The Westside Gazette

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PERMIT NO. 1179

Westside Gazette Broward County's Oldest and Largest African American Owned and Operated Newspaper VOL. 46 NO. 2

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This 80-year-old grandmother once walked hundreds of miles to retrace the Underground Railroad

Southgate walked Harriet Tubman's Underground Railroad 519 miles from Ripley, Ohio to St. Catharines, Ontario.

From BlackNews.com Cleveland, OH — Back in 2002, Joan Southgate, a retired Cleveland social

worker and grandmother of nine, used to walk a daily mile for exercise – “an old lady stroll,” as she described it. Then one day she says she felt a calling to

praise her ancestors who walked hundreds of miles to freedom: She decided to retrace their steps along the Underground Railroad.

So, at age 73, Southgate began walking the 519 miles from Ripley, Ohio to St. Catharines, Ontario, Harriet Tubman’s terminus on the Underground Railroad. Traveling 10 miles a day, she visited Underground Railroad sites, gave presentations at schools, and slept in the homes of welcoming strangers, her own “safe houses.”

Cleveland’s Underground Railroad codename was “Hope” and Southgate, motivated by her pilgrimage, founded Restore Cleveland Hope to save the city’s only remaining Underground Railroad house from demolition.

To raise money for the project, Southgate, at age 80, walked another 250 miles from Canada back to Cleveland, completing the final mile with 170 companions inspired by her journey.

Back in in 2014, the house opened as an Underground Railroad teaching center where people can learn “what is possible in the way of changing the world and loving people.”

From time to time I like to share this space, my space, as I call it, with articles and writings that I consider to be worth reading. This particular piece made me ask the question: Does life imitate art or does art imitate life. You decide after reading it. One other point to ponder is what part do we play in the blessing or cursing of another’s life?

Bobby R. Henry, Sr., Publisher “With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness.” James 3:9 (NIV)

Emily’s Curse

By Kevin Palmer Conception roulette is having unprotected sex. Likewise, Emily’s parents were going around and around having unprotected sex until there was conception. The parent’s gamble was the child’s loss. The short story, ‘I Stand Here Ironing,” written by Tillie Olsen, could be a case study for why certain humans should not have reproductive organs.

(Cont'd on Page 3)

Broward County supports the arts with artist grants

(Cont'd on Page 11)

National Newspaper Publishers Association offers inspiration to Broward County students at annual Mid-Winter Training Conference GREATERFORTLAUDERDALE, FL — The National Newspapers Publishers Association (NNPA), the largest and most influential Black-owned media association in America, held its annual mid-winter training conference January 25-28, 2017 at the Hyatt Regency Pier Sixty-Six Hotel in Fort Lauderdale.

The conference’s forward looking theme, “Strengthening Black-Owned Newspapers Through Training, Innovation and Technology” brought NNPA publishing members and civil rights leaders together ahead of the 190th anniversary of Black Press in America to discuss the changes facing the publishing industry today and how to meet the current and future challenges of growing a

Publisher Henry answer interview question from Cooper City High School journalism student.

publishing business in a digital world.

A key component to this year’s theme: student education.

Nearly 200 hundred students from Broward County schools were welcomed by experts in journalism and publishing industries to participate in workshops covering contemporary issues including the role of the Black press in civil rights, social justice issues and change, 21 st century communication techniques, and the “Gen-Next” younger generation of familyowned media entrepreneurs.

One development discussed included the newly enacted federal law: Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) that will impact the education of millions of youth throughout the country.

(Cont'd on Page 12)

Featured artists photographed, l-r: David Muir, Cathleen Dean, Ghenete “G” Wright Muir, Jeremiah Jenner, Joshua Tiktin & Niki Lopez FORT LAUDERDALE, FL Feb. 10, 2017—Broward County continues to enhance its cultural landscape with the Creative Investment Program (CIP) Grant. The grant, which is administered through the Broward County Cultural Division, gives funding to

individual artists who have taken on unique creative projects in the County. In late 2016, the County announced that over 30 individual artists would receive grants to assist with their upcoming projects.

(Cont'd on Page 12)

Miami Dolphins and Citi Host Touchdowns for City of Miami Assistant Police Chief Rev. Dennis Good Event with Jay Ajayi and Chef Timon Balloo M. Jackson II to preach at Bethel AME ChurchSubmitted by Sydney Wade Pompano Men’s Day Service This season, Citi and the Miami Dolphins teamed up to fight childhood hunger one touchdown at a time. Every time the Dolphins scored a touchdown during a home game, Citi donated enough for No Kid Hungry to provide 20,000 meals for kids in need across Miami-Dade County and the United States. Thanks to a strong season from the Miami Dolphins, Citi donated enough for No Kid Hungry to provide nearly half a million meals.

(Cont'd on Page 13)

By Johnny L. McCray, Jr., Esq.

Miami Dolphins Running Back Jay Ajayi helps kids make healthy yogurt parfaits.

Pleading Our Own Cause

WWW.

The Men’s Ministry of Bethel AME Church—Pompano, pastored by Reverend Eddy Moise, Jr., is excited to welcome as guest preacher for our 2017 Men’s Day Celebration, Reverend Dennis M. Jackson II., Senior Pastor of New Mount Moriah Baptist Church in Liberty City. The service is Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017 at 10 a.m. Rev. Jackson, a bivocational pastor, carries a bible and

a badge.

He is also a 24 year veteran member of the City of Miami Police Department. Rev. Jackson was recently promoted to Assistant Chief of the City of Miami Police Department and is in charge of the department’s largest unit, the Field Operations Division, which is responsible for the day-to-day delivery of a wide range of police services within the City of Miami.

The Westside Gazette Newspaper

(Cont'd on Page 11)

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REV. JACKSON MEMBER: National Newspaper Publishers Association ( NNPA), and Southeastern African-American Publishers Association (SAAPA) Florida Association of Black Owned Media (FABOM)

PAGE 2 • FEBRUARY 16 - FEBRUARY 22, 2017

Westside Gazette A message to our Black folk Who needs an HIV test? Everyone

By Shirley Thimothee-Paul “Misery won’t touch you gentle it always leaves its thumbprints on you; sometimes it leaves them for others to see, sometimes for nobody but you to know of.”

— Edwidge Danticat (The Farming of Bones)

Image by April Harrison

Whether in the form of financial lacking or the consumption of your thoughts, she can only survive among the welcoming. “I am comfortable here”, she says, “Among the many that house the tongues’ tainted by harsh words against their neighbors”. “I won’t go.” She says “I refuse to leave the comfort of my home, as the cries of the mothers losing their children to the shots in these streets only know the warmth of MY blanket”. “No, I cannot go, for in a moment my child will answer the call of the needle and who will be here to welcome her back”. “Do NOT ask me to leave for who would bring to light the jealousy and rage hidden just behind your hypocritical stare while witnessing your neighbors success”? “Do not push me out because YOU want me, YOU need me, YOU live and breathe me, this is my home”.

Can Misery speak these words to you? How did she get here?

Did she just a happen upon you or did you invite her in?

Each of us knows the truth; look in the mirror and decide today. Who are you? Is it time for change or is Misery your welcome company?

By Bob LaMendola Florida Department of Health in Broward

Don’t be surprised at your next annual checkup if your doctor says she’s giving you an HIV test. She is doing what the Florida Department of Health in Broward County hopes every doctor will do.

DOH-Broward and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are asking medical providers to include HIV testing as a routine part of all patients’ blood tests, just like blood sugar, cholesterol and triglycerides.

Routine HIV testing means more people living with HIV will be diagnosed early, can begin treatment quickly, will be

healthier and will be less likely to spread the virus. Also, routine testing will help eliminate any stigma on HIV tests.

“Routine testing means that everyone would be offered HIV testing as part of our regular checkups. No one should feel stigmatized,” says Dr. Paula Thaqi, Director of DOH-Broward.

“We encourage everyone to ask their doctor for an HIV test.”

About 30 students from Blanche Ely High School now have a better understanding students about the technology they use builtThea fiber optic

Diamonique Forbes

Academy student Shari McIntosh in bucket.

AT&T Tech Steve Reynolds, Cynthia and Linksley.

As part of a Junior Achievement job shadowing day at the AT&T Cable Academy in Sunrise on Feb. 7, the students suited up in jumpsuits, goggles and hard hats to learn about fiber and copper splicing, fiber light and digital transmission, and electronic field exposure.

connector, toured an above-ground manhole, viewed a generator used in storm restoration, learned about WiFI, and even got inside a cherry picker bucket used for aerial splicing.

The hands-on, educational experience is part of AT&T Aspire, the company’s signature philanthropic initiative focused on helping students succeed in school and beyond, especially in the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields.

www.thewestsidegazette.com The CDC recommends routine testing for all people ages 13 to 65, and others if they engaged in unprotected sex.

The CDC began recommending routine testing for some people in 1987 and for everyone starting in 2006.

The CDC and DOH-Broward would like to see routine testing performed by physicians, hospitals (including emergency rooms), clinics and other medical providers.

The way it works is the doctor mentions the HIV test when telling patients what will be covered in their blood work.

The test will be done unless the patient specifically declines it – a practice known as opt-out testing.

Not every medical provider participates in routine testing.

Some are not aware of the recommendations. Some may feel it is not their job. Some may be too busy to focus on it.

In recent years, DOH-Broward has been educating and encouraging providers and institutions to implement routine testing. As a result, routine testing is on the rise.

A big argument in favor of routine testing is that HIV is spread mainly by people who do not know they contracted it.

If they are diagnosed and take medication as directed, the amount of virus in their blood falls to nearly zero – and their chance of transmitting HIV drops by 95 percent.

Preventing the spread of the virus is crucial in South Florida, which has the nation’s highest rate of new HIV cases per capita.

“Knowing your HIV status and getting treatment is one of the best ways we know to prevent HIV and keep our community healthy,” Dr. Thaqi says.

“Everyone can do their part by including an HIV test in their routine health care.”

For more information (954) 467-4700, Ext. 4991.

NOVA SOUTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY IS PROUD TO CELEBRATE

BLACK HISTORY MONTH African Presence 2017 - 14th Annual Art Exhibition “Afrotopia: Art and the Politics of Representation” On display through March 10th

Alvin Sherman Library, Adolfo and Marisela Cotilla Gallery Sponsored by NSU Division of Public Relations and Marketing Communications Details and full listing of Black History Month events on nova.edu/blackhistory

C E L E B R AT I N G

NOVA SOUTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY

Artwork by Najee Dorsey

www.thewestsidegazette.com

FEBRUARY 16 - FEBRUARY 22, 2017 • PAGE 3 Westside Gazette work experience in the automotive industry. Learn Top 20 17 African American, minority and div er sity summer int ernship program lenging 201 diver ersity internship more at

N A T I O N W I D E (BlackNews.com) — Many companies and organizations are already announcing that they are accepting applications for their upcoming internship programs. Here’s a list of the top 2017 summer internship programs for African Americans: #1 - The NBA Internship Program offers college students an exciting opportunity to use their skills and classroom learning within a national sports environment. Learn more at www.findinternships.com/ 2013/10/nba-internshipprogram.html #2 - The NASCAR Diversity Internship Program is a 10-week, full-time, paid summer work opportunity for deserving students with an interest in the NASCAR industry. Learn more at www.findinternships.com/ 2013/03/nascar-diversityinternship-program.html #3 - Black Enterprise Internships are designed to provide real-life work experiences for college students interested in a career in the media industry. Learn more at www.findinternships.com/ 2013/10/black-enterpriseinternships.html #4 - The NCAA Ethnic Minority and Women’s Internship offers an opportunity for a minority, female college student to be chosen for a unique two-year internship program. Learn more at

www.findinternships.com/ 2013/10/ncaa-ethnic-minorityand-womens.html #5 - The Minority Access Internship Program offers spring, summer and fall internships for college sophomores, juniors, seniors, graduates and professionals. Learn more at www.findinternships.com/ 2013/05/minority-accessinternship-program.html #6 - Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Internships are available for college students pursuing undergraduate associates or bachelor’s degrees. Learn more at www.findinternships.com/ 2013/09/congressional-blackcaucus-foundation.html #7 - Explore Microsoft Internship Program is for current college undergraduate minority students pursuing a degree in computer science or software engineering. Learn more at www.findinternships.com/ 2013/04/Explore-MicrosoftInternship-Program.html #8 - BET Networks Internships provide paid internships for both undergraduate and graduate college students at five different locations. Learn more at www.findinternships.com/ 2013/09/bet-networksinternships.html #9 - The UNCF/NAACP Gateway to Leadership Internship Program is a 10-week paid summer internship for undergraduate students attending Historically Black Col-

leges and Universities (HBCUs). Learn more at www.findinternships.com/ 2013/04/uncf-naacp-gatewayto-leadership-internshipprogram.html #10 - Google Internships is rated No. 1 by Forbes as the best internship opportunity for college students interested in a career in software engineering.

Google offers an open culture and rich learning experience as well as good pay. Learn more at www.findinternships.com/ 2 0 1 3 / 0 2 / g o o g l e internships_15.html #11 - The TV One Internship Program is open to full-time or part-time students attending an accredited college or university with an interest in a career in the media industry. TV One is one of the largest African American cable networks. Internships are offered to undergraduate college students in the Fall, Spring and Summer. Learn more at www.findinternships.com/ 2013/09/tv-one-internshipprogram_12.html #12 - Oracle offers a eightweek, paid internship for students who attend one of the 39member Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). The internships help students gain knowledge and experience in the field of technology. Learn more at www.findinternships.com/ 2014/01/oracle-diversityinternships_95.html #13 - The National Urban League Summer Internship Program offers internships to students who are interested in a career in the non-profit industry. The program provides an 8-week paid internship for college students in either New York City or Washington, D.C. Learn more at www.findinternships.com/ 2013/04/national-urbanl e a g u e - s u m m e r internship_8.html #14 - The National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) offers internships to minority students interested in pursuing a future career in journalism. Applicants selected for a 10-week internship will be

offered positions in print, broadcast or online disciplines at selected news organizations across the country. Learn more at www.findinternships.com/ 2 0 1 6 / 1 1 / n a b j internships.html #15 - The Essence Communications Internship is a 9-week, paid internship open to both undergraduate and graduate students who are interested in a career in the media industry. Candidates must have a strong interest in issues among African American women.

Learn more at www.findinternships.com/ 2 0 1 3 / 1 0 / e s s e n c e c o m m u n i c a t i o n s internship_73.html #16 - The Multicultural Advertising Intern Program (MAIP) offers a full-time summer work experience for college students pursuing a career in advertising. Eligible students must be Asian/Asian American, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, Hispanic/Latino, Black/ African American, American

Indian or Alaska Native, Multiracial or Multi-ethnic. Learn more at www.findinternships.com/ 2013/05/multiculturaladvertising-internprogram_5.html #17 - Merck offers 9-11 week internships available to college students in the areas of research & development, sales & marketing, information technology, human resources, communications, finance and legal, as well as internships in biology and chemistry. Learn more at www.findinternships.com/ 2 0 1 3 / 0 3 / m e r c k internships_1.html #18 - General Motors offers internships in the areas of communications, finance, information technology, marketing, engineering, manufacturing, health and safety. The internships offer a paid opportunity for students to receive a chal-

www.findinternships.com/ 2013/04/general-motorsinternships_33.html #19 - DELL Computers offers 10-12 week internships during the summer for undergraduate and graduate students in the areas of marketing and sales, finance and accounting, IT and more. Internships provide real-world experience for college students while they are still in school. Learn more at www.findinternships.com/ 2 0 1 4 / 0 1 / d e l l internships_9.html #20 PricewaterhouseCoopers offers more than 700 internships each year across 29 countries for college students majoring in accounting and finance.

Students will work with highly skilled professionals and receive a realistic insight into the accounting and finance profession.

Learn more at www.findinternships.com/ 2 0 1 3 / 0 3 / pricewaterhousecoopersinternships_67.html

Emily’s Curse

the reproductive process was consensual sexual intercourse.

The story did not mention anything about Emily’s mother being forcibly raped. No, Emily’s birth was the result of young, sexually excited humans who were irresponsible.

Therefore, Emily’s mother standing over an ironing board babbling a diatribe of poor me rhetoric does not absolve her of responsibility for Emily’s issues. Emily is blameless. She did not initiate her own reproductive process in the midst of a depressed economy. Nor, did she choose her biological parents. Therefore, Emily is deserving of sympathy. Her mother is deserving of contempt.

Ignoring the consequences, Emily’s mother knew of her impoverished economic situation and still chose to be sexually irresponsible. The economy was in the midst of a depression. A depression is a major downsizing in the business cycle that is characterized by sharply reduced industrial production, widespread unemployment, serious declines in construction activity, and great reductions in international trade and capital movements. Therefore, the mother is to blame for raising a child alone during severe economic conditions. It was not Emily’s fault her mother chose to get impregnated by a good for nothing man. Blaming the difficult times, her biological father decided to leave and not help raise his eight month old daughter. His decision was no surprise. He was the same despicable character who repeatedly humped on and eventually impregnated Emily’s mother.

The problem was Emily’s mother chose to focus on his well-endowed manhood and not his flawed character. Her main focus was a few moments of sexual gratification. Now, less than a year old, Emily must be left with an uncaring neighbor while mother hustles for work. There is little time for mother and child to bond during the formative years. Insecurity takes root in the child. From this point forward, Emily is handed over to emotionally unstable adults who abuse and traumatize children. They care only about the money, not the children.

That is why negligently getting pregnant during a depression sets up the child for a difficult childhood. For a single person it is difficult enough to make ends meet. It is much worse when you add the responsibilities of raising a child. Furthermore, in addition to food, clothing, and shelter, the child requires a parent’s time for emotional development.

Unfortunately, as the first child, Emily bore the brunt of her mother’s parental inexperience and bad decision making. Nevertheless, the stress of raising a child alone and the emotional distress inflicted upon Emily was not enough to discourage her mother from giving birth to more children. Once again, the need to satisfy lust overruled reason, leading to mindless sexual intercourse. As a result, the reproductive process was initiated, resulting in more children and more opportunity to neglect Emily.

Unmoved by her parenting mistakes, which negatively impacted Emily’s development, the mother decided to have more children. This meant she had even less quality time to devote to Emily. Therefore, Emily continued to ride the emotional rollercoaster and become even more withdrawn, frail, and psychologically unstable. Undeterred, the mother forged ahead with giving birth to more children. She believed herself to be a better parent and the other children would not suffer

as much as Emily. She was having children for practice without considering the negative effect upon the emotional development of her children. Shallow and vain, she thought being fertile and possessing a womb gave her the right to have multiple babies regardless of her economic circumstances. Sadly, when women believe such foolishness, it is the children who are cursed and suffer. Therefore, Emily’s curse was having a mother who believed in such irresponsible drivel. What was in the best interest of her first born child did not matter. By her actions, the mother believed the first born was expendable fodder. In effect, Emily was used as her mother’s parental crash dummy.

For this reason, no amount of excuses and rationalizations will justify the actions of a mother who knowingly condemns a child to a difficult life upon birth.

The attitude of women like Emily’s mother is why draconian options such as forced sterilization and abortion exist in the world.

In the final analysis, mindless sex, a bad economy, and a breeding mentality appear to be the major factors which contributed to a troubled first born child. On top of that, the mother’s impoverished circumstances, negligence, and parental inexperience negatively impacted Emily’s physical and emotional development. Her poor nutrition and unsanitary environment most likely contributed to her daughter’s frequent illnesses. Furthermore, the mother’s emotional neglect led to Emily’s episodes of not wanting to be touched. All of these factors combined to stunt her cognitive ability to learn as a normal child in her age group.

Moreover, her mother deciding to have more children only added to Emily’s feelings of neglect.

More children meant less attention for Emily. However, the root cause of Emily’s issues was her mother’s reckless attitude toward sexual gratification. In hindsight the mother admitted to the error of her ways. In her own words she admitted her inexperience, poor judgement, and poverty were factors in shaping her daughter’s troubled disposition. The mother taking ownership for damaging her daughter was commendable, but it was too late for Emily.

Her admission does not erase the effects of the past, nor lessen her daughter’s emotional pain.

In addition, the mother’s admission does nothing to address irresponsible sexual behavior which is the root cause of Emily’s troubled life. After experiencing the challenges and traumas with her first child, the mother’s irresponsible sexual behavior did not cease.

As a result, she gave birth to a second, third, and fourth child.

Fortunately, the other children benefitted from the mother’s improved parenting skills acquired at Emily’s expense. The siblings were blessed, Emily was cursed.

(Cont'd from FP) In the story, Emily’s biological parents were morally bankrupt and selfish, especially her mother. The mother’s moral lapse was not thinking about the consequences before sexual gratification. One major consequence was giving birth to a child when unprepared financially and emotionally. This lack of preparation needlessly subjected the child to a life of physical and emotional distress. The mother was totally responsible for Emily’s issues because she was selfish, knew of her poor economic situation, and chose to have additional children.

On the other hand, it can be argued, no one is perfect. That includes Emily’s mother. Furthermore, there were extenuating circumstances outside of her control. There was the economy and a sorry man who ran off.

Therefore, perhaps the mother is not totally responsible for her child’s physical deprivation and impaired emotional development. Emily’s mother did not cause the economic depression.

Like everyone else, she was at the mercy of the economy.

Moreover, it could be argued she did not get pregnant on purpose. At the time, there was no artificial birth control available. The only birth control available was abstinence. When abstinence fails, pregnancy does happen. However, once born, her mother provided as best she could for the child. Sadly, Emily’s mother was young, poorly educated, and inexperienced in parenting a child. On top of that, the biological father was a little more than worthless. Therefore, the mother assumed all responsibility for raising Emily.

Conversely, she had to assume all of the blame. Emily’s issues began when her mother decided to allow an unreliable man to penetrate her reproductive portal and ejaculate.

The after affect was fertilization and conception. After conception it was all downhill for Emily. A newborn baby imitates flawed adults. Every adult has some type of emotional issue which is passed on to impressionable children. For this reason, the buck of blame for Emily’s issues stops at her mother.

To be fair, at one time Emily’s mother was a newborn baby who imitated a flawed human.

Like the rest, she absorbed and imitated a human’s bad habits.

As such, she was taught irresponsible behavior and how to make poor decisions. However, she never learned how not to repeat the same irresponsible behavior and poor decisions. Naturally, she passed on these flaws to her children.

Unfortunately, Emily was her first victim. The short story is just an extended explanation of how Emily became an emotional basket case courtesy of her mother.

Unfortunately, Emily’s issues began with a selfish decision by her mother which led to a pregnancy. Her biological parents were ignorant and selfish. They were ignorant for not realizing bringing a child into an economically unstable world would not be a good idea.

They were selfish for not contemplating the possibility of making a baby as they proceeded to satisfy their sexual lust. Once in the throes of passion, the responsibilities of raising a child did not matter.

What mattered at the time was achieving ejaculation and orgasm. Hence, Emily’s birth was no accident. Her birth was the outcome of the reproductive process initiated by her biological parents. The beginning of

PAGE 4 • FEBRUARY 16 - FEBRUARY 22, 2017

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Westside Gazette

Community Digest

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

Celebration

Residents of South Florida will enjoy a celebration of the African Diaspora, Friday, Feb. 17, 2017 from 6 to 11 p.m., at Hollywood Rotary Club, 2349 Taylor St., Hollywood, Fla. The event titled: African Diaspora Banquet and Cultural Night.

Tickets are available online go to https:// diasporabanquet.eventbrite.com.

For more info (305) 469-1882.

Festival

The City of Fort Pierce, Florida, Second Annual Highwaymen Heritage Trail Art Show & Festival, Saturday, Feb. 18, 2017 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at Moore's Creek Linear Park, N. 10 St., Park, Fort Pierce, Fla.

Program

Broward County Public Schools host Supplier Diversity & Outreach Program Meet the Prime Lunch-n-Learn Workshop Series, Friday, Feb. 24, 2017 from 12 noon to 2 p.m., at TSSC Annex Bank Lobby, 7770 W. Oakland Park Blvd., Sunrise, FLa. To RSVP contact Vincent Jones vai email at Vincet.jones@browardschools.com RSVP by Feb. 21, 2017 space is limited to (2) individuals per company.

TODAY'S BLACK NEWS IS TOMORROW'S BLACK HISTORY

Mardi Gras

The Eta Nu Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., presents Mardi Gras 2017, Friday, Feb. 24, 2017 from 9 a.m. to 4 a.m., at Paladium Nightclub, 5688 W. Sample Rd., Margate, Fla. To purchase tickets go to ETANU.ORG. For pre-sale bottles and vip contact Reggie Carter at (336) 2252075 or Lenroy Ellis (954) 7936600.

Youth Services RE-IGNITE THE FIRE – An Explosive ‘Fire Night’ Youth Services on Sunday, Feb. 26.

2017 at 6 p.m., at Zion Rest Church of God by Faith, 2889 N.W. Sixth St., Fort Lauderdale, Fla. For cost and additional info call (954) 678-8221.

Celebration

Pride Fort Lauderdale is celebrating 40 years with a massive one-day party on Fort Lauderdale Beach on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017 from 12 to 8 p.m.

Free admission. For additional info call (954) 767-2444.

Fashion Show

The Zeta Amicae Auxiliary of Fort Lauderdale will sponsor a Fashion Show on Saturday, Feb. 28, 2017 at 4 p.m., at the Northwest Federated Woman’s Club, 2161 N.W. 19 St., Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Fashions will be provided by Patricia Casterlow. Dinner will be served and proceeds will benefit our Scholarship Committee for 2017. For cost and additional info contact Hattie “Dee” Harden at (954) 735-6289 or (954) 629-8367.

Events

Pompano Beach Downtown Innovation District Upcoming Events. The address to Ali Cultural Arts, 353 Hammondville, Rd. Pompano Beach, Fla. Bailey Contemporary Arts, 41 N.E. First St., Pompano Beach, Fla. For ticket info log onto pompanobeacharts. org and click on Ali/BaCa or Event at the Ali Cultural Arts. * Wednesday, Feb. 15, from 7 to 8 p.m. - Fresh Air with Byrd, (first and third Wednesday of each month), at the Bailey Contemporary Arts, Bailey Contemporary Arts. * Wednesday, Feb. 15, from 8 to 11 p.m. - Lyrics Lab (first and third Wednesday of each month) at the Bailey Contemporary Arts. * Wednesday, Feb. 15 thur Friday, March 31, 2017 from 6 to 9 p.m., BaCa Bailey Contemporary Arts presents BlackFlorida Pompano Beach by Johanne Rahaman For tickets info call (954) 284-0141.

Friday, Feb. 17, from 7 to 10 p.m. - Conversation Piece: A modern salon (third Friday of each month) at the Bailey Contemporary Arts * Saturday, Feb. 18, at from 6 to 10 p.m. - Ali Cultural Arts & Ashanti Cultural Arts presents Hidden Treasures Fashion Show at the Bailey Contemporary Arts. For tickets info call (954) 786-7876. * Thursday, Feb. 23, from 8 to 11 p.m. - Ali Jam Session featuring "Ulysees Pinkney" (fourth Thursday of each month) at the Bailey Contemporary Arts * Saturday, Feb. 25, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. - Printmaking Workshop at the Bailey Contemporary Arts. * Saturday, Feb. 25, from 9:30 to 11:30 p.m. - Ali After Hours featuring "The Larry Dogg Band" at Ali Cultural Arts.

Celebration

Les Bonnes Amies Club, Inc. (The Good Friends) is seeking former princes and princesses, contestants, program participants, and scholarship recipients to join us in celebrating seven (7) decades of service to the Broward County community. Contact Mrs. Deloris Sumlin at (954) 548-7981 or Deloris-sumlin@yahoo.com

Celebration

Workshops

Annual Black History Month Celebration, "It Takes A Village", Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017 at 8 a.m., at New Hope Baptist Church, 1321 Sistrunk Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, Fla. For more info contact Valecia Cespedes, at (754) 422-4505, Valceia2327@gmail.com

The Urban League is excited to host our Living Well Program's Daibetes Self-Management Workshop, Tuesday, Feb. 28 thru Tuesday, April 4, 2017 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Osswalk Park, 2220 N.W. 21 Ave., Fort Lauderdale, Fla. All classes will be held inside the Recreation Center. Sign up now.

For more info contact Kareisha Davis, at (954) 625-2566.

Black History Month Events

Fundraiser

The City of Fort Lauderdale invites you to celebrate February as Black History Month with these exciting community events. * Kijiji Moja - Saturday, Feb. 18, from noon to 5 p.m., at Lincoln Park, 600 N.W. 19 Ave., Fort Lauderdale, Fla. For more info call (954) 828-5411. * Sistrunk Parade & Festival - Saturday, Feb. 25 * Parade at 9 a.m., Sistrunk Blvd., from Lincoln Park east to N.W. * Festival from 10:30 to 7 p.m., - Sistrunk Blvd. from N.W. Ninth to N.W. to 12 Ave., Fort Lauderdale. Fla. For more info call (754) 7794376.

Calling all Churches to Church Row!!! Relay for Life is the grassroot fundraiser for American Cancer Society, on Friday, May 19 -20, 2017 from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m., Joseph C. Carter Park in Fort Lauderdale at 1450 W. Sunrise Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Carter Park – Relay for Life community bonds together and host an overnight event, full of music, food, and entertainment. For more info contact Rosalind Hankerson (954) 667-9025 Rosalind.CarterRelay@gmail.com

EDUCATION MATTERS Every Child Derserves a Chance

Happenings at African-American Research Library and Cultural Center

African-American Research Library and Cultural Center, 2650 Sistrunk Blvd., Fort Lauderale, Fla. For more info call (954) 357-6210. · Saturday Feb. 18 from 2 to 4 p.m., there will be a program on "Culinary Jazz: The Foods that Shaped te Harlem Renaissance" For more info call (954) 357-6210.

February 2017 Programs ”The Great Expression: Redefining Negro Culture Through the Arts” in the AARLCC Gallery An exhibit focusing on the Harlem Renaissance Prearranged Group Tours available during library hours: Youth tours, (954) 357-6209.

Adult tours, (954) 357-6224. * Saturdays, Feb. 25Knight with the Queen, from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Free chess lessons for ages 7 – 80. * Saturday, Feb. 25SCORE: Introduction to starting a business, from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. All are invited to this free introduction to business training workshop. * Saturday, Feb. 25Fashion Design Contest fashion show, 2 to 5 p.m. Ages 1425 are eligible to design and create a fashion piece inspired by and representative of the Harlem Renaissance Era. Must register and get guidelines from Ms. Dayna at (954) 357-6153.

Youth Services * Mondays, Tuesdays & Wednesdays in after school homework help, 3 – 5 p.m.

All Through February: ”What Do You Know About the Harlem Renaissance Era?” Trivia Quiz with 10 questions about the Harlem Renaissance.

The winner is the person who correctly answers the most questions. Prize: $50 gift card.

All ages. * Saturday, February 11 ”Wags & Tales,” 2 to 3 p.m.

Come and read to Augy, a furry four-legged friend. Sponsored by the Humane Society of Broward County. * Tuesday, Feb. 21 ”Preschool Storytime,” 10:30 a.m. Parents and caregivers are invited to bring children aged 3-5 to this story time especially for them. Featuring stories, finger plays and simple crafts. If you have questions or need more info call Youth Services at (954) 357-6209. * Saturday, Feb. 25 Black History Month Essay Contest awards ceremony, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Join us as we celebrate the winners of this year’s Black History Month Essay Contest. Festivities include youth performances and light refreshments. All ages.

For more info on Children and Teen programs, call the Youth Services desk at 954357-6209.

FREE Adult Computer Classes Schedule * Saturday, February 18 Resume Writing, 10:30 - 12 p.m.

For additional information for FREE classes being offered at other library locations please call (954) 357-6236 or inquire at the Computer or Reference Information Desk.

Need FREE help with resume writing? Inquire at the Computer or Reference Information Desk.

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AND BE INFORMED

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Opinion Letter to the Editor The three Federal Judges on the 9th Circuit Court took Trump to law school, then behind the courthouse and gave him a “good” spanking with three paddles. One from President Carter, one from President W. Bush

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.

and the last one from President Obama—as the late great Howard Cosell would say——”Down goes Trump, down goes Trump, down goes Trump”!!!

James J. Hankins—Wilmington, NC 4209 DeWitt Rd.——Wilmington, NC 28405—Cell— (910) 233-1968

#BlackPeople #KeepPushing

By Jo Breeze Soooooo you mean to tell me that someone down your ancestry line survived being chained to other human bodies for several months in the bottom of a disease-infested ship during the Middle Passage, lost their language, customs, and traditions...picked up the English language as best they could while working free of charge from sunup to sundown as they watched babies sold from out of their arms and women raped by ruthless overseers...took names with no last names, no birth certificates, no heritage of any kind, braved the Underground Railroad, survived the Civil War to

enter into sharecropping...Learned to read and write out of sheer will and determination, faced the burning crosses of the KKK, averted their eyes at the Black bodies swinging from ropes hung on trees...fought in World Wars as soldiers to return to America as boys...Marched in Birmingham, hosed in Selma, jailed in Wilmington, assassinated in Memphis, segregated in the South, ghettoes in the North, ignored in history books, stereotyped in Hollywood, and in spite of it all someone in your family line endured every era, to make sure you would get here. And you receive one rejection, face one obstacle, lose one friend and you want to quit? How dare you entertain the very thought of quitting. People you will never know who survived from generation to generation so you could succeed. Don’t quit. Don’t you dare let them down... #BlackPeople #KeepPushing

Three weeks of confusion and chaos from Trump, White House

By Roger Caldwell In politics I have been told that you pick your battles. But President Trump has a different theory, and he has decided to fight everyone that does not agree with his opinion, and that is a terrible way to start your administration.

There are over 600 administrative positions that must be filled, and staffers who have been hired are having meetings in the dark because they don’t know how to turn on the lights.

There are leaks coming from aides who are questioning if the top staff understands the processes of the White House and/or the federal government.

“While the administration tries to exude confidence and surefootedness in its opening weeks, it has made multiple embarrassing public stumbles.

The bungled rollout of his executive order barring immigrants from seven predominantly Muslim countries, a flurry of other miscues and embarrassments, and an approval rating lower than that of any comparable first-term president in the history of polling has Mr. Trump and his top staff rethinking an improvisational approach to governing” says David Ferguson from Raw Story and the New York Times.

For Barbara A. Gordon, black history is more than recognition for a month; it has been her life. Ms. Gordon is the publisher of the Metro Courier. For over 30 years the Courier has been a voice for the Black community in the Augusta, Georgia metro area. As an African American publisher in the United States, Barbara A. Gordon has proudly carried the torch of the Black Press which was first illuminated in 1827.

On March 16, 1827, the Freedom’s Journal became the first African American owned and operated newspaper published in the United States.

The purpose of the Journal was to inform and uplift the Black community.

In 2017, the Metro Courier continues the tradition.

Not only is Barbara A. Gordon a publisher, but also a woman of faith who recognizes her spiritual purpose.

She says, “I’m not here to win a popularity contest. I’m here to serve.” Jesus said, “For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But, I am among you as one who serves.”

Barbara A. Gordon is Black History.

Kevin Palmer, Martinez, GA, (706) 231-1831

Why isn’t PresidentTrump On National Black HIV/ tweeting about the Solar AIDSAwareness Day,time Panel Industry? to address stigma Julianne Malveaux says that solar panel customers don’t see any savings on their electric bills, but have to pay back the cost of buying or leasing the panels.

Angelo Louw says that stigma helps to drive the spread of HIV in the Black community.

By Julianne Malveaux (NNPA Newswire Columnist)

By Angelo C. Louw (NNPA Newswire Guest Columnist)

(Read full story on www.thewestsidegazette.com)

(Read full story on www.thewestsidegazette.com)

Neonatal Mortality: The Quiet Crisis of the African American Community

can mothers lose a child before their first month of life at more than twice the rate of white women — the highest rate of any racial group, according to the CDC. In some states, the equity gaps are even wider.

(Read full story on www.thewestsidegazette.com)

(Read full story on www.thewestsidegazette.com)

By Patricia Maryland, Dr.PH (NNPA Newswire Guest Columnist)

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

Dear Editor

As a publisher, Ms. Gordon has stood for what is right and served rather than sit at the table to gain power and wealth.

Moreover, as a female African American publisher, Barbara A. Gordon has carried on the tradition of Ida B. Wells. In the mid-1800s and early1900s, Ida B. Wells was an African American journalist and activist who led an anti-lynching crusade in the United States. As a publisher she became owner of the Memphis Free Speech newspaper. She once said, “I felt that one had better die fighting against injustice than die like a dog or rat in a trap.”

The same courageous spirit that possessed Ida B. Wells to crusade against lynching was the same spirit which possessed Barbara A. Gordon to hold local political and community leaders accountable for over 30 years. However, it is concern for everyday people which enabled her to be resilient, persevere, and to serve. Longevity has proven Barbara A. Gordon to be more than a Black newspaper publisher.

Those of us working in HIV prevention have always believed that the spread of the virus was largely due to stigma around sex and sexuality, and that the only time we’d see any sort of progress in the fight against the epidemic, was when society started engaging on the matter more openly.

But, it wasn’t until the 2009 report on the correlation between the spread of HIV and stigma in the Dominican Republic that we could claim it as a fact.

The implications of this report illustrated how social attitudes create an environment that propels the spread of HIV. Researchers found that stigma affected treatment toward people living with HIV; this has consequences for access to sexual health services and the way they are administered by health professionals, or, in some cases, denied. Researchers also found that stigma consequently affected at-risk individuals’ willingness to seek HIVrelated services, including testing.

Stigma, therefore, helps to drive the spread of this virus.

This is evident when observing the prevalence of HIV among African-American women in the United States (U.S.). According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), of all women diagnosed with HIV in 2014, most new infections were attributed to heterosexual sex and an estimated 62 percent of women diagnosed were African American.

CDC attributes this trend to the fact that “the greater number of people living with HIV (prevalence) in African-American and Hispanic/Latino communities and the fact that people tend to have sex with partners of the same race/ethnicity.”

Patricia A. Maryland, the president of Healthcare Operations and Chief Operating Officer for Ascension Health, says that it will take all of us, working together, to ensure AfricanAmerican babies born in America have every opportunity to thrive.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR GUIDELINES

FEBRUARY 16 - FEBRUARY 22, 2017 • PAGE 5

Westside Gazette

In my years working in healthcare, I have been blessed to see patients celebrate happy moments, but I have also witnessed times of profound grief.

The loss of a baby is one such example that deals a devastating blow to our families, healthcare providers, communities and nation as a whole.

Most newborns grow and thrive, but in the United States, almost six out of every 1,000 babies die during their first year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Many of these deaths occur in the neonatal phase of development — the critical period from birth to 28 days of life in which babies are more vulnerable to disease, infection and other complications.

No mother, family or community in our country should have to endure the pain of losing a child. It’s all the more shocking to learn that African Ameri-

As a progressive who worked hard to help get Secretary Hillary Clinton elected, it is challenging for me to accept Donald Trump as President.

But, he won. At least for now, I have to make the best of a bad situation.

Which means progressives like me will have to both resist the Trump administration’s odious policies, and also pressure — and even cooperate with — the administration to implement policies that reflect our worldview.

This is why I was interested to see a recent letter sent to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) by three Democratic members of Congress. Signed by Congressmen Henry Cuellar of Texas, Emmanuel Cleaver of Missouri and Bennie Thompson of Mississippi, the letter urged the CFPB to look into bad actors operating in the rooftop solar industry.

What we are talking about here are those salespeople that go door-to-door or bombard consumers with telemarketing calls, urging them to put solar panels on their rooftops. Now, for some people, rooftop solar makes both environmental and financial sense. This is why I generally support the industry.

Just say no! to S.C.O.T.U.S. nominee

By Don Valentine As a Law School graduate I can appreciate that the qualifications of the Trump nominee are prolific. Mr. Gorsuch has an undergraduate degree from the Ivy league school of Columbia, J.D. from Harvard Law and a Doctorate in law from esteemed powerhouse of Oxford University. There is no debate about his resume.

Nonetheless, he should not be the next seat holder for Supreme Court of the United States. The Republican legacy for his nomination leaves him in a parlous situation. Every President of the United States is tasked with making a nomination for a vacant Supreme Court seat. The Constitution requires the President to submit their selection in a timely manner for consideration. The previous office holder completed this task. The Republican Senate refused to bring President Obama’s selection up for a vote.

Senator Mitch McConnell is on record for telling Obama “Mr. President you will not fill the next seat on the Supreme Court.” It would have been protocol for the Republicans to at least have brought Judge Merrick Garland

up for a vote. Instead they were content to stymie the highest court in our land with a 4-4 tie on judicial decisions. This obviously was unfair to the American public. The Republicans did not have to vote Judge Garland a seat.

A negative vote would have simply mandated another submission for the vacant seat.

If you’re not immersed in the jurisprudence system you might miss the necessity to have a well rounded Supreme Court.

This ensures that they can understand how the interpretation of the law applies in real life.

(Read full story on www.thewestsidegazette.com)

The Gantt Report Rats on a sinking ship

By Lucius Gantt A wharf rat is a large rat that is commonly found on wharves. These kinds of rats often sustain themselves by pilfering from warehouses near the seaside or from ships.

When the rats board a ship, they don’t all line up like they were following the Pied Piper and get on board all at once. The rats come aboard one by one and if the ship begins to sink, the rats jump off one by one!

Well, the first rat jumped off the White House ship recently when Michael Flynn resigned as President Donald Trump’s selection as National Security Advisor.

His departure came just after reports surfaced that the Justice Department warned the Trump administration last month that Flynn misled administration officials regarding his communications with the Russian ambassador to the United States about sanctions placed on Russia by former President Barack Obama for interfering in US elections.

Reports suggest because of his lies Flynn was hence compromised and was potentially vulnerable for blackmail if Russia leaked the truth about his communications.

OK. Did National Security Advisor Flynn just run his own mouth on his own? I think not.

Or, did other members of the President’s staff that love Russia so much know what deals were proposed or cut with the Soviets that Americans were never supposed to find out about?

You tell me, what did President Donald Trump know about back draft discussions with Russians and when did he know what he knew?

We all know the cover up is worse than the crime.

Will the Republican Congressional Representatives and Senators that represent you in Washington stand up and speak out about treasonous activities by high ranking officials?

Will they start singing like Garth Brooks and Adele or will they be as quiet as a wharf mouse?

You know, when the rats jump off the sinking ship, some rats drown and some rats survive.

(Read full story on www.thewestsidegazette.com)

Dear, President Trump: It’s time to start meeting with real Black Republicans Raynard Jackson says that far too often, Republicans hire Blacks, who may be good, competent people, but are wrong for the job.

By Raynard Jackson (NNPA Newswire Columnist) Dear President Trump, I don’t know why I have become the repository for the frustrations among Black Republicans across the country, but I have. Hardly a day goes by when I don’t get calls from Black Republicans who feel totally and thoroughly ignored not only by you and your fledgling administration, but also by the national party, as well.

I am a nationally syndicated newspaper columnist published in over 200 newspapers every week. Last year, I wrote several columns supporting you, when it wasn’t cool to do so. Last December, I had to deconstruct the liberal attacks on Senator Jeff Sessions and your aide Steve Bannon.

I tell you this simply as a way of saying that because of the 25-plus years that I have served this party, I think I have earned the right to say what I am about to say to you in this column.

Let me be clear, Mr. President, I want absolutely nothing from you or your administration other than success.

Since the election, you have met with far more Black Democrats than you have Black Republicans—it’s not even close. In your defense, you have never been active in the Republican Party, thus you have no basis for knowing many Black Republicans.

You know many more Black Democrats, simply because you hung out in liberal cities like New York and Los Angeles.

Even your top Black staffer is a Democrat with absolutely no institutional knowledge of the Republican Party’s relationship with the Black community—past, present or future.

So, their natural inclination is to reach out to all of their Democratic friends for invitations to meet with you and to participate with you in last week’s Black History Month’s event.

(Read full story on www.thewestsidegazette.com)

PAGE 6 • FEBRUARY 16 - FEBRUARY 22, 2017

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In 2009, James, a former Navy lieutenant who served on former President Barack Obama’s 2008 Finance Committee, and her husband, Scott Durrah, a renowned chef, opened the Apothecary of Colorado becoming the first Black people in Colorado to own a cannabis dispensary.

They eventually sold their dispensary-Apothecary and opened Simply Pure Medicated Edibles, which serviced over 450 dispensaries and one hospice program.

“According to New Cannabis Ventures, James and Durrah “were the first Manufacturer of Infused Products (MIP) to build their own grow facility, cook with 100% flower, not trim, guaranteed consistency and potency, and operated out [of] a commercial kitchen with all highly trained chefs.” Then a market shift occurred that demanded lower prices for highly potent edibles; so, because James and Durrah did not want to compromise their products, they closed Simply Pure and continued to work toward the full legalization of marijuana.”theroot.com Then…

“In 2012, Colorado voted to legalize the recreational use of marijuana; now, 27 other states and the District of Columbia have joined in the boom.”theroot.com That’s when James and Durrah reopened Simply Pure, a full-service cannabis dispensary that specializes in medical and recreational marijuana, in 2015. The dispensary boasts a creative menu, ranging from chocolate bars to gourmet cooking oils, making cannabis use both exciting and accessible.

When TheRoot.com asked James how has she been received being the first Black woman to own and operate a marijuana dispensary, she said, You know what? It’s been amazing.

I personally have never had any necessarily negative backlash. We were raided once, which was terrifying, back in 2010. But even then, the response to our raid was congressmen, senators and elected officials all came out and immediately let law enforcement know that we were a legal agency.

Law enforcement apologized, brought all of our stuff. So, I have never, personally, had any negativity at all. But, then again, I don’t really allow anybody to come at me negative on this. I shut them down immediately when they even look like they want to start whatever it is that they want to start on, and the facts are amazing things in shutting people down.

While this accomplishment is remarkable in and of itself, James has not forgotten about the war on drugs that has decimated so many families across the country and is compelled to fight it.

What motivated James to combat the war on drugs, was when she learned about her brother, whom she didn’t meet until she was 35 years old, who received a 10-year sentence for 4.5 ounces of marijuana. Four years of that sentence was served picking cotton in Texas.

“He and his mother went in front of the judge,” James said in a 2016 Democracy Now interview.

“The judge made my brother a felon. My brother spent fourand-a-half years picking cotton for free in Texas. I always stop on that note, and I say it again, that my Black brother, my Black 17-year-old brother, spent four-and-a-half years picking cotton for free in Texas to gain his freedom. That was in 1992, not 1892. This is absurd to me.”

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FEBRUARY 16 - FEBRUARY 22, 2017 • PAGE 7

Dr via J er vi vor of Blac k Wall Str eet Dr.. Oli Olivia J.. Hook Hooker er:: Last sur survi viv Black Street

Home to over 10,000 Black residents, Black Wall Street, also known as the Greenwood neighborhood in Tulsa, Oklahoma, was one of the most prominent concentrations of African American businesses in the United States during the early 20th century.

People would watch movies at the Black-owned Bill Williams Dreamland Theater.

People would shop for their essentials at Black-owned D. L.

Hookers General Stores.

People would get treated for health issues at Dr. A. C. Jackson, an African American Surgeon.

Many people would stay, have meetings and events at the Black-owned Stratford Hotel.

People would get ice cream, cakes and candy at Williams Confectionary.

That is until the massacre.

Later called the Tulsa race riot

of 1921, white residents massacred hundreds of Black residents and torched the neighborhood within hours. The riot was one of the most devastating massacres in the history of U.S. race relations, destroying the once thriving Greenwood community.

Many say the massacre started when a young, Black man, who was getting off the elevator, tripped and grabbed hold of a white woman to keep his balance.

Back in those days it was understood that Black men couldn’t even look at a white woman in the eye, let alone touch her in any way. Rumors spread and white supremacists attacked.

About 10,000 Blacks were left homeless, and property damage amounted to more than $1.5 million in real estate and $750,000 in personal property ($30 million in 2017).

of the beauty of her old neighborhood. “Because we had everything we needed right in our neighborhood.”

Today, she is 101 years old and resides in White Plains, New

Some Blacks claimed that policemen had joined the mob; others said that National Guardsmen fired a machine gun into the Black community and a plane dropped sticks of dynamite.

In an eyewitness account discovered in 2015, Greenwood attorney Buck Colbert Franklin described watching a dozen or more private planes drop burning balls of turpentine on Greenwood’s rooftops.

“I think I only went downtown one time,” recalls Hooker

York and is a retired professor of Fordham University.

Dr. Hooker was just 6-yearsold when the burning of Black Wall Street in Oklahoma occurred. Although, most people see what happened as a riot on Black Wall Street, Dr. Hooker refers to it as what it truly was a “planned desecration.”

White people wanted Blacks to stay in their place and destroying what little they had was a way keeping them down and breaking their spirit.

Limited Edition Collection honoring the T uskegee Tuskegee Slave was behind Jack Daniel’s recipe Airmen released in time for Black History Month but was whitewashed from history

A man believed to be the son of Nearis Green sits next to Jack Daniel in this photograph from the late 1800s.

The revered artist responsible for the best-selling African American figurine of all time, Thomas Blackshear - and the world’s fastest growing gift and greeting card company, African American Expressions - have teamed up to present the newest pieces of art exclusive to the Blackshear/AAE collection.

“When that moment strikes us deep in our core, we owe it to ourselves, and the world around us, to give in to it– no matter where or when it hits. These brave souls and all they contributed to our country, needed to be shared.”

– Thomas Blackshear Submitted by Olivia Monahan

Claude Eady (l), a retired distillery employee who is a descendant of Nearis Green, with Nelson Eddy, Jack Daniel’s in-house historian, at the distillery in Lynchburg.

(Photo credit: New York Times/Redux/Eyevine

By Nick Allen, Washington D.C. The makers of Jack Daniel’s, America’s favorite whiskey, have admitted for the first time that a Tennessee slave was behind its legendary recipe.

For 150 years credit for teaching the young Jack Daniel how to distill had gone to the Rev. Dan Call, a Lutheran preacher in Tennessee.

But the company said it was not Call but his slave, a man called Nearis Green, who in fact provided the expertise, the New York Times reported.

As a boy Jasper Newton ‘Jack’ Daniel, was sent to work for Call, who as well as being a minister ran a general store and distillery.

In the mid-19th Century distilleries were owned by white businessmen but much of the work making the whiskey was done by slaves.

Many slaves relied on techniques brought from Africa and became experts, often making it clandestinely.

George Washington had half a dozen slaves working under Scottish foremen at his distillery in Virginia.

In 1805 Andrew Jackson, the future president, offered a bounty for a slave who had run away, describing him as a “good distiller”.

The key role of Green in advising Jack Daniel had been suspected before but, like that

of many slaves, his contribution to the development of American whiskeys was never recorded.

One history of Jack Daniel’s written in 1967 did suggest that Call had instructed the slave to show Daniel how to distill.

Call was said to have remarked: “Uncle Nearis is the best whiskey maker that I know of”.

In 1866, a year after slavery officially ended, Daniel founded his own distillery and employed two of his Green’s sons.

But following Daniel’s death from blood poisoning in 1911, the company never officially acknowledged the role Green had played.

In doing so now it denied there was any attempt to hide the work of a slave in creating a whiskey that now sells more than 10 million cases a year.

Phil Epps, global brand director for Jack Daniel’s, told the New York Times there had been “no conscious decision” to whitewash Green from history.

But research associated with the 150th anniversary had shown there was substance to the claim.

He added: “As we dug into it we realized it was something that we could be proud of.”

Nelson Eddy, Jack Daniel’s in-house historian, said it had “taken something like the anniversary for us to start to talk about ourselves”.

S A C R A M E N T O , CALIF.,— /PRNewswire/ — Known for his uncanny ability for bringing the dignity and honor of his subjects to life, all while challenging societal norms, Thomas Blackshear has spent the last 25 years carving out his place in the modern art lexicon – making him the most collectible African American sculptor across the globe.

With the historical homage to true-to-life heroes The Tuskegee Airmen, these Adorable Little Pilots honor our ever changing present by reminding us of our past. As they are limited in numbers, get them now before they are gone!

The Artist Proofs in this collection sold out before even hitting shelves, making this Limited Edition run highly sought after African American Expressions anticipates this series will sell out before the spring season is over.

The first piece that Thomas felt compelled to carve freehand in years, rather than employing the sketch-to-sculpt method, making them more collectible.

They are anticipated to continue to grow in worth overtime.

Honor being paid to the Tuskegee Airmen, with detailing emblazoned on the angel’s diaper, paying homage to the TA’s nickname, “The Red Tail Brigade” – as well as being fitted with standard issue fighter pilot helmets from WWII.

As many parents did before the attack, Dr. Hooker’s parents shielded her from the racism and discrimination that Blacks faced daily. However, that night of June 1, 1921, Dr. Hooker’s eyes opened to the hatred White people felt toward Blacks.

“It was the middle of summer,” Hooker recalled. “And I couldn’t understand how it would hail during the summer.

And my mother said, ‘I’ll show you what’s going on’ and took me to the front window. It was there I saw a machine gun.

And she said, ‘Look at that American flag. Your country is shooting at you.’”

After the riots, Hooker’s family moved to Columbus, Ohio where she earned her Bachelor of Arts in 1937 from Ohio State University. While at OSU she joined the Delta Sigma Theta sorority where she advocated for African American women to be admitted to the navy.

Later Hooker was a founder of the Tulsa Race Riot Commission in hopes of demanding reparations for the massacre survivors.

She received her Master’s 10 years later in 1947 from the Teachers College of Columbia University. In 1961, she received her PhD in psychology from the University of Rochester.

She applied to the Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service (WAVES) of the U.S. Navy, but was rejected due to her ethnicity. She disputed the rejection due to a technicality and Hooker was accepted.

However, she had already decided to join the Coast Guard.

She entered the U.S. Coast Guard in February 1945. On March 9, 1945, Hooker went to basic training for six weeks in Manhattan Beach, NY where Coast Guard Women’s Reserve (SPARS) had to attend class and pass exams. She became the first African American woman to enter the U.S. Coast Guard. After basic training, Hooker specialized in the yeoman rate and remained at boot camp for an additional nine weeks before heading to Boston.

PAGE 8 • FEBRUARY 16 - FEBRUARY 22, 2017

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Michael Baisden kicks off City of Lauderhill and the MLK Task Force 17th Black History Month Celebration: Baisden says, “mentoring is the answer”

By Dervina ‘Nicole Narae’ Knowles Photos by Maddy Bee LAUDERHILL, FL — The City of Lauderhill and The MLK Task Force hosted their 17th Black History Month Celebration on Feb. 4, 2017, at the Lauderhill Performing Arts Center. The annual celebration was in honor of the life, legacy, and dreams of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and has allowed the MLK Task Force to reach their goal of awarding deserving college-bound youth with scholarships to help further their education. Michael Baisden, nationally syndicated radio personality and New York Times bestselling author, was the guest speaker. During his keynote address in Lauderhill, the author said that mentoring and economic power are the answers to a lot of the challenges that urban communities are facing.

“Mentoring is the solution to many our of problems. Everything I do is mentoring,” he said.

Baisden served up a lot of hot topic realness throughout

BAISDEN his address by creating an open dialogue. Concerning topics such as love and relationships, politics, family values and role changes, educational growth for minorities and women, and the enhancement of Black businesses were at the forefront of the question and answer session.

He kept emphasizing the impact of community partnerships.

“We need money and we need resources,” said Baisden. “It’s somebody in this room who can help you or someone in this room who can connect you to someone else who can help you.”

“We are too threatened by young people. Pass the torch.

When one of us steps down we need to be bringing someone else in our seat. I am going to train a younger black male to be in my seat when I leave radio,” said Baisden. “And young people you’ve got to get out.

Martin [Luther King, Jr.] was a leader at 25. You all are waiting for us to lead. It starts with you.”

Dee Thompson, life and business coach of Miami, Fla., asked Baisden, what he THOUGHT was his main impact on mentoring the students at Evans High School in Orlando, Fla., for his ‘One Dream One Team’ all-male mentoring class. Baisden quickly replied, “Consistency is the key to relationships.

Don’t do it if you can’t be consistent.”

He continued, “A lot of these kids are used to being disappointed. They don’t even think

their own father is going to show up so what makes them think you are going to show up.

I went every time I was supposed to and if I missed a day or even an hour I made up the time.”

Dr. Rosalind Osgood, of Broward County School Board District 5, said that “Our kids really need you — the community.

We cannot miss this moment.

Our kids are hurting. We have to take this serious.” She continued, “Yes, it is a sacrifice but please don’t give up. They (children) need time. They need the opportunity to even work in your businesses.” Dr. Osgood says she will continue to use the resources she already has by connecting with Divine 9 sororities and fraternities, law enforcement agencies, and organizations such as The Links Incorporated. She is also focusing on more African American male programs.

Sergeant Chauncey Sims, Sr., of the Lauderhill Police Department, says that his job is to serve and that police officers should be given a chance to do their job. “We have a job to do and sometimes you may not like it, but it’s our job. I have a Black son and daughter. I am a Black man. Even as a supervisor, it’s all about respect.”

Baisden closed out the celebration with his announcement that he has already returned to radio and will continue to use his platform to mentor through the airwaves.

The Michael Baisden Show is set to return to South Florida on Hot 105 FM from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. EST with George Wilborn and Tamara G on Feb. 20, 2017.

“We’re bringing grown folks radio back,” he said. “We will be airing here on Hot 105 with Tamara G in a few weeks.”

Baisden was one of the most influential voices during former President Barack Obama’s campaign. He said, “If I was on radio Trump wouldn’t have won. Hillary would have won.”

He continued by saying, “I didn’t come back for me,” as he

addressed the series of killings of African American men and boys that erupted in summer 2016.

“We are back,” said Baisden.

“We got the mic back for the people.”

The City of Lauderhill’s MLK

Taskforce is led by Lauderhill Commissioner Margaret Bates.

For 17 years, the MLK Taskforce has held numerous educational events & programs in regards to Martin Luther King, Jr., and civil rights.

Smithsonian TTraveling raveling Exhibition “Roots of Wisdom” presents Native knowledge and modern science working together

A basket weaver from the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians weaves a river cane basket. The process of harvesting, splitting, dying and weaving river cane requires specialized techniques and lots of practice.

(Courtesy Oregon Museum of Science and Industry) “Roots of Wisdom: Native Knowledge. Shared Science” begins its national tour Feb. 13 at Hale La‘akea Windward Community College’s Library Learning Commons in K´ne‘ohe, Hawaii, where it will be on view through May 7. The Smithsonian traveling exhibition explores the ways in which traditional knowledge of indigenous communities and cutting-edge Western science are being applied. The national

tour will continue to the Farragut Museum in Farragut, Tenn., June 3 to Aug. 27.

“Roots of Wisdom” explores four inspiring stories of environmental and cultural restoration from the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, Tulalip Tribes, Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and Native Hawaiians.

(Read full story on www.thewestsidegazette.com)

If you have an eye for BOGOs, then you can always save at Publix. Just pop in and save or browse our latest BOGOs online at publix.com/savingstyle.

Check our weekly ad for current deals

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FEBRUARY 16 - FEBRUARY 22, 2107 • PAGE 9

Westside Gazette

Blacks will account for nearly 18 percent of U.S. population by 2060 at least a high school diploma, more than 20 percent hold a bachelor’s degree and 1.9 million have attained advanced degrees.

Currently, nearly three million African Americans are enrolled in an undergraduate college.

Educators said the results are encouraging and the change that’s making a difference is at the middle and high school levels.

“Gone are the days when we take a ninth grade class and

plug them all into those beginning courses,” Sue Chittim, the principal of Annapolis High School in Md., told the Capital Gazette. “We take our time to make sure there’s a readiness level and they’re taking classes of interest.”

Civil rights activist Carl Snowden said the graduation numbers for African Americans are encouraging, but he is concerned about other indicators of success, such as test scores.

“I would be thrilled if the

achievement gap was closing at the same rate, which it’s not,” he said.

Further Census statistics indicate that the annual median household income for African Americans is $36,544, compared to the $55,775 of the rest of the country. More than 25 percent of the Black population lives below the poverty level, while the national average is 14.7 percent.

The percentage of the civilian employed Black population age 16 and older who worked in

management, business, science and arts occupations stood at 28.7 percent, while the total civilian employed population who worked in these occupations was 37.1 percent.

Closing these gaps would be a tremendous challenge even in a reasonable political environment, Congressman Cedric Richmond, chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC), wrote in an editorial.

The current political climate is anything, but reasonable, Richmond said.

“The battles fought and won

by Frederick Douglass, Sojourner Truth, Ida B. Wells, and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. are being waged again today,” said Richmond. “An unjust criminal justice system continues to decimate African American families and communities.”

Richmond continued: “Schools in many parts of the country look as though Brown v. Board of Education never happened.

(Read full story on www.thewestsidegazette.com)

Rep. Cedric Richmond (DLa.) said that the battles fought and won by Frederick Douglass, Sojourner Truth, Ida B. Wells, and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., are being waged again today.

Photo taken during a recent ceremonial swearing-in event for the 115th Congress in Washington, D.C. (Freddie Allen/AMG/NNPA)

By Stacy M. Brown (NNPA Newswire Contributor) Each year, the Census Bureau recognizes Black History Month by releasing up-todate statistics that reveal the total Black population, the number of Black-owned businesses and even how many African American military members are serving the country.

Currently, the Black population stands at 46.3 million, up about 1.3 percent from the previous year. The Census Bureau identifies individuals as Black, even if they list Black and another race on the survey.

Census officials project that the Black population will increase to 74.5 million by July 1, 2060 and, on that date, African Americans will account for 17.9 percent of the nation’s total population.

The estimated number of Black-owned employer firms was 108,473 in 2014, according to the Census Bureau. Additionally, there’s an estimated 31,216 Black-owned health care and social assistance firms, the largest sector of Black-owned businesses.

The health care and social assistance sector is followed by professional, scientific and technical support (15,078) and administrative, support, waste management and remediation services (9,644).

The building on South Michigan Avenue in Chicago, Ill., that housed one of the most famous Black-owned firms in the world, Johnson Publishing Company (JPC), is now being considered for landmark status.

JPC gave the world two pillars of Black media, Ebony and Jet magazines.

“As we celebrate Black History Month, it is the perfect time to honor this building that stands tall as a decades-long epicenter of Black history and culture,” said Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel. “This designation will cement this building’s status as a landmark that is not just part of the legacy of the city of Chicago, but the history of our nation.”

Linda Johnson Rice, chairperson of Johnson Pubishing Company and daughter of the company’s founder John H. Johnson, said she’s honored that the building is being considered for landmark status.

“My father started Johnson Publishing Company to inform, empower and uplift the African American community,” said Rice in the statement released by the city of Chicago. “With my mother, Eunice by his side, they built an iconic brand. I am thrilled that the building that housed our company for so many years is being considered for landmark status.

Johnson continued: “It is a true testament to the hard work of my parents and all the people who called Johnson Publishing Company home for decades. I am grateful to Mayor Emanuel and Alderman King for supporting this effort.”

Census officials also noted the contributions of African Americans in the military. The latest figures show that 2.2 million Black military veterans reside in the United States.

Education has also improved among African Americans with the Census Bureau reporting that 87 percent of the Black population age 25 and over has

It takes a very special source of energy to wake up in the morning and want to make each day better. At FPL, we’re committed to doing our part. We’re using U.S.-produced natural gas and our state’s very own sunshine to help create a better tomorrow for all of us. See how at FPL.com.

This advertising is paid for by FPL shareholders, not our customers.

PAGE 10 • FEBRUARY 16 - FEBRUARY 22, 2017

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"

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!

Obituaries James C. Boyd Funeral Home ALLEN Funeral services for the late Jada Ahanti Allen – 15 yearsold were held Feb. 11 at James C. Boyd’s Memorial Chapel with Rev. George Derico officiating.

Interment: Sunset Memorial Gardens.

Harris Chapel United Methodist Church Rev. Stanley Melek, M.Div E-MAIL:stanley.melek@flumc.org 2351 N.W. 26th Street Oakland Park, Florida 33311 Church Telephone: (954) 731-0520

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"

Mount Hermon A.M.E. Church Reverend Henry E. Green, Jr., Pastor 401 N.W. 7th Terrace, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33311 Phone: (954) 463-6309 FAX 954 522-4113 Office Hours: Tuesday - Friday 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Email infor@mthermonftl.com

SUNDAY CHURCH SERVICES Worship Service ..................................................................... 7:30 & 10:30 a.m.

Fifth Sunday ONLY .................................................................................... 10 a.m.

Church School ........................................................................................ 9:15 a.m.

BIBLE STUDY: Wednesday ....................................................................... 10 a.m.

Gems & Jewels Ministry Senior Wednesday Wednesday (Bible Study) .................................................... 12 Noon & 7 - 8 p.m.

Daily Prayer Line ...................................................................................... 6 a.m.

(712)432-1500 Access Code296233#

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

Dr. James B. Darling, Jr., Pastor/Teacher 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) Christian Growth & Orientation .................................. 8:30 a.m.

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

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

Attend A Church Of Your Choice

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Westside Gazette

BAKER Funeral services for the late Alisa Christine Baker – 41.

BURTON Funeral services for the late Virgil David Burton, Sr. - 74 were held Feb. 11 at True Tabernacle of God, Inc., with Pastor Tony Mitchell officiating. Interment: Sunset Memorial Gardens.

COOK Funeral services for the late Alphonso Cook – 65 were held Feb.11 at McWhite’s Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Rev. Poole officiating.

DELANCY Funeral services for the late Rosa Lee Delancy - 88 were held Feb. 11 at Church of God Christian Center with Bishop Mark Johnson officiating. Interment: Sunset Memorial Gardens.

SCOTT Funeral services for the late Deacon Lemon Thomas Scott - 74 were held Feb. 11 at Mount Bethel Baptist Church with Rev. W.J. Gaskin officiating. Interment: Sunset Memorial Gardens.

COLEMAN Funeral services for the late Baby Parker Lee Coleman – 2 ½ months-old were held Feb. 11 at James C. Boyd’s Memorial Chapel with Elder Lillie James officiating. Interment: Sunset Memorial Gardens.

SIMMONS Funeral services for the late Johnnie Mae Simmons - 79 were held Feb. 11 at Mt. Nebo Missionary Baptist Church with Rev. James Ray officiating. Interment: Sunset Memorial Gardens.

DEES Funeral services for the late David Lee Dees, Jr. – 53 were held Feb. 11 at James C. Boyd’s Memorial Chapel with Pastor Tyrone Johnson officiating. Interment: Westview Cemetery.

TOWNS Funeral services for the late Bessie Mae Towns - 66 were held Feb. 11 at McWhite’s Funeral Home Chapel with Bishop Orr officiating.

ST. EDWARD Funeral services for the late Kelsey Arielle St. Edwards – 20 were held Feb. 8 at James C. Boyd’s Memorial Chapel with Marcellina Preville officiating. Interment: Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens (Central).

Roy Mizell & Kurtz Funeral Home

WILLIAMS Funeral services for the late Temeca Enova Williams – 47 were held Feb. 11 at James C. Boyd’s Memorial Chapel with Rev. George Derico officiating. Interment: Sunset Memorial Gardens.

McWhite's Funeral Home AIKEN Funeral services for the late Hermine Viola Aikens were held Feb. 12 at Lighthouse Seventh Day Adventist Church with Dr. D.L. Burden officiating. Interment: Sunset Memorial Gardens.

BLADES Funeral services for the late Henry R. Blades – 76 were held Feb. 9 at McWhite’s Funeral Home Chapel with Sandy Blades officiating.

Interment: Forest Lawn Central.

ANDERSON Funeral services for the late Agatha Anderson - 81 were held Feb. 11 at Banner of Love Apostolic Church with Pastor Delroy McFarlane officiating. Interment: Sunset Memorial Gardens.

GRAY Funeral services for the late Robert “Big Man” Gray - 69 were held Feb. 11 at New Mount Olive Baptist Church with Dr. Marcus D. Davidson officiating.

Interment: Sunset Memorial Gardens.

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!”

Q & A: What Does Reverend Deal Say? ‘The Ordinances are sometimes called Sacraments’ Question: Were there any ordinances commanded by Jesus?

Answer: There were two ordinances commanded by Jesus. The ordinances are: Water Baptism and the Lord’s Supper. The ordinances are outward rites or symbolic observances commanded by Jesus. The term ‘ordinance’ comes from the Latin word ordo, which means ‘something commanded and enforced by the proper authority.’ The ordinances are sometimes called Sacraments. A sacrament is to take an oath of obedience. Jesus established Water Baptism in ‘The Great Commission’ (Matt 28:19 & Mark 16:16). Baptism is the immersion of a believer in the water. It symbolizes the death to sin, the burial of the old life, and the resurrection of a new life through Jesus Christ.

The ordinance of the Lord’s Supper was clearly and unmistakably commanded by Jesus during His last Passover, where He instituted the ordinance of taking the bread and the fruit of the vine as a memorial of His atoning death (Luke 22:19). The Lord’s Supper is found in the teaching of the Apostle Paul (1 Corinthians 11:23-26). In 1 Corinthians 11:27-29 Paul mentions a warning against ‘eating and drinking unworthily’. In my opinion, due to misinterpretation of Scripture, many believers, ministers and pastors as well have abstain from taking the Lord’s Supper. One must look at the interpretation of verbs and settings of when the writings took place. In this case the word ‘unworthily’ has to do with the manner of how you are partaking, not the unworthiness of the persons. Without the help of Jesus will we ever be worthy to commune with Him? Everything Jesus has is for the taking. Why would a forgiving, loving, and a personal God with hold His fullness from you? There is power in His broken body and in His shed blood. Accept what the Lord has to offer. This is a decision that will carry your life through.

Reverend Deal is the senior pastor at Every Christian Church in Fort Lauderdale, Fl. Reverend Deal can be reached in care at the Westside Gazette, 545 N.W. Seventh Terrace, Fort Lauderdale, Fla 33311, or email at david.Deal55@gmail.com

Grammy-winning jazz singer Al Jarreau dies at 76 in LA

By Lindsay Bahr LOS ANGELES — Grammy-winning jazz singer Al Jarreau, who transcended genres over a 50-year career, died at a Los Angeles hospital Sunday, just days after announcing his retirement from touring because of exhaustion, his manager Joe Gordon confirmed.

His official Twitter account says he died surrounded by his wife, son and a few other family members and friends.

He was 76.

Jarreau was hospitalized earlier in the week and was said to have been improving slowly. The cause of his death was not revealed, but he had experienced a number of respiratory and cardiac issues in recent years.

The Milwaukee native won seven Grammys over the course of his half-century in music. His biggest single was

1981’s “We’re in This Love Together” from the album “Breakin’ Away". Jarreau was also a vocalist on the all-star 1985 track, “We Are the World,” and sang the theme to TV’s “Moonlighting.”

“We feel very fortunate to have worked with Al, one of the most distinctive and extraordinary vocalists in the music,” said Concord Records President John Burk in a statement.

(Read full story on www.thewestsidegazette.com)

JOHNSON Funeral services for the late Willie Pearl “PJ” Johnson 83 were held Feb. 11 at Roy Mizell & Kurtz Worship Center.

Interment: Sunset Memorial Gardens.

WILLIAMS Funeral services for the late Harry Williams – 83 were held Feb. 11 at Roy Mizell & Kurtz Worship Center with Brother T.C. Johnson officiating. Interment: Sunset Memorial Gardens.

New Mount Olive’s “Generations” Sunday school class celebrated their annual Family Love Fellowship on February 10th 2017 at the New River meeting place in Sunrise Fl.!

www.thewestsidegazette.com

FEBRUARY 16 - FEBRUARY 22, 2017 • PAGE 11

Westside Gazette

History and origin of Florida’s HBCUs

Florida A&M University (FAMU) Bethune-Cookman University Bethune Cookman University in Daytona Beach, FloridaEdward Waters College in Jacksonville, Florida, Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University in Tallahassee, Florida and Florida Memorial University in Miami Gardens, Florida comprise Florida’s HBCUs.

Edward Waters College

Submitted by Charles Moseley Bethune Cookman University On October 3, 1904, a very determined young Black woman, Mary McLeod Bethune, opened the Daytona Literary and Industrial Training School for Negro Girls with $1.50, faith

in God and five little girls: Lena, Lucille, Ruth Warren, Anna Geiger and Celest Jackson.

Through Dr. Bethune’s lifetime the school underwent several stages of growth and development and on May 24, 1919, the Daytona Educational and Industrial Institute was changed to Daytona Normal and Indus-

Six finalists vie for the Coveted Broward County Public Schools 2018 Teacher of the D. Perry Education “Sometimes I’m the only person Year Award Henry that may encourage students Center Submitted by Dr. Carolyn Stewart Broward County Public Schools (BCPS) is pleased to announce six exemplary teachers as finalists for Teacher of the Year. Two elementary school teachers, one middle school teacher, two high school teachers and one education center teacher round out the six finalists vying for the coveted 2018 Teacher of the Year award.

Congratulations to Broward County Public Schools 2018 Teacher of the Year Finalists: Deborah Alexander, Kindergarten, Pembroke Pines Elementary School “Going to work every day, loving what you do, having the ability to impact a child’s life in a positive way, and making a lasting impression is reason enough to teach,” said Deborah Alexander. A dynamic, resourceful and dedicated professional educator for more than 27 years, Alexander is actively involved in all areas of education at her school, including curriculum development, team collaboration and working with parents and administration. She is a caring teacher who values her relationship with each student. Her mantra is “Let’s make a change one child at a time.”

Kristin Baltazar, Seventh – 12th Grade,

“My ability to reach students in a non-traditional educational setting is what sets me apart from others,” said Kristin Baltazar, who understands and utilizes the challenges of her students to motivate them to achieve their highest potential.

Baltazar is a staunch advocate for alternative education and inspires her students to find their own version of success in a non-traditional environment.

She is a talented and skilled educational leader with 12 years of experience in motivating learners and positively influencing students and her peers.

Pamela Griffin, Ninth – 12th Grade, Monarch High School “I teach for the same reason I coach – I love the journey to the win,” said Pamela Griffin, Fitness/Wellness department chair at her school. Griffin has an unrelenting passion for inspiring students to fulfill their career aspirations. Under her leadership, reading is incorporated into all activities and health classes. She also integrated study skills, reading strategies and note taking into these classes to provide a holistic learning experience for the students. Principal James Neer lauds her unique teaching techniques and strategies for motivating and providing students with a rich educational experience.

Eleanna Hurst, Third Grade, Collins Elementary School

City of Miami Assistant Police Chief (Cont'd from FP) “The two positions are very similar in the sense they both require serving others. As a minister you’re the lead servant, with law enforcement, you are a servant. In both professions you’re serving others, and you’re putting your life in jeopardy to serve others”, says Rev. Jackson, a 1991 graduate of Bethune-Cookman University and member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., who also recently earned a Master’s Degree in Theological Studies.

Having grown up in the Carol City area, Rev. Jackson is known as a servant leader. Before his appointment as chief, he served as commander at the North District station, which serves Liberty City, Little Haiti and Upper Eastside. As servant, he’s been able to gain trust of people in those neighborhoods to solve problems and cases.

Rev. Jackson also believes success in ministry and in crime prevention often hinges on people in the community who are ready to cooperate with people whom they trust. “The word of God says when the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice,” says Rev. Jackson, who adds that the work of pastors and police officers requires similar skill sets, the most important of which is a desire to serve and improve the lives of people. “The way we go about addressing anything that relates to crime, drugs, or gangs is to ensure that the community trusts us enough to work with us,” he explains. “If the community can’t get involved in every step, I don’t think it’s a

good plan.

As pastor, Rev. Jackson and his wife, Tanya, started an after-school program about seven years ago for children from the Liberty Square area with their own funds at their church, located at Northwest 68 Street and 14 Avenue. Because of its popularity, they moved the program, called Dream Center, to Holmes Elementary. The Dream Center serves 100 children at no expense to the parents; there are 45 more children on the program’s waiting list.

Traditionally, Men’s Day has been the preeminent time in the Black church to recognize the exemplary men who have decided to set themselves apart as men of God. This special day provides a forum to openly appreciate and celebrate the contributions Christian men make to their families, churches and communities.

However, inasmuch as this day is a time of reflection, it is also a time for men to look forward, to make searching inquiries of them, and to assess their collective place in contemporary society. It is also the opportune time to deepen their resolve to serve God, the family and community, under the banner of Bethel’s Men’s Day theme this year: “Men of Valor: Bearing the Fruit of Love, Joy, and Peace.”

Join Pastor Moise and the members of Bethel AME—Pompano in celebration of our Annual Men’s Day at 405 N.W. Third Ave. (Esther Rolle Avenue) Pompano Beach, Fla., (954) 943-6220

to become anything that they want to become,” said Eleanna Hurst. “Teaching offers the opportunity to be that spark to so many students.” As a third generation educator, Hurst’s says her mission is to develop well-rounded problem-solvers and critical thinkers. “Hurst is a phenomenal teacher and a tremendous asset to our school,” says her principal, Dr. Tracy Jackson.

Michele Matias, Eighth Grade, Crystal Lake Middle School “As an educator, I am inspired by many facets of education and try my best to mold my inspirations into teachable moments,” says Michele Matias.

One of five pilot Global Scholar teachers in Broward County Public Schools, Matias engages her students in international collaborative classrooms. She provides hands-on experiences in student-centered educational projects, motivates her students to meet academic goals, and partners with colleagues to deliver programs that enhance student support services.

Matias incorporates community, national and global awareness of scientific issues into her classroom lessons.

Jeffrey Rose, Ninth – 12th Grade, Cypress Bay High School As an Advanced Placement and honors science teacher, Jeffrey Rose sets high standards and expectations for his students, who meet or exceed them again and again. “The kids want you to believe in them, as much as you want them to believe in you,” said Rose. He enjoys talking about science, describing it as one of his favorite things to do, aiming to inspire others to love the subject. “The best word to describe Jeffrey Rose is dedication,” says Principal Charles Scott Neely. “He always feels he can do better for his students.”

BCPS 2018 Teacher of the Year is announced at the annual Caliber Awards, which recognizes all teachers nominated by their schools as Teacher of the Year, on Wednesday, April 5, 2017, at 6 p.m. at the Greater Fort Lauderdale/ Broward County Convention Center.

This 80-year-old grandmother (Cont'd from FP) Her organization, Restore Cleveland Hope, Inc., also aims to celebrate Cleveland’s historic anti-slavery past through the establishment and operation of an Underground Railroad education and resource center in the historic Cozad-Bates House.

Interested ones can drive past and take a look at the beautiful Cozad-Bates house in Cleveland, Ohio at the corner of Mayfield and East 115th Street (between Euclid and Little Italy). The address is 11508 Mayfield Road.

For more details about Joan Southgate and Restore Cleveland Hope, visitwww.restoreclevelandhope.org

Florida Memorial University trial Institute. In 1923 the school merged with Cookman Institute of Jacksonville, Florida (founded in 1872) and became co-ed while it also gained the prestigious United Methodist Church affiliation. Although the merger of Bethune’s school and Cookman Institute began in 1923, it was not finalized until 1925 when both schools collaborated to become the Daytona-Cookman Collegiate Institute. In 1931, the College became accredited by the Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools of the Southern States, as a Junior College with class B status, and on April 27, 1931, the school’s name was officially changed to BethuneCookman College to reflect the leadership of Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune.

In 1936, Dr. Bethune was appointed administrative assistant for Negro Affairs (her title changed in 1939 to Director of the Division of Negro Affairs) of the National Youth Administration (NYA) making her

the first African American women to head a federal agency.

As of result of this position, much needed government funds were funneled into the school. While traveling with the NYA, Dr. Bethune appointed Mr. Abram L. Simpson as acting president from 1937-39. In 1941, the Florida State Department of Education approved a four-year baccalaureate program offering liberal arts and teacher education. Dr. Bethune retired in 1942 at which time James E. Colston became president until 1946 when Dr. Bethune resumed the presidency for a year.

Florida Agriculture & Mechanical University Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University was founded as the State Normal College for Colored Students, and on October 3, 1887, it began classes with fifteen students and two instructors. Today, FAMU, as it has become affectionately known, is the premiere school

among historically black colleges and universities. Prominently located on the highest hill in Florida’s capital city of Tallahassee, Florida A&M University remains the only historically black university in the eleven member State University System of Florida. In 1884, Thomas Van Renssaler Gibbs, a Duval County educator, was elected to the Florida legislature. Although his political career ended abruptly because of the resurgence of segregation, Representative Gibbs was successful in orchestrating the passage of House Bill 133, in 1884, which established a white normal school in Gainesville, Fla, and a colored school in Jacksonville. The bill passed, creating both institutions; however, the stated decided to relocate the colored school to Tallahassee.

Thomas DeSaille Tucker [1887-1901], an attorney from Pensacola, was chosen to be the first president. Former State Representative Gibbs joined Mr. Tucker as the second faculty member. In 1891, the College received $7,500 under the Second Morrill Act for agricultural and mechanical arts education, and the State Normal College for Colored Students became Florida’s land grant institution for colored people. The original College was housed in a single white-framed building and had three departments of study and recreation. At about this time, the College was relocated from its original site on Copeland Street to its present location, and its name was changed to the State Normal and Industrial College for Colored Students.

In 1905, management of the College was transferred from the Board of Education to the Board of Control. This event was significant because it officially designated the College as an institution of higher education. The name was changed in 1909 to Florida Agricultural and Mechanical College for Negroes (FAMC).

(Read full story on www.thewestsidegazette.com)

PAGE 12 • FEBRUARY 16 - FEBRUARY 22, 2017

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Westside Gazette

Segal Institute holds annual Medical Hero Luncheon at MLK Park

By Jimmie Davis, Jr. In contemporary society we think of a hero as somebody that comes to the rescue of another person’s life – but have you ever considered a hero as someone who not only saves another individual’s life – but their own?

That’s what U.S. Army Veteran Eric Davis and others like him have been doing by participating in clinical trials at

the Segal Institute for Clinical Research to find a panacea to help other members of society along withthemselves suffering from a debilitating condition.

“The Veterans Affairs was giving me prescriptions that made me become addicted to opiate-based narcotics,” said Davis during the Segal Institute Annual Medical Hero Luncheon, which was held Friday at Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Park in Miami. “I was

taking 10-15 pills daily. I was eating them like candy.”

Davis says that he became acquainted with Segal so he could stop taking the pain pills that were issued to him from the VA, and since he’s been enrolled in their program, he can’t take pills with narcotics.

“I’m still in pain, but at least I’m no longer addicted to narcotics,” said Davis. “Segal is giving me alternative medication

Broward County supports the arts with artist grants (Cont'd from FP) “The CIP Grant is unique in that it provides the funding for artists to share their work with the public – so, as a local arts agency, we are able to invest in the artists’ careers while simultaneously building the arts and culture scene for our community,” says Earl Bosworth, Director of the Broward Cultural Division.

Photographer David Muir, who is in his third year of receiving the CIP Grant for his art exhibitions held at the 1310 Gallery in Fort Lauderdale, helped the Broward Cultural Division to spread the word to fellow artists and encouraged them to apply. Muir, best known for “Pieces of Jamaica,” his collection and coffee-table book, will be using his funding to bring his latest exhibit to the Gallery. The “Point of View” exhibit with special reception and product launch is scheduled for March 4, 2017 at 7 p.m., at the 1310 Gallery.

Visit davidimuir.com for more details.

Niki Lopez, Cathleen Dean, Ghenete “G” Wright Muir, Joshua Tiktin and Jeremiah Jenner are all first-time grantees and are excited to have the support of the County.

Interdisciplinary artist, activist and curator Niki Lopez

received the CIP Grant to help her “What’s Your Elephant” project. “What’s Your Elephant” is a movement that uses expressive arts to create a safe space for people to share. It combines art exhibits, interactive installations and workshops to provoke awareness and facilitate discussions on topics such as gender, discrimination, secrets and abuse—which are often unaddressed. #whatsyourelephant works with the public, at-risk groups, and communities. The next event will be in July 2017 at the 1310 Gallery. For more information visit nikiartstudio.com/whatsyour-elephant or email nikilopez@gmail.com.

Multidisciplinary artist and event producer “G” Wright Muir received the CIP Grant to support “Thou Art Woman”—an open mic event series celebrating LGBTQ (lesbian, bi-sexual, gay, transgender & queer) women and their allies through performance and visual art.

Wright Muir started “Thou Art Woman” in 2014 to fill a void for LGBTQ women, who are looking for an alternative to the usual social gatherings.

The event combines an opportunity for attendees to perform during the “open mic” segment, to see professional artists, and enjoy an art exhibit as well.

“Thou Art Woman” is slated for Saturday, Feb. 18, 2017 at the 1310 Gallery during the “Point of View” art exhibit. More information is available on the Thou Art Woman Facebook and Instagram pages, and at verygtv.com/thou-art-woman.

Filmmaker and producer Cathleen Dean will use the Grant to assist with her Miami/ Fort Lauderdale 48 Hour Film Project (48HFP), which facilitates the advancement of filmmaking and the promotion of filmmakers. It is a wild and sleepless weekend in which teams make a movie—write, shoot, and edit—in just 48 hours. The films are then screened at a local theater in front of an audience of filmmakers, friends and families.

The local contest is part of a global competition for the chance to win a grand prize, the opportunity to screen at Filmapalooza, and then select winners get to film at the Cannes Film Festival’s Short Film Corner. For dates and more information, sign up for the newsletter at 48hourfilm.com/miami-fl or email Cathleen Dean at miami@48hourfilm.com.

Curator and producer Joshua Tiktin has created and managed two Sailboat Bend Art (Read full story on www.thewestsidegazette.com)

for my pain. I come in once a month to get my injection.”

Segal Institute for Clinical Research conducts studies for most central nervous system disorders such as depression and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and addiction disorders for cocaine and opiates.

Their success is based largely on the extent of patients seen by the clinicians at its sister company – Compass Health Systems , which according to their website, is the largest provider of mental health services in each of the communities they serve.

To date, Segal’s very extensive HIPAA-compliant patient database has grown to over 20,000 patient, and that’s very good news for someone like Krystal Rodriguez who’s interested in becoming a participant.

“The clinical trials are very safe and nothing happens to our patients,” said Lynn DeVito, Clinical Rater for Segal. “The FDA monitors our site. The participants can quit at any time.”

Rodriguez, 28-years-old, has been struggling with a Bipolar Disorder and Depression since her teenage years and travelled all the way on public transportation from Homestead to sign up with Segal’s clinical studies.

She takes her daily medications and visits her therapist regularly but isn’t quite satisfied with her results.

Broward and Miami-Dade County residents participate in festivities during annual medical hereo luncheon, which was hosted by Segal Institute at MLK Park in Liberty City.

(Photo by Derek Boyd) “I came to the event to participate in the research,” said Rodriguez. “I hope they can come up with a better cure for my illness.”

Segal also offers research studies in women’s health disorders such as Uterine Fibroids, which adversely affects African American women, Yeast Infection and Birth Control, and is committed to finding treatments and innovative new medications.

Participants are actively wanted and may be eligible to receive compensation up to $3,950 – transportation - evaluation by a physician and a medical diagnostics for a clinical research study in the areas of Depression, PTSD, Birth Control and many more symptoms.

There are even studies being carried out for ADHD in both

adults and children and no insurance is required in any of the clinical trials.

Many drugs and treatments prescribed to children may not have been studied in children consequently; clinical studies are conducted to see if a study medication, therapy or device is safe and effective for children to use.

To protect the rights and welfare of children participating in clinical studies the FDA and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) oversee much of the medical research administered by Segal.

Segal has locations in Miami-Dade and Broward Counties and to find out additional information on being a participant for a paid clinical research study call 1 (877) 7342588.

National Newspaper Publishers Association offers inspiration to Broward County students

Attendees at the National Newspaper Publishers Association’s (NNPA) annual conference, from L to R: Bobby R. Henry, Sr., publisher of Westside Gazette; Russell Motley, broadcast professional; Troy Mitchell; Dr. Benjamin Chavis, NNPA President and CEO; Joseph Ellick, Jr., Florida Memorial University student; and Phillip Brown at the NNPA mid-winter training conference, held at the Hyatt Regency Pier Sixty-Six in Fort Lauderdale.

(Cont'd from FP) “When the Greater Fort Lauderdale CVB partnered with the Broward County school system, we wanted an opportunity to use our tourism connections to challenge and inspire students to see what their future could be,” said Albert Tucker, GFLCVB Vice President for Multicultural Business Development. “The workshops, put on by members of the National Newspaper Publishers Association, not only provided an important history lesson for these students, but they also presented them with a blueprint for how they could positively impact their respective communities by getting involved. This conference is model of how tourism can positively impact a destination and we’re particularly proud of our efforts to date.”

This conference’s new student education program was a result of a collaborative effort between the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau and the Broward County school systems to offer

In background, Westside Gazette publisher Bobby R. Henry Sr., Broward County Mayor Barbara Sharief, Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau Vice President for Multicultural Business Development Albert Tucker and Broward County Schools Superintendent Robert Runcie listen to Marc Morial, National Urban League President speak during the NNPA’s annual conference, held in Greater Fort Lauderdale.

(Photos credit: MaddyBee Productions) an innovative youth outreach program to expose journalism students to Black media, new curriculum and provide an indepth understanding and appreciation of the history of the Black press. Workshops highlighted the impact of the

Black press on U.S. society historically and in contemporary issues, explored the impact of media on youth and encouraged students to become effective and ethical news producers and enlightened news consumers.

www.thewestsidegazette.com

Westside Gazette

FEBRUARY 16 - FEBRUARY 22, 2017 • PAGE 13

Rep. Cedric Richmond brings new leadership to the CBC Newly elected chair vows to make inclusion of the Black Press a key component in preserving rights of African Americans

By Danny J. Bakewell, Jr. (Executive Editor, Los Angeles Sentinel) Congressman Cedric Richmond has been a congressman in New Orleans for the past six years. During his tenure, he

has experienced some of the best and worst times in the country and has had a front row seat for all of the action. Now, the 43 year-old congressman has taken on a new challenge as the newly-elected chairman of the Congressional Black

Caucus (CBC), one of the most powerful coalitions in the nation.

When asked why he decided to take on this role the congressman explained: “I have always been interested in serving as Chair of the Caucus,

but over the Thanksgiving holiday, I began to contemplate what life was going to look like in the new environment of the Trump Administration and realized that the CBC was going to have to take the lead roll in ensuring African Americans

have a loud and active voice.”

The congressman felt he was up to the challenge, and in November, his colleagues in the House of Representatives and in the United States Senate elected him to serve as chairman of the caucus.

Black Tech Week to expand support for Black entrepreneurs with $1.2 million from Knight Foundation New funding enables year-round programs to empower Black innovators, creatives and technologists MIAMI, FL –To expand opportunity for Black entrepreneurs and advance Miami as a diverse and inclusive inno-

vation hub, the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation recently announced $1.2 million in new support for Code

A walk back in time

By Nunnie Robinson Almost a year to date my friend, fraternity and Christian Brother George King eagerly placed in my charge a newspaper article chronicling the 1963 All-County Negro football team, of which he was a member. Since it is Black History month, I thought it appropriate to take a walk down memory lane, hopefully shaking up the mental cobwebs for many of you privileged to have been a part of, witnessed or experienced vicariously the exploits of these highly skilled and talented athletes.

The original article, written by sports columnist Bruce Reisman of the News-Sentinel, detailed the accomplishments of six seniors, four juniors and a singular sophomore, representing the predominately Black schools in Broward County: Dillard, Blanche Ely and Attucks. Dillard, the Negro champions in ’63, led with a six all-county selections, five on the first team: Deurl Blash, Charles Bingham, Willie Kelly, Willie McIntyre, and Donald Wallace. Blanche Ely was represented on the first team by George King, Sylvester “Epp” Davis, the lone sophomore, Ralph Moore, and Sam Anderson while Errol Sweeting and Cyril Pinder highlighted the Attucks contingent.

Second team all-county members from Dillard were Jimmy Ford, Marion Wright, Johnny McIntyre, Anderson Spence, Hubert Thurston and Robert Walker; from Attucks Bennie Johnson, Ralston Cox, Eugene Bell and Reggie Anderson; and from Blanche Ely Jimmy Lamar.

Many of these players went on to have stellar careers both athletically and professionally. Cyril Pinder, who was linked early on with Miami Hurricanes, signed a letter of intent to play for the Fighting Illini of the University of Illinois. George King, a duel-threat, dynamic quarterback who ran for nearly 800 yards, scored 15 TDs -10 rushing and five passing- also served as his team’s place kicker, converting on two field goals and seven PATs, leading Blanche Ely in virtually every offensive category.

He and Sylvester Davis both left indelible footprints on the Wildcat football program before graduating from Bethune Cookman College, now BCU. Willie Kelly, Anderson Spence and Jimmy Ford enjoyed successful teaching and coaching careers in Broward County.

I had the privilege of personally working with Jimmy Lamar and George King at Blanche Ely under the leadership of Mrs. Blanche Ely. And I’m certain that you are all aware the youngest son (Steve) of the lone sophomore (Sylvester) on the 1963 allcounty squad won a state championship at his dad’s alma mater, Blanche Ely, as its head football coach. If you are a sports/Black History buff and you happen to read this and would like to share memories related to these men of great accomplishment, please email me at nunnie_robinson@yahoo.com. I will certainly share with our readers.

Remember, though we officially celebrate Black History in February, it really is 365 days!!!

Miami Dolphins and Citi Host Touchdowns

L to r: Miami Dolphins Alum Lousaka Polite and Sugarcane Chef Timon Balloo lead a healthy cooking demonstration at the Citi Touchdowns for Good Event.

(Cont'd from FP) To celebrate the success of Touchdowns for Good, 30 kids who participate in local No Kid Hungry-supported programs were invited to spend the afternoon with Miami Dolphins

running back Jay Ajayi and Sugarcane Chef Timon Balloo.

“I am extremely grateful to be a part of the Citi Touchdowns for Good program and help those in need right here at home and around the country,” Ajayi said.

“Today, we were able to build

Fever’s Black Tech Week and related programs throughout the year.

Based in Miami, Code Fever connects people of color to the startup and innovation economy in South Florida.

Through education and programming, the nonprofit creates better access for startup founders of color. With support from Knight Foundation in 2015, Code Fever launched Black Tech Week. The six-day conference has celebrated and connected innovators of color to advance their work, access and impact. The new support from Knight—which will be awarded over three years—will facilitate the expansion of Black Tech Week programming year round to include Black Tech Weekend and continued monthly office hours and meetups. Code Fever will also introduce VC in Residence, a new program that will invite venture capitalists to spend a month in Miami advising and guiding minority entrepreneurs.

“For the past two years, Black Tech Week has attracted over a thousand participants who are eager to connect, learn and explore ideas around how to grow Black entrepreneurship and make sure people of color are better represented in the tech industry,” said Felecia Hatcher, co-founder of Code Fever. “The talent and the demand are there. With our new, expanded programming, we’ll be able to provide greater yearround access to network-ing, mentorship and funding.”

The first Black Tech Weekend — a condensed version of Black Tech Week — will take place Feb. 23-25, with a focus on bus-iness development and raising capital. Entrepreneurs will eng-age with potential investors—such as Michael Seibel, CEO of Y Combinator; Richard Kerby of Venrock Capital; and Marlon Nichols of Cross Culture Ventures—and come together for panels and presentations on topics ranging from pitching investors and asset framing to storytelling and building hubs for inclusive innovation.

This year, Black Tech Week will take place Sept. 25-30. The event will feature panels, an interactive tech career fair, workshops, networking opportunities and competitions in which entrepreneurs will pitch their ideas to potential investors. The conference aims to engage government leaders and educators this year with a new government tech track.

Code Fever will also expand its monthly Black Tech meetups upon the in-season success and show these kids the importance of staying active and eating healthy.”

To kick off the event, Ajayi and Dolphins alum Lousaka Polite led several football drills at the Baptist Health Training Facility at Nova Southeastern University. Following the onfield activities, the kids learned how to make a healthy yogurt parfait from Chef Balloo and No Kid Hungry Chef Ellen Damaschino. Each participant was then given the recipe and encouraged to make their own healthy snacks at home, using fresh fruits, granola and lowfat yogurt.

“Childhood hunger is a critical issue impacting one in four kids in Miami,” Citi Global Cards Senior Vice President Colleen Crawford said. “But through creative solutions, it’s a solvable issue, and we’re proud to have teamed up with the Dolphins and No Kid Hungry to make a real difference in the lives of children in this community.”

and office hours to engage Miami’s Black entrepreneurs and innovators while connecting them to advisers, mentors and investors throughout the year.

“Developing opportunities for traditionally underrepresented Black entrepreneurs is critical to creating an inclusive and equitable innovation ecosystem in Miami,” said Matt Haggman, Knight Foundation’s Miami program director. “We’re excited about Black Tech Week’s evolution from a single conference to a model of ongoing support to black innovators throughout the year. The move will help close the gap in technology education and access to funding, while expanding and diversifying the base of active entrepreneurs in Miami.”

Since its launch, Black Tech Week’s impact has grown considerably, with attendance at the flagship event increasing

from 1,000 in 2015 to 1,600 in 2016. Past speakers and panelists have included successful innovators and entrepreneurs from around the country, including NFL champion and AsktheDoctor.com founder Israel Idonije, Maker’s Row founder Matthew Burnett, Dreamit Ventures Managing Director William Crowder, Priceline.com co-founder Jeff Hoffman, former Twitter Engineering Manager Leslie Miley, Kapor Capital partner Brian Dixon, former Coca-Cola Global Chief Diversity Officer John Lewis, Digitalundivided founder Kathryn Finney, Magic Leap founder Rony Abovitz, LISNR founder Rodney Williams, Kairos founder Brian Brackeen, and BCT Partners Chairman and CEO Randal Pinkett, Ph.D. Support for Code Fever’s Black Tech programming is part of Knight Foundation’s broader effort to invest in Miami’s emerging innovators and entrepreneurs as a tool to build community, while fostering talent and expanding economic opportunity. Over the past three years Knight has made more than 200 investments in entrepreneurship in South Florida.

(Read full story on www.thewestsidegazette.com)

Rep. Cedric Richmond (DLa.), chairman of the CBC, has formed an alliance with past NNPA Chairman Danny J. Bakewell, Sr. and NNPA President Benjamin F. Chavis, Jr., to ensure that Black media plays a role in sharing important news about government with the communities that they serve.

(Official Photo) Richmond knows that the next two years are going to be crucial and that the only way things are going to get accomplished for African Americans and other disenfranchised communities, is if the leadership and members of the caucus have strategic thinking, strategic planning and strategic execution.

House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi asked that all Democrats defer to senior members in crucial leadership roles.

Congressman Richmond didn’t see this request as a deterrent from running to lead the CBC and ultimately becoming chairman.

“The CBC has never been an organization led or deferred to by seniority and I believed I was best suited to take on this role,” stated the three-term congressional leader; obviously, his colleagues agreed.

As part of Congressman Richmond’s leadership, he has vowed to support the Black Press and Black media throughout the country.

(Read full story on www.thewestsidegazette.com)

PAGE 14• FEBRUARY 16 - FEBRUARY 22, 2017

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Westside Gazette

Dolphins Cancer Challenge VII sees largest participation in event history to raise funds for Cancer Research at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center as the largest event fundraiser in the NFL. Participants included Dolphins Owner Stephen Ross, Dolphins Executive Vice President of Football Operations Mike Tannenbaum and Head Coach Adam Gase, as well as Dolphins players and alumni such as Dan Marino, Ryan Tannehill, Isa AbdulQuddus, Dick Anderson, Kim Bokamper, Jermon Bushrod, Bob Brudzinki, Sean Clancy, Chris Conlin, Bill Davis, John

Dolphins owner Stephen Ross and Nat Moore

By Theresa Manahan MIAMI, FL – The Miami Dolphins capped another successful Dolphins Cancer Challenge (DCC) today. The event is the NFL’s single largest fundraiser. The seventh edition of this annual community endeavor boasted more than 4,000

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

February 2, 9, 16, 23, 2017

cancer fighters who biked, ran, walked and volunteered throughout all of South Florida with a goal to tackle cancer.

The event culminated with a Concert Celebration at the stadium on the Hard Rock Stage by multiplatinum musicians the Counting Crows.

“We’re proud to have our largest turnout of participants in our seven-year history. The more fundraisers we have, the larger the donation to Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center for vital cancer research,” Miami Dolphins Senior Vice President & Executive Director of the Dolphins Cancer Challenge Jennifer Jehn said. “Today was a reflection of the Dolphins’ commitment to being a community steward. It is a pillar of our organization and with the community’s support – we’re making a difference.”

Participants in 2017 had the option of five bike routes, a 5k run/walk and attending the Concert Celebration. The DCC continues to solidify its position

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Denney, Kenyan Drake, Troy Drayton, Mark Duper, Neville Hewitt, Xavien Howard, Jelani Jenkins, Storm Johnson, Reshad Jones, Byron Maxwell, Nat Moore, Jordan Phillips, Twan Russell and Sam Young.

“We are so grateful and would like to thank everyone who participated in the DCC today,” Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center Director Stephen D. Nimer, M.D., said.

“It was inspiring to see so many

people gather together to raise money for cancer research at Sylvester. Friends and families were cycling, running, walking or volunteering so we can make a difference in the lives of cancer patients. With the funds raised at the DCC, we will continue to grow our research programs and translate new discoveries into personalized cancer treatments as quickly as possible. Our partnership with the Miami Dolphins enables us

to do great things for the community now and in the future.

We are forever thankful to the leadership of the DCC and everyone involved in it.”

The Dolphins Cancer Challenge will donate 100 percent of the participant-raised funds to innovative cancer research at Sylvester.

(Read full story on www.thewestsidegazette.com)

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FEBRUARY 16 - FEBRUARY 22, 2107 • PAGE 15 Westside Gazette Joint statement of Black Women Leaders on Senator Mitch McConnell’s attempts to silence words of Mrs. Coretta Scott King

CLOCKWISE: Melanie L. Campbell, President & CEO, NCBCP, Convener, Black Women’s Roundtable; Sherrilyn Ifill, President and Director-Counsel NAACP Legal Defense Fund; Roslyn M. Brock, Chairman of the Board NAACP; Kristin Clarke, President & Executive Director Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights Under Law; Tamika Mallory, Co-Chair, Women’s March on Washington; Dr. Barbara Williams-Skinner , CoChair, National African American Clergy Network; Clayola Brown , President, A. Philip Randolph Institute; Carol Joyner , Director, Labor Project for Working Families; Elsie L. Scott, Ph.D., Founding Director, Ronald W. Walters Leadership & Public Policy Center Howard University In taking this rare and outraSubmitted by Kelly Landis She focused on Sessions’ targeting of voting rights cham- geous action, Senator McConand Lon Walls pions and Dr. King’s colleagues nell and the Republican maThe undersigned are promi- Spencer Hogue, Albert Turner, jority have attempted to silence the voice of Coretta Scott King nent African American women and Evelyn Turner.

Mrs. King wrote: “I do not herself. Indeed, the actions are leaders and we write to express our outrage at the actions taken believe Jefferson Sessions pos- an affront to her memory and last night by Senate Majority sesses the requisite judgment, an attempt to stifle the voice of Leader Mitch McConnell and competence and sensitivity to two women who sought to opthe Republican majority on the the rights guaranteed by the pose the nomination of Jeff Sesfederal civil rights laws to qual- sions. The actions also reflect a Senate floor.

On the floor of the Senate, ify for appointment to the nomination process devoid of district court. Based on integrity and unworthy of a Senator Elizabeth Warren federal his record, believe that his body charged by the Constidelivered a powerful statement confirmationI would have a dein opposition to the nomination vastating effect, not only on tution to seriously examine of Senator Jefferson Beaure- the judicial system in Alabama, Senator Sessions’ record, creatgard Sessions to be Attorney but also on the progress we have ing a double standard under General of the United States. made everywhere toward ful- which Senators are permitted Senator McConnell interrupted filling my husband’s dream that to rigorously develop a nomiSenator Warren when she beg- he envisioned over 20 years nation record for any nominee except a sitting Senator. an quoting a letter written by ago.�

We call on Senator McConCoretta Scott King, the wife of Republican majority went on renowned civil rights leader, to object to the entry of the nell and the Republican maMartin Luther King, Jr. Senator letter into the record and to jority to show respect for Mrs. McConnell said Senator War- deny the request by the cham- King and its own process by reren had “impugned the motives ber’s only African American versing its decision to exclude and conduct� of Senator Ses- woman that Senator Warren Senator Warren from the floor sions. be permitted to continue to par- debate and permit her to read In 1986, Coretta Scott King, ticipate in the debate. The the 1986 letter of Mrs. King on a prominent civil rights activist Senate then voted along party the Senate floor. We also call on in her own right, wrote a nine- lines to forbid Senator Warren the Senate to enter the letter page letter opposing the nomi- from continuing to deliver her into the Senate record of the nation of Jeff Sessions to a fe- floor speech or participate in nomination of Senator Sessions to be Attorney General. deral district court judgeship. further proceedings.

JOIN US FOR THE

ALONG FORT LAUDERDALE’S SISTRUNK BOULEVARD

SISTRUNK 5K 7:00 AM The 2nd Annual Chris Smith All-Star Classic Sistrunk 5K starts at Delevoe Park at 2520 Sistrunk Boulevard. Register at www.sistrunk5k.com

PARADE 9:00 AM

FEBRUARY 25

The parade begins at Lincoln Park and travels east down Sistrunk to NW 9 Avenue with marching bands step teams classic cars Ĺ˜oats and more

FESTIVAL 10:30 AM – 7:00 PM Join us on Sistrunk Boulevard from NW 9 Avenue to NW 12 Avenue for live bands interactive games a kids ]one merchandise food vendors and more

CHECK OUT OUR AMAZING ENTERTAINMENT LINEUP BIG CITY BLUES BAND

HEAVENLY EXPRESS

HEADLINER

MIDNIGHT STAR Mark your calendar for the Swing into Action Sistrunk Golf Tournament on Friday, May 19 at the Fort Lauderdale Country Club. To register, visit www.sistrunkgolftournament.com

LADIES OF SOUL SISTRUNK HISTORICAL F E S T I VA L , I N C .

T-WAVE (REGGAE)

Doumar, Allsworth, et al.

Judith Stern Consulting

PAGE 16 • FEBRUARY 16 - FEBRUARY 22, 2017

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Westside Gazette

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Von D. Mizell & Eula Johnson State Park, Dania

Plan your reunion under the warm embrace of the sun in the destination that proudly celebrates Black History month.

Get a taste of all things Greater Fort Lauderdale 24/7 on Hello Sunny TV. Find us on sunny.org or call Albert Tucker at 954-767-2456 @VisitLauderdale