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PERMIT NO. 1179

Common Core vs. State Standards

4-Year-Old Duct Taped to Chair While at Daycare

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VOL. 46 NO. 31 50¢

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 7 - WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2017

Florida Braces Battle for Hurricane A Teacher’s

Broward County Public School veteran teacher recounts story of bullying and harassment by administrators and the district

Irma

By Nichole Richards Part 1 of 3 A new school year has begun and students (and their parents) are slowly easing back into their scholastic routines and busy schedules. This time of year in America the media obsesses over the first day of school, overwhelming the public with back-to-school must-have advertisements. It can be particularly distressing to families who really struggle to afford supplies and clothing/ uniforms for their children. And there are more of these families than one thinks. There is another group that may strangely dread this time a year albeit for different reasons: Teachers. They are paid abysmal salaries, operate under an immense amount of pressure, and deal with a host of issues both in and out of the classroom. Administrators, too, deal with unrealistic school accountability measures and expectations with a dwindling supply of resources, particularly in Black and Brown neighborhoods. This can breed an interesting dynamic between administrators and teachers that can boil over into bullying tactics and ousters all in the name of performance and accountability. To be clear, teachers are accountable for everything, good and bad. If a student excels, it was due to the excellent teaching ability of the instructor and, sometimes, he or she is rewarded. If a student (or students) refuses to study and scores low on important standardize tests, the teacher is deemed (Cont’d on Page 5)

INDEX Community Events Opinions Business Church Directory Miami Red

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“In Florida we prepare for the worst and hope for the best” - Governor Rick Scott

While Irma’s exact path is uncertain, the hurricane could make landfall in Florida by the end of the week. Georgia and the Carolinas may also be impacted with wind and rain. “Anybody in Florida should be preparing for a hurricane,” Brian Thompson, a meteorologist at AccuWeather tells PEOPLE. Florida Governor Rick Scott declared a state of emergency for the state’s 67 counties on Monday afternoon. “Hurricane Irma is a major and life-threatening storm and Florida must be prepared,” Scott said in a statement. “I have continued to be briefed by the Florida Division of Emergency Management on

Hurricane Irma and current forecast models have Florida in Irma’s path – potentially impacting millions of Floridians. Today, given these forecasts and the intensity of this storm, I have declared a state of emergency for every county in Florida to make certain that state, federal and local governments are able to work together and make sure resources are dispersed to local communities as we get prepared for this storm.” Tropical storm force winds may be possible as early as Friday night 8:00pm to Saturday morning. Floridians have already begun clearing out shelves of water and non-perishable foods, as many have documented on social media.

Hurricane Safety Tips

These huge, churning storms can spell disaster. Check out the do's and dont’s of hurricane safety. Hurricanes can wreak havoc in many ways, with lashing winds, torrential rains, and inundating storm surges. Here are some tips on how to survive the fury of a hurricane. BEFORE IT HITS • Coastal residents should form evacuation plans before a warning is issued to identify a safe shelter and a route to get there.

• Prepare for a hurricane by stocking up on emergency supplies including food, water, protective clothing, medications, batteries, flashlights, important documents, road maps, and a full tank of gasoline. DURING THE STORM • As a storm unfolds, evacuees should listen to local authorities on radio or television. Evacuation routes often close as a storm develops. Dedicated professionals and improved technology have made hurricane forecasting more accurate than ever before—but it’s far from precise. For all of the tips, please visit www.thewestsidegazette.com

A M E S S A GE F ROM OU R PU BL IS H E R

You can’t erase love, but you can remove hate “What has been is what will be, and what has been done is what will be done, and there is nothing new under the sun.” Ecclesiastes 1:9 ESV

Future of Harriet Tubman $20 Bill threatened by Trump Administration In yet another about-face under Trump, the treasury secretary says he’s uncommitted to honoring the slavery abolitionist. Written By Nigel Roberts It was just a matter of time. President Trump’s obsession with undoing progress achieved under President Obama turned to the plan to add some color to U.S. currency.

The Washington Post reports that Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin on Thursday (Aug. 31. 2017) said he will not commit to Obama’s plan of putting an image of slavery abolitionist Harriet Tubman on the $20 bill.

Under the Obama proposal, Tubman would replace President Andrew Jackson’s image, which would move to the back of the bill. It would make Tubman, who led numerous slaves to (Cont’d on page 5)

Planned Parenthood and Black AIDS Institute announce program to expand comprehensive HIV Prevention Services at Health Centers across the country NEW YORK— Planned Parenthood announced a multi-phase pilot program to build and expand its comprehensive HIV prevention and education efforts. Gilead Sciences, Inc, a research-based biopharmaceutical company, awarded the $900,000 grant to support and expand efforts of HIV prevention and education, including the integration of Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) awareness, at Planned Parenthood affiliate health centers across the country over

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the next 18 months. It is the first significant corporate grant of its kind awarded to Planned Parenthood, and will focus critical prevention efforts in communities hardest hit by the epidemic. The grant work will be carried out in partnership with The Black AIDS Institute, the only national HIV/AIDS think tank in the United States focused exclusively on Black people. (Cont’d on page 5)

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By Bobby R. Henry, Sr. What happens when all signs of your work are erased and when you look in the history books, there is nothing that says you ever existed? Throughout our history as Black people there have been attempts to wipe out anything to say that we were ever here. This need to remove us from any account of history began when other races invaded Africa. They tried destroying all of the statues, effigies, cravings, writings and anything that resembled Black people. Throughout history there have been attempts to discredit any accomplishments of Black people, even as recently as today. The actions of Donald Trump: to remove any positive thing that former President Barrack Obama did as a Black man, to dishonor him at best and to remove his footprint forever. As we take a closer look at Trump’s presidency, in all of his attempts to outdo President Obama, he is digging a deeper grave of depravation. From fighting healthcare to pardoning unworthy people, Donald Trump is making quite the spectacle of all his shortcomings, namely his lack of intelligence. Trump is willing to bury himself and his entire presidency with all of his racism, even at the expense of deporting 800,000 children out of this country. Trump and those like him are no more than individuals blinded by a lower level of self-esteem, masked with a pompous attitude of grandeur befitting a pig wearing perfume. To anyone or any governmental entity or organization

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(Cont’d on page 10)

WESTSIDE GAZETTE IS A MEMBER: National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) Southeastern African-American Publishers Association (SAAPA) Florida Association of Black Owned Media (FABOM)

PAGE 2 • SEPTEMBER 7 - SEPTEMBER 13, 2017

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OIC of South Florida ‘Dances Through The Decades’ to celebrate 15 years of service to youths and adults in the South Florida community OAKLAND PARK, FL – On Aug. 26, 2017 OIC of South Florida (OIC-SFL) transformed the Grand Ballroom at The Diplomat Golf & Tennis Club in Hallandale Beach to host 300 guests at their 15 th Anniversary Jazz Gala and Dinner Fundraiser. Guests were treated to the musical stylings of world renowned Jazz vocalist Nicole Henry and her quartet, who provided the perfect ambience for the celebratory evening. Throughout the cocktail hour, guests enjoyed bidding on unique items at our “Notes of Change” Silent Auction while acclaimed saxophonist Jon Saxx entertained. OIC-SFL is a communitybased not-for-profit organization that works consistently with the underserved within the South Florida community to provide workforce develop-

ment, education and training that prepares individuals — youth and adults alike— for the world of work. The occasion was organized to raise funds to aid the organization to further spread their mission work and also, to recognize five honorees who

have played a key role in the life of OIC-SFL. Newton Sanon – who has served as President and CEO for the past 16 years addressed his guests saying, “It has been an honor to serve the community and it brings me great satisfaction to know that (Cont'd on Page 8)

Four-year-old duct taped to chair while at daycare; teacher snapchats photos The child’s parents are clear: They won’t be satisfied until the Missouri school is shut down for good. By Kellee Terrell, Contributing Writer@kelleent When parents drop their children off to school, they are expecting that teachers will keep their babies safe and treat them with respect. Sadly, this isn’t always the case. This is a hard lesson two Missouri parents had to learn recently when the Department of Children and Family Services showed them a Snapchat picture of their fouryear-old daughter being duct taped to a chair while she was at daycare. The school is currently under investigation. Twitter Ads info and privacy The little girl’s mother told WBRC News that she couldn’t believe what she saw. “I’m looking at a picture of my daughter duct-taped to a chair, and her facial expression, I can just imagine how she felt,” Elysha Brooks told the news station. Brooks believes this awful picture was most likely taken when her daughter was at-

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tending Little Learners of Florissant Daycare in Florissant, Mo. She also claims that daycare officials never told her about the incident or the pending investigation.

The child’s father says he won’t be satisfied until the school is shut down for good. “I won’t be happy until that day care is shut down, for one, and whoever did this to my child, whoever it is, either – it’s not an either – she needs to be in jail,” Christian Evans told WBRC. He added: “Seeing your child duct-taped to a chair, seeing the anxiety, seeing how scared your kid is, knowing for one that you’re not there to protect them and knowing for two that you have people around that would stoop to that level to hurt your child puts you in a crazy mind state.” While the school has stayed mum about the incident, Brooks still has plenty to say, including sending this serious warning to parents whose children are enrolled in daycare: “Double check on these daycares before you go to them because I thought my daughter was safe.” Beauties: If this happened to your child, what would you do?

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SEPTEMBER 7 - SEPTEMBER 13, 2017 • PAGE 3

Hurricane Harvey wreaks havoc on Gulf Coast By Stacy M. Brown and D. Kevin McNeir (The Washington Informer/NNPA Member) As more and more inches of rain fell this week in the Houston-Galveston area, the wrath of Hurricane Harvey, downgraded to a tropical storm, continued along the Gulf Coast toward Louisiana, sparking more evacuations and further heightening concerns of residents and local and state officials. Rainfall numbers have broken national records at 51.88 inches as of Wednesday, August 30.

President Donald Trump, along with his wife, White House staff and elected officials, met in Corpus Christi on Tuesday afternoon, August 29 for a briefing led by Texas Governor Greg Abbott. Trump applauded the efforts of first responders in Texas and promised to make sure the recovery efforts would be swift and serve as a subsequent model for the world. He closed with comments about the impressive size of the crowd that turned out to hear him. However, critics fault him for saying nothing to the millions of victims who remain

homeless, lost or dead. Houston has emerged as Ground Zero with record-breaking rainfall, unprecedented flooding and over 17,000 people displaced and forced to seek refuge in three megacenters: the Houston Convention Center, the NRG Center and the Toyota Center—all three at or beyond capacity. Red Cross CEO American Red Cross Gulf Coast Texas Region on Wednesday said his organization has opened close to 100 smaller shelters in Texas. Cities like San Antonio and Dallas, both spared from the fury of the storm, have opened

USDA Rural Development fills resource gaps in small towns Soldiers with the Texas Army National Guard move through flooded Houston streets as floodwaters from Hurricane Harvey continue to rise, Monday, August 28, 2017. More than 12,000 members of the Texas National Guard have been called out to support local authorities in response to the storm. (1st Lt. Zachary West/ U.S. Army/Wikimedia Commons)

By Jordan Rasmussen, jordanr@cfra.org, Center for Rural Affairs Over the years, U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development’s funding has served as a lifeline for rural communities, providing critical funding for water and waste-water infrastructure, public and community buildings, and essential community service facilities. Without these grants and loans, many small communities would have to put off infrastructure or facility projects. When necessary projects are delayed, the quality of life in a small town is impacted, along with its economic prospects.

Rural Development seeks out communities that most need assistance, helping officials fill resource gaps and address quality of life challenges. Eligible communities must have been turned down for conventional financing and have fewer than 20,000 residents. Recently, Oakdale, Nebraska, was able to leverage Rural Development funding to assist with a water improvement project. The village of 322 residents received nearly half the project cost. Oakdale got a new groundwater supply well, replaced water mains, and installed new water meters. With the completion of the upgrade, the com-

munity was able to address a significant water loss issue while modernizing the water system. These repairs and upgrades provide water and cost savings for residents. For many communities like Oakdale, a project totaling more than a half million dollars would be out of reach through traditional funding sources. Without these opportunities, a heavy burden would be placed on rural communities with declining populations, lower-income residents, and fixed-income seniors. Property values would decline and infrastructure needs would be unfulfilled.

Combatting terror is a joint effort

By Scott Israel The unimaginable horrors of the 9/11 terror attacks remain as painful today as they did that fateful Tuesday morning 16 years ago. None of us will ever forget where we were as the chaos and carnage unfolded—and nearly 3,000 innocent souls perished—before our eyes. The heinous assault forever altered the course of history and our lives. Yet we rose from the ashes and smoldering remains a stronger nation—a nation which courageously channeled its fear, anguish and anger into constructive action that has produced positive results for our country and at home here in Broward County. Though we can never and should never claim victory in the war against terror, Broward is safer today as a result of the efforts by the Broward Sheriff’s Office. Since 2001, BSO has undergone transformational changes and has forged a strong spirit of cooperation with numerous law enforcement entities. Today, we’re working smarter and training harder as

part of our relentless mission to keep residents and visitors out of harm’s way. After all, if you’re not prepared, you’re prepared to fail. The efforts begin with the work our dedicated men and women perform each day, including individuals who serve in various roles and perform critical tasks as part of BSO’s Homeland Security Unit. This specialized unit includes Intelligence, the Bomb Squad and the Covert Electronic Surveillance Unit, a vital component to combatting terrorism. This unit’s importance was seen in January during the shooting at Fort Lauderdale/ Hollywood international Airport. Within 30 minutes, our Homeland Security Unit knew the attacker’s identity and gathered a dossier of information about him and his possible motives and affiliations. In addition, BSO has dedicated personnel assigned to the South Florida Joint Terrorism Task Force (SFJTTF). The task force, comprised of local, state and federal authorities, helps protect our nation by serving as valuable conduits for shar-

ing vital homeland security information and countering do mestic terrorism. With increased interagency communication and bolstered investigative prowess, numerous potential terror attacks have been thwarted. In 2012, the SFJTTF arrested two brothers from Oakland Park who planned on carrying out bombing attacks in New York. BSO and the task force were also critical in halting a potential bombing at an Aventura synagogue last year. However, our work is far from over. While BSO and law enforcement agencies throughout the country have had incredible success in preventing another 9/11-style attack, there are still challenges ahead. Chief amongst those is the everchanging face of terrorism. As we’ve seen from the attacks at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, the Boston Marathon bombing and the Emanuel AME Church shooting in Charleston, today’s attacks are largely perpetrated by individuals or small groups with no known ties to established terror groups. These home-grown killers will use any means necessary to inflict as much death and destruction as they can. Many are self-radicalized through the internet—which makes it difficult to spot early warning signs. In essence, the internet is law enforcement’s biggest challenge to combatting terror. To counter that challenge, we need the assistance of members of the community. Please, always remain vigilant and alert. If you see something, say something. Together, we are stronger in our fight against terror.

centers to accommodate the overflow of citizens. In a twist of irony, with thousands still stranded and at least 22 reported dead, includng a 61-year-old veteran Houston Police Department officer, Tuesday also marked the 12th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. Katrina touched down in 2005, devastating the U.S. Gulf Coast, killing more than 1,800 people and resulting in over $100 billion in damage. In the Houston area, the U.S. Coast Guard reported on Tuesday that cries for help still had not abated as officials recorded as many as 1,000 calls per hour. As of Tuesday afternoon, they had rescued more than 3,000 people via boat and air. Between Sunday and Tuesday, the Houston Fire Department reported receiving more than 2,300 calls, including 400 from individuals seeking to be rescued from the great flood waters. Meanwhile, the Houston police reported that between Monday and Tuesday, they had rescued 1,000 people, bringing the total to more than 3,000 since the flood began. National Newspaper Pub-

lishers Association (NNPA) member and Houston Defender publisher Sonny Messiah-Jiles counted among the many rescued from their homes, as water poured through her house, forcing them to higher ground. “It’s been a hell of a day,” Messiah-Jiles said on Sunday. “Some neighbors came down from about four or five blocks from us and ended up rescuing everyone from our gated community—about 60 people—and it was my first time in an airboat, but I’m alive and well and okay.” Messiah-Jiles noted that she’s now safe in a hotel. “I’m just hoping we don’t have what they had in Louisiana with the levees,” MessiahJiles said. Karen Carter-Richards, the publisher of The Houston Forward Times and first vicepresident of the NNPA, said that she and her family and the offices of the Forward Times remain intact. “Thank God we’re okay. There’s no water in our house and we’re safe and dry,” said Carter-Richards, noting that the Forward Times building

did receive minor water damage. Flooding from Tropical Storm Harvey, described by the National Weather Service (NWS) as “unprecedented,” has overloaded resources as authorities in and around Houston continue scrambling to save those still trapped by the high waters. “The breadth and intensity of this rainfall are beyond anything experienced before,” the NWS said. “Catastrophic flooding is now underway and expected to continue for days.” Service Disruptions Abound The Houston Independent School District has canceled school for the week and the Houston Astros baseball team has moved its home games to Florida. Houston’s William P. Hobby Airport closed because of flooding. Ben Taub Hospital, which houses a Level I trauma center, faced evacuation after flooding in the basement “disrupted the power source.” (Read full story at: www.thewestsidegazette.com)

PAGE 4 • SEPTEMBER 7 - SEPTEMBER 13, 2017

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Local Events In The Community

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

Ball

Events

Networking Free women in business wine and networking night on Wednesday, Sept. 13, from 7 to 8:30 p.m., at 203 S.E. First Ave., Boca Raton, Fla. (Don’t for get to bring your business card). For more info call (561) 8917527.

Commissioner Dale Holness' upcoming community events · The City of West Palm Beach is open for business on Thursday, Sept. 7, from 4 to 6 p.m., at Armory Arts Center, 811 Park Place, West Palm Beach, Fla. For more info call (561) 822-2100. · Destination Fridays, Antigua-Barbuda on Friday, Sept. 8, from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m., at the African American Research Library and Cultural Center, 2650 Sistrunk Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, Fla. For cost and additional info call (954) 357-6190. · Community cleanup on Saturday, Sept. 9, from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m., at Franklin Community Park, 2501 Franklin Park, Dr., Fort Lauderdale, Fla. For more info contact Marquis Curry at (954) 793-0238.

The Nobles of Saba Temple #186 and the Daughters of Saba Court #172 in the Oasis of Pompano, Desert of Florida cordially invite you to our Annual SABA Joint Charity Ball 2017 Friday Night, Sept. 8, from 8p.m., to midnight “Harlem Nights” Black & White Affair at Jaaco Pastorius Park Community 1098 N.E. 40 Ct., Oakland Park, Fla. For more info contact Noble Jimmie Long, (954) 5620468 or Dt. Wanda SmithMcKenzie, (954) 234-6711.

Miss FAMU

The FAMU Broward Alumni Chapter would like to invite all FAMU Alumna residing in Broward County who have held the title of MISS FAMU to please contact the chapter for an opportunity to be featured in the 2018 upcoming FAMU Broward Chapter Distinguished Alumni Calendar. For more info please call (954) 439-3864.

Conference

Fair

Fort Lauderdale Job Fair – interview w/multiple employers 1 day only hiring event on Monday, Sept. 11, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., sharp at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Fort Lauderdale, 1100 S.E. 17 St., Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

Workshop The Women of Color Empowerment Institute, Inc. announces the Seventh annual Women of Color Empowerment Conference on Friday, Sept. 810, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., at the Westin Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort, 321 N. Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, Fla. For ticket info and sponsorship, contact Jibrielle Polite at (954) 768-9770 or (954) 900-3494.

Meeting Greater Faith CCHTL Inc., host pastor Elder Randy Robertson, coordinators Elder Wayne & Evangelist Barbara Harden host the Evangelism Camp Meeting Outreach Day on Saturday, Sept. 9, from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at 2301 N.W. 22 St., Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Free food, giveaways, clothes and school supplies. For additional info call Barbara Harden at (954) 254-9648

Join us for our second workshop in our “Birthing Your Brand Series” on Saturday, Sept. 9, from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., at South Regional/Broward College Library, 7300 Pines Blvd., Room 219, Pembroke Pines, Fla.

Event Free: create your personal and professional brand on Tuesday, Sept. 12, at 5:30 p.m., at Creation Station Business – Main Library, 100 S. Andrews Ave., Seventh floor, Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

Event Job/News South Florida – Fort Lauderdale on Wednesday, Sept. 13, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at BB&T Center, 1 Panther Pkwy, Sunrise, Fla.

Seminar Seminar empowering business owners/ speakers will discuss business ettiquete, business credit, business structure, business marketing and higher education on Saturday, Sept. 16, from 2 to 5 p.m., at Miami Job Corps Center, 3050 N.W. 183 St., Miami Gardens, Fla.

The City of Pembroke Pines Recreation & Cultural Arts Department and the Arts & Culture Advisory Board are proud to announce the Third Annual Art Competition. Applications are currently being accepted at Studio 18 in the Pines. Accepted artwork will be exhibited at Studio 18 in the Pines from Sept. 25 to Nov. 9, 2017. The winners of the competition will be announced at the Art Competition Reception on Friday, Oct. 6. 2017. Application deadline is Friday, September 15, 2017 at 5 p.m. For more info at (954) 961-6067.

Auditions

Concert

Conference The 2017 Miami Leadership & Success Conference Expo on Wednesday, Sept. 13, from 9 a.m., to 6 p.m., at Kovens Conference Center, 3000 N.E. 151 St., North Miami, Fla. Speakers Les Brown and Ona Brown.

Competition

The Second annual concert across America to end Gun Violence on Sunday, Sept. 24, from 4 to 6 p.m., at Park Vista Community High School Auditorium, 7900 S. Jog Rd., Lake Worth, Fla. Free admission. Speakers- author/motivational speaker Khaliah Camacho-Ali; author/criminologist Thomas Gabor “Confronting Gun Violence in America”; Rabbi Barry Silver, Congresswoman Lois Frankel, Poet Nate Hopwood and more. For more info call (561) 561-2080.

Touch Weekly Events

Events that TOUCH lives: * After-School provider training on CATCH on Friday, Sept. 8, from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Sadkin Community Center, 1776 N.W. 42 Way, Lauderhill, Fla. A workshop to train and certify after-school program staff to facilitate the evidence based CATCH Kids Club (CKC) curriclum. * Suicide Prevention CommUNITY Summit on Friday, Sept. 8, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., at ArtServe, 1350 E. Sunrise Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Florida's suicide prevention organizations, programs and advocates are coming together for a day of inspiration, collaboration and learning. * Neighborhood Garage Sale on Saturday, Sept. 16, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Dania Beach PATCH, 1201 W. Dania Beach Blvd., Dania Beach, Fla. A neighborhood garage sale, market sales, kids activities, games, music, arts and crafts, educational activities. * Books Balls, & Blocks on Sunday, Sept. 17, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., at Nova Southeastern University, Alvin Sherman Library, 3100 Ray Ferrero Jr., Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, Fla. * Hiring Now - Spanish Speaking Affordable Care Act (ACA) Navigator. As an ACA Navigator, you will provide one-on-one application and enrollment assistance, conduct outreach and educate Broward County residents on the Health Insurance Marketplace. For additional info call (954) 5619681 x1331. * Become an Enrollment Site ; help make access to free inperson and impartial assistance easy for your community by becoming an enrollment site. For more info contact Tina Hudson, at (954) 561-9681 x 1226 EDUCATION MATTERS -Every Child Deserves A Chance

Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Arts, African Heritage Cultural Arts Center, Open Auditions on * Saturday, Oct. 7 * Saturday, Oct. 14 * Saturday, Nov. 4 * Saturday, Nov. 18, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., at The AfricanHeritage Cultural Arts Center, Wendell Narcisse Performing Arts Theater, 6161 N.W. 22 Ave., Miami, Fla. For cost and additinal info contact Zipporah Hayes at (305) 6386771 or (305) 761-9864.

Registration Register your Black Owned Business online by visiting sflbbd.com. We also have premium listing options listed online. The deadline to register to be included in the second edition of sflbbd is Saturday, Sept. 30. Email us right away at info@sflbbd.com if you have questions that cannot be answered by visiting our website.

Trip Travelier Cruising to Alaska, Sunday July 8 thru Tuesday, July 17, 2018. Contact Bessie Postell at (954) 322-6058 or (954) 261-3757 or Latorsha Kemp at (954) 648-7124.

Seniors Prom (Save the Date) The 9th Annual Seniors Prom is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 7, from 5. to 10 p.m., at the Bahia Mar Hotel and Resort, 801 Seabreeze Blvd., Fort Lauderdale Beach, Fla. Tickets are now available at MODCO, 1530 Sistrunk Blvd., Fort Lauderedale, Fla., Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Must be 55 or older to attend. The Broward Citizens for Seniors, Inc., members also have tickets. For additional info sponsorship, call (954) 288-8702 or (954) 3034900. The Seniors' Prom is sponsored by the Broward Citizens for Seniors, Inc., a nonprofit community organization.

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What happened to the missing Burundi teens? Missing Burundi teens highlight media blind spot towards the Black community strange. Many of them come from backgrounds with a lack of parenting, drug issues and other problems and they can see why some children are running away.” Zulu said in the Ward 8 community in which she teaches, not all parents abuse drugs, but some young people aren’t

SEPTEMBER 7 - SEPTEMBER 13, 2017 • PAGE 5 held to any standards of accountability and they have a great deal of free time without adult supervision. More than a few children live nomadic lives, couch surfing or splitting time between family and friends that take them in. Zulu continued: “I have parents who are active with their children, but unfortunately, this is an extremely small percentage. Parental responsibility is just not happening.” The mission is to keep talking

about this issue in therapeutic ways to deal with the problem, said Zulu. “We need to build self-love, self-worth, so that as [the children] are being lured into danger, they have the tools to resist,” said Zulu. “We need discussions, panels and teen summits. Policies can lead to true change. We also need sit-downs with teachers and others who work in the trenches.” (Read full story at: www.thewestsidegazette.com)

children. But, unfortunateA Teacher’s Battle the ly, gone are the days where the (Cont'd from FP)

Six teenagers from Burundi disappeared during a planned trip to Washington, D.C. for a robotics competition. (Clockwise from top left): Aristide Irambona, 18; Nice Munezero, 17; Audrey Mwamikazi, 17; Don Ingabire, 16; Richard Irakoze, 18; and Kevin Sabumukiza, 17. (D.C. Metropolitan Police Department) By Barrington Salmon (NNPA Newswire Contributor) The mainstream media response to the disappearance of a group of teenagers from Burundi, who were in Washington, D.C. for a robotics competition, has once again revealed why covering the stories of missing Black people remains so complex. The team was in Washington for the FIRST Global Challenge robotics competition. The students went missing in July. The Washington Post reported that, “two of the teens— Don Charu Ingabire, 16, and Audrey Mwamikazi, 17—crossed in to Canada and were with friends or relatives,” and that police confirmed that, “the other four—Richard Irakoze, 18, Kevin Sabumukiza, 17, Nice Munezero, 17 and Aristide Irambona, 18—were not yet with relatives but were still safe.” Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officials said that they didn’t have any more information about the whereabouts of Irakoze, Sabumukiza, Munezero, and Irambona; the case was still under investiga-

tion, according to a story published at NPR.org on July 20. Human Rights Watch (HRW) reported that Burundi, the East African home country of the missing teenagers, descended into lawlessness in April 2015 when President Pierre Nkurunziza announced his bid for a disputed third term, despite protocols mandating a two-term limit. HRW found that, over the past two years, government repression has continued and peace talks between the political factions have stalled. “Hundreds of people have been killed, and many others tortured or forcibly disappeared,” HRW reported. “The country’s once vibrant independent media and non-governmental organizations have been decimated, and more than 400,000 people have fled the country.” Although the robotics team’s coach suggested that family members of the teenagers may have been complicit in their disappearance, the lack of sustained media coverage about

the missing African teenagers mirrors mainstream media’s apathetic approach to stories about Black women and children who never make it home. “A 2016 analysis of online coverage of missing persons published in the Journal of Criminal Law and Criminology found some evidence that cases involving White women not only draw more attention, but more intense coverage,” according to a TIME.com article. Last spring, amid social media furor about the plight of missing women and girls of color in the District, Washington’s Mayor Muriel Bowser and the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) defended their decision to use social media to increase awareness about missing people. It was that use of social media that indirectly contributed to the misinformation about the missing women and girls in the District that went viral. “Information shared by Washington police with the intention of informing the public was compiled by a popular Instagram ac count, Entertainment for Breakfast, into an inaccurate post that claimed 14 girls had gone missing in Washington in a 24-hour period on March 23,” the TIME.com article said. “That post went viral, causing celebrities like Taraji Henson, LL Cool J and Viola Davis to sound the alarm. Many “regrammed” the post, sharing inaccurate information even after Entertainment for Breakfast removed the erroneous data from their account.” Bowser, the Metropolitan Police Department and other city officials held a press conference and issued statements, attempting to quell rising anxiety among residents and to explain the increased social media chatter about the missing girls. The Final Call reported that a calculated decision by Metropolitan Police Commander Chanel Dickerson to publicize all cases of missing children on social media was at the heart of the anxiety. That action led to “ the mistaken belief that the cases of missing girls had skyrocketed.” Commander Dickerson, the head of the department’s Youth and Family Services Division, said that there was no evidence that any of the missing teens had been kidnapped or involved in human or sex trafficking. She also noted, “that between 2012 and 2016, 99 percent of all missing person cases have been closed,” according to The Final Call. Although government officials have ruled out human and trafficking, other issues affecting the Black community could help to explain the epidemic. Fatmata Fadika Zulu, who has been teaching in Baltimore, Md. and Washington for 17 years, said that she witnesses the fallout from homes destroyed by poverty, drug abuse, mental illness and neglect in the classroom every day. “I asked my students if they knew where the children were going and they said, ‘they’re just running away,’” said Zulu, who has taught 4th and 5th graders, as well as 7th and 8th graders. “The kids came across as unsympathetic and un-empathetic, which I found quite

absolutely ineffective and, most assuredly, he or she will be penalized. Penalization manifests in a variety of forms, from administrative warnings to termination and can be particularly soul shocking to an educator in love with their craft. Ask any K-12 educator, new or veteran, how this has transformed the relationship between teacher and student. It is the student’s performance during one week of testing that determines the trajectory of their careers. That’s an awful lot of power for a child to hold. Visit any school during this vital week in the spring and the pressure, stress, and anxiety is palpable. Despite this reality, there still exist educators completely committed to the learning process, willing to endure the constant barrage of stressors, changing policies, and shifting procedures because they love

children are priority in the American public educational system. Today, it is all about the school as a business, concerned with customer satisfaction (parents) as competition stiffens and grows (charter schools). Administrators operate under the demands of their districts and become preoccupied with validating the purpose and value of their schools or risk closure and the lost of their own jobs. Thus, administrators can go to extreme lengths to “keep up appearances” of a well-functioning educational machine as students’ academic abilities sink lower and lower with every passing year. This is the foundation of the increasingly hostile relationships between some teachers, who operate as child advocates, and their administrators, who increasingly operate as businessmen and community politicians. So what happens to the teacher who dares question the mis-

Future of Harriet Tubman $20 Bill (Cont'd from FP) freedom, the first African American on U.S. currency. However, Mnuchin said in a CNBC interview that he’s not “focused” on that right now, adding ”the issues of why we change it will be primarily related to what we need to do for security purposes.” It’s no surprise that Trump is leaning (likely already decided) toward keeping Jackson as the only portrait on the bill. The seventh president became wealthy from his slaves and was behind the forced relocation of Native Americans in

what’s become known as the Trail of Tear. Trump told NBC News in April that he’s a great admirer of Jackson and believes the plan to replace him with Tubman is about political correctness. What’s next? There’s also a plan to add images of memorable moments at the Lincoln Memorial to the $5 bill, the International Business Times reported. They would include civil right leader Martin Luther King Jr., African American opera singer Marian Anderson and former first lady Eleanor Roosevelt.

Planned Parenthood and Black AIDS Institute (Cont'd from FP) “Planned Parenthood is thrilled to be launching this incredibly exciting project. Although this country has made progress toward greater health care equity, disparities in HIV rates remain a serious issue for too many people and too many communities,” said Dr. Raegan McDonald-Mosley, chief medical officer at Planned Parenthood Federation of America. “Rates of new HIV cases, along with barriers to treatment and health care access, continue to more greatly impact marginalized communities. With this grant, Planned Parenthood can implement life-saving awareness and care not otherwise funded at this scale. It furthers our mission to provide all people, especially those already facing barriers to accessing quality health care, with comprehensive and cutting-edge HIV prevention methods, including PrEP”. PrEP is the medical practice of prescribing antiretroviral medication to prevent against HIV infection. “The Black AIDS Institute is proud to partner with Planned Parenthood to expand comprehensive HIV prevention services to Black Women”, Phill Wilson, President and CEO of the Black AIDS Institute. “Given the disproportionate impact HIV is having on Black women and the new tools we have at our disposal, this is the right thing to do at the right time.” The majority of the grant will directly support the efforts of Planned Parenthood affiliates to develop training and resources aimed at delivering a comprehensive program of HIV prevention, including PrEP and other methods, in health centers across the country. It will also go toward the creation of patient education materials to

reach populations most at-risk for HIV, as well as capacitybuilding sustainable learning modules across affiliates. “Scientific innovation has greatly improved our ability to address the HIV epidemic,” said Gregg Alton, Executive Vice President, Corporate and Medical Affairs for Gilead Sciences, Inc. “Alongside that innovation, diverse programs and partnerships are helping to ensure we can reach those most in need of treatment and prevention options. Prevention strategies, including PrEP and other methods, can have a meaningful impact on public health, offering an unparalleled opportunity to avert new infections and reduce long term costs to the healthcare system.” Planned Parenthood provides high-quality, compassionate care in health centers across the country, including nearly 700,000 HIV tests each year. Planned Parenthood health centers are uniquely positioned to deliver HIV prevention services and education to disproportionately impacted communities, including Black women, Latinas, transgender people, young adults of all backgrounds, and men who have sex with men, especially people of color. Dr. McDonald-Mosley added, “Training and resourcing more medical providers to provide HIV and PrEP education, with a particular focus on prevention in underserved communities, is a job for which Planned Parenthood is uniquely suited. For over 100 years, we’ve been fighting to ensure that people — no matter where they live — can access accurate, nonjudgmental preventive care and education so they can keep themselves and their families healthy.” (Read full story at: www.thewestsidegazette.com)

BENTLEY directed concerns of their administrators and school? Dr. Yvonne Bentley could be considered a Broward County celebrity given her educational and professional achievements. Hailing from Fort Lauderdale, Dr. Bentley is proud to be a product of Broward County Public Schools and credits her schooling experience for igniting her interest in the educational process. A star athlete in high school, Bentley sought to combine her love for learning with her passion for physical fitness, serving as a coach and Physical Education teacher for over 22 years. Within those 22 years, Dr. Bentley, a Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU) graduate, received numerous honorary certificates and diplomas (including an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters), pursued a MBA, and authored 10 books. Despite being a successful entrepreneur and consultant, Dr. Bentley’s love for children never waivered and she maintained her commitment to the teaching profession. She loved teaching and was planning on retiring as a Broward Public Schools teacher. Dr. Bentley taught and coached at a number of public and private Broward schools, including Boyd Anderson, Redeeming Word Christian Academy, Crystal Lake Middle School, and Millennium Middle School. Her 22 years as an educator has garnered many stories of high and low moments throughout her career. “I taught for 22 years and was planning on retirement,” Bentley stressed, “But they took my life and everything I worked for just because I wasn’t the right fit.” I met Dr. Yvonne Bentley among other Black educators and personnel in early spring of this year. As a former teacher (8th grade United States History), I am always eager to discuss my short-lived experience in the classroom with other educators. It had been a rewarding, but equally challenging experience of which I bowed out of with humility and a new sense of admiration for those who choose to make teaching a career. Teachers truly are our community’s most unsung heroes. A classroom can be a battlefield nowadays. Unfortunately, these educators did not recount stories of the joys of teaching but the emotional bullying they all endured at the hands of their administrators. Though all were Black, they stressed these tactics crossed racial and gendered lines multiple times over and had become rampant throughout the county. The single thread that did tie their stories together was their veteran statuses as teachers. All had individually taught for over 20 years on multiple levels, from preschool to college. They were accomplished and experienced professionals ousted from their respective schools due to their “veteran” status. “Some principals, particularly new ones, don’t like the older teachers,” our sources explained, “They want to clear out the ‘old guard’. Older teachers are typically more invested in the school, community, and their careers and have their ideas and opinions, but administrators are usually more interested in starting fresh with their new processes and policies without pushback.”

PAGE 6 • SEPTEMBER 7 - SEPTEMBER 13, 2017

Opinion

A Proud Paper For A Proud People The Westside Gazette, under the Management of BI-ADs, Inc., reserves the right to publish Views and Opinions by Contributing Writers that 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 submits comments published in this newspaper.

It will take more than ESSA to save Black children It’s Time for Black parents to stand up for the future of their children Lynette Monroe says that we must hold ourselves accountable for the academic success of our children. By Lynette Monroe (NNPA ESSA Program Assistant) Last week, late nights, family road trips, and endless leisure came to an abrupt halt as children across the country headed back to school. This year, however, there is something else that requires adjustment besides early mornings and evening home work assignments. This year, a revised national education law goes into effect: the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). ESSA is the reauthorization of the 1965 Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) signed into law by Barack Obama in 2015. ESEA included landmark legislation such as the Adult Education Act (1966), which provided funding for

supplemental education centers and mandated educational programming even during “out-of-session” periods for isolated and rural areas; the Women’s Educational Equity Act, which protected women and girls from discrimination in education; ESEA also included protections for those who suffer from discrimination based on race, ethnicity, or disability. ESEA has been updated every five years since it was signed into law. The original intention of ESEA was to provide equal access to quality education, emphasize high standards and accountability, authorize funds for professional development, design effective instructional materials, provide supplemental education programs, and promote parental involvement. Previous reauthorizations include the now infamous No Child Left Behind (NCLB), signed into law by President George W. Bush in 2001. ESSA replaces NCLB. Education has been hailed the “new civil rights issue.” However, as we know, all too well, a law alone will not

save us. The unanimous decision in Brown v. the Board of Education occurred in 1954; it was not until 1988 that school integration reached an alltime high with 45 percent of Black students attending majority-White schools. In 2003, a study by Harvard’s Civil Rights Project found that schools were more segregated in 2000 than in 1970 when busing for desegregation began. So we see, that laws alone will not fix decades of restricted access and rationed opportunity. We also can conclude that without a watchful eye we are bound to repeat history. During an interview at the University of California Berkley on October 11, 1963, Malcolm X said that if the government, “really passed meaningful laws, it would not be necessary to pass any more laws. There are already enough laws on the law books to protect an American citizen. You only need additional laws when you are dealing with someone, who is not regarded as an American citizen.” The goal of the 2015 reauthorization of ESEA is equity, but so was that

Letter to Editor

Would you buy a used car from Trump??? Trump skipped a GOP debate on January 28, 2016 to raise 6 million dollars for veterans. He said he did, then admitted it was a “lie”. The Wall Street Journal found that roughly 2. 4 million dollars had been received by veteran’s groups—Now (I will never lie to you) Trump pledged a one-million-dollar donation to Harvey’s victims. I just hope the Texas victims will not make the mistake of believing Trump (the check is in the mail) will give them one million dollars. The songwriter said “If you don’t know Trump by now, you will never never, never, never know him!!! James J. Hankins—Wilmington, NC

the goal in 1965. A major component of both the 1965 ESEA and ESSA as the 2015 reauthorization is parental involvement. We must be the change we want to see. Laws are an opportunity to hold our leaders accountable. We must hold ourselves accountable for the academic success of our children. At the 1979 Amandla Festival in support of relief and humanitarian aid to Southern Africa, Dick Gregory, in his fifteen minute introduction of Bob Marley and Wailers, stated: “We the decent people of this planet must stand up and say to the rest of them inhumane, cruel beast that we are not going to tolerate it no more. And then they’ll say, “what are you gon’ do about it?” If I don’t do nothing, but get out of my bed everyday and look myself in the face in the quietness of my living room and say, “I’m not gon’ tolerate it no more, I’m not gon’ tolerate it no more, I’m not gon’ tolerate it no more” that alone, when enough people stand doing it, is enough to win.” So, let’s challenge ourselves this academic year to say, “we not gon’ tolerate it no more.” We are not going to tolerate inadequate resources, unqualified teachers, unresponsive school boards, and low academic standards. Let’s challenge our children to rise to the occasion. Let’s challenge ourselves to attend community meetings, to join the PTA, to check our children’s homework, and to make sure our children’s teachers know us by name.

Will the flood bring Americans together as one? By Roger Caldwell “We see neighbor helping neighbor, friend helping friend, and stranger helping stranger. We are one American family. We hurt together, we struggle together and believe me we endure together,” says President Trump. The nonsense in America is being swept away by a natural disaster, which is forcing people to see no race, no color, and just human beings. The flood has revealed the decency in American people and everyone feels a need to help. On 8-23-2017, Governor Greg Abbott of Texas declared a state of emergency in 30 counties. Late on 8-252017, Harvey, a category 4 hurricane, made landfall near Rockport, Texas at peak intensity. On 8-26-2017, Governor Abbott declared a state of emergency in 20 additional counties, and the Governor of Louisiana, John Bel Edwards, declared a state of emergency for his entire state. Once this hurricane made landfall, it became a tropical storm, but it continued to rain, and over 50 inches of rain inundated the gulf area and Texas for four days. This is the worst disaster in Texas’ history, and it will take years to recovery and the cost could be over $160 billon. As the waters began to recede, it is way too early to determine the cost and extent of the damage. The major-

ity of the residents in these hurricane areas did not have flood insurance, and the ones who had it, will not have enough. The people of the flooded areas and the federal government have done a phenomenal job, and there have been very few reported deaths and the number stands around 60. But now the recovery phase begins, and everything moves into a new arena, and our legislators will have to find funds to rebuild the affected areas. Again, it is too early to establish accurate numbers, but there are probably 50,000 homeless residents in the affected hurricane areas with just the clothes on their backs. Republicans are notorious for debating where relief funds should go, and how much should be distributed. These right-wing conservatives have a record of denying aid to Americans devastated by natural disasters in the name of fiscal responsibility. Earlier this year, Trump tried to cut FEMA funding by $667 million and the National Flood Mapping program by $190 million. Now Trump has made a request for $7.9 billion for FEMA, and that is just the start of the funds needed to help the affected areas. The gulf coast of Texas is a hub for oil refineries and chemical plants, producing 25% of the consumption of gasoline in America. The gasoline prices have begun to increase around the

country, with spot shortages in the Southeast. Some economists are estimating that prices could increase $1.00 per gallon, because the refineries are off line. In Crosby, Texas containers of organic peroxides have exploded twice, and caught fire, and other chemical plants in the area could have a similar reaction to the hurricane. As the water recedes, and 500,000 or more Americans try to make sense of their lives after the hurricane/storm, how soon do we forget? It is easy the first two months to be engaged because this is a lead story in the daily news, but what happens to the people who have lost everything that they have worked their entire life to achieve. On last Sunday, the president asked for a day of prayer, and next week everyone is worrying about paying their bills. Maybe Hurricane Harvey did bring Americans together for a month, but this disaster will impact many communities for a lifetime. For two weeks or maybe a month, there was no race or no color, and all Americans were one. But American politics is a blood sport, and the goal is to win. In a week or two, the ugly tribal warfare will start up again, and the different groups will begin shooting real bullets again.

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The Gantt Report The storm this time By Lucius Gantt The price of gasoline recently increased dramatically after parts of Texas were flooded in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey. An even more severe hurricane, Irma, is expected to reach South Florida sooner or later once it has skirted across the Caribbean. Get serious, get prepared and be prayerful - the storm this time is no joke! When any disaster hits a city or a state, it is economically devastating. Government spending has to increase, businesses have to make financial adjustments and citizens have to make certain financial sacrifices. Well, the people are always encouraged to purchase homeowner’s insurance, hurricane coverage, flood insurance and other products that should ease financial pains during times of natural disasters. However, insurance and other protection policies you are encouraged to purchase don’t always pay off when you file claims. Instead of doing all they can to help you in times of need, some insurance companies do all they can to deny your claims, pay you less than you deserve or avoid paying you all together! I would advise you to take photos of your home before a hurricane or flood reaches your area, and take photos afterwards to show how your property was damaged. It is not unusual for devilish insurance companies to say your home or business did not suffer damages because of a storm. Some will even change status reports and engineering reports in order to support their claim denials. Do all you can to protect yourself physically and financially at all times. Your survival and your family’s survival is a must. No heirloom and no material possession is more important than you are. You can take another picture, you can get another vase, that car and that furniture can be replaced. But there is only one you! If the category five hurricane does wreck havoc on the State of Florida, after you save yourself do what you can to help others. Try to rescue somebody, offer to shelter somebody and, if you can, share a meal or two with someone less fortunate than you. The Bible says after Noah and the ark he built survived a devastating floor, God promised that he would not totally destroy the earth in that manner again. Where ever and whenever a hurricane or flood hits, the people, the community and the culture can come back to some sort of normalcy. When the seas and oceans get tough or the waves are calm and serene, we are all still in the same boat. The wind doesn’t know or care whose house it blows down and the water doesn’t care which beach it surges or business it floods. But two things we do know: environmental devastation and what happens afterwards will be felt more by the poor than the rich, and it will take a concerted and united effort to make things right again on every level. Take care and may God protect and bless the readers of The Gantt Report! (Buy Gantt’s latest book, “Beast Too: Dead Man Writing” on Amazon.com and from bookstores everywhere. Contact Lucius at www.allworldconsultants.net. And, if you want to, “Like” The Gantt Report page on Facebook.)

Corinthian College is closed, but former students still suf fer suffer By Charlene Crowell (NNPA Newswire Columnist)

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

Research has shown that students attending for-profit colleges, like Corinthian Colleges, Inc., (CCI) have lower graduation rates and carry heavier debt loads than their counterparts at private, nonprofit and public schools. CCI also operated more than 100 Everest college locations. (Daniel Penfield/Wikimedia Commons)

A scheme designed to evade an important Department of Education rule could soon lead to an estimated 41,000 former Corinthian College students and loan borrowers receiving more than $183 million in student loan relief. Aequitas Capital Management, a former financial services firm, is charged with acting in concert with Corinthian College to preserve the nowclosed for-profit college’s heavy reliance upon federal financial aid. Operated across much of the country, the alleged fraudulent partnership also enabled Corinthian to trap students in unaffordable private student loans. “Tens of thousands of Corinthian students were harmed by the predatory lending scheme funded by Aequitas, turning dreams of higher education into a nightmare,” said Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) Director Richard Cordray. “We

will continue to address the illegal lending practices of for-profit colleges and those who enable them.” An investigation and subsequent charges were coordinated by a statefederal effort that included 13 state attorneys general, working with CFPB, and representing California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas and Washington. Together the governmental officials charged that Aequitas aided Corinthian in a $230 million predatory lending scheme to mask its lack of compliance with a Department of Education rule requiring for-profit colleges to have a minimum 10 percent of its revenues from non-governmental sources. The CFPB alleges that both firms knew the students could not repay the loans and would default. At the time, the default rate ranged from 50 to 70 percent. (Read full story at: www.thewestsidegazette.com)

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BUSINESS

A Proud Paper For A Proud People

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Cheyney University, One of the Nation’s Oldest HBCUs, Could Lose Its Accreditation in September Cheyney University is in danger of losing its accreditation in September. (Cheyney University) By Stacy M. Brown (Washington Informer/ NNPA Member) After years of financial trouble and heartbreaking enrollment decline, Cheyney University, one of the oldest Black institutions of higher education in America, is on the verge of fiscal ruin and in danger of losing its accreditation. Cheyney’s problems have sparked rallies, protests and an outpouring of support and outrage from state senators, alumni and others. “On the one hand, it’s tragic. On the flip side, this didn’t happen overnight,” said Johnny Taylor Jr., the president and CEO of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund. “While there were all sorts of other factors, including a bad economy in 2008 and state and federal [agencies] that failed to help, this still reflects badly on Cheyney’s board of trustees and the university’s president.” Founded in 1837 by Richard Humphreys, a reformed slave trader, Cheyney represents more than just a place of learning, said Pennsylvania State Representative Stephen Kinsey, who recently joined students and others at a rally for the school. “Cheyney represents the struggle of being Black in America, fighting to be recognized, speaking up to be supported, and a never-ending struggle to be treated equally,” Kinsey said. A report issued by the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights noted that, although HBCUs

only make up three percent of today’s colleges and universities, more than 20 percent of African American college graduates attend an HBCU. “For years, these historic institutions have produced amazing leaders, that not only contribute to their respective fields, but who also pride themselves on their ‘lifting while they climb’ attitudes,” said U.S. Senator Bob Casey, D-Pennsylvania. Cheyney has faced a myriad of financial struggles as funding to the school decreased and tuition rose. Since 2010, enrollment dropped 50 percent from over 1,500 students to an estimated 746. Since 2013, Cheyney has borrowed over $30.5 million to stay solvent and, if school officials can’t deliver a plan that satisfies the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, the school could lose its accreditation in September. This would be particularly devastating, because the school’s accreditation is tied to its access to federal grant programs, including Pell grants. The Philadelphia Tribune reported that State Rep. Stephen Kinsey (D-Pa.) said that nearly three-quarters of the students are from low-income households and qualify for federal Pell grants. State Rep. Stephen Kinsey (D-Pa.) said that he felt obligated to save Cheyney University, during a recent rally about the fate of the school, according to the Tribune. (Read full story at: www.thewestsidegazette.com)

PAGE 8 • SEPTEMBER 7 - SEPTEMBER 13, 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"

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

ORDER OF SERVICES Sunday Worship ........................................................ 7:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m. & 7:00 p.m. Sunday School ....................................................................................................... 9:30 a.m. Tuesday (Bible Study) ......................................................................................... 6:45 p.m. Wednesday (Bible Study) ............................................................................... 10:45 a.m.

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

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

Dr. Marcus D. Davidson,

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

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!

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!”

Honor your loved ones in the Westside Gazette Newspaper Call -- (954) 525-1489 * In Memoriam * Happy Birthday Remembrance * Death Notice * Obituaires * Cards Of Thanks

Obituaries 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.

James C. Boyd Funeral Home NERVA Funeral services for the late Mireille Nerva 58 were held Sept. 2 at Free Bethlehem Baptist Church with Pastor Jean Cadet St. Fort officiating. Interment: Lauderdale Memorial Park. RICE Funeral services for the late Olive Sybil Rice - 80 were held Sept. 2 at Merrell United Methodist Church with Rev. Bancroft Williams officiating. Interment: Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens (Central).

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 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 Rev Henry E. Green, Jr. PASTOR 401 N.W. 7th Terrace, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33311 Phone: (954) 463-6309 - FAX 954 522-4113 Office Hours: Tues. - Fri. 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Email: infor@mthermonftl.com

SUNDAY CHURCH SERVICES Worship Service ................................................................................... 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.mtzionmbc1161.com

Dr. James B. Darling, Jr., Pastor/Teacher

McWhite's Funeral Home LEWIS Funeral services for the late Eudora Elizabeth Lewis - 88 were held Sept. 2 at World Harvest Community Church of God with Bishop Paul Lyttle officiating. Interment: Sunset Memorial Gardens. MARTIN Funeral services for the late Letroy Keon Martavious Martin were held Sept. 2 at McWhite’s Funeral Home Chapel with Bishop Jr Thompson officiating. Interment: Sunset Memorial Gardens. ROGERS Funeral services for the late Brother Willie D. Rogers – 80 were held September 2 at New Bethel Primitive Baptist Church

with Elder John Everett officiating. Interment: Forest Lawn Cemetery.

TILLER Funeral services for the late Willie James Tiller were held Sept. 2 at McWhite’s Funeral Home Chapel with Elder Larry King officiating.

Roy Mizell & Kurtz Funeral Home JONES Funeral services for the late Alice Jones -78 were held September 2 at Roy Mizell & Kurtz Worship Center with Dr. James B. Darling, Jr., officiating. Interment: Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens-Central.

WILLIAMS Funeral services for the late Tommy L. Williams - 52 were held September 2 at Holy Tabernacle United Church with Bishop J.L. Williams officiating. Interment: Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens Central.

Robert E. Lee descendant quits Pastor post amid backlash over VMA Anti-Racism Speech Submitted by eurweb

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

Mount Zion African Methodist Episcopal Church, Oakland Park "The Miracle On 33rd Street" 420 N.E. 33rd Street Oakland Park, Florida 33334 Church: (954) 563-3060 Email: mtzion420@gmail.com

Rev. George A. Hardy, Pastor SERVICES Sunday Church School ................................................................... 8:45 a.m. Sunday Morning Worship ........................................................... 10:00 a.m. Tuesday Night (Family Prayer & Bible Study) ........................... 7:00 p.m. Wednesday (Prayer Conference Line) ................................................ 8:00 p.m. (Dail (786) 233-6715 - Acess Code 703513) Oakland Park CDC (Senior Activity Center) Daily ............10 a.m. & 2:00 p.m.

*Pastor Robert Wright Lee IV, the great-great-great-greatnephew of confederate General Robert E. Lee, has stepped down as pastor of his North Carolina church following the backlash he received from his parishioners over his appearance at the recent MTV Video Music Awards. During the Aug. 27 ceremony, Pastor Lee denounced racism and introduced the mot-her of murdered Charlottesville protestor Heather Heyer. Lee said that people can “find inspiration in the Black Lives Matter movement, the women who marched in the Women’s March in January, and, especially, Heather Heyer, who died fighting for her beliefs in Charlottesville.”

(Read full story at: www.thewestsidegazette.com)

“Following Jesus requires a total effort” Question: Were all of the original disciples killed for Jesus' sake? Answer: Apostle John was the only original disciple not to experience martyrdom. John was exiled to an island called Patmos. At Patmos John died at an old age. The remaining disciples were martyred for their belief in Jesus. Following Jesus requires a 100% effort. The Holy Spirit will require you to perform certain duties that you never thought you would or could do. Our existence is for God’s pleasure. Mark 8:34-35 says ‘whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and the gospel will save it’. The original disciples were fanatics for the Lord. Have you ever felt that way? I have on many occasions. Listed are the disciples and how they died: Peter – crucified upside down. Andrew – tied to the cross rather than nailed for a longer time suffering. James – beheaded. Philip – crucified. Bartholomew – skinned alive then beheaded. Thomas – martyred with a spear. Matthew – stabbed in the back. James – beaten and stone then died by a club to the head. Thaddaeus – crucified. Simon – crucified. Judas – two versions (1) hanged himself (2) fell headlong from a high place and burst open. Reverend Dr. David Deal is the senior pastor at Every Christian Church in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Reverend Deal can be reached at the Westside Gazette, 545 N.W. Seventh Terrace, Fort Lauderdale, Fla 33311, or by email at David.Deal55@gmail.com

OIC of South Florida ‘Dances Through The Decades’

ROBERTS Funeral services for the late Linton Alexander.” Roberts, Jr. -8 years old were held September 1 at Roy Mizell & Kurtz Worship Center with Elder Brian Font officiating. Interment: Sunset Memorial Gardens.

WORSHIP SERVICES Worship Service ............................................................................................................ 10:15 a.m. Sunday School ................................................................................................................ 9:00 a.m. Communion Service (1st Sunday) ........................................................................... 10:15 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.

Q & A: What does Reverend Deal say this week!

Robert Wright Lee IV speaks onstage during the 2017 MTV Video Music Awards at The Forum on August 27, 2017 in Inglewood, California.

(Cond't from Page 2) we are able to help people change their lives by promoting economic self-sufficiency through education, vocational skills training and jobs, which provides them and their families with greater stability. We help make their circumstances better for them and their families.” W. George Allen - OIC Board Chair highlighted OICSFL’s journey from three staff to over 90 employees and its growth from an annual budget of $125,000 to over $8 million which he had a front row seat to having served in his capacity for 13 years. The distinguished honorees for the evening were Mason Jackson President & CEO, CareerSource Broward with “The OIC Golden Record Award” for Distinguished Partnership for having awarded their very first contract and consistent partnership throughout the years; American Ambulance Services with “The OIC Distinguished Employer Award” for Employer Partnership (Regional CEO, Charles Maymon accepting award) having employed several persons from the OIC program most notably Quinton Washington who was awarded with “The OIC Distinguished Alumni Award” for Professional Achievement. Mr. Washington was able to successfully transition from the criminal jus-

tice system and re-enter society to become a productive member serving now as a Criti-cal Care Paramedic at American Ambulance Services for 10 years. In Maymon’s thank you, he announced American Ambulance’s commitment to further strengthen and expand its over 10 year relationship with OIC of South Florida by awarding 30 scholarships to train new Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs). Also recognized was Christopher Dorsey Director, Dillard Center for The Arts Jazz Ensemble “The OIC Golden Record Award” for the Preservation of Jazz and Jazz Education and finally, Daniela Embrack, OIC Youth Alumni “The OIC Notes of Change” Youth Leadership Award for her work as a Youth Leader in one of OIC’s corner-stone programs – Project PAUSE. Event organizer Arlene Connelly, Director of Communications & Strategic Partnerships for OIC stated, “The event honored those who paved the way for OIC to be established, celebrated our accomplishments to date and recognize the collaborative community commitment needed as we forge ahead to expand our capacity to serve more.” For more information on the work of OIC or to contribute to their efforts in the form of partnerships or donations, visit their website at www.oicsfl.org or call their offices at (954)5633535.

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SEPTEMBER 7 - SEPTEMBER 13, 2017 • PAGE 9

Howard pulls off biggest point spread upset in college football history By Byler E. Henry This past Saturday Howard traveled to Nevada to take on the UNLV Rebels in an exciting high scoring football game. Caylin Newton, the younger brother of NFL quarterback Cam Newton, had an impres-

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.

sive rushing game with 190 yards and two touchdowns on 21 carries, while going 15 for 26 for 140 yards with one passing touchdown and one interception. His longest run of the night went for 52 yards. Under the new head coach Mike London, who led Richmond University to an FCS championship, Howard entered the game as 45 point underdogs, and they stunned the Rebels by defeating them 43 to 40. Howard has pulled off the biggest upset in modern college football history, by point spreads. Howard was not favored to win this game, but they went to Nevada and took care of business. Anthony Philyaw also contributed with 20 carries for 71 yards and two rushing touchdowns. He was also their leading receiver with 62 yards on 3 receptions with his longest catch being 42 yards. With such a high scoring game, UNLV didn’t go down without a fight. Armani Rogers was 11 of 19 for 220 yards and one touchdown. Lexington Thomas

September 7, 14, 21, 28, 2017

IN THE COUNTY COURT OF THE 17TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, IN AND FOR BROWARD COUNTY, FLORIDA CASE NO: 17-10235 (40-90) DIVISION: SANDRA ELIZABETH WILLIAMS, Petitioner and ROBERT EARL WILLILAMS, Respondent

NOTICE OF ACTION FOR DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE (NO CHILD OR FINANCIAL SUPPORT)

IN THE COUNTY COURT OF THE 17TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, IN AND FOR BROWARD COUNTY, FLORIDA CASE NO: 17-10824 (41-93) DIVISION: IVAN PINA, Petitioner and BENNYBETH SANTIAGO, Respondent

NOTICE OF ACTION FOR DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE (NO CHILD OR FINANCIAL SUPPORT)

TO: ROBERT EARL WILLIAMS Address/Residence Unknown

TO: BENNYBETH SANTIAGO Address 4850 Southwest 63 Terrace, #221, Davie, Florida 33314

YOU ARE NOTIFIED that a action for dissolution of marriage has been filed against you and that you are required to serve a copy of your written defense, if any, to it on Sandra Elizabeth Williams, address is 1406 Northwest 11 Place, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, 33311 on or before September 25, 2017, and file the original with the clerk of this Court at 201 Southeast Sixth Street, Room 4130 Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33301 before service on Petitioner or immediately thereafter. If you fail to do so, a default may be entered against you for the relief demanded in the petition. Copies of all court documents in this case, including orders, are available at the Clerk of the Circuit Court’s office. You may review these documents upon request. You must keep the Clerk of the Circuit Court’s office notified of your current address: (You may file Notice of Current Address, Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.915.) Future papers in this lawsuit will be mailed to the address on record at the clerk’s office. WARNING: Rule 12.285, Florida Family Law Rules of Procedure, requires certain automatic disclosure of documents and information. Failure to comply can result in sanctions, including dismissal or Dated August 11, 2017

YOU ARE NOTIFIED that a action for dissolution of marriage has been filed against you and that you are required to serve a copy of your written defense, if any, to it on Ivan Pina, 8430 N. Sherman Circle, #408, Miramar, Florida 33024 on or before October 13, 2017, and file the original with the clerk of this Court at 201 Southeast Sixth Street, Room 4130 Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33301 before service on Petitioner or immediately thereafter. If you fail to do so, a default may be entered against you for the relief demanded in the petition. Copies of all court documents in this case, including orders, are available at the Clerk of the Circuit Court’s office. You may review these documents upon request. You must keep the Clerk of the Circuit Court’s office notified of your current address: (You may file Notice of Current Address, Florida Supreme Court Approved Family Law Form 12.915.) Future papers in this lawsuit will be mailed to the address on record at the clerk’s office. WARNING: Rule 12.285, Florida Family Law Rules of Procedure, requires certain automatic disclosure of documents and information. Failure to comply can result in sanctions, including dismissal or Dated August 11, 2017

Brenda D. Forman, Clerk of the Circuit Court Corinne Wilson, Deputy Clerk August 17, 24, 31, September 7, 2017

Brenda D. Forman, Clerk of the Circuit Court Caffina Archer, Deputy Clerk September 7, 14, 21, 28, 2017

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also put up a big performance rushing for 151 yards on 21 carries and 2 touchdowns with his longest run of the night going for 35 yards. Charles Williams also contributed with 93 yards on 12 carries. The Rebels leading receiver ,Devonte Boyd, had 105 receiving yards on four receptions and one touchdown. Howard wasted no time, grabbing a 21 to 19 lead by halftime. Down by two, UNLV responded by outscoring Howard 14 to 7 in the third quarter. After starting the fourth quarter down by 5, Howard responded by outscoring the Rebels 15 to 7. Howard has made history by pulling off this big upset. This just goes to show that anything can happen in the sport of football.

NEWTON (Photo credit Top Twitter.com)

Howard running back Anthony Philyaw (7) runs the ball past UNLV defensive back Dalton Baker (33) during a football game at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas on Saturday, Sept 2 . Photo credit Mark Anthony Anderson Las Vegas Review-Journal)

PAGE 10 • SEPTEMBER 7 - SEPTEMBER 13, 2017

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A Proud Paper For A Proud People

A Look Back: The AIDS crisis and FDA … 30 years later Twenty yyear ear otes A headq uar s, the w orld had mo om pr otes o pr otease inhibit or s, and be earss af aftter the pr pro estt at FD FDA headquar uartter ers, world movved fr from pro estt tto pro inhibitor ors, beyyond. By Richard M. Klein The first patient-focused office at FDA – and very possibly the first patient engagement office in the federal government – was the Office of AIDS and Special Health Issues, established in 1994 at the height of the AIDS epidemic. Richard M. Klein, a former entomologist in the agency’s New York Laboratory who had been working on human research protection policy at FDA’s suburban Washington, D.C., headquarters, was instrumental in setting up the new office. He recently sat down with FDA Voice to talk about his work with patient engagement during the AIDS epidemic.

Could you set the scene for us? What was it like as the AIDS epidemic grew in the years and months leading up to the creation of the Office of AIDS and Special Health Issues? Twenty years after the protest at FDA headquarters, the world had moved from protest to protease inhibitors, and beyond. It was a desperate time. People lived 6 to 18 months after diagnosis. There was a pervasive sense that the government was not doing anything. One day in October 1988, the advocacy group ACTUP (AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power) functionally closed down the FDA. They surrounded the building at our Parklawn Headquarters in Rockville, Md., preventing employees from getting into the building. FDA saw other forms of protest as well. The

Common Core vs. State Standards: What’s the difference? By Stacy M. Brown (NNPA Newswire Contributor) Education must be governed by standards to achieve the learning goals that all parents seek for their children, said Dr. Reagan Flowers, a noted trailblazer in the field of STEM and the founder and CEO of Houston, Texas-based C-STEM Teacher and Student Support Services. C-STEM supports the engagement of pre-kindergarten to 12th grade students in hands-on, project-based learning experiences that expose them to workforce opportunities in related areas of Communication, Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. “Through the history of public education, academic standards have evolved and have been governed by many [laws]. In our current reality, there are 44 states that have adopted Common Core State Standards (CCSS), 40 states with expressed interest in adopting the New Generation Science Standards, and six states including Texas following their own standards,” Flowers said. In comparing “Common Core” to “State Standards,” there are some who might say there is no difference, she continued. Others point out that requirements are similar, but the wording of the guidelines is different. “I would say that ‘Reading’ is ‘Reading,’ ‘Math’ is ‘Math,’ and ‘Science’ is ‘Science.’ [Common Core and State Standards] emphasize college and career readiness and there is overlap,” Flowers said. As states struggle to implement the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), an ongoing and underlining debate pits Common Core standards versus State Standards, particularly as states are given the lion’s share of authority under ESSA. “I see very little difference between Common Core and

State Standards outside of 44 states speaking a common language about learning. In using Texas as an example, the difference between the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) and Common Core Math Standards is that TEKS requires students to learn personal finance,” Flowers said. Flowers said that ESSA can’t be compared to Common Core standards or State Standards. “ESSA is an act designed to enforce the adopted standards, whether they are ‘Common Core’ or ‘State Standards,’” she said, noting that in practical terms it makes more sense to compare ESSA to the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) and, “from where I am sitting, there appears to be a big difference,” between ESSA and NCLB. Flowers continued: “I see the biggest difference between ESSA and NCLB resting with the allowances and flexibility provided to states and schools with selecting student learning interventions and not being mandated to implement something that does not work with their student population. There is no one-size-fits-all answer to public education and that is what NCLB enforced and we can all see where that has landed us.” States that have not adopted CCSS include Texas, Missouri, Nebraska, Virginia, Indiana and Kansas. The Constitution has made it clear that states have control over their school systems, so Common Core standards aren’t federally mandated and each state does enjoy the option to adopt CCSS, standards that are indicators of college and career readiness that provide teachers, curriculum developers, and states significant flexibility. Further, Common Core standards are research-based and internationally benchmarked, said Michelle Krumholz, the CEO of Evolved Educator,

You can't erase love, but you can remove hate (Cont'd from FP) that participates in the knowing eradication of the footprints of a people to be regulated to a poster on the wall or a bust outside of a building with their name on it is no better than the people who gave blankets filled with smallpox to a nation of people, under the pretense of keeping them warm; until death came. Every one of us deserves to have our freedom of existence and our culture on display as long as it does not offend, cause harm or bring remembrance to life taken away in hate- filled arenas prompted by cowards that hide behind a mask, a robe or a position. As the storm approaches us, please let’s take a moment to thank God for each other, because we do not know who will be there to help when the need arises. A very wise and extremely hard working Black man by the name of Mr. Booker T. Washington said, “One man cannot hold another man down in the ditch without remaining down in the ditch with him.” “Dear God, you made each of us different and you have given us each a different path to grow. I pray that in growing we have been showered with Your Love and our growth is Your plan for us to help others grow to know You better. In Jesus’ name, Amen.” GOD IS LOVE

Reagan Flowers says that the Every Student Succeeds Act can’t be compared to Common Core standards or State Standards. (C-STEM Teacher and Support Services) which develops easy-to-use software solutions to help teachers design and implement course instruction; according to Evolved Educator, this specialized course instruction drives sustainable growth in student achievement. The greatest impact of ESSA concerning Common Core is that the federal government can no longer make a state’s adoption or maintenance of standards a funding incentive as NCLB and Race to the Top mandated, Krumholz said. “In fact, the new law prohibits the federal government from encouraging the adoption of any particular set of standards—including Common Core,” said Krumholz. “The only requirements regarding stan-

dards existing now are that they have to be challenging— which states are left to interpret what is challenging, connected to college and career readiness, and that the assessment tool such as standardized tests, chosen by the state for accountability aligns with the selected state standards.” In short, states have a lot of flexibility when it comes to implementing education standards, Krumholz said. The Atlanta-based Skubes spends a lot of time analyzing the state standards for every state and the company has had plenty of experience with Common Core, said Bryan Wetzel, the COO of Skubes, which creates educational videos, quizzes and other resources for K-12 students and teachers. “One of the little-known facts, and a deceptive fact at that, is that most states didn’t change from Common Core standards ; they only erased the name Common Core from the title,” Wetzel said. “In many states, where politicians ran for office on getting rid of Common Core standards, they only changed the name and some of the nomenclature.” One curriculum supervisor estimated that maybe three percent of the state standards have been rewritten or have been changed from Common Core, he said. “ESSA is not a curriculum standard as much as it is rule for how federal money is spent and how it can be used,” said Wetzel. “It places more emphasis on research based solutions and/or tested interventions.”

director of the first antiviral division, created to address AIDS, received death threats. Individuals continually called up various offices of FDA complaining that no one at FDA was paying attention to AIDs. There were “fax attacks” – repeated attempts to send faxes clogging the phone lines. It was designed to disrupt “business as usual,” because they thought AIDS shouldn’t be business as usual. I was working in the New York lab at the time, and the community in New York was overwhelmed by this epidemic. People were getting sick left and right. I worked with a guy in the lab who contracted and later died from AIDS. That’s when I decided I wanted to take a more active role with AIDS and when the opportunity came up, I knew it was something I needed to do. What did FDA do? I mentioned the creation of the antiviral division to focus on AIDS drug development. There was also a National Commission on Aids with which we were involved. And FDA was integral to the National Task Force on AIDS Drug Development, a public/private effort brought together government, industry, academia, and patients to identify and remove barriers to successful drug development. Initially, FDA’s AIDS activities were coordinated by CBER since so many issues early on involved the blood supply, but then responsibility was shifted to the Office of the Commissioner. That’s when the new Office of AIDS and Special Health Issues was established to better communicate with the public and coordinate AIDS activities. The idea was to insulate the review division so they could do their work – and we would take the phone calls and we would get the faxes. The phone calls in the beginning were really terrible. People would say, “Murderer. Nazi. FDA is not doing anything; you are killing people,” and I wondered, what did I open myself up to? We were the insulator, but also the conduit to the review

divisions. Tell us how you interacted with the AIDS community in those early days. After the first meeting of the Task Force, I went down to Connecticut Avenue and had a couple beers with one of the major activists, Moises Agosto. I told him, I’m starting in this new job. What do you guys need and want? It was a really great conversation that I think opened up relationships. Later, when AIDS drug applications were filed with FDA, I would go to the advisory committee meetings and I would sit with the AIDS activists, rather than FDA staff. It gave me the opportunity to really know the community issues as we talked together about the proceedings. Do you think that education was one of your principal roles? Yes. I thought, if I could rationally explain to people how things work, how drugs get developed and why you can’t rush it, that you can’t expect it to turn out well if you don’t have the data, people would listen and open up to the idea that regulation has a real purpose. I would go to scientific meetings and companies with their marketing people would be there. (Read full story at: www.thewestsidegazette.com)

Shar pt on, clergy push ffor or social activism, blast TTrum rum p Sharpt pton, rump presidency By Dorothy Rowley (The Washington Informer/NNPA Member) WASHINGTON, D.C.— Thousands of people, including a cadre of faith leaders from the Reconciled Church Movement (RCM), that represents various faith-based communities, joined the Rev. Al Sharpton and members of his nonprofit National Action Network (NAN) in Washington, D.C. to rebuke President Donald Trump and recommit themselves to the fight for social and economic justice. The longtime civil rights activist said the turnout of about 3,000 people, who participated in the Ministers March for Justice marked one of the largestever interfaith gatherings in protest of racism in America. “[Just] as [Martin Luther King Jr.] marched for justice 54 years ago, we are still marching for voting rights, health care, criminal justice reform and economic justice,” said Sharpton, who marched Monday alongside the likes of Martin Luther King III. Prior to the peaceful gathering, Sharpton had expressed disdain over how the Trump administration has sought to undo much of the progress of the country’s civil rights era. The nearly two-mile march, which began shortly after noon at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial and stopped briefly for prayer outside the Trump Hotel before moving to the Justice Department building, coincided with the 54th anniversary of the historic March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom and King’s “I Have a Dream” speech.

L to r: Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis, Jr., president and CEO of the NNPA, Martin Luther King, III, 2017 NNPA Lifetime Legacy Award recipient and civil rights leader, and Reverend Al Sharpton, founder of the National Action Network, pose for a photograph near the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial in Washington, D.C. on August 28, 2017. Sharpton organized a Ministers March for Justice to support racial healing in the U.S. (Travis Riddick/NNPA) Johnnie Green, senior pastor of Mt. Nebo Baptist Church in Harlem, New York, thanked Sharpton for organizing the march before taking shots at Trump and other GOP lawmakers. “We’re here today, because many of those who sit in the seat of power — the president, the Republican Congress and the Republican Senate— they’ve once again written us a bad check,” Green said. “The check written to millions of Americans—Black, brown, Jewish, Muslim and many others—has come back stamped with insufficient funds.” Green continued: “When you try to take away healthcare for 26 million Americans, you’re trying to issue us another bad check. When you co-sign the killings of people of color in the name of law and order, and leave our Black bodies lying in the streets for more than four

hours and refuse to hear our cries of ‘I can’t breathe’ while choking us to death, you’re trying to issue us another bad check. When you tell us that there are good people among nationalists, White supremacists and neo-Nazis who commit terrorists acts here on American soil, you’re trying to issue us another bad check.” Rev. Marshall Hatch, cochair for the Chicago-based Leaders Network, also gave a fiery speech, blasting Trump for what he said is an attempt to stop an investigation of “foreign meddling into our election.” He went on to say that neither Trump’s recent pardon of former Arizona Sheriff Joe Arpaio nor his “threatening of nuclear war and rumor of war,” via tweeted messages, pointed toward normalcy. Hatch added that “refusing to condemn racism and antiSemitism” also isn’t normal.

“Somebody has to have the courage to stand up and say, ‘this emperor has no clothes,’” Hatch said. The march came on the heels of Trump’s sullen response surrounding a White supremacist rally held earlier this month in Charlottesville, Virginia, after city officials had contemplated the removal of Confederate statues. A couple of days after the rally, in which counter protester Heather Heyer was killed, Trump blamed “both sides” for the violence that erupted during the event. Jeffrey David Cox, president of the 700,000-member American Federation of Government Employees located in northwest D.C., told the crowd there’s no room in this country for hatred. “It’s time to take those statues down,” Cox said. “But leave the base so we [can] tell our children and our grand-

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SEPTEMBER 7 - SEPTEMBER 13, 2017 • PAGE 11

A Proud Paper For A Proud People

Schools must welcome participation fr om all par ents from parents How can parents and the community get more involved in ESSA? By Aiyana Thomas (NNPA/ESSA Contributor) Increasing parental engagement in education has been an important task for education policy makers. While it is unfortunate that some parents do not wish to become more involved, and may not know why they should be, those who do wish to be more engaged can learn how to get more involved. Parental involvement creates positive, visible change, sets an example that influences others to participate, and nurtures student success. Parental engagement is also a major component of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), the new national education law. Local education agencies and schools should make parents and community stakeholders aware of public school board meetings to foster community engagement. Attending these meetings allows community members to find out what their school district’s established goals are, how they intend to achieve those goals, the priorities of funding and budgeting plans, and what is included in the approved curriculum. These meetings also offer parents the opportunity to verbalize opinions, needs, questions, or concerns to the board and community. School board meetings should be safe spaces for honest dialogue, where parents feel comfortable to address their concerns and actively participate in the decision making that affects their children. Back-to-school nights are also a great tool that can be used to increase parental engagement with educators. Schools can use back-to-school nights to communicate needs and ask parents for their assistance through volunteer opportunities that are cognizant of varying times of availability and skill set. As parents get more involved, they become more comfortable with the environment and are more likely to participate in future activities. This should be a goal for all schools. Lastly, transparency is essential to building successful

parent-teacher partnerships. Transparency is also an important aspect of ESSA. ESSA requires states and school districts to be more transparent, specifically with parents, mandating more detailed district report cards and a breakdown of data for all student groups. Parents should always know if their student needs assistance

or is excelling. Assigning homework that includes family input and inviting parents to view student presentations are other examples that may get parents engaged in their child’s education. More information, rather than less, is preferred when it comes to academic achievement. Producing successful students requires patience, sup

port and community partnership. Parental involvement is one of many things that help students overcome obstacles, and it also gives students the extra push needed to be great. All parents are different. Some are proactive; others need an invitation. It is the educators’ duty to invite them.

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David and Deborah Wright are proud to announce the graduation of their daughter Dierra Wright from Florida A&M Univeristy on August 4, 2017. She graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Public Relations.

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A Proud Paper For A Proud People