Caribbean National Weekly April 13, 2023

JAMMIN

IN THE PARK

Jammin in the Park is set to take place at Central Broward Park & Broward County Stadium in Lauderhill, Florida, on Saturday April 22nd, and music lovers from all over the region are gearing up for this highly anticipated event. With the star-studded lineup featuring Jamaican reggae sensation Gyptian and R&B icon Montell Jordan, this is a concert that promises to be an unforgettable experience

This is the 9th staging of the event, but a first for Broward County Stadium Jammin in the Park, which is usually held at the Ilene Lieberman Park, is anticipating a bigger crowd than usual this year The lineup includes headliners Montell Jordan and Gyptian, as well as Gucci Crew II, The Old Skool Gang and Lenora Jaye

WHAT’S INSID

Jamaican-made Scotch Boyz sauces will hit 250 Target stores this month

Gyptian, born Windel Beneto Edwards, is a highly talented Jamaican roots reggae artist who has been making waves in the music industry since the mid-2000s With hits like "Serious Times," "Beautiful Lady," and "Hold Yuh," Gyptian has cemented his place as one of the top reggae artists of his generation His smooth voice, catchy melodies, and meaningful lyrics make his music resonate with fans all over the world Montell Jordan, on the other hand, is an American R&B singer, songwriter, and record producer His music career started in the early 1990s, and he became a household name with the release of his hit single "This Is How We Do It" in 1995 Since then, he has released numerous chart-topping singles and albums, establishing himself as a major force in the R&B genre Together, Gyptian and Montell Jordan promise to deliver an electrifying performance at Jammin in the Park Fans can expect to hear some of their most beloved hits as well as some new tracks that are sure to get the crowd on their feet With the stunning Broward County Stadium as the backdrop, this concert promises to be an unforgettable night of music and fun

Miami-based, Ja cannabis entrep

Keri-Ann Evans t Cannabis & CB A8

Aside from the fantastic music, Jammin in the Park also promises to be a great social event Fans will have the opportunity to mingle with other music lovers, enjoy delicious food and drinks, and soak up the vibrant energy of the crowd The event is also family-friendly, making it an excellent opportunity to spend quality time with loved ones while enjoying great music and entertainment

Food trucks and a bar will also be available And don’t forget your lawn chairs and blankets Admission, as always, is free, but a park entrance of $1 50 is required upon entry

Celebrities Rick Ross and Dua Lipa vacation in Jamaica

Khadija “Bunny” Shaw, arguably the best striker in women’s soccer

The Old Skool Gang

Revellers party at The Shrine Miami, a weekly African and Caribbean music event held every Saturday at Red Rooster in Overtown, curated by Jamaican DJ Jason Panton. – Contributed

Miramar Commissioner Alexandra P. Davis was in starstudded company at the Miramar Invitaonal this past weekend, on Saturday, April 8th. – Contributed

The Lauderhill Fire Rescue joyously cut the ribbon to their new state of the art Fire Staon 30. Among the community leaders in aendance are (L-R) Brian Hanherson, Bishop, Henry Fernanadez Lauderhill City Manager, Desorae GilesSmith and Chief, Robert Torres Photo

Credit: Luke Ballenne

Okay folks, lets welcome the honorary fire chief for Staon 30 grand opening, Abraham "Abe" Levy. At only 3 years old, "abe," in full fire gear was an adorable addion to the fesvies Photo Credit: Luke Ballenne

Dancehall arst and Love & Hip Hop reality TV star, Safaree Samuels, poses alongside Gale Nelson, the President & CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Miami. Both received Community Service Awards from the City of Miramar on April 8th. –Contributed

City Vice Mayor, Sarai "Ray" Marn, welcomed the large gathering at the staon housed and expressed the city commission's connued commitment to the fire department Photo Credit: Luke Ballenne

The fire department has $1,000 00 reasons to smile. This is a true example of community spirit and involvement: The Fresco Supermarket, in honor of Staon 30 opening, presented a check of $1,000 00 and the staon personalized shopping cart

Photo Credit: Luke Ballenne

Lauderhill City Manager, Desorae Giles-Smith, at the Fire Staon 30 Grand Opening on Thursday, April 6th. – Contributed

Jamaican-made Scotch Boyz sauces will hit 250 Target stores this month

On April 23, Jamaican-made Scotch Boyz products will be launched in over 250 Target stores across the United States

The name of the game for Neil Hudson, cofounder and head of sales and marketing for the sauce and condiment, is expansion. The company's crowd-pleasing sauces are a frequent seller on the online marketplace Amazon, earning the banner “Amazon’s Choice” - a label reserved for products the retailer deems to be “high quality and well priced ”

According to Hudson, Scotch Boyz sauces are blazing new trails for Jamaican-made products, as the first Jamaican product, to his knowledge, that isn’t being regulated to an international foods section or an immigrant market “We’re putting Jamaican flavors and seasonings on the front page in a major way,” he noted Target is just one avenue Scotch Boyz is pursuing to get their sauces in people’s cabinets Hudson and his co-founders, Drew Gray, Matthew Wallace and Kemar Swaby, are pursuing partnerships with various establishments in the United States to stock Scotch Boyz

The Scotch Boyz brand started from humble beginnings

As the story goes Four friends in their mid-twenties entered a BBQ competition in Jamaica to see who would be crowned the grill master. For their key ingredient they decided to use Jamaican scotch bonnet peppers, and named their team Scotch Boyz Today, they have built that name into a global brand that manufactures up to 80,000 units of sauces per day at their own facility on the island

Not only is Scotch Boyz found across the US, but it’s also available in the UK, Germany, and Poland Perhaps, it’s this simplicity that

makes their sauces so beloved Self-described as all “yaad boys” the founders keep their sauces simple and Jamaica close to their hearts, prioritizing Jamaican ingredients from Jamaican farmers - scallions, onions, and, of course, scotch bonnet peppers

All four founders grew up in the parish of

Westmoreland, Jamaica, a part of the island dedicated to tourism and agriculture They saw firsthand the plight of the workers providing their country with basic sustenance and how dependent they were on not only dema infrastructural support and favorable w patterns Of course, a healthy fa

community means better crops which guarantees top-notch sauce

This is why Jamaica is always at the forefront of consideration for the Scotch Boyz Their charitable arm seeks out underfunded schools in their local community that would benefit from a financial injection Their motto: One Sauce Buys One Pencil It’s deeper than that of course, with a percentage of each sale going towards funding supplies and infrastructure for the schools that need it the most One of their latest projects is funding the construction of a sheltered walkway at St Paul’s Primary in Westmoreland, so students can escape the sun or rain showers on their way to the bathroom, which was constructed separately from the classrooms

For Scotch Boyz, peppers are the star of the show “There’s nothing like a scotch bonnet pepper,” Hudson explained, with the kind of wistfulness reserved for talking about a favorite dish “It’s a little sweet, and then the heat creeps in It’s just an amazing pepper ” For the uninitiated, the best comparison point is probably the habanero It’s a similar spice level but a lot more fruit-forward It’s what makes the pepper one of the cornerstones of Jamaican cuisine

It’s targeting that gap in the market that Hudson believes is one of the pillars of the rise of Scotch Boyz In 2022, Scotch Boyz was one of three winners of the SheaMoisture Next Black Millionaire impact program The initiative returned after a two-year hiatus and was done in collaboration with The New Voices Foundation providing the company with invaluable mentorship, a 100,000 dollar grant, distribution support, and a docuseries opportunity

Co-founders Drew Gray and Matthew Wallace showcasing Scotch Boyz hot pepper sauces

Guyana leads Caricom countries in economic growth for 2023

Guyana is expected to record the highest growth among Caribbean Community (Caricom) countries this year, while Haiti will record under one per cent growth in 2023, according to the latest World Economic Outlook released by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on Tuesday

According to the IMF, Guyana, which is now recognized as an oil-producing country following the discovery of the product a few years ago, will record economic growth of 37 2 percent this year, increasing to 45 3 percent next year

St. Vincent and the Grenadines, which has the second-highest predicted economic growth of six percent this year, will register a five percent growth in 2024

Antigua and Barbuda with a growth of 5 5 percent this year, will see that figure decline slightly to 5 4 percent next year, while Dominica and Barbados are projected to record economic growth of 4 9 percent this year, dropping to 4 7 and 3 9 percent respectively in 2024

The twin island Federation of St Kitts and Nevis will, according to the IMF projections, record economic growth of 4 5 percent this year, dropping to 3 8 percent the following year, while the Bahamas’ economic growth is projected at 4 3 percent declining significantly to 1 8 percent next year

Belize, Grenada, St Lucia and Trinidad and Tobago will all register growth of 3 or just over 3 percent this year, even as the growth will decline to two per cent next year for Belize, increase to 4 1 percent for Grenada, a decline to 2 2 percent for St Lucia and 2 3 percent for Trinidad and Tobago

The Dutch-speaking country of Suriname will record economic growth of 2 3 percent this year, increasing to three percent the following year, while in the case of Haiti, where political and social unrest has engulfed that country, the economic growth this year will be 0 3 percent,

increasing to 1 2 percent next year

In its report, the Washington-based financial institution said that the global economy ’ s gradual recovery from both the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine remains on track

It said China’s reopened economy is rebounding strongly and that supply chain disruptions are unwinding, while dislocations to energy and food markets caused by the war are receding

“Simultaneously, the massive and synchronized tightening of monetary policy by most central banks should start to bear fruit, with inflation moving back towards targets,” the IMF said, adding that its latest World Economic Outlook is that growth will bottom out at 2 8 percent this year before rising modestly to 3 percent next year, 0 1 percentage points below the January projections

“Global inflation will fall, though more slowly than initially anticipated, from 8 7 percent last year to seven percent this year and 4 9 percent in 2024,” the IMF said, noting that

Former Jamaican PM Patterson among Caribbean leaders for ‘State of the Black World Conference’

Former Jamaican Prime Minister P J Patterson is among several Caribbean leaders who will speak at a major Black conference in the United States later this month, the advocacy group organizing the event has announced Don Rojas, the Vincentian-born director of communications and international relations for the Institute of the Black World 21st Century, said the prime ministers of Barbados and Grenada, will also feature at the State of the Black World Conference V in Baltimore, Maryland from April 19-23

Percentage Growth Outlook for 2023 for CARICOM nations

the economic slowdown is most pronounced in advanced economies and that inflation is falling more slowly than anticipated

Rojas, a former press secretary for slain Grenada Prime Minister Maurice Bishop, said Patterson will deliver a keynote address on the opening day focusing on “the mission to transform post-colonial societies in the Caribbean and Africa and to enhance democracy and development in those parts of the Black world ”

Patterson

Rojas noted that Patterson holds the distinction of being the longest serving prime minister in the history of Jamaica Currently, he is “Statesman in Residence” at the PJ Patterson Center for Africa-Caribbean advocacy at the University of the West Indies

The Center coordinates public policy continues onA5 – Black World Conference

Cubans seek solutions and solace in Santería amid crises

While nearly 70 percent of Latin America’s 670 million people consider themselves Catholic, in Cuba, Santería is the name of the game

From a two-room concrete home on the fringes of Cuba’s capital, the rumble of wooden drums spills out onto the streets

Neighbors gather at the door and kids climb a fence to peer inside They watch as dozens of Cubans wearing white and African beads make offerings at a bright blue altar consuming half a room, asking for luck, protection and good health

A fusion of African religions and Catholicism, Santería was one of the few religious practices to quietly endure through decades of prohibitions and stigma by the communist government

Now, as that stigma gradually fades and the country enters a moment of compounding economic, political and migratory crises, the religion is growing in popularity and expanding to new demographics

“Every day the religion grows a little

more,” Mandy Arrazcaeta, 30, said among the throngs of people in his home dancing and making offerings at the altar to a plastic doll depicting the Yoruba deity Yemayá “Right now, Santería in the country is a sort of bastion ”

Santería was born as a form of quiet resistance among the island’s black communities The religion dates back centuries to when Spanish colonists brought in hundreds of thousands of African slaves

While the Spanish tried to force Catholicism on the slaves, the Africans brought their own religions, mostly from West Africa, which they would camouflage by attaching their deities — orishas — to Catholic saints

Cuba’s patron saint, Our Lady of Charity, for example, blended with the golden deity, Oshun

“It would mix and mix through this Catholic virgin, they would speak to their African saints,” explained Roberto Zurbano, a Cuban cultural critic “That’s how the religion

Black World Conference

and advocacy in fostering development relations between the Caribbean and Africa, and promotes dialogue at the level of Heads of Government, Rojas said

was able to survive ”

While there are hundreds of orishas in Santería, practitioners known as santeros usually worship only a handful, connecting with them through rituals and offerings

On one Friday night, Arrazcaeta, family and friends splay out offerings of coconut and red Cuban pesos emblazoned with the face of Che Guevara, sacrificing two chickens over bowls filled with rocks and seashells In exchange, they ask for good health, strength during hardship, and even luck in love

“It’s something that’s very Cuban, something spontaneous that we do Because we know the struggles we face in this country,” Arrazcaeta said Millions worldwide are estimated to practice Santería, though definitive numbers – especially in Cuba – are hard to pin down due to the religion’s informal nature The US Commission on International Religious Freedom estimates 70 percent in Cuba practice some version of Santeria or similar African-based religions

St Vincent’s PM shares thoughts on death penalty

The controversial issue of the death penalty came up during the Prime Minister of St Vincent and the Grenadines’ Face-to-Face radio program as he expressed concern about crime and whether certain offenses require capital punishment

On Easter Monday the island recorded a fatal shooting, the first killing by a firearm since February 9, 2023

Dr Ralph Gonsalves is urging young men to restrain themselves and end their fascination with guns for taking out their anger

“Everyone has to have a patience and a calm Not because you get angry or lose

Gonsalves

yourself to restraint you have to go for the gun There has to be something that holds you back ”

Gonsalves said that something has to be instilled in the family, schools, churches, the community, mass media, the State and with

the appropriate legal framework

The prime minister said unfortunately both the Court of Appeal and the Privy Council decided practically that no one can be sent to the gallows anymore for murder

“I have oscillated between the death penalty and no death penalty for a long time now over the last dozen or so years and I came to the conclusion that there are particular offences you need the death penalty for ”

He believes it should be for murder, but not those of passion The prime minister said that distinction was made in the Constitutional Reform Proposal which went to the people, however, the people rejected it

Dr Ron Daniels, convenor of the conference and IBW president, said, “we are honored and delighted to have this prestigious global statesman be engaged with the conference

“Former Prime Minister Patterson will bring an unprecedented depth of experience, wisdom and guidance to this historic gathering that will help the global Pan-African movement set a course for the rest of the 21st Century,” he added

Rojas said Patterson is credited with having laid the groundwork for the economic growth of modern Jamaica, “presiding over massive infrastructure development including the construction of highways, modernization of airports, telecom liberalization and expansion, as well as significant foreign investment inflows to the country’s tourism industry ”

Rojas said the institute has received confirmation that Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley will attend the conference as a special guest in addressing the conference, which is organized around the theme, “Global Africans Rising, Empowerment Reparations and Healing ”

IBW said Mottley has emerged as “ a major figure in the Caribbean advocating for stronger ties with the African Union and a global emphasis on reparatory justice with Africa playing a more active role ”

IBW noted that Mottley has called for a global summit on reparations in collaboration with the Caribbean Community Reparations Commission, the African Union, National African American Reparations Commission and reparations commissions from various regions of the Global Black Diaspora

He also said that Mottley will be presented the IBW Legacy Award at the Global Women’s Leadership Summit at the conference for her “historic role as the first woman Prime Minister of Barbados

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EDITOR-IN-CHIEF EMERITUS

Women’s Wellness & Wisdom

By Nadine McNeil CNW Contributor

‘In a society that says put yourself last, self-love and self-acceptance is almost revolutionary ’ ~ Brene Brown

If your upbringing even vaguely resembles mine, chances are you were raised to be the ‘good’ girl – be nice, be polite, be kind, be lady-like and whatever you do, DON’T be emotional The subsequent result of all this programming is that ultimately, we feel unsafe with our emotions, anger especially

Women are not taught self-love

The “ angry black woman” is a label that I have run away from my whole life As a child, being angry was utterly unacceptable, and when I became an adult – chronologically speaking – there was no space for my anger An angry black woman is considered an absolute abomination We’ve been hard wired to ‘suck it up’ and be strong

us for centuries

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So, strong I became – even as my family structure fell apart, as I was shipped off to foreign lands, as I abandoned myself to lackluster relationships, as I clung to friendships that I’d long outgrown And so, this chain of strength continued Until eventually, it broke, at its weakest link

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That broken link was my penultimate representation of the patriarchy, i e , my father His passing stopped me in my tracks, and compelled me to examine how I’d chosen to navigate life up until that point

My whole narrative was devoid of self-love Hell, I didn’t even know what that was supposed to even mean Love, as I’d largely misunderstood and lived up until that point, was entirely transactional – from the boardroom to the bedroom Being good meant promotions at the professional end of the spectrum, while on the personal front, the prospect of becoming ‘Mrs ’ was THE supreme title that any ‘decent’ woman would aspire to

Outside of these polarities, being single and voluntarily childless denoted a spirit too wild and inconvenient for the world to contend with Whenever I dared to venture outside of society’s incarceration, I was slapped with the label of being ‘too much ’

Nowadays, in my life’s work as a personal development coach and transformational catalyst primarily for women, no matter their alleged ‘reason’ for seeking me out, ultimately, each one ’ s quest is deepening connection with others and loving themselves more. Neither of these two elements are mutually exclusive It is only through getting deeply intimate with self that are we capable of rippling this out into the wider world of connectivity

The well & wise woman

So how then, do we even begin to unpack this whole notion of loving ourselves more? The invitation to love ourselves is the first step in our rebirthing and towards shifting the stale narrative that has tried to suffocate

A woman who is fiercely in love with herself takes responsibility for all aspects of her life She is embodied in her truth and unafraid to take up space She honors the temple that is her body, for she knows that it carries her soul purpose and her lineage, specifically through her mother line She feeds herself with wholesome foods, quenches her thirst with water, anoints her body with pure goodness, swaying her body this way and that She laughs, she prays, she cries, she meditates And paramountcy, she honors her inner wisdom and rests

A well and wise woman is bold and courageous She recognizes that her renewed strength is born out of her vulnerabilities and imperfections

Once she has awoken to this unstoppable aspect of her being, her whole life is transformed

The world needs well women

Now more than ever the healing of humanity is within us – our hands, our hearts, and our wombs It is through the feminine that all of life is naturally formed This is the fullest expression of life itself

As we honor the women gone before us and those who are yet to come, it is my prayer that we will pause and take a compassionate and loving look at how we ’ re treating ourselves The world doesn’t need us to be broken and unwell Mother Earth is relying upon each one of us to do our part Why? Because when one of us suffers, we all suffer Yet, when one of us heals, we all heal

It is time to reclaim our sovereignty so that an awakened, conscious, healthy, and loving world is available to us all We ARE the ones we ’ re waiting for The journey begins with us, healing from the inside out This, my sisters, is what self-love is all about

Nadine McNeil is a spiritual activist, womens circle facilitator, yogi and global humanitarian. Her emerging area of focus is truth and reconciliation as it relates to race and ethnicity. Her work and latest free ebook on self-love can be found at www universalempress com

Haiti

US imposes sanctions on former president of Haitian Senate

The United States says it has imposed visa and financial sanctions on the former president of the Haitian Chamber of Deputies, Gary Bodeau, for his alleged involvement in corruption

US Secretary of State, Antony J Blinken, said the decision is in keeping with efforts to “support the people of Haiti and respond to the ongoing instability in the country

“The Department of State is publicly designating Bodeau under Section 7031©, rendering him generally ineligible for entry into the United States Concurrently, the Department of the Treasury is designating Bodeau under the Global Magnitsky sanctions programme and as a result of this action

Bodeau’s financial assets in the United States have been blocked,” Blinken added

He said the United States and its partners will continue to “ use all tools at our disposal to support the Haitian people and promote accountability for corrupt actors who exploit

the Haitian people and contribute to the ongoing instability in Haiti ”

Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Brian E Nelson, said “corrupt officials like Bodeau have

created an environment that empowers illegal armed gangs and their supporters to inflict violence on the Haitian people ”

“Along with our partners, including Canada, we are committed to holding accountable those undermining the integrity of Haiti’s government and destabilizing the country,” he added

Washington alleges that Bodeau was involved in several corrupt schemes “wherein he engaged in efforts to influence the outcome of Haitian political appointments, including facilitating and soliciting bribes worth millions of dollars

“In 2018, Bodeau paid Haitian officials to secure their votes while seeking ministerial position appointments He also solicited a large bribery payment worth hundreds of thousands of dollars from senior government officials in exchange for his political support,” it added

Washington also alleged that in 2019, Bodeau offered to deliver a successful vote in

Haiti’s Chamber of Deputies for a prospective ministerial appointee in exchange for millions of dollars paid out through individual payments to members of the Chamber of Deputies

“Several Haitian businessmen provided between 500 and 600 million Haitian gourdes (approximately US$6 2-$7 4 million) to members of the Chamber of Deputies to influence the outcome of a ministerial vote ,” it said, adding that “in advance of the floor session, Bodeau participated in discussions on the vote and payments with various members of the Chamber of Deputies ”

Bodeau is not the first Haitian government or public official to be sanctioned by the United States In recent months, Washington has imposed sanctions on President of the Haitian Senate, Joseph Lambert, Youri Latortue, Senator Rony Celestin and former legislator, Richard Fourcand

Haitian PM condemns the murders of police officers

Prime Minister Dr. Ariel Henry has described as “barbaric acts,” the murders of three police officers on Sunday by members of the “Timakak” gang during an ambush

The General Directorate of the National Police of Haiti in extending condolences to the families of the slain police officers has identified them as Pierre Paul Dorcely, Nicolas Robinson and Medèze Fortilien

It said the officers from the Intervention Brigade, assigned to the Thomassin SubCommissioner, were “cowardly murdered” in Thomassin 32, a neighborhood on the mountainside south of Pétion-Ville, where many upper-class citizens reside

“Our police brothers have once again,

fallen under the murderous bullets of thugs without faith or law We deplore these barbaric acts,” Prime Minister Henry said in a statement

“To the families, to the brothers in arms of these valiant police victims, we send our sincere condolences and we assure them of our solidarity We renew to the Haitian people our unshakable determination to do everything to achieve the creation of a climate of security and stability in the country which is too bruised and bereaved

“We are not insensitive to this situation and we are working hard to find a lasting solution,” Henry added

In a statement, the Ministry of Justice and

Public Security, said it “deplores the alarmingly serious ambush against a police patrol” on Easter Sunday

The National Union of Haitian Police Officers said so far this year, 21 police officers have been killed in the line of duty

Last month, the United Nations called for the deployment of an international “specialized support force” to impede Haiti’s accelerating tumble into extreme violence after more than 530 people have been killed since the start of the year

Miami-based, Jamaican cannabis entrepreneur Keri-Ann Evans talks Cannabis & CBD

The perception of cannabis seems to shift from year to year, and from person to person. Decades of misinformation and thinly veiled racism have led to the demonization of a plant that emerging studies are discovering what many of our ancestors intrinsically knew – there are many benefits packed into the humble cannabis plant

Miami-based, Jamaican, Keri-Ann Evans is an advocate for the plant and passionate participant in the cannabis industry, both within the United States and the Caribbean She is founder of a cannabis ancillary product outfit called Kreative Kush, which supplies both small and large-scale dispensaries and other cannabis operations with the branding and packaging to stand out in an increasingly cannabis-friendly world

could be, with much of the research setback by the pandemic, and there are still decades of legal obstacles to maneuver through According to Evans, however, we ’ re still in a cannabis boom So, it’s important to be familiar with key industry terms

Defining Cannabis & CBD

The terms CBD and cannabis are often used interchangeably, she says, with many thinking CBD is short for cannabis Evans notes, this is not the case CBD is a compound found in the cannabis plant Furthermore, the cannabis plant can be classified into two main groups – marijuana and hemp

Marijuana is the stigmatized plant It has over 0 3% THC, which provides the psychoactive effect – the feel good/high – that the majority associates with cannabis

Hemp, however, has less than 0 3% THC and contains mostly CBD Like THC, CBD is also a compound, but it allows you to forgo the high, while keeping a lot of the other benefits of THC

Benefits of CBD

Evans explains that the benefits of CBD use include treating anxiety, addressing sleep disorders, pain mitigation, and treating epilepsy and seizures

Research into the benefits of CBD and cannabis is in its infancy Evans suggests consulting your physician before exploring CBD products as a treatment for any condition

Evans says that with decriminalization of cannabis use in many territories, and outright full legalization in others, many dispensaries have opened across North America and the Caribbean

She notes that research and legislation are some obstacles still affecting the industry Cannabis research is not as far along as it

$1 million in grants available for women of color entrepreneurs

Fearless Fund and the Tory Burch Foundation opened applications for the third cohort of the Women of Color Grant Program which will award 75 women of color-owned small businesses with $10,000 and $20,000 grants, access to a self-paced learning portal, and peer-to-peer community networking

Applications are open until Friday, April 28

While the number of women-owned businesses in the United States continues to rise, due to funding disparities, only 2 per cent of women-owned startups generate $1 million in revenue; men are 3 5 times more likely to achieve this number

The Woman of Color Grant Program was created to help women of color entrepreneurs gain access to much-needed capital, and this year ’ s grant program marks another significant step in advancing women ’ s empowerment, entrepreneurship, and reducing racial inequalities

Launched in 2019, Fearless Fund invests in WOC-led businesses seeking pre-seed, seed level, or series A financing Its mission is to

bridge the gap in venture capital funding for female founders of color building scalable, growth-aggressive companies

The Fearless Fund team also runs The Fearless Foundation, a 501c3 organization with a goal to educate entrepreneurs through

training, reduce racial inequities, and empower African-Americans to gain access to capital, as well as the Get Ready Venture Program This is a 12- month training program for WOC business owners to acquire the needed training, mentorship, knowledge, and skills needed to

gain access to capital

The Tory Burch Foundation empowers women and women entrepreneurs in the United States by providing access to capital, education and digital resources The Fellows Program has provided over $1,200,000 in grants to help women grow their businesses

The Tory Burch Capital Program, powered by Bank of America has distributed over $95 million dollars in loans to nearly 5,500 women entrepreneurs; and each month, the Foundation’s Women of Color Grant program has deployed $2 2M funding in partnership with Fearless Fund

The Foundation provides online tools and digital education to more than 600,000 women and more than 12,000 women have created their business plans on the digital destination ToryBurchFoundation org

To learn more about the program and how to apply, visit the Fearless Fund’s website at https://www fearless fund/toryburch-foundation. Accepted grantees will be notified in July 2023

Black women with cancer invited to free online support workshop

“Love Letters to Our Bodies” is a free contemplative workshop for Black women living with cancer or cancer survivors, to explore how they experience their bodies, stories they tell themselves, how that has changed since their diagnosis, and how they engage in self-care The first of three workshops will take place online April 29 & 30

The incidence of cancer in the United States is highest among the Black community, with the highest mortality and the lowest survival rates of any racial group for most cancers

According to the American Cancer Society, “About 224,080 new cases and 73,680 cancer deaths were expected to occur among Black people in 2022 ”

African Americans also have poorer cancer outcomes For instance, statistics from the National Cancer Institute’s “Surveillance,

Epidemiology, and End Results Program” reveal that:

Blacks/African Americans have higher death rates than all other racial/ethnic groups for many, although not all, cancer types Despite having similar rates of breast cancer, Black/African American women are more likely than White women to die of the disease Black/African American women having the

highest rates of death from cervical cancer

Between 1999 and 2019, more than 1 million Black men and women ages 20 and older died of cancer(reported in JAMA Oncology May 19)

When confronted with a cancer diagnosis, patients often experience terror, grief, anger, depression, helplessness, hopelessness, and a sense of betrayal by the body

“We all carry stories in our bodies,” said Gwendolyn Mitchell, Reiki Master and Chief Executive Officer of Moyo Institute, Inc , who will facilitate the workshop “But seldom do we make the connection between these stories and our overall wellbeing This is particularly true for African Americans who are carrying both generational and personal trauma,” Mitchell continued “In Love Letters, we gently unpack these stories so participants can move forward

in their journey unburdened ”

The women who attend will be supported gently in uncovering their personal stories These stories will inform the next steps, including, acceptance, forgiveness, and the creation of Love Letters to their bodies, which will be printed and recorded Moyo Institute is collaborating with the Charlotte Maxwell Clinic for Integrative Cancer Care in Oakland, California and the Smith Center for Healing and the Arts in Washington, DC The workshop aligns with the focus of both organizations - providing compassionate, integrative programs that support the healing journey

The workshop is available for free, online, nationwide Women interested in attending can register at https://bit ly/LoveLettersApr2023

Regular medical examinations women should never forget

By Micaiah Morgan

Promoting women’s health and highlighting several health issues affecting women worldwide is important. Many women seek medical evaluation only when an issue arises, rather than using regular evaluations as part of preventative measures against various health conditions. If that happens to be you, here are two medical assessments you should never forget to do:

Pap Smears

This involves the use of a small brush to remove cells from around the cervix It’s usually recommended by doctors to repeat Pap testing every three years for women ages 21 to 65 According to Mayo Clinic, women aged 30 and older can consider Pap testing every five years if the procedure is combined with testing for HPV

Detecting cervical cancer early with a Pap smear increases your chances of getting cured A Pap smear can also detect changes in your cervical cells that indicate the development of cancer in the future

It’s also important to note that if you have certain risk factors, you may be recommended to do more frequent Pap smears, regardless of your age As a result, it is critical to have regular

Pap smears to prevent the development of cervical cancer

Mammograms

Another important assessment for women is to do regular mammograms Every day Health defines a mammogram as an examination that screens for breast cancer by compressing the breast between plates so that X-ray images of the breast tissue can be captured

The United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends that women who are 50 to 74 years old and are at average risk for breast cancer get a mammogram every two years It also advises women who are 40 to 49 years old to talk to their doctor or other healthcare providers about when to start and

how often to get a mammogram

On the other hand, medical experts suggest that women with a family history of breast cancer or who have known risk factors should begin mammograms before the age of 40

There are different guidelines when it comes to doing these medical examinations because several factors can determine the age to begin these screenings Early detection provides better treatment options So, consult with your doctor about the best guideline and screening schedule for you

While you should seek medical attention if you have a family history of certain diseases or health concerns, you should also prioritize regular medical assessments as preventative measures to benefit your overall well-being

The School Board of Miami-Dade County, Florida (Board), intends to award to three (3) Micro Business Roof Term Contract for continuing (term) contract(s). The maximum initial value for Project Nos. 02229100-F, 02229100-G and 02229100-H is $200,000 with two (2) possible extensions of $200,000 each within each term. The terms of the contract will be forTwelve (12) Months and may include two (2) renewal options for one (1) additional year each.The Board reserves the right to limit the number of concurrent continuing contracts held by a single firm. The Board also reserves the right to utilize alternate delivery methods. Only prime firms certified by Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS) as a Micro Business Enterprise may participate in Roof Term Bid Contracts Project Nos. 02229100-F,02229100-Gand02229100-H.

The Board adheres to a policy of non-discrimination in educational programs/activities and employment and strives affirmatively to provide equal opportunity for all. RefertoBoardPolicy6320.02forSmall/MicroBusinessEnterpriseProgram&M/WBECertification.

MANDATORY PRE-BID CONFERENCE:

Date/Time: Tuesday, April 25th, 2023, 10:00 am, local time

Sign-in Period: 10:00 am to 10:15 am, local time

Amandatory pre-bid conference Tuesday, April 25th, at 10:00 a.m. local time, at Office of Facilities Operations & Maintenance, Training Room, 12525 N.W 28thAvenue, Miami, FL 33167. There will be a check-in period until 10:15 a.m. and attendance will be recorded. Note that persons entering the meeting after 10:15 a.m. will not be considered as attending the meeting and will be considered non-responsive for bidding. The purpose of the pre-bid conference is to discuss the RTB concept and documents, answer questions and discuss RTB from the contractor's perspective Proposals submitted by firms not represented at the Mandatory PreBidConferencewillnotbeconsidered.

QUESTIONS: Written questions regarding this solicitation will be accepted until 5:00 pm, local time, Friday April 28th, 2023. Questions may be submitted to Lourdes Rodriguez at and a copy to the Clerk of the School Board at Pertinent Questions and lourdes@rodriguezarchitects.com CeliaRubio@dadeschools.net. Answers(Q&As)willbepostedunderlegaladvertisementinthe"INFO"iconathttp://bondsforschools.dadeschools.net/current_solicitations.asp

BIDS DUE: Bid Responses must be received , to the attention of: no later than 1:00 pm, local time, Tuesday, May 9th, 2023

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS

The School Board of Miami-Dade County, Florida

Bid responses must be delivered to the following location on the same day as the bid due date: The School Board of Miami-Dade County, Florida 1450 NE Second Avenue, Lobby in the NE Fifteenth (15th) Street Entrance Miami, Florida 33132

REQUIREMENTS: This is an abbreviated ad; the complete legal advertisement with Mandatory Pre-Proposal Conference information, insurance requirements, Contractor'sPre-Qualificationrequirementsanddetailedinstructionsforthissolicitation,includingtheselectionprocedures,areavailableattheaboveaddressorat: http://bondsforschools.dadeschools.net/current_solicitations.asp.

In accordance with Board policies, a Cone of Silence, Registered Lobbyist requirements and Protest Procedures are hereby activated. Failure to comply with requirements of this legal advertisement and/or Board policies shall be grounds for disqualification. These, and all related Board policies, can be accessed and downloadedat:http://www.neola.com/miamidade-fl/

M-DCPS strongly encourages the participation of certified M/WBE firms either as prime proposers, joint ventures or aspart of a consulting/supporting team. The Boardadherestoapolicyofnon-discriminationineducationalprograms/activitiesandemploymentandstrivesaffirmativelytoprovideequalopportunityforall.

Protest-PurchaseApprovalandCompetitiveBiddingProcessRequirements,BoardPolicy6320

Failure to file a protest within the time prescribed and in the manner specified in Board policy or in accordance with F.S.Section 120.57(3) shall constitute a waiver of proceedingsunderF.S.Chapter120

The Board's notice of intended action shall be posted the Friday preceding the Board's Fiscal Accountability & Government Relations Committee meeting immediately prior to the Board meeting at which the contract will be awarded or approved. The notice of intended action can be found on the Procurement Management Services' website at: , under the NOTICES section located on the top left hand http://procurement.dadeschools.net/bidsol/asp/bid_portal.htm sideofthepage.

City of Miramar receives class action lawsuit filed for pipe leaks

The City of Miramar, which in 2020 was noted as the home to the United States’ highest share of Jamaican residents at 15 4%, is in receipt of a complaint filed regarding pinhole leaks found in copper pipes allegedly caused by improper water treatment

Leaky pipes have been shown to cause health issues due to water contamination, as well the spread of mold and fungi This can cause respiratory issues such as throat, nose and skin irritation, frequent coughing and sneezing, sinus congestion, rashes, fatigue, respiratory infection and even fever

The City’s two Water Treatment Plants are regulated by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP), and the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA)

Samples are collected, tested, and reported on a monthly, quarterly, and annual basis, and the water consistently meets regulatory standards

City Manager Dr Roy Virgin stated, “The City of Miramar values its residents and is sensitive to their concerns regarding copper pipe issues The City has consistently assured residents and businesses that the water treatment facilities are up to par and does not cause damage to pipes The case filed is being reviewed by the City Attorney’s office, who will respond through the appropriate channels ”

Currently, the City offers a loan program for residents affected by copper pipe pinhole leaks for a maximum of $10,000 at a one per cent interest rate with a five-year term

In 2021 two workshops were conducted

US announces online tool for Caribbean noncitizens to provide change of address

virtually to educate residents on the safety of the City’s water and in addition, a dedicated webpage was created with videos, water quality report and FAQs: Miramarfl gov/CopperPipePinholeLeaks

Water Quality FAQs were done, and an offer was made to residents to schedule inhome testing with follow-ups free of cost

The City of Miramar says it continues to provide safe drinking water that meets or exceeds Federal and State standards and continuously monitors its water facilities and acts accordingly if it becomes aware of any issue that affects its water treatment and quality

Miramar also has one of the country’s largest populations of Cubans (8 77%), Colombians (2 51%), Dominicans (1 98%), Haitians (6%), and Trinidadians (1 2%)

The United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency has announced an online change-of-address form for Caribbean and other noncitizens, giving them the option to update their information online in addition to the existing options of doing so by phone or in-person

“It will enable noncitizens to comply with their immigration obligations more easily and improve the accuracy of address information reported to ICE by utilizing address autofill to ensure US Postal Service standardization,” said ICE in a statement on Friday

The immigration enforcement agency said the new tool will be deployed in a rolling release, with full availability anticipated in the coming weeks

“This is another critical innovation to improve compliance with immigration obligations and increase the efficiency of the process, ” said ICE deputy director and senior official performing the duties of the director Tae D Johnson

“The new online change-of-address tool will make it easier for noncitizens to update their addresses, decreasing administrative time required in the immigration process

“This tool also automates a task normally performed by an officer, instead allowing them to focus on managing and processing those awaiting proceedings,” he added

ICE said that when fully live, the new tool may be used by any noncitizen to change their address with ICE online instead of calling the telephone line or going to a field office

“After successfully entering a valid mailing address, if the noncitizen is currently in removal proceedings pursuant to Section 240 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), the interactive online form will show the noncitizen information on how to also change their address with the immigration court as required, using the Executive Office for Immigration Review’s (EOIR) Form EOIR-33, Change of Address/Contact Information, which may be submitted by mail, in-person at the immigration court, or online through EOIR’s Respondent Access,” the statement said

It said the EOIR-33 is currently available in English, Spanish, Chinese, Haitian Creole, Portuguese and Punjabi

To determine if a noncitizen still needs a notice to appear, ICE said it will run system checks to make sure the noncitizen is not already in removal proceedings pursuant to Section 240 of the INA, does not have an affirmative asylum application pending with US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and does not already have a final order of removal

ICE said Caribbean and other noncitizens, who are eligible for, but have not yet received a notice to appear, meaning those who were released on conditional parole with an alternative to detention, may be prompted to state whether they want to receive their notice to appear by mail or to in person by scheduling an appointment at an Enforcement Removal Office field office

To process an online change-ofaddress, ICE said the system requires a full name, number and validated noncommercial address

“It takes approximately one minute to complete the form,” it said “All noncitizens in the United States, except A and G visa holders and visa waiver visitors, must also report a change of address to USCIS within 10 days of moving ” Scan

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Celebrities Rick Ross, Dua Lipa vacation in Jamaica Carnival in Jamaica commences

Popular American rapper Rick Ross and English/Albanian singer Dua Lipa recently visited Jamaica and expressed love for the Caribbean island

Rick Ross, whose real name is William Leonard Roberts II, posted several videos on Instagram of his experience rafting on the White River attraction on Easter Monday

This followed his performance at the Sandz Caribbean Music Festival at Plantation Cove in St Ann on Sunday

Ross recently expressed his passion for Jamaica at a virtual Sandz Press Conference, highlighting that he wanted to visit and perform his music as well as experience “real Jamaica vibe ”

"As soon as I get there I wanna land and go to the best fish spot I told them the next day I wanna go water rafting, I want to eat some real curry chicken, some oxtail yes, me want to live life, me only have one life fi live,” he said before his visit

Meanwhile, popular English/Albanian singer and songwriter Dua Lipa recently vacationed at the exclusive Goldeneye resort in Oracabessa Bay in St Mary, Jamaica

The singer shared several photos on Instagram, showing off her “calm and stressfree” trip on the Caribbean island She also

shared her wardrobe choices, which included bikinis and crochet Her photos included herself basking in Jamaican beauty and culture

“After a very hectic start to the year, I was keen to take some time out and was lucky enough to spend a couple of weeks at Golden Eye Hotel in Jamaica this month,” Dua Lipa

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shared in a recent media interview

“Oh my gosh, what an experience it was,” the Grammy-winning artiste added

Her walks along the island’s beaches, the sweet-sounding reggae music, and the delectable Caribbean flavors made her “revitalized and ready to take on what the rest of the year has to offer,” she said

She even made special mention of some spots, which she recommends to those who plan to travel to the island These include Jakes Treasure Beach Hotel, Kingston Dub Club, Boston Jerk Centre, Scotchies, and the Bob Marley Museum, which she says is an “unmissable experience on the site of the legendary musician’s home ”

Carnival in Jamaica is back this week, with Caribbean Americans running home to experience the festive atmosphere across the island during the weeklong celebrations from April 12 to 18

The main Carnival event day, which will be held this Sunday, April 16 and is called the Road March, is an annual event that has been on three-day hiatus, due to the pandemic On this day especially, members of the diaspora indulge in Caribbean culture via the sea of colorful, show-stopping costumes, intoxicating music, and sizzling street food stalls

Carnival in Jamaica is a celebration of soca and calypso, with the island’s main musical genres, reggae, dancehall, included. During Carnival weekend, there’s an uptick in tourism numbers, as thousands of visitors flock to the island to enjoy the week long of parties and fetes as part of the countdown celebration to the main event. These events include a number of breakfast parties and nighttime fetes, with partygoers active all day and night

The best way to truly be immersed in the celebrations is by joining a Mas Band Mas bands, short for masquerade bands, are one of the biggest parts of Carnival Masqueraders dress up and showcase their costumes, covered in feathers, glitter and plenty of color Every year, Mas Bands will have a different theme and costumes to match The bands in Carnival Jamaica 2023 are Bacchanal Ja, Yardmas, Xodus, Ochi Carnival, GenXs and Downtown Carnival They all offer their own unique experiences, but whichever band a partygoer chooses to join, being a part of Carnival is the best way to experience the occasion

SOCCER

Khadija “Bunny” Shaw, the best striker in women’s soccer

At the tail end of the most competitive season in the history of the Women’s Super League (WSL) - the premier women ’ s football league in the world - Jamaican soccer superstar Khadija “Bunny” Shaw has almost single-handedly shot Manchester City into contention for the title At only 26-years-old, her record-breaking performances have many tipped her to be the best striker in women ’ s football for some time, and in March she was named Barclays Women’s Super League Player of the Month

Born and raised in Spanish Town, Jamaica, Shaw left home to attend Eastern Florida State College where she earned NSCAA first-team National Junior College Athletic Association All-America honors in 2016

Shaws' prolific form in front of the goal is nothing new Before plying her trade in England, the Reggae Girl regularly found the net for the French club FC Girondins de Bordeaux During the 2020/2021 season in the D1 Arkema Division 1 Feminine, Shaw finished joint top goalscorer, but was pipped for the golden boot by Marie-Antoinette Katoto who played for the French powerhouse Paris Saint-Germain

In fact, Shaw’s form at Bordeaux was enough for many to consider her one of the best strikers in the world A return of 34 goals in 36 matches already puts you in the top echelon, but in her short stint at Manchester City Women thus far, she has put together a mind-breaking 43 goals in 52 matches In the WSL alone, she made 16 goals in 17 matches Her total goal involvements (goals combined with assists) have her at 20 in 17 matches She is single-handedly responsible for more than half of Manchester City’s goals She’s recently broke the Manchester City Women’s scoring record in a single season, firing the relative newcomer

into an improbable title race with established powerhouses Chelsea and Arsenal

Shaw also holds the record as Jamaica’s all-time goal scorer and spearheaded the famous 2019 campaign where the Reggae Girlz qualified for the Women’s World Cup without a single training camp in preparation

There are still ways to go for soccer to be a viable career path for Jamaican women, but with each record broken and each goal scored, Khadija Shaw is demanding that the world sit up and pay attention to these women balling out

Jamaica miss out in second game of Under-15 Championships

Jamaica failed to take advantage of the momentum they had gained from winning their opening game of the West Indies Rising Stars Under-15 Championship with a loss to Guyana at the Vivian Richards Cricket Stadium on Thursday

Guyana, on the other hand, were rebounding from their first-round defeat against Trinidad & Tobago

Scoring 121 off 42 2 overs, Guyana then bowled out Jamaica for 96 off 32 1 overs Nicoli McKenzie took 4-25 from eight overs for the Jamaicans

The Jamaica innings had been reduced to 33 overs on account of a rain delay

For Guyana, Dave Mohabir took 2-19, while Dhanesh Persaud had 2-6, against opener Tyson Gordon’s 23 and Joel Williams’, batting at number eight, 19 not out

When Guyana batted, their innings was bolstered by an unbeaten 54 from Romario Ramdehall

Demarco Scott, who grabbed 3-21 for Jamaica, continues to have a good tournament after his 3-12 against Barbados on Tuesday

Over at Coolidge Park, title-holders Barbados suffered their second straight defeat when they collapsed to a four-wicket defeat to Leeward Islands yesterday

Rolled over for only 129, Barbados failed to

Women’s World Cup trophy to arrive in Jamaica April 17

The FIFA Women’s World Cup trophy is expected to be in Jamaica on April 17, as one of the stops on the trophy tour Jamaica will be one of the 40 locations that the trophy will visit

halt the hosts’ pursuit of a revised target of 78 off 20 overs after rain intervened, to hand them another shock loss, this time under DLS

At Liberta Sports Club, unbeaten Trinidad and Tobago trounced Windward Islands by seven wickets in a game reduced to 20 overs per side

However, it was the Barbados game which held interest, especially after the reigning champions went down in their opener to Jamaica on Tuesday

Losing their way at 73 for seven in the 37th over, it was Smith who inspired a crucial 40run, eighth-wicket partnership with Jakeem Pollard (19), powering Barbados past the 100-

Before making a road trip to Montego Bay, the World Cup trophy will be on display at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel in Kingston

Before traveling to Toronto, Canada, where it will be held on April 19 to 20, the trophy will make its final top at Jamaica’s Holiday Inn Hotel

The Reggae Girlz are set to play a friendly against Sheffield United at the Kings Power Stadium in Leicester City on April 10 Jamaica will face France, Panama, and Brazil in their World Cup group this summer

run mark

Kunal Tilokani led the Leewards attack with four for 17 while Amoree Jones supported with three for 19. In reply, the hosts had reached 18 for one in the fourth over when rain intervened, causing a lengthy break On resumption, Matthew Miller oversaw the revised run chase with an unbeaten 18 from 26 balls, his knock coming on the back of a 25-run, third-wicket stand between Lawshorn Bergan (11) and Lythe Browne (12)

Akobi Crichlow-Byer claimed two for 14 from four overs but his spell proved in vain