The Westside Gazette

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After 16 years the time has come...

“The best time to leave the stage is while people are still clapping.” — Min. Eddie Robinson

By Bobby R. Henry, Sr. “To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven.”- Ecclesiastes 3:1 If ever there is a scripture that is befitting of departures as they

pertain to the Ministers of Music at the New Mount Olive Baptist Church (NMOBC) in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., this one certainly applies. Minister of Music, Eddie Robinson, will be moving on after 16 years of delivering

some of the most soul stirring gospel music in the history of the church.

Four of the NMOBC Ministers of Music have a history of serving the church combined for most of 80 plus years. Dr.

Beyond survival: Life after rape ceivable that someone could be normal, much less happy after experiencing what I had.”

Silence and other hurdles to healing The circumstances around Lori’s assault were atypical – there was more than one assailant, they were strangers,

Alfred Pinkston served for over 40 years; Mrs. Alma Lewis served for over 23 years; Robinson has over 16 years and Ms. Shirley Bell directed the Children’s Choir for 37 years.

“I came to New Mount Olive on Feb. 2, 1999. I came as a result of an invitation of Dr. Mack King Carter, who recruited me from Atlanta. He was interested in getting one of my mentors, Dr. Jimmy Abbington to come, but Dr. Abbington recommended me. Dr. Carter called me on July 4, 1998 and we had an almost threehour conversation inviting me to come work with the choir in September,” said Min. Robinson.

It appears that music has always been a focal point in Robinson’s life and one can feel and see this in his approach in delivering his talents.

Robinson continued, “As a child growing up in South Carolina, I knew I would be doing music. At the age of 12 when I began playing for my first church but I never had any idea that I would be doing it on this scale.

“My grandmother was the force that drew me to gospel.

She insisted that we go to Sunday school and church every and there was a weapon involved. In more common circumstances – when the people know each other or are related; when alcohol is involved or there has been previous sexual/ romantic involvement; when the perpetrator is a prominent figure; or when the survivor became pregnant – the decision to report a rape can be even more agonizing.

Sunday and would not allow us to sing “the Blues” in her house. From an early age, I developed a love for church and singing.”

Robinson’s talents were not limited to the choir stands on Sundays and it is obvious that this development took several influences to create.

Moses Barnes, a member of Mount Olive Men’s Choir spoke of Robinson’s diverse talents, “Min. Robinson transformed the male chorus from a fifth Sunday singing group to a regular scheduled group each month.

"For many of us who were not gifted singers but more of background singers, Min. Robinson provided encouragement and training that allowed the male chorus to grow from a group of about 15-20 males to about 30-40. He also allowed many of the members to become more proficient in their individual singing talent. He even established a uniform dress code for our group."

"The male chorus may have been one of the smaller singing groups at Mount Olive but he treated us with the same training and professional care as he did with his signature singing groups. Min. Robinson has a

great since of humor which made all the group members feel welcomed and relaxed at rehearsal sessions. He has been a key asset to the growth and development of the male chorus and we will surely miss him.”

Robinson is seen like an octopus with so many different abilities, one would need as many tentacles.

“I was influenced by people I met down through the years as a part of the National Convention of Gospel Choirs and Choruses. I’ve been attending for 32 years. My childhood friend, Richard Odom, who is a professor at the University of D.C. encouraged me to attend.

His high school music teacher, Rosemary Griffin was the person who took me to the convention at the age of 13. I grew up in the convention founded by the Father of Gospel Music, Dr. Thomas Dorsey. From there, my gifts (songwriting, singing, directing) were developed and as a result I’ve been afforded opportunities that are unimaginable considering I came from a small town in SC of less than 3,000 people.

(Cont'd on Page 9)

Amazing: This 10-year-old has started taking college courses towards a math degree

(Cont'd on Page 4)

Supreme Court’s Shelby ruling makes Selma a ‘Footnote’ OKADE

By Krystle Crossman When most of us were in fourth or fifth grade we dreaded stepping into math class. The numbers, the equations, having to show your work is just too much for some. Then there is Wellsal, UK native Esther Okade. She is just 10 years old and has recently started undergraduate math courses with

(Last of a Series) WASHINGTON, D.C. (NNPA) – “On May 15, 1995, two men ran up behind me as I approached my apartment building, and one of them pointed a gun at my head. In the hour that followed, I was blindfolded, gagged, tied facedown to my bed, and raped by both.”

Eight years after that horror, Lori Robinson published those words as an introduction to her guidebook for Black sur-

vivors and their loved ones, titled I Will Survive: The African American Guide to Healing from Sexual Assault and Abuse.

Since then, Lori, who moved from Washington, D.C. to Detroit, has enjoyed a fulfilling, happy life. But on that night 20 years ago, she didn’t know how, or if, she would recover.

“I remember asking if, after such assault, women went on to have normal lives, get married, have children, be happy,” she writes in I Will Survive. “It sounds silly to me now, but on May 15, 1995, I found it incon-

Pleading Our Own Cause

(Cont'd on Page 3)

Black women endure menopause Howard University News longest Service

Lori Robinson and her husband, Ollie Johnson. (Photo courtesy of Lori Robinson)

By Jazelle Hunt Washington Correspondent

Open University. She is on a quest to get her PhD and someday soon she would like to own her own bank.

Esther’s college dreams began when she was just seven years old. She knew that it was where she wanted to be and wanted to be there as soon as possible.

Jesse Jackson says Supreme Court setback overshadows Selma (NNPA Photo by Freddie Allen)

By Freddie Allen, NNPA Senior Washington Correspondent WASHINGTON, D.C. (NNPA) – As Washington lawmakers, local officials and activists prepare to march across the Edmund Pettus Bridge to observe the 50th anniversary of “Bloody Sunday” in Selma, Ala., some civil rights leaders want them to remember that voting rights are still under at-

tack.

Jesse L. Jackson, Sr., the president and founder of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, recently convened a meeting of voting rights advocates and community stakeholders in Washington, D.C. to review the past, present and future of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 (VRA).

(Read full story on www.thewestsidegazette.com)

By Elaina Johnson Special to the NNPA from

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WASHINGTON, D.C. (NNPA) – Sarah Finney, 57, said she gets hot flashes throughout her body at least once an hour. She even wakes up in the night with so much perspiration that she looks like she just left working out at a gym, she said.

“Hot flashes are very annoying,” said Finney, a married mother of two who declined to use her real name. “A surge of heat goes through my body, sometimes accompanied by nausea. As the energy builds, I begin to sweat from my hair, neck, chest and underarms.”

(Cont'd on Page 9) 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 • March 5 - March 11, 2015

The way forward for Black students

By Honorable Peter C. Groff For good reasons many African Americans have wonderful memories of their time in public schools. Among those recollections are the family and community legacies, the favorite teacher and the lifelong friends that were made. Even for those, particularly in the south in the 1950’s and 1960’s, who have mixed feelings about their public school experiences they also remember the solid foundation that public education provided for college and a career. The system, even with its flaws, was good enough for our parents and, in some cases, for us.

However, that nostalgic era must come to an end and African Americans need to remake public education for our kids.

Too many of our kids have fallen through the cracks of the one size fits all public education system that was created in the 19th Century. According to the U.S. Department of Education, an academic achievement gap exists has been created and is widening. Nationally, on average, African American twelfth graders read at the same level as white eighth graders, and barely more than half of African Americans graduate from high school. These numbers and other statistics like them are stunning, but when you realize that the majority of people incarcerated in the U.S. are people of color who have low educational attainment, and every person who drops out of school costs society about $260,000 in earnings, taxes and productivity, the numbers are frightening.

If our kids are going to be competitive in the burgeoning global economy we must prepare them better. President Barack Obama outlined the challenge in February of 2009 during his first address to Congress.

“In a global economy where the most valuable skill you can sell is your know-

ledge, a good education is no longer just a pathway to opportunity – it is a pre-requisite. Right now, threequarters of the fastest-growing occupations require more than a high s c h o o l diploma. And yet, just over half of our citizens have that level of education… and half of the students who begin college never finish.”

So how do we create a better way forward for our kids? How do we create high quality options and opportunities for all students?

1. Far too often our children enter kindergarten unprepared to learn; thus, they are more likely to fall even further behind in the critical first four years of kindergarten and elementary school. Responsively, our community must demand high quality preschool programs for every four and five year old child, especially our poorest kids, and guarantee access to affordable, quality and safe child care.

2. Once our kids are properly prepared for K-12 education we need to ensure their learning does not stagnate or falter. We must require that our legislators and school districts give our parents high quality choice within the public school system. Innovative options like charter and online schools, homeschooling and even high performing traditional schools recognize the overwhelming body of research that shows not all children learn the same and that a one size fits all system is destined to leave countless students behind.

Policymakers must deliver the K-12 choice, innovation and quality that numerous national polls show that parents are demanding, especially African American parents.

3. Finally, the President often reminds us that “… threequarters of the fastest-growing occupations require more than a high school diploma”, but African American students are 45

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

The Urban League of Broward County host’s youth talent show – with the theme of ‘Black Lives Matter’

By Charles Moseley

percent more likely to take remedial class if they attend college, and then less than 40 percent graduate often because of economic pressures. The community must demand that school districts better prepare African American students for college and that legislators increase Pell grants, help families manage loan debt, slow tuition costs, and undergird community colleges. In addition, the community should clamor for high quality vocational training programs and meaningful apprenticeship opportunities for those students who elect not to attend college.

The schools of today have a unique challenge to prepare all students to compete on the world stage where critical and cutting edge thinking and knowledge are a must. For our kids’ sake and for the nation’s future we need to shake our nostalgic attachment to the schools of our past and demand something new. We must demand choice, innovation and quality in all our schools and for all our students.

Hon. Peter C. Groff is the former President of the Colorado Senate and a Senior Education appointee of President Barack Obama. Groff is a noted policy and political strategist and the Principal of MCG2 Consulting. Follow him on Twitter @petercgroff

The Urban League of Broward County (ULBC) hosted a youth talent show on Feb. 7, entitled ,”Black Lives Matter,” as part of the Black History Month community showcase.

Although the theme of the Urban League Youth Talent Show was titled, “Black Lives Matter,” judging by the display of talented performances put on by the students, the event was a showcase celebration of life and achievement.

Courtnee Biscardi , vice president of Program Operations for the ULBC outlined the many facets which comprise the work of the Urban League’s local operations.

“We’re here to celebrate why Black lives matter. Our young people decided that they wanted to showcase all of their talents academically, spiritually, emotionally and really just demonstrate why the Urban League has an impact in the area of education is so strong.”

William Dandy Middle School Sapphire Dancers Coach Ms. McIntyre- Sanford, reading teacher and eight year dance coach works with a group of students after school.

“I think it’s important for young students to participate in extracurricular activities such as these so they can become well-rounded, although their education is important, it’s also good to have that extra part of it to make you a wellrounded child.”

Eighth grader Monica Roden; captain of the Sapphire Dancers; and seventh grader Dejiah Hill, a two-year veteran with the middle school 21 mem-

The William Dandy Middle School Dancers under the direction of Ms. McIntyre-Sanford perform an African dance routine during a recent youth talent show sponsored by the ULBC. ber dance troupe. They were part of the 14 members of the Sapphire Dance Troupe who participated in the talent show, who performed African dance.

“It’s always important for parents to show their support when their children are involved in activities such as these because the children want to see their parents faces, so they can see how well they’ve been practicing, what they’ve rehearsed and how well it pays off. Tonight we did African dance because it was Black History Month.

We performed African dances because we are African Americans and becasue it’s our heritage. We did a dance called “Glory.” It was about ending slavery and the Civil Rights Movement,” said Roden.

Joseph Robinson attended the talent show to lend his support for his daughter Alexis, who participated in the evening’s performances. He was joined by all three of his children.

“I think it’s very important for parents to get involved with these activities to support their children because there other activities that they could be involved in which of course will determine their own path. This Urban League activity was held in a positive environment and was a positive program, to help influence them and strengthen their knowledge of Black History and Black culture,” said Robinson.

(Read full story on www.thewestsidegazette.com)

Florida’s top STEM scholars honored at statewide conference Program encourages STEM students to pursue higher education in Florida

The Sunshine State Scholars TALLAHASSEE, FL – The state’s highest-achieving 11 grade STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) scholars from each school district were the focus at an annual recognition and recruitment event recently in Orlando. The two-day Sunshine State Scholars conference celebrates the accomplishments of Florida’s elite students and provides a unique venue for the state’s colleges and universities to recruit their talents.

“The Sunshine State Scholars of today are the leaders of tomorrow,” said Commissioner of Education Pam Stewart. “My congratulations to the scholars for their accomplishments and am confident they will lead Florida to new heights. I also want to thank their teachers

for inspiring them toward success.”

“The Sunshine State Scholars program allows our brightest students to see the quality higher education opportunities available to them in Florida,” said Florida Education Foundation Chairman Dr. Stacy Carlson. “I applaud the scholars for their hard work and look forward to watching them lead Florida to an even brighter future.”

“We are proud to recognize these outstanding Sunshine State Scholars for their achievements” said Paul Luna, President and CEO of Helios Education Foundation. “Helios is founded on the belief that education is an investment and not an expense. We are proud to invest in Florida’s prosperous fu-

ture through our collaborative partnership with the Florida Department of Education.”

As part of his 2015-2016 “Keep Florida Florida Working” budget, Governor Rick Scott has announced one million dollars in proposed funding to partner with high-tech companies in Florida to create a paid summer residency program for STEM teachers to bring new industry trends in STEM fields back to Florida’s K-12 classrooms.

In addition to the summer residency program, Gov. Scott’s ““Keep Florida Florida Working” budget also proposes $30 million for a new workforce training initiative focused on STEM occupations and five million dollars to incentivize state colleges to offer $10,000 STEM degrees.

FAMU Broward CountyAlumni Chapter celebrates 52nd Chapter Anniversary Florida A&M University Broward County Alumni is scheduled to celebrate its 52nd Chapter Anniversary on March 14, 2015 at 10 a.m., guest speaker will be Attorney Reginald J. Mitchell, general counsel for the FAMU National Alumni Association. Attorney Mitchell graduated from Florida A&M University receiving a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration and a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science.

He is presently a professor at Florida A&M University School of Law in Orlando, Fla., teaching Academic Success and Bar Preparation.

His legal experience includes but is not limited to: Litigation

matters in the State of Florida, Tort litigation for personal injury cases under Parks and Crump, LLC., past assistant dean in the College of Arts & Science and Staff Attorney for the Department of Business and Professional Regulation Office of the General Counsel.

He is a member of the Florida Bar Association and the National Bar Association. He is a Life Member of Florida A&M University National Alumni Association where he serves as the chairperson of the Budget & Finance Committee.

Attorney Mitchell will discuss updates and happenings at the university. For more information call (954) 430-9760.

MITCHELL

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

March 5 - March 11, 2015 • www.thewestsidegazette.com • Page 3

Blacks bear brunt of school suspensions

By Jazelle Hunt Washington Correspondent WASHINGTON, D.C. (NNPA) –According to a report released last week, 3.5 million K-12 public school students

were suspended in the 20112012 school year – enough to fill every stadium seat in Super Bowl 1 through Super Bowl 45.

And Black children are bearing the brunt of these excessive suspensions.

The report, “Are We Closing the School Discipline Gap?” states, “Demographically, the seven highest-suspending districts all had majority Black enrollment, although the range was from 26 percent to 99 per-

Broward History: William Osment

By Priscilla Polo William Osment was born in Cuba in 1904 and he came to South Florida when he was 15years-old. Back then, Hollywood had started to be built, and by 1923 Osment was already a part of that effort. First he worked for the Hollywood Company, followed by the Florida Power and Light Company.

Later, Osment participated by building roads, repairing equipment, and driving buses, among other things. Back then, there was no beach in Hollywood, but Osment saw the palmettos and trees being pulled out, the leveling out of the terrain for fine, white sand. He also witnessed how the 1926 hurricane destroyed it. He saw Hollywood when it was nothing more than swamps, and helped transform it into what it is today.

One of the many reasons William Osment is an important character in Hollywood history was his love and passion for collecting snails and orchids. How did his collection of 100,000 snails and his nationally recognized status as an orchid hybridizer relate to each other?

In an oral history interview with Don Cuddy in 1976, Osment himself tells his story. His hobby had always been snail collecting, and he frequented Cuba in search of more snails for his

ever growing collection. In one of those trips, his daugh-ter found some orchids that smelled like chocolate, and he decided to bring some back to Florida for her. He started an orchid house and began col-lecting orchids with his dau-ghter and wife, gathering or-chids from the Everglades, trad-ing some with others, going on Safaris to South and Central America, and hybridizing them. He managed to save several specimens that were endangered, some he even managed to return to nature like the Oncidium variegatum that was annihilated by glades fires and has been replanted in Palm Beach County. His great effort was rewarded when one of the snails he found was named after him: Lignus fasciatus Osmenti.

Dr. Carl Winter at Brooklyn College also named an equitant oncidium (an orchid native to Hispaniola), Oncidium osmentii, after him.

Traveling was always something he loved: to Central and South America in search of snails and orchids, to Vermont during the second World War, to Cuba every few months until Castro took over, to Haiti for three years while working for the Pan American Engineering Company and many other places. Despite having been born in Cuba, Osment always considered Hollywood his home

and always came back to it. “I’ll be [in Hollywood] ‘til I die.” He said, during an interview in 1988, when he was to be honored in the Pioneer Days Ceremony. “I raised my family here.

I don’t want to live any place else.” His legacy lives on, as his grandson and great-grandson continue to live in Florida and have created a family tradition of lobster fishing. His story demonstrates one of the Hispanic contributions to Broward County’s history.

HISTORY ACROSS BROWARD NEEDS YOUR HELP. If you have information about a family member or friend buried at Woodlawn Cemetery or stories about Broward County’s past and would like to help please contact the students at historybroward@gmail.com or call the club advisor Mr. Roberto Fernandez at (754) 322-0200.

cent Black. Only one [of the seven highest], Taylor, Fla., was majority white, at 67 percent.”

The research, conducted by the Civil Rights Project at UCLA, offers a detailed analysis of public school suspension over the last few years, with the data broken down by elementary and high school, district and state, race and gender, and language and learning ability.

In the past two to five years, schools have made a concerted effort to avoid out-of-school suspensions for elementary schoolchildren, though it still happens. The reversal is not happening as fast at the high school level.

Black high school boys are suspended at the highest rate of all groups – 28.4 percent, compared to the 10 percent national average. Black high school girls follow at 17.9 percent (Native American and Latino boys come next, with 15 and 14 percent, respectively).

Between 2002 and 2006, the suspension rate for Black girls increased at the highest rate of all groups.

For Black students with disabilities, the rates are even higher – 33.8 percent for Black high school boys, and 22.5 percent for girls – “shocking” enough to suggest that these students’ civil rights are being “unlawfully violated.”

Out-of-school suspensions also feed the racial and economic achievement gap, and have farreaching effects on future outcomes.

“… higher suspension rates are closely correlated with higher dropout and delinquency rates, and they have tremendous economic costs for the suspended students, as well as for society as a whole,” the report explains.

“Therefore, the large racial/ ethnic disparities in suspensions that we document in this report likely will have an adverse and disparate impact on the academic achievement and life outcomes of millions of historically disadvantaged children.”

The starkness of the data has lead schools, administrators, teachers, and parents to believe that Black children must be earning these suspension rates.

But an examination of the data at the state and district level shows does not support this belief.

For starters, Black students are enrolled in almost equal numbers in both high-suspending and lower-suspending states. Since 2009, suspensions in the 35 school districts with the lowest suspension rates have continued to decline.

“In other words, readers would be wrong to assume that something about the behavior of Black elementary students requires greater use of suspension,” the report says. “To the contrary, these data, along with several studies that tracked behavior ratings of students as well as disciplinary outcomes suggest that Black students are punished more harshly and more often for subjective minor offenses. Instead, researchers conclude that school policies and practices more than differences in behaviors, predict higher suspension rates.”

In addition to a race and gender analysis of the suspension data, the researchers examined and ranked the data, district by district and state by state. Florida suspends its students more than any other state, both at the elementary and high school levels. Other K-12 high suspending states with high suspension rates in both elementary and high school were Mississippi Delaware, Alabama an South Carolina.

(Read full story on www.thewestsidegazette.com)

Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies third annual Racial disparities in early childhood hurts U.S. ‘Me and My Dad’ Challenge

By Jazelle Hunt Washington Correspondent WASHINGTON, D.C (NNPA) –Increased investment in early childhood education and care can eradicate many of the racial success gaps that persist throughout society, according to a new report from the Center for American Progress (CAP),

The Urban League of Broward County host’s youth talent show – with the theme of ‘Black Lives Matter’ (Cont'd from Page 2) Courtnee Biscardi, vice president of Program Operations for the Urban League of Broward County outlined the many facets which comprise the work of the Urban League’s local operations.

“We’re here to celebrate why Black lives matter. Our young people decided that they wanted to showcase all of their talents academically, spiritually, emotionally and really just demonstrate why the Urban League has an impact in the area of education is so strong.”

Members of the Urban League’s After School Program designed for middle school age youth who work with a team of case managers, tutors, counselors’ prevention specialists every day after school providing academic support and enrichment activities. The program also promotes healthy eating and exercise according to Biscardi.

“There are a number of ways for people in the community to interact with the Urban League.

Whether it’s through our education programming such as this; our jobs initiatives where we provide job training workshops around soft skills. We help with placement in terms of getting jobs.

Whether it’s our area of health educating around diabetes prevention helping with folks who want to get health insurance through the Affordable Care Act; healthy care education for pregnant women as well as housing. if families want to purchase housing we do credit counseling and alike as well as help prevent foreclosures from taking place for families. Everything that we do is for the entire family,” added Biscardi.

Early childhood encompasses birth through three-yearsold, and children of color are already the majority in this asyet-unnamed generation.

The report, titled, Investing in Infants and Toddlers to Com-bat Inequality, shows that despite being the majority, children of color are generally faring poorly on a number of social and educational metrics.

One in three toddlers of color lives in poverty. By five-yearsold, children from low-income homes have heard millions of words fewer than their more affluent peers (a vocabulary deficit known as the word gap).

According to an earlier CAP report, even among middle- and upper-class families, 25 percent of all kindergarteners are not school-ready – they may not know any letters, numbers, or colors, for example.

“While the United States as a whole has become an increasingly educated country over time, very significant educational disparities exist between whites and people of color,” the report states. “Since the majo-

ority of infants are children of color, improving the continuum of early childhood programs available to children under age three and their families provides an opportunity to stifle these disparities before they begin.”

Data suggests that without intervention to beef up early education programs, this generation may not be able to meet economic demands to maintain the United States as a world leader. Among 25 to 29 year olds in 2012, only 37 percent of whites, 17 percent of Blacks, and 13 percent of Hispanics held at least a bachelor’s degree.

According to the report, if current educational attainment trends continue, 5 million jobs over the next decade will go unfilled or be outsourced for lack of skilled, educated American workers.

Further, if racial income gaps had been closed in 2011, national GDP would have increased by $1.2 trillion and an additional $192 billion in taxes would have been generated.

(Read full story on www.thewestsidegazette.com)

Amazing: This 10 year old has started taking college courses towards a math degree (Cont'd from FP) Her mother, Omonefe, said that starting to talk to Open University was interesting because of how old her daughter was. Ten is not an age that you see often in college courses but she was determined to make her home-schooled daughter’s dreams come true.

They went through a lengthy application process.

There were tests that had to be taken. They met with the Vice Chancellor of the school who ended up being extremely impressed with Esther and her drive for a math degree. She was accepted into the courses.

Omonefe, who is a mathematician herself, was afraid that the courses were going to be too challenging for Esther but that

seems that this is not the case at all. During an interview Esther said that it was very easy for her. She loves the numbers and solving the equations and said it was all like a big mystery that you had to solve. She also said that she hopes that by age 15 or 16 she will have her own bank.

She would like to be a millionaire as well. With her drive and determination it doesn’t seem like that will be such a far off dream at all!

While she is getting her college degree at ten Esther still enjoys the things that other kids her age love. She watches movies, she plays outdoors, and she loves to play with toys. Not only is Esther a math whiz, but her younger brother is already doing advanced algebra and calculus.

FORT LAUDERDALE, FL — Saturday, March 14, from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., third annual Me and My Dad Challenge at Joseph C. Carter Park in Fort Lauderdale; to encourage fathers’ engagement in their children’s lives.

Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies have partnered with The City of Fort Lauderdale Parks and Recreation; Children’s Services Council of Broward County; Broward County Public Schools Early Education Program and Title I; Broward AWARE! Protecting OUR Children; City of Fort Lauderdale; the SWIMS Foundation; The Beat 103.5, and other organizations have joined to gather to make this a fun and informative event for the whole family. Fathers with their children will participate in an obstacle course, three-point shoot-out, baseball, and other exciting team building activities.

Because drowning is the number one cause of death for children zero-five years old and to launch the Water Smart Broward Campaign, the event will offer information on drowning prevention and swimming techniques in the aquatic park area. Dads’ involvement in the lives of their children is one way to help them grow safe, healthy and nurtured; teaching ways to be “Water Smart” will keep them from drowning.

Keynote speakers will be Florida House Representative Bobby B. DuBose and 103.5 The Beat host Papa Keith. Other guest speakers and community leaders will also be there to inspire the men to be great fathers and role models. In addition, the event will feature a resource fair with a dozen local organizations providing information and giveaways to attendees.

To compete in the Challenge, participants must register online at www.memydad3.eventbrite.com

DUBOSE or call Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies of Broward (954) 765-0550. This event is free and open to the community.

Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition of Broward County is a tax exempt 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded in 1987 dedicated to reducing infant deaths by strengthening families through a comprehensive approach to prenatal care, parenting, education and support services.

Page 4 • www.thewestsidegazette.com • March 5 - March 11, 2015

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

Miami police academy class 108 holds graduation ceremony

Corporal Frederica Burden, the Mistress of Ceremony.

By Derek Joy The curtain rose on the law enforcement careers of PAC 108 members in the auditorium of the Miami Police Training Center. That’s PAC, as in Police

Academy Class Number 108.

“Ladies and gentlemen, I proudly present the members of PAC Number 108,” said Corporal Frederica Burden, a public information officer for the city of Miami Police Department, who was Mistress of Ceremony.

The 25 graduates endured 29 weeks of intense study and grueling training to reach this point. Now, they enter the world of work as law enforcement officers: One in Coral Gables, seven with the Miami Dade College Police and 17 with the city of Miami.

“This is an amazing accomplishment in your life,” Miami Police Chief Rodolfo Lanes told the graduates, following the invocation by Miami Police Chaplain Chaim Lipskar.

“You earned the distinction

Beyond survival

en lightly. It shouldn’t be. They serve as mentors, advisors and counselors.”

Members of PAC 108 didn’t take their instructors lightly.

In fact, ample praise was doled out when class member Isaac Chavez delivered the Class Address and Rick Jimenez and Alvaro Leon presented class awards.

Javier Cartegena, Jr. received the Academic Achievement Award, Ralph Penuela and Alexandria King received the Physical Fitness Award and the Top Gun Award went to Andrew Garcia.

“No one wakes up and says, I want to be a police officer,” said Chavez. “It’s a call to ser-

vice. We have one common goal of honor, loyalty and service.”

Each graduate embodies those principles and committed to that goal. It has been a way of life for Antonio Hibbert, who was a three-year starting fullback at Columbus High School.

There he blocked for a different tailback each year and all gained 1,000 or more yards.

Hibbert then accepted a Bright Futures Scholarship to the University of Florida rather than athletic scholarships to play football at other universities.

“No. I didn’t tell him to apply to the police department,” said Hibbert’s mother, Rosetta Joy Hibbert, a healthcare professional. “I knew nothing about

Broward County receives grant of more than $8 million to assist homeless population

(Cont'f from FP) “I respect whatever anyone’s choice is about whether or not to disclose, because everyone’s doing the best that they can, at the time, with the information they have. And not everyone is in an environment where they get good information and support,” Robinson stated.

“There’s still too much silence, but it’s not the fault of the survivors. It’s because we as a community, as individuals, as a society, haven’t done what we need to do to make disclosure a safe and preferable choice for anyone who experiences sexual assault.” “… A gradual process” The men who raped Lori had stolen her car, electronics, and her landline cord. After carefully freeing herself from her bed, she mustered the courage to knock on a neighbor’s door so she could call the police.

After the police she called her sister, who picked her up and took her back to her home.

The following day, she called the DC Rape Crisis Center hotline. Later, her mother and sis-

of being a graduate of the Academy. You weren’t drafted. You answered the call to service.

“You’re closing one chapter and opening another. This is your call to service to your fellow man. Service takes many fronts.

Sometimes it means arresting someone, sometimes it means helping someone who can’t help themselves.”

Llanes addressed some of the situations these graduates will face as they progress on the job.

Their learning came under the tutelage of training officers and drill instructors that toil in relative obscurity.

Said Burden: “The role of training officers and drill instructors can sometimes be tak-

it. He did it all himself. He’s his own man.”

Fred Reaser, one of Hibbert’s uncles who attended the ceremony, said: “He should do well.

He’s smart, college educated, quiet and strong.”

When asked why he pursued a career in law enforcement, Hibbert said: “Service in a good career field. It’s what I wanted to do.”

Family support and understanding is an integral part of law enforcement. Each member of PAC 108 had multiple family members in attendance at the graduation ceremony.

“You join a special family now,” said Llanes. “This organization is great, one of the best in the country. It’s a stressful career, but rewarding. In time you’ll see the fruits of your labor.”

Grant funds 16 renewal projects, three new projects, including 67 new beds for eligible homeless Michael R. Wright, MPA, Broward County

ter accompanied her to her first counseling session. That evening, Lori told her boyfriend and the next day he accompanied her to counseling, the first of several occasions.

Her memory is a blur after that first week.

“For like a good year after I was raped – I don’t have many specific memories from that year. It’s very fuzzy,” she says. “[Healing] was a gradual process – it wasn’t like I finished therapy and it was over.”

(Read full story on www.thewestsidegazette.com)

BROWARD COUNTY, FL - In support of goals and objectives in the County’s “A Way Home” Plan to End Homelessness, the Broward County Homeless Initiative Partnership has been awarded a grant of more than eight million dollars by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) through the 2014 HUD Homeless Continuum of Care (CoC) Program Competition.

The HUD CoC Program award will fund 16 renewal and three new projects providing Supportive Services, Homeless Management Information System Support, CoC Planning, Transitional Housing, Rapid

Rehousing, and Permanent Supportive Housing. The projects provide 675 permanent, 112 rapid rehousing, and 25 transitional beds (812 beds total) with related supportive services to Broward’s homeless population. Most importantly, these new funds will create 67 new permanent supportive housing beds for chronically homeless persons in partnership with Broward County Housing Authority and Broward Housing Solutions.

All the projects funded help fulfill goals set out in the “A Way Home” Plan to End Homelessness, approved by the Broward County Board of County Commissioners in August 2013.

The 19 CoC Program projects funded via the 2014 HUD CoC Program award will serve home-

less adult and yoth clients, including: individuals, families, veterans; those with mental, emotional and physical disabilities; substance abuse disorders; mothers with children including pregnant women; and those who are “chronically” homeless and those who have co-occurring disorders.

The eight million dollars awarded to the Broward County

Homeless Initiative Partnership and $2.2 million directly managed by community providers makes up the $10.2 million awarded through the Broward Homeless CoC. For more information, visit HIP’s website, view the “A Way Home” Plan to End Homelessness or the Homelessness in Broward County 2014 PointIn-Time Count reports.

DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME BEGINS SATURDAY, MARCH 7, 2015 DON'T FORGET TO SET YOUR CLOCK AHEAD

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

March 5 - March 11, 2015 • www.thewestsidegazette.com • Page 5

Community Digest

Publix is Proud to Support Community News WHERE SHOPPING IS A PLEASURE

Revival Destiny Worship Center International Revival “Spiritual Detonator” will be Friday, March 6, 2015 at 7:30 p.m., 1737 N.W. 38 Ave., Lauderhill, Fla. Elder Dawn Perkins, speaker. For more info call (954) 733-3211.

Relay The Dillard High- Blue and Grey the Way American Cancer Society Relay For Life (students) team presents a Tom Thumb Wedding fundraising event, Saturday, March 7, from 2 to 6 p.m., at the Hampton Inn, 250 N. Andrews Ave., Fort Lauderdale, Fla. For ticket and additional info inquiries email relay4life@kimcomm.com.

Celebration

African Heritage Cultural Arts Center and AAPACT present “Sisters! A Celebration of the Human Spirit”, beginning Friday, March 6 and 7 at 7:30 and Sunday, March 8, 2015 at 4 p.m., at 6161 N.W. 22 Ave., Miami, Fla. For tickets info visit www.aapact.com., for more info call (305) 503-6171.

Event Reigns and Pours Creations Company Ultimately You! Broaden your horizon with the help of our powers community, Saturday, March 21, 2015 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at West Regional Library, 8601 W. Broward Blvd., Plantation, Fla., for more info (954) 6041155.

Trip

Trip to the Holy Land (Orlando) sponsored by St. Christopher Episcopal Church, Saturday, March 21, 2015 (one day trip). For cost and registration contact Cynthia Williams, at (754) 245-3650.

Walk

Stage Play

Cynthia Bell Productions, presents Hooray, For Cindy – I Do Not Want To Be A Bully!

A dynamic stage play, Friday, March 13, 2015 at 7 p.m., at Hollywood Jaycee Hall, 2930 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, Fla. For tickets and additional info call (954) 540-2368 or cynthiabellproductions@gmail.com

Symposium

HIV/AIDS has been a part of our world for well over thirty years now, but the AIDS Crisis is far from over, especially in Florida. Your participation in events such as the Florida AIDS Walk and Music Festival has never been more vital to the cause than it is today. This year, the Florida AIDS Walk and Music Festival will take place on March 22nd at South Beach Park along the Fort Lauderdale Beach, at 8 a.m. On-Site Registration at 9 a.m. Welcome from Stage at 10 a.m. Walk Start. Location: South Beach Park on Fort Lauderdale Beach (just north of the B Ocean, formerly the Sheraton Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort). Registration deadline to have event access pass mailed to you: March 6; - Team Table/Sign registration deadline - 10 or more Walkers registered on your team: March 12. Last day to register online: March 21.

For more info contact Mark Martin at (954) 318-4337 or visit www.FloridaAIDSwalk.org to register.

Public Notice The Highway and Bridge Maintenance Division (HBMD) will soon be sweeping the streets, curbs and gutters in the neighborhood of Washington Park, local in the Broward County Municipal Service District, Monday, March 9, 2015 and is expected to be completed on or before Thursday, March 12, 2015, barring unforeseen conditions or weather delays, Sunrise Blvd to the north, Sistrunk Blvd. to the south, NW 27th Ave to the east and NW 31st Ave. to the west. For more info call Stanley Bateman at (954) 357-5944 or cell (954) 647-6490 or by email at sbateman@broward.org.

Seminars Happenings at African-American Research Library and Cultural Center The Fraud in Florida seminars are free and will be held from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at these dates and locations: Tuesday, March 24 Margate, 3175 N. St. Rd. 7 Wednesday, March 25 Davie, 2400 Davie Rd. Tuesday, March 31 Pompano Beach, 1600 South Fed. Hwy. Please RSVP in advance to blaise.dacosta@bscu.org, or call 954-486-2728 ext. 5017. For more information, visit https:/ /www.bscu.org/seminars.

Session

Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc., South Broward Alumnae Chapter 4th Annual Women’s Health Symposium, Saturday, March 14, 2015 at 8:30 a.m., at Hallandale Beach Cultural Center, 410 S.E. Third St., Hallandale, Fla. Dress comfortable and enjoys a healthy holistic day. For more info call (954) 303-3585 info@dstsouthbroward.org

Workshop W. Joanne McKay will present "Letting Go Healing" Workshop, Saturday, March 14, 2014 at 4 p.m. at Screen Post Production, 3500 N.W. 15 St., Lauderhill, Fl.a.

Join Dr. Diane Lazare and the Spirit-Led Ministries at our POWER UP!, Saturday, March 7, 2015 at 10 a.m., at 4557 N. University Dr., Lauderhill, Fla., for ladies only Empowerment Session.

Conference Destiny Worship Center International, GMAC Men’s Conference, theme entitled “Judah Unleashed”, on Thursday, March 26-Sunday, March 29, 2015. On Saturday, March 28, at 4 p.m., there will be a dinner, donations are asked, at 1737 N.W. 38 Ave., Lauderhill, Fla. Speakers are Apostle Clive O’Brien from Fort Lauderdale, Fla. and Apostle Ulysses Ruff of Chicago, Ill. For more info call (954) 733-3211.

African-American Research Library and Cultural Center, 2650 Sistrunk Blvd., Fort Lauderale, Fla. Embrace the beauty and passion of the Tango, Friday, March 6, 2015 from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m., an evening highlight will be an invitation to Tango on the AARLCC stage, with different couples dancing at the same time, a practice that the Argentinians call “Milonga.”

You can order tickets through Eventbrite or pay cash or by card at the door, this is an afterhours event for ages 21-plus.

For more info call (954) 3576210. · On Display – Children’s Week: One Voice for Children Exhibit · Book Displays: Women’s History Month and Malcolm · Monday and Wednesday – Free IRS Income Tax Assistance at 6 p.m. · Wednesday, March 4 - Women’s History Month: Florida Heritage Month Series: Jump at the Sun, documentary about Florida native and literary giant Zora Neal Hurston, at 5:30 p.m · Friday, March 6, 20 – Seniors Computer Class: Learn basic functions from 12 to 3 p.m. For more info call (954) 288-8702 (please bring a storage device (such as thumb drive) if you wish to save your work. · Saturday, March 7, 14, 21 – Louder Than a Library: A Spoken Word Explosion/Poetry Slam. Poetry Workshop and performance for teens, from 2 to 4 p.m., pre-registration required, call (954) 357-6209. ·Monday, March 9 – Digital Downloads, how to download e-books/e-audio books to your smart phone, table or e-readers, at 3 p.m.

Youth Service – (945) 357-6209 · Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday – Free Homework Help: After school help with homework for grades K-12 from 3 to 5 p.m. For more info call (954) 357-6157. ·Wednesday, March 11 – Teen Tech Week presentation of teen flicks, at 5 p.m. · Thursday, March 12, 19, 26 – Mtoto Baby Story Time, at 10:30 a.m. · Tuesday, March 10 – Basic Computer Literacy I, from 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. · Tuesday, March 17 – Basic Computer Literacy II, from 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Free Computer Classes schedule – Pre-registration is required to all classes. Call (954) 357-6239. Due to limited seating, registration begins 6 days prior to each scheduled class.

Pre-registered students are asked to arrive 15 minutes before class to work in.

For additional info for free classes being offered at other library locations call (945) 3576236.

TO HAVE YOUR COMMUNITY EVENTS POSTED CALL -(954) 525-1489 OR FAX -(954) 525-1861 FOR MORE INFO

Meeting

Dillard High School of 1966 Meeting the Third of each month, from 7 to 8 p.m., at Oswald Park 2220 N.W. 21 Ave., Fort Lauderdale, Fla. For more info contact Marralyn Davus at (954) 587-7472 or Hattie Eckford at (954) 7350404.

Program

Loving, Caring Foster Parents Wanted!!!!

Ordinary people in our community do extraordinary things. Your family, friends and neighbors have made a huge difference in the lives of children, opening thier hearts and homes to children who have been abused, abandoned or neglected. They have taken on the toughest job they'll ever love --- they have become foster parents. * Foster parents may be a working parents, married or single. homeowners or renters, have children or have been a parent. * They must be able to provide a safe, loving home. * They will receive formal training, support from professional staff and other foster parents, access to free medical, dental and child care services. * It's the opportunity of a lifetime to serve your community by helping our most vulnerable children.

All Children Deserve A Loving Family. Lets Make A Difference and put a smile on a child's face. For more info contact Dr. Angela Deal at (954) 968-6777/

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.

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 everything 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 1888-565-1470. Also e-mail Anna Stephenson at annasmiami@aol.com with a subject you want to hear dis-cussed on the show. The show al-so interviews special guests Like Jessica Reedy from Sunday Best. Shelia Raye Charles, Melba Moore and different preachers and gospel musical artists and politicians.

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

Page 6 • www.thewestsidegazette.com • March 5 - March 11, 2015

Opinion

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.

Give OUR TEACHERS, 'A STANDING OVATION!'

By Charles Moseley Parents pray for our teachers. Teachers pray for our parents. We all need to pray for our students. From my very first teacher, my mother, Elizabeth MOSELEY Moseley, to my kindergarten teacher Mrs. Grooms. From my second grade teacher Mrs. Pittman to my high school basketball Coach McNamara and college Professors Samuel Yette and Wallace Terry, teachers have impacted my life until this very day. In the past

few weeks I returned to the classroom as a substitute teacher. If I had to describe the experience in a word it would be 'WOW!' It wasn’t as if I had not experienced what it was like to have the privilege of “standing in the gap” for teachers on a temporary basis. As a recent college graduate, I had been a sub during the early '80’s. I also worked as a teacher's aide in an elementary class for students with emotional problems and even taught an adult education class briefly. I grew up in a household of educators. My father, Samuel Meredith Moseley, was a high school principal. Fast forward 30 years, includ-

ing stints at Wymore Tech in Eatonville, Fla., Booker T. High School in Miami, Fla., and Dillard High School in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., the so-called, “Separate But Equal” era, which permeated the Jim Crow South up into the early 1960’s. My mother, Elizabeth Moseley, was a first grade teacher here in Broward for 34 years and my older brother, Samuel Meredith Moseley III, also is a middle school social studies teacher at a school for “at-risk” students. In the past few weeks I’ve worked with students on the elementary, middle school, and high school level.

In so doing, I have developed a new found appreciation for what it means

To Be Equal

Giuliani’s words do more than hurt – they divide

By Marc H. Morial, NNPA Columnist “A new expression has entered the Westminster lexicon: dog-whistle politics. It means putting out a message that, like a high-pitched dog-whistle, is only fully audible to those at whom it is directly aimed. The intention is to make potential supporters sit up and take notice while avoiding offending those to whom the message will not appeal.”

– The Economist, March 2005

After the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks in New York City, I brought a delegation of mayors to meet with the city’s then-mayor, Rudolph Giuliani.

The delegation’s goal was to help restore confidence in the still-traumatized city and help rebuild what had been so inhumanly destroyed. At the time, I was mayor of New Orleans and president of the U.S. Conference of Mayors, and Giuliani – widely acknowledged and praised for his leadership after the attacks – catapulted onto the national stage to become “America’s Mayor.”

How times have changed.

During a private New York fundraising dinner for Republican presidential candidate Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, Giuliani popped onto the national stage yet again – not for the qualities he displayed as “America’s Mayor,” but for the unfounded accusation that President Obama does not love America.

“I do not believe, and I know this is a horrible thing to say, but I do not believe that the President loves America,” Giuliani said in response to a question about the President’s foreign policy and counter-terrorism strategies. He added, “He doesn’t love you. And he doesn’t love me. He wasn’t brought up the way you were brought up and I

was brought up, through love of this country.”

Speaking in front of a MORIAL 2016 Republican presidential contender and a mixed crowd of conservatives and business executives, Giuliani – who failed to win the 2008 GOP presidential nomination – attacked the patriotism of our nation’s President, a man whose grandfather served in World War II, whose granduncle helped liberate the Nazi death camp at Buchenwald and who was the chief executive behind the operation to kill 9/11’s mastermind, Osama Bin Laden.

Questioning the President’s patriotism isn’t just inappropriate; it demonstrates a complete lack of respect. It begs the question that as Giuliani continues to seek a prominent role on the national political stage: Will he choose to rehearse only in the Theater of the Absurd?

Giuliani’s response was neither an honest critique of the President’s foreign policy, nor was it a considered analysis of our nation’s ongoing discussion on how to combat terrorism.

It was, however, a veiled attack on the character of our President.

(Read full story on www.thewestsidegazette.com)

Shelby County to Washington, D.C. March needed

By George E. Curry, NNPA Columnist After ceremonies wrap up Sunday in Alabama commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Selma-to-Montgomery March and the signing of the 1965 Voting Rights Act, a group of die-hard demonstrators will re-enact the full march.

“We are re-enacting the full 54mile March this year,” Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) President Charles Steele announced at a press conference in Montgomery.

“The March will begin in Selma on Sunday, March 8th, with the Commemoration of Bloody Sunday, and will conclude on Friday, March 13th, with an 11:00 a.m. event on the steps of the Alabama State Capitol in Montgomery.”

At the news conference, Alabama State Senator Hank Sanders (DSelma) correctly noted, “The right to vote is being challenged at every turn.

From voter photo ID (modern day poll tax), proof of citizenship to register (modern day literacy test) and reduction in voting and voter registration days to the Shelby County v. Holder decision gutting the 1965 Voting Rights Act and more, Americans are

losing the right to vote, which so many people sacrificed their lives and blood to secure.”

In Shelby V. Holder, by a margin of 5 to 4 in CURRY June 2013, the U.S. Supreme Court voted to gut Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act, which required jurisdictions with a proven history of ra-cial discrimination to pre-clear any election law change with the U.S. Attorney General or the U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C. The case grew out of a decision by Calera, a small city in Shelby County, Ala., to implement a redistricting plan that led to the defeat of the city’s lone African American City Council member. Under the plan, a district that was 71 percent Black was redrawn so that its Black population was reduc-ed to 23 percent. The plan was never submitted for pre-approval.

According to the Brennan Center for Justice at the New York University School of Law, more than 40 bills have been introduced in 17 states that would restrict access to registration or voting.

(Read full story on www.thewestsidegazette.com)

The politics of discrimination reflects a political quagmire

By Derek Joy Interesting how Women’s History Month follows Black History Month.

One obvious point of interest is that Black Americans and women have a long and storied history of being the two most discriminated segments of the American population.

Equal rights. Human rights. Both have been a thorn in the sides of America’s image as the land of opportunity.

JOY But for now, let’s look at how Black History Month closed out.

President Barack Obama, as everybody knows, is America’s first Black American President. You might say he took Florida International University my alma mater - by storm in the last week of Black History Month.

Mainstream media made a point highlighting Obama’s vow to veto any bill blocking his executive action on immigration. Seems Republicans are up in arms over Obama’s executive order protecting some five million immigrants from deportation.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and House Speaker John Boehner have no better reason other than they’re Republicans with a majority in both Houses of Congress, and The Westside Gazette welcomes Obama is a Democrat. No better immiyour letters. Letters must be gration reform plan, either. signed with name clearly legible Some write off the bruhaha as poalong with a phone number and litical. That same argument has been complete address. No unsigned waged for decades when it came to or anonymous letters will be conhuman rights and equal rights for sidered for publication. The Black Americans and women in this Westside Gazette reserves the country. right to edit letters. The letters (Read full story on should be 500 words or less. www.thewestsidegazette.com)

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR GUIDELINES

to be entrusted with the care and education of our youth, in a new millennium. Believe me in today’s world, TEACHERS face the challenge of educating OUR CHILDREN in a society which expects them to work miracles while being underpaid, overworked, and underappreciated.

As a father of three grown Black males I am particularly concerned with the plight of young Black males who appear to be most at risk for dropping out of school and entering into the criminal justice system. As with all problems affecting students, it all begins at home. Unfortunately we are not taught in school or equipped with the tools on how to be good parents.

So until then parents, don’t expect TEACHERS to do your job as parents. What you can do is support your children all through their educational process from the time they are infants and throughout their lives.

And by all means, be a part of the solution by actively engaging with teachers in the education of YOUR CHILDREN’S EDUCATION. As a parent decide whether you’re going to be part of the problem or part of the solution.

The choice is yours. And by all means take some time to thank a teacher, you’ll be glad you did.

Just ask yourself, where would you be today, without those who have taught you along the way? If you’ve just read this editorial, thank a teacher.

OUR TEACHERS deserve A STANDING OVATION!

UN honors people of African descent

By Benjamin F. Chavis, Jr., NNPA Columnist It is important for all people of African descent throughout the CHAVIS world to be ever conscious and aware of how our quality of life is improving. In fact, as the current global debate over the impact of world population increases, all people should be aware of the future predictions concerning world health, poverty, education, and wealth building.

This is especially urgent for people who have been consistently marginalized, oppressed and subjugated to racial injustice and economic depredation.

Finally, after decades of international negotiations, the United Nations has now formally declared and designated 2015-2024, as the “International Decade for People of African Descent: Recognition, Justice and Development.” Although the UN General Assembly passed Resolution 68/ 237 a couple months ago that officially designated this crucial international commitment to take “effective measures” to assist people of African descent, very few in Black America are aware of these opportunities.

There is an African proverb that says you will surely perish if you do not know where to reach for a helping hand when you are in trouble. Information is power. Getting the right information at the right time is also a fundamental key to both survival and empowerment.

(Read full story on www.thewestsidegazette.com)

The GOP’s acting-the-fool The ‘Freedom Riders’ dynamic

of Australia

By Lekan Oguntoyinbo, NNPA Columnist One day in late February 1965, an interra- OGUNTOYINBO, cial group of 29 university students rode into a small, segregated town looking to make trouble. For in this community, people of color were served last at stores, forced to sit in the front row at theaters and forbidden to swim in public pools or try on apparel at clothing stores.

Their bus voyage was part of a twoweek campaign against racism and legal discrimination. The students named their group the “Freedom Riders.” When they arrived in this town, they invited children of different races to swim with them in the public pool – to the great dismay of local white residents.

Days earlier, the students had been run out of another town for protesting outside a club for ex-servicemen that denied membership to veterans of color. Whites pelted them with eggs, shouted insults and fought with them.

At least one of the Freedom Riders was knocked to the ground.

These events might sound reminiscent of the 1960 Freedom Riders who desegregated interstate buses in the Deep South, but they actually took place nearly 10,000 miles away in Australia – a nation with a long history of racism and pernicious violence against the dark-skinned indigenous people who’d lived there for more than 40,000 years before Europeans arrived in the late 1700s.

(Read full story on www.thewestsidegazette.com)

By Lee A. Daniels, NNPA Columnist Among the formal definitions for “acting the fool” are: one who DANIELS is deficient in judgment, sense or understanding.

Perhaps the dictionaries should add a new one: today’s Republican Party.

February was a great month for those who think the GOP has become a dustbin of ideological extremists with no commitment to actually getting things done in Washington, elected officials easily led into ethically questionable dealings, and office-holding crackpots with bizarre beliefs about some of the most important issues of the day For example, in the Congress the GOP leadership has been frantically trying to tamp down House conservatives’ threat to force a shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security over President Obama’s executive order on immigration. At the 11th hour, they kicked the can down the road by providing only a week of additional funding.

On the crime front, Maureen McDonnell, Virginia’s former First Lady, drew a lenient sentence of a year and a day in prison for her participation in the tawdry petty corruption scheme that also led to the conviction last year of her husband, former Virginia Gov. Robert McDonnell. Once considered a prime contender for the 2016 GOP presidential nomination, McDonnell himself had been sentenced in January to two years in prison.

(Read full story on www.thewestsidegazette.com)

Congress gets crazy as Democrats still searching Republicans argue with for winning formula each other

By Julianne Malveaux, NNPA Columnist

By Roger Caldwell The Republicans have the largest majority in generations, and they are fighting CALDWELL amongst themselves like cats and dogs.

The Tea Party contingent wants to shut down the government, shut down the IRS, and repeal every initiative that was implemented by the Democrats for the last six years. This makes no sense because Republicans now have the power in both houses, and they want to teach President Obama a lesson.

All around the globe there is war and terrorists, and the Republicans have backed themselves into a corner by threatening to shutdown the Department of Homeland Security by withholding funding. Many Republicans thought by taking an extreme position, they would have leverage to stop the president’s executive orders on immigration.

But President Obama and the Democrats knew that all they had to do is wait because there are only 54 Republicans in the Senate, and they need 60 votes to put House bills on the Senate floor.

Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel just got spanked. Despite a campaign war chest of more than $15 million and the support of President Ba- MALVEAUX rack Obama, the former Congressman and White House chief of staff could not avoid a run-off in the nonpartisan election.

Garnering 45 percent of the vote to runner-up Jesus “Chuy” Garcia’s 34 percent, he did not clear the 50 percent bar for victory. Emanuel, the darling of the mainstream Democratic Party, has earned the dubious distinction of being in the first Chicago mayoral runoff in nearly 20 years. He also runs the risk of being the first incumbent mayor ousted since Harold Washington beat Jane Byrne in 1983.

The man who delivered the Emanuel whipping, Chuy Garcia is a county commissioner and former alderman.

His base is the poorer neighborhoods of Chicago, the Latino community, and the teachers’ union. He pounded on the theme of income inequality and exploited the widespread perception that Emanuel is arrogant and removed from poor people.

(Read full story on www.thewestsidegazette.com)

(Read full story on www.thewestsidegazette.com)

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

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 PASTOR 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"

Faith United Church of Christ 6201 NW 57 Street Tamarac, FL 33319 954-721-1232 uccfaith@bellsouth.net faithbroward.org "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.

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 AYS ST STA T OGETHER

March 5 - March 11, 2015 • www.thewestsidegazette.com • Page 7

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

Rev. Dr. James B. Darling, Senior Pastor 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 Ave., Dania Beach, FL 33004 Office: (954) 922-2529 WORSHIP SERVICES Bible Study (Wednesday Night) ...................................................... 6:45 p.m.

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

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

Obituaries James C. Boyd Funeral Home EVANS Funeral services for the late Carrie J.E. Evans- 71 were held Feb. 28 at James C. Boyd’s Memorial Chapel with Pastor Brian Robinson officiating. Interment: Westview Cemetery.

LEWIS Funeral services for the late George Lewis, Jr. – 50.

McWhite's Funeral Home DUNBAR Funeral services for the late Alton Dunbar 41 were held Feb. 28 at McWhite’s Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Timothy Jackson officiating. Interment: Sunset Memorial Gardens.

MCIKINNEY Funeral services for the late Joseph Lorenzo McKinney, Sr. - 65 were held Feb. 21 at McWhite’s Funeral Home Chapel. Interment: Sunset Memorial Gardens.

TAYLOR Funeral services for the late Cecile Jeanne Colomb Taylor - 67 were held March 1 at McWhite’s Funeral Home Chapel.

Roy Mizell & Kurtz Funeral Home FACYSON Funeral services for the late Patricia Ann Facyson - 57 were held Feb. 28 at Roy Mizell & Kurtz Funeral Home with Tony Saddler officiating.

KELLY Funeral services for the late Willie George Kelly – 69 were held Feb. 28 at New Mount Olive Baptist Church with Dr. Marcus D. Davidson officiating. Interment: Sunset Memorial Gardens.

MOORE Funeral services for the late Marjorie Brister Moore –77 were held Feb. 28 at First Baptist Church with Rev. Dr. Derrick J. Hughes offici-

ating. Interment: Sunset Memorial Gardens.

MOSLEY Funeral services for the late Larry Gene Mosley, Sr. – 43 were held Feb. 26 at Mount Bethel Baptist Church with Bishop C.E. Glover officiating. Interment: Sunset Memorial Gardens.

TAYLOR Funeral services for the late Lady Eula M. Taylor were held Feb. 28 at Roy Mizell & Kurtz Funeral Home with Rev. Wayne Allen officiating.

Announce

* Obituaries * Memoriams * Services

Williams Memorial CME “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

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 Ho w has th eL or d pr otected y ou?

How the Lor ord protected yo

By Carey Kinsolving and Friends (Part One of Two) “I try not to get in fights so I won’t need protection, and God can go and help someone else who really needs protection,” says Taylor, age 9.

Avoiding fights will certainly make your life easier, Taylor, but we all need God’s protection for other things.

Of course, it doesn’t hurt to be prepared for a bully, says Tucker, 7: “The Lord has protected me by letting me learn tae kwon do, which means ‘the way of the hand and the foot.’”

I suppose this could be called the Teddy Roosevelt approach to protection: “Speak softly and carry a big stick.”

Trusting the Lord for protection doesn’t mean we leave our doors unlocked or walk into dangerous neighborhoods at night.

We live in a fallen world. Trusting God doesn’t mean living naively or foolishly. We should take precautions, but no one can be so careful that he doesn’t need divine protection.

Often, we need the Lord’s protection from the unknown, says Timothy, 7: “When I was four-years-old, I thought there was a moster under the bed.”

If we don’t live by faith, the monsters of life in the form of imagined disasters will devour us. For many adults, the monsters have moved from under their beds into their heads. Have you ever played “What if?”

Our imaginations can drive us insane with fear and worry.

Christians need to develop a faith swagger. This is a confidence in the Lord that lets us face life with boldness and daring. We’re not fighting the battle alone.

“God has protected me when I was afraid, and I knew that God was watching me,” says Brooke, 8. “Then, I was not afraid anymore because I had a feeling that God was protecting me.”

The Psalmist wrote: “He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress; my God, in him I will trust” (Psalm 91:1-2).

Like a baby eagle under the protective shadow of its mother’s wings, so is the Christian abiding in that secret place of God’s love and protection. Danger may surround, but it can’t touch the one who abides under the shadow of God’s wings.

Sometimes, God uses his messengers to protect, says Kathryn, 10: “God has protected me with his angels. His angels are all around us. God is also like a big shield. He is surrounding us, and he is watching over us.”

Guardian angels are more than a cute figure of speech. They are on-the-job messengers of God in a spiritual conflict that can only be described as total war in unseen realms. Of these angels, the Psalmist wrote, “For (God) shall give his angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways” (Psalm 91:11).

Taylor, 11, gives us some final insight and encouragement: “The Lord has protected me in many ways! He has protected my family also. He protects my family daily and nightly. My mom and I were protected when we almost got in an accident. And every day, I have millions of angels surrounding me! God loves each and every one of us. He hears our many prayers. He is never off duty!

“God would do anything for us. After all, he did send his son Jesus Christ to die on the cross for us. I need no shield of armor.

God is my shield and my armor. That’s all that matters to me.”

Think about this: Even in the midst of danger, God wants us to live boldly with the confidence that he is more than capable of protecting us.

Memorize this truth: “For (God) shall give his angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways” (Psalm 91:11).

Ask this question: Are you resting in God’s protection?

“Kids Talk About God” is distributed by Creators Syndicate.

To access free, online “Kids Color Me Bible” books, “Mission Explorers” videos and all columns in a Bible Lesson Archive, visit at www.KidsTalkAboutGod.org. To read journey-of-faith feature stories written by Carey Kinsolving, visit www.FaithProfiles.org.

Pay Tribute Keep Their Memory Alive wgazette@thewestsidegazette.com

(954) 525-1489

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

Page 8 • www.thewestsidegazette.com • March 5 - March 11, 2015

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FUNdraising Good Times

Women and philanthropy

By Pearl and Mel Shaw “Women rock!” “Women rule!” “If you want something done, ask a woman.” “Women hold up half the sky.” Its Women’s History Month and time to highlight women’s role as philanthropists and fundPearl and Mel Shaw raisers.

Join us in paying tribute to women and girls who nurture and support families and communities across the country and around the globe. Sometimes we are recognized, often we are not. We are the grandmother putting money in her granddaughter’s pocket as she heads off to college. We are girl scouts selling cookies, sorority sisters raising money for scholarships, and girls running in St. Jude’s fundraising marathons across the country. We are Oseola McCarty, a Hattiesburg, Mississippi washerwoman, giving $150,000 to the University of Southern Mississippi, and Wylodine Taylor Patton the alumna leaving $487,500 to LeMoyneOwen College. We are Helen LaKelly Hunt and Ambassador Swanee Hunt launching “Women Moving Millions,” encouraging women to give one million dollar gifts and raising over $500 million to change the lives of women and girls. We are Gayle Rose, creator of Team Max, a “vigilante philanthropy” group of young people giving to others in honor of her generous son Max ,who lost his life in a car accident.

We give as individuals, and we give collectively through women’s foundations and giving circles. We are the Women’s Funding Network, founded 30 years ago, and now the largest philanthropic network in the world devoted to women and girls with 160 members from 30 countries on six continents. We promote philanthropy, encouraging others to give through online portals such as Black Gives Back, started by Tracey Webb, a woman of course.

We are presidents and CEOs of regional and national foundations, setting the philanthropic agenda, funding research and making grants that affect every aspect of life. We are Jan Young (The Assisi Foundation of Memphis), Judy Belk, (The California Wellness Foundation), Risa Lavizzo-Mourey (Robert Wood Johnson Foundation), Carol S. Larson (David and Lucile Packard Foundation), Patricia E. Harris (Bloom-berg Philanthropies), Audrey Yamamoto (Asian Pacific Fund) and Helene D. Gayle (CARE).

As professional fundraisers we raise funds for social organizations, political parties, hospitals, schools, colleges and universities, arts institutions and more.

(Read full story on www.thewestsidegazette.com)

Black History Month is over, but we should move past the standardized foci and platitudes that mark our commemoration. We have a history that challenges us to address vestiges of intolerance and redress the inequality that still undermines African American upward mobility WHITAKER throughout the year.

Since Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. seems to be the safe and acceptable embodiment of the best of Black history to those who are wary of more “radical” elements, let us marry King’s visionary brilliance with his practical, bolder prescriptions for racial equality. King was more than a transformative Black preacher. He was a social architect who demanded specific actions to move Black people from the back of the bus to the boardroom. The legendary March on Washington in 1963, for example, was not merely an interracial love-in. It was a call for action. Indeed, it was a “March for Jobs and Freedom,” with an emphasis on jobs and the financial independence that comes with economic opportunity at every level.

In 1968, as King delivered one of his last speeches, he passionately addressed America’s failure to acknowledge white privilege and redress the lack of commiserate economic opportunity for Black people.

“At the very same time that America refused to give the Negro any land, through an act of Congress our government was giving away millions of acres of land in the West and the Midwest, which meant it was willing to undergird its white peasants from Europe with an economic floor. But not only did they give them and, they built land grant colleges with government money to teach them how to farm. Not only that, they provided county agents to further their expertise in farming. Not only that, they provided low interest rates in order that they could mechanize their farms.

Not only that, today many of these people are receiving millions of dollars in federal subsidies not to farm, and they are the very people telling the Black man that he ought to lift himself by his own bootstraps. And this is what we are faced with, and this is the reality. Now, when we come to Washington in this campaign, we are coming to get our check.”

(Read full story on www.thewestsidegazette.com)

Blackonomics

Black dollars matter!

By James Clingman, NNPA Columnist The protest slogans addressing our latest struggle CLINGMAN for justice and equity compel me to come up with a new phrase. The signs and t-shirts emblazoned with “I Can’t Breathe!” “No Justice, No Peace!” and the latest, “Black Lives Matter,” carry connotations related to action. I often wonder what the folks who wear the t-shirts and hold the signs are doing to back up the slogans they spout. More importantly, I wonder who makes the shirts and who sells them. With that in mind, my slogan for action – economic action is, “Black Dollars Matter!”

The “I Can’t Breathe” shirts worn by the Brooklyn Nets and Cleveland Cavaliers, for instance, were sold by NYC Customs, a shop in Long Island, owned by Helen Mihalatos, a friend of Rameen Aminzadeh, member of Justice League of NYC. The initial gesture and resulting “hook-up” came from Nets team member, Jarrett Jack, followed by help from LeBron James and Russell Simmons’ political director, Michael Skolnick. The shirts were ordered by Jay-Z, who bought 1,000 more shirts after the basketball game.

I truly hope those “Big Ballers” and “Shot Callers” had enough consciousness to give the profits to Eric Garner’s family. The Washington Post reported that “Skolnick obtained shirts from a store in Long Island City, whose owner confirmed in an interview that the shirts were manufactured by Gildan, a large Canada-based apparel company…According to pro-labor activists, Gildan has a poor record when it comes to respecting workers in its manufacturing plants in Haiti.” The story discloses that Gildan’s workers are paid six dollars per day for their work.

Skolnick’s response was, “I think we want to assume sometimes when we’re ordering shirts that they’re not being made in a sweatshop; we’ve got to do better.” You think?

Now you would think that someone in this chain of events involving T-shirts that carry the last words of a Black man killed on the streets of New York City by police officers would be conscious enough to say, “Hold up! Let’s not just go for the symbolism of wearing shirts on the basketball court; let’s make a substantive statement as well, via a Black business transaction and a financial benefit for the Garner family.” Sound reasonable?

(Read full story on www.thewestsidegazette.com)

March 5 - March 11, 2015 • www.thewestsidegazette.com • Page 9

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

Women of Color Empowerment series: 'Advocates for Change' Robert Smith receives Award of Excellence Promises to deliver a robust and powerful discussion From SouthFloridaWomenOfColor.com The successful Women of Color Empowerment Conference (WOCEC), covered by CSpan last year, now has a healthy offshoot called the Women of Color Empowerment Series: Advocates for Change. The second session of the series discussions promises to deliver more robust dialogue on issues impacting Black women throughout the United States, but particularly in South Florida.

On Monday, March 16, 2015 during Women’s History Month, four organizations will co-host the series “Advocates for Change” at the African American Research Library and Cultural Center, 2650 Sistrunk Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, Fla. starting at 5 p.m.

“The series of discussions will offer a forum for women leaders to exchange ideas and seek out solutions to identified community concerns”, said Burnadette Norris-Weeks, the WOCEC founder.

The first session was held in December of last year and attendees reported that the session was informative and engaging. It contained robust discussion on issues of health care disparities, economic development and the importance of women seeking leadership roles at all levels. The discussions were engaging and, at times, described as “edgy.” Like the National WOCEC, the series is expected to draw women from throughout the tri-county area and beyond.

Last year, national commentator and host Joy Reid of

MSNBC television’s “The Reid Report” moderated a session called, “When Women Succeed, America Succeeds”.

The 5th Annual Women of Color Empowerment Conference which will take place on Sept. 19, 2015 at Bahia Mar Resort & Spa in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. One of the confirmed speakers is ABA PresidentElect, Paulette Brown, who will be the first Black President of the American Bar Association at that time of the conference. Brown will join numerous accomplished presenters from business, government, nonprofit sector and other professions.

In order to promote the yearround activities associated with the conference, a not-for-profit Women of Color Empowerment

CFO Atwater highlights Military Saves Week

CFO Jeff Atwater TALLAHASSEE, FL — As part of Military Saves Week 2015, observed Feb. 23-28, 2015 CFO Jeff Atwater reiterated his support for Florida’s active duty service members and veterans, and recently released video testimonials of military members sharing their strategies for securing a solid financial future. Service members and their families are en-

couraged to view these testimonials, and begin now to implement the saving and budgeting strategies that work best for them.

“We are highlighting members of Florida’s military community who have used innovative and creative techniques to reach their savings goals,” said CFO Jeff Atwater. “We commend these service mem-

After 16 years the time has come...

(Cont'd from FP) “Reflecting over the past five years that Minister Robinson has served with me, I found him to have a passion for music ministry. Some people in his position are driven by dollars, but he has always been driven by the Divine.

He has one of the most unique perspectives for worship in our era. He is able to take you to the lofty places of music in worship with an anthem, but within moments he can take

Black women endure menopause longest (Cont'd from FP) Finney, a vegetarian, said she hoped eating healthy and her intense daily routines as a marathon runner would alleviate the symptoms, but no luck.

Finney, who lives in Alexandria, Va., is experiencing the results of menopause, a natural decline in reproductive hormones that affects millions of woman annually when they reach their 40s or 50s.

For women going through menopause, just one day of hot flashes can be too much. Imagine 14 years. A new study published in JAMA Internal Medicine, a medical journal of the American Medical Association, found that women could experience hot flashes for up to 14 years, and that African-American women like Finney typically experience the symptoms longer.

Finney has been going through it for 10 years.

The 17-year study of 1,449 women across the U.S. found that while on average, the women endured the symptoms for about seven and a half years, Black and Hispanic women experience hot flashes for significantly longer than White or Asian women. The median was 10 years for African Americans, nearly nine years for Hispanics, six and a half years for White women, about five and a half years for Chinese and nearly five years for Japanese.

(Read full story on www.thewestsidegazette.com)

you to church with a traditional gospel song with a contemporary flare. It is without question that Minister Robinson has his pulse on what biblical worship is and the value of theologically sound music in the African American church.

“The gift that Minister Robinson has for worship and music is not one that is often found in the contemporary church today.

He will continue to make a mark in ministry and music for the Master! The New Mount Olive Baptist Church can rejoice that God allowed him to leave an indelible mark on the minds of many in ministry at our church.

We bid him godspeed in the days to come and wish him bountiful blessings as he continues to do the work of the Lord in another vineyard. I say to him; “Serve on Servant until the Lord says well done!”-Pastor Marcus D. Davidson.

Not departing from his southern roots, Minister Robinson continues his laid back Southern demeanor. Born in Williston, SC., Robinson still likes to fish and collect old gospel music memorabilia. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Music from the University of South Carolina, his Master of Arts Degree in Worship Studies from Liberty University and he is currently pursuing a Doctorate in Worship Studies from Liberty University.

Shirley Rose Howard, NMOBC’s receptionist, has known Robinson for all of his tenure at the church and has developed a relationship that extends beyond his musical contributions.

Howard says, “I have known Minister Robinson for over 16 years and it has been a treat. I have had the pleasure to see him grow in his music ministry and in his knowledge of the Ministry. His impact on my life has been his ability to help me to see scripture better and how to apply it to my life. When we think of his leaving from a biblical point, God is not hand cuffed.

He has someone over in Broward General in the nursery to take over. One thing that we won’t look for is another Minister Robinson because God only makes one of us. He will be certainly missed but God will send us someone.”

bers and veterans for taking the first steps to save, and hope their stories will inspire others to begin saving for their future.”

Recognizing Military Saves Week, a component of America Saves Week and Florida Saves Week, allows for the opportunity to reshare Financial Frontlines. Launched in 2013, Financial Frontlines is an online initiative that provides information to help Florida’s military families fight against financial fraud and debt, and resources to help them navigate the unique challenges members of the military may face while serving and as they transition to civilian life.

Florida is home to more than 65,000 active duty service personnel and more than 1.5 million veterans. Visit the Department’s Financial Frontlines website for resources designed to help service members with the necessary information to make sound financial decisions.

Being 16 years in one place certainly has its days of joys as well as moments of pain and NMOBC is no exception.

Robinson reflects on some of those times that made him smile and also cause some discomfort.

“I’ve had so many high moments at Mount Olive that I don’t know where to start. A major high for me was having one of my songs printed in the National Baptist Hymnal.

My song, “SOMEBODY HERE NEEDS A BLESSING” was chosen for the convention’s hymnal. This was historic on many levels because the convention had not printed a hymnal in almost 100 years. A low moment was hearing of Dr. Carter’s retirement. It was difficult because I knew that an era that I was a part of was ending.

“There are too many to mention, but I’m reminded of my funniest moments. It was recording of the classic hit, SINGING HALLELUJAH ALL DAY. Dr. Carter did a narration on the song A WONDERFUL TIME TO WORSHIP. We wore new robes the night of the recording. The robe company did not indicate which robe was my robe and which one was Dr. Carter’s. Prior to going on stage to start the second half of the recording, I was summoned to Dr. Carter’s office only to find him about to burst every button off of the robe he was wearing.

Immediately, we discovered the mix up. It provided so much needed comedic relief that night.”

It doesn’t take a rocket science to know that the music ministry is made up of more than one person, no matter how good they might be.

The musicians that have played under your directions were tremendous in their own right-what do you feel was your contribution to their continued success? “I taught many of them discipline and structure. With the vast number of choirs and extensive song repertoire, they had to learn how to discipline themselves and be ready to recall a lot of music.”

(Read full story on www.thewestsidegazette.com)

Institute was established. The institute will work in collaboration with universities on research projects, offer internships and training opportunities to leaders nationally and host programs that empowerment women of color to grow and successfully develop.

The institute will be constructed on the historic Sistrunk Blvd. in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Initial Advisory Board members of the institute include US Congresswoman Donna Edwards; Xernona Clayton, founder of the Trumpet Awards; Paula Madison, founder of the Africa Channel and Brenda Snipes, educator and Broward County Supervisor of Elections The Links, Incorporated (North Broward County, FL Chapter); Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated (Broward County Alumnae Chapter); and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated (Zeta Rho Omega Chapter) along with the Women of Color Empowerment Institute.

Women of Color: Advocates for Change. United Parcel Service is a major sponsor of the event.

For more information visit the website at www.SouthFloridaWomenOfColor.com or call (954) 768-9770.

Smith with family members

By Damian Alexander Florida Memorial University Athletics Director, Robert Smith was honored for his long years of hard work and dedication to Florida Memorial University Baseball teams on Feb. 28, 2015 at the Albert E. and Sadie B. Smith Conference Center/ Dining Hall on the campus of Florida Memorial University.

Robert Smith was presented with the Award of Excellence given by the Louie Big Athletic Scholarship Fund, Inc. The annual awards banquet single out individuals who have a long history of working with the youth in the community and State.

Robert Smith was a skilled track and field and Football athlete at Andrew Jackson Senior

High School and a standout athlete at Lincoln University.

Coach Smith served 27 years as the head Baseball Coach until his appointment as Athletic Director in 2003. In 1991, he was recognized as the Sun Conference Coach of the year.

The Louie Bing Athletic Scholarship Fund supports many athletic memorial initiatives and aids young athletes advancing to college with financial assistance. Through its annual awards banquet, the organization honors several professionals who have dedicated their time and talent to mentoring youth and impacting community athletic programs.

Congratulations to Robert Smith for this prestigious honor.

The myth of Rudy Giuliani and New York City

By Walter Smith, Publisher New York Beacon “No Black man has any rights, nor can attain any intellectual heights, nor any political position, that a white man is bound to respect.”

Rudy Giuliani, New York City’s ex-mayor, is taking insidious and racist potshots at President Barack Obama. His characterization of the President is disrespectful and dangerous.

His racist rhetoric is evident with this impassioned appeal to Scott Walker, a 2016 Republican hopeful at a Manhattan dinner: “I do not believe that the President loves America,” Giuliani said. “He doesn’t love you. And he doesn’t love me.

He wasn’t brought up the way you were brought up and I was brought up, through love of this country.

"I’m looking for a presidential candidate who can express that, do that and carry it out.”

“And if it’s you Scott, I’ll endorse you,” he added. “And if it’s somebody else, I’ll support somebody else.”

This is an attempt to infuse his racist views into the Republican candidate for president.Giuliani’s rhetoric was probably adopted from the Republican plot to obstruct President Obama before he even took office, including secret meetings led by House GOP whip Eric Cantor (in December 2008) and Senate minority leader Mitch McConnell (in early January 2009) in which they laid out their daring (though cynical and political) no-honeymoon strategy of allout resistance to a popular President-elect during an economic emergency. “If he was for it,” former Ohio Senator George Voinovich explained, “we had to be against it.”

The president of the United States is the leader of the world and represents the most powerful nation in the world. Giuliani’s recent tirade against President Barack Obama could have negative security consequences for the United States and the world. His constant suggestions that Obama does not support Israel, our major ally in the middle east, gives Israel’s enemies the impression that they have lost our support and they can be attacked and conquered.

Giuliani’s claim to have saved more Black lives in New York City than any other Mayor in history is a figment of his ima-gination. The reduction of crime in New York City attained its lowest level in decades under mayor David Dinkins. Giuliani’s rhetoric is typical of the wounded racist who has lost out to a Black opponent. Rather than congratulate the winner for his accomplishment, he elects to discredit him with false accusations.

Apparently Giuliani has sensed rejection from the party bos-

ses and has decided to run for the presidency in 2016. How loud does the Republican bosses and the general public have to say it before Giuliani gets it?

“We don’t want you.” “Take your racist rhetoric back to 1691 where it belongs.”

Rudy Giuliani and the Myth of Modern New York Edited by Robert Polner written by Kevin Baker New York City has had two great mayors throughout its long and tumultuous history.

They were Fiorello La Guardia, and De Witt Clinton.Most contemporary New Yorkers would be surprised by those selections, and above all by the omission of another name, that of Rudolph Giuliani.

Clinton, after all, is a figure from the distant past, when New York mayors were not even elected, but still appointed by the state legislature up in Albany. He survives in modern memory only as the name of a high school, or a park, or a neighborhood.

Even La Guardia, the man to whom all modern mayors are compared, is a hazy icon by now to many New Yorkers. Yet

Rudy Giuliani, New York City’s ex-mayor, is taking insidious and racist potshots at President Barack Obama. both men shared two, salient characteristics that qualify them as truly great leaders of a great metropolis. Not only were Clinton and La Guardia both relentless and effective reformers, they each of them held, and realized, a transcendent vision for the city they led.

Rudy Giuliani’s claim to modern greatness, on the other hand, rests upon his responses to two, very different crises during his time in office.

(Read full story on www.thewestsidegazette.com)

COLUMBIA PICTURES AND MRC PRESENT IN ASSOCIATION WITH LSTAR CAPITAL A KINBERG GENRE PRODUCTION JOSE PABLO CANTILLO “CHAPPIE” SHARLTO COPLEY DEV PATEL NINJA ANDMUSICYO-LANDI VI ER EXECUTIVE WITH SIGOURNEY WEAVER AND HUGH JACKMAN BY HANS ZIMMER PRODUCER BEN WAISBREN WRITTEN PRODUCED

BY NEILL BLOMKAMP & TERRI TATCHELL

BY NEILL BLOMKAMP SIMON KINBERG DIRECTED

BY NEILL BLOMKAMP

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Page 10 • www.thewestsidegazette.com • March 5 - March 11, 2015

Home grown native releases latest CD, Even Though and In Spite of

To home grown native, Irvin Doc’ Peck, music is like breathing fresh air. Peck has just released his new CD - entitled Even Though, and In Spite Of. It’s a combination of Jazz, Contemporary, and Gospel influences that blend together various musical disciplines to formulate a unique sound and style.

Without a doubt, Pecks’ music is eclectic; it has an avantgarde musical style that blends transient sounds, grooving rhythms, and orchestral movements to keep excitement going. Peck’s trumpet is the final component that lays melodic riffs that take you on a funky ride.

Peck has previously geared his music toward evoking positive messages of reflection to open spiritual centers of consciousness.

His two previous CDs were Style Rhythm and Sketches of Sound, and now he brings us

Even Though, and In Spite Of that is sure to create a buzz from jazz aficionados.

He states that, “As a playwright and composer,” he’s able to “join the two disciplines together to complement one another in a unique way, thereby allowing him to write and compose without any definite limitations.” Peck relies on the CDs title to keep him focused and to bring substance to each song as he journeys through the process of evolving.

Doc’ Peck, along with his wife, soprano songstress Eva Brown-Peck, are responsible for bringing us numerous musicals and plays such as Come Sunday Morning, Days Gone Bye - Broward County, and I Was On My Way to Hell - When God Touched My Soul.

To purchase a copy of his current CD, can contact Doc’ Peck at: (954) 288-3342 or dpeck6842@gmail.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 professional services.

Interested vendors can view and download the solicitation documents via the Broward County Purchasing website at: www.broward.org/purchasing. current solicitations and results.

March. 5, 12, 19, 26, 2015

HELP WANTED Position: PART-TIME BOOKKEEPER Requirements: Associate degree or a minimum of 3 years experience in bookkeeping. Business college training a plus. Competent computer skills MS Office; emphasis in Excel. Knowledge of general accounting principles.Salary is negotiable.

Submit resumes: First Baptist Church Piney Grove Attn: Operations Manager 4699 W. Oakland Park Blvd Lauderdale Lakes, FL 33313

MISCELLANEOUS Mt. Pisgah MB Church of Pompano, Inc. at 891 NW 27 th Ave, Pompano Beach, FL 33069 is now receiving resumes for the position of PASTOR.. Those interested must be called by God, meet the criteria of 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and should meet the following criteria: 1. Must be a Baptist ordained member in good standings 2. Must serve in a Baptist church that will give letter of recommendation 3. Position will be bi-vocational 4. 5 years of church leadership experience 5. High school graduate or higher Must submit to background check and home visit. Resumes are being accepted.

Please send resume, video or links to : Mt. Pisgah - c/o Nathaniel Lowe - 2613 NW 8th Street, Pompano Beach, FL. 33069 or email to mtpisgahpompano@att.net

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

March 5 - March 11, 2015 • www.thewestsidegazette.com • Page 11

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

Erykah Babu, Run D.M.C., Sheila E. & Jazz In The Gardens all stars complete 10th annual Jazz In The Gardens Music Festival lineup March 21, 22, 2015 at SunLife Stadium, Miami Gardens, Fla.

Erykah Badu, Sheila E., Maxwell, Toni Braxton and R. Kelly. dens in springtime. We welcome our guests who travel from all over the world to celebrate our milestone 10th year of the fastest growing jazz & R&B festival in America.”

Jeffrey Osborne, Peabo Bryson and Freddie Jackson MIAMI GARDENS, FL – ketplace, and the most anticiThe City of Miami Gardens is pated lineup for the City’s mileproud to announce the addition stone 10th year of its signaof Erykah Badu, Run- ture event. On Saturday and D.M.C., Sheila E. and Jazz in Sunday, doors to the festival the Gardens All Stars Ronnie will open at 3 p.m. and the Laws, Roy Ayers, Lonnie show will start at 4 p.m. Tickets Liston Smith, and Tom are on sale now through Ticor http:// Browne to the 10th Annual ketmaster Jazz in the Gardens (JITG) www.jazzinthegardens.com.

The Women’s Impact Conmusic festival at SunLife Stadium. The two-day music ference and Luncheon (WICL) festival from March 21-22, 2015, will kick off the Jazz in the will also feature ar- Gardens Weekend on Friday, tists Maxwell, Toni Braxton, March 20, at the Miramar CulR. Kelly, Men of Soul’s Jef- tural Center with the theme frey Osborne, Peabo Bryson “There’s No S’ On My Chest and Freddie Jackson, and But A Hero Lives Within” The Brian Culbertson. Come- event will feature keynote dians and nationally syndicated speaker reality show perradio personalities D.L. Hugh- sonality Omarosa Manigault ley and Rickey Smiley will co- and a surprise guest promised to “wow” the crowd. That same host the festival.

Jazz in the Gardens will fea- night at the Center, Rickey ture local artists, over 40 exotic Smiley and a few special guests food vendors, a Vendor Mar- from his morning show will host

SMILEY Predicted early on to break last year’s record of 68,000 tickets sold, tracking a 15 percent increase in ticket sales, JITG ‘10 is well on its way to breaking its record for an anticipated 71,000 tickets sold.

OfficialSite: www.jazzinthegardens.com

HUGHLEY Facebook: www.facebook.com/ jazzinthegardens Twitter: www.twitter.com/ j a z z g a r d e n s Instagram: www.instagram.com/ jitg10 #JITG10

and Brian Culbertson.

the Official Jazz in the Gardens Pre-Party featuring a comedy show, live entertainment and dancing.

“Without a doubt, this is our most exciting lineup yet,” said City of Miami Gardens Mayor Oliver Gilbert. “And by the reports on ticket sales, there’s no denying it. There is no sunnier, breezier, or better place to enjoy your favorite exotic food, good friends and amazing live performances than in the Gar-

WINNERS OF AARLCC’S 2015 BLACK HISTORY MONTH ESSAY & ART COMPETITION -- Three young essay writers and three young artists were selected to win this year’s 2015 Black History Month Essay & Art Competition at the AfricanAmerican Research Library and Cultural Center (AARLCC). On Saturday, Feb. 28, 2015, following an interactive African storytelling program by Trina Soumah of Ballet Brika African Dance Theater, a ceremony was held in a seminar room where the confident young people read their essays or described their artwork. And then, they each received their prize of a Kindle Fire. The contest was sponsored by the Friends of AARLCC with prizes courtesy of Best Buy. The students were selected from three different age categories and the subject of their assignment was this: “In an ideal society, everyone should have the same opportunities and be treated equally, regardless of their race or social status. Within the past century several events have occurred in America that have changed the nation’s perspective of social equality toward Black people. Compare two notable events and describe their impact on society, both at the time it happened and presently.” L-r: Venecha Williams, Daneil Chambers, Joshua Bell, Jasmine Perez, Justin Culley, Joshua Polo.

Page 12 • www.thewestsidegazette.com • March 5 - March 11, 2015

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

Urban League of Broward County teams up with Winn-Dixie to kick-off 'Good Eats' initiative featuring Celebrity Chef Chad Cherry

By Alica Brown Refresh Live’s Chef Chad Cherry kicked-off the new Winn-Dixie “Good Eats” initiative in partnership with the Urban League of Broward County to promote healthy eating in a community where more than 50 percent of African American adults deal with obesity issues on Feb. 27.

Chef Cherry conducted a cooking demonstration for parents and teens at the Urban League of Broward County. Fa-

milies will learn healthier alternatives for preparing popular dishes, such as macaroni and cheese, meatloaf and more.

“Good Eats” will continue with tours at select Winn-Dixie stores during April and May, with Chef Cherry educating local residents on how to identify healthy and affordable food items.

“Good Eats is a great opportunity to promote better health in our community,” said Germaine Smith-Baugh, Ed.D., president and CEO of Urban League of Broward County.

“Improving our community’s health is a collective effort, and we’re fortunate to partner with Winn-Dixie and Chef Cherry to achieve positive health outcomes for many families.”

Winn-Dixie will continue to promote the Urban League’s initiatives with the launch of the Donation Program. From March 4-31, 17 Winn-Dixie stores in Broward County will enable shoppers to make donations in support of the organization, whose health programs offer preventative care and ac-

cess to vital health resources for those who need them most.

“We are proud to partner with the Urban League of Broward County in honor Black History Month with an important nutritional program that promotes healthy living,” said Tony Jorges, Miami region vice president of Winn-Dixie Stores. “We look forward to growing our partnership with the Urban League of Broward County and continue to be a resource to the communities we serve.”

Healthy eating is a challenge in Broward County where there are vast disparities in health among ethnic groups,

Chef Chad Cherry demonstrates how to prepare healthy and delicious dishes during a recent cooking demonstration during a Healthy Eats program cosponsored by the Urban League of Broward County and Winn-Dixie Stores. according to the Closing the Gap, the State of Black Broward: Health Report, which the Urban League of Broward County commissioned. About 53 percent of Black adults in Broward County are considered obese. Among teens, Blacks and Hispanics are twice as likely to be overweight or obese when compared to white teens. In addition, the rate of diabetes in the community served by the Urban League is 210 percent times the county rate – another indicator of the need for education and access to healthy food options.

Addressing the community’s health is one of the Urban League of Broward County’s four core areas of concentration in Bahamas Minister of Tour- “Breaking the Cycle” of poverty ism the Honorable Obediah across the county. With an emWilchcombe quarterback- phasis on programs and services ing Bahamian All Star team. that focus on Education, Jobs, A. Robinson Stadium on Sat- Housing and Health, the Urban urday morning to learn foot- League of Broward County imballs skills and drills from the pacts more than 7,000 people Legends. Meanwhile, a dozen every year and continues its girls learned dance moves and chants from the Miami Dol- work to empower communities phins Cheerleaders, an added and change lives. component to last year’s actiBroward County Winnvities.

Dixie stores will accept donations for Urban League’s (Read full story on programs, March 4-31. www.thewestsidegazette.com)

Marino and Friends Bahamas Weekend second year with new Flag Football Game addition

DADE COUNTY FEDERAL CREDIT UNION FUNDS B.T.W. HIGH SCHOOL FOUNDATION, INC. SCHOLARSHIP — On Feb. 24, 2015, George Joseph, president and CEO of the Dade County Federal Credit Union (DCFCU), presented John Glover, president and CEO of the B.T.W. High School Foundation, Inc. with a check for $1,500 to fund a scholarship for a deserving B.T.W. 2015 graduate. The DCFCU has been a consistent scholarship sponsor since the Foundation awarded its first scholarship in 2004. The DCFCU has also partnered with the historic Overtown high school when it established a student-staffed branch inside the school in 2012, offering financial services to the student body. Prior to its opening, the credit union trained the student staff in making deposits, opening savings, and in checking and club accounts. Pictured, (standing): John Glover, president and CEO, B.T.W. Foundation, Inc.; George Joseph, president and CEO, DCFCU; Walter Perkins, foundation treasurer; Clement Minnis, foundation VP; Charles Singletery, foundation member; James Hunt, foundation member; (seated): Carrie B. Mickey, foundation secretary; Delores P. Mathis, foundation assistant treasurer; Ethel Duncan, foundation member.

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – The Miami Dolphins, Dan Marino and 14 alumni members held a memorable four-day weekend in The Islands of The Bahamas. Guests were treated to breathtaking views of The Islands while mingling with some of their football heroes.

The second annual event included a welcome party, golf tournament, a sunset cruise, Dolphins Academy Youth Football and Cheerleader Clinic, and an inaugural flag football matchup between the Miami Dolphins alumni and The Bahamas All Star team.

The Miami Dolphins Cheerleaders greeted the arriving guests, followed by the Dolphins Welcome Reception complimented by a Bahamian steel drum band.

The golf tournament took place on a crisp morning perfect for the greens. Later that evening, guests gathered for a sunset dinner cruise on board the Yellowbird, and were ushered in by a live Junkanoo band sponsored by The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, included authentic Bahamian cuisine, fire dancing and Carnival girls.

More than 350 Bahamian children gathered at Thomas