THE WESTSIDE GAZETTE POST OFFICE 5304 FORT LAUDERDALE, FL 33310
PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID FT. LAUDERDALE, FL 33310
PERMIT NO. 1179
How Exactly Do Avis Boyd Gaines: Colleges Allocate Their Mortician Financial Aid? They of the Y ear Year Won’ on’tt Say Say.. PAGE 2 PAGE 4
The Value HBCU's PAGE 6
Broward County's Oldest and Largest African American Owned and Operated Newspaper oud PPaper aper ffor or a Pr oud PPeople...Sinc eople...Sinc Proud Proud eople...Sincee 1971 THURSDA Y,MARCH 6 - WEDNESDA Y,MARCH 12, 2014 THURSDAY WEDNESDAY VOL. 43 NO. 4 50¢ A Pr
Seasons of Change: Celebrating Black History in the Fort Lauderdale Police Department
Do you have a mentality like Nathanael, before he met... Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward Him, and said of him, “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no deceit!” John 1:47 (NKJV) By Bobby R. Henry, Sr. I was thinking about ants and how they march in line and seem to be so organized. Going to and fro sniffing each other to be sure of their safety and to find food from a sent trail that one of their fellow ants have left. Ants are really unique. If a human could run as fast for their size as an ant can, they could run as fast as a racehorse. Ants can lift 20 times their own body weight. An ant brain has about 250,000 brain cells. A human brain has 10,000 million so a colony of 40,000 ants has collectively the same size brain as a human. (Cont'd on Page 13) ***********
NAACP spends lion’s share of Image Award ad budget with non-Black media Willie Jones, Chief Frank Adderly, Desorae B. Shirley, Donnell Bryant, Ozzie Davenport, McKinley Smith, Roy Brow, Charmaine Gittens and Assistant Chief Anthony Williams. By Marie Carrie Email:mcarrie305@gmail.com “I never would have imagined this. Never in my wildest dreams,” stated Ft. Lauderdale Police Chief Frank Adderly. Over the course of the evening these words would be repeated numerous times by FLPD officers past and present. On Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2014, the FLPD and its Neighborhood Action Team (NAT) commemorated Black History Month with a program entitled Seasons of Change. The event took place at the new Sistrunk Substation and the focus was
on recognizing and celebrating the achievements of Black Americans in the once all white, and once very racist police force. Immediately following the opening remarks, pledge and invocation; the Dillard High School Step Team gave an energetic performance that motivated and prepared participants for the exciting program to come. Chief Adderly was the first to address the mixed crowd of elders and youth, dignitaries and citizens, officers and civilians. As the first Black Police Chief in the history of FLPD, it was fitting that he gave the au-
dience its first glimpse into the incredible changes that have taken place. “Back in the 80’s when we were riding around, we never thought that we would see this; a Black Police Chief, a Black Assistant Chief, a Black Major, a Black Captain, all in charge of District 2.” In fact when guest speaker Donnell Bryant, former FLPD Sergeant, first started with the force in January 1983, he had 54 people in his police academy class and only four were of color. Even more alarming, there were only 13 Blacks in the entire police department.
“In order to know where you are going, one must reflect over whence you came,” said Bryant and that theme was carried on throughout the night in the remarks of Marsha Ellison, NAACP president, Fort Lauderdale Branch; Commissioner Bobby DuBose (personally responsible for spearheading the establishment of the FLPD substation on Sistrunk); Nina Justice, president of the Black Police Officers Association and Willie Jones, former FLPD Sergeant and Captain. (Cont'd on Page 9)
What’s in a name? It means “everything” as the Porter Family celebrates the first anniversary of Porter Road
Ribbon cutting with family members. By Charles Moseley Although Black History Month is celebrated annually during the month of February, it is often said that, “history repeats itself;" so was the case this past weekend when local
residents from Fort Lauderdale’s Washington Park neighborhood, joined the Porter Family to celebrate a historical moment. The historical event commemorated the lives of two African American pioneers in
Pleading Our Own Cause
Broward County; in memory of Wilbur Porter, Sr., and Wilbur “Sunny” Porter, Jr. The celebration just happened to take place along Porter Road, last Saturday. It marked the First Anniversary of the street naming of Porter Road, in honor
What could they be thinking?
of the Porter Family patriarchs. The day’s festivities began with an official ceremony which was recognized by City of Fort Lauderdale Mayor John P. “Jack” Seiler’s Office as well as by U. S. Congressman Alcee Hastings. “It is with great pleasure that I send this letter of congratulations to the Porter Family in recognition of the official ceremony of Northwest Eighth Road to “Porter’s Road.” “The Porter family patriarchs, Wilbur Porter, Sr. and Wilbur Porter, Jr., were pioneers in our Fort Lauderdale Community. Their spirit of entrepreneurship, work ethic, sense of community, and focus on family are renowned. The renaming of Northwest Eighth Road, where your family has resided for over 50 years, is a fitting acknowledgement of their accomplishments in our community,” added Mayor Seiler. Broward County Commissioner Dale Holness (District 9) joined in the celebration by stopping by to show his support to the Porter Family and community. He shared why he felt events such as the one today are so important. (Cont'd on Page 12)
By Natalie Cole Our Weekly Publisher and CEO The primary and most trustworthy source of news and information to Black Americans has been and continues to rest in the bosom of the Black Press. So why is it that in the year of our Lord 2014—during Black History Month no less—the NAACP needs to be reminded that the Black Press is interested in the “Advancement of Colored People” too, everyday? COLE
FAMU’s 2014 President’s Recruitment Tour heads to Central, South Florida Scholarships to be awarded to best and brightest high school seniors
Interim President Larry Robinson, Ph.D., met Michelle Wilson and her family during last year’s recruitment stop in Miami. Today, Wilson studies cellular and molecular biology at FAMU. From FAMU Alumni Relations TALLAHASSEE, FL – After receiving an overwhelming response from last year’s Annual President’s Tour, Florida A&M University (FAMU) Interim President Larry Robinson will return to several South and Central Florida cities to recruit the best and brightest high school seniors. The 2014 President’s Tour is scheduled to begin March 8 through March 10, stopping in
WWW. thewestsidegazette.com Westside Gazette Newspaper
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Fort Lauderdale, Fort Myers, Tampa and Miami. Last year’s President’s Tour ignited a 10 percent increase in admissions applications at FAMU, as nearly $325,000 in scholarships were awarded. The annual tour is an effort to recruit some of the top-performing students in the state of Florida. Interim President Robinson will meet with students and parents to award scholarships on the spot to students who meet Presidential Scholarship requirements. (Cont'd on Page 4) MEMBER: National Newspaper Publishers Association ( NNPA), and Southeastern African-American Publishers Association (SAAPA) Florida Association of Black Owned Media (FABOM),