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VOL. 47 NO. 47 50¢

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2018 - JANUARY 2, 2019

# B l ack Excel l ence:

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

83-Year-Old Earns Ph.D. From Louisiana State University

Cyntoia Brown, Gov. Haslam has promised a decision on clemency for Cyntoia Brown.

Johnnie Jones has become the oldest Black person to ever receive an LSU degree Written By NewsOne Staff The milestone was historic as he became the eldest student to receive a graduate degree during a fall commencement at the school and the oldest Black person to ever receive a LSU degree. When he was 18-years-old, Jones joined

the Marine Corps. While deployed in Vietnam he decided that he wanted to get back on track with his education. He noticed that individuals who had high school diplomas and college degrees were getting better employment opportunities.

After earning his diploma, he took junior college classes and was then able to take advantage of a program offered by Louisiana State University while serving.

After retiring from the military in 1973, he got his bachelor’s degree in sociology from the (Cont’d on page 9)

WHAT CYNTOIA BROWN AND TRUMP PLEA DEALS TELL US ABOUT MASS INCARCERATION

The prison sentences for Cyntoia Brown and Donald Trump’s criminal cronies may seem unrelated, but they tell the same story

By David Dennis

Cyntoia Brown is a victim.

On Nov. 7th, 2004, she was solicited for sex by a 43-year-old man. Brown, a black girl who had fallen victim to sex trafficking at the hands of a pimp named “Cut Throat,” claims the man became violent and threatened her with his guns. He was found dead that night, naked in his bed, shot in the back of the head. Brown had grabbed a gun from her purse and shot him in the back of the head

continuously

in what she claimed was self-defense. Police arrested her and charged her with murder, concluding that her intent was robbery.

She was just 16 years old.

Still, she was tried as an adult and sentenced to two concurrent life sentences.

Just last week, it was revealed that she would not be parole-eligible for more than a half-century — when she will be 82 years old.

The case has gotten national attention as it is symptomatic of the injustices of the American criminal justice system. Cyntoia’s story is tragic, but it’s just as tragic to know that there are hundreds of thousands of similar stories involving Black people in jail thanks to the circumstances they’ve been put in throughout the course of their lives.

I think about Cyntoia a lot, as I imagine (Cont’d on page 7)

Senators Harris and Booker Lead Historic Passage of Federal

Anti-Lynching Legislation

“From 1882 to 1986, Congress failed to pass anti-lynching legislation when it had an opportunity 200 times.

Today, by passing this bill we have offered some long overdue justice and recognition to the victims of lynching crimes,” said Senator Harris.

By NNPA WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Kamala D. Harris (D-CA) and Cory Booker (D-NJ) took to the Senate floor to ask for unanimous consent to pass the bipartisan Justice for

Give the gift of love

Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits- who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion..

Psalm 103:2-4 (New International Version)

By Bobby R. Henry, Sr. As this holiday season begins, I would like to encourage all of us to give the gift of love. It’s simple, unique and it doesn’t cost a thing, but it can conquer much.

This Thanksgiving another window and a new perspective to understanding life were opened to me.

I peered through a fresh opening and allowed this new radiance and atmosphere to engulf me.

While doing so I felt a since of pity.

Why had I not been able to see this before?

What was blocking and obscuring my internal viewing of what really matters in this journey call life?

Me, a simple enclosure housing myriad perplexing and eccentric details, yet capable of doing the impossible with nothing, could not for the life of me grasp what was so splendid about this view.

(Cont’d on page 10)

Senators Booker and Harris Speak of Anti-Lynching Bill.

Victims of Lynching Act of 2018, historic legislation that would criminalize lynching, attempts to lynch, and conspiracy to lynch for the first time in American history. The motion passed, marking the first time in American history that federal anti-lynching legislation has been passed by the Senate.

“Lynchings were needless and horrendous acts of violence that were motivated by racism.

The Westside Gazette Newspaper

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on Senate Floor During Passage

And we must acknowledge that fact, lest we repeat it,” said Senator Harris. “From 1882 to 1986, Congress failed to pass anti-lynching legislation when it had an opportunity 200 times. Today, by passing this bill we have offered some long overdue justice and recognition to the victims of lynching crimes.”

“Today is an emotional and historic day.

(Cont’d on page 10)

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PAGE 2 • DECEMBER 27, 2018 - JANUARY 2, 2019

Deeply Rooted

www.thewestsidegazette.com

16-year-old Best-Selling author publishes book on

Teen Activism

Author Chanice Lee and her book cover.

Monitor reports: Flaws are still harming African-American Children

Shelby County Commissioner Tami Sawyer on Wednesday said the county would have to find a way to correct the flaws cited in the Dec. 10 report by DOJ monitor Sandra Simkins. (Photo: iStockphoto / NNPA)

By John Semien, Special to The New Tri-State Defender

What should be done when a report

by a U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) monitor eyeing Shelby County Juvenile Court says that flaws remain and that they are harming African-American

FORT LAUDERDALE, FL --(BlackNews.com) -- Chanice Lee’s book Young Revolutionary: A Teen’s Guide To Activism has sparked a worldwide youth revolution. The teen activist says she wrote her debut book to “give teens the confidence, tools, and resources needed to be successful activists, leaders, and change-makers.”

The book entails valuable information for any young person looking to get into activism but isn’t sure of where to begin.

With chapters such as “Know Your Rights”, “Educate Yourself on the Cause”, and “Put Your

Passion Into Action”, Young Revolutionary is the perfect fit for any young person who is ready to get out into the world and make a change. The go-to teen activist guide is available on ChaniceLee.com, Amazon, and in select Barnes & Nobles locations across the country.

In addition to be an acclaimed author and activist, Miss Lee is also an innovative and passionate blogger and national speaker. At 14, she became the Creator & Editor-in-Chief of The Melanin Diary, which is the #1 online global platform for social justice, history, politics, and more,

children?

The report, which started circulating this week, comes after the DOJ put an end to its sixyear oversight of the Juvenile Court operation.

Local officials sent a letter to two of the three DOJ monitors asking them to complete their final reports despite termination of their oversight duties. A second report is due later this month Shelby County Commissioner Tami Sawyer on Wednesday said the county would have to find a way to correct the flaws cited in the Dec. 10 report

by DOJ monitor Sandra Simkins.

“We have to have a lot of oversight in the juvenile court,” Sawyer said. “I think the report shows we were right to have concerns about the Department of Justice pulling oversight. And so, as the report says, the decision to not continue monitoring was premature and black kids are at risk.” “(We) as a commission need to do some investigating about what we can do to make sure they are protected,” Sawyer said. “We need to pull up our big boy pants and make it happen.”

Simkins’ monitoring report refers to a “deeply flawed” court system and an agency that enables a “culture of intimidation” that hampers lawyers

written from the perspective of Black teens worldwide.

From marches, schools, and conferences, to appearances on NBC, NPR, and more, the world is interested in hearing what the young trailblazer has to say. She has been coined as “one of the leaders this country so desperately needs,” according to The Root and has been celebrated by Google during their “pay it forward” challenge for Black History Month.

Chanice Lee is well

on her way to making history!

appointed to defend the youths.

Justice Department officials announced the ending of federal oversight of juvenile court on Oct. 19. The memorandum of agreement between county and federal officials that brought about the oversight was signed in 2012. It came about after the DOJ reported: • Systemic discrimination against AfricanAmerican children, • Unsafe confinement conditions and • Failure to provide due process to youth appearing for proceedings.

“Despite the duration of the Memorandum of Agreement and the notable progress in many areas, the structure of the Juvenile Court of Memphis and Shelby County remains deeply flawed, enabling a culture of intimidation that undermines due process,” Simkins, a due process monitor, wrote in her 60-page report.

Shelby County Commission Chairman Van Turner said he agreed with Sawyer that in the absence of oversight from the DOJ, the county should fashion its own remedy.

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

How Jasmine Twitty is making History as a

25-year-old Judge

Originally for The MAG

By Jasmine Twitty, as told to Priyanka Mattoo Plenty of 25-yearolds might be considered judgmental. Few of them get paid for it. Count Jasmine Twitty among them: At 25, she is the youngest person ever to be sworn in as a judge in Easley, South Carolina. After college she landed a job as a night court clerk, and thanks to

her confidence, empathy, and work ethic, she was appointed five years later as associate judge of Easley Municipal Court.

Here, she tells us why the early mornings and long nights are worth it.

I was born and raised in

Greenville, South Carolina, and was one of those supersmart little kids who might be called “mouthy”—if my parents hadn’t been so proud of my vocabulary.

My mother is a social worker who’d give anyone the shirt off her back, and she expected the same of us.

We had a big fight because she was so insistent on my candy striping one summer. I never wanted to go into medicine, and didn’t understand the point. I cried hysterically because we never got a summer break—I wasn’t a morning person and just wanted to sleep in. Later, I

(Read full story at:

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Andrea Stubbs

was recognized as a Human Resources Leader by the International Career and Business Alliance, Inc. (ICABA) on December 11th.

Andrea began her career seventeen years ago at VITAS Healthcare. At that time she was an assistant to the Human Resources manager.

A few years later, when there was an opportunity for advancement Andrea became the supervisor of the department.

Andrea was recognized as a “VITAS Best” in 2017 and has been honored three times as Employee of the Month.

She facilitates the cares and concerns of the more than 1300 employees in the Broward County offices of VITAS Healthcare as well as new applicants.

She now supervises seven human resources employees in two offices.

As she attends her daily responsibilities she reminds herself to, “ Count your blessings, not your birthdays.”

Andrea is a member of The Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), the world’s largest association of Human Resource professionals.

CONGRATULATIONS ANDREA!

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Deeply Rooted

JAN 16 MIAMI KNIGHT CONCERT HALL

JAN 19 KEY WEST TENNESSEE WILLIAMS THEATRE

DECEMBER 27, 2018 - JANUARY 2, 2019 • PAGE 3

JAN 23 BROWARD AU-RENE THEATER

F O R T I C K E T S A N D I N F O R M AT I O N SOUTHFLORIDASYMPHONY.ORG | 954.462.0222

Deeply Rooted

PAGE 4 • DECEMBER 27, 2018 - JANUARY 2, 2019

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

Could False Accusations Threaten the #MeToo Movement?

Celebrities and business moguls aren’t alone in feeling the brunt of the #MeToo movement.

By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Correspondent A dozen years ago, Tarana Burke created the slogan, “Me Too.” Burke, a Bronx, N.Y.-born African American civil rights activist, created the saying as a means to help women who had survived sexual violence.

Years later, the hashtag “#MeToo” took off, initially without properly crediting Burke.

The movement also seemed initially to exclude women of color or, in the view of many, disproportionately focus on victimized white women – prompting Burke to passionately tell African American women earlier this year, “don’t opt yourself out of what was started for you because the media isn’t acknowledging your hurt.”

Mostly white actresses in Hollywood have become the public face of the movement and men like Matt Lauer, Charlie Rose, and Les Moonves have lost their high-profile jobs.

The success for proponents has been increasingly measured in terms of the career, stature, title or reputation loss experienced by the growing group of the (mostly men) accused in the media and a much smaller segment of accused that have been charged and/or convicted of crimes.

As some in the movement include Bill Cosby’s conviction on aggravated indecent assault charges as another consequence of #MeToo, the pending charges and trial outcomes against movie mogul Harvey Weinstein remain unsettled.

Cosby’s trials were so adversely impacted by media rhetoric and public perception that the inaccurate reporting of the actual substance was an unsworn-in additional witness against him — including a prosecutor who cited Cosby’s conviction as a centerpiece of his election campaign.

In fact, even though videos have emerged of several professional football players and other celebrities physically assaulting women in hotel lobbies, elevators and hallways, Cosby may

Why are African Immigrants turning to Republicans?

The Cameroon American Council has requested an emergency meeting with Senator Menendez to discuss the full impact of his recent statement along with other issues.

ultimately find himself as the sole accused celebrity who serves actual prison time.

Most recently, the movement was also credited for canceled office holiday parties and a growing number of radio stations refusing to play the classic song, “Baby, It’s Cold Outside,” after many claimed that the singer is trying to persuade a woman to stay with him by offering her a drink.

“While it’s critically important that women who’ve been assaulted are heard, we cannot forget about the fundamental right to due process that our great country was founded upon,” said Andrew Miltenberg, one of the nation’s leading due process attorneys.

“This is a dangerous time in our nation’s history, reminiscent of the days of McCarthyism, where a single accusation is enough to end a career. Even baseless charges can ruin a lifetime of work in some situations,” Miltenberg said.

With more than 200 men losing positions and Cosby jailed, some are beginning to look at the movement with a suspect eye.

Actor Sean Penn famously said the campaign has been too black and white and it has divided men and women. Penn also said the movement “is being led by mania.”

He told NBC’s Today Show that he’d like to think that none of it was influenced by what they call the movement of #MeToo. “I think it’s influenced by the things that are developing in terms of empowerment of women who’ve been acknowledging each other and being acknowledged by men,” Penn told Today.

“This is a movement that was largely shouldered by a kind of receptacle of the salacious.”

When the show’s host, Natalie Morales, asked Penn to clarify his use of the word “salacious,” the actor doubled-

Trump’s Power Africa Initiative

Africa, three times the population of North America and the richest natural resources land on earth, is overdue to take its natural place in the world.

Part 1

By Sylvie Bello, founder of the Cameroon American Council

By Harry C. Alford & Kay DeBow

On October 30, 2018, in Bamenda which is in the Northwest region of Cameroon, a fellow American and missionary, Charles Wesco of Indiana, was killed. It is believed that Wesco, who was traveling with his wife, Stephanie, in a car being driven by another missionary to the town of Bamnui from the Bamenda suburb of Bambili, where the family has been living. Charles Wesco was in the front seat, and two shots hit the windshield and struck him in the head. No one else was hurt.

It is believed that the incident occurred in the crossfire of Cameroon’s ongoing civil and electoral/voter recount war and unrest.

The following day, Senator Bob Menedez (D-NJ) released a statement, ““I am deeply saddened to learn of the death of an American missionary who sacrificed

Finally, we have a White House that has decided to call out China for the sleezy things it does while doing business in Africa. To the Chinese government the African Continent is a big whore to be abused and pimped at every opportunity. You can travel to any nation within Africa and there will be one thing that is constant: China trading interests and influence is there at every airport, many construction projects, railways, dams and various other infrastructure projects. There practices are plain and simple: “Rape, hustle, steal, swindle, corrupt at every opportunity that is presented.” Theirs is to take from Africa – not improve or advance it. If challenged, sling cash, be arrogant and keep on trucking. No one is going to stop them.

It is a living nightmare. The more we complain and scream, the more we are ignored. What we heard during a conference call from the White House last week was simply sweet “music” to our ears. A new, fresh policy towards the African continent is

(Read full story at www.thewestsidegazette.com)

(Read full story at www.thewestsidegazette.com)

YEMEN: OUR FUTURE?

Impeach, indict, and sanction

“They must kill and continue to kill, strange as it may seem, in order not to know that they are killing.” — Rene Girard, Things Hidden since the Foundation of the World Socially sanctioned killing is called war. The word “war” may be the most powerful word in human history, because it creates a mask of respectability for — that is, it conceals — the dehumanization and mass slaughter of a designated enemy, along with limitless environmental contamination. When we’re “waging war,” we have given ourselves permission not to know what we are doing, even if what we’re doing is putting life on Planet Earth in danger of extinction.

Say hello to Yemen, the possible future of all of us!

“Jagged pieces of bomb flew thousands of miles per hour outward, and Rabee’a — still celebrating his success — was almost fully decapitated. The top half of his face was removed, leaving just an open lower jaw; the heat of the blast burned most of his clothes off and charred his skin, so he was left naked, his genitals exposed, his body smoking. Next to him, his cousin Al-Qadi, the judge, was burning alive, his blood vessels expelling water and his body inflating. He began to scream.”

These words are from an extraordinary piece of reporting by Jeffrey Stern in New York Times Magazine, about a Saudi bombing raid at a water well in Yemen two years ago, in which 31 people may have died, although, as he pointed out, “It’s hard to know the numbers for sure, because all that was left of many victims were very small parts, very far from one another.”

Three of the dismembered dead were children, if that makes any difference (oh Republican congresspersons).

Also, of note: The bombing run, as is hideously typical, came in two waves. The first bomb killed a few people. A second barrage of bombs rained down six hours later,

I still like to start with the words of the Constitution which, being a declaration of the ordinary People, the words have ordinary and usual meaning, not twisted judge/shyster language.

Art 1 & 3 clause 7 in plain language (the 2 below) allows indictment, trial, judgment & punishment in addition to impeachment or, it appears, even without impeachment. In other words, it is possible to impeach first, then indict and criminally punish--because the punishment for impeachment is limited to removal and disqualification for “any office of honor, trust or profit under the United States.”

However, the criminal process is not limited by the express language to after impeachment. Rather I suggest it was to make clear impeachment first does not implicate double jeopardy rights of the accused. Nor is it rational that the Framers thought a person of such dishonor as to be a criminal ought to be the chief law enforcement officer of the US hence--impeach him and remove from office. But, because no one is above the law, that is not the end, following impeachment criminal prosecution can take place. Nothing in the express language prohibits” Indictment, Trial, Judgment and Punishment, according to Law” prior to or independent of impeachment.

The control of the House and the Senate by the President’s “faction” (now known as party) could put him above impeachment,

(Read full story at www.thewestsidegazette.com)

(Read full story at www.thewestsidegazette.com)

By Robert C. Koehler

By Kary Love

down. “Well, we don’t know what’s a fact in many of the cases,” Penn said.

“Salacious is as soon as you call something a movement that is really a series of many individual accusers, victims [and] accusations, some of which are unfounded,” he said. “I don’t know the percentages, but I know that there are some lies that have been told publicly about people; I know of some serious omissions. I’m talking about women towards men.”

Actress and former Playboy model Pamela Anderson has also criticized the #MeToo movement.

She has argued that many of the cases stem from actresses taking meetings in hotel suites alone with male executives.

Anderson has argued that she’d never go to a man’s private hotel suite for a business meeting alone, particularly if the man answering the door is “only wearing a robe.”

(Read full story at www. thewestsidegazette.com)

Founder’s Christmas Present

By Kevin Palmer

The Founding Father’s eternal Christmas present to White Americans is a rigged system. That is why there are organizations in place to check the reliability of the rigging.

One such institution is the Brookings Institute.

It is a think tank which conducts in-depth research to inform elitist rulers who, if necessary, will tweak the system to ensure Whites remain on top and Blacks remain on the bottom.

Brookings publishes articles which appear objective and neutral but are written to inform and comfort elitist liberals and conservatives who control the levers of power. One such article is titled, Trump won white voters, but serious inequities remain for Black Americans.

This condescending article lists 10 reasons why Blacks deserve more compassion from the ruling class. Some of the reasons were food insecurity: “More than one in five Black families live in households that are food insecure, compared to one in ten White families.”

College debt: “Black college graduates now have twice the amount of debt as White college graduates.”

Wage gap: “For every dollar earned by a White worker, a Black worker only makes 74 cents.”

The bible says in Proverbs 20:23, “Unequal weights are detestable to the Lord, and dishonest scales are no good.” So is a racially rigged political and economic system.

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Deeply Rooted

DECEMBER 27, 2018 - JANUARY 2, 2019 • PAGE 5

How Credit Scores Impact Mortgages

By Kendra Thurston

Johnnie Smith, Jr Jr..

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The mortgage industry and the real estate industry go hand in hand. Potential home buyers often have a multitude of questions regarding the home buying process. “How much does credit play of in the home buying process? is asked frequently. You can choose to purchase your home using cash or by financing the purchase. If you choose to finance through a bank or mortgage lender, your credit rating will play a part in your loan options.

A credit score is a three-digit number designed to show credit-worthiness. It demonstrates how likely a person is to repay borrowed money based on previous borrowing experience. The number is gathered from each of the three major credit reporting bureaus; Equifax, Transunion, and Experian. Each credit reporting agency keeps track of payment history including late and on-time payments, high and low balances, and how long an account has been open. Credit reporting agencies use this information to calculate a credit rating ranging from 300-850.

Credit card companies, car loan companies, and others report your account history to a credit reporting agency. Some companies may choose to report to one of the three major credit reporting agencies or all three of them. When you ask for your credit report, it is likely that you will receive a different score from each credit reporting agency.

When applying for a bank loan, banks use the FICO score from each of the three credit bureaus. The Fair Isaac Corporation, better known as FICO, created a formula widely used by mortgage lenders to determine credit ratings. While each individual bureau has a credit score that is generated by them, a FICO score is a separate credit rating used by mortgage lenders.

Lenders typically use the middle of the 3 FICO scores from each major credit reporting bureau in a mortgage application. The higher the number, the lower the risk for a lender.

Mortgage lenders need to assess the risk to themselves before lending money to borrowers. When applying for a loan, a borrower is asked for a full financial profile. A full financial profile includes FICO scores, assets, and income. Your FICO score and income play a large part in the loan amount and interest rat you will receive.

Mortgage lender typically prequalify a borrower once they have reviewed and approved their mortgage application. A pre-qualification is an estimate of the loan amount and interest rate a borrower can expect from the lender. Home buyers will use the pre-qualification letter to determine monthly mortgage payments and choose a purchase price for their home.

Credit scores will impact the amount of interest on a loan, which translates into a higher our lower monthly mortgage payment. Once a home buyer knows the pre-qualification amount, they can be ready to begin their home search. The more information you have for your real estate agent, the better equipped they are to help you find the perfect home.

PAGE 6 • DECEMBER 27, 2018 - JANUARY 2, 2019

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

Church Directory

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

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"

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Dr. Marcus D. Davidson, Senior Pastor

WORSHIP SERVICES & BIBLE STUDY

Sunday .................................................... 7:15 a.m. 9:00 a.m. & 11:00 a.m.

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

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

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

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

Where the kingdom of God is increased through Fellowship.

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

Pentecostal Temple Revival Center 2050 N. W. 27 St., Oakland, Fla. 33311 Church: (954) 733-0727 Email: @bishopwill.brantley

Bishop Will Brantley WORSHIP SERVICES

Sunday Worship ............................................................... 8 a.m. & 11:30 a.m.

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

Tuesday (Prayer Service) ............................................................................ 7:30 p.m.

Thursday (Bible Study) ................................................................................ 7:30 p.m.

Friday (Alter Prayer) .................................................................................... 6:00 p.m.

"But the hour cometh, and now is when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him."

"God is spirit; and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth."

John: 4-23-24

Shaw Temple A.M.E. Zion Church 522 N.W. Ninth Avenue Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33311 Church: (954) 462-1413 or (954) 647-8254 Email: AMEZ522@yahoo.com

Rev. Dr. William Calvin Haralson, Pastor

Harris Chapel United Methodist Church Rev. Stanley Melek, M.Div

www.thewestsidegazette.com

SERVICES

Sunday School .................................................................................. 10:15 a.m.

Sunday Morning Worship ............................................................ 11:00 a.m.

Bible Study (Wednesday) ............................................................... 7:30 p.m.

"Reaching beyond the four walls touching lives, touching communities".

E-MAIL:stanley.melek@flumc.org 2351 N.W. 26th Street Oakland Park, Florida 33311 Church Telephone: (954) 731-0520

SERVICES

Obituaries James C. Boyd Funeral Home CARTER Funeral services for the late Andrew Lee Carter - 83 were held December 20 at James C. Boyd’s Memorial Chapel with Pastor Robert Brooks, Jr. officiating.

CUFF Funeral services for the late Apostle Eddie Lee Cuff, Sr. 60 were held December 22 at Lighthouse Worship Center Church of God in Christ with Bishop Jimmie L. Williams officiating. Interment: Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens (Central).

DIAZ Funeral services for the late Maria Dolores Tejada De Diaz – 90.

HIGGINS Funeral services for the late Dwight “DJ” Higgins, Jr. – 24 were held Dec. 22 at James C. Boyd’s Memorial Chapel with Pastor Marvin Brazle officiating. Interment: Sunset Memorial Gardens.

McWhite's Funeral Home BUTLER Funeral services for the late Anthony Bernard Butler - 44 were held December 12 at McWhite’ s Funeral Chapel with Min. Eugene Henry officiating. Interment: Forest Lawn Central.

WALKER Funeral services for the late Brenda Elaine Walker -57 were held December 20 at McWhite’ s Funeral Home Chapel with Raymond Cheatham officiating

Roy Mizell & Kurtz Funeral Home BROWN Funeral services for the late Almedia D. Brown – 65 were held December 22 at Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses. Interment: Sunset Memorial Gardens.

The Grace Center, a place to worship

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

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

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

Mount Calvary Baptist Church 800 N.W. 8th Avenue Pompano Beach, Floirda 33060 Church Telephone: (954) 943-2422 Church Fax: (954) 943-2186 E-mail Address: Mitcalvarypompano@bellsouth.net SCHEDULE OF SERVICES SUNDAY New Member Orientation...........................9:30 a.m.

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

Worship Services.................................................................11:00 a.m WEDNESDAY Prayer Meeting.............................................................6:00a.m.

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

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

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

Email infor@mthermonftl.com

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

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

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

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

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

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

(712)432-1500 Access Code296233#

Mount Nebo Missionary Baptist Church

2551 N.W. 22nd St., Fort Lauderdale, FL 33311 P.O. BOX 122256, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312 (954) 733-3285 * Fax: (954) 733-9231 Email: mountnebobaptist@bellsouth.net

Rev. Danny L. McKenzie, Sr. Senior Pastor WORSHIP SERVICES & BIBLE STUDY

Sunday .............................................................................. 7:30 a.m. & 11 a.m.

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

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

Fifth Sunday ..................................................................................... 10:00 a.m.

"Reaching Our World One Person At A Time"

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Saturday (2nd & 4th) Christian Growth & Orientation .................................. 8:30 a.m.

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

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

Rev. Cal Hopkins.

M.Div) Senior Pastor/Teacher

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

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

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

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

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

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

F rom Cedric Dawkins Pastor Robert Stephens, III, lifelong Miami Gardens resident, youth advocate, and man of God, presents a new house of worship in the City, entitled ‘The Grace Center’. The Grace

Center will be a non-denominational, interactive, worship center geared to the active, working millennial, socially conscious professional and retired individual of faith.

Sermons will offer messages of hope and inspiration to comfort the parishioner in these trying times, in which, people are trying to balance work, school, family and faith. Scheduled activities will stimulate community engagement, activate youth and create an interwoven network of church, family, community service and philanthropy.

The Grace Center will be located at Brentwood Elementary, located at 3101 NW 191 Street, Miami Gardens, FL, 33056. Sunday services will be held weekly at 10AM. The inaugural “Launch Service” will be held on Sunday, January 6, 2018.

Pastor Stephens has previously served as Associate Minister at the Logas Baptist Church in Miami; under the leadership of Rev. Keith Butler, chairperson of L.E.A.D. Nation’s South Florida Youth Summit; a non-profit mentorship organization co-founded

by State Representative Shevrin Jones, and co-founder and CEO of CHANGE MAKERS ACADEMY; an interactive mentorship organization for young boys at risk. For more information about The Grace Center, visit their website at www.thegracecenter.net, or follow them on social media.

Deeply Rooted

www.thewestsidegazette.com

Meet Melissa Harville-LeBron: The first Black woman to own a NASCAR team

By Selena Hill

Melissa Harville-Lebron never imagined that her entrepreneurial pursuits and ambitions would lead her to make history as the first African American woman to solely own a race team licensed by NASCAR. Harville-Lebron, a 47-year-old single mother raising her three biological children as well as her siblings’ four kids, started her career in the entertainment industry as an intern at Sony Music. In 2005, she launched her own music label while working for New York City’s Department of Correction office. Nearly a decade later, she suffered from a severe asthma attack that forced her into early retirement and inspired her to take the risk of launching a multifaceted entertainment company, W.M. Stone Enterprises Inc., in 2014.

Melissa Harville-Lebron and her sons Eric and Enico Lebron

A RACE TO HISTORY Harville-Lebron says her journey into auto racing began unexpectedly when she

took her sons to a NASCAR experience event at Charlotte Super Speedway in hopes of deterring them from taking

DECEMBER 27, 2018 - JANUARY 2, 2019 • PAGE 7

You feel good when you do the right thing:

Man returns purse filled with $10,000

From HTV National Desk A New York subway rider might have earned himself a spot for life on Santa’s “nice” list after he turned in a purse with $10,000 cash he found on a train platform.

Richard Taverna spotted the blue Chanel bag Thursday morning in the station at Lincoln Center in Manhattan, he told WABC. “I picked it up just to see if there was, maybe, some kind of information, identification, inside that I might be able to get in touch with the person,” he said.

up such a dangerous hobby.

(Read full story at:

www.thewestsidegazette.com)

LOCAL

Broward Mayor Mark Bogen Announces Mayor’s Council of Broward County

By Kimberly Maroe BROWARD COUNTY, FL – Broward County Mayor Mark Bogen will bring together the Mayors of all thirtyone cities for the newly created Mayor’s Council of Broward County.

“This is precedent setting. The Mayor’s Council of Broward County will unite all city leaders to address issues and solve problems together in the spirit of cooperation to better serve our 1.9 million residents,” said Mayor Bogen. The Council also has the support of the Broward League of Cities.

Mayor Bogen and the thirty-one city Mayors will meet on a quarterly basis with initial meetings scheduled for January 28th, 30th, and 31st.

“For several years, the cities and County have not always gotten along. In some cases, there have been lawsuits and tension. This coming year, we’ll meet face to face to set an agenda and discuss whatever issues are brought to the table. We’ll open up lines of communication and the result will be progress,” said Bogen.

The Mayor’s Council of Broward County is part of the Mayor Bogen’s overall theme this year to “get things done.” He’s incorporated a Triple A strategy that includes accountability of government, achievement on a countywide basis and award incentives for ideas that will lead to more efficient government.

Cyntoia Brown and Trump from Front Page most people who hear her story would. But I specifically find myself thinking about her every time the Special Counsel Robert Mueller‘s investigations into Donald Trump and his cohorts hit the news cycle. The two situations may seem unrelated, but they tell the same story.

Mueller has been investigating Trump and the people around him for two years now and he’s made a ton of progress, including at least 33 Trump associates being either indicted or pleading guilty. As the potential of impeachment or even an arrest seeming like more of a reality, enthusiasm across social media abounded. One by one, Trump’s possible co-conspirators have been entering into plea deals in which they give up information for shorter sentences.

George Papadopoulos, Trump’s former campaign foreign policy advisor who pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI, was sentenced to 14 days. Michael Cohen, Trump’s now-former lawyer, was sentenced to three years in prison after pleading guilty to various counts of tax evasion and campaign finance charges as part of a plea deal. Accused Russian spy Maria Butina, who became friendly with the NRA, also entered into a plea deal for a lesser charge. And so on, and so on.

The people who have either copped pleas or been found guilty as part of Mueller’s investigation were all connected by the belief that they had some part in contributing to the placement of a president who may have been compromised, and assisted, by a foreign adversary. These are conspiracy crimes that undermine the fabric of an entire country and threaten lives across the world. A lot of the sentences for these crimes at face value warrant decades of prison time. But most of the admittedly guilty culprits won’t spend anything close to that time.

That’s because, in the American criminal justice system, the amount of time you face in jail isn’t about guilt or innocence. It’s about the amount of collateral you can offer. This is why half a million people were incarcerated and awaiting trial as of the time this article was written — because they simply can’t afford cash bail.

Cyntoia Brown is the lowest of the low on the societal hierarchy. She has no information to give. Nothing to plea. No money for expensive lawyers or high-priced bail. She is a product of a system designed for little Black girls to stay in jail for the maximum amount of time no matter the circumstance or level of guilt.

So, yes, she comes to mind whenever I see headlines about Paul Manafort putting up million-dollar homes to pay bail for the privilege of house arrest or glorified war criminals bargaining to ease their jail time.

Then I turn on Fox News or hop on social media and see so-called patriots defending the men and women who destroyed America’s so-called democracy from within and wonder where that fervor for defending America has gone — and why Cyntoia doesn’t get the same passionate pleas for freedom.

I want us to pause for a minute as we cheer each plea deal Trump’s friends are getting and the second and third chances they receive en route to the deification of their roles in taking down this administration. And I want us to think about how things could have been different if Cyntoia could have gotten half as many chances as the white people actually terrorizing this country.

David Dennis, Jr. is a writer and adjunct professor of Journalism at Morehouse College. David’s writing has appeared in The Guardian, The Smoking Section, Uproxx, Playboy, The Atlantic, Complex.com and wherever people argue about things on the internet.

Taverna found a note written in Russian. He couldn’t read it -- and couldn’t find a subway agent -- so he took the bag home and later found something else inside.

“I opened the envelope, and there was a big stack of money,” he said.

One hundred $100 bills filled the packet. Taverna laid them out on a table and snapped a photo.

“Somebody lost $10,000,” he recognized, “so obviously they’re probably going through a lot of duress.”

That’s when Taverna did “something most people would

have done.”

“Well, it’s not mine,” he told WABC, explaining that he took the bag and its contents to the New York Police Department’s 20th Precinct.

It was the same place a Manhattan woman went to file a report about the blue bag she’d lost as she headed off on a vacation to Russia, police confirmed to the station.

“I don’t really think I did anything that extraordinary,” Taverna said. “You feel good when you do the right thing.”

Harvard Crimson Appoints First Black Woman President “If my election has validated anyone’s experience or validated anyone’s belonging in Crimson, then my hard work will be worth it and will continue to be worth it,” says Kristine E. Guillaume.

Written By NewsOne Staff Black women are continuing to break barriers at Harvard University. This year marked the first time in the prestigious institution’s history that four of Harvard’s schools were led by African-American women. Now a junior at the institution

has hit a major milestone by becoming the first Black woman president of its student newspaper, CNN reported.

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

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PAGE 8 • DECEMBER 27, 2018 - JANUARY 2, 2019

Just like Tannehill, the Dolphins’ season has been sacked.

(Photo credit: Ron Lyon)

By Byler Henry The Jaguars travelled to Miami and crushed the Dolphins playoff hopes; what a way to finish the last home game for the 2018 season. After losing to the Vikings last week, the Dolphins playoff hopes were slim but still alive. With a 7-8 record the Dolphins are now eliminated from the playoff hunt. The Dolphins were playing well in the first half but once the second half started, it was a completely different story. Head Coach Adam Gase offers his analysis for the game.

“They (Jaguars) just dominated us up front and holes were closing quick.

I know the backs were trying to get as much as possible, but we were 2-3 yards a clip and then we just kept leaving ourselves in third-andlong. Penalties crushed us. We could not get in any kind of rhythm. ” Overall, Tannehill has good looking numbers on paper.

After their first quarter touchdown, the offense could not get back on the board.

Tannehill completed 15 of 22 passes (68%) for 146 yards with one touchdown and one interception.

The Jaguars defense was also able to get pressure on him, sacking him 3 times and forcing their way into the backfield.

When asked about the Jaguars pressure Ryan Tannehill offers his insight. “I think they did a good job just getting pressure on us.

Obviously, I have to go back and look at the tape and see exactly what happened. A lot of the things that we were trying to get were a little bit further down the field and we weren’t able to get the ball out.” Despite completing 68% of his passes, Tannehill wasn’t able to get Kenny Stills or DeVante Parker involved.

Kenny Stills only had one reception for five yards while DeVante

Parker had two receptions for 13 yards. The running game also struggled, with Kenyan Drake only gaining 23 rushing yards on six carries, Tannehill 22 yards, and Kalen Ballage gained a miniscule 10 yards.

The Dolphins defense played well in the first half, but in the fourth quarter when it mattered the most, the Jaguars were able to find a way to put points on the board. Dolphins rookie Minkah Fitzpatrick sums up the feeling of this lost.

“Yeah, it’s very frustrating.

Some of the games didn’t go the way we wanted them too, but this one, we needed to win this one. It was our next game, our most important game. So this was kind of like that blow.

It just hurts.” With this game being a must win, this really felt like a knockout blow.

Between their two running backs Leonard Fournette was able to get 43 yards and a touchdown, while Carlos Hyde gained 47 yards.

With one more game to go this season, the Dolphins have the Bills left on the road. So what’s next for Miami? They have talent on both sides of the ball; however, they were too inconsistent this year. They would be great at home, but not so good on the road. Their home record was 6-2, while their road record was 1-6. If they want to make the playoffs next year they can’t continue to play so poorly

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.

December 6, 13, 20, 27, 2018

Deeply Rooted

Dolphins DE Cameron Wake sacks Jaguars QB Blake Bortles.

(Photo credit: Ron Lyon)

on the road. THe AFC was a tough division this year, and it most likely will be tough next year so

finishing with an average record is not going to cut it.

This offseason, they should look at

www.thewestsidegazette.com

Dolphins DB Tim Mytier defends Jacksonsville receiver. (Photo credit: Ron Lyon) their overall team, figure out how they can improve and go from there.

Deeply Rooted

www.thewestsidegazette.com

DECEMBER 27, 2018 - JANUARY 2, 2019 • PAGE 9

The Oldest Black-Owned restaurant in the U.S. -- in business for more than 100 years!

By BlackNews.com Jones Bar-B-Q Diner in Marianna, Arkansas is believed to be the oldest Black-owned restaurant in the country. Currently owned by James Jones and his wife Betty, the diner has been open since at least 1910 and is still widely known for serving the best barbecue pork with a secret sauce. James’ grandfather, Walter Jones, was the founder and first pitmaster.

From humble beginnings When Walter started the restaurant, he reportedly lived in a nearby dogtrot house. And from his back porch, he served barbecue on Fridays and Saturdays.

Hubert Jones, Walter’s son and James’ dad, said the family’s initial barbecue set-up was “a hole in the ground, some iron pipes and a piece of fence wire, and two pieces of tin.”

James Jones, owner of Jones B-Q- Diner in Marianna, Arkansas

Remaining true to it’s roots As the oldest African American-owned restaurant in America, having been around for

How to turn your life around and get healthier.

The good thing is: it’s never too late, say experts It’s never too late to turn your health around. Just ask Prempal Hundal, who was told in 2014 that he had pre-diabetes. He says the diagnosis was the wake-up call he needed to take control of his health – or face dire consequences when he was older.

By Sasha Gonzales “My wife, who’s a doctor, told me that I had to make certain lifestyle changes to move out of that pre-diabetic range,” says Hundal, a Singapore-based finance professional.

“She was blunt, warning me that unless I did something right away, I might have to spend the rest of my life as a diabetic, getting my blood sugar level tested daily and possibly having to inject myself with insulin on a regular basis. I also feared long-term complications associated with diabetes, such as vision loss, nerve damage, and infections leading to amputations.”

Finally getting national attention In 2012, the restaurant was honored by the James Beard Foundation (the Oscars of the food industry) for it’s “timeless appeal” and a quality of food “that reflects the character of their community.”

The diner has also been featured in several high profile publications in the South including Saveur, The Oxford American, and Southern Foodways.

Follow the restaurant on Facebook at www. facebook.com/JonesBarBQDiner/ or visit their location at 219 W Louisiana Street, Marianna, Arkansas 72360.

African American Founder Launches Technology Transportation Startup In Florida

N A T I O N W I D E (BlackNews.com) -Benjamin Dorsinvil, Founder and CEO of Golden Freight Brokers, has launched the first transportation technology company led by an African-American in Florida.

The startup company helps small and medium-sized businesses find carriers to move their freight.

Golden Freight Brokers provides businesses with dedicated account managers Benjamin Dorsinvil, founder and CEO of Golden Freight Brokers that screen and select the best carriers to move their freight. Homestead, Florida. They are Golden Freight Brokers is They ensure that shippers are working only with businesses not just another technology receiving the best price and located in the state of Florida, company. They have a platform the best service. The company but plan to expand to other that is simple and FREE to use, dedicated account is currently headquartered in states in 2020.

(Read full article at: www.thewestsidegazette.com) Hundal, who weighed 110kg (242 pounds) at the time, began making big changes to his diet. He minimised his intake of processed foods, beer and rich, sugary desserts, ditched regular white rice for basmati rice, which has a lower glycaemic index, and ate grilled or baked – rather than fried – foods.

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

NAACP President Johnson Travels to Ghana in Support of Upcoming ‘Year of Return Ghana 2019’ Written by NNPA BALTIMORE/ ACCRA – This week, NAACP President Derrick Johnson traveled to Ghana to meet with Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia in support of the upcoming ‘Year of Return Ghana 2019’ project, a year-long journey to celebrate the reconnecting of Africans throughout the Diaspora to their African heritage.

In addition to meeting with officials and leaders, President Johnson also met with officials from the Ministries of Tourism, Tourism Authority and the Diaspora Affairs Office to discuss ways to reconnect greater numbers of African Americans to their roots in Ghana.

“Next year symbolizes a moment in time where people of Afri can descent regardless

several generations, the diner remains true to it’s roots. James tends the pits, and his cooking apparatus is still elemental. And the pork shoulder, hacked into savory bits and served on white bread with a spritz of vinegary sauce, is as smoky as ever.

Located not too far from the Mississippi River, Jones Bar-B-Q Diner continues to shine as a beacon of community pride and continuity.

Launched in August 2018, by Ghanaian President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, ‘Year of Return Ghana 2019’will feature a number of activities, including a “Bra Fie Concert” to be hosted

by Damian Marley, son of Bob Marley; a Back to Africa Festival to celebrate Black History Month, and a Homecoming and Investment Summit.

of where they exist within our Diaspora can reconnect and map out a future which establishes Africa and her descendants in their rightful place on the world stage,” said NAACP President Johnson.

The yearlong event will commemorate the 400th year of the first arrival of enslaved Africans in Port Comfort/ Hampton, Virginia. Launched

in August 2018, by Ghanaian President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, ‘Year of Return Ghana 2019’will feature a number of activities, including a “Bra Fie Concert” to be hosted

by Damian Marley, son of Bob Marley; a Back to Africa Festival to celebrate Black History

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

83-year old earns PH. D. from Front Page University of Hawaii and went on to pursue his master’s degree at LSU. While chasing after his academic goals he worked at a restaurant and later as a warden at the Louisiana Department of Corrections to support his family. Although he has several degrees under his belt, he doesn’t intend on stopping his academic journey anytime soon.

He plans on starting law school next fall.

“Age is an artificial constraint. There’s nothing

magical about 65, 75, 95, 105. Your behavior, your activities should be guided by your physical fitness and your mental fitness,” he told The Advocate. “We’ve been so socialized to believe that once you hit a certain age, I’ve done my thing, so I’m going to sit back and enjoy life. OK, if that’s your thing, that’s your thing. But to me, age doesn’t mean that much. It’s whether or not I have the ability to be doing the things need to be doing.”

PAGE 10 • DECEMBER 27, 2018 - JANUARY 2, 2019

Deeply Rooted

www.thewestsidegazette.com

Another Democrat gets a 2020 look: Andrew Gillum Andrew Gillum has hit the Democratic speaking circuit across the nation, urging the party to stay the course on social justice.

By Marc Caputo and Alex Thompson

Even in defeat, Democrat Andrew Gillum is proving to be one of the winners of 2018. The former Tallahassee mayor is parlaying his razor-thin loss in the

BCPS High School Graduation Rates Rise to Highest Level in Seven Years

By Kathy Koch On December 19, 2018, the Florida Department of Education released graduation rates for the 2017/18 school year. Broward County Public Schools (BCPS) is proud to announce that the results show graduation rates for traditional District high schools (excluding centers and charter schools) reached the highest level in seven years, at 95.1 percent, which exceeds the 93.8 percent achieved in 2016/17.

Additional highlights are listed below.

• Broward County Public Schools (BCPS) achieved its highest graduation rate (Read full story at: www.thewestsidegazette.com)

Florida governor’s race into a role in the 2020 presidential primary — as a kingmaker or perhaps even a candidate himself.

With his stature enhanced by an exceedingly narrow loss in the nation’s largest swing state, Gillum has hit the Democratic speaking circuit across the nation, urging the party to stay the course on social justice and taking private meetings with top party officials — among them, former President Barack Obama.

A MESSAGE FR OM OUR PU BL IS H E R from Front Page Sharing a traditional Thanksgiving dinner with family and friends from out of town was nothing out of the ordinary because we’ve done this numerous times before.

Yet, somehow, this was different.

As I replayed the days over and over in my mind, I finally realized it last night as I sat in the audience listening to my daughter speak to a gathering of youth at the Boys and Girls Club on the topic of HIV/AIDS. My daughter is 36 years old and she is HIV Positive. She has told her story many times before, but on this night she was struggling.

I don’t know if it was because she wasn’t feeling well or the young (14-19 yrs.) audience intimidated her.

At the beginning of her speech she told the gathering, “I’m not feeling my best, but I’m going to give it a try because my message needs to be heard by such a group.” She then stated that she hopes her boss (me) wasn’t in the audience because she missed work today, but she came out to speak.

I stood up so she could see me, thinking perhaps that would relieve some of her apprehension. And it did! She smiled and laughed which caused the group to share in her laughter.

She did well as she normally does, but I felt the need to stand with her and give her some more support. I hugged and kissed her.

It was then that I realized what was so pleasant about this new window that had opened in my life.

It took me back to Thanksgiving dinner.

Our dinner was shared with friends we had not seen in years from Dayton, Ohio, their two children, a childhood friend of mine that has gone blind in the last six years, his friend, my daughter and two BIG grandsons, our son, who was home from college, his girlfriend, who is expecting a child in April of 19, two University of Miami

football players, and my wife and son. Needless to say, we had a full house.

You know how when you plan some things and they just don’t seem to turn out right? Well this was headed in that direction, but suddenly an aura of kindness blessed us.

Nothing could go wrong. I mean things were broken, food spilled and homemade lemon aid was wasted all over the kitchen floor, but that was okay.

You see, when you ask for love to be in the place from the beginning, you act upon it, extend and receive it back; that’s all you can do.

So, my view while on life’s journey has been reconstructed to a much broader and deeper perspective because of the gift of love.

Therefore, I would encourage, force and compel you to give the gift of love this holiday season.

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. 1 Corinthians 13:13 “Dear God, in the name of Jesus, please teach us how to love pass all that would hinder, perplex and try to cause us harm, to LOVE one another in the face of it all. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

GOD SENT JESUS TO SHOW US HOW TO LOVE This article was written by me in 2008. The strength of love has withstood the test of time and it is still growing.

Even though our friend, Jessie James Anderson, has passed on, his love is still here. Please put aside all things except love this season. “Taste and see how good LOVE truly is”; Remember God is Love.

Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas.

HANDS BUILD HOUSES. HOPE BUILDS HOMES. Everyone deserves the opportunity to have a special place called home.

That’s why Publix Charities is committed to helping Habitat for Humanity affiliates, homeless shelters, and other nonprofits. See how at publixcharities.org/hope.

Last week, Gillum spoke at the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights in Washington and later met with Obama. Days later, he spoke by phone to potential 2020 rival Beto O’Rourke and to former Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick, a onetime presidential prospect who praised Gillum.

“He was a rock star yesterday, he’s (Read full story at: www.thewestsidegazette.com)

Anti-lynching Legislation from Front Page

For over a century, members of Congress have attempted to pass some version of a bill that would recognize lynching for what it is: a bias-motivated act of terror.

And for more than a century, and more than 200 attempts, this body has failed.

Today, we have righted that wrong and taken corrective action that recognizes this stain on our country’s history,” said Senator Booker. “This bill will not undo the damage, the terror, and the violence that has been already done, nor will it bring back the lives that have been brutally taken. It will not reverse the irrevocable harm that lynching as a tool of oppression and suppression has caused.

But it will acknowledge the wrongs in our history. It will honor the memories of those so brutally killed. And it will leave a legacy that future generations can look back on – that on this day, in this time, we did the right thing.”

The Justice for Victims of Lynching Act of 2018 amends the United States Code to specify that lynching is a crime under existing federal civil rights statutes.

The legislation was originally introduced in June 2018 by U.S. Senators Kamala D. Harris (D-CA), Cory Booker (D-NJ), and Tim Scott (R-SC), and unanimously passed the Senate Judiciary Committee in October 2018.

Lynching was used as an instrument of terror and intimidation 4,084 times during the late 19th and 20th centuries, according to data from the Equal Justice Initiative.

The Justice for Victims of Lynching Act is supported by the NAACP, the AntiDefamation League, and the Equal Justice Initiative, and has companion legislation in the House of Representatives.