The Westside Gazette

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Mental Health Issues In Our Communities PAGE 3

Selma and Folks at the 'Back Of The Line' PAGE 6

Scenes From Dr tin Luther King, Jr Dr.. Mar Martin Jr..

Celebrations in Fort Lauderdale, Miami and Pompano Beach PAGE 9

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HBCUsdividedoverfreecommunity college plan

By Freddie Allen, NNPA Senior Washington Correspondent WASHINGTON, D.C. (NNPA) – Black college educators and supporters are sharply split over whether President Obama’s proposal to offer a free two-year community college education to students making progress toward earning an associate or bachelor’s degree would hurt or harm Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).

Lezli Baskerville, president and CEO of the National Association for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education (NAFEO), a nonprofit network of HBCUs and Predominantly Black Institutions (PBIs), including community colleges, said that for students who have a gap in funding or choose to go to a two-year institution and don’t have adequate funding, America’s College Promise would create another opportunity for them.

“We are trying to make sure that students that want to go and get a technical certification

or some training to get their foot in the door, can do that,” said Baskerville. “We also want to incentivize and facilitate students who want to get a fouryear degree doing that, especially low-income students for whom options are very, very limited.”

Baskerville said that the jury is still out on whether a student would opt to go to a two-year college for free instead of going to an HBCU. “If they’re going to a twoyear institution, they’re going to get a certificate or a two-year degree, something to get them market-ready or entrepreneurship-ready,” explained Baskerville. “If they’re going to a fouryear HBCU they’re going because they appreciate the ethos of historic Black colleges that are built on the traditions of the African American community of family, faith, fellowship, service and social justice.”

However, Lester C. Newman, president of Jarvis Christian College in Hawkins, Tex., believes HBCUs will pay a price.

“They are going to suffer,”

Jarvis Christian College President Lester C. Newman is concerned that free community college could hurt private HBCUs. he said. “Not too many schools can operate with just the third and fourth level, especially fouryear institutions that don’t have graduate programs. You don’t get the research dollars that can help sustain you. You rely on students being there from

their freshman to their senior year. But if you are going to lose a great portion of those students for the first two years, you really will have to change your model, your business plan.”

Johnny Taylor, president and CEO of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF), an education advocacy group that represents about 300,000 students and 47 member colleges and universities, agrees.

“My fear is a real one and that this is going to significantly, negatively impact private HBCUs and I think it’s going to have some negative impact on public HBCUs,” he said. “Mama and Daddy are going to say, ‘If you can go to community college for free, that’s where you are going the first two years.’ So, what you have essentially done is cut in half the revenue for private HBCUs. Private HBCUs are going to feel this in a way you can’t even imagine.”

Taylor said he supports President Obama’s overall goal of providing free college assistance, but thinks it should be done in a manner that would be less harmful to HBCUs. (Read full story on www.thewestsidegazette.com)

Sunshine Bowl XIII staged on MLK weekend in Miami Gardens the five claimed a National Championship.

The Miami Magic City Bulls, who defeated the Troy (New York) Fighting Irish, 50-17, to claim AFNT 3A title, and the South Florida Vikings shut out the Georgia Firebirds, 51-0, to win the MLK Bowl title; and

the Tri City (Fort Lauderdale) Soldiers edged the Cincinnati (Ohio) Hawks, 43-40, to secure the AFNT 4A title.

“This one was better than all the other 12 because it’s the first time all the teams showed up,” said Jesse Wiggins, who, with his wife, Mercedes Wiggins, founded the Sunshine Bowl games. “All 14 teams showed up.”

(Cont'd on Page 3)

Most of you have no idea what Martin Luther King actually did

By Hamden Rice Reposted on the anniversary of the assassination of Rev. King. MB This will be a very short diary. It will not contain any links or any scholarly references. It is about a very narrow topic, from a very personal, subjective perspective.

The topic at hand is what Martin Luther King actually did, what it was that he actually accomplished.

What most people who reference Dr. King seem not to know is how Dr. King actually changed the subjective experience of life in the United States for African Americans. And yeah, I said for African Americans, not for Americans, because his main impact was his effect on the lives of African Americans, not on Americans in general.

(Cont'd on Page 10)

HIV/AIDS organizations support Health Insurance Marketplace Outreach and enrollment as Champions for Coverage

By AIDS.gov During our recent AIDS.gov webinar, Toward an AIDS-free Generation: Healthcare Outreach and Enrollment for People Living with HIV, panelists

GM highlights diversity at Detroit Auto Show

By Freddie Allen Senior Washington Correspondent

Jesse Wiggins and his daughter, Kim Wiggins, who became the first female assistant coach in Semi Pro football history after Jesse and his wife, Mercedes, founded the Miami Knights.

By Derek Joy There they were, a total of 14 teams from all across America competing for a semi-pro football National Championship on the Martin Luther King, Jr., Day weekend in Miami Gardens.

The Sunshine Bowl XIII, sponsored by Sunshine Bowl’s

Sports Entertainment, featured contests on Friday, Saturday and Sunday at the Betty T. Ferguson Recreation Complex.

Teams competed in seven different classifications.

Three of the 14 were from South Florida, from Riviera Beach to Key West. Only two of

Pleading Our Own Cause

DETROIT, MI (NNPA) – During the media week leading up to the 2015 North American International Auto Show, General Motors (GM) not only revealed new models and concept cars like other automakers, they also showcased the importance of diversity in the company’s ranks.

At “Design by Detroit,” an event hosted by GM that featured local artists, industry insiders and a custom-painted Stingray, three young, minority designers shared their experiences working for the embattled, century-old auto company.

Ven Lai, the lead creative designer for the Chevrolet Color and Trim Studio, said that after joining GM in 2007, she learned that the company appreciated passion for design and that when artists from different cultures and backgrounds lend their input to the process, the car, the customer and the brand benefit.

Crystal Windham, the first

Jeanette Contreras of the Office of Communications at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Ed Welburn, vice president of Global Design for General Motors, talks about the Avenir, Buick’s concept sedan, at the Buick Global Reveal Event in Detroit, Mich.

(Freddie Allen/NNPA) African American female design director at GM, currently leads the Chevrolet Passenger Car & Small Crossover Interiors department. Windham’s work was featured in the 2014 Chevrolet Impala and the all-new electric hybrid Chevrolet Volt.

“As designers, we’ve been empowered,” said Windham in her official press bio. “There is an exciting renaissance at GM and I am thrilled to be a part of it.”

(Read full story on www.thewestsidegazette.com)

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discussed ways that HIV/AIDS organizations can help reach out to and enroll individuals, particularly from communities of color, in coverage available to them through the Health Insurance Marketplace. One way for organizations to get involved, explained panelist Jeanette Contreras of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Office of Communications, is by becoming a Champion for Coverage.

Champions for Coverage are public or private organizations that work to get the word out and educate their communities about the Marketplace.

(Cont'd on Page 3) MEMBER: National Newspaper Publishers Association ( NNPA), and Southeastern African-American Publishers Association (SAAPA) Florida Association of Black Owned Media (FABOM)

Page 2 • www.thewestsidegazette.com • January 22 - January 28, 2015

Broward County's Oldest and Largest African American Owned and Operated Newspaper

My Civil Rights year – Selma, Louisiana and Mrs. Caulfield’s Butterbeans later, when I returned to the South with the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE). It was the sound through the floorboards of Kent’s old Plymouth speeding along Louisiana highways.

By Paul Kleyman Special to the NNPA from New America Media At age 19, I was a sophomore in journalism at the University of Minnesota and member of Students for Civil Rights. I joined the roughly 25,000 others who bused to Selma to join the last part of the march, two weeks after Dr. King led the first and bravest group into bloody confrontation on the Edmund Pettus Bridge.

My Selma experience was deeply sensory, staying up all night in the basement of the Brown AME Chapel making coffee for people, moving to the rhythmic speeches and songs in the church sanctuary, crowding into the back of a pickup truck to go to the march after a

New America Media, First Person, Paul Kleyman, Posted: Jan. 09, 2015 . chilly, pre-dawn rain—and walking 19 miles in tennis shoes (decades before “cross trainers”), only to peel them off in Mont-

gomery and plunge my feet into the happy coolness of red mud.

But what I remember most vividly about the year came

Annual distribution of backpacks by State Rep. Clarke-Reed in District 92 In recognition of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

By Kathy Snyder

Andrea Knowles, Rep Clarke-Reed’s Legislative Assistant at North Andrews Gardens Elementary, with one of the students receiving a back pack.

In recognition and in celebration of the birthday of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., State Rep. Gwyn Clarke-Reed, District 92, with the help of Andrea Knowles, Legislative Assistant and Betty Carr, a volunteer, presented backpacks to students from the public elementary schools in District 92.

One student from each school was chosen to receive a backpack with school supplies. Wells Fargo Bank donated the backpacks that were presented to these students; this is an annual event held by State Rep. Clarke-Reed.

The students were selected by each of their teachers be-

cause they demonstrated the characteristics and qualities of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Congratulations to the following students: Charles Drew Elementary, Tyler Wright; Deerfield Park Elementary, Naiyenne Nemorin; Lloyd Estates Elementary, Bryan Picazo; C. Markham Elementary, Jamahri Bynes, North Andrews Gardens Elementary, Lubens Francois; Oriole Elementary, Jethro Julien; Palmview Elementary, Evena Michel; Park Ridge Elementary, Neishah Tisma; Sanders Park Elementary, Jhon Zetrenne; Tedder Elementary, Darrens Jeudy and Quiet Waters Elementary, Samuel Blanc.

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Our armadillo chase Kunk! What still jars me after 50 years—Kunk!—about that metallic exclamation, as much felt as heard on those fast night runs, is the strange discontinuity between the steel of it and small animal deaths.

Every bloody one put me on edge racing toward Lettsworth

and made me wonder if I should be ashamed of loving the ache I felt between the speed trap of adventure and the night sweat of real experience.

“What is that, Kent?”

My civil rights partner, Kent Hudson, was a Stanford student and source of our only mode of transportation, a 1951 Plymouth, pea-soup green and lacking a functional reverse gear, which could render the car dangerously unmaneuverable in a pinch. Oh, and its California plates were virtual

“Kick-me” signs on the backs of us white boys from the North.

The car’s maximum speed on the single-lane narrows of rural Louisiana asphalt barely arched over 85 mph. It was hardly a match for the gunrack and horsepower pickups outside the roadhouse we passed every night just before the long, low bridge, a bad place to be caught with no exit but dark water.

(Read full story on www.thewestsidegazette.com)

Meredith McCleary recognized for her outstanding community service Meredith McCleary, along with Central Broward Foundation Board Chairman Amos Bonner and wife Bessie had a reason to cheer! Over 20 members of the Kiwanis Club Central Broward (KCCB) joined with other Kiwanis members, friends, and supporters in the celebration of the 100th Kiwanis Anniversary and Project EMNT. McCleary’s recognition for her outstanding community service was one of the highlights of the day.

The event, held at the E. Pat Larkin Center by the Pompano clubs, resulted in KCCB sending over $1,000 in ticket sales to the Pompano Kiwanis Foundation and a check from the Central Broward Kiwanis Foundation for $2,000. The check was presented to Kiwanis International Foundation Chair Bob Parton.

To date, the club has presented close to $8,000 for Project Eliminate. All funds will assist in the fight against maternal and neonatal (baby) tetanus. It only takes $1.60 to save the life of a child by giving the teta-nus shots.

Just think how many babies were helped to save with the event’s giving.

Meredith McCleary is shown with Central Broward Foundation Board Chairman Amos Bonner and wife Bessie at the Central Broward Kiwanis Luncheon Celebration.

Central Broward, Meredith and friends who attended and/ or donated — should be proud.

The club had the largest group turnout of nearly 50 in attendance to include Supervisor of Elections Dr. Brenda Snipes, Commissioners Beverly

Williams, and Dr. Edwina Coleman of Lauderdale Lakes, Attorney George Allen and their spouses. Other Central Broward guests included Meredith’s brother and nephew, and members of Broward Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta.

Broward County's Oldest and Largest African American Owned and Operated Newspaper

Sunshine Bowl XIII staged on MLK weekend in Miami Gardens (Cont'd from FP) The Bridgeport (Conn.) Ravens defeated the Lancaster (Penn.) Sabers 31-0, for the North South Bowl title; in the SBSS Championship game, the Charlotte (N.C.) beat the Key West Sun Devils, 20-12; and Southern Ohio Buckeyes defeated the West Texas Scorpions, 50-12, to win the 2A title; the Southern Michigan Timber Wolves stopped the South Florida 49’ers (Fort Lauderdale), 17-14, in winning the AFNT 3A title.

“We started the South Florida Knights after Buck Town and the other semi pro teams in Miami folded,” said Mercedes Wiggins. “The tryouts were held at the Miami Stadium (which has since been demolished) and 250 people came out.

“Way back then (middle 1980’s) there were many programs for young men. Our goal was to help young men get an education. So we decided to start a team and bring teams from all over the country to compete.

The Wiggins left their native Washington, D.C., and moved to Miami. They opened All The Right Stuff (a book store/ novelty shop) on the first floor Miami Dade County Government Center in Downtown Miami.

Among the many youths that have benefited from the program is Kendall James, who earned a football scholarship to Carson Newman University and was on the Buffalo Bills practice squad, and is now a youth counselor.

As the games of Saturday went, Sharon Frazier, a Youth Violence Prevention Exhibitor for the City of Miami Gardens, operated a stand for the North Dade Youth and Family Coalition.

“We do wrap around services for at risk families,” said Frazier.

“We concentrate on families who are at risk of abuse, neglect and maltreatment. We’re soliciting prospective clients whose children are at risk of abuse, neglect and maltreatment. We also have a program called Celebrity Dads, who meet twice weekly to discuss issues of parenting and fatherhood.”

While the games were played and the various other activities

The Miami Magic City Bulls, defeated the Troy (New York) Fighting Irish, 50-17, to claim the AFNT 3A title.

The Bridgeport (Conn.) Ravens defeated the Lancaster (Penn.) Sabers 31-0, for the North South Bowl title; in the SBSS Championship game. went on with resounding ap- inspiring. I hung onto his every proval of participants and those word. in attendance, Mercedes Wig“I look at things now and the gins reflected on the historical way they were then. The closest progress since the Rev. Dr. Mar- thing to it is when President tin King, Jr., delivered his famed Barack Obama was elected the “I Have A Dream” speech from first time. All those people there the Lincoln Memorial in Wash- were not just Black. There were ington, D.C. on Aug. 28, 1963. people of all races,” said Wig“Oh, my God, yes,” Wiggins gins, who looked over the result recalled. “He could have told us of the XIII Sunshine Bowls to jump from a building and we competition as a smashing sucwould have done it. It was so cess.

January 22 - January 28 , 2015 • www.thewestsidegazette.com • Page 3

Mental health issues in our communities As recently as Jan. 14, 2015, an African American man killed his ex-girlfriend, her current boyfriend and himself, in the parking lot of a restaurant in Palatka. Was that normal rage or jealously that prompted his homicidal and suicidal behavior? A couple of weeks ago a European descent man in Tampa threw his little daughter off a bridge. Everyone appears certain that he was mentally ill. In fact, several individuals had attempted to seek intervention to get him help before his act of murder. What happens that prevents us from preventing and/or intervening to protect the mentally ill in the community and those who are potential victims of their behavior?

In October 2014 the Jacksonville Community Council, Inc. (JCCI) released a comprehensive report entitled “Unlocking the Pieces: Community Mental Health in Northeast Florida". This was the most recent in a series of “inquiries” regarding quality of life issues in our community. The 64-page report identifies the following as the major problems related to treatment of the mentally ill in our community: ● There is a shortage of mental health professionals. ● The system of care is fragmented ● The public sector is underfunded The report addresses the special populations of senior citizens, veterans and the homeless. I could not find any mention of persons of color, however, issues of access to care are definitely increased for economically disadvantaged individuals. As we know, the percentage of economically disadvantaged individuals is definitely greater in our communities. The one area that they addressed regarding stigma is also greater in our African American communities. The report stated that 20-25 percent of individuals in the USA suffer from some type of mental illness, however, the majority of those individual go undiagnosed. Because of the tendency for families to deny, ignore or

ARMSTRONG-WEST even attempt to hide mental illness of family members, I am sure that the percentage of undiagnosed individuals in African American communities is considerably higher. The fact that there is a significant disparity in access to all health care for economically disadvan-

taged individuals increases these numbers.

For our communities, I would recommend that extra effort be given to educating the members of our community regarding the nature of mental illness in an attempt to reduce stigmatization. People need to be informed that mental illness is a physical condition, like diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, etc. It is not some illness for which we need to be ashamed.

I am a member of the Jacksonville chapter of the National Association of Black Psychologists. We offer an annual conference in May on the Edward Waters College Campus on Mental Health Issues in our African American communities, however, that is just a start!

Much work needs to be done regarding mental health issues in our communities.

You can access the complete report referenced above at: www.jcci.org Suzan Armstrong-West, Ph.D., LMHC Associate Professor of Psychology, Edward Waters College.

HIV/AIDS organizations support Health Insurance Marketplace Outreach (Cont'd from FP) “They share information with their members, customers, and stake-holders about the Marketplace and how to get covered and stay covered by sending e-mails, hosting stakeholder calls, and sharing information during meetings or trainings,” Ms. Contreras explained. Many Champions have also hosted or provided space and resources for local Certified Application Counselor organizations, and navigators to conduct in-person enrollment events.

There are at least 17 national, states, and local HIV/ AIDS organizations or agencies officially recognized as Champions for Coverage. These include the Latino Commission on AIDS, the AIDS Project of the Ozarks in Missouri, and

many more Champions doing things like this: • The City of Philadelphia’s Office of HIV Planning worked with local health and HIV/ AIDS partners to develop a consumer tool to help PLWH from several Pennsylvania counties pick a Marketplace plan that covers their HIV medication.

• The National Minority AIDS Council hosts their own enrollment-focused webpage and engages with members and local partners through social media to drive people to #GetCovered!

If your organization or agency is interested in joining the growing list of Champions for Coverage, check out some of these Ways Your Organization Can Be a Champion for Coverage, and tell us what you’re doing. You can also send an email to champion@cms.hhs.gov to be added to the official list.

Medicare Part D Members Save even more on your prescription co-pays at the Publix Pharmacy, a preferred pharmacy in select Medicare Part D plans.* Switching is easy. Just bring us your prescription bottles.

*See pharmacy for details, or visit publix.com/medicare.

Broward County's Oldest and Largest African American Owned and Operated Newspaper

Page 4 • www.thewestsidegazette.com • January 22 - January 28, 2015

Community Digest

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Reception

Southern Florida Minority Supplier Development Council (SFMSDC) 40th Anniversary Kick-off Reception, Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2015 at 5:30 p.m., at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino 1 Seminole Way, Hollywood, Fla.

TO HAVE YOUR COMMUNITY EVENTS POSTED CALL -(954) 525-1489

OR FAX (954) 525-1861

FOR MORE INFO

Seminar

Chi Psi Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. in launching new dimensions of service through Target III: Family Strengthening in partnership with the Friends of Tyrone Bryant Branch Library, will host the second financial literacy seminar for seniors, Saturday, Jan. 24, 2015, from 10:30 a.m. -1 p.m. at Tyrone Bryant Branch Library, Multipurpose Room, 2230 N.W. 21 Ave., Fort Lauderdale. The workshop facilitator will be Cynthia Martin from a local bank. Light refreshments. For additional information, contact Jean Curlee-Gordon at (954) 733-9749 or visit us on the website at chipsiomega@info.org.

EDUCATION MATTERS Every Child Deserves a Chance to Succeed.

ATTENTION RADIO LISTENERS We have free gifts for everybody who calls into the show and shares their opinion. Listen every Saturday at 4 p.m. to Spiritual Downloads with Anna Stephenson on WWNN Radio AM 1470. It’s a live Call in talk show that discusses every-thing from Spiritual Matters to what matters to you.

The show can also be heard on the Internet at wwnnradio.com; just click on the listen live button. Your voice is the most important part of the show. So call in and let us hear what you have to say. The toll free call in number is 1-888-565-1470. Also e-mail Anna Stephenson at annasmiami@aol.com with a subject you want to hear discussed on the show. The show also interviews special guests Like Jessica Reedy from Sunday Best. Shelia Raye Charles, Melba Moore and different preachers and gospel musical artists and politicians.

Event

Seminole Middle School is offering free tutoring for their students at the Jim Ward Center, Monday and Wednesday from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. You must have your own transportation and the child must be a current student at Seminole. Contact Ms. Curry at (754) 323 4200, ext. 2012 for more info.

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Classes

Program

Free SAT & ACT Prep at Regional Libraries program schedule 2015 All Sessions mandatory attendance · Session 1: SAT/ACT Grammar and Reading Techniques and Strategies · Session 2: SAT/ACT Grammar and Reading Practice · Session 3: SAT/ACT Math Techniques and Strategies · Session 4: SAT/ACT Math Practice and Science Techniques and Strategies · Session 5: SAT/ACT Science Practice and Essay Techniques and Strategies Southwest Regional Library - (954) 357-6580 · Tuesday, Jan. 20 – Session 5: from 5 to 7:30 p.m.

North Regional Library – (954) 201-2600 · Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2015 – Session 1: from 5 to 7 p.m. · Saturday, Feb. 14 Session 2: from 12 to 2:30 p.m. · Tuesday, Feb. 17 – Session 3: from 5 to 7 p.m. · Saturday, Feb. 21 – Session 4: from 12 to 2:30 p.m. · Tuesday, Feb. 24 – Session 5: from 5 to 7:30 p.m.

Parents Coping After The Loss Of A Child (P.C.A.T.L.O.A.C.) every Second Tuesday starting at 7 p.m., at E. Pat Larkins Center, 520 MLK Blvd., Pompano Beach, Fla. For more info call Daisy Josey at (954) 943-7549.

The Sistrunk Historical Organization is now accepting applications for its parade and Urban Music Festival which will be held February 28, 2015. Be a part of this phenomenal and festive event by visiting www.sistrunkfestival.org and completing your application. It is going to be awesome!!

IT PAYS TO ADVERTISE IN THE

WESTSIDE GAZETTE CALL (954) 525-1489

United Way of Broward is looking for volunteers: We are looking for volunteers that can dedicate one hour per week, for 25 weeks to read to first grade students for the 2014-2015 school year -- No experience is necessary; just a love for children. Volunteers must complete and pass a background check.

ReadingPals takes place during school hours.ReadingPals runs from September 2014 to June 2015.

Through the ReadingPals initiative volunteers read with children at 14 public schools and 6 childcare centers throughout Broward County. For more information about volunteering, training dates and volunteer requirements for the ReadingPals initiative please contact Lola Jordan at (954) 453-3738.

Together 50 years and Telling our Story on Saturday, Feb. 7, 2015, 11:30 a.m., NW Classmates, this luncheon is coming together beautifully, and we have gotten a lot of community excitement.

The three schools are working together like clockwork, and we will have updates for you as things move forward. Check your email often.

Each of the three collaborating schools - Booker T Washington, North Dade, and Northwestern - are selling tickets to the luncheon. Our best benefit, is in selling OUR tickets first. However, it is better for your friends to buy a ticket SOMEWHERE, than not at all.

We get some benefit from tickets sold at sites in the community.

Tickets: NW tickets are with our classmate, Laura Gallon Jones. Contact her ASAP. Deadline: 1/18/2015.

305-836-4829-hm, or 305-7330672-cell. She does text. Yes, we want the most tables there!!!

Payment - Cash or Check: Checks are payable to BTW Class of 1965, Inc. Not to worry, we will get our share.

Each school has assignments to do, and this is theirs.

Parents: As we celebrate our successful accomplishments throughout the civil rights developments, no one is more deserving of recognition than our parents who witnessed us go through challenges that they probably did not even understand. If you are attending the luncheon we will give a tribute to your parents. We will get the names later.

Hot 105: The committee will be recording a message about the event on this coming Monday. Listen for it throughout the month.

SUPPORT THE BLACK PRESS, IS THE VOICE IN THE BLACK COMMUNITY. FOR CALL YOUR SUBSCRIPTION TODAY! (954) 525-1489

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Broward County's Oldest and Largest African American Owned and Operated Newspaper

Opinion

January 22 - January 28, 2015 • www.thewestsidegazette.com • Page 5

The Westside Gazette, under the Management of BI-ADs, Inc., reserves the right to publish Views and Opinions by Contributing Writers may not necessarily reflect those of the Staff and Management of The Westside Gazette Newspaper and are solely the product of the responsible individual(s) who submit comments published in this newspaper.

Selma and the folks at the ‘back of the line’

By Lee A. Daniels, NNPA Columnist I wasn’t surprised that Ava DuVernay’s Selma was nearly completely snubbed for the Oscar nominations last week, as were several “white” films and white actors and directors. I never thought that, after last year’s breakthrough for 12 Years a Slave, the Oscar voting academy was going to make another powerful drama that put Black Americans at the center of American history the focus of this year’s Oscar ceremonies.

Yes, some of the Oscar voters may have used the controversy over DuVernay’s portrait of President Lyndon B. Johnson as fig-leaf protection to vote against it. That’s more despicable than the snub itself in my book. Although DuVernay’s depiction of Johnson is wrong, I never expect any film

about a historical moment or person to be completely accurate – precisely because every film, no matter how deeply fact-based, is a fictional interpretation of the real story.

Selma still stands out as superior story-telling. It poignantly recounts one of the great moments – a triumph, laced through and through with tragedy – of 20th century American history. The film especially recalled for me one of the questions I obsessed over growing up in Boston in the 1960s.

That was: who were the folks at the back of the line?

I was fortunate in growing up in Boston, where the Black and the liberal white communities had very active ties to the Southern Movement.

In the early 1960s, my brother and I joined an Episcopal church-based “freedom choir.” Later, we attended the Baptist church where Martin

Luther King, Jr. had been a co-junior pastor while at theology school at Boston University.

I was “wired” into the movement in a way few Northern teenagers were.

But I didn’t kid myself. I knew I was many steps removed from the danger faced daily by the real civil rights activists and the Black Southern teens who involved themselves in the movement there. That was why, as much as I was inspired by the movement’s local and national leaders, whose names appeared in the news dispatches from the civil rights’ fronts, I always wondered about those who were there but out of the media spotlight.

Nothing dramatized my obsession with that question more than the movement’s stand at the Edmund Pettus Bridge. In the film, and in the real-life television films of that moment, we see the marchers as they stand, facing the

Tips for finding the right school for your child school’s educational theme, a school’s shared values, or other factors?

Once you’ve identified what matters most, start looking into CAMPANELLA the options available to you. In addition to the local public school, you may be eligible to send your child to a school outside of your ZIP code, or in a different school district. Look into nearby charter schools and magnet schools.

Don’t leave private and faith based schools off your list! You might be able to find scholarships to cover the costs of tuition. And for some families, online learning and home-schooling work best.

To find the options available to you, look at information from the Florida Department of Education, as well as information on state-based education reform or school choice organization websites. For a directory of most schools in your area, along with parent rankings and some performance metrics, parents can visit this website: greatschools.org.

Bobby R. Henry, Sr. - PUBLISHER Pamela D. Henry - SENIOR EDITOR Sonia M. Henry Robinson COMPTROLLER Elizabeth D. Henry CIRCULATION MANAGER Carma L. Henry - DATA ENTRY Charles Moseley MARKETING DIRECTOR Norman Edwards & Ron Lyons PHOTOGRAPHERS Levi Henry, Jr. - CHAIRMAN Yvonne F. Henry EDITOR (Emeritus)

As Florida prepares to commemorate National School Choice Week later this month at 1450 events across the state, and nearly 11,000 events nationwide, many parents will begin evaluating the educational opportunities that are available for their children.

Believe it or not, seats in schools are already beginning to fill up for the 2015-2016 school year. Interest in school choice – the process of actively choosing a public, charter, magnet, private, or online school – is high.

That means that waiting until the spring or the summer to begin researching schools for your children could restrict your options.

No handbook or tip sheet can truly guide parents through the entire process of selecting a school, because choosing schools is an individual experience that will be unique to every family.

However, parents can start by making a list of the attributes that they hope to find in an ideal school. Ask yourself: what’s most important to you and to the academic, social, and emotional well-being of your child? Is it the academic performance of a school, school safety, the instructional methods, the qualifications of teachers, the

Broward County's Oldest and Largest African American Owned and Operated Newspaper

Common and John Legend are Glorious in ‘Selma’

By Andrew Campanella If you’d like to send your child to a different school next year, now’s the time to start the process of researching your options.

Westside Gazette Florida Association of Black Owned Media (FABOM)

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E-MAIL ADDRESSES: MAIN wgazette@thewestsidegazette.com PUBLISHER westside-gazette@att.net EDITOR pamlewis@thewestsidegazette.com WEBSITE: www.thewestsidegazette.com

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By Benjamin F. Chavis, Jr., NNPA Columnist One day, when the glory comes It will be ours, it will be ours Oh, one day, when the war is won We will be sure, we will be here sure Oh, glory, glory Oh, glory, glory Music, songs, videos and lyrics that emanate from the Black experience continues to awaken the consciousness of millions of people around the world. The recent collaboration between iconic artists Common and John Legend on theme song for the movie “Selma” is a prime example.

As the two Chicago natives demonstrated, our culture is rich with historical and contemporary accomplishments of artists who have been able to emotionally connect art with the long struggle for Black freedom, justice and equality.

Of course, the Selma-to-Montgomery, Ala. March was part of that struggle. In a few weeks, we will witness the 50th anniversary of that march, which was led by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. It was the dramatic event that led to passage of the 1965 Voting Rights Act. The release of the docu-drama film “Selma” could not have been scheduled at a better time.

“Selma” was directed by the talented and gifted Ava DuVernay and produced by Oprah Winfrey, Christian Colson, Dede Gardner and Jeremy Kleiner. Oprah Winfrey she be applauded for using her considerable financial resources to support such an important undertaking.

Hands to the Heavens, no man, no weapon Formed against, yes glory is destined

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR GUIDELINES The Westside Gazette welcomes your letters. Letters must be signed with name clearly legible along with a phone number and complete address. No unsigned or anonymous letters will be considered for publication. The Westside Gazette reserves the right to edit letters. The letters should be 500 words or less.

(Read full story on www.thewestsidegazette.com)

Every day women and men become legends Sins that go against our skin become blessings The movement is a rhythm to us Freedom is like reliCHAVIS, JR. gion to us Justice is juxtaposition in us Justice for all just ain’t specific enough One son died, his spirit is revisitin’ us True and living living in us, resistance is us That’s why Rosa sat on the bus That’s why we walked through Ferguson with our hands up When it go down we woman and man up They say, “Stay down” and we stand up Shots, we on the ground, the camera panned up King pointed to the mountain top and we ran up (Read full story on www.thewestsidegazette.com)

storm troopers of the state. We know they know they were facing men who had no compunction about killing Black people and their White allies, be they men, women or children.

When I saw the DANIELS television news reports of “Bloody Sunday,” that longago night in March, 1965, it made everything plain: Not just the movement’s commitment to nonviolence even in the face of imminent danger.

It also made plain what those in “the line” at Selma and elsewhere on the civil rights trail had done and were doing. They were protecting me – transforming the blows meant for me into a force that would expand the boundaries of opportunity for me all my life.

(Read full story on www.thewestsidegazette.com)

NAFEO supports “America’s college promise” initiative

By Lezli Baskerville, NNPA Guest Columnist The National Association for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education (NAFEO), applauds President Obama’s proposal to make community college tuition free, NAFEO Presiand views it as the dent Lezli Bascommencement of kerville (NNPA an important dia- Photo by logue with the Freddie Allen) states, college and university stakeholders that could help move as many as nine million “would be” students from the margins to the mainstream of American education and commerce.

The proposal would provide additional federal dollars to states that make key reforms that include strengthening the community college experience to move more students to completion, continuing to invest in community colleges, and making tuition at community colleges free. The federal dollars to the states would cover three quarters of the tuition, and the states would pay one quarter. Students who attend at least halftime, maintain a 2.5 GPA while in college, and demonstrate steady progress toward completing on time, would have the cost of their tuition covered.

Forty percent of American college students are enrolled in community colleges. Fifty-one percent of African Americans in college are in a two-year institution. Students who are eligible for and receiving the maximum Pell Grant award may already be receiving “free community college tuition/ fees” because the maximum Pell Award is currently $5,730.

The major costs associated with attending a community college are cost of living expenses: housing, transportation, food, books, extra-learning opportunities, child care, healthcare, etc. If enacted, the plan would move the nation closer to realizing its 2020 goal of 60 percent of Americans having a two- or four-year certificate or degree.

(Read full story on www.thewestsidegazette.com)

One could not help but be impressed by the millions that turned out in Paris to stand against the Islamist terrorists who killed workers at the French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo and four others at a kosher grocery store. Two law enforcement officers were also killed, bringing the total to 17.

About 40 heads of state and more than a million others crowded into Republique Square; even more rallied around France. In total, it is estimated that 3.7 rallied for freedom. They wore shirts and carried signs that said, “I am Charlie.” Some said, “I am Muslim and Charlie” or “I am Jewish and Charlie.” Those crowds transcended race, religious and political lines.

President Obama got mixed reaction to his not attending the solidarity rally. Ambassador to France Jane Hartley, someone with much less status, represented the United States.

Critics said the president could at least

By Lucius Gantt I went to see the movie Selma. I enjoyed it. I enjoyed the fact and the fiction shown in the cinematic picture.

I enjoyed it because GANTT I lived it. My grandmother, Carrie Gantt, lived a few houses up from “Daddy” King’s house and a couple of blocks from his Ebenezer Church on Auburn Avenue.

I didn’t know Dr. King as a child but as a teen, I did attend Grady High School in Atlanta with King’s daughter, Yolanda.

If you’re a regular reader of The Gantt Report, you probably know that my economic, political and social philosophy is a little different than Dr. King’s.

OK, OK! My philosophy is a lot different than the philosophy of Dr. Martin Luther King Junior.

Dr. King truly believed in non-violence and I believe in using whatever strategies that will work when fighting for freedom, justice and equality!

Viewers of “Selma” know about Dr. King but they don’t know about Dr. King. All most of the movie goers know is what the ancestors of Dr. King’s enemies want you to know.

America’s devils only want you to know that King prayed, sang and marched!

But Dr. King was somewhat of a scholar. To perfect his change strategy, he studied civil rights and liberation struggles around the world. However, he was most influenced, some say, by the struggle for independence in India led by a small, frail man who preached and practiced non-violent civil disobedience.

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi inspired Dr. King and Gandhi was the preeminent leader of the Independence movement in British-ruled India and inspired movements for civil rights and freedom across the world.

There was a huge difference in the non-violent movements by the two men. Ghandi was supported by most people in India because most of the Indian people were being exploited and oppressed by the British and King had just as many haters as supporters and thousands of more enemies than Ghandi, in my opinion.

(Read full story on www.thewestsidegazette.com)

History unfolds the politics of a social revolution

By Derek Joy

have sent Vice President Joe Biden; Attorney General Eric H. Holder was in Paris and could have attended. The president may be doing something much more MALVEAUX substantive by convening a summit on world terrorism at the White House in February.

I wonder if these gatherings will address terror in Nigeria, where the Islamic terrorist group Boko Haram abducted 276 girls, and still holds 219.

A hashtag campaign, #BringBackOurGirls was joined by First Lady Michelle Obama, former Secretary of State Hilary Clinton, British Prime Minister David Cameron and others. Few of the 40 who rallied in Paris have ever mentioned the abducted girls and those terrorists who took them. Indeed, the abducted girls have all but disappeared from the headlines and from the public consciousness.

Isn’t it interesting how fate and history so often intertwine?

JOY For instance, we just celebrated the Martin Luther King, Jr., National Holiday.

The first and only National Holiday in America that honors a Black American.

As fate would have it, and so recorded in history, the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., rose to prominence as a Southern Baptist Minister leading his Non-Violent Civil Rights Movement.

He was born Jan. 15, 1929, in Atlanta, Ga., and assassinated on April 4, 1968, in Memphis, Tenn. His birthday is less than three weeks before Feb., which is Black History Month.

Fate and history again. Even further, his legacy was built on non-violence yet he died a violent death.

What’s more is how so many Black American lives are lost through violence, especially Black on Black crimes - Blacks killing Blacks when Anglos did more of the killing of Blacks in the nation’s history.

So it is that several twists of fate unfolded fate and history in the days leading up to the celebration of the MLK Holiday.

George Zimmerman was again arrested and released on bond for an alleged act of violence. Again. He made history as the first Anglo male to win an acquittal under Florida’s controversial “Stand Your Ground Law. Pursued Trayvon Martin, a 17year-old Black American from Miami Gardens, who was en route to his father’s residence in gated community in Sanford, Fla. Zimmerman did against the advice of a Sanford Police dispatcher.

He confronted Martin, a fight ensued and Zimmerman shot and killed the unarmed Martin. None of which would have happened Zimmerman not pursued and confronted Martin. Yet he was allowed to go free of murder charges when he was clearly the aggressor.

(Read full story on www.thewestsidegazette.com)

(Read full story on www.thewestsidegazette.com)

World is indifferent to missing Nigerian girls

By Julianne Malveaux, NNPA Columnist

The Gantt Report The “Selma” lesson

Page 6 • www.thewestsidegazette.com • January 22 - January 28, 2015

Broward County's Oldest and Largest African American Owned and Operated Newspaper

AF amily T hat Prays T ogether, Stays T ogether Family That Together, Together

Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church

Church Directory

Worship T his and Every Sunday at the Church of Your Choice This

Bethel Missionary Baptist Church 2211 N.W. 7th Street, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33061 Church: (954) 583-9368 Email: bethelmbchurchfl@att.net

Reverend Jimmy L. English

1161 NW 29th Terr., Fort Lauderdale, Fla. 33311 (954) 581-0455 ● Fax: (954) 581-4350 www.mtzionmissionarybapt.com

WORSHIP SERVICES Sunday Worship Service .............................................................................. 8:00 & 11:00 a.m.

Sunday School ............................................................................................................... 10:00 a.m.

Communion Service (1st Sunday) ......................................................................... 11:00 a.m.

Wednesday Night Prayer Meeting ........................................................................... 6:30 p.m.

Wednesday Night Bible Study ................................................................................... 7:00 p.m.

Saturday (2nd & 4th) Growth & Orientation ........................................................... 9 a.m.

But be doers of the Word - James 1:22 nkjv - “A Safe Haven, and you can get to Heaven from here”

St. Ruth Missionary Baptist Church 145 NW 5th Avenue Dania Beach, FL 33004 Office: (954) 922-2529

WORSHIP SERVICES Sunday Worship ............................................................. 8 a.m. & 11 a.m.

Sunday School ........................................................................... 9:30 a.m.

Wednesday (Prayer Service & Bible Study) ............................... 7:30 a.m.

Saturday (Women Bible Study) ............................................................ 8 a.m.

"Baptized Believers working together to do the will of God"

Bishop Victor T. Curry Senior Pastor/Teacher WORSHIP SERVICES

6201 NW 57 Street Tamarac, FL 33319 954-721-1232 uccfaith@bellsouth.net faithbroward.org

Bible Study (Wednesday Night) ...................................................... 6:45 p.m.

Sunday School .............................................................................. 8:45 a.m.

Sunday Morning Service ............................................................. 10:00 a.m.

Obituaries

"Historically the First Church in the City of Tamarac!”

Rev. Dr. Ileana Bosenbark, Senior Pastor WEEKLY SERVICES & EVENTS SUNDAY Worship Service (Communion 1st & 3rd Sunday) ........................................................... 10 a.m.

F.A.I.T.H. Academy for Children (Spiritual Formation) K-12 ................................ 10 a.m.

Clark & Norris Home of Funerals

TUESDAY F.A.I.T.H. Academy for Adults (Spiritual Formation) - Office Complex ...... 10:30 a.m.

WEDNESDAY Worship & Arts Ministry Rehearsals (Open Auditions) - Sanctuary .............................. 7 p.m.

First Baptist Church Piney Grove, Inc. 4699 West Oakland Park Blvd.

Lauderdale Lakes, FL 33313 Office: (954) 735-1500 Fax: (954) 735-1939 fbcpg@bellsouth.net

Rev. Dr. Derrick J. Hughes, Pastor SUNDAY SERVICES Worship Services .......................................................... 7:30 & 10:45 a.m.

Children's Church ........................................................ 7:30 & 10:45 a.m.

Communion (First Sunday) ......................................... 7:30 & 10:45 a.m.

New Members' Class .................................................................... 9:30 a.m.

Church School .............................................................................. 9:30 a.m.

Baptist Training Union (BTU) .................................................... 1:00 p.m.

Wednesday (Bible Study) ...................................... 11:15 a.m.. & 7:00 p.m.

Harris Chapel United Methodist Church Rev. Juana Jordan, M.Div E-MAIL:juana.jordan@flumc.org 2351 N.W. 26th Street Oakland Park, Florida 33311 Church Telephone: (954) 731-0520 Church Fax: (954) 731-6290

SERVICES Sunday Worship ................................................. 7:30 a.m. & 10:30 a.m.

Sunday School .............................................................................. 9:00 a.m.

Wednesday (Bible Study) ........................................... 11a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Mount Calvary Baptist Church

800 N.W. 8th Avenue Pompano Beach, Florida 33060 Church Telephone: (954) 943-2422 Church Fax: (954) 943-2186 E-mail Address: Mtcalvarypompano@bellsouth.net

Reverend Anthony Burrell, Pastor SCHEDULE OF SERVICES SUNDAY

New Member Orientation ........................... 9:30 a.m.

Sunday School ................................................ 9:30 a.m.

Worship Service ........................................ 11:00 a.m.

WEDNESDAY Prayer Meeting ............................................... 6:00 p.m.

Bible Study ..................................................... 7:00 p.m.

"Doing God's Business God's Way, With a Spirit of Excellence"

New Birth Baptist Church The Cathedral of Faith International Bishop Victor T. Curry, M.Min., D.Div. Senior Pastor/Teacher 2300 N.W. 135th Street Miami, Florida 33167

ORDER OF SERVICES Sunday Worship ........................................................ 7:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m. & 7:00 p.m.

Sunday School ....................................................................................................... 9:30 a.m.

Tuesday (Bible Study) ......................................................................................... 6:45 p.m.

Wednesday (Bible Study) ............................................................................... 10:45 a.m.

1-800-254-NBBC * (305) 685-3700 (o) *(305) 685-0705 (f) www.newbirthbaptistmiami.org

New Mount Olive Baptist Church 400 N.W. 9th Ave., Ft. Lauderdale 33311 (954) 463-5126 ● Fax: (954) 525-9454 CHURCH OFFICE HOURS Monday - Friday 8:00 - 4:00 p.m.

Dr. Marcus D. Davidson, Senior Pastor WORSHIP SERVICES & BIBLE STUDY Sunday .................................................... 7:15 a.m. 9:00 a.m. & 11:00 a.m.

Sunday School ............................................................................ 10:00 a.m.

Wednesday Noonday Service .................................. 12:00-12:30 p.m.

Wednesday Night Prayer Meeting ............................................ 6:30 p.m.

Wednesday Night Bible Study ................................................... 7:00 p.m.

Where the kingdom of God is increased through Fellowship.

Leadership, Ownership and Worship F.L.O.W. To Greatness!

A FAMIL Y THA T AMILY THAT PRA YS PRAY TOGETHER ST AYS STA TOGETHER

“PRAYER IS THE ANSWER” 644-646 NW 13th Terrace Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33311 (954) 462-5711(Ministry Office Line) (954) 462-8222(Pastor’s Direct Line) Email: wm_cme@bellsouth.net (Church} pastorCal50@yahoo.com (Pastor)

Rev. Cal Hopkins.

M.Div) Senior Pastor/Teacher

Rev. Dr. James B. Darling, Senior Pastor

PASTOR

Faith United Church of Christ

Williams Memorial CME

KING Funeral services for the late Tommie Louis King – 53 were held Jan. 17 at The New Beginning Int’l Outreach Ministries with Apostle R.W. Welch officiating.

Interment: Dania Cemetery.

James C. Boyd Funeral Home DAVIS Funeral services for the late Anthony Maurice Davis, Jr. – 23 were held Jan. 17 at James C. Boyd Funeral Home with Pastor Catherine Hope Smith officiating. Interment: Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens Central.

WHIGHAM Funeral services for the late Indyia Nicole Wigham.

McWhite's Funeral Home COHEN Funeral services for the late Sarah Jenkins Carter Cohen - 78 were held Jan. 10 at Gethsemane Missionary Baptist Church with Rev. Newell D. Tucker officiating. Interment: Forrest Lawn Cemetery South.

DREW Funeral services for the late Frank Wallace Drew, Jr. – 87 were held Jan. 17 at McWhite’s Funeral Home Chapel.

HEPBURN Funeral services for the late Willliam Edward A. Hepburn, Sr. - 81were held Jan. 17 at Greater Faith Temple Church of Christ Holiness Unto The Lord, Inc. with Elder Darryl Lovett officiating. Sunset Memorial Gardens.

JOHNSON Funeral services for the late Archie Johnson, Sr. 90 were held Jan. 17 at Goulds Church of the Nazarene with Pastor Terry Williams officiating. Interment: Dade South Memorial Park.

MITCHELL Funeral services for the late Benjamin Earl Mitchell – 70 were held Jan. 17 at McWhite’s FuneralHome

Chapel with Pastor Lottie McReed officiating.

PORTER Funeral services for the late Harrison Porter, Jr. – 63 were held Jan. 16 at McWhite’s Funeral Home Chapel with Bishop Russell C. Bostick officiating.

ROPER Funeral services for the late Joseph Roper – 51 were held Jan. 17 at McWhite’s Funeral Home Chapel with Min. Vern A. Roper officiating.

Roy Mizell & Kurtz Funeral Home BURROWS Funeral services for the late Herbert Victor Burrows 77 were held Jan. 17 at St. Marks’s Episcopal Church with Rev. Leonel Charles officiating. Interment: Sunset Memorial Gardens.

CARTER Funeral services for the late Helen Geneva Carter - 93 were held Jan. 13 at Roy Mizell & Kurtz Worship Center with Rev. Simon Osunlana officiating.

GRIMES Funeral services for the late Cecil D. Grimes 53 were held Jan. 17 at New Bethel Primitive Baptist Church with Pastor Jaymes Moody officiating. Interment: South Florida VA National Cemetery, Boynton Beach, Fla.

The WITNESS of “The WILL” Sunday Worship Experiences ................................................................ 7:45 and 11:00 a.m.

Sunday School ................................................................................................................. 9:30 a.m.

Tuesday Night Triumph {Prayer, Praise and Power} Prayer Meeting ................................................................................................................ 7:00 p.m.

Bible Study ........................................................................................................................ 7:30 p.m.

We STRIVE to PROVIDE Ministries that matter TODAY to Whole Body of Christ, not only the Believers, but also for those stranded on the “Jericho Road”!

“Celebrating over 85 Years of FAITH and FAVOR! Come to the WILL ... We’ll show You the WAY: Jesus the Christ!”

KIDS TALK ABOUT GOD

What does it mean to Worship God?

By Carey Kinsolving and Friends (Part Three of Three) “We all get so involved in our silly little lives that we have made for ourselves to where we don’t have the time to do anything for God,” says Travis, age 12.

Worship is the way we see God’s larger purpose for us. A life of worship usually doesn’t make media headlines, but even the smallest things done in relation to God are significant because they’re p art of a grand plan.

Saying you don’t have time to worship God is like saying you don’t have time to breathe. If you don’t breathe, you die. If you don’t worship, you’ll wither and live small.

Oxygen deprivation does strange things to your head. I once flew to La Paz, Bolivia, which is almost 12,000 feet above sea level. For the first 24 hours, I felt disoriented and strange. Being too busy to worship God is similar to oxygen deprivation. You’ll feel unbalanced.

“Worship means fully opening your heart to God and expressing your true love and feelings for him,” says Christian, 13. “It means not just saying the words to a song in church. It means actually meaning them with your heart. Serve the Lord wholeheartedly.”

The Lord called David a man after his own heart, not because he never sinned. His sins are well chronicled. David went after the Lord with a whole heart. His heart is on display in the psalms he wrote.

A huge part of worship is thanksgiving, says Mitchel, 11.

“Take time to thank God for all the stuff he gives you. All the stuff that you have was sent from heaven.”

Hmm. That’s a new perspective on possessions for some.

“Worship means to be thankful for God’s gift of Jesus dying on the cross,” says Brittany, 11. “It shows how much we love him.”

Christians should be most grateful for Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross. One of the names for the Lord’s Supper is “Eucharist,” which means to give thanks.

We read about the early church in the Book of Acts: “Now on the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread ... “ (Acts 20:7). Fellowship was important in the early church: “And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers” (Acts 2:42).

Bible commentators concur that the breaking of bread refers to a fellowship meal called the “love feast.” About 20 years after the church began in Jerusalem, the apostle Paul wrote a stinging rebuke to the Corinthian Christians for drinking too much wine at the meal, eating before others and failing to distribute the food fairly. The fact remains that the Lord’s Supper as a fellowship meal was the predominant form of worship in the early church.

Where is it today? Most churches have traded the rich tablefellowship that characterized the worship of the early church when they assembled on Sunday for little plastic cups of grape juice and pieces of crackers served in pews monthly.

(Read full story on www.thewestsidegazette.com) MELLS Funeral services for the late Elizabeth Mae Mells – 85 were held Jan. 18 at Mt. Olivet Seventh Day Adventist Church with Pastor Lucious Hall officiating. Interment: Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens – Central.

SCOTT Funeral services for the late Mary Etta Scott - 87 were held Jan. 17 at Roy Mizell & Kurtz Worship Center with Bishop Eugene Cooper officiating. Interment: Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens – Central.

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“The main reason nonprofits look to update or implement technology is to acquire additional functionality that will automate more tasks, which they hope will free up time to work on more strategic projects.” – Janna Finch Technology plays a critical Pearl and Mel Shaw role in the life of nonprofits, large and small. Accounting, fundraising, social media, admissions, recruitment, ticket sales, and human resources are only a few of the areas that depend on technology solutions. To help you navigate the maze of software solutions we interviewed nonprofit market researcher Janna Finch. She works with Software Advice, a donor management and fundraising tech resource for nonprofits. www.SoftwareAdvice.com.

Here are Finch’s three suggestions for software evaluation.

1. “Most importantly, write down what you and the people who will use the software need it to do. Be specific. “Automatically generate 3,000 annual giving statements and email them to recipients,” “support recurring donations,” “integrate with our current fund accounting software,” and “allow 11 staff members and volunteers to access the system at the same time” are examples of how specific you should get.”

2. “Learn about the types of pricing models offered by software vendors and calculate the total cost of ownership (TCO). The two most common pricing models are perpetual license and subscription. With a perpetual license, you typically pay a larger amount upfront to cover the license and set-up fees, then a smaller amount (around 20 percent of the license cost) annually for periodic upgrades and support. With subscription pricing, those same costs are spread out and paid for in smaller amounts monthly or annually for as long as you use the software. Subscriptions often start around $50 a month, but can scale much higher.””

3. Finally, you need to make sure that everyone who will use software can use it. To do this, take advantage of vendors’ demos and free trials to give the software a test-drive before committing.

It may look like the perfect solution on paper, but hands-on experience may uncover that it has a learning curve greater than expected. If that’s the case, look at different software or add training costs to your budget.”

But, how do you know when to migrate to another platform?

Here’s what Finch has learned from working with buyers. “There are a few situations when you should consider scrapping what you’ve got for a new vendor or product. The most obvious time is when a vendor goes out of business or stops supporting the product you’re using. Another is when your operations have outgrown the software’s capabilities and your options for customizing it are limited or cost prohibitive. Nonprofit professionals I talk to sometimes mention that unhelpful or unpleasant customer support is the reason they’re considering a switch.”

Next week: How to determine nonprofit software costs Copyright 2015– Mel and Pearl Shaw Mel and Pearl Shaw position nonprofits, colleges and universities for fundraising success. For help with your fundraising visit www.saadandshaw.com or call (901) 522-8727.

CALL AND HAVE YOUR AD PLACED IN UNITY IN THE COMMUNITY DIRECTORY PAGE FOR A DISCOUNTED PRICE, FOR LOCAL BUSINESSES IN THE COMMUNITY CALL -- (954) 525-1489

According to Eve Hogan, relationship specialist and author of several books about how to live your life in harmony, one of the biggest reasons that relationships fail is because of money. The author of The EROS Equation: A SOULution for Relationships writes that if you follow these few simple rules, you will maintain a healthy relationship with your family, business associates and yourself.

1. Don’t spend huge amounts of money on yourself when you still have debts to others.

Even if you have to repay the lender a little at a time, show them that you are trying your best to repay their loan. If the lender sees you going out for meals or on trips without paying them anything back, it could affect your relationship with them.

2. Return kindness with thoughtfulness.

However someone helps you in your life, whether it be loaning you their car or cooking you a meal, find a way to pay them back with equal respect. Sometimes a gesture from the heart will do more for relationships than cash ever could.

3. Avoid debt at all costs.

Getting into debt is one of the quickest ways to destroy a relationship or business partnership. Try to avoid borrowing, as this can become a habit that is hard to break.

4. Personal attention is the most precious gift you can give.

Although it’s nice to receive gifts, a small gift given with genuine affection can go much further

than an expensive one without a personal connection.

5. Don’t judge others by your standards.

Just because you may have done well for yourself in life, don’t forget those who helped you get there. Remember: a spouse or parents may not be as well-off as you because they gave up so many things so that you could succeed, and they don’t need your judgment.

6. Don’t think you have all the answers.

Although you may consider yourself to be a good person who is living up to a high moral standard, don’t forget that Satan can disguise himself as an angel of light. Those who you believe have taken the wrong path may just be doing things right in a different way than you and can teach you more than you think. Leading by example, whether it be financially, spiritually or any other way, is far better than telling someone how to live their life.

7. Money cannot buy you happiness or others’ respect.

No matter how much money you have acquired, if you haven’t shown others kindness on your way up the ladder of success, you have failed. Don’t leave others feeling down because they haven’t achieved what you have. Make sure people leave your presence feeling blessed for knowing you.

Page 8 • www.thewestsidegazette.com • January 22 - January 28, 2015

Broward County's Oldest and Largest African American Owned and Operated Newspaper

She is the first African American child to receive an Oscar nomination: 6 facts about Quvenzhane’ Wallis

By Raveen Johnson There are a slew of celebrities that deserve to be praised for their amazing work, but one celebrity in particular has made such a big impact in such a small amount of time. Little Miss Quvenzhane’ Wallis has charmed her way into our hearts with only two years of professional acting under her belt. Our community is amazed at her success at such a young age, and it is inspiring to see her continue to go nowhere but

up. Here are a few facts about this child star that may come as a surprise to you. Wallis lied about her age just so she could audition for her first acting job.

She was five when she auditioned for her role in Beasts of the Southern Wild, but the minimum age was six. She beat out 4,000 others for the role of Hushpuppy. Wallis became the youngest actress to be nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress when she was nine years old. Nine! She is now the first person born in the

Jets tab Todd Bowles as head coach

BOWLES

By USA TODAY Sports (Photo: Rob Schumacher, The Arizona Republic) Arizona Cardinals Defensive Coordinator Todd Bowles against Washington Redskins on Oct. 12, 2014 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Ariz.

Bowles doesn’t qualify as a splashy hire. He’s not brash like Rex Ryan or a household name.

But the New York Jets’ new head coach is one of the NFL’s great teachers, whose players describe him as a genius with strategy, and the opportunity for Bowles to run his own program was a long time coming.

Bowles agreed to take the job late Tuesday, a person with knowledge of the Jets’ search said, speaking on condition of anonymity because nothing had been announced.

The 51-year-old New Jersey native was in demand after coordinating a depleted defense that helped the Arizona Cardinals make the playoffs this season. He also interviewed with the Chicago Bears, Atlanta Falcons and San Francisco 49ers.

Bowles interviewed for seven NFL head coaching jobs over the previous six off seasons as well as for the job at Temple University, where he played under Cardinals coach Bruce Arians in the 1980s before embarking on an eight-year NFL playing career.

But Bowles had spent 15 years as an NFL assistant until now, with the exception of a stint as the Miami Dolphins’ interim coach in 2011 after Tony Sparano was fired.

“If somebody deems me as a good head coaching candidate, that’s flattering, but in the middle of the season, you don’t have time for any of that,” Bowles told USA TODAY Sports in October.

“I don’t win to prepare to be a head coach. I win to prepare to get to the playoffs and win the Super Bowl.”

Now he’ll try to do that with the Jets, who fired Ryan and general manager John Idzik after finishing this season 412. They haven’t been in the playoffs since the 2010 season, when they made the second of consecutive AFC championship game trips.

The Jets hired a new GM, former Houston Texans college scouting director Mike Maccagnan, earlier Tuesday. While there are some talented pieces on the roster, there is a lot of work to be done as well.

Bowles comes across as softspoken and low-key. But he can flash some fire, too, as he did at halftime of the Cardinals’ Oct. 12 game against the Washington Redskins, busting a whiteboard before the defense got four second-half takeaways in a 30-20 Arizona win.

Asked that month if Bowles could be a head coach, players were unanimous.

“Hell yeah, because he’s got communication skills and he’s

going to tell his players exactly what he needs,” veteran defensive tackle Tommy Kelly said then.

Bowles’ coaching education began as a young Washington Redskins safety, watching film and learning to scheme under Richie Petitbon and Emmitt Thomas in the mid-1980s. He considers Mike Nolan, Foge Fazio, Bill Parcells and Mike Zimmer among his influences too.

(Read full story on www.thewestsidegazette.com)

LEGAL NOTICES PUBLICATION OF BID SOLICITATIONS Broward County Board of County Commissioners is soliciting bids for a variety of goods and services, construction and architectural/engineering services. Interested bidders are requested to view and download the notifications of bid documents via the Broward County Purchasing website at: www.broward.org/ purchasing.

Jan. 8, 15, 22, 29, 2015 IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE 17TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, IN AND FOR BROWARD COUNTY, FLORIDA CASE NO: FMCE 14-013703 DIVISION: 37 KEVIN WINT, Petitioner and VIOLETTE WILLIAMS, Respondent NOTICE OF ACTION FOR DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE (NO CHILD OR FINANCIAL SUPPORT) TO: VIOLETTE WILLIAMS {Respondent’s last known address} Address/ Residence Unknown YOU ARE NOTIFIED that a action for dissolution of marriage has been filed against you and that you are required to serve a copy of your written defense, if any, to it on KEVIN WINT, c/o DEBORAH PINO ESQ, whose address is 2701 West Oakland Park Boulevard, Suite 410-15, Oakland Park, Florida 33311 on or before February 2, 2015, and file the original with the clerk of this Court at 201 Southeast Sixth Street, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33301 before service on Petitioner or immediately thereafter. If you fail to do so, a default may be entered against you for the relief demanded in the petition.

Copies of all court documents in this case, including orders, are available at the Clerk of the Circuit Court’s office. You may review these documents upon request.

You must keep the Clerk of the Circuit Court’s office notified of your current address: (You may file Notice of Current Address, Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.915.) Future papers in this lawsuit will be mailed to the address on record at the clerk’s office.

WARNING: Rule 12.285, Florida Family Law Rules of Procedure, requires certain automatic disclosure of documents and information. Failure to comply can result in sanctions, including dismissal or striking of pleadings.

Dated December 17, 2014 HOWARD C. FORMAN, Clerk of the Circuit Court Jasmine Shivers, Deputy Clerk Jan. 15, 22, 29, Feb. 2, 2015

21st century to be nominated for an Academy Award, period.

Talk about making history.

Wallis is also the first AfricanAmerican child actor to receive an Oscar nomination.

The young actress is the face of Armani Junior, making her the first child celebrity to be the face of a luxury brand. Quvenzhane’ is named after her mo-

ther and father, combining the first syllables of both of their first names. BONUS: Miss Wallis plays the leading role of Annie in a remake of the popular musical, Annie. She has gotten slack for this because the original character was not of color, but Wallis has still come out on top as being brave enough to even take on the role.

This rising star is one of many firsts, and that deserves some major credit. At only 11 years old, she is snagging jobs that some celebrities wish they could have been qualified for at her age.

She deals with the pros and cons of being a celebrity with a smile on her face, and it is a pleasure to have her as another positive representation of Black excellence.

WALLIS

Broward County's Oldest and Largest African American Owned and Operated Newspaper

January 22 - January 28 , 2015 • www.thewestsidegazette.com • Page 9

Scenes from Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. celebrations in Fort Lauderdale, Miami and Pompano Beach Broward Health President/CEO Nabil El Sanadi, MD served as cogrand Marshal of Dr. Martin Luther, Jr., Day Parade

Broward Health President/CEO Nabil El Sanadi, MdD served as co-grand marshal of the parade and rides alongside former Broward Health North Chief of Staff Douglas Ford, MD (l). and Pompano Beach native POMPANO BEACH, FL – Henri Crockett.

Leading a contingent of march“It was an honor to lead a ing bands and local community parade honoring Dr. Martin organizations, Broward Health Luther King, Jr. and his President/CEO Nabil El Sanadi, steadfast dedication to equality.

MD, served as co-grand marshal We will always remember—and of the Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. be inspired by—his famous Parade and Celebration, pre- quote on the injustice of unsented by the Martin Luther equal access to healthcare,” said King, Jr. Memorial Committee Dr. El Sanadi. “At Broward of Pompano Beach. The newly Health, we work diligently in appointed head of one of the the spirit of Dr. King’s vision by nation’s largest public health- providing Broward County recare systems had a chance to sidents access to an array of meet and greet community services and programs that help members while marching in Dr. to make a healthier tomorrow King’s honor at the Jan. 19 possible.” event.

El Sanadi added, “Broward The parade began at Mitchell Health demonstrates its comMoore Park and ended at mitment to diversity through a Blanche Ely High School in large, multicultural workforce Pompano Beach, where a cele- that is reflective of the combration called “The Color of munities we serve. Our thriving Unity” followed. Joining El Community Health Services Sanadi as co-grand marshal centers provide high-quality, was former pro-football player affordable healthcare to all.”

Henri Crockett, former pro-football player and Pompano Beach native, served as co-grand marshal of the parade.

From l to r: North Broward Hospital District Commissioner David Nieland, Broward County Public Schools Superintendent Robert Runcie, Broward Health President/CEO Nabil El Sanadi, MD, Broward County Commissioner Chip LaMarca, North Broward Hospital District Commissioner Sheela VanHoose and North Broward Hospital District Commissioner Darryl Wright.

Photos submitted by Wayne Alexander

Recognizing Our Glorious Black History, All Year Long Photos submitted by Norman Photoland

Miami Gardens celebrates MLK Day with variety of activities

By Derek Joy It is a neophyte when compared to the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Holiday celebrations in Miami, Florida City, Perrine and other locations in Miami Dade County.

Still, the MLK Holiday celebrations staged by the city of Miami Gardens conveyed the legacy of King’s body of work as well, if not better than its municipal counterparts.

The MLK weekend celebration had many highlights that were punctuated by Saturday’s series of events at the Betty T. Ferguson Recreation Complex as Florida State Representative Sharon Pritchett, (Dem., Dist. 102), looked on.

There was an array of displays that embraced religion, family, business, entertainment, sports, a display of automobiles for sale by Miami Lakes Auto /Jeep Mall and more. Each as a direct reflection of King’s legacy fashioned in his NonViolent Civil Rights Movement of the 1950’s and 1960’s.

“My thinking is that my whole vision is this city would have a good foundation, continue to grow and prosper,” said former Mayor Shirley Gibson, who help lead the movement to incorporate Miami Gardens.

“I’m very proud of what I see. I hope it will continue to grow. My motto is, if you can’t do it first class, don’t do it at all.

It isn’t perfect. Nobody, nothing is. But I like the progress this city has made since it was incorporated in 2003,” added Gibson, who was its first Mayor.

Radio Station HOT105 personality Rick Party entertained the audience, intertwined between performances by modern dance groups, martial arts demonstrations and other entertainment.

Inside the complex, five to 15 year olds competed in a basketball tournament, while other youth engaged in dramatic performances and other educational activities. And there was football on the field outside: The XIII Annual Sunshine Bowl Championships, founded by Jesse and Mercedes Wiggins.

“Yes, I marched with them to

Former Mayor Shirley Gibbons the Lincoln Memorial,” said Mercedes Wiggins, a native of Washington, D.C., recalling the historic “I Have A Dream Speech” delivered by King on Aug. 28, 1963.

“Oh, my God, yes. It was exciting. We were at the Lincoln Memorial. He could have told us to jump off buildings and we would have done it. It was so inspiring. I hung onto his every word.

“I look at things now and the way they were. The closest thing to it is when President Barack Obama was elected the first time (2008). All those people weren’t just Black. They’re all racists there.”

That was the setting during Miami Gardens’ MLK Holiday celebrations. Multiple races took part. “I think events like this here and around the country bring reality of how we need to conduct business. Economically, we need to conduct business better,” said Miami Gardens Councilman David Williams, Jr. “We really need to be smarter, learn and use computer skills, development different careers. We definitely need to develop better parenting skills, get parents more involved in the lives of their children and in the community. We can say things all day, but if they go home and hear different things it doesn’t help.”

Harry T. Upshaw, a Miami Gardens resident and marketing director of the North Dade Community Federal Credit Union said: “I think this is ex-

Councilman David Williams, Jr. and State Rep. Sharon Pritchett. cellent. It reflects everyday life.

Black people knowing about our past is a good thing. Take a 15 year old male. It’s hard for him to imagine what we had to go through 50 years ago just to vote.

This even it’s going to have an effect on some of these kids.

It’s going to touch some of them.”

Equally important in the impact of this event as it relates to the legacy of King can be perceived in the perspective shared by Williams. “We need to hold elected officials accountable. And that’s what we do not do,” concluded Williams.

Page 10 • www.thewestsidegazette.com • January 22 - January 28, 2015

Congresswoman Frederica S. Wilson honors the Life and Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. MIAMI, FL – Congresswoman Frederica S. Wilson (FL-24) issued the following

statement honoring the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr:

Television personality Judge Glenda A. Hatchett delivers the keynote address. Judge Hatchett was joined by South Florida county, district and federal judges to recognize this year’s 5000 Role Models of Excellence Project 2015 Wilson Scholarship Recipients.South Florida elected officials, educators, business leaders, business owners, community leaders, parents and friends were on hand to support 84 Miami-Dade County Schools’ seniors receive college scholarships. Some of the recipients received full college scholarships to Florida Memorial University (FMU) and Bethune Cookman University (B-CU). The president of FMU and representatives from Bethune Cookman were present to make the full scholarship offers.

“Today, we celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., one of the world’s greatest humanitarians and leaders in the fight for social and racial justice.

“Let us remember Dr. King’s courage, wisdom and inner strength that gave us all hope that we could live out the American dream, of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Let us remember his unwavering belief that we could live a life without fear of persecution for our religious, political or cultural beliefs.

“Let us honor Dr. King by working in Congress to provide jobs and put Americans back to work, by building economic opportunities and making education and healthcare more accessible and affordable,” said Congresswoman Wilson.

To honor Dr. King’s legacy, Congresswoman Wilson attended the 5000 Role Models of Excellence Project’s 22nd annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Unity Scholarship Breakfast.

Inspired by the memory of Dr. King, the breakfast provides the community with a meaningful way of raising scholarship funds for deserving young boys. The proceeds from the breakfast have resulted in more than $10 million in scholarship being awarded to date.

“Each year, the 5000 Role Models of Excellence Project has held this important event to not only honor Dr. King’s work and legacy, but also to ensure that our next generation of leaders is taught about his life, struggles, sacrifices, and accomplishments. As the founder of the Role Models project, I am very proud that this tradition continues,” said Congresswoman Wilson.

Broward County's Oldest and Largest African American Owned and Operated Newspaper

Most of you have no idea what Martin Luther King actually did (Cont'd from FP) His main impact was not to make white people nicer or fairer. That’s why some of us who are African Americans get a bit possessive about his legacy. Dr. Martin Luther King’s legacy, despite what our civil religion tells us, is not color blind.

Head below the fold to read about what Martin Luther King, Jr. actually did.

I remember that many years ago, when I was a smartass home from first year of college, I was standing in the kitchen arguing with my father. My head was full of newly discovered political ideologies and Black Nationalism, and I had just read the Autobiography of Malcolm X, probably for the second time.

A bit of context; my father was from a background, which if we were talking about Europe or Latin America, we would call, “peasant” origin, although he had risen solidly into the working-middle class. He was from rural Virginia and his parents had been tobacco farmers.

I spent two weeks or so every summer on the farm of my grandmother and step-grandfather.

They had no running water, no gas, a wood burning stove, no bathtubs or toilets but an outhouse, potbelly stoves for heat in the winter, a giant wood pile, a smoke house where hams and bacon hung, chickens, pigs, semi wild housecats that lived outdoors, no tractor or car, but an old plow horse and plows and other horse drawn implements, and electricity only after I was about eight-years-old.

The area did not have high schools for Blacks and my father went as far as the seventh grade in a one room schoolhouse. All four of his grandparents, whom he had known as a child, had been born slaves. It was mainly because of World War II and urbanization that my father left that life.

They lived in a valley or hollow or “holler” in which all the landowners and tenants were Black. In the morning if you wanted to talk to cousin Taft, you would walk down to behind the outhouse and yell across the valley, “Heeeyyyy Taaaaft,” and you could see him far, far in the distance, come out of his cabin and yell back.

On the one hand, this was a pleasant situation because they lived in isolation from white people. On the other hand, they did have to leave the valley to go to town where all the rigid rules of Jim Crow applied. By the time I was little, my people had been in this country for six generations (going back, according to oral rendering of our genealogy, to Africa Jones and Mama Suki), much more under slavery than under freedom, and all of it under some form of racial terrorism, which had inculcated many humiliating behavior patterns.

Anyway, that’s background. I think we were kind of typical as African Americans in the precivil rights era went.

So anyway, I was having this argument with my father about Martin Luther King and how his message was too conservative compared to Malcolm X’s message. My father got really angry at me. It wasn’t that he disliked Malcolm X, but his point was that Malcolm X hadn’t accomplished anything as Dr. King had.

I was kind of sarcastic and asked something like, so what did Martin Luther King accomplish other than giving his “I Have a Dream speech.”

Before I tell you what my father told me, I want to digress. Because at this point in our amnesiac national existence, my question pretty much reflects the national civic religion view of what Dr. King accomplished. He gave this great speech. Or some people say, “He marched.” I was so angry at Mrs. Clinton during the primaries when she said that Dr. King marched, but it was LBJ who delivered the Civil Rights Act. At this point, I would like to remind everyone exactly what Martin Luther King did, and it wasn’t that he “marched” or gave a great speech.

My father told me with a sort of cold fury, ”Dr. King ended the terror of living in the South.”

Please let this sink in and take my word and the word of my late father on this. If you are a white person who has always lived in the U.S. and never under a brutal dictatorship, you probably don’t know what my father was talking about.

But this is what the great Dr. Martin Luther King accomplished. Not that he marched, nor that he gave speeches.

He ended the terror of living as a Black person, especially in the south.

I’m guessing that most of you, especially those having come fresh from seeing The Help, may not understand what this was all about. But living in the South (and in parts of the midwest and in many ghettos of the north) was living under terrorism.

It wasn’t that Black people had to use a separate drinking fountain or couldn’t sit at lunch counters, or had to sit in the back of the bus.

You really must disabuse yourself of this idea. Lunch counters and buses were crucial symbolic planes of struggle that the civil rights movement used to dramatize the issue, but the main suffering in the south did not come from our inability to drink from the same fountain, ride in the front of the bus or eat lunch at Woolworth’s.

It was that white people, mostly white men, occasionally went berserk, and grabbed random Black people, usually men, and lynched them. You all know about lynching. But you may forget or not know that white people also randomly beat Black people, and the Black people could not fight back, for fear of even worse punishment.

This constant low level dread of atavistic violence is what kept the system running. It made life miserable, stressful and terrifying for Black people.

(Read full story on www.thewestsidegazette.com)