Florida Prosperity Partnership town hall meeting with my oldest son and business partner recently at the United Way in Orlando.

At the meeting, we talked about a holistic solution for the many families struggling to make ends meet when the cost of living in Florida has gone up 13 percent while incomes have dipped two percent from 2007-2012, making it even harder for families to live and save for an emergency fund.

So what’s the solution to helping families recover in their finances?

Kaye Schmitz, president and CEO of the FPP, suggested that businesses and organizations band together in their communities to collaborate for a one-stop shop for tax preparation, financial education, banking and retirement.

Lars Gilberts, director of United Way in Broward County, suggested teaching “financial coping strategies” that are more important than “the dollars you make.” He said raising the federal minimum wage to $10.10 won’t solve families’ financial issues.

Predatory lenders April Atkins of the FDIC recommended encouraging people to deal with banks, where each individual’s accounts are ensured up to $250,000, instead of using alternative and predatory financial services,

TENESHIA LAFAYE MISS MONEY SENSE

such as pawn shops, payday loans, rentto-own stores and check cashing shops.

A couple of speakers suggested a proactive approach by teaching children good money habits, asking young people what they want to be when they grow up and getting teenagers as early as middle school on a track to earn a certificate, a license or a two-year college degree and get into the workforce.

“Our motto is get a career in about a year, and be ready to work in a career you enjoy,” said Wendy Oliver, a career and technical education coordinator in Orange County Public Schools.

This helps with the problem of college students dropping out of four-year degree programs because of cost and being saddled with more than $25,000 in student loans.

My favorite suggestions were the community collaborations so people can have access to a team of experts to advise them and help them improve their financial situation. I also support the idea of teaching youth to be sensible with their money.

Teneshia LaFaye is a former newspaper journalist and a nationally certified financial education instructor.

Start working on your financial mindset by “liking” MyTenSense on Facebook for free daily money tips. Click on this article at www.flcourier.com to write your own response.

MAY 15 – MAY 21, 2015

Bringing the crisis to a head in Baltimore It’s been nine months since the Black youth of Ferguson, Missouri, set history in motion with their demand for justice for Michael Brown, yet the “movement” has maintained its momentum while the forces of Tom Foolery and collaboration are on the defensive. In Baltimore, the young Black State’s Attorney gave the people what they had so loudly demanded, but didn’t expect to get: serious charges against the six cops directly involved in Freddie Gray’s death, with one officer facing up to 30 years in prison for 2nd degree “depraved heart” murder – a potential template for future “depraved indifference” charges against killer cops. Thirty-five year-old Marilyn Mosby became an instant icon for millions when she concluded her announcement of the charges with a salute to Black youth: “You’re at the forefront of this cause, and as young people, our time is now.”

It was not Allen Bullock’s time.

The 18 year-old succumbed to pressures from his family to turn himself in to police, and was promptly locked up in lieu of $500,000 bail on charges of rioting and destruction of property – substantially higher than the $350,000 bail set for the four officers charged with manslaughter and murder of Freddie Gray, and twice as high as the two cops facing misdemeanor counts in Gray’s death.

‘Wrong message’ Maryland’s top public defender appealed to private lawyers to represent the hundreds arrested during last week’s rebellion, and pleaded for affordable bail. “This is a poor community. Putting high bonds on those who cannot afford even nominal bonds sends

GLEN FORD BLACK AGENDA REPORT

The only thing that can work to fundamentally change the system for Black people – whether in the 21st century or the sixties – is mass organization for popular empowerment.

In a society where police practice systemic violence, the resistance will inevitably include violence, as well. the wrong message—that if you have money you get released— and may fan the flames of frustration,” said Paul DeWolfe. But judges continued to set high bail, including $100,000 for a man accused of stealing 130 bottles of vodka. Mayor Stephanie Rawl-

EDITORIAL

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VISUAL VIEWPOINT: COP CAMS

ings-Blake, who had earlier lamented that her city was being “destroyed by thugs,” and then later apologized for her remarks, reiterated Wednesday morning that more arrests would be forthcoming as police poured over video evidence.

Over one hundred people that had been arrested were released with no charges, prompting deputy public defender Natalie Finegar to tell the Los Angeles Times, “It looks like a lot of folks were just flat-out illegally detained, from our perspective.” Which only goes to show that the U.S. criminal justice system responds to protests against over-policing and disregard of Black rights – with more of the same. alent of “depraved indifference” in other states or “reckless disregard” for constitutional rights in ‘It is enough’ Baltimore State’s Attorney Mos- federal case law – to charge one of by, who won office vowing to the cops with 2nd degree murder, reign in police misconduct and to is a challenge to the prosecutorial set an example for swift prosecu- chorus, including former U.S. Attion of offenders in blue, will have torney General Eric Holder, that to fight to assemble a jury will- maintains it is near impossible ing to convict police officers of – to prove a case of murder against anything. The cops’ lawyers will cops because of how “the law” surely demand a change in venue is written. Mosby is apparently from 63 percent Black Baltimore aware of the Michigan Branch of and the heavily Black surround- the ACLU’s efforts to show that ing county, to a much Whiter lo- U.S. court rulings provide amcale. Although Maryland is the ple room for prosecution of killer fourth Blackest state in the na- cops. For example, a 1997 U.S. aption, at about 29 percent, there pellate court ruling held that: “It are still “Simi Valley”-type ven- is enough...if it can be proved – by ues out there that can be counted circumstantial evidence or othon to exonerate killer cops under erwise – that a defendant exhibany circumstances. If a change of ited reckless disregard for a convenue is granted, then the odds of stitutional or federal right.” (See, convicting a cop for killing a citi- “It’s Not the Law, But Prosecuzen of any race in the U.S. will re- tors, That Give Immunity to Killer main unchanged at 1,000 to 1, as Cops,” BAR, Dec 12, 2014.) tabulated by a landmark Washington Post-Bowling Green State Violence begets violence The only thing that can work University study.

Mosby’s use of Maryland’s “de- to fundamentally change the syspraved heart” statute – the equiv- tem for Black people – whether in

DAVID FITZSIMMONS, THE ARIZONA STAR

the 21st century or the sixties – is mass organization for popular empowerment. In a society where police practice systemic violence, the resistance will inevitably include violence, as well. Baltimore saw both ingredients at work, over the past couple of weeks – and it scared the powers-that-be to their bones. Whatever this “movement” will ultimately be called, it announced its active presence in a major American city at the beginning of the hot season. There was clearly more than simple “looting” going on in the pattern of confrontation with police – which means, important things are happening in the street. When high school kids rush out of school to join the battle against the cops, we know that important things are happening in their peer groups. And the summer has not yet begun.

BAR executive editor Glen Ford can be contacted at Glen.

Ford@Black AgendaReport . com. Click on this article at www.flcourier.com to write your own response.

Freedom rider: Still no justice in Baltimore Once again the world owes a great debt of thanks to people who take to the streets in protest of police murder. The extra-judicial killing of Black people is commonplace in this country, taking place nearly every day. The cry, “Black lives matter” is a fixture on the national consciousness and that is only because the people of Ferguson, Missouri, made it so.

The toll of police murder in this country is horrific and proves that claims of American justice and democracy are blatant lies.

In 2014 alone, 1,100 people were killed by police. These police are rarely even charged, much less prosecuted successfully. Freddie Gray died in police custody in Baltimore, Maryland and a medical examiner has ruled his death a homicide. The State’s Attorney has brought charges against six officers, but that by no means gives any assurance of justice.

Eric Garner was killed by police, on camera, in Staten Island, New York, but a grand jury declined to prosecute. Such was the case with Michael Brown’s murderer in Ferguson. The killers aren’t brought to justice for one very simple reason. They are doing the bidding of a system which still operates under the assumption that any

MARGARET KIMBERLEY BLACK AGENDA REPORT

Black person is the property of any white person. Police are modern day slave patrollers and they are given carte blanche to mete out any treatment they choose to Black people.

Black life criminalized The civilian complaint review boards, blue ribbon commissions and other forms of public relations must be rejected out of hand. The only way to seek redress is to plainly speak the truth about White supremacy and its continued presence in American life.

Black life itself is criminalized in this country. Driving while Black, bike riding while Black, walking while Black, are all potential justifications for police execution. The idea of white rights over the lives of Black people has been completely normalized and accepted. That is why even murders committed on camera are not punished and that is why

Without fear or favor On Friday, May 1, Marilyn J. Mosby, the States Attorney for Baltimore City, announced she had found probable cause to prosecute six Baltimore police officers for the death of Freddie Gray. Gray died while in police custody on April 12.

Her act was electric, turning angry protests and riots into a celebration. For the African-American community, finally, the state had acted to enforce the law even against the police, making it clear that no one can be treated as if they were less than human. Mosby acted in 18 days, about onefourth the time Missouri officials consumed before making their determination about the death of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Mo. In her clear statement, she described the “comprehensive, thorough and independent” investigation that had been undertaken by investors of the Police Integrity Unit, as well as by the state medical examiner and the Baltimore Police themselves.

REV. JESSE L. JACKSON, SR. TRICEEDNEYWIRE.COM

arrested illegally, having committed no crime. He died in police custody from injuries suffered while under arrest. He was handcuffed and shackled and, against Baltimore police regulations, placed in a van with no seatbelts, and no way to protect himself when thrown about. The van stopped repeatedly, with Gray asking for medical assistance. His request ignored, he was left shackled without a seatbelt. This was probably an instance of what is known as a “rough ride,” which police use to purposefully punish someone.

Mosby’s action was a courageous one. She is 35, and took her office only a few months ago.

The head of the Police Union has ‘A rough ride’ already accused her of a “rush to Gray, she concluded, had been judgment” and called for her to

to know, that is always a bad idea. Young Mr. Bullock has been charged with eight misdemeanors but he is still in custody and must post $500,000 bail in order to be released. None of the six officers charged had such a high bail amount. The killers are walking the streets and a young man who made an unwise decision will sit in jail for as long as the system chooses.

None of the politicians in Maryland have come to Bullock’s defense. They heap praise on State’s Attorney Mosby but won’t lift a finger to demand that Allen Bullock and others with astronomical bail amounts be set free. They also haven’t explained why white Baltimore was untouched by the recent curfew. The city was turned into a “sundown town” with Black ‘A bad idea’ Of course many of the protest- people risking arrest if they dared ers who originally took to the leave their homes. streets were criticized by the press and politicians. Those who dam- Black life in America The tenuous nature of Black aged property were singled out for condemnation and some were life in America is on full display singled out for punishment. Allen in Baltimore. Three of the offiBullock is an 18-year old who was cers charged in Gray’s death are photographed vandalizing a po- also Black. The mayor is Black, lice car. His parents wanted him the member of congress for that to do “the right thing” and turn district is Black, the police commissioner is Black and none of himself in to the police.

As every Black person ought them could keep Gray from be-

ing slammed about in the back of a van and suffering fatal spinal injuries.

There should be no celebrating unless all of the police responsible for Freddie Gray’s death are convicted. There should be no celebrating until Allen Bullock is released from jail. There should be no congratulations to the mayor, congressman or state attorney until they explain why the police prevented children from leaving school and helped to provoke the events which were then so loudly condemned.

In short, there is still no justice in Baltimore, just as there isn’t any for Black people in the rest of the country. It is protest, truth telling, and community control of the police and every other facet of public life that will bring an end to the carnage. The slave patrol and the sundown town ought to have disappeared in the 21st century, but for now it is still true that no Black life matters.

step aside for a special prosecutor. (Although a finding of probable cause only begins the process; all of these defendants can receive their day in court before judgment is rendered).

Given the facts, Mosby stood up. She is not an antagonist of the police. She comes from a long line of police officials. Her father, mother, grandfather and many aunts and uncles were all police officers.

In her announcement of the charges, she stated, “These accusations of these six officers are not an indictment of the entire force...The actions of these officers will not and should not, in any way, damage the important working relationships between police and prosecutors as we continue to fight together to reduce crime in Baltimore. Thank you for your courage, committee and sacrifice for the betterment of the community.”

The riots in Baltimore, the demonstrations across the country, are sparked by police abuse.

But the police are placed in an impossible task of trying to keep order in communities like Sandtown, scarred by desperate poverty and deep despair, with joblessness, boarded up homes, closed plants, crushed hopes leading to drugs and too often violence. “Black lives matter” is not simply a demand for equal treatment from police and the criminal justice system. It must be a call for jobs, for schools, for hope.

Marilyn Mosby can’t provide that. But her decisive action gives people in Baltimore some hope for justice, and officials and people across the country an example to emulate. Her act is not simply about this instance of police brutality. It symbolizes the progress towards “liberty and justice for all” that we desperately need.

charges against the officers who killed Freddie Gray are not yet cause for celebration.

After nearly a week of protests, an uprising that some call riots, a state-sanctioned march took place in Baltimore. It was a far cry from the righteous anger which shook the city and had the look of a fund raising walk-a-thon and not the political demonstration it should have been. There was a brutal honesty when Black Baltimoreans spontaneously took to the streets on previous days. It is in all likelihood not coincidental that charges were announced the day before. Anger was blunted after the police were charged and took pressure off of the Baltimore political class.

Serve and protect Throughout the Baltimore upheaval, she consistently praised the courage of those demonstrating peacefully for justice and the dedication and courage of the police for protecting the city “from

those who want to destroy it.”

Mosby was criticized for speaking to the demonstrators in her statement: ““To the people of Baltimore and demonstrators across America, I heard your call for ‘No Justice, No peace,’” she said. “Your peace is sincerely needed as I work to deliver justice on behalf of this young man.”

But a prosecutor speaking out to calm her city surely is doing the right thing. She was criticized for telling Freddie Gray’s family that “no one is above the law.”

But surely that is a principle that every prosecutor is sworn to uphold.

She will be under intense pressure from police and much of the public. The habit of deference to the police, the willingness to condone behavior so long as the “blue line” of police stays unified, exists in Baltimore as well as across the nation.

An impossible task Baltimore’s Mayor as well as U.S. Representatives. Donna Edwards and Elijah Cummings defended her integrity and the process. She will need greater support as she moves forward with the case.

Margaret Kimberley’s Freedom Rider column appears weekly in Black Agenda Report.

Click on this article at www.flcourier.com to write your own response.

Jesse Jackson Sr. is the president and founder of the Rainbow/PUSH coalition. Click on this article at www.flcourier.com to write your own response.

FLORIDA

TOJ A6

MAY 15 – MAY 21, 2015

No hospital exes on governor’s hospital panel Scott also has called for medical providers to copy MLB teams and share profits

BY BRANDON LARRABEE THE NEWS SERVICE OF FLORIDA

TALLAHASSEE – Gov. Rick Scott on Monday appointed nine people – none of them hospital executives, and only one of whom appears to have significant medical experience – to a commission meant to examine the economics of health care and hospitals in Florida.

The appointments to Scott’s Commission on Healthcare and Hospital Funding came as industry officials are still digesting the governor’s call to have hospitals share profits like Major League Baseball teams if federal officials decide not to extend a $2.2 billion program that helps pay for the care of uninsured patients.

The nine people named to the panel, which is aimed at making recommendations for a special legislative session scheduled to begin June 1, are Carlos Beruff, president of Medallion homes, who will be the chairman; former SunTrust Bank executive Tom Kuntz; retired Brig.

Gen. Chip Diehl; attorney Marili Cancio Johnson; former Gadsden County Commissioner Eugene Lamb Jr.; Jason Rosenburg, a physician and former chairman of the Florida Board of Medicine; Ken Smith, owner of Integrated Beef Consultants; former Destin Mayor Sam Seevers; and Robert Spottswood, president and director of Spottswood Companies, which has interests that include real estate and hospitality.

LIP ruling awaits Scott, a former hospital chief executive officer, put together the commission after lawmakers ended the 2015 legislative ses-

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Expansion alternative opposed Funding for LIP is part of a complex health-care logjam that has left legislative leaders unable to reach agreement on a spending plan for the budget year that begins July 1.

Hoping to encourage federal officials to approve the state’s LIP proposal, the Senate offered a $2.8

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sion without a budget due to a complicated stalemate over health-care funding.

The U.S. Health and Human Services Department hasn’t ruled on the state’s application to extend the Low Income Pool, or LIP, program beyond a scheduled expiration date of June 30.

The program mostly sends money to hospitals and other medical providers that care for large numbers of low-income patients. But the agency said last week that, at first blush, the state’s application “falls short of key principles� that federal officials will consider when weighing the program’s future.

Tony Carvalho, president of the Safety Net Hospital Alliance of Florida, said Monday that the members of the commission looked to be “very competent people� despite the lack of health-care executives.

Tony “We are Carvalho disappointed that there were no hospital CEOs or financial experts on the commission,� he said.

Lawmakers who had asked to serve on the commission were also turned aside by Scott’s decision.

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Shands Hospital was mentioned by the governor in his letter to the president of the Florida Hospital Association. billion initiative that would use Medicaid expansion funding to help low-income Floridians purchase private insurance.

But Scott and the House have fiercely opposed the expansion alternative, and the governor has sued the Obama administration in an effort to prevent federal officials from linking the LIP decision to Medicaid expansion.

The naming of the panel came after Scott last week proposed revenue sharing among Florida hospitals if LIP is not extended for another year. “Your assistance in suggesting fair profit sharing to replace federal LIP funds at those institutions that rely on them most, like Shands Jacksonville, will be critical to keeping them up and running,� he wrote in a letter to the president of the Florida Hospital Association. “This would be similar to how large market baseball teams share revenues with small market baseball teams.�

May 26 meeting Scott said he wanted the hospitals to submit three models by May 22 so that his Commission on Healthcare and Hospital Funding could consider them on May 26.

So far, industry groups have been cautious about the governor’s initiative. “We received the letter and will be issuing a response to Governor Scott this week,� said Monica Corbett, a spokeswoman for the FHA. The Florida Association of Children’s Hospitals had scheduled a conference call on Wednesday to discuss the suggestion.

Carvalho didn’t foreclose the possibility of some form of revenue sharing, but said the commission first needs to consider how much hospitals already contribute, including the hundreds of millions of dollars they pay in taxes. “I think people will realize that hospitals are doing enormous amounts already,� he said.

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SOUTH FLORIDA / TREASURE COAST AREA

MAY 15 – MAY 21, 2015

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PHOTOS COURTESY OF EDWARD WATERS COLLEGE

Edward Waters College President Nathaniel Glover shakes the hand of one of the 139 graduates in the Class of 2015. The commencement took place at the Jacksonville-based HBCU.

Senator to Edward Waters College graduates:

Start a business, buy property and think big SPECIAL TO THE FLORIDA COURIER

F

lorida State Senator Chris Smith gave his first commencement address on May 9, addressing 139 graduates of Jacksonville’s Edward Waters College (EWC).

Most recently, Senator Smith proposed a bill that would create a police academy at Edward Waters College to help alleviate the racial disparities among law enforcement agencies, foster a greater understanding and respect for racial and cultural differences, and facilitate the development of effective, non-combative methods of carrying out law enforcement duties in a racially and culturally diverse environment.

Senator Smith shared the stage with President Nathaniel Glover who conferred the 139 undergraduate degrees in the Class of 2015. “This is my first time giving a commencement address,” said Smith. “I am honored to do it here at Senator Chris Edward Waters College because many of their graduates are the first in their Smith families to receive a college degree. So I know generations were changed today.”

During his address at the historical Black institution, Smith provided some practical advice he said he wished he had followed as a recent graduate. “Here are three bold moves I want you to make as graduates. Start a business, buy property and think big.’’

Smith was elected to the Florida Senate in 2008, where he represents 14 municipalities in Broward and Palm Beach counties.

Top: President Nathaniel Glover presents the 2015 Miss EWC, Ashley Williams, her Bachelor of Arts degree in Mass Communications.

Call Me MISTER grad EWC also graduated its first Call Me MISTER scholar during the 2015 commencement ceremony.

The Call Me MISTER scholarship program is open to African-American males majoring in elementary education and pays for the last two years of course work.

Upon graduation, recipients of the “Call Me MISTER” scholarship must teach in an inner-city elementary school in the Duval County Public School system for at least five years.

During the ceremony, Glover presented Bernard Agurs with a Call Me MISTER blazer. Duval County Public Schools District Transformation Office Director Iranetta Wright then met Agurs on the stage to give him his open teaching contract.

Above: Edward Waters College Criminal Justice Professor Dr. Judy Scott receives the “Teacher of the Year” award from Dr. Marvin Grant, the EWC Vice President of Academic Affairs.

Ready to serve “I’ve had excellent role models in my life, and I want to be one that can make a difference in a child’s life,” said Agurs.

The national scholarship program was created to help increase the number of African-American males who teach in the elementary level. According to the Department of Education, African-American men only make up 2 percent of the 4.8 million educators across the country. Less than one-percent of them teach in elementary schools.

Agurs is the first person in his family to graduate with a college degree.

Glover is shown with EWC’s first Call Me MISTER scholar, Bernard Agurs.

CALENDAR

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MAY 15 – MAY 21, 2015

TOJ

Tallahassee Business MatchMaker to benefit minority entrepreneurs

LONI LOVE

The Eighth Annual Memorial Weekend Comedy Festival takes place May 24 at the James L. Knight Center in Miami. The show will feature Loni Love, Alex Thomas, Guy Tory, Dominique, Damon Williams, Spoken Reason and Tony Rock.

JOE

The Forever Charlie Tour takes place on June 19 at AmericanAirlines Arena and June 20 at Amalie Arena in Tampa. The show features Charlie Wilson, Joe and Kem.

The Tallahassee Business MatchMaker will take place on May 21 during the 32nd Annual Small Business Week hosted by the Small Business Development Center at Florida A&M University.

It will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Turnbull Florida State Conference Center, 555 W. Pensacola St., Tallahassee. Doors open at 8 a.m. for registration and networking This day’s event will consist of a series of workshops designed for women,

minority and veterans to enhance their overall knowledge of working as a vendor of state and local government agencies and area universities.

In the afternoon, small business owners can attend one-on-one sessions to meet with purchasing representatives of more than 30 agencies and private corporations.

RSVP at dms.myflorida.com/osd. For questions about the Tallahassee Business MatchMaker, call Keith Bowers at 850-599-3407. Appointments for oneon-one sessions can be booked online.

For questions about the one-on-one sessions, visit dms.myflorida.com/osd or contact Denise Wright at denise.wright@ dms.myflorida.com or 850-487-0915.

CARIMI

The Haitian Compas Festival is May 16 at 4 p.m. at Sun Life Stadium. Performers will include Djakout #1, T-Vice, CaRiMi, Nu Look, Klass, Disip, Team Lobey, Konpech, K-Zino, Gabel, and Kreyol L.

FLORIDA COMMUNITY CALENDAR Jacksonville: Fantasia and Joy Dennis perform May 22 at the Florida Theatre Jacksonville.

Daytona Beach: Maze featuring Frankie Beverly will perform June 14 at The Peabody Auditorium.

Jacksonville: Aaron Bing will be in concert May 31 with Jon B at the Times Union Center for the Performing Arts.

Orlando: Young Buck is scheduled May 16 at Firestone Live.

Boca Raton: The Legends of the Old School tour is May 29

at Mizner Park Amphitheater featuring Salt N Pepa, Vanilla Ice, Stevie B, Color Me Badd and 2 Live Crew.

Orlando: The Democratic Black Caucus of Florida annual conference will meet May 29-31 at the Doubletree

by Hilton, 10100 International Drive. Details: www.dbcflorida.org.

Fort Lauderdale: Alexandra Barbot’s exhibit, “Black Empires and Kingdom of Haiti, W.I.” is on display at the African-American Research Library and Cultural Center.

Tampa: Darius Rucker’s Southern Style Tour is May 22 at the MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre at the Florida State Fairgrounds and May 23 at the Coral Sky Amphitheatre at the South

Florida Fairgrounds.

Tampa: Catch comedian and actor Chris Tucker on June 12 at the Straz Center for the Performing Arts.

Boca Raton: The Legends of the Old School tour takes place at 7 p.m. May 29 at Mizner Park Amphitheater.

The show will feature Salt N Pepa, Vanilla Ice, Stevie B, Color Me Badd and 2 Live Crew.

Tampa: Candy Lowe hosts Tea & Conversation every Saturday from 2 to 4 p.m. at 3911 N. 34th St., Suite B. More information: 813-3946363.

Sunrise: 99 Jamz presents Rick Ross and Jeezy on May 23 at the BB&T Center.

Scholarship recipients from Tampa high schools pose with members of the Tampa Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

Sorority awards $18,000 in scholarships during May Week As part of May Week 2015, the Tampa Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority (DSTTA) and DELTA, Inc. presented 25 scholarships totaling $18,850 to students in Hillsborough County.

“Created in 1920, May Week is a national program of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. that sets aside one week in May to host free or low-cost community programs highlighting academic and professional achievements that emphasize the importance of higher education, especially for African-American women,” explained Leslie Brown, president, DSTTA.

May Week was celebrated May 2-10.

Scholarship recipients included males.

Scholarship event chairs Iowana Whitman-Tims and Danielle Weaver-Rogers presented graduating high school seniors from $300 to $2,000 per scholarship award to $300 per book stipend.

The organization hosted the event at the University of Tampa with more than 100 guests including scholarship recipients, family and sorority members.

Scholarship recipients were from area high schools.

Other May Week events included a cash mob supporting local businesses, “Get Moving” fitness challenge, financial literacy training for youth, seminar on human trafficking and the Ninth Annual Delta Day at the Hillsborough County Commission and Jabberwock.

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STOJ

MAY 15 – MAY 21, 2015

HEALTH

B3

Egg freezing an option for able, single women Parties teach guests about investment and procedure

BY MARY MACVEAN LOS ANGELES TIMES/TNS

If you peeked in on a recent party at the Viceroy Santa Monica, you might have noticed that the guests, almost all female, were chatting quietly, hesitantly, in pairs or trios. This wasn’t a group of good friends — prosecco and hors d’oeuvres aside.

The women were there to consider an investment: spending thousands of dollars to retrieve and freeze their eggs in case they need them one day to try to become a parent.

Egg-freezing parties — this one called On Ice — are a thing now. The idea is that not enough women are thinking about this procedure and are not thinking about it soon enough.

“Everyone who can afford to freeze their eggs should freeze their eggs.

Women should take this seriously,” Dr. Vicken Sahakian said at the Viceroy hotel party. “The older you are, the more eggs you need. The older you are, the fewer eggs you produce.”

$10,000 and up Egg freezing, or oocyte cryopreservation, is neither a sure thing nor cheap — running $10,000 or more a cycle, not to mention hundreds of dollars a year in storage fees, and rarely covered by insurance or employers (Facebook and Apple being among the exceptions). And there is plenty of cultural debate over whether egg freezing takes advantage of women

desperate to have a child or is a way to empower them.

But doctors and women who’ve done it call it insurance; women say it enables them to establish a career, travel or find the right partner before becoming a parent.

“It will be absolutely the greatest gift you can give yourself because it will give you the opportunity to create the family of your dreams, and you will never regret it,” Dr. Carrie Wambach said at the Viceroy, where there was a raffle for free medication needed for the process.

At the Viceroy, and at parties on other nights at Boa Steakhouse on the Sunset Strip and in the Beverly Wilshire hotel, doctors explain the procedure and answer the nervous questions: I’m 39 — or 37 or 35.

Is it too late?

‘A game changer’ The first baby conceived from a frozen egg was born in 1986, and the procedure has been used with women whose fertility could become compromised by chemotherapy or other medical treatments.

A couple of things converged in recent years to make the procedure increasingly common.

One is a flash-freezing system called vitrification — a “game changer,” because it solved the problem of ice crystals that could damage the egg cell, said Jason Barritt, embryology laboratory director at Southern California Reproductive Center.

Second, the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, a professional group, said in a paper published in 2013 that egg freezing should no longer be considered experimental.

PHOTOS BY FRANCINE ORR/LOS ANGELES TIME/TNS

Jennifer Frappier, 39, shown in Los Angeles on May 6, has had nine eggs frozen.

But information about how well it works today seems to be a moving target, dependent on age, luck and genetics. Another statistical complication is that, although many women have frozen their eggs, far fewer have so far returned to use them.

Complications rare The American Society for Reproductive Medicine said the clinical pregnancy rate per thawed egg in trials it reviewed was 4.5 percent to 12 percent.

Some doctors recommend 10 frozen eggs for each desired pregnancy. For women older than 40, doctors say fewer than 10 percent of the harvested eggs are

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Jennifer Frappier keeps a photo of eggs she had frozen for use in the future.

genetically “normal.”

Critics and proponents say there is little longterm information about the health of children born from frozen eggs. The Mayo Clinic notes that the risks of egg freezing for the woman include rare complications from fertility drugs, as well as emotional risks associated with the limited success rate of becoming a parent.

The Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology reports that at least 956 babies were born from frozen donor eggs in 2013.

39 and single When Jennifer Frappier’s grandmother turned 35, she had given birth to 10 children. When her mother turned 35, Frappier was 17.

Jennifer, an actor, is 39 and single, with nine frozen eggs.

“One of these could be my kid one day,” Frappier said, looking at a photo on her phone. “My mom calls them her frozen grandbabies.”

She broke up with a longtime boyfriend when she was 34 — an age when she never expected to have to start over.

“This is not what I thought I would be, or where I thought I would be, as a kid,” she said.

She was worried her prospects for motherhood were diminishing. A therapist told her about egg freezing, she started doing research and two years ago she underwent the procedure.

She talked about her decision in the Champagne Room at the Beverly Wilshire, where waiters offered little tacos and grilled cheese sandwich bites to a standing-room-only crowd. At the bar, people could order a pink cocktail called a Banxxtini.

“I thought: ‘This makes a lot of sense. Why wouldn’t I do this? I’m in a place financially where I can. I don’t have a reason not to.

And I’ll regret it if I don’t.’”

Her friends suggested a blog, so she did one and is in the process of making a film called “Chill,” which she described as a documentary about “balancing life, career and cheating the biological clock.”

Many questions Questions swirl around the egg-freezing phenomenon: Are women shouldering just another burden of creating families? Is it now their responsibility to freeze their eggs in time?

Should we instead reform workplaces to support child-bearing and childrearing with such options as flexible employment and on-site day care?

Egg freezing can “create the illusion that we can have it all,” said Miriam Zoll, author of “Cracked Open: Liberty, Fertility, and the Pursuit of HighTech Babies.”

The reproductive industry “has done a very good job of marketing the hope and power,” Zoll said.

Women need to think clearly about “what is it you think you’re going to achieve,” said Francoise Baylis, a professor of ethics in the medicine faculty at Canada’s Dalhousie University. “Is your goal to have a family? Because there are easier ways.”

Are parties appropriate?

Baylis also questions whether parties are an appropriate place to discuss a medical procedure — Botox parties notwithstanding.

“Do you have a champagne party to spread the word about a new hypertensive drug?” Baylis asked.

Dr. Kathleen Brennan of the UCLA Fertility and Reproductive Health Center, which has not participated in egg-freezing parties, said she expects that “down the road, people will do egg freezing in their college years, when they’re young. Put those eggs away, go on with their lives and deal with their reproductive life later.”

Brennan is 37 and has three children. Were her situation different, she said, she’d consider egg freezing. But she also said science is moving faster than other aspects of society, which needs to allow working women to have children when they’re ready.

“We need to make a stride in our society … toward making families an

important part of society and being able to allow women to be part of the working world and still be able to have kids,” Brennan said.

Wendie Wilson-Miller and Shalene Petricek founded Great Possibilities, the agency that threw the party at the Viceroy. Their company helps women find the right doctors, negotiate prices or financing and generally will “hold your hand” through the process. They are paid by the patients. They also have gone through it themselves.

22 eggs frozen Petricek had been climbing the corporate ladder in the biotech industry, and, when she hadn’t met a partner, decided to begin having her eggs frozen when she was 37 — an age when many women are considering it but an age when statistics are already against them.

Petricek, now 44, has been through four cycles and may try three more, she said over coffee. She was considered “a poor responder” and has 10 eggs — a disappointing surprise.

“I was in complete denial. I look young. I feel young,” she said.

Wilson-Miller, who has worked in assisted-reproduction technology for 16 years, froze 22 eggs when she was 30 and single.

“For me, personally, it allowed me to relax a little bit,” Wilson-Miller said. “I knew it wasn’t a guarantee.”

She later married and had two children the conventional way. Some of her eggs were then donated to a woman whose fertility was compromised by cancer treatments.

Christine Hoffman was thrilled that Wilson-Miller froze her eggs. One of them led to the birth of her daughter.

“If you have a desire to have a child,” she told the Viceroy gathering, “and you have the opportunity to freeze that little egg, go for it.”

B4

BUSINESS

MAY 15 – MAY 21, 2015

STOJ

PHOTOS COURTESY OF GETTY IMAGES

7 digital marketing tips to expand your

small business FROM FAMILY FEATURES

Whether you’re just starting a small business or looking to expand an existing operation, marketing your business can seem daunting. The key to marketing success is to establish your presence, drive leads to your business and expand your audience.

Even for businesses that serve a primarily local clientele, it’s important to remember that today’s customers are more connected than ever before.

Technology enables them to rely on mobile devices, web searches and other online tools to research businesses and make purchasing decisions.

To ensure your business is effectively operating in today’s connected local economy, YP, a leading local marketing solutions provider, offers the following advice based on experience running thousands of marketing campaigns: • Mobile matters. Almost everyone today owns a smartphone. Yet you would be surprised by the number of businesses that have not optimized their websites for mobile devices. Not only do mobile responsive sites load faster and provide a better experience, they also help with your ranking in search engine results (also known as search engine optimization or SEO).

• Keep your online presence current. Think of your online presence as a business card you hand out to prospective customers, and take the time to ensure your digital and mobile presence is current and cohesive across all online media. Have you recently changed any contact information, such as phone number, email or address? Super­vising this online business card takes time and effort, but the payoff comes with customers who can easily find you and your products or services. Consider setting a calendar reminder to review all online channels for relevance and accuracy on a regular basis.

• Create valuable content. Can’t think of what to say? Customers are often drawn to tip-based content related to your industry or product, such as best practices or top 5 tips. If you aren’t the strongest writer, find someone on your team who is, or seek professional help outside of your organization. Rich content, especially photos and videos, can also help engage consumers.

• Keep content fresh. Once you develop content, you need to keep it fresh. As a rule of thumb, you should update images on a quarterly basis.

For blogs, update the content weekly, and host the blog on your business’ primary website to keep your audience from clicking away from your site.

Post blog headlines and timely information or calls to action above the fold (where they can be seen without scrolling) so customers can access them easily.

• Reputation and reviews matter. Establishing a loyal customer base means moni­toring your online ratings and reviews on a regular basis. A business owner who reaches out to customers for all feedback they provide — whether positive or negative — creates a powerful statement. Addressing or correcting any errors shows account­ability for your business and can build loyalty.

• Drive traffic. Bidding on keywords is the foundation of a search engine marketing (SEM) campaign, which allows you to promote your business within online searches. As you begin, opt for smaller, more targeted keywords such as your company name. Stay away from generic terms that describe your business, such as “bakery” or “cafe,” as this will bring competition from other businesses of the same general type and more expensive click costs. Instead, try the category plus geography keywords, such as “cafe St. Louis” or “bakery Denver,” to drive local traffic to your site.

• Mind your spelling. Another tip for your SEM campaign — when people search for your business, count on a few misspellings and typos and put those mistakes to work. Bid on misspelled words about your business to drive that traffic to your site. This strategy can also keep click costs lower by adding relevant words with less competition to your SEM campaign.

Small businesses often work within a limited budget. But don’t let pinched funds get in the way of smart spending. Products that boost your digital presence and performance, such as those offered by YP, can help your business get found by consumers and grow your customer base.

For more information, visit www.marketingsolutions.yp.com.

A TOOL FOR YOUR TRADE Small- and medium-sized businesses looking to create custom campaigns based on their specific goals and budget now have a new solution designed to drive ROI. A managed, cost-effective solution, ypSearchSM, gives small business owners an easy way to have their search ads delivered on YP — with an audience of more than 70 million monthly visitors across its web and mobile properties — in addition to major search engines, including Google, Bing and Yahoo.

Powered by a team of experts and an industry-leading, automated optimization engine, ypSearch is designed to deliver quality leads. Business owners gain access to a dedicated team of consultants who provide hands-on support throughout a campaign, including tracking and monitoring performance. On the backend, a proprietary optimization engine unleashes the power of ypSearch. In addition to automating many of the complex and laborious tasks required to build and manage a campaign across multiple search sites at once, the engine takes in performance data across those search sites such as clicks, calls, form fills, emails and spend to manage budgets on a daily basis. ypSearch serves as a marketing solution owners can use to maximize their dollars and help grow their business.

STOJ

MAY 15 – MAY 21, 2015

FINEST & ENTERTAINMENT

Meet some of

FLORIDA’S

finest

submitted for your approval

B5

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.

roland

chantel

Chantel Cherry, an aspiring fashion model, is from Portsmouth, Va. but now calls Orlando home. She won the title of Az 1 Model of the Year in 2011.

For booking and more information, email Chantel at ccherry1241@gmail.com.

CREDIT: DLOW MC ENT South Florida model and actor Roland does promotional work for Club Play in South Beach.

On a day off you can find him playing beach soccer or people watching. He would like to work on mainstream movies and write comedy in the near future. Contact Roland at: modelmidfielder@hotmail.com; Facebook: Roland Aaron Bullock; or on Twitter @rolandinho10.

CREDIT: JNAWSH photography

‘Sisterhood of Hip Hop’ returns June 9 The hit docu-series “Sisterhood of Hip Hop” season two premieres on Tuesday, June 9 at 9 p.m.

The series returns with Bia, Brianna Perry, Diamond, Nyemiah Supreme and Siya as they head to the west coast to make their mark on the music industry.

Executive producer and Grammy Award-winning artist T.I. appears this season along with hip-hop icons mentors and friends T-Pain, Tank, Irv Gotti, Adrienne Bailon, Da Brat, Travie McCoy and Funkmaster Flex.

What’s in store

COURTESY OF FOX BROADCASTING

AMERICAN IDOL XIV: The top six are Quentin Alexander, Rayvon Owen, Jax, Clark Backham, Tyanna Jones and Nick Fradiani. Michael Becker is in the center.

Fox cancels ‘American Idol’ Season 15 will be last of singing competition show

BY STEPHEN BATTAGLIO LOS ANGELES TIMES/TNS

The next season of “American Idol” will be its last.

Dana Walden and Gary Newman, chairmen and chief executives of Fox Television Group, made the farewell official on Monday when they announced their schedule for the 2015-16 fall season.

“It was not an easy decision,” said Newman. “It’s been such a vital part of Fox during its run.”

Newman said the network and “Idol” producers FremantleMedia and 19 Entertainment “felt collectively with them the right time for the franchise to close.”

By announcing a final season, Fox will get a chance to honor the show.

“It’s going to be a true seasonlong celebration,” Newman said.

Premiered in 2001 “American Idol” made its premiere in 2001 and was the domi-

nant show on television for much of its run. But ratings declined rapidly in recent years for the singing-competition show.

The executives also set a Jan. 24 date for the 13-episode reboot of the Fox sci-fi favorite “The XFiles.” It will get launched behind Fox’s broadcast of the NFL’s National Football Conference championship game.

Fox’s Monday programming will feature the second season of “Gotham” at 8 p.m. “Minority Report,” the futuristic thriller based on the 2002 feature film directed

by Steven Spielberg, follows at 9.

Spielberg is an executive producer on the series.

The network will add two comedies on Tuesday. “Grandfathered” stars “Full House” alum John Stamos as a bachelor who learns he has a son and a grandson. Rob Lowe and Ben Savage return to prime time with “The Grinder.” Lowe is a TV lawyer who joins his brother’s law firm after his series is canceled.

Chestnut gets show “Scream Queens,” an anthology series from “American Horror Story” and “Glee” executive Ryan Murphy, will air at 9 p.m. Fox said

it will “meld, comedy, mystery and drama.” The cast includes Jamie Lee Curtis and Lea Michele.

“It’s a horror-comedy that Ryan describes as ‘Heathers’ meets ‘Friday the 13th’,” said Walden.

“Rosewood,” a new drama starring Morris Chesnut a police pathologist, will be on Wednesdays, followed by a second season of Fox’s biggest hit “Empire,” the top series on broadcast TV among the advertiser-coveted 18-to-49 age group.

“Empire” will have 18 episodes, up from 13 last season.

Newman said it will be split into two runs.

“Bones” and “Sleepy Hollow” will be paired on Thursday. Reality shows “Masterchef Junior” and “World’s Funniest” will hold down Friday.

Fox will air live sports on Saturday and will return its comedy lineup of “Bob’s Burgers,” “The Simpsons,” “Brooklyn NineNine,” “Family Guy” and “The Last Man on Earth” to Sunday.

Fox is holding back its veteran comedy “New Girl” until January.

When it returns it will be paired with a new ensemble comedy, “The Guide to Surviving Life” starring Jack Cutmore-Scott.

Meanwhile, Diamond is happy and in love with a new man, but with her manager incarcerated, she struggles trusting anyone else at her label.

On the hunt for a record deal, Nyemiah Supreme decides to leave her new romance with artist Mack Wilds back in New York and take her music in a

deeper, more emotional direction, much to her manager’s disapproval.

Brianna is at a standstill when her management refuses to write any more checks until she comes up with a hit so she has to hustle on a budget.

Bia brings her boyfriend Magic along for her exciting new beginning with RCA Records, but when she reaches out to Pusha T and other music masterminds for advice on her new single, she doesn’t get the answer she is looking for.

Leading up to the premiere, Oxygen will be promoting a “Sisterhood of Hip Hop” $25,000 Watch n’ Win Sweepstakes across digital, on-air, and social platforms beginning May 18. Viewers will have the chance to win by tweeting out a secret hashtag that will be revealed during the “Sisterhood of Hip Hop” premiere on June 9.

More information: www.oxygen.com/sisterhood-of-hiphop.

Nyemiah Supreme is one of the female rappers on Oxygen’s reality show.

Rock, Keys, Kravitz to appear on ‘Empire’ EURWEB.COM

Fox’s “Empire’’ returns in the fall for season two with some big-name guest stars scheduled to appear – Chris Rock, Alicia Keys and Lenny Kravitz.

Fox Entertainment Group chairmen Dana Walden and Gary Newman made the announcement Monday featuring a musical performance by the cast along with Jennifer Hudson, who appeared in the first season.

Alicia Keys

Lenny Kravitz

Season 1 also featured Courtney Love, Naomi Campbell, Gladys Knight and Snoop Dogg.

B6

FOOD

MAY 15 – MAY 21, 2015

TOJ

FROM FAMILY FEATURES

Widely recognized as portable and tasty, grapes are an easy way to enjoy an extra serving of fruit. But not only are grapes a super snack, they’re a terrific fresh ingredient to enhance any meal.

Yes, with a burst of juicy flavor, fresh grapes can make good-for-you foods taste even better. Vibrant color, crunch and a light touch of sweetness make them an unexpected but appealing addition to countless dishes.

These recipes show how grapes balance the distinct flavor of Brussels sprouts; complement smoky mozzarella; provide a palate-pleasing texture to tofu kabobs and complement the global flavors of a Thai salad.

In addition to great taste and versatility, grapes are also healthy. They are a natural source of antioxidants and other polyphenols, which contribute to a healthy heart.

For more recipes featuring delicious and nutritious grapes, visit www.grapesfromcalifornia.com.

SWEET SUMMERY SNACK Frozen grapes are the perfect cool down when the weather gets hot. Just rinse, pat dry and place in the freezer for about 2 hours.

TOFU GRAPE KABOBS Servings: 4 2–3 tablespoons minced jalapeno 2 tablespoons reduced-sodium soy sauce 2 teaspoons brown sugar 1 teaspoon grated ginger 1 pound firm tofu, cut into 12 chunks 2 cups green California grapes 2 cups steamed brown rice 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro Heat grill to high.

In small bowl, mix jalapeno, soy sauce, sugar and ginger, and toss. Add tofu and mix.

Thread tofu and grapes onto 4 skewers. Grill 2–4 minutes or until heated through.

Divide rice among 4 bowls, top with skewers and sprinkle with cilantro.

Nutrition information per serving: 271 calories; 6 g fat (.8 g saturated fat); 20% calories from fat; 14 g protein; 42 g carbohydrate; 3.5 g fiber; 0 mg cholesterol; 207 mg sodium.

A HANDFUL OF HEALTH • One serving of grapes is 3/4 cup and has just 90 calories, no fat, no cholesterol and virtually no sodium.

• Grapes are a natural source of antioxidants and other polyphenols, which help make grapes a heart-healthy food.

• They are an excellent source of vitamin K, which is critical for healthy blood clotting, and may play a role in bone health.

• Grapes contribute to heart health by promoting the relaxation of blood vessels to help maintain healthy blood flow and function.

SWEET AND SAVORY GARLIC GINGER BRUSSELS SPROUTS AND GRAPES Servings: 4 (1/2 cup each) 1 pound Brussels sprouts 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil 1 cup halved red California grapes 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper 3 cloves garlic, minced 2 tablespoons fresh ginger, grated 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard 2 teaspoons honey 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar 1/4 cup walnuts, coarsely chopped Cut off woody stem on each Brussels sprout and remove any tough or bruised outer leaves. Slice sprouts very thinly to make mound of feathery ribbons.

Heat olive oil in large skillet over medium-high heat. Add sprouts, grapes, salt and pepper to skillet and saute 3–4 minutes. Reduce heat to medium and add garlic, ginger, mustard, honey and vinegar to pan.

Continue to saute approximately 1–2 minutes, until sprouts are tender and bright green in color.

Turn off heat and add walnuts to pan. Gently mix to combine.

Nutrition information per serving: 210 calories; 12 g fat (1.3 g saturated fat); 48% calories from fat; 6 g protein; 23 g carbohydrate; 5 g fiber; 0 mg cholesterol; 236 mg sodium.

SHRIMP THAI SALAD Servings: 4 3 cups shredded savoy cabbage 2 cups bean sprouts, rinsed 1 1/2 cups green California grapes, halved 1 large cucumber 1/4 cup lime juice 3 tablespoons rice wine vinegar 2 tablespoons brown sugar 3 tablespoons minced shallots 1 tablespoon safflower oil 1 red Thai chili, thinly sliced 1 1/2 cups cooked medium shrimp 3 tablespoons coarsely chopped cilantro 3 tablespoons Thai basil, torn Combine cabbage, bean sprouts and grapes in large bowl. With vegetable peeler, peel cucumber into long thin strips and put on top.

In small bowl, combine lime juice, vinegar, sugar, shallots, oil and chili. Pour over vegetables and mix well.

Divide among 4 serving plates, top with shrimp and sprinkle with cilantro and basil.

Nutrition information per serving: 186 calories; 3.5 g fat (.2 g saturated fat); 16% calories from fat; 14 g protein; 28 g carbohydrate; 4 g fiber; 0 mg cholesterol; 146 mg sodium.

GRAPE AND SMOKED MOZZARELLA FLATBREAD Servings: 4 2 large wholegrain flatbreads or naan (about 8 ounces) 1 1/4 cups grated smoked mozzarella 3 cups arugula 1 cup sliced red, green and black California grapes 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil 1 small clove garlic, minced Salt Freshly ground black pepper Heat broiler to high.

Place flatbreads on baking sheet and broil until crisp and lightly browned, about 2 minutes. Turn and cover with mozzarella. Broil until melted, about 2–3 minutes.

While mozzarella is melting, toss together arugula, grapes, olive oil, garlic, salt and pepper.

Place on top of flatbreads and cut into wedges.

Nutrition information per serving: 323 calories; 14.5 g fat (6 g saturated fat); 38% calories from fat; 16 g protein; 37 g carbohydrate; 4 g fiber; 19 mg cholesterol; 626 mg sodium.