Coming off the heels of Black History Month, March is recognized as Women’s History Month in the U.S., in addition to International Women’s Day on March 8th which celebrates women ’ s achievements, embraces equity, and calls for a more inclusive world. As we kick off Women’s History Month, here is a feature showcasing five Caribbean American women you should know about
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A group of Bahamians in the United States and Canada is reportedly planning to protest against the administration of Prime Minister Phillip Davis later this month in Miami, Florida
According to the head of the minor opposition party, the Coalition of Independents, Lincoln Bain, the protest is planned for March 23
“They are organizing a protest because they are disgusted by the way they’ve seen the Bahamian government treating Bahamians as of late from many instances, including Bahamians at Parliament being arrested,” said Bain who insisted he did not organize the protest as there have been instances in which he
Two Caribbean natio on all female IACHR board of directors
Bain
and members of his party were arrested while trying to protest Bain pointed to a recent incident when he was arrested along with others for unlawful assembly ahead of last month’s summit of
Transition to repub an important step to political independence
Caribbean Community (CARICOM) leaders
He said the group planning to protest in Miami is also upset that police stopped him from trying to demolish homes in a shanty town last week
“They’re having a protest in front of the Bahamian embassy in Miami,” Bain said “They’re going to write a document that outlines their concerns and they’re going to deliver it to the Bahamian embassy
“They invited us to come and be a part of this and to also speak and let the international media, American media, know exactly how we are being treated in The Bahamas as Bahamians and as political leaders by our government defiling our constitutional rights ”
Karen Vick is guiding brands for
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Jamaican DJ Ar Cooper dies aft collapsing durin set
Jennifer of Guava Tours Travel celebra ng her 60th last Saturday in style - Contributed
Broward Meats and Fish held their grand opening of another store in Margate last Saturday. Proprietors Ruben Lujo Sr. (pictured center with mic), Denise Lujo (in red) and Margate Mayor Anthony Caggiano all held the scissors for a formal ribbon cu ng – Luke Ballen ne photo Sandy Dorsainvil, President of Maximillian Consultants (le ) and Kenasha Paul President of Black Professionals Network were honored by the Florida Panthers Hockey Club for there work in the community during there Black History Month celebra ons Contributed
Anthony B’s Black and Proud concert which was held in New YorkContributed
North Miami City clerk Vanessa Joseph (le ) and North Miami Arts Program Manager Michelle Mckoy at the Afrikin Art exhibi on, “Women Walk on Water” – Contributed
AfriKin Founder Alfonso Brooks at the “Women Walk on Water” exhibi on – Contributed
Anthony B performing at the first staging of his Black and Proud concert which was held in New York recently. - Contributed
With the second historic all-woman board of directors and the first with all women from the Caribbean and Central American countries, Roberta Clarke of Barbados has been elected as Second Vice President The First Vice President, is Esmeralda Arosemena de Troitiño of Panama
Macaulay has served on the IACHR since 2016 and is in her second term She is an attorney in private practice and a mediator in the Supreme Court of Jamaica She was a judge of the Inter-American Court of Human Rights from 2007 to 2012
She is also an honorable member of the Legacy Wall for Gender Justice for women ’ s rights advocates, which has achieved significant changes and was launched in December 2017 at the United Nations in New York during the Assembly of Ministers She is known as a strong advocate and reference for women ’ s rights
Clarke has been a member of the IACHR since January 2022 She led UN Women Regional Offices in East and Southern Africa, Asia Pacific, the Caribbean, and Libya Before her career at the United Nations, she was a lawyer in Trinidad and Tobago
She has been involved in civil society at national and international levels She is an activist for social justice and gender equality
The election of the board of directors takes place every year, on the first day of the first annual period of sessions in accordance with Chapter 3 of the Commission’s Rules of Procedure
The IACHR comprises seven persons, with the other members being Joel Hernández,
Julissa Mantilla, Stuardo Ralón Orellanda, and Carlos Bernal
A principal, autonomous body of the Organization of American States (OAS), the IACHR derives its mandate from the OAS Charter and the American Convention on Human Rights The Inter-American Commission is mandated to promote respect for and defend human rights in the region and acts as a consultative body to the OAS in this area
The opposition United Workers Party (UWP) is calling on the Dominica government to revisit the policy to legalize the possession of 28 grams of marijuana and the cultivation of not more than three plants
In a statement, the party said that while it supports the medicinal cannabis industry, “We stand firm on the premise that our young people must be protected at all costs, and that measures must be put in place to channel their energy into productive areas
“The UWP further calls on the government of Dominica to establish a National Rehabilitation Centre Establish well-equipped sporting facilities where the youth can train to participate effectively in local, regional, and international tournaments Increase the capabilities and capacities of the Island’s youth by placing a lot more emphasis on their training in and acquisition of technical and vocational skills ”
The party said that it had since 2019 given a “solemn promise that if elected to office, it would in the first one hundred days approve and enact policy framework legislation and regulations to legalize, grow and process marijuana into manufactured health products
“This would be part of the overall strategy toward economic resilience and would be done under strict regulations to protect our children and youths,” it said adding that its recommendation had been ignored by the government that in 2020
Jamaica’s Prime Minister Andrew Holness says the island’s desire to transition to a republic will be an important step in completing the country’s political independence.
Speaking to more than 50 resident and non-resident Heads of Missions, during a Diplomatic Week event at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, he said the matter is an imperative that will “ consume our attention in Jamaica”
He assured that the Government is “working closely with various stakeholders, including the Opposition, to ensure that the preparatory process is seamless and allows for the full and effective engagement of our people”
Meanwhile, Minister of Legal and Constitutional Affairs, Marlene Malahoo
Forte, said the Constitutional Reform (CR) Committee, which will play a pivotal role in Jamaica’s seamless transition to a Republic, has now been constituted and has commenced its work
Malahoo Forte, who was speaking during last week’s sitting of the Standing Finance Committee of the House of Representatives, informed that the CR Committee will “provide advice and oversight as we move on the most comprehensive and impactful constitutional reform work to be undertaken in the life of independent Jamaica”
Additionally, she said the CR Committee’s work will be supported by a Secretariat, which is now being formulated
“It is our intention to transition Jamaica from a Constitutional monarchy to establish the Republic of Jamaica, within the Commonwealth, as a Parliamentary Republic with a Non-Executive President,” she noted
President of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), Ilan Goldfajn, has called for a renewed effort to overcome the historic plagues of poverty and inequality, increasing productivity and accelerating growth
He said the Washington-based financial institution is best suited to helping the Caribbean in this effort
“The IDB must help the region rise to its challenges including the more frequent and costly natural disasters, through innovative and agile ways to prepare, adapt and react”
that are better suited to the Caribbean’s development needs and vulnerabilities
The consultation will focus on “Partnering for a Resilient Caribbean” to bring clarity on how IFIs, Governments, and the private sector can work together to achieve this vital paradigm shift, the IDB said
Before the opening of the meeting which ends on Tuesday, the IDB said that it organizes this consultative meeting annually with governors of countries comprising its Caribbean Country Department in preparation for the Annual Meeting of the Board of Governors to be held March 16-19, this year in Panama
Burt BurtGoldfajn, who is on his first visit since his election to the top post late last year, told the X1 annual consultation with IDB governors from the Caribbean as well as the President of the Barbados-based Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) that such efforts are needed while tackling more frequent climate events and scarce resources
It said as the Caribbean emerges from the pandemic, international financial institutions (IFIs) are being called upon to offer solutions
“The IDB Group is embarking on a new phase of effective development support for Latin America and the Caribbean that seeks to achieve better social outcomes, including through greater climate resilience and enhance sustainable digital and physical infrastructure,” the IDB added
The meeting is being attended by the respective Caribbean Country Governors for The Bahamas, Barbados, Guyana, Jamaica, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago
President Dr. Irfaan Ali, on Monday, urged nationals to put aside their mistrust and division based on race and work together for a better Guyana.
“As we move forward towards a more inclusive and equitable future in this glorious land of ours, let us not allow the impediments of division, mistrust, mischief, and hatred to derail our country’s rapid development,” Ali said in a message in observance of Phagwah
He said that while Phagwah is a Hindu festival, brought by the Indian indentured immigrants, it now enjoys universal appeal and that Guyanese from all cultural backgrounds join their Hindu brothers and sisters in celebrating the festival
“Phagwah is observed in Guyana with an eruption of colors and with effusive cheerfulness and merriment The sprinkling, showering, and smearing of colored powder on other’s faces and garments are symbolic of the inclusive character of this lively festival, one in which distinctions based on race, religion, and class are blurred,” Ali added
He said Phagwah reminds Guyana that, “Despite the differences, we are all part of a common human family who inhabit our planet ”
“As such, we must continue to promote harmonious relations with each other, mindful that in doing so we will create the conditions that will continually yield a bountiful harvest of benefits to be shared by all ”
Ali said that nature has bestowed Guyana with an abundance of natural resources and that the country is perhaps the most endowed in the Caribbean
He said the government is developing the resources for the benefit of all Guyanese and that it is pursuing a path of development in which no one will be excluded or left behind
“Prudent policies are being promulgated to ensure the sustainable exploitation of our natural resources, and to enhance our people’s knowledge and skills to allow them to better participate in our burgeoning economy
“We are nation forged out of a history of struggle We are not daunted by challenges We are imbued with a tenacious spirit in overcoming adversity Through hard work, diligence, and sacrifice, and with the right policies we can each carve out a secure future for ourselves and for future generations “
President Irfaan Ali said as the country moves forward towards a
more inclusive and equitable future, it is imperative that the population should not allow the impediments of division to derail our country’s rapid development
“As we celebrate Phagwah with an outpouring of fervor and joy, love and with kindness in our hearts, may we commit to holding each other hands and moving forward together united and free towards that rewarding future which lies ahead,” he added
In recent years, the discovery of oil and gas has made Guyana one of the richest countries in the region with the government forecasting that the local economy will expand by at least 25 percent per year in the next three to four years
Finance Minister Dr Ashni Singh said Guyana’s economy registered a growth of 62 percent last year and is forecast to expand by another 25 percent this year
Revenue from oil exports and royalties is expected to climb 31 percent to US$1 5 billion this year, fueled by an average US$83 per barrel price for Guyana’s export basket
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enacted the policy to legalize small amounts of drugs
The party, which boycotted the 2020 general election last December, said that it was always of the opinion that the policy on marijuana “would not be in the interest of the Dominican people since it would just encourage our youths to smoke but not to create entrepreneurial opportunities to enhance their livelihood”
The UWP said that it has always been concerned about the “future and plight of the young people of Dominica who are so frustrated battling unemployment, underemployment, mental problems and many more socio-economic problems as a result of a failing economy
“Consequently, the youth feel that their only option is to sit on the street corners and indiscriminately smoke marijuana This constant smoking of weed could permanently harm their mental capacities and could increase social anxiety disorders
“All people of good conscience in Dominica have a moral obligation to protect our children and young people from exposure to bad decisions made by our leaders in their quest for absolute power, regardless of the trail of broken lives that’s left in their wake ”
The party said that its approach to this issue remains clear and that “ we must prevent indiscriminate use of marijuana in our communities and ensure law enforcement protects society by enforcing the laws and tackling the organized crime that is associated with the drug trade ”
“The party also recommends that the government revisits its drug policy by taking a balanced, coherent, and consolidated approach to address the evolving challenges posed ”
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Last week, Jamaica’s Minister of Legal and Constitutional Affairs announced a Constitutional Reform Committee has been formed in Jamaica This should be very encouraging news, especially to those who are anxious for Jamaica to become a Republic, leaving the increasingly antiquated British monarchy Indeed, in her announcement Minister Marlene Malahoo Forte indicated the committee “will play a key role in ensuring Jamaica’s smooth transition to a Republic ”
The Jamaican Constitution was based on the British or Westminster model, and mirrors several components of the British Constitution, including not having set dates for general elections
the government isn’t acting unconstitutionally
The absence of a Constitutional timetable or date to hold local government elections does give the JLP leader political advantage of maneuvering the election date, especially if the leader fears losing these elections, and the hold of his party as the governing party after the next general election is called
Dr. Garth A. Rose grose@cnweeklynews.com editor@cnweeklynews.com
The ability for a sitting prime minister to call an election at any time in several British Commonwealth countries including Jamaica, is cause for smart political maneuvers and strategies; and does offer a sort of political valve to release the hold of inefficient or corrupt governments on a country
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But, it’s hoped this Constitutional Reform Committee will be given a broader mandate than ensuring Jamaica’s smooth transition to Republic status The minister also said the committee is to assist Jamaica as it “ moves on the most comprehensive and impactful constitutional reform work to be undertaken in the life of independent Jamaica ”
It's not sure if the minister realized the significance of her statement, because the Jamaican Constitution has been in place since 1962 and is in need of serious new amendments and reforms
One such reform has to do with dates for calling general and local government elections in Jamaica
The Jamaican Constitution is surprisingly vague relating to the scheduling of general elections. Despite various amendments to the Constitution since 1962, the latest version maintains “the Governor General may at any time by Proclamation published in the Jamaican Gazette prorogue or dissolve parliament.” Although the Constitution stipulates parliament should continue for five years after its first sitting, it can be dissolved at any time on the advice of a sitting prime minister This needs to be changed to a fixed date for general elections, and a fixed period for the sitting of parliament
One positive of the American electoral system is it sets fixed dates for presidential and midterm general elections, and a fixed four
On the other hand, a fixed election date, and fixed tenure for the sitting of parliament, tends to create political order in a country Voters are assured of the dates when elections will be held, and how long the government will be in power If the sitting government is failing, there’s likelihood it will be removed and replaced on the next fixed election date Moreover, the Constitution can include terms for removing a corrupt or dangerous government prior to the set election date, and before the end of that government’s constitutional term
Many people share the opinion that Jamaica, and other Caribbean nations, would have more political stability if their Constitution set fixed election dates, and fixed periods for the sitting of parliament
The Jamaican Constitution should also include a fixed date for holding local government elections. Although a 2015 constitutional amendment stipulated in Section 66:3, “There shall continue to be a democratic system of local government for Jamaica,” it doesn’t stipulate a fixed timetable or date for local government elections
So, despite push back by the opposition People’s National Party against the incumbent Jamaica Labor Party for yet another postponement of local government elections expected to be held this year, for another year
The frequent postponement of local government elections weakens the democratic effectiveness of local government and deprives the public of effective governance in the upkeep of roads, water supply, garbage collections, fire protection services, the efficiency of local markets, and other crucial services affecting their daily lives
Yet another much needed amendment is one requiring elected members of parliament to maintain residence in his/her constituency during his/her tenure of representing a political constituency An MP is short serving members of his/her constituency if they only show up periodically. The first role of the MP is to serve the people who elected him/her Many of the problems besetting Jamaicans at the local level could be alleviated if MP’s were constitutionally required to reside for specific periods within the constituency they represent
Hopefully, a sensible non-political approach is taken to ensure these and other critical amendments are made to the Jamaican Constitution
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The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, on Tuesday, said the people of the French-speaking Caribbean Community (CARICOM) country of Haiti are enduring “conditions of nightmarish violence”
In his Global Update to the UN Human Rights Council, Türk said heavily armed gangs control services and access in large sections of the capital and the country “perpetrating frequent killings, abductions, random sniper attacks and a horrifying level of sexual violence
“The situation calls for a combination of responses: turbo-charging the political process towards free and transparent elections; fully implementing the arms embargo; effective sanctions against those who sponsor and direct armed gangs; and international support to build up the capacity of Haiti’s police and judicial systems to fight pervasive impunity and corruption,” he told the Council
Volker Turk, who had visited Haiti earlier this year, said there was also the need for the deployment of “ a time-bound specialized support force, with human rights safeguards
“We must keep Haiti in our focus, including in support to my Office’s work on the ground,” he told the Council
Over the last weekend, Caribbean
Community (CARICOM) governments reiterated their resolve to continue encouraging dialogue among Haitian stakeholders and supporting solutions to the multi-dimensional crisis facing Haiti
A statement issued by the Guyana-based CARICOM Secretariat noted that regional leaders with responsibility for Haiti met on Sunday, under the chairmanship of Bahamas
Prime Minister Philip Davis, who is also the CARICOM chairman, to receive the report from Jamaica’s Prime Minister Andrew Holness, who led a CARICOM Special Mission to Haiti on February 27
It said that the mission met with a broad range of Haitian stakeholders to hear their views on the way forward to a Haitian-led solution and demonstrate CARICOM’s
solidarity with Haiti
“The Leaders agreed that there must be a follow-up meeting with the stakeholders to chart a path to consensus building in order to bring peace and stability to the country,” the statement said
In his address to the Council, Turk spoke of the situation in several countries, saying he is aware that discussions of complex human rights issues may be difficult or sensitive, for some
“Others may feel they are best whispered behind closed doors Yet, we need to regain the space where we can discuss them in a constructive and open spirit, undisturbed by the tug of geopolitics and bearing in mind that nobody is perfect
“In the spur of the moment, you may not like what you hear but over time you may appreciate what we had to say My only consideration, and in fact my duty, is to stay true to the mandate, the normative human rights framework, and the imperative of improving people’s lives ”
Turk said contempt for the human being reaches agonizing levels when war breaks out, and violence becomes a daily occurrence
Haiti has declared three days of national mourning following the recent death of former Prime Minister Gérard Latortue
The days of national mourning were held from March 5 to March 7
During these days the national flag was lowered and radio and television stations featured shows and music reflecting the mourning period
Latortue, a former interim prime minister of Haiti who helped rebuild and unite the country after a violent coup in the mid-2000s, died on February 27 He was 88
Prime Minister Ariel Henry said Latortue’s death was a tremendous loss for the nation and described him as “ a reformer, a convinced patriot, an eminent technocrat, a voice of change, of development (and) a supporter of democracy ”
Gérard Latortue was a former exile who was sworn in as interim prime minister in March 2004 following months of bloodshed and political strife that left more than 300 dead and culminated in the ouster of former President Jean-Bertrand Aristide
The turmoil at the time prompted the U S
military to escalate its mission in Haiti
In February 2006, Haiti held general elections to replace the interim government of Latortue, which was succeeded by former Prime Minister Jacques-Édouard Alexis
The provisional president, Boniface Alexandre, was succeeded by former President René Préval Latortue had previously served as Haiti’s foreign minister, as a business consultant in Miami, and as an official with the U.N. Industrial Development Organization in Africa
Miramar Commissioner Alexandra P. Davis thanks you for your vote of condence in her leadership in the City of Miramar as she continues her work in the community having been unopposed in the upcoming March 14, 2023 Elections!
ALEXANDRA P. DAVIS
COMMISSIONERTurk Latortue
ByAlexandriaMillerContributor
Since 1987, on the final day of February, the current President of the United States ushers in Women’s History Month. All of March is dedicated to celebrating women around the world and throughout history who have fought, and sometimes died, in the name of equality, liberty, and advancing the welfare of womankind.
It’s important to remember that not too long ago women did not have the right to votea core tenet of liberty that many take for granted It’s tempting to cite the female titans of industries, world leaders, and celebrities as examples of how far we ’ ve come, but they should never be viewed as symbols that we have obtained equality, as there’s still further to go in the balance of power between men and women
The politicians that should be protecting women have found themselves tangled up in undermining women ’ s autonomy, and rigidly defining what makes a woman
Women’s History Month is a reminder and renewal of that mission towards equality and justice This year, in President Biden’s address, he stated, “Too often, the women were unsung and sometimes their contributions went
unnoticed, but the achievements, leadership, courage, strength, and love of the women who built America were as vital as that of the men whose names we know so well " The President went on to highlight women of color in particular, for being on the frontlines and risking the most as abolitionists, civil rights leaders, suffragists, and labor activists
Like Black History Month in February, Women’s History Month is a month for remembering and honoring the women who make, and have made, sacrifices which we build upon today But, it should also spur us to do so year-round
Women’s History Month began as Women’s History Week in the school district of Sonoma California in 1978 It served a similar purpose as it does now - celebrating women ’ s contribution to culture, history, and society Multiple schools partook in presentations and essay competitions; hundreds of students participated and there was the occasional parade The idea spread to other districts and even other countries By 1980, President Jimmy Carter issued a presidential proclamation declaring March 2 - 8 as Women’s History Week Carter used the opportunity to call for the passing of the Equal Rights Amendment, which declared, “Equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on account of sex ”
Seven years later, Congress officially declared the entirety of March, Women’s History Month
Coming off the heels of Black History Month, March is recognized as Women s History Month in the U S , in addition to International Women’s Day on March 8th which celebrates women ’ s achievements, embraces equity, and calls for a more inclusive world As we kick off Women’s History Month, here is a feature showcasing five Caribbean American women you should know about Within the last year alone, we have seen countless women in the Caribbean and its diaspora break records, set trends, and accomplish enormous feats in their respective fields Caribbean women make history every day and, in many ways, their accomplishments
are a testament to the legacies of the female trailblazers who came before them
As a Jamaican-American and lover of history, I have always believed knowing our history is a great way to venerate our ancestors, establish connections across the region, and ensure that our communities are empowered with the knowledge of who we are and where we come from It is for all these reasons and more that I founded my podcast, Strictly Facts: A Guide to Caribbean History and Culture in 2020 This March, join Strictly Facts in celebrating Women’s History Month by learning about five Caribbean women who are crucial change agents and have transformed the world
The Haitian Revolution is one of the most significant Black uprisings in history
After twelve years of insurrection, the selfemancipated revolutionaries of what was then Saint-Domingue successfully founded the world’s first Black republic and officially declared their independence from France in 1804 Toussaint Louverture and JeanJacques Dessalines are perhaps the most renowned leaders of the Haitian Revolution; however, the rebellion was not without crucial women who supported the movement Said to be Dessalines’ goddaughter, Catherine Flon was one such female supporter who has been relatively obscured in history A seamstress who also served as her godfather’s assistant, Flon was a nurse to her fellow patriots and tended them back health during the Revolution On May 18, 1803, Dessalines led the Haitian army in the fight for independence and had ripped the white stripe out of France’s tricolor flag as a symbol of Haiti’s freedom from colonialism
Born in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, Claudia Jones was a political activist, organizer, journalist, and cultural leader who spearheaded movements for social change in both the United States and Britain Not long after immigrating to New York with her family in 1924, Jones joined political and social justice organizations like the Junior NAACP and the National Urban League. She was later catapulted into leadership through her support of the falsely accused Scottsboro Boys on trial for rape in Alabama in 1931 Jones later joined the Communist Party, beginning with the Young Communist League, and continued to grow as a popular advocate for workers’ rights, especially for women and people of color Her growing recognition made her a target of US surveillance and she was arrested several times and eventually deported in December
Born in the United States to Guyanese and Bajan parents, Shirley Chisholm was a revered American politician who worked as an educator in New York during the early part of her career She was drawn to politics through organizations for civil rights and women ’ s representation that she joined in Brooklyn in 1953 Four years after joining the Unity Democratic Club in 1960, Chisholm ran for then New York State Assemblyman Thomas R Jones’ seat in 1964 after he declined reelection Chisholm sat on New York State Legislatures until 1968, from which she made it her duty to support legislative protections for voting rights, unemployment benefits, women ’ s advocacy, and education for the working class
In 1968, Chisholm ran and was eventually elected to the U S House of Representatives With the slogan “Unbought and Unbossed,” she became the first Black woman elected to Congress and would go on
He trampled on the white stripe in the streets of Arcahaie, leaving Flon to later sew together the remaining red and blue stripes to create Haiti’s first flag, representing the Black and mixed-race Haitians joining forces under the motto “Liberté ou la Mort!” May 18th is commemorated annually as Haitian Flag Day and Flon is celebrated as one of three heroines of the Haitian Revolution, with her picture featured on the island’s ten gourdes banknote in 2000
1955. In Britain, Jones continued her organizing efforts for racial equity with a focus on the UK’s expanding West Indian population She co-founded the West Indian Workers and Students Association, the West Indian Gazette and Afro-Asian Caribbean News, and Britain’s first Caribbean carnival, now known as the Notting Hill Carnival, all while giving speeches across the world on women ’ s rights and racial equality
to be a founding member of both the Congressional Black Caucus and the National Women's Political Caucus in 1971 The following year, Chisholm also became the first woman to run for the Democratic Party's presidential nomination and the first African American to run for a president under a major party for the 1972 presidential election Though her campaign later failed, she went on to spend the next fifteen years in Congress and was later inducted into the National Women's Hall of Fame in 1993
After the resounding success of AfriKin Art: The Gaze Africana that opened MLK weekend through Black History Month, AfriKin Art and the North Miami Community Redevelopment Agency are once again collaborating to present their next installation, Women Walk on Water –a contemporary fine art exhibition The project is a call for the end of injustice and violence against women and girls for Women’s History Month, ending on March 31
AfriKin Art: Women Walk on Water is an all women art exhibition celebrating the courage, resilience and strength of women and girls around the world The exhibition showcases the work of women artists from varied backgrounds and disciplines, offering a unique perspective on their trials and triumphs
The Ralph name has been quite popular in the last year with daughter Sherly Lee-Ralph being the first Black woman to win an Emmy award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series in thirty-five years Jamaican fashion designer and Lee-Ralph’s mother, Ivy Ralph, set trends in her own
These works by women were born from stories of personal struggle
From paintings to sculptures, multimedia to woven fibers – each piece of art conveys a powerful message about the experiences of women and girls Each narrative speaks of oppression and violence, as well as courage and strength The pieces are unique reflections of the journey of contending to succeed in overcoming seemingly insurmountable obstacles
Founder of AfriKin and the event curator Alfonso D’Niscio Brooks said, “This is a celebration of the strength and courage of women and girls who have faced trials and have transcended to become powerful agents of change in the world The exhibition also serves as a reminder of the work that still needs to be done to ensure that all women and girls feel
safe to speak creatively and be their authentic selves The artists featured in this exhibition are committed to contributing toward the creation of a world free from violence against women and girls Through their art, they are calling for a world where all women and girls are treated with dignity and respect ”
The exhibition is divided into several sections, each of which focuses on a different aspect on the existence of women and girls
The first section, “The Journey,” highlights the struggles in the global south, including stories of displacement and migration The second section, “The Voice,” focuses on the power of women’s and girls’ voices, with pieces that depict the courage of those who speak out against injustice The third section, “The Strength,” celebrates their resilience and their ability to overcome any obstacle
The AfriKin Art: Women Walk on Water exhibition is located at the Scott Galvin Community Center in North Miami More information can be found online at www afrikin art
right and propelled the island’s fashion industry to international acclaim Quoted as saying, “It was an idea I had as a child, a more comfortable style of dress for men I wanted to help them get away from the jacket-and-tie routine to something far more comfortably suited to the island's climate,” Ralph designed the popular kareeba suit which was originally popularized by Prime Minister Michael Manley and the People’s National Party, and also later donned by other political leaders across the Caribbean as well as in Africa
Ralph’s tremendous contribution earned her Jamaica’s Order of Distinction in 1999 for outstanding contribution to the promotion of fashion
Born Elaine Potter Richardson in St John's, Antigua and Barbuda, Jamaica Kincaid is a prolific writer, novelist, and professor Her mother sent her to New York City to work as an au pair as a teen, of which she eventually resigned to attend college Kincaid later dropped out of college, but continued to pursue a career in writing She changed her name to Jamaica Kincaid as a self-actualized form of liberation and began publishing articles and stories in magazines and journals like Ms Magazine, The Paris Review, and The New Yorker
Kincaid published several non-fiction pieces and novels throughout the 1990s, oftentimes focusing on themes of gender, power, colonialism, and power One of her most widely read works is A Small Place, a book-length essay first published in 1998 that is equal parts historical and autobiographical as it explores Kincaid’s upbringing in Antigua and critiques British imperialism and neocolonialism for espousing legacies of racism, classism, and corruption on the island and the Caribbean as a whole She is currently a Professor of African and African American Studies in Residence at Harvard University
Alexandria Miller is a Caribbean historian, writer, and Ph D candidate who is passionate about capturing Black women ’ s stories. In 2021, she launched Strictly Facts: A Guide to Caribbean History and Culture, a podcast and digital platform that aims to educate and celebrate Caribbean history by connecting history, politics, and activism to our rich, contemporary music and popular culture
South Florida-based Jamaican, Karen Vick, a digital marketing expert and web design professional, recently announced the launch of her new weekly podcast, Guiding Brands
Vick is a tech geek who became a web designer over 20 years ago Since then, she has started two companies and extended her services to include graphic design, digital marketing, social media marketing, and digital strategy
Most recently, she managed the award-winning digital marketing team at one of the fastest-growing franchise systems in the property damage restoration industry Vick’s passion for teaching, and desire to see small business owners succeed, are at the heart of her work
Her Guiding Brands podcast covers a range of valuable marketing strategies, guidance, and helpful tips for local servicebased small business owners In the premier episode entitled From Goals to Gains: 3 Foundational Marketing Strategies for Small Businesses, Vick touches on three basic tenets to market service-based small businesses
“I’m thrilled to launch Guiding Brands and to be able to provide valuable insights and practical tips to small business owners I believe that with the right strategies, anyone can grow their business and achieve their goals, and I’m committed to providing the guidance and support needed to make that happen,” said Vick
Each week, listeners will have access to expert interviews, case studies, and actionable strategies from industry leaders and successful entrepreneurs Vick understands the challenges many small business owners face and is committed to providing the guidance and support needed to succeed Listeners can subscribe to Guiding Brands on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and other major podcast platforms
A Southwest Airlines flight to Florida from Cuba was forced to turn back Sunday after it struck birds that caused an engine to catch fire and fill the cabin with smoke, the airline said No injuries were reported
Southwest Airlines flight 2923 departed José Martí international Airport in Havana en route to Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport on Sunday afternoon The aircraft “experienced bird strikes to an engine and the aircraft’s nose,” the airline said in a statement
A passenger told WSVN that the impact sent fumes through the aeroplane and caused emergency oxygen masks to deploy
“It was like a burn smell, and it was hurting my face My eyes got real red, my chest started to burn,” Steven Rodriguez said
The pilots safely returned to Havana, where the 147 passengers and six crew members evacuated the aircraft on slides, the airline said
The airline bused passengers and crew members to the airport terminal and put the passengers on a different flight to Fort Lauderdale, the airline said
Health officials in Florida have issued a warning after a patient died after being infected with Naegleria fowleri, commonly known as brain-eating amoeba
The Charlotte County Health Department issued an alert, saying that it confirmed a victim had been infected with the bacteria, “possibly as a result of sinus rinse practices” with tap water
Health experts told WINK that the victim likely used a sinus rinse, such as a Neti Pot, which allowed the amoeba access to the nose
The health department emphasized that infection with the bacteria is extremely rare, and it is not possible to be infected by drinking
tap water The infection can only occur when the bacteria enters the human body through the nose
Naegleria fowleri is a single-celled amoeba that can enter a human’s nose via contaminated water Rarely, when the amoeba gets into the brain via the nose, it can cause a deadly infection
Naegleria fowleri naturally lives in soil and warm fresh water According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, an average of three people are infected by the bacteria each year, and the infections are typically fatal
Charlotte County health officials warned
residents that sinus rinse solutions should be made only using distilled or sterile water Tap water should be boiled for at least one minute, then cooled, before being used as a sinus rinse
Do not allow water to go up your nose when bathing, showering, washing your face, or in small plastic/blow-up pools
The health department warned that if you experience any of the following symptoms after swimming in warm lakes or rivers, or after a nasal water exposure such as a sinus rinse, to seek medical assistance immediately:
The School Board of Miami-Dade County, Florida (Board), intends to award one Construction firm for the following General Obligation Bond (GOB) project:
PROJECT NO. 01528600
FLAMINGO ELEMENTARYSCHOOL
GOB RENOVATIONS PROJECT
701 EAST 33 STREET HIALEAH, FLORIDA33013
BIDS DUE: Sealed bids will be received byThe School Board of Miami-Dade County, Florida, for the project listed herein, until 2:00 PM local time, TuesdayApril 25, 2023, at 1450 N E SecondAvenue, Lobby in the N E Fifteenth (15th) Street entrance, Miami, Florida, 33132 following which time and place or as soon there-after as the Board can attend to the same the said bids will be publicy opened read and tabulated in the Board Auditorium Miami-Dade County School Board Administration Building, by an authorized representative of the Board Award of the contract will be made to the lowest, pre-qualified responsble and responsive bidder for the actual amount bid considerng base bd and accepted alternates (if any) as listedinthebiddingdocuments TheBoardwillawardthecontractbasedupontheresultsofthetabulationsascoveredbyapplicablelawsandregulations
Bidders desiring to participate in this solicitation must be pre-qualified by the Board prior to submitting their bid in response to this solicitation. Contact the Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS) Office of Economic Opportunty at (305) 995-1307 or via email at oeo@dadeschools net for information regarding Contractors Pre-qualification procedures
QUESTIONS: Written questions regarding this project will be accepted All written communications must be sent to the Project Architect/Engineer, Naomi Harrison (nharrison@mcharrycom), MC Harry Associates, Inc. 2780 SW Douglas Road, Suite-302 Miami, Florida 33133. Questions will be accepted until 5:00 pm on Frday, April 7, 2023 Answers will only be issued to the Contractors who attended the mandatory Pre-bid Conference
MANDATORY PRE-BID CONFERENCE: (Flamingo Elementary School): Tuesday, March 28, 2023, at 10:00 a m local time, at Flamingo Elementary School, 701 East 33 Street, Hialeah, Florida 33013 There will be a sign-in period from 10:00 a m. to 10:15 a m Potential bidders arriving after the fifteen (15) minute sign-n period will not be allowed to participate in this solicitation. Proposals submitted by firms not represented at the Mandatory Pre-Bd Conference will not be considered
BOARD POLICIES:
Cone of Silence
A Cone of Sience, pursuant to shal commence with the issuance of this Legal Advertisement and shall terminate at the time the item is presented by the Superintendent to the appropriate Board committee immediately Board Policy 6325, prior to the Board meetng at which the Board will award or approve a contract, reject all bids or responses, or take any other action that ends the solicitation and review process Any violation of this rule shall be investigated by the Board's Inspector General and shall result in the disqualfication of the potential applicant from the competitive solcitation process, reection of any recommendation for award, or the revocation of an award to the vendor as being void, rendering void any previous or prior awards The potential vendor or vendors representative determined to have violated this rule, shall be subject to debarment General questions regarding the egal advertisement will be sent to the Office of Capital Improvement Projects via email at ocp@dadeschools net, and a copy filed with the Cerk of the School Board at celiarubio@dadeschools net, who shall make copies available to the public upon request
Lobbyist
Lobbyist requirements, pursuant to shall be applicable to this solicitation and all proposers and lobbyists shall strictly conform to, and be governed by, the requirements set forth theren. Contact the Clerk of the School Board Policy 8150, Board for additional information
Vendor and Employment Preference
Local-Vendor Preference, pursuant to shall apply to this solicitation. Based on Board policy, Local Business means a vendor or business that has a valid business tax receipt, issued by a jurisdiction located in Miami- Board Policy 6320 05, Dade County, that has either (1) its headquarters, manufacturing facilty, or locally-owned franchse ocated within the egal boundaries of Miami Dade County, for at least twelve (12) months, or (2) has an office with a street address within the boundaries of Miami-Dade County for at least twenty-four (24) months, calculated from the bid or proposal opening date. Post office boxes are not verifiable and shall not be used for the purpose of establishing said physical address. In order to be considered for local preference, vendors must provide a copy of their business tax receipt and the Local Business Affidavit of Eligiblity with their proposal. Proposers who fail to submit the required documents will not be considered for
Vendor Preference
Jessica Lunsford Act
The successful proposer(s) shall fully comply with the State of Florida's House Bill 1877 “Jessica Lunsford Act” (JLA); FS 1012 465, 1012 32, 1012 467 & 1012 468 and Employment Standards and Fingerprinting of all Board Policy 4121 01, Employees (also refer to Board Policy 8475)
Ethics, Conflict of Interest and Anti-Fraud
Proposers respondng to this solicitation shal comply with the following ethics, conflict of interest and anti-fraud policies:
- Board Policy 6460, Business Code of Ethics;
- Board Policy 6460, Disclosure of Employment of Former School Board Employees;
- Board Policy 8700, Anti-Fraud; and all related Board polcies and procedures, as applicable
Contractor Debarment Procedures
Pursuant to Contractor Discipline Procedures, debarred contractors are excluded from conducting business with the Board as agents, representatives, partners, and associates of other contractors, subcontractors or Board Policy 6320 04, individual sureties
Commercial Anti-discrimination, Diversity, and Inclusion
Proposers responding to this solicitation shall comply with the followng anti-discrimination policies: Commercial Anti-discrimnation, Diversity, and Inclusion (proposers shall be required to certify compliance with Board Policy 6465);
- Board Policy 1362 02, 3362 02 and 4362 02
- Board Policy 6465, Anti-discrimination/Harassment Complaint Procedure; and
- all related Board policies and procedures, as applicable
Protest
Failure to file a protest wthin the time prescribed and in the manner specified in (Purchase Approval and Competitive Bidding Process Requirements) or in accordance with FS Secton 120 57(3) shall constitute a waver Board Policy 6320 of proceedings under FS Chapter 120
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT:
The proposer acknowledges that al information contained in their RFQ Response s part of public domain as defined by the State of Florida Sunshine Law Therefore, any information received is subject to public inspection and copying in accordance with FS 119 No action on the part of the proposer would create an obligation of confidentialty on the part of the School Board including, but not limited to, making a reference in the RFQ Response to trade secrets FS 812 081 and FS 815 045. It is recommended that potentia proposers exclude from their response any information that, in their judgment, may be considered a trade secret Board policies, as amended from time to time, can be accessed and downloaded at: https://go boarddocs com/fl/sbmd/Board nsf/goto?open&id=BK6KUF4FFE14
The successful proposer(s) shall fully comply with the State of Floridas House Bill 1877 “Jessica Lunsford Act” (JLA); FS 1012 465, 1012 32, 1012 467 & 1012 468 and Employment Standards and Fingerprinting of all Board Policy 4121 01, Falure to file a protest within the time prescribed and n the manner specified in Board Policy 6320 or in accordance with §120 57(3). Fla. Stat. (2014) shall constitute a waiver of proceedings under Chapter 120, Florida Statutes
Pre-qualified bidders may obtain the documents for construction or a full set of printed documents for construction at the bidder's expense from the office of Go Green Document Solutions, Inc. on 3715 Grand Avenue, Coconut Grove, Florida 33133 on and after, March 6, 2023
OFFICE OF ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY
Small/Micro, Minority/Women-Owned, and Veteran Business Enterprise Programs, Board Policy 6320 02
Awarded firms will be required to comply with and submit a monthly report via the Online Diversity Compliance System for compliance wth Small/Micro, Minority/Women and/or Veteran sub-consultant goals, sub- Board Policy 6320 02 contractor goals, local workforce information, and/or any affirmative procurement initiatives Awarded firms will be required to submit monthly compliance reports online at: Please note http://miamidadeschools diversitycompliance com that the “Small/Micro Business Enterprise Program Administrative Procedures Manual”, Board-approved January 15, 2020, shall be applcable to this solicitation. Please contact the Office of Economic Opportunity at 305-995-1307 or via email at OEO@dadeschools net for additonal information
Assistance levels, as established by the Goal Setting Committee: Flamingo Eementary School: S/MBE Mandatory Subcontracting Goals: 10 21% Construction, and 20% Loca Work Force, within a 10-mile radius
Mandatory M/WBE Subcontracting Goals: 14 79%- Per the M-DCPS 2020 Comprehensive Disparity Study and the only Non-minority Women, African American, Native American, and Asian American-owned firms are Board Policy 6320 02, eligible to meet the M/WBE goals on this solicitation
The Board reserves the right to waive informalities and to reject any and all bids
THE SCHOOL BOARD OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA
By: Dr. Jose L. Dotres Superintendent of Schools
Chance the Rapper hopes the second staging of his Black Star Line Festival will be held in Jamaica. The next staging is scheduled for January 2024
The rapper made the disclosure on Monday night during an interview on The Tonight Show, hosted by Jimmy Fallon
“We’re actually thinking about hosting the next one in Kingston, Jamaica,” Chance said of the Black Star Line fest
The Black Star Line Festival, co-promoted by Vic Mensa, was inspired by civil rights leader Marcus Garvey’s Black Star Line, founded in 1919 and operated by Black people who helped link global shipping and tourism opportunities
Jamaica’s Kingston Creative has partnered with the Inter-American Development Bank and IDB Lab, the Tourism Enhancement Fund, and the Development Bank of Jamaica to launch the ‘Kulcha Connect’ app Kulcha Connect is an insider guide to curated Jamaican cultural experiences If a creative entrepreneur has an amazing product, is hosting a live event, or giving a tour, the app connects them with a ready target audience and also offers easy online
More than 52,000 people are said to have attended the first festival, which took place in Ghana in January
Among the performers on the lineup were Erykah Badu, Dave Chappelle, T-Pain, Jeremih, Sarkodie, Tobe Nwigwe, Asakaa Boys, and M anifest
Chance the Rapper is also set to join season 23 of The Voice, for which he is the newest coach, and will also release his new album, Star Line Gallery later this year
Among the rapper ’ s hit songs are Angles, No Problem, I Might Need Security, Confident featuring Justin Bieber, and Best Life featuring Cardi B
To date, Chance the Rapper has sold more than 10 million singles in North America
Popular Jamaican disc jockey and record producer Arif Cooper has died after reportedly collapsing while on the job at a party in St Andrew early Sunday morning.
Cooper is the son of Michael ‘Ibo’ Cooper, the founder of the iconic Jamaican reggae group, Third World Cooper was married to media personality, Simone Clarke The two have since divorced but shared a daughter Many have expressed shock on social
media surrounding his passi d h hailed the DJ as one of the industry
The DJ was introduced and began DJing at house par 1990s
As a radio broadcaster, A severed more than two decade as a broadcaster and DJ
He has also worked alo Jamaican artistes, including Wayne Marshall, and Sean music producer
One of his last musical p tions was entitled, ‘So Muc Give Thanks For’, featur Ginjah
Reggae Girl Khadija “Bunny” Shaw, who has been in lethal form, followed up a four-timer last week with a hattrick on Sunday as Manchester City came from behind to beat struggling Tottenham Hotspur 3-1 in England’s Women’s
The treble took the six-foot Spanish Town-born forward’s tally in all competitions to 24 goals in 21 City appearances this season
Shaw, 26, whose four goals last weekend came in an 8-1 thrashing of Championship side Bristol City in the Women’s FA Cup, levelled in firsthalf injury time, added a penalty two minutes after the break, and completed her hat-trick with an 83rd-minute strike
Celin Bizet’s 31st-minute opener had stunned the Blues as Spurs threatened to repeat last season ’ s shock win at Academy Stadium
The victory against a Spurs side who arrived on a seven-match losing streak lifted City to second place – three points behind Manchester United – and was boss Gareth Taylor’s 73rd in 100 games in charge of the club City has won more games (10) and more points (32) since the beginning of October than any other WSL side
After a trip to Brighton next Sunday, City’s following two WSL games are against title rivals Chelsea and Arsenal City sought a fast start, Shaw flashing across the face of the goal, Lauren Hemp dragging wide and Chloe Kelly almost finding the bottom corner
Goalkeeper Tinja-Riikka Korpela twice denied Shaw with outstand-
TRACK & FIELD
ing saves, but the WSL top scorer was not to be denied, with quickfire goals before and after half-time, breaking the resistance of 10th-placed Spurs whose line-up included Shaw’s Jamaica team-mate, Drew Spence Shaw’s first was a header after Korpela’s save was recycled back into the box and her second, a confident penalty following Ashleigh Neville’s foul on Kelly The points were secured when Shaw, an imposing target, broke through two challenges and fired into the roof of the net for her 13th goal in the league this season Shaw, who had 11 shots in this game, five of them on target, moved three goals clear of Aston Villa’s Rachel Daly in the race to be the top scorer
payment The app is also useful for members of the diaspora and other visitors to the island who want to experience Jamaica’s cultural landscape
“This new app was developed by local firm Norus Technologies and allows creatives to advertise events, products, places, and tours We really look forward to shipping Jamaican products all across the world using Kulcha Connect Leveraging technology to help creatives grow their businesses, contributes to the social and economic transformation that we want to see for our city and country,” said Andrea Dempster Chung, Co-Founder of Kingston Creative
The app also allows users to book tours, and view upcoming events and classes across Kingston
An interactive map gives a birdseye view of spots to visit in Kingston, including authentic Jamaican food spots, street art, museums, hotels, and more
The Kulcha Connect app is available for download on Google Play and the Apple store
Sprint hurdler Devynne Charlton said medaling in one of the two big prizes in athletics will dominate her thoughts over the next two years Though she has contested the final of the women ’ s 100 metres hurdles at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics final and last year ’ s World Championships in the American city of Eugene in the state of Oregon, Charlton has only won a world indoor 60 metres hurdles and a Commonwealth Games medal
But the 27-year-old said she has now set her sights on this year ’ s World Athletics Championships from August 19 to 27 in Budapest, Hungary, to put things right, and this year ’ s indoor season has been a great warm-up to achieving her goals
“I always like to elevate anytime I compete,” she said in an article appearing on the World Athletics website “I was in a world final, so now
I have to go and win a medal outdoors ”
Devynne Charlton started the year strongly, winning twice during this season ’ s World Athletics Indoor Tour Gold series – first at the New Balance Indoor Grand Prix in Boston and then again at the Millrose Games in New York She said she was working hard to make sure everything comes together for the outdoor athletics season, and she is typically on the track four days a week at the University of Kentucky in the United States, then lifting two or three
times a week in the gym
“Every day is high quality,” she said “ But I don’t think my technique is near perfection yet I have a good start, my middle really came together last year, but I just want to work on those last three hurdles and my race will be a lot better,” she said
The goal, either way, will stay the same: “Definitely getting on the podium ”
