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Broward County's Oldest and Largest African American Owned and Operated Newspaper VOL. 44 NO. 13 50¢ A Pr oud PPaper aper ffor or a Pr oud PPeople...Sinc eople...Sinc Proud Proud eople...Sincee 1971 THURSDA THURSDAYY, MA MAYY 7 - WEDNESDA WEDNESDAYY, MA MAYY 13 13,, 2015

Community leaders & well-wishers pay tribute to Samuel F. Morrison

Elaina Norlin, Executive Director of AARLCC; Sam Morrison and his Animatronic, and Janice Henry, Friends of AARLCC, chairperson.

(Photo credit Steve Vinik)

By Sylvester Robinson and Char1es Moseley On May 2, 2015, Friends of the African American Research

Library & Cultural Center (AARLCC) honored Mr. Samuel F. Morrison, the distinguished and undisputed architect of arguably the most significant edi-

fice constructed in the northwest corridor of Broward County in the 21st Century.

After beginning his career with the Broward County Li-

Problems linger in Baltimore

brary System in 1974, his meteoric administrative ascension to director coincided with the library system’s growth and development from a minuscule four sites to the present 38, culminating in AARLCC, a gem or diamond in the rough according to Commissioner Dale Holness, who thanked Morrison for his steadfast dedication to our community.

“Sam Morrison is the man who led the way to make this library a reality. Mr. Morrison worked tirelessly to create this African American Research Library & Cultural Center, and in saying that this is the whole story here in Broward County.

It’s a legacy that he’s left that will benefit generations to come.” Al Tucker of the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau praised Morrison for his vision, commitment and creation of AARLCC, vowing the bureau’s continued support because he understands the intrinsic value related to employment, tourism, and the economic impact associated with AARLCC. (Cont'd on Page 13) (Cont'd on Page 9)

Allen leaves Lauderdale Lakes City Manager position on good terms

By Bobby R. Henry, Sr. I don’t normally share my space here, however there comes a time when attention needs to be given to other noteworthy issues.— Publisher Bobby R. Henry, Sr. Two weeks ago, City Commissioners Gloria Lewis, Beverly Williams, and Patricia Williams abruptly voted at the end of a Commission Meeting to fire Allen for “cause” against their City Attorney’s legal advice.

Jonathan Allen worked for the City of Lauderdale Lakes for 15 years and served as City Manager for approximately four years. He ALLEN was raised in Broward County and brought knowledge, experience, and strong commitment for making a difference in the community. At the Lauderdale Lakes Commission Meeting on April 28, 2015, the City Commission voted unanimously to rescind a previous improper firing of Allen on a three-two vote and then approved a separation of employment agreement.

The City’s Charter required four votes to fire the City Manager. City Commissioners Edwina Coleman and Eileen Rathery voted against firing Allen.

In an effort to avoid a costly court battle and lawsuit for the City, Allen’s attorney, Eugene Pettis of Haliczer Pettis & Schwamm Law Firm, negotiated a separation of employment agreement which was ultimately approved by the City Commission with a unanimous vote. Under the terms of the agreement, the City would not fire Allen for “cause” and City Commissioners would not say anything derogatory about Allen’s employment with the City.

(Cont'd on Page 9)

America’s oldest vet is turning 109, he celebrated with cigars and burgers How does America’s oldest veteran celebrate his 109th birthday?

With cigars, burgers and milkshakes, of course.

By Elahe Izadi World War II veteran and Austin resident Richard Overton celebrated at an outdoor party on Sunday, surrounded by neighbors, friends and local dignitaries who lit up cigars and wished him well, local media reported.

The soon-to-be 109-year-old (his birthday is May 11) still tends to his lawn and drives his car, the Wall Street Journal

Protesters call for justice for Freddie Gray as Baltimore police officers watch.

(Freddie Allen/NNPA News Wire Service)

By Jazelle Hunt, NNPA Washington Correspondent WASHINGTON, D.C. (NNPA) – Baltimore’s curfew has been lifted, the officers have been charged, and Freddie Gray

has been laid to rest. But the underlying causes of the protests around his homicide remain.

“I think that people need to understand the history of po-

verty, negligence, and police brutality in the city of Baltimore,” says Jocelyn Providence, a math teacher at Digital Harbor High School in Baltimore’s Riverside area.

Last week, she said, there were more absences than usual and her students were more emotional. Many expressed fear, anger, worry, and frustration with the riots that have negatively impacted their communities.

(Cont'd on Page 3)

From B*%$#s!! to H*&s to 'colorful cockroaches' From contributors Kevin O’Leary is a regular member of the hit CNBC show, “Shark Tank.” But he may have to apologize after this one. In a recent episode, two Black women appeared on the show to try to get the hosts to invest in their brand of lipstick.

Melissa Butler and Rosco Spears are pitching Lip Bar to the Shark Tank. They say their products are proof that beauty and health aren’t mutually exclusive. Instead, they combine hot, popping colors with natu-

Melissa Butler and Rosco Spears

Pleading Our Own Cause

ral ingredients that soften and moisturize.

In case you’re not aware, the show is one where people pitch their business ideas to a group of fat cats, who then decide if they want to give them their money.

Lip Bar also has an app that allows a customer to design their own shade, and are in the process of creating what they call the Lip Bar Mobile — a mobile shop with a ‘bar’ and mirror, where customers can see the shades and buy in person.

(Cont'd on Page 5)

Richard Overton (l) smokes a cigar with neighborhood friends Donna Shorts and Martin Wilford on May 3 in Austin, Tex. (Ricardo B. Brazziell/Austin American-Statesman via AP) reported. He’s also been known to drive widows to church.

The East Austin resident is a fan of cigars and whiskey, although he partakes of the latter only occasionally now.

Overton chatted with The Post in November and had this to say when asked about his longevity: “You have to ask God about that. He brought me here and he’s taking care of me, and nothing I can do about it,” later adding, “I can talk about what he’s doing for me.”

He celebrates his birthday every year with a party in his yard. But this time, neighbor Helen Elliot organized a party at her home, which was sponsored by Mighty Fine Burgers, Fries and Shakes. The theme: Mighty Fine at 109.

“He’s just the coolest neigh-

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bor on the planet,” Elliot told Fox affiliate KTBC. “He’s so much fun and always has the best stories.”

A lot of folks showed up, including Austin Mayor Steve Adler. “You are just one of the treasures that we have in this city,” Adler told Overton.

Overton, born in 1906 in Texas, served in the Pacific Theater from 1942 to 1945 as part of the all-Black 1887th Engineer Aviation Battalion.

“War’s nothing to be into,” Overton told USA Today in 2013. “You don’t want to go into the war if you don’t have to. But I had to go. I enjoyed it after I’d went and come back, but I didn’t enjoy it when I was over there. I had to do things I didn’t want to do.”

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

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

New hepatitis C treatments have high cure rates forAfricanAmericans sequently, in 2013, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force

also recommended a one-time HCV screening for adults born

Grieving mom to eulogize man who lead to her son’s death “I couldn’t say no,” says mom From Katie LaGrone

The epidemic of chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection impacts over three million individuals in the United States, and over 50 percent of infected people are undiagnosed. In an effort to increase the number of people who are aware of their HCV infection and link them to care, in 2012 the U.S. Centers

for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommended that all persons born from 1945 through 1965 be tested for HCV, given that this group currently accounts for more than 75 percent of adults infected with hepatitis C in the U.S. and are five times more likely to be infected than other adults. Sub-

PALM BEACH COUNTY, FL -- Perhaps you’ve never pondered it, but even pastors have a hard time saying goodbye.

“Every eulogy is tough because you’re looking into the eyes of a grieving family,” explains Rev. Patricia Wallace of Harvest AME Church in Pahokee.

“The goal of the eulogy is to bring healing to the family,” she says.

This weekend Rev. Wallace will be honoring the life of a church member’s son.

“I felt the pain a mom feels.

When you’re a mom and you lose your child? That’s the worst feeling in the world,” she said.

Wallace knows the feeling, she’s been experiencing it for seven years, six months and counting.

“He was my joy,” she said through tears. “I’m waiting for that day, one day, I’ll meet him and he’ll know that I never

Woodlawn Connection: The Bellamy family

This is an early photo of the Bellamy family featuring Donnie Bellamy with his wife and children. Photo is courtesy the Bellamy Family.

By Anne-Marie Rene On Dec. 4, 2014 and on Feb. 5, 2015, members of the History Across Broward program from Boyd H. Anderson High School interviewed members of the Bellamy family, which was one of the first African American families to come to Broward County. The members of the family interviewed included Mamie B. Smith, Rosetta Change, Ethel Wiggins, and Benjamin Stroman.

Throughout the duration of the interview we discussed many topics that covered civil rights, segregation, and their families’ history.

The first of the Bellamy family to come to Broward was their father, Donnie Bellamy, who was an African American father of five, born on April 4, 1905 and who died on Nov. 9, 1947. Bellamy was a sharecropper during the 1920s through the early '40s on a plantation that was owned by Arthur Syllus, located in Hammondsville, an area that is now part of Margate.

Being one of the first families to arrive in Broward County in 1926, the Bellamy’s had the opportunity to experience life changing events throughout their lifetimes with education and the evolution of society during their time.

The Bellamy’s lived throughout the time of segregation when African Americans were restricted and were not allowed to be out or on the “other side” of town or attend schools with white students. The Bellamy’s settled in Northwest Eighth Street and 19th Terrace, which is close to Woodlawn cemetery where members of the Bellamy family are buried.

The three Bellamy sisters, Rosetta, Mamie, and Ethel, and their cousin, Benjamin F. Stroman, that were interviewed, all

attended Dillard High School and stated in the interview that Dillard was indeed the only Black school in Broward.

During the interview we discussed their education at Dillard and their experiences and one thing that the Bellamy’s remember the most are their teachers, especially Ms. Estelle Pinkett, a former math teacher at Dillard High.

Education and the family unit were the most important parts of the African American life.

The Bellamy’s stated that books were in short supply at Dillard and they only had old and used books.

The basic classes they took were pretty much the same as today, except for the AP, IB, and AICE courses.

One interesting difference that was mentioned by Rosetta B. Change, the second oldest of the sisters: “We had to make meals and you would have to make a complete meal for your family in your home, and the teacher came to the home to grade you.”

High school students in the 21st century do not get to experience the same level of involvement of the teachers as the students back in the '20s did. High schools or schools in general in that period made it a priority to be as involved in the students’ lives as possible.

One other interesting connection about the '20s, '30s, and '40s was that during hurricane season, the people of the African American community would go to abandoned armories and train depots to protect themselves from the weather.

They would bring along with them food and supplies, and one very important memory for the Bellamy’s during the hurricane season was the teacakes.

This is what Change, the second oldest of the three had to say about the hurricanes: "Let me tell you something silly about us kids when we were growing up. We used to love hurricanes. We would look forward to when the hurricanes were coming because when they came, our mom would have something called Tea Cakes and we wanted these tea cakes so we would pray for a hurricane and we couldn’t stay in our home.

"We would go to the train depot and we would stay there during the hurricane, and we were crazy; we would play in that water you didn’t know what you were steping on, there were snakes and we would get something else."

It is amazing to see the parallels between the generations before our time and now.

Hearing stories about our past helps us to realize our greatness and how much the African American community has contributed and through interviewing these amazing individuals in the Bellamy family, the members of the History Acoss Broward program have learned about the important history of African Americans.

REV. WALLACE

forgot him and that I’ll always love him, “ she said.

Jonathan Wallace’s memory still marks the spot where he died along State Road 715 in Pahokee.

“Nov. 28, 2007 is etched in my heart,” said Wallace.

Jonathan was just 23-yearsold the night he and a fellow Palm Beach County sheriff’s deputy were struck and killed by a fellow deputy who was chasing a car thief on the run.

“Do I still hurt? Yea! But am I healing? Yes,” said Wallace.

So about a week ago, Wallace remembers getting the call from a grieving mother.

“She said P'astor, this is Linda. I’m at the hospital,.Ernie has died.' When I heard her voice, I heard my voice,” she said. “She’s a mother who’s hurt. I am a mother who had been hurt,” she said.

Ernie Daly Jr. was a member of Wallace’s church.

“As a young child he danced at this church, he sang at this church,” she remembers. But it’s his recent memory that has haunted Wallace for the past seven and a half years.

“Ernie Daly Jr. was also the young man that started the chain reaction that lead to the death of my son,” she explained.

“The next thing she said to me was, 'I need you to do his funeral.' I saw a mother who was about to go through what I went through. I could never, would never say no.”

So this weekend, Rev. Wallace will be eulogizing the man who, in 2007, stole the car that lead deputies on the chase that ultimately killed her Jonathan.

“I can’t blame Ernie. In order for me to heal, I have to forgive. I could not say no, I could not.”

Ernie’s death is still under investigation. We know he was on a moped, and like Jonathan, was struck by a car.

“She’s going to miss her son like I miss mine. I will let her know that she’s not alone. I have to forgive how it started and I definitely have to forgive how it ended,” she said.

Restoring faith that even under the worst of circumstances, a mother’s love is a blessing...heaven sent.

Ernie Daly Jr. will be laid to rest in Belle Glade on Saturday. He leaves behind a twoyear-old son.

between 1945 and 1965.

Hepatitis C among African Americans These screening guidelines are especially important for African Americans, a group that is disproportionately affected by HCV infection. An estimated one in 12 African American men born from 1945 through 1965 have been exposed to HCV (Armstrong, et al. 2006). African Americans experience high rates of death due to cirrhosis and liver cancer, often related to chronic HCV infection (Ly, et al. 2014).

However, some people may be reluctant to be tested or seek treatment because of serious and often debilitating side effects associated with the previous standard of care for treating HCV, which included injections of interferon-alfa.

Furthermore, interferon-based treatment resulted in cure rates among African Americans that were significantly lower than among Caucasian populations, highlighting the need for new treatment optionsto increase the possibility of cure for all patients.

This blog will summarize the recent rapid advances in HCV treatment that now allow most patients, including African Americans, to be treated and cured without interferon.

HCV treatment history Pegylated interferon-alfa (Peg-IFN) and ribavirin (RBV) were used to treat genotype 1 HCV from 2002 until 2011. This combination cured about 40 percent to 50 percent of Caucasians, but only 19 percent

to 21 percent of African Americans, so there was reluctance among many African American patients to take injections of Peg-IFN, with many difficult side effects, for 48 weeks, with only a one out of five chance of being cured. For years, it was unclear why African Americans did not respond well to interferon. Finally, in 2009, it was discovered that African Americans are much less likely to inherit genes (IL28B polymorphisms) that allow Peg-IFN to work by helping liver cells eliminate the HCV (Ge, et al. 2009). It was clear that in order to improve HCV cure rates for African Americans, alternative treatments would be needed.

New HCV treatments: Faster, better tolerated, higher cure rates for all The past four years have seen significant advances in HCV treatment, with several new drugs coming to market that can now cure HCV in a shorter period of time and with fewer side effects. The first oral, directacting antiviral drugs, telaprevir and boceprevir, were approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2011 and increased cure rates but still required co-administration with Peg-IFN. Clinical trials using boceprevir or telaprevir showed that African Americans had increased cure rates of 53 percent to 62 percent, but these rates were still lower than the 68 percent to 78 percent cure rate seen for Caucasians.

(Read full story on www.thewestsidegazette.com)

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Justice not delayed in Baltimore

Eighteen Black mothers wonder if hospital stole their babies

By George E. Curry NNPA Editor-in-Chief WASHINGTON, D.C. (NNPA) – Three extremely qualified African American women are at the forefront of making certain that Freddie Gray’s death at the hands of police in Baltimore will not go unpunished.

Loretta Lynch began her first day as U.S. attorney general by focusing her attention on Baltimore and offering the assistance of her department.

Within hours of receiving a report from the medical examiner that Gray’s death had been ruled a homicide, state attorney

Marilyn J. Mosby promptly announced the filing of charges against six Baltimore cops in connection with Freddie Gray’s death. A couple of hours later, Mayor Stephanie RawlingsBlake followed up with a strong warning to rogue cops that her administration would not tolerate racism.

Mosby summed it up this way: “If, with the nation watching, three Black women at three different levels can’t get justice and healing for this community, you tell me where we’re going to get it in our country.”

One legal maximum holds that justice delayed is justice denied. If that’s the case, early

indications are that there will be no delay in justice in Baltimore in connection with the death of Freddie Gray, who was arrested and placed in a police van without a seat belt on April 12. He fell into a coma en route and died a week later as a result of injuries to his spinal cord.

Mosby, a descendant of five generations of police officers, surprised the public last Friday by how quickly she filed charges against six police officers.

At the news conference, she said: “To those that are angry, hurt or have their own experiences of injustice at the hands of police officers I urge you to channel that energy

After charges filed and curfew lifted, Baltimore regroups

ness fellow officers behaving badly.

Jhanee Braswell, 26, a resident of Baltimore’s east side, said that Baltimore needed the riots and the national media attention because the policed officers simply don’t care.

(Read full story on www.thewestsidegazette.com)

(Read full story on www.thewestsidegazette.com)

Two young girls talk to national guardsmen outside of city hall in Baltimore, Md., on Friday, May 1.

(Freddie Allen/NNPA News Wire Service) to do good and who are thinking maybe this is a turning point.

“Then you have the FOP say this nonsense,” said Franklin.

Franklin said that he hopes that residents come together with city officials and members of law enforcement to do an assessment of the police department, bodyworn cameras and ways to protect officers who want to come forward when they wit-

Mayor Stephanie RawlingsBlake speaks to a staffer during a swearing in ceremony earlier this year.

(Courtesy Photo/Office of the Mayor) peacefully as we prosecute this case I have heard your calls for ‘No justice, no peace,’ however your peace is sincerely needed as I work to deliver justice on behalf of Freddie Gray.”

Mosby is a graduate of Tuskegee University, a historically Black institution in Alabama.

At 35-years-old, she is believed to be the youngest chief prosecutor in the nation. And she clearly aligned herself with the young people who had protested Gray’s death. “….to the youth of the city. I will seek justice on your behalf.

This is a moment. This is your moment. Let’s insure we have peaceful and productive rallies that will develop structural and systemic changes for generations to come. You’re at the forefront of this cause and as young people, our time is now.”

In a statement to the media that lasted less than two minutes, Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake warned: “To those of you who want to engage in brutality, misconduct, racism and corruption, let me be clear: There is no place for you in the Baltimore City Police Department.”

By Freddie Allen, NNPA Senior Washington Correspondent BALTIMORE, MD (NNPA) – Friday afternoon was clear and cool enough for a light jacket, although most people wore T-shirts and shorts in Baltimore, Md. The Inner Harbor and much of city hall grounds were barricaded with low metal gates and by 6 p.m., the Inner Harbor was free from the lively weekend energy that a normal spring Friday after work crowd would bring. National guardsmen milled about, weapons down, some with stern gazes others talking in hushed, but relaxed tones.

Waiting for a CNN interview at City Hall, Neill Franklin, the executive director of Law Enforcement Against Prohibition, a group of current and former members of the criminal justice system that advocates for drug policy reform, said that the Baltimore city police officers charged Friday had multiple attempts to render aid and they failed to do so even though Freddie Gray requested it.

“I’m not surprised, this is business as usual, unfortunately for many of the neighborhoods in Baltimore city,” said Franklin. “This time someone died, which has brought the attention to this type of behavior of our police officers.”

Franklin said that in 2005, after Baltimore police officers arrested more than 108,000 people, the state’s attorney’s office was forced to vacate roughly 20 percent of the arrest without filing charges because there was no probable cause for the arrest, similar to what happened with Gray.

“Hopefully, this is a turning point, I hope it is, but I think the Fraternal Order of Police missed an opportunity today,” said Franklin, referring to a statement that the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) made shortly after State Attorney Marilyn Mosby announced charges would be filed against six police officers. “They can still say we support our officers and their families, but at the same time they should have said and yes we want to partner with you community to figure out a path forward to make sure that this doesn’t happen again.”

Franklin said that he feels bad for those police officers standing in the wings who want

By Jim Salter, Associated Press

Upon returning from the war, he worked at an Austin furniture store. He told the Statesman that he first retired at age 65, but that he kept being asked to come back and was hired four more times. “I got near 100 and finally quit,” he said. “They still wanted me back.”

Overton — who has said he never thought the country would have a Black President — met President Obama in 2013 at Arlington National Cemetery. The President then made special mention of Overton during his remarks.

“When the war ended, Richard headed home to Texas to a nation bitterly divided by race,” Obama said in 2013.

“And his service on the battlefield was not always matched

A mother who was mistakenly told by nurses almost five decades ago that her baby died after childbirth has finally been reunited with her daughter.

Zella Jackson-Price, 76, had no idea her daughter, 49year-old Melanie Diane Gilmore, was alive and well in Oregon. showed the moment that Gilmore, who is deaf, learned through lip reading and sign language that her birth mother had been found.

The two women reunited in April. DNA confirmed that they are mother and daughter.

“She looked like me,” said Price, a gospel singer who has five other children. “She was so excited and full of joy. It was just beautiful. I’ll never forget that,” she said of the reunion.

After the reunion, Watkins started getting calls from other women who wondered if their babies, whom they were told had died, might have instead been taken from them.

New Attorney General tackles police brutality case

Attorney General Loretta Lynch speaks during her swearing-in ceremony at the Justice Department.

(Freddie Allen/NNPA News Wire)

By Freddie Allen, NNPA Senior Washington Correspondent WASHINGTON, D.C. (NNPA) – On the same day that Loretta Lynch was sworn in as the 83rd United States Attorney General, the chief law enforcement officer in the nation, about 40 miles north of Washington, D.C., pockets of

“Charm City” descended into lawlessness in response to decades of police corruption and brutality in poor, Black communities in Baltimore.

The violent riots, confined to a few scattered city blocks despite media reports, included the burning of police vehicles and the looting of a CVS chain at the corner of Pennsylvania

Avenue and W. North Avenue, were sparked by the tragic death of Freddie Gray, a 25-year-old Black man, who was chased and arrested by Baltimore city police officers on April 12. Parts of the event were recorded on personal cell phone cameras and the videos showing Gray screaming in anguish as he is dragged to a paddy wagon, have gone viral. During the arrest, Gray suffered a severe spinal cord injury and died a week later.

In a statement following the riots, Lynch, the first African American woman to be confirmed as attorney general of the United States, condemned the acts of violence that resulted in the destruction of property and injury to Baltimore city police officers.

“Those who commit violent actions, ostensibly in protest of the death of Freddie Gray, do a disservice to his family, to his loved ones, and to legitimate peaceful protestors who are working to improve their community for all its residents,” she said in the statement.

(Read full story on www.thewestsidegazette.com)

America’s oldest vet is turning 109, he celebrated with cigars and burgers (Cont'd from FP)

St. LOUIS, MO (AP) — Eighteen Black women who were told decades ago that their babies had died soon after birth at a St. Louis hospital now wonder if the infants were taken away by hospital officials to be raised by other families.

The suspicions arose from the story of Zella Jackson Price, who said she was 26 in 1965 when she gave birth at Homer G. Phillips Hospital in St. Louis.

Hours later, she was told that her daughter had died, but she never saw a body or a death certificate.

No one is sure who was responsible, but Price’s daughter ended up in foster care, only to resurface almost 50 years later.

Melanie Gilmore, who now lives in Eugene, Oregon, has said that her foster parents always told her she was given up by her birth mother.

Price’s attorney, Albert Watkins, is asking city and state officials to investigate. In a letter to Gov. Jay Nixon and St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay, Watkins said he suspects the hospital coordinated a scheme “to steal newborns of color for marketing in private adoption transactions.” In a letter to Watkins, the Missouri Department of Health and Human Services called the allegations “troubling” and said it would like to help him track down relevant documents it might have, such as birth or death certificates.

Gilmore’s children tracked recently down her birth mother to mark their mother’s 50th birthday. The search led them to the now 76-year-old Price, who lives in suburban St. Louis.

In March, an online video caused a sensation when it

by the respect that he deserved at home. But this veteran held his head high. He carried on and lived his life with honor and dignity.”

All of the attention has come as a welcome surprise to Overton, who told WSJ, “I never thought I would be that important.”

He’s become a staple at local veteran and civic events over the years. Overton served as the grand marshal in Austin’s Veteran’s Day Parade in November. One of his more recent honors came from the Austin Community College, which gave him an honorary degree in December.

“He sacrificed his own opportunities to attend college when he enlisted,” ACC President Richard Rhodes said at the time. “This is truly a welldeserved honor.”

Overton continues to mar-

Richard Overton being acknowledged by President Obama at Arlington National Cemetery in 2013.

(Olivier Douliery/EPA/Pool) vel at his many years.

“To think I’d be older than every solider in the Union? You believe that? I didn’t ever think that,” he told KTBC. “This is a long trip and it ain’t through

yet.”

Elahe Izadi is a general assignment national reporter for The Washington Post.

In this April 29, 2015 photo, Zella Jackson Price poses for a photo at her attorney’s office in Clayton, Mo. Eighteen Black women who were told decades ago that their babies had died soon after birth at a St. Louis hospital now wonder if the infants were taken away by hospital officials to be raised by other families. The suspicions arose from the story of Price, who was 26 in 1965 when she gave birth at Homer G. Phillips Hospital and was told hours later that her daughter had died.

(AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

Problems linger in Baltimore (Cont'd from FP) She continued, “There are students and residents who are fed up and angered by the continued violence on their lives, whether it be by police, poor education, and poverty.”

As the city turns its attention to addressing these issues and securing justice for Freddie Gray, several opportunities to support the youth and longstanding community groups have surfaced.

Baltimore United, a coalition of Baltimore city community groups and concerned citizens, is keeping a list of organizations and churches serving as safe spaces for youth and activists, with free hot lunches each day and opportunities to volunteer.

The list, which can be accessed on their website (www.bmoreunited.org), includes contact information for people who are directing incoming support.

The coalition is also trying to raise a $100,000 bailout fund for protesters and other wrongfully imprisoned people (donations accepted online at www.crowdrise.com/ legalbailsupportforbaltimore).

A legal assistance and information hotline is also in operation (443) 814-9160.

(Read full story on www.thewestsidegazette.com)

Their stories, he said, are strikingly similar: Most of the births were in the mid-1950s to mid-1960s at Homer G. Phillips.

All of the mothers were black and poor, mostly ages 15 to 20.

In each case, a nurse — not a doctor — told the mother that her child had died, a breach of normal protocol. No death certificates were issued, and none of the mothers were allowed to see their deceased infants, Watkins said.

“These are moms,” he said.

“They are mothers at the end of their lives seeking answers to a lifelong hole in their heart.”

He plans to file a lawsuit seeking birth and death records.

None of the women are seeking money, he said.

Watkins said he has no idea who, or how many people, may have been responsible if babies were taken. He believes the infants were stolen and put up for adoption in an era when there were few adoption agencies catering to Black couples.

Homer G. Phillips Hospital opened in 1937 as a Blacks-only hospital at a time when St. Louis was segregated. Even after desegregation in the mid1950s, the hospital served predominantly African American patients.

The hospital closed in 1979.

Messages seeking comment from officials at the St. Louis Health Department were not returned.

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

Page 4 • www.thewestsidegazette.com • May 7 - May13, 2015

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Invitation

Invitation to a service of Remembrance, Thursday, May 7, 2015 from 3 to 4:30 p.m., at Long Key Nature Center in Davie. We are less than two weeks away from our 2015 Memorial Gathering, titles this year “A Service of Memories…” it’s an invitation for a time of remembering our loved ones, sharing about them, and finding healing together. We sent an invitation to all VITAS Families who had losses in Broward for the last six months, or so, and the event is open to community members, those friends, neighbor of ours, who might have lost a loved one, recently.

Please email back or call (954) 777-5284, to RSVP.

Event

Chi Psi Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. will host its 8th Annual Relay for Life event Friday night 6 p.m. - until Saturday Morning, 7:00AM, May 15-16, 2015, at Joseph Carter Park, 1450 W. Sunrise Blvd, Fort Lauderdale, Fla.event is in partnership with the American Cancer Society. Participants will celebrate survivorship, remember those lost and fight against cancer. The public is invited to attend or visit Chi Psi Omega Chapter at www.chipsiomega.org.

Event

Event

“Victory Through Awareness” Relay for Life of Carter Park, Lauderhill, Lauderdale Lakes, North Lauderdale Events, Friday, May 15-16, 2015 at 1450 W. Sunrise Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, Fla. For more info on how you can get involved and/or start a team, contact Pam Beasley-Pittman, event chair at (954) 445-0244 or Alexandra Rousseau, Community Manager for the American Cancer Society, Broward Unit at (954) 564-0880 ext.

7522 or alexandra.rousseau@cancer.com

Tea Party

Event

Mothers and Daughters of B.I.B invite the community to Join us for our annual Mother/ Daughter Tea on Saturday, May, 9, 2015 from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m., at Foster Park, 609 N.W. Sixth Ave., Hallandale, Fla. Refreshments will be served. Wear your sundress for a mid-morning, early afternoon session with Mom.

Luncheon

In honor of Black children and families, as well as NBCDI’s 45th Anniversary, celebrate National Black Child Development Week, “Lift Up Learning”, Sunday, May 10, thru Saturday, May 16, 2015. For times and additional info contact (954) 253-8394.

Rally

Happenings at African-American Research Library and Cultural Center

African-American Research Library and Cultural Center, 2650 Sistrunk Blvd., Fort Lauderale, Fla. Destination Fridays will head south of the border, Friday, May 8, 2015 from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.You can order your tickets through Eventbrite or pay in cash or by card at the door. This is an after-hours event for ages 21-plus.

Upcoming Destination Friday events: Sept. 4 – Hawaii and Nov. 6 the Bahamas. For more info call (954) 357-6210.

Tournament On Saturday, May 16, 2015 beginning at 12 noon the Rebecca Chapter #124 OES, working under the protection of the Royal Grand Chapter Prince Hall, will host its first Annual Tea Party at 306 W. Dixie Ct., Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Guest speakers will include Major Victor London from City of Fort Lauderdale Police Department and Chief Natheil Styles from Africa. For details call (954) 529-5640 donations $12.

Classes

Free SAT & ACT Prep at Regional Libraries program schedule 2015 All Sessions mandatory attendance · Session 1: SAT/ACT Grammar and Reading Techniques and Strategies · Session 2: SAT/ACT Grammar and Reading Practice · Session 3: SAT/ACT Math Techniques and Strategies · Session 4: SAT/ACT Math Practice and Science Techniques and Strategies · Session 5: SAT/ACT Science Practice and Essay Techniques and Strategies Main Library – (954) 3577504 · Saturday, May, 9 – Session 1: from 12 to 3 p.m. · Saturday, May 16 Session 2: from 12 to 3 p.m · Saturday, May 23– Session 3: from 12 to 3 p.m. · Saturday, May 30 – Session 4: from 12 to 3 p.m.

Preneed Family Counselor

Isn’t it time to have the Conversation? Although it can be difficult, it’s never too early to discuss the future. Be prepared and help ease the burden on your family. Get peace of mind, knowing things will be taken care of the way you want them.

Celebrate a life well lived, with the significance of preserving memories that transcend generations, with dignity and honor.

For that comprehensive conversation, call Michael Nixon, preneed family counselor (954) 937-1362.

STAYCONNECTED-www.thewestsidegazette.com LIKE US ON FACEBOOK

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Mount Bethel Human Services Corp., LLC, Basketball Unification Tournament/also hosting Health and Wellness vendors, Saturday, May 16, 2015 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., at Joseph C. Carter, 1450 W. Sunrise, Fla.

The Justice League United Miami’s Rally against Police Brutality / Justice Walk, Thursday May 7, 2015 at 5 p.m. Join us for topics discussing issues and concerns of the Police and Black men.

Affair Women of Purpose First Annual Mother’s Day Luncheon, Sunday, May 10, 2015 from 3 to 6 p.m., at Sistrunk Art Gallery, 1033 N.W. Sixth St., Fort Lauderdale, Fla. For cost and additional info call (954) 2266344 or 1-888-391-9903.

EDUCATION MATTERS Every Child Deserves a Chance to Succeed.

The Iota Pi Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., A Golden Affair Cocktail Fundraiser, Investing In Today’s Dreams For Tomorrow’s Legacy, Saturday, May 23, 2015 from 8 p.m. to midnight, at University of Miami Alumni Center Dany Garcia and Dwayne Johnson Living Room, 6200 San Amaro Dr., Coral Gables, Fla. For cost and additional info email IOTAPILAMBDAEF@GMAIL.COM

To All Mothers From The Westside Gazette Management and Staff The Urban League of Broward County is proud to introduce a new Summer Internship Program. In areas ranging from human resources to strategic planning, and from program development to marketing strategy, this internship provides undergraduate and graduate students with mentored learning opportunities. Join us as active and trusted members of our team as we address the educational, job, housing and health needs of the community. Application: March 15 - April 30, 2015 Selection: Week of May 4, 2015 Program Dates: Monday, June 1 - August 7, 2015 (10 Weeks)

CITY WIDE CLASS OF 1973 60TH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION

Alicia Rooks and I am a new author

“MADE IN 1955” “AGED TO PERFECTION” FRIDAY, JUNE 26 TO SUNDAY, JUNE 28, 2015

DEERFIELD BEACH EMBASSY SUITES 950 S. OCEAN WAY DEERFIELD BEACH, FL 33441 HOTEL RESERVATIONS LINK: embassysuites.hilton.com/en/ es/groups/personalized/D/ DEEFLES-CCB-20150626/ index.jhtml or call (954) 426-0478

FRIDAY, JUNE 26

MEET & GREET - 7 PM TICKETS - $40

SATURDAY, JUNE 27

“GAYLA” 7 PM to 11 PM TICKETS - $60 COLORS: PURPLE & SILVER OR GRAY (ATTIRE: SEMI-FORMAL) **PLEASE NOTE THAT EVENT TICKETS NOT PURCHASED

BY MAY 30, 2015 WILL BE ACCESSED A $20 INCREASE DUE TO HOTEL FEE DEADLINE ON JUNE 6, 2015** T-SHIRTS S-XL: $10, 2X: $12, 3X-4X: $14, 5X: $18, 6X: $20 SIZES ARE NEEDED ASAP!!!!!

PLEASE CONTACT

NETTIE WILLIAMS (954) 881-3412 OR ALEX BONNER (954) 235-4339

TO ORDER T-SHIRTS & TO PURCHASE TICKETS HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!!!

Alicia Rooks is a new home-grown author, the name of her book is “MARRIAGE, It’s Not Physical...IT’s SPIRITUAL!!!

(HOLY). Alicia is a member of Hope Outreach Love Center, Inc. where her pastors are Frank A. II & Elect Lady Jacqueline D. Lloyd. She has a book Reveal/Rekindle, Part I seminar (signing) on May 30, 2015 at 5 p.m., at Hope Outreach Love Center, Inc. 3271 W. Broward Blvd. Fort Lauderdale, Fla 33312.

There will be a panel discussion with pastors Frank Elect Lady Jacqueline Lloyd, Keith and Lady Chiquita Butler from Logos Baptist church of Miami, FL, Bro. Lawrence and Evangelist Tiffany Baker (HOLC), and much more.

We ask everyone to bring an open heart/mind, willing spirit, and tissues for this will be a “God” orchestrated occasion. The event is Free!!!

May 7 - May 13, 2015 • www.thewestsidegazette.com • Page 5

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

Blacks lag in accessing high-speed internet

By Jazelle Hunt, NNPA Washington Correspondent WASHINGTON, D.C. (NNPA) – As education, jobs, and the national and global economy go digital, people without broadband (high-speed Internet) access risk being left behind. This disparity in who’s online and who isn’t is often called the digital divide – and Blacks and Latinos are more likely to be in the latter group.

But people access the Internet in different ways. Black people are more likely than their white counterparts to own a smartphone and use it for Internet access. At the same time, 12 percent of Black people are smartphone dependent – they have few or no other options for accessing the Internet at any given time. This is compared to 4 percent of whites and the 7 percent national rate.

“Even though low-income households are over-indexing on smartphone use, I don’t think that’s how you want to type a paper, do your research, do your homework, apply for jobs, or apply for scholarships,” says Jessica Rosenworcel, Federal

Communications Commission (FCC) commissioner, speaking at a Multicultural Media, Telecom, and Internet Council (MMTC) event.

The divide can also be traced to educational outcomes, from elementary school up to college.

It’s a problem known as the “homework gap.” In an effort to prepare kids for a digital world and workforce, teachers and schools are increasingly assigning homework that requires Internet access to complete – seven in 10 teachers do, according to Pew figures. But many students, particularly students of color from migrant/ immigrant or low-income families, do not have broadband access or any device at home.

“We have 29 million households in the country with schoolage children. Of that, five million do not have broadband at home,” says John Horrigan, senior researcher on the Internet and technology at Pew Research Center. “And within that five million, African American households and Hispanic households are disproportionately represented.”

Among Black households with less than $50,000 annual income and school-age children, 38 percent do not have broadband access. Above that income, the figure is 13 percent; among households earning below $25,000 per year, 46 percent do not have Internet access at home.

While students face the homework gap, job seekers who aren’t as comfortable using computers can face difficulty in securing a career and building wealth. As more industries require some level of computer literacy, and as jobs without these requirements become scarcer, it will become harder to earn a living wage without these skills.

“Our economic future depends on [getting people online],” Rosenworcel says. “Already, 50 percent of the jobs that are in the economy today require some level of digital skills. By the end of the decade, that number is 77 percent.”

Income inequality is both a cause and a byproduct of the digital divide. People with low income often cite cost as a bar-

rier to getting or keeping Internet service at home. But there are other reasons people aren’t online. For some, it is a lack of comfort or familiarity, and poor access to training programs that could help. For others, it’s a simple lack of relevancy; what’s the point of putting money and effort into getting a high-speed connection, especially with serious socioeconomic realities to overcome?

Relevancy tends to be a primary reason among older Americans. According to a survey report from Project GOAL (Get Older Americans Online), 70 percent of Americans who aren’t online say they simply have no interest. Those who are interested primarily want to get news or information or use e-mail, and not much else.

“Trying to figure out what the value is in going online is still an issue for the older adult communities,” says Debra Berlyn, executive director of Project GOAL. “Then within that community there’s a huge difference between a 65-yearold and an 85-year-old in terms of how they may value going

Free community-based computer classes are often underfunded small-scale operations, which contributes to the digital divide. (DC Central Kitchen/Flickr/CC BY 2.0) online. So those huge discrepancies mean that you have to show the value a bit differently.”

For seniors, the Internet can add a social dimension to life that can often decline in old age. One 2009 study from Washington policy think-tank, the Phoenix Center, found that seniors who use the Internet are 20 percent less likely to report being depressed. Another 2009 study from neuroscientists at the University of California, Los Angeles found that just one

week of Internet use boosted brain function in middle-aged and older users.

Over the past few decades there have been many attempts to close these digital divides.

The federal Broadband Technology Opportunities Program, for example, supports the establishment of better broadband infrastructure and public computer centers.

(Read full full story on www.thewestsidegazette.com)

Black Press columnist battles for life after devastating diagnosis (Part I of a II-Part series) ‘But, I never had anything lingering or wrong with me physically. I’ve always been pretty active, even up to a couple of years ago...So, this was like devastating, you know.”

Now, 18 months since the diagnosis, Clingman is beginning to feel the effects in his upper limbs.

“I can feel a little something in my fingers and arms feeling weaker than normal. As I sit here and write, I sometimes miss the keys, making more mistakes.”

And then there’s the mindnumbing prognosis. Typically, ALS patients live between two and five years after diagnosls, according to the National Institute of Health.

But Jim Clingman - and his family - are anything but typical. Alongside his wife, Sylvia, a neo-natal intensive care nurse, and his daughter, Kiah, a graduating senior at

the Howard University School of Communications, this family is standing on their spiritual faith in God while doing all they can in the natural to fight.

“It’s a day-to-day thing. I have to put it like that. I try to look at the positives like the fact that it started in my foot instead of in my face. It can start in arms, hands, etc. The doctor told me, ‘If there’s anything good about this it’s where it started in you because it started in your foot and has to work its way up’.’”

The ALS Association reports that about 30,000 people in the U.S. are currently diagnosed with ALS. About 5,600 people are diagnosed with it each year.

Meanwhile, there is only one drug for ALS that is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). It’s called Riluzole. A blue bottle of it sits on Clingman’s desk in a den otherwise surrounded by photos of loved ones, books - lots of books - of course his computer,

and his walker nearby.

Riluzole “slows progression of ALS but does not cure it,” according to NIH. The agency also reports studies that conclude that Riluzole only prolongs life for a range of months.

“It keeps your diaphragm from collapsing, which would prevent breathing,” Clingman explains. But, other, even better medications are being studied.

The New York Times reported in February this year that a new ALS medication called GM6 - still in experimental stages - has now shown to “dramatically slow down the progression” of ALS. The article reports that after using the drug, at least one man “showed small improvements in speech and swallowing, and certain proteins used to signal disease progression actually moved back toward the normal range.”

But, the article, written by Angelina Fanous, a 29-yearold who has been diagnosed with ALS, comes to a similar

conclusion that Clingman expressed in the interview.

Fanous writes, “Unfortunately, given the length of time it takes to win approval for a new drug, it will be about 12 years, four billion dollars and many more deaths before GM6 makes it into my medicine cabinet. I will be in a wheelchair, using a feeding tube or dead by then.”

Genervon, the maker of GM6, which it calls GM604, posted a press release on its website March 21 saying it met with the FDA in February and “we have filed a formal request for the Accelerated Approval (AA) Program and are now waiting for a final decision.”

Meanwhile Genervon stresses, “In the U.S., it is illegal to access GM604 without FDA approval or outside a clinical trial.”

An online petition, already signed by a half million peopleat Change.org, offers some hope to influence the FDA to accelerate approval. Here’s the

Stand Down

By Jimmie Davis, Jr. During combat missions military personnel are given orders to “Stand Down” when it’s no longer required to fire upon the enemy.

After returning home some of them unfortunately find themselves living in abject poverty and must “Stand Down.”

Well that’s what occurred from May 1 through 3 at Robert King Park located at 7025 West Flagler in Miami, Fla. It’s indicative that veterans not only here in Miami but all over the nation disengage themselves from the evil vices (unemployment, divorce, drugs or alcohol) that led them to become homeless.

“We had 267 veterans registered this weekend for our three day stand down event,” said Colonel Tony Colmenares USMC (Ret.), College-Wide Director of Veteran and Military Services at Miami Dade College, Kendall Campus. “Over 30 got placed into housing.”

The Stand Down takes place every year here in Dade and Broward Counties to provide housing and medical assistance amongst other things for displaced veterans.

For starters, tents and cots were set up for fellow veterans to sleep so they wouldn’t have to continue to sleep on bus benches, sidewalks or wherever they could lay their head.

There also were portable latrines (bathrooms) and hot showers.

Now get this – the event also made provisions based on gen-

URL: https:// www.change.org/p/lisamurkowski-fda-acceleratedapproval-of-genervon-sgm604-for-use-in-als The petition appeals to U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander (RTenn.), who chairs the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions; Sen. Patty Murray, the ranking Democrat on the committee; as well as Janet Woodcock, the doctor who is director of the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation & Research. About 18 other people, including senators and FDA administrators are also listed.

ALS notwithstanding, Jim Clingman is up for this fight.

He is well aware of the petition and hopeful that millions will sign it and that the powers that be will listen.

“The FDA and the bureaucrats won’t allow it to be used...The petition asks them to accelerate the process.”

But, as he waits, he and his family are leaning on their faith, which right now, is everything.

“If I didn’t have that Hazel, I’d be a wreck. I know it. Doctors give death sentences, but God

Veteran Black press columnist Jim Clingman has been diagnosed with ALS. (Photo by Kiah Clingman) gives life sentences - eternal life.”

He recalls his initial response after receiving the diagnosis, captured in his now daily journal writings. In a nutshell, he says, “First You Cry.” Next Week, Part II of ‘First You Cry’: Jim Clingman - His Family, Their Faith and Their Fight

From B*%$#s!! to H*&s to 'colorful cockroaches' (Coint'd from FP)

Pictured on stage: Col. Colmenares, Mayor Tomas P.Regalado, Paul M. Russo, Col. Sanchez and other dignataries during the three day “Stand Down” at Robert King Park. der that if there were male and female tents.

It’s very difficult to imagine and disheartening to witness not only men – but women who served this country existing without food, shelter and clothing.

Valerie Allen, 54, US Army (Ret.) was among the many veterans that slept overnight during the three-day event in hopes that her housing situation would get rectified.

“I’m separated from my husband and I have to care for my grandkids that slept in the tent with me as well,” said Allen. “I have a car note and other financial expenses to deal with.”

Allen says that even though she’s indigent - she’s not eligible for any of the Veterans Affairs (VA) housing services, because she’s 100 percent service connected, which means she receives a hefty check on a monthly basis.

Many veterans have open cases and stiff fines that they can’t afford to pay because they are unemployed, therefore, legal and employment services were rendered during the “Stand Down”.

Veteran’s court took place and according to Colmenares, approximately $175,000 in fees and fines for veterans were waived.

Without these fees and fines some of the veterans might end up being incarcerated and Paul M. Russo, MHSA, FACHE, RD, medical center director for the Miami VA, says it’s this type of concerted effort between the community and the VA that allows the system to be productive.

“For the last five years we have made great strides in eliminating homelessness,” said Russo. “But it couldn’t have been accomplished without community partners. The VA can’t do it alone.”

Katherine Fernandez Rundle, Miami-Dade County State Attorney’s Office, was on hand to assist with getting records expunged and sealed – Career Source South Florida to help with employment – Military ministry for prayer – the Florida Veterans Foundation – Operation Sacred Trust for permanent housing - the Salvation Army for temporary housing of vets and Natalie Rodriguez, Service to the Armed Forces Director, for the American Red Cross, all play an intricate part in helping to eliminate homeless veterans.

“These initiatives have fixed the lives of many veterans here in Miami,” said Tomas Pedro Regalado, mayor of Miami.

“This weekend you have witnessed vets getting their lives together. This was a risky challenge but I knew it was the right thing to do.”

(This notion caused Mark Cuban to do a literal face-palm, O’Leary to shake his head and groan, and Robert Herjavec to laugh and say, “This is such a bad idea.”)

O’Leary was the first to voice a concern. "The makeup industry is huge, a multi-billion dollar industry. If blues, greens, and purples would sell more lipsticks, wouldn’t the big companies already have them on the shelves?"

Lori Greiner had another concern. This centered on buying cosmetics online. A color that looked right on-screen might not be the same in person.

Robert chimed in next, bothered by the branding. “I’m not sure I’d want my daughter picking up lipstick with a martini glass and very sexual lips on it.” With that, he was the first Shark to bow out on Lip Bar. Maintaining that there is no market for the product and that if there was, the big companies would “crush [Lip Bar] for the colorful cockroaches you are,” Kevin turned the investment opportunity down next.

But after this episode, the show may have lost some cool points with the African American community. As he explains why they are surely going to fail and why he won’t give them money, O’leary refers to them as “colorful cockroaches,” which was entirely unnecessary for him to get his point across.

Should Black women, who are typically underfunded in their business (since white people seem to own everything because of slavery) have to deal with this kind of abuse in order to get an investment?

Melissa addressed Daymond John directly, but he replied, “You are never going to create anything new in this world. You know, it’s lipstick. I’m out.”

Mark Cuban called the cocktail theming an antithesis to the brand’s confidence-based market, and he, too, was out.

Lori Greiner, citing the amount of competition in the cosmetics market, also declined to invest.

Lip Bar’s creators left the Shark Tank disrespected and with no investment.

Watch the clip and tell us what you think. You can watch it http://blacklikemoi.com/ 2015/05/you-wont-believewhat-this-host-said-to-thesetwo-black-women/.

Please, we need to encourage our millions of readers to support them and voice their concern and displeasure in how these women were devalued on national television. They don’t have to take this kind of abuse in order to get money.

Note: If you’d like to support these two women and their company, here is their facebook page: https:// www.facebook.com/ thelipbar. Now, pull out your purses/wallets and go buy something.

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

Page 6 • www.thewestsidegazette.com • May 7 - May 13, 2015

Opinion

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

Baltimore: pastors and mom

By Pastor Rasheed Z. Baaith I have set thee watchmen upon thy walls O Jerusalem, which shall never hold their peace day nor night: ye that make mention of the LORD, keep not silence.” (Isaiah 62:6) If there is one group of people who worked tirelessly to stop the violence in Baltimore and prevent more fires from being lit, fires both figuratively and literally, it was Black pastors in that city.

In an era where Black pastors are better known for awful television shows than for their determined efforts to rescue communities, what those Black pastors did and are doing in Baltimore is more than worthy of praise.

They did everything we say we want our pastors to do: they walked the streets of their community; they engaged young people by listening to them and then teaching them, they gave solace to those in need of it; they preached hope and a better tomorrow to a community in the throes of destructive violence. Even when they were a victim of fires and flames, there was never a word of condemnation. The LORD must have been pleased and the people were surely blessed.

Never was there the perception that these men and women were looking for a photo opportunity or a chance to give a sound bite to gain national exposure. It was clear from every action they took and every word they uttered that what they wanted more than anything else was for the world to

Mayweather vs. Pacquiao, who did you pick?

By Don Valentine Let me correct the idea that Mayweather is 47-0. He is really 53-0. The other six happened to be against women. Those female contenders were clearly under equipped to go into a ring with a trained professional boxer.

Sure he is only a 151 pound feather weight, but those ladies would have had a better chance against a physics professor.

It is recognized in 90 percent of the world that it is reprehensible for a man to put his hands on a woman. Some like MayweaVALENTINE ther, Ray Rice, Greg Hardy and Mike Tyson would call that statement ludicrous. This scribe will tell them with all due respect to go kick rocks.

In one of the most heinous of incidents, Mayweather beat his kid’s mother in plain view of the children.

In her police report she describes screaming to the kids to run for help.

Unfortunately, Mayweather had one of his henchman blocking the door while he pummeled their mom. His son manages to escape and runs to the gated community guard shack. Mayweather realizes what happened and flees the scene.

The mother then takes the other three kids to the guard shack. When the police arrive she is severely bruised and nearly comatose. T.M.Z. obtained footage of her being taken to an ambulance on a gurney.

For this malicious act, Mayweather got a 90-day misdemeanor sentence by the state of Nevada. His act smells felonious to me, but I don’t practice criminal law. Neither does the Nevada Boxing Commission, who let Mayweather keep his license to box.

To my male readers please take the following advice. When things get heated, contentious with my lady I go wash my car till things calm down. Go to the beach, go to the sports bar, I don’t care. But NEVER EVER put your hands on a woman.

My pick on the fight? I’m not a boxing fan, but I hoped Pacquiao beat the snot out of him.

know three things: one they loved their city, two, the people in the streets loved their city BAAITH and three, what was happening now would not be happening tomorrow. And I have no doubt that even now they are somewhere in Baltimore asking themselves how they can do more for that city and its people.

Without their efforts and without the efforts of mothers like Tanya Graham, these could have been a lot worse.

As many of us know by now Tonya Graham is the mother we saw slapping some sense into her son after she caught him trying to become part of the riot. Her actions gained her worldwide recognition and more haters than anybody except maybe Floyd Mayweather, Jr. She ignited a conversation that has become intense, large in scope and still ongoing. And to be honest, much of that conversation is just noise.

The debate centers on whether or not Graham should have slapped her son and what message did that send to her son and what did her behavior say about Black women, single Black mothers, fatherless children, and the unrelenting violence in our homes and communities.

That’s way too much for me. Graham did what any responsible mother should have done. She refused to allow her child to make what could have been the worse decision of his young life. That she did so by forcibly restraining him is acceptable to me. If she didn’t stop him, who was?

We all know if her son had been hurt or had been arrested, the first thing out of everyone’s mouth would

have been, “Where was this boy’s parents?” We know this is true because we heard the question being asked over and over by reporters as they reported on youth who were among the lawless and uncontrolled.

But being a good mother comes with a cost. At last report, Child Protective Services (CPS) of Baltimore had launched an investigation about what Graham did. Said a CPS spokesperson: “After reviewing the video in question, it has come to our attention that Ms. Graham is a mother of six.

Although her actions are somewhat understandable, we cannot allow a young man to suffer such violence and abuse regardless of the cause.”

There was even more verbal diarrhea, the spokesperson went on to say, “Therefore CPS investigators will question Ms. Graham and her children and will also conduct an investigation that will see if Ms. Graham will be allowed to continue being her children’s legal guardian.”

Let me see if I got this right. In a city known as one of the biggest heroin markets in America with all the attendant factors like mothers abandoning their children, unrelenting and merciless gun violence, young men believing that selling drugs is both legitimate and acceptable, not to mention the despair and pathos of addicts, CPS of Baltimore has nothing else to do but investigate a mother who slapped her son out of a mob?

How about them investigating some of those heroin dealers who employ children as look outs and dealers or investigating the pimps who are exploiting children by forcing them into prostitution or the street gangs whose recruitment slogan seems to be “become part of us or die from us.”

Graham, like those Black preachers in Baltimore, did the right thing.

Whether people agree with their actions or not. Think about it.

The Florida Republican House quits and goes neither House is willhome early in 2015 ing to budge. Some say

By Roger Caldwell This year the legislative session never felt right, and the two Republican Houses never liked or respected each other. There has always been finger pointing and name calling, but no one ever thought the Republican House would pack up their bags three days early and leave Tallahassee.

This is unprecedented, and the House left hundreds of bills unfinished and on the table. There is no budget that has been completed and if the two Houses cannot talk to each other, the Florida government can be eventually shut down. This makes no sense, but the Republican-led House is firmly against Medicaid expansion, and the Senate supports it.

Senate President, Andy Gardiner, says he’s disappointed with the Houses’ decision: “The House didn’t win. The Senate didn’t win, and the taxpayers lost. There are a lot of issues that aren’t going to make it, and it’s unfortunate.” The two Houses are apart three to five million dollars and

America's racial injustice is sitting on a powder keg Child Watch

this is ego, but our governor is showing no leadership skills, and the problems are exacerbated.

Speaker of the House, Steve Crisafulli says it was the CALDWELL right thing to do. “We’ve made every effort we can to negotiate with the Senate on a budget, and at this time, they’re standing strong on Medicaid expansion.” There is an impasse and this immature behavior started at the beginning of the session when both Houses refused to talk to each other.

As the Florida Legislature reveals a dysfunctional government, the residents never expected this behavior from their representatives that they voted into office. This is an assault on sanity, and every representative should explain to their constituency, why they are not able to do the job they were put in Tallahassee to do.

(Read full story on www.thewestsidegazette.com)

By Dr. P. L. Wright

From ‘crack baby’ to A-student

The fact is, incidents of police serious abuse, as brutality committed on people of color must end. Those other honest law makers and poWRIGHT lice officers must begin to respect and enforce the civil rights of all citizens with equal justice as well. If this abuse does not stop, it is possible there will be a total anarchy and a breakdown of law enforcement of our criminal justice system operations everywhere in America. Citizens are tired of the unfair economic policies and unfair laws that are directed at people of color and others who are considered to be minorities and the poor.

Some police officers, law makers in congress and our city, county, state and other government operation functions are possibly responsible for this inevitable breakdown of the legal system in America.

By Marian Wright Edelman, NNPA Columnist

(Read full story on www.thewestsidegazette.com)

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.

The odds were stacked against Britiny Lee before she was EDELMAN born. Her mother was addicted to drugs, like Brtiny’s grandfather and many others in their poverty-stricken Cleveland neighborhood. Britiny’s mother used drugs throughout her pregnancy and went to prison for a year just after Britiny’s birth. As a poor, Black “crack baby” with an addicted, incarcerated mother and an absent father, Britiny started life in danger.

Being born into an unstable poor family or to a single, teen, incarcerated, or absent parent are all known risk factors in America’s Cradle to Prison Pipeline® crisis. The disadvantages millions of poor children and children of color face from birth along the continuum to and through adulthood and can include no or inadequate prenatal and health care; no or little quality early childhood education and enrichment; child abuse and neglect; failing schools; grade retention, suspension, and expulsion; questionable special education placements; dropping out of school; unaddressed mental health problems; violent drug infested neighborhoods; and disproportionate involvement in the child welfare and juvenile justice systems.

Entering the child welfare system would have been still another risk factor for baby Britiny but she was lucky.

(Read full story on www.thewestsidegazette.com)

Thug’ is in the eye of the beholder

By Walter L. Fields, NNPA Columnist A small section of Baltimore, no more than four to six blocks on the city’s west side, experienced looting and property destruction after the funeral of Freddie Gray, the young man whose spine was FIELDS mysteriously crushed after being taken into police custody. Gray would later die from his injuries and ‘Charm City’ has been in a meltdown ever since.

The anger over Gray’s death should come as no surprise in a city that has had a history of questionable police tactics and where jobs and opportunity are foreign concepts for the masses of the city’s Black majority.

Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake chose to call the looters ‘thugs,’ a conscious choice of words meant to label as criminals those involved in property destruction. President Obama also blamed the unrest on “a handful of criminals and thugs who tore up the place.”

During the weekend protesters who lashed out violently were called ‘outside agitators’ by Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan, the same term Gov. George C. Wallace of Alabama used to dismiss civil rights activists in the 1960s.

(Read full story on www.thewestsidegazette.com)

The Gantt Report Finally, a fair state attorney

By Lucius Gantt Thank God for Baltimore State’s Attorney Marilyn Mosby. She is a hero to me but we really don’t need heroes. I thank God for sending us a Black pubGANTT lic servant that is not afraid to do the job she is supposed to do!

Law enforcers and others have been directly or indirectly involved in the murders, beatings, choking of people of color for hundreds of years. Don’t act like you’ve never heard of lawmen led lynch mobs that resulted in Black men hanging from trees back in the day!

At last, we have a Black woman that is risking her job, jeopardizing her career and perhaps putting her own life in danger by merely doing what she is being paid tax dollars to do.

Freddie Gray would be alive and no officers would be facing murder charges if only one law man had provided Freddie Gray with the medic and medical attention that he asked for multiple times.

So what if some of the officers charged with manslaughter and other crimes are Black?

If it were up to me, the Black officers that helped commit or refused to stop the crimes done under color of law that killed Freddie Gray should get more jail time and punishment than anybody involved!

(Read full story on www.thewestsidegazette.com)

To Be Equal Police reform needed now

By Marc H. Morial, NNPA Columnist “There is no crueler tyranny than that which is perpetuated under the shield of law and in the name of MORIAL justice.” – Charles de Montesquieu, “The Spirit of the Laws,” 1748 A tragic déjà vu is playing out in communities all across America, particularly in the growingly skeptical streets of Black and Brown neighborhoods.

Once again, our nation is forced to grapple with fresh accounts of police misconduct in its deadliest incarnation.

Once again, the victims are unarmed Black men and the perpetrators are the very public servants charged with keeping them – in fact, all of us – safe; it seems only the states and the circumstances change.

On April 4, Walter Scott was driving a Mercedes-Benz with a busted taillight through North Charleston, S.C. Officer Micheal Slager pulled Scott over. Said to be in fear of being arrested, the 50-year-old ran away from the car. A cell phone video shows Officer Slager chasing Scott and shooting at him with his stun gun, when that failed to stop him, he used his gun to fire eight shots at Scott’s back, killing him on the scene.

(Read full story on www.thewestsidegazette.com)

No better time to end racial profiling

By Benjamin F. Chavis, Jr., NNPA Columnist Freddie Gray, 25, was racially profiled and then chased down by the Bal- CHAVIS timore police officers. He subsequently died as a result of police action taken after what the mayor called an unjust arrest. But the Gray tragedy is not an isolated case. It is symptomatic of a criminal justice system gone mad with racism and bigotry.

This deadly scenario of racial profiling and the use of fatal police force against Black Americans continue to increase across America with blatant disregard for precious value of life.

Yes, Black Lives Matter all the time everywhere.Congressman John Conyers (D-Mich.) and Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.) have once again introduced a bill designed to make racial profiling a federal criminal offense. It’s called The End Racial Profiling Act of 2015 (H.R. 1933). If police officers knew that they could face federal imprisonment for committing acts of racial profiling, this law would have a definite impact toward reducing these racist practices.

The growing public demonstrations in Baltimore and across the nation are indications that something substantive needs to change.

(Read full story on www.thewestsidegazette.com)

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

May 7 - May 13, 2015 • www.thewestsidegazette.com • Page 7

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

Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church

Church Directory

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

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

Reverend Jimmy L. English PASTOR

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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"

6201 NW 57 Street Tamarac, FL 33319 954-721-1232 uccfaith@bellsouth.net faithbroward.org "Historically the First Church in the City of Tamarac!”

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

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

TUESDAY

WORSHIP SERVICES Wednesday (NOON DAY PRAYER) ............................................. 12 -1 p.m.

Wednesday (PRAYER MEETING & BIBLE STUDY) .................... 645 p.m.

Sunday Worship Service ................................................................. 10 a.m.

Fifth Sunday Worhip Service ............................................................ 8 a.m.

Obituaries ElIJAH BELL'S Funeral Services

Providence Missionary Baptist Church with Dr. W.M. Ramsey officiating. Interment: Sunset Memorial Gardens.

CAMPBELL Funeral Services for the late Lambert Campbell.

Roy Mizell & Kurtz Funeral Home

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

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

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

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

JENKINS Funeral Services for the late Margaret Jenkins.

SMITH Funeral Services for the late Clarence Smith.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

VALENTINE Funeral Services for the late Luz Valentine.

Harris Chapel United Methodist Church

DOMINECK Funeral services for the late Javarius S. Domineck 21 were held May 2 at James C. Boyd’s Memorial Chapel with Min. Larry Carter officiating. Interment: Sunset Memorial Gardens.

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

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

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

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

James C. Boyd Funeral Home

PERRY Funeral services for the late Alfred Alphonso Perry – 73 were held April 27 at James C. Boyd’s

Mount Calvary Baptist Church

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

Reverend Anthony Burrell, Pastor SCHEDULE OF SERVICES SUNDAY

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Where the kingdom of God is increased through Fellowship.

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

WORSHIP THIS AND EVERY SUNDAY AT THE CHURCH OF YOUR CHOICE

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

Rev. Cal Hopkins.

M.Div) Senior Pastor/Teacher

Rev. Dr. James B. Darling, Senior Pastor

WORSHIP SERVICES

Faith United Church of Christ

Williams Memorial CME

GERVIN Funeral services for the late Kathleen Gervin -95 were held May 2 at Roy Mizell & Kurtz Worship Center.

T.M. Ralph Funeral Homes WILSON Funeral services for the late William Joseph Wilson, Jr. – 86 were held May 2. Interment: Our Lady Queen of Heaven Catholic Cemetery. Arrangement by T.M. Ralph Funeral Homes.

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

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

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

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

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

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

KIDS TALK ABOUT GOD Does being honorable like Jabez influence God in answering your prayers?

By Carey Kinsolving and Friends “Well, I think God answers prayers all the same.

Just because you’re an honorable person doesn’t mean you’re better than people who are not honorable,” says Nick, 9.

Nick has fired the first volley in one of the most hotly debated questions ever asked in this column. Before we hear from the other side, let’s hear from Nick’s defense team.

“God loves everybody the same. God answers prayers from the heart, not from how honorable you are,” says John, 9. “God would not be unfair like that,” adds Weston, 10, suggesting that God’s very integrity is at stake if he doesn’t answer everyone’s prayers.

Rachel, 9, sums up Nick’s side by saying, “God will answer your prayers, no matter what kind of person you are.”

Nick’s team presents a powerful case, but like so many arguments, they sound good until you hear the other side.

“I don’t think God would bless someone who wouldn’t be honorable to him,” says Joseph, 9. “The Bible tells us that by living an honorable life here on Earth and following God’s works and words, we store up many treasures in heaven.”

Joseph, do you mean there’s more than just going to heaven?

Are you saying there will be distinctions in heaven? Would God do that? You bet!

Could it be like sitting in box seats with all the amenities at the seventh game of the World Series versus the bleachers?

Everyone is happy to be at the big game, but what a difference box seats make! It’s hot dogs in the bleachers versus grilled salmon in the skybox. And, it’s not just for one game. It’s forever.

Heaven is a kingdom, not a democracy. Some will arrive in style with heavenly rewards, and others ... well, they’ll just be glad to be there.

“If you are honorable to God, then he knows that you trust him,” says Joanna, 11. “God will be able to trust you, too, when you honor him.”

Bravo, Joanna! If you honor God, you will be an honorable person. Our attitude toward God determines how we treat other people. Our attitude toward God also determines whether he trusts us. Why would God give more territory or greater responsibility to someone he doesn’t trust?

You see, God’s love and justice don’t compete against each other. Yes, God loves everyone, and he proved it by sending his son to die on the cross for our sins. But just because you’re a Christian doesn’t mean God is obligated to grant all your requests. God is merciful to deny prayer requests from impure motives.

Are parents unjust when they deny their children’s requests?

Would any child survive if every whim were granted?

Abraham was known as the “friend of God.” Jesus told his disciples that they were no longer servants, but friends. It’s a privilege to walk in the light of God’s glory and to honor him by walking in paths of righteousness.

“God commands us in his word to be filled with the Holy Spirit,” says Dianna, 10. “God promises that he will forgive us of our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness if we confess and repent of our sins.”

Think about this: There’s no honor in living a self-centered life. It’s so common and boring. Being filled with the Holy Spirit means being controlled by God’s indwelling presence. God wants to bring us into a larger place. It’s a kingdom where honor, righteousness and love reign supreme in his son.

Memorial Chapel.

ROBERTS Funeral services for the late Joseph Hosea Roberts - 56 were held May 2 at James C. Boyd’s Memorial Chapel with Pastor Ricky Scott officiating. Interment: Sunset Memorial Gardens.

McWhite's Funeral Home GASTON Funeral services for the late Roosevelt Joseph Gaston – 50 were held April 29.

LAW Funeral services for the late Dorothy Mae Law -78 were held May 2 at The Church of the Lord Jesus Christ of the Apostolic Faith with Pastor Lionel Cosby, Sr officiating. Interment: Sunset Memorial.

MILLER Funeral services for the late Berth Miller - 73 were held May 2 at Greater

Memorize this truth: “For You, O Lord, will bless the righteous; with favor you will surround him as with a shield” (Psalm 5:12).

Ask this question: Will you live a small self-centered life or a big life that honors God? “Kids Talk About God” is distributed by Creators Syndicate.

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

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

Page 8 • www.thewestsidegazette.com • May 7 - May 13, 2015

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Black families must focus on asset building

By Charlene Crowell, NNPA Columnist As the wealthy few continue to prosper, the rest of the nation is caught in a financial tug-ofwar between stagnant wages and a rising cost of living. In communities of color, chronic unemployment and underemployment and a host of other social ills are added burdens to an already CROWELL challenging economy.

These and other disturbing trends were the focus of the recent Color of Wealth Summit, conceived and convened by a national research organization, the Insight Center for Community Economic Development and a solution-oriented social change nonprofit, the Center for Global Policy Solutions. The two-day conference engaged prominent thought leaders to propose solutions to the growing racial income and wealth divide that has come to characterize America’s economy.

According to Maya Rockeymoore, its president and CEO, “Most organizations and policy makers focus on improving income and income supports such as safety net programs. While this approach is vital, it is not enough to build economic security for vulnerable families over a lifetime. To achieve true security for vulnerable families, asset building must be part of the strategy.

Through wealth, families can have the financial resilience they need to sustain themselves in the event of a job loss or illness.

Wealth also gives families the resources to invest in their future and realize their dreams. A truly transformational economic security strategy should focus on both income and wealth.”

Recent research confirms how hard it is for families that lack adequate earnings, to make it from one payday to the next. While the idea of saving is valued, for too many consumers nothing is left once basic living expenses are met.

According to the most recent report of the Joint Economic Committee of Congress: • Median net worth in Black households fell by more than 40 percent from 2007 to 2013. White households during this same period saw median net worth drop 26 percent; • Median weekly earnings of Black college graduates working full-time and their white counterparts showed that the Black grads’ annual earnings were $12,000 less; and • Overall, the Black median earnings of $34,600, is nearly $24,000 less than the same measure for whites.

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FUNdraising Good Times

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Fundraising and basketball

By Pearl and Mel Shaw

"AN INSTITUTION WITH A SOUL"

Part Two of a Two Part Series

RICHARD L. MACON

It’s that time of year – basketball every night! The games get better and better. Fans are loyal, excited and stressed. People on the east coast stay up way too late. Everyone is wearing their team’s logo. The playoffs are on! If you’re a fundraising fanatic you are inspired as you imagine your fund-raising team performing with the precision of your favorite basketball team.

In the NBA the coach develops a game plan. In fundraising, it’s the fundraising plan, strategic plan, business plan – or a combination of these – that serve as the game plan.

Before each crucial game NBA coaches scout their opponent. In fundraising, you prepare by researching potential donors. What are their interests and philanthropic priorities? Their current - or prior! relationship to your organization? Don’t take your team onto the court unprepared!

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Pearl and Mel Shaw Good coaching is key to both the NBA and fundraising. Basketball teams have a head coach: in fundraising coaching can come from consultants or the chief development person.

Great teams have loyal fan bases who are with them whether they are up or down.

These fans believe in the team, their talents, resources and ability to prevail. With fundraising, there is a constituency that believes in your case. They feel you have all the elements to succeed, or that you are getting there. As in basketball, good fundraising teams feed off the energy.

(Read full story on www.thewestsidegazette.com)

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Global migration is about survival

By Bill Fletcher, Jr., NNPA Columnist The recent deaths of more than a thousand African refugees attempting to cross the Mediterranean Sea in order to get to Europe highlights an on-going and growing global migration crisis. Contrary to commentators on the political right – in both the USA and Europe – what we are witnessing is not representative of a search for the good life FLETCHER by undesirables from the global South: This is about survival.

Many people in Europe and North America have a strange attitude toward the entire question of immigration. It’s as if there has been an epidemic of historic memory loss. Immigration from Africa, Asia and Latin America to Europe and North America is treated in the mainstream outside of any context. Migrants are frequently referenced as being “infiltrators.” In the U.S., migrants from the global South are demonized. In much of Europe, Islamophobic and anti-Arab racism is used against migrants from the Middle East and Central Asia, blaming them for economic decline and/or suggesting that they – the migrants – lack the will and capacity to assimilate.

The desperation evidenced by the deaths of so many people attempting to cross the Mediterranean, or closer to home, migrants crossing the Mexican border and dying in the deserts, is a direct outgrowth of two major factors. The first is represented by colonialism and neo-colonialism. The second is represented by the impact of the reorganization of global capitalism in the form of neo-liberal globalization.

Migration patterns tend to be from the former colonies to the former colonizer, or from those countries that have historically been dominated by Europe or North America to the country that has been the historical dominator. People are leaving countries that were, in some cases, artificially created by the former colonizer or completely abandoned by the former colonizer when they were either forced to leave or when the colony no longer held value.

(Read full story on www.thewestsidegazette.com)

May 7 - May 13, 2015 • www.thewestsidegazette.com • Page 9

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

Robert Cray at The Parker Play House

New cell phone is a life saver

FIGGERS TALLAHASSEE FL — It’s a parent’s dream, a cell phone that will not distract the driver or allow the driver to text while driving. The Figgers X1 called the “Life Saver” is a unique cellular phone with a built-in feature that prevents texting or the receipt of text messages when the car exceeds 10 miles per hour. Florida and other states have passed laws that prohibit texting while driving, but summer continues to be the deadliest time on the road for

teens. The inventor of the Figgers X1 Freddie Figgers says, “All the laws in the world can’t change behavior. But the Figgers X1 can.”

Figgers is a 25-year-old technology wiz who is also the youngest American to hold a FCC License Spectrum, making him a Telecom carrier like all the major brands. “Americans love brands. But we provide a better phone, better accessories, greater band width, a phone that is practical, personal and a life saver for half the price of major brands. We cut out the middle man, and still guarantee a quality product.”

The Figgers X1 anti-texting mechanism sends the caller a message saying, “I’m driving.”

Drivers can retrieve their text and voice messages when the vehicle stops.

Figgers’ genius came to light as a nine year old when he repaired a broken computer his father purchased at Goodwill.

At 13, the Quincy, Fla. native became a celebrity when he began working for NetQuincy, re-

By Don Valentine

pairing computers for the city and citizens of the small town.

Since then, Figgers, an independent African American entrepreneur who has launched numerous technological innovations that are affordable, lifesaving, and a good way to improve our quality of life. Figgers’ website, www.figgers.com, is loaded with patent pending products including Vitalwear, which remotely monitors the wearers’ vital signs and location in real time. Caregivers who want to more closely observe functioning loved ones can do so with Vitalwear.

Living Blues legend Robert Cray graced South Florida last Thursday. If you have never been to the Parker Play House just off of Sunrise by the War Memorial Auditorium, you are missing out on a boutique venue.

Mr. Cray sold out the plush 1,200 seat auditorium. He is touring the country celebrating 40 years of mesmerizing audiences with his Blues guitar play.

The show surprisingly started promptly at 7:30. I have seen over 70 shows dating back to the Budweiser Super-Fest shows back in the day and they never start on time.

Shemekia Copeland the “Queen of Blues” opened with a 60 minute set. Her dad the Texas Blues Man Johnny Clyde

Copeland used to play with Cray dating back to the 1985 Montreux Jazz Festival.

Shemekia has a set of pipes on her that are out of this world.

If she did not have such a strong voice she could have been a standup comic. Between each song and an extremely long drum malfunction she cracked the crowd up with stories from her life. When she did her finale she showed off her “chops” by doing an a cappella exhibition that even the back row could enjoy. The Minneapolis Star Tribune called her “One of the most polished Blues and Soul singers out today”.

15 time Grammy nominated, five time winner, Robert Cray came out to a thunderous applause. His fans really appreciated this blues icon. Cray has played with his close friend Eric Clapton, Stevie Ray

Why Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake is being told to resign

By Victor Kam Following the riots in Baltimore that occurred recently, Sid Saab called for the mayor of the city to resign. The representative felt that Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake had failed to tackle social issues adequately and made an inappropriate comment, although her officials claim the quote was taken out of context.

Saab, who is a delegate from Crownsville in Anne Arundel County, tweeted on Monday, “Madam Mayor, the only space that those who wish to destroy should be given is prison” and followed it with more tweets calling for her resignation.

The specific comment that angered Saab was when Blake appeared to take a soft stance on the rioters by saying, “we also gave those who wished to

destroy space to do that as well.”

Mayor Blake’s comments, however, appear to have been taken out of context. The mayor has clarified that she meant that while giving peaceful protestors the opportunity to express themselves, they had also inadvertently given the violent protestors the opportunity to destroy property. Saab has, however, viewed the mayor’s response as a sign of her poor leadership.

The Baltimore Mayor has insisted that the violence was not a sign of poor leadership but that it was difficult to control the riots while still allowing the Baltimore residents the right to protest. She did not tell the police to be lenient on the looters, but their activities went on in synchrony with the protests.

Governor Larry Hogan has said that he did not receive a request

for assistance early enough, which is the reason so much property was destroyed before the National Guard intervened.

Responses by state officials have resulted in 200 arrests and a 10 p.m. curfew, which has assisted in reducing the cases of vandalism and looting.

The riots have forced many legislators in Maryland to reschedule their work as they focus on providing relief to the victims of city’s unrest. This includes the investigation to settle who was responsible for the death of Freddie Grey, who protestors believe was wrongly killed by police.

Although he has been criticizing Mayor Blake’s response, Saab did concur with her that if the police were found responsible for Gray’s death, then they should face the consequences of their actions.

YOKOSUKA, Japan (April 26, 2015) Quartermaster 2nd Class Xavier Johnson from Fort Lauderdale, Fl., secures halyards aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washinton (CVN 73). George Washington and its embarked air wing, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5, provide a combat-ready force that protects and defends the collective maritime interests of the U.S. and its allies and partners in the Indo-AsiaPacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Jon Price/Released)

CRAY Vaughn and John Lee Hooker to name a few. He played guitar with Hooker on the award winning song “Boom-Boom”. Interesting story about how he got his launch into blues music.

He convinced his high school class to book blues artist Albert Collins for their graduation party. This meeting turned out to be serendipitous, as Mr. Collins booked his band to back him on his west coast tour. The rest turned out to be music history. The list of artist that have been nominated 15 times for Grammy awards is not over crowded.

Cray played almost all the songs from his new CD "In My Soul". The crowd was familiar with all the hits. His bohemian, hippy flavored song What Would You Say was the favorite.

1986 Grammy award winning Strong Persuader blew everybody away. Great performance from a Blues legend.

Allen leaves Lauderdale Lakes City Manager position on good terms

Former City Manager Jonathan Allen appears with some of his supporters in the community. L to r: Former City Commissioner Ben Williams, Fort Lauderdale Police Major Gregory Salters, Attorney Eugene Pettis, Jonathan Allen, and Former City Commissioner Eric Haynes.

(Cont'd from FP) During the commission meeting, Pettis urged the Commission to pass the agreement.

Attorney Pettis said, “The true measure of a man is when he feels he’s been wronged, he can stand with dignity and allow the process to move forward.

Allen just believes that he’s bigger than to allow himself to get drawn into something that’s not for the betterment of this city.”

At the end of Attorney Pettis’ public comments, Mayor Russell called for the vote and the agreement was unanimously approved by the City Commission.

In November 2014, Allen received an overall positive evaluation for his performance as City Manager for Fiscal Year 2014. Allen has been credited with developing and implementing the City’s Financial Recovery Plan, eliminating the City’s four million dollar fund

balance deficit, and reducing the City’s nine million dollar debt owed to BSO for past due police and fire rescue services to almost half in three years.

At the commission meeting, both city and county officials praised Allen for successfully addressing the city’s financial crisis and near bankruptcy, attracting new economic development to the city, displaying a high degree of integrity and professionalism, and serving as a positive role model for youth in Broward County. Mayor Russell said, “Mr. Allen has been a very professional, dedicated, and financially astute City Manager.” Commissioner Coleman expressed, “Jonathan was a valuable city asset and his motto for our city was ‘Failure Is Not an Option’. Jonathan did a great job as City Manager and brought us out of a depression,” Coleman remarked.

During the crowded city commission meeting, numerous city

residents and Allen supporters gave positive remarks on Allen’s honorable service to the City and his perseverance in bringing the City back from the brink of bankruptcy.

Long-term city residents, Pastor Michel Coulson of Unity New Testament Church of God, Gwen Denton, Meredith McCleary, and Former City Commissioner Ben Williams, provided very inspiring and encouraging words to Allen and criticized the commissioners that voted to fire him. Meredith McCleary recited the poem If by laureate Rudyard Kipling as a departing tribute for former City Manager Jonathan Allen, who was sitting silently next to his attorney in the commission chambers.

While leaving his last Lauderdale Lakes Commission Meeting, Allen said with a smile, “I’ve enjoyed my time at the City of Lauderdale Lakes. I’m staying faithful, focused, and fruitful as I move into the future.”

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Golf legend Calvin Peete dies at age 71

By Victor Ochieng Calvin Peete, the racial pioneer on the admired PGA Tour, died in an Atlanta hospital at age 71. The former golfing great is reported to have passed away on Wednesday, April 29. The Professional Golfer’s Association announced Peete’s death, but didn’t disclose the cause.

Although he started his life as a farm worker, he later began a career in golf in his late 20s, eventually becoming the most successful African-American golf player. Peete registered 12 PGA Tour wins, becoming a big name long before Tiger Woods came into the picture.

Some of his achievements include winning the Vardon Trophy in 1984 for the lowest scoring average and being among the Official World Golf Ranking’s top ten golfers for several weeks in 1986.

Peete’s success came as a surprise, especially having gone into the game in his late 20s, as opposed to a younger age when most successful players begin.

He started learning golf while in Rochester, New York, having his sessions at a public golf course located in Genesee Valley Park. Peete would later become PGA Tour’s top-ranked driving accuracy golfer for 10 consecutive years.

PEETE “I get my accuracy from my tempo and rhythm,” Peete told The New York Times in 1982.

“I never really worked for it. It is just something that happened. I just seem to have a good tempo and good control as far as knowing just when to release the club.”

His success and achievements in the game saw him inducted into the African American Ethnic Sports Hall of Fame in 2002.

Peete’s success has been celebrated widely, particularly because he grew up poor and suffered a broken arm that healed but wasn’t properly set in its place, giving him a permanent crooked arm. But that didn’t deter him. Instead, he

The Black Athlete

Where are today’s Muhammad Ali-like athletes?

By Omar Tyree, NNPA Columnist The revolutionary and iconic stance of the great Muhammad Ali rang in my mind this TYREE morning as I woke up and thought about writing this column. After a bonanza weekend of American sports that included the NFL Draft, the NBA Playoffs, the Kentucky Derby, the Yankees and Red Sox baseball game, and the Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao fight, all I could think about is downtown Baltimore burning down with reports of 100 Black American men killed by police in the past year, while we still have our first African-American President in office at the White House.

Excuse me for being political in a sports column, but athletes are people first. They come from families with mothers and fathers. They come from communities, cities and towns. They come from fan bases of loyal people who have supported them.

But once they make it to the highest professional level of sports, where their voices, wallets and social/political impact becomes the greatest, they are then advised to leave politics alone and keep their personal views private, or else suffer the consequences of repulsion from those American citizens who would rather not hear it.

Typically, in America, the mainstream White community has been the main culprits of wildly supporting athletes, while rejecting where they come from, what they stand for, or what their families and communities still have to deal with in their lives daily.

“Hey pal, don’t push that stuff on me. I have anything to do with all that. I’m only here to watch the game.”

Nevertheless, American sports leagues have been allowed to support cancer awareness by wearing pink every NEW JERUSALEM year, support military veterMISSIONARY BAPTIST ans who return home to their families from active duty overCHURCH, INC. seas, and a half dozen other Is now accepting resumes for the position of mainstream campaigns. But Pastor. Candidates interested must be called

by God and demonstrate the qualities of 1 only if the professional sports Timothy 3:1-7 and meet the following criteleagues – controlled by bilria: lionaire white men – allow it.

Candidate must have at least five conSurely, I understand that to tinuous years of Baptist Church pastoral/ bring certain injustices to light ministerial experience and must be a licensed before, during and after every and Ordained Baptist Minister; Must have a game would be overkill and unclear understanding of Baptist Church docdesirable, even for me. But trine; Minimum of two years of secular college these athletes should at least and additional degrees or certificates of be able to speak about it as they completion of biblical theological studies/ seminary school; the ability to preach and see fit in interviews, particuteach God’s word; strong evangelism; love larly when they are often forced for God and people; be innovative to move to answer questions about the forward; strong knowledge of the Bible; skilled game. Allow them to also adin biblical teaching; demonstrates commudress a few questions about nity involvement; enforces confidentiality; what’s going on their lives, in conflict resolution; demonstrates spirit of their families and in their comunity. Must serve in a Baptist church that will munities, if they choose to do give a letter of recommendation; must submit so. to a background check.

But why are so many profesResumes will be accepted as of April 15 – May 19, 2015. sional athletes punished for Please send resumes to New Jerusalem that? Is it to control the social/ Missionary Baptist Church, Inc. at 1107 political impact that they would th N.W. 29 Ave., Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33311. have? Is it fear of moving the April 23, 30, May 7, 2015 status quo of America into spaces that it still refuses to discuss or transition from? Is it to continue the stereo-type that athletes are brainless and physically gifted brutes who are PUBLICATION better off seen than heard?

OF BID The sports world has now become grossly hypocritical. Do SOLICITATIONS we not now witness these same sports league authorities comBroward County Board of ing out strongly against doCounty Commissioners is somestic violence, abuse of children, cheating through perforliciting bids for a variety of mance enhancing drugs, drivgoods and services, construcing while under the influence, tion and architectural/engismoking marijuana, and many neering services. Interested other societal infractions of its bidders are requested to view athletes?

These stronger league and download the notificastances and rules of discipline tions of bid documents via the for professional athletes are Broward County Purchasing mainly in play because buying website at: www.broward.org/ ticketholders now demand it. purchasing.

(Read full story on May 7, 14, 21, 29, 2015 www.thewestsidegazette.com)

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focused on his game, training himself and practicing whenever he had free time.And his efforts paid off.

He was also a great, warm person off the golf course, a

trait that endeared him to many people.

Jack Nicklaus, a retired professional golfer, remembered Peete: "Off the golf course, Calvin was a tremendously warm and

caring man. I always liked Calvin, and enjoyed a great relationship with him. We always had fun together. Calvin gave so much of himself to the game and to others, and there

are countless young men and women whose lives he touched through The First Tee and other organizations, who owe Calvin a debut of gratitude.”

Rest in Peace, Calvin Peete.

May 7 - May 13, 2015 • www.thewestsidegazette.com • Page 11

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

Community leaders & well-wishers pay tribute to Samuel F. Morrison (Cont'd from FP) “This is in the heart of Sistrunk and one of the first things they put on Sistrunk in terms of rebuilding the community, with much thanks to Sam Morrison, who spearheaded that effort to create AARLCC. It is a treasure that we use it for tourism and we try to make sure that people really see Black History in our community.”

Janice Henry, Friends of AARLCC, chairperson, thanked those friends who were there from the beginning - Gwen Baker, Ben Stephenson, Rose Merritt, Marvia Simmons, Marge Storr, Julia Hines et al, along with present library employees who assisted in the program’s creation while looking forward to infinite future possibilities.

Finally, it was time for the man of the hour, the inimitable and erudite Samuel Morrison, to address the audience, approximately one hundred or more, which had to please Mrs. Henry & Friends as additional chairs had to be hastily set up.

In his remarks, Morrison became nostalgic, recalling a meeting with Wayne Huizenga, who inquired about previously raised funds (at the time zero). However, through perseverance and faith and hoping to secure a $500,000 donation, Huizenga eventually donated $1,000,000, opening the door for numerous other gifts in support of the project. Morrison also praised Cecil Hayes Powell, internationally renowned interior decorator whose imprint can be seen throughout AARLCC. In an opulent setting with the soft, soothing soulful sounds of Eric and the Jazzers in the background, the highlight of the evening occurred: the unveiling of the animatronic display or life-like robotic re-presentation of Morrison, which could readily be perceived as a Disney production, as so aptly stated by Judge Michael Robinson. “We’ve been thinking about since 2009 when I arrived here about a way to celebrate all of the efforts and hard work

of our visionary Sam Morrison.

We thought about doing this animatronics display about three years ago and the friends got together to finally make this a reality. We’re excited and Sam’s excited that it will be here for years to come,” stated Elaina Norlin, executive director of AARLCC. Tony Thompson, a performing artist, shared his excitement about the unveiling as well.

“The African American Research Library is such an outstanding gem in our community and of course Sam played a great part in making that happen. This animatronics of him that we’re going to unveil tonight stands to recognize him for all the hard work and the contributions he’s made to this community.”

The magnificent human-like replica featured incredible head and limb movement accentuated by voice recordings of Morrison, who, when standing next

to his likeness, made distinguishing them rather daunting.

Derek Davis, curator, Old Dillard Museum, spoke highly of Morrison. “I think this is a very important night for the history of Broward County because we are going to be honoring a man who has done a lot to help the culture of this community grow and we’ll have something that will remain here to hear his voice, see what he looked like, and be able to participate in a dream and come to his dream site which talked about a better life for Black people.”

Another highlight of the evening was the almost panoramic portraits depicting his life from his days as a young Air Force corporal to sharing a photographic moment with our 44th President. We salute and honor you, Mr. Samuel F. Morrison, for your myriad social and civic, impactful and life-altering contributions to society at large and specifically the Broward

community. Janice Henry & Friends of AARLCC invite the public to visit this must see display of a true American icon.

South Florida Artist George Gadson expressed his views on Morrison by stating, “Sam Morrison is a visionary and a doer.

His commitment to the arts in South Florida is not only exemplified in his effort to make the African American Research Library and Cultural Center a reality, but also in his collecting art that now will be enjoyed by others for many years to come.”

About Samuel F. Morrison Samuel F. Morrison was appointed director of the Broward County Library, System on Jan. 29, 1990. He served as the chief librarian for the City of Chicago from April 1987 to January 1990.

During that time he was responsible for the planning, design, and initial construction phases of the Harold Washington Library Center, the largest mu-

Greg Millett: Yes, Black gay lives matter While “Black lives matter” has become a rallying cry across the United States in recent months, Gregorio Millett, vice president and director of public policy at the Foundation for AIDS Research (amfAR), is asking a different question. He wants to know whether Black gay lives matter, particularly when it comes to fighting HIV. The number of HIV infections has been decreasing across the globe, but the news isn’t so good for everyone. In 2013, among MSM, Blacks accounted for 40 percent of AIDS diagnoses. In comparison, 32 percent of those diagnosed were white and 23 percent were Latino. Young Black MSM have been hit particularly hard, accounting for the most new HIV infections in 2010 among all gay and bisexual men.

“Black gay and bisexual men are believed to represent less than 1 percent of the nation’s population, but we represent an estimated one-quarter of all new infections every year,”

Millett told the Black AIDS Institute.

Millett has been on a crusade to bring more awareness to the plight of Black MSM. In fact, a new report by amfAR says that the United States’ inability to address the HIV epidemic effectively among Black MSM is one of the greatest failures of the national HIV/AIDS response.

Heeding a Call For Millett, an epidemiologist and researcher, the fight against HIV is personal. In an interview with the medical journal The Lancet, Millett described losing many friends to AIDS, saying that in his college years, he could “easily name 15 people who had died in the last two years.” He lent his voice to the cause as an activist, taking part in rallies and die-ins. Then, after receiving a Bachelor of Arts in history and sociology from Dartmouth College and a Master of Public Health from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Millett

Gregorio Millett, Senior Policy Advisor in the Office of National AIDS Policy. began his path to fighting HIV/ AIDS through science and public policy.

Millett has helped develop HIV policy at the highest levels of the federal government.

(Read full story on www.thewestsidegazette.com)

Morrison’s beaming smile speaks volumes on the occasion of his Animatronic unveiling.

(Photo credit Steve Vinik) nicipal library in the United States. Prior to his stint in Chicago, he had served as the deputy director of the Broward County Library System from August 1974 to April 1987. Morrison is an honorary life member of the American Library Association and the Florida Library Association. He has served on a number of local boards and is a member of several organizations.

While serving as director, the Broward County Library was named “Library of the Year” in June 1996, the highest honor a U.S. public library can receive

by Library Journal and Gale Research. In March 1999, Broward County voters approved a $139 million library bond measure, resulting in 11 new or replacement libraries and the improvement, renovation or expansion of 19 branch libraries.

Morrison announced his vision of building a library housing Black history materials in Fort Lauderdale on Sept. 7, 1995.

The Broward County Board of County Commissioners approved the $12.5 million project and Morrison led a community fundraising campaign and raised over six million dollars. The AfricanAmerican Research Library and Cultural Center opened on Oct.

26, 2002.

Morrison completed his undergraduate work at California State University in Los Angeles and his Master’s Degree in Library Science at the University of Illinois at Champaign. He is also a graduate of the Harvard University Kennedy School of Government, a local government program for elected and appointed officials. He received an Honorary Doctorate from St. Thomas University (Florida) in 1998.

Morrison is listed in Who’s Who in America, Who’s Who Among Black Americans, and Who’s Who in Library and Information Services. He retired as director from the Broward County Library System in May of 2003.

Since his retirement, Morrison served as the past chairman of the Greater Hollywood Arts Foundation, is a member of the Board of Trustees of NOVA Southeastern University and was appointed by Florida Governor, Charlie Christ to serve on the Broward County Children’s Service Council. He was elected to the Fort Lauderdale Historical Society Board of Trustees in June 2011.

Page 12 • www.thewestsidegazette.com • May 7 - May 13, 2015

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

United States Secretary of Homeland Security offers personal advice from his life to the 2015 Spring graduates of Florida Memorial University MIAMI GARDENS, FL – Florida Memorial University – May 3, 2015 “Today I want to share with you some lessons I have learned in the last 36 years since I sat where you sit today." That was the message given to the 2015 Spring grad-

uates brought by United States Secretary of Homeland Security, Jeh Johnson. It was 10 lessons, that if followed, would propel one into success, “beyond comprehension,” Secretary Johnson warned.

Grandmother and granddaughter duo graduate together from FAMU

Dr. Artis and the Vice-Chairman for Florida Memorial University Board of Trustees, John Ruffin, presented Secretary Jeh Johnson the President’s Award.

US Secretary of Homeland Security, Jeh Johnson, provides keys to success for FMU graduates entering the next stage of their life.

Williams is the grandmother who was able to share her big day with her granddaughter, Chelsea Washington.

By Naturally Triece

National Coalition of Black Veterans set to honor the Mason County, Kentucky High School Colonel Charles Young JROTC Battalion -- The Mason County Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps Royal Guard Battalion was renamed on March 18, 2015 after the legendary Buffalo Soldier, Colonel Charles Young. On May 13, 2015 members of the National Coalition of Black Veteran Organizations will present the newly established Colonel Charles Young JROTC Battalion with a commemorative poster designed to acknowledge the name change. Pictured Former Mason County High School JROTC Color Guard. (Photograph Credit: Shane Grayson) (Read full story on www.thewestsidegazette.com)

May 2 was the day that more than 1,200 Florida Agriculture and Mechanical University students were about to walk across a stage and into the next phase of their lives. They received inspiring words of wisdom from U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack and many other alums of the very popular university.

Among the brave graduates who were all excited to pursue their dreams there was a very special graduate that I am sure we can all appreciate, 62-yearold Cathy Williams. Williams is the grandmother who was able to share her big day with her

granddaughter, Chelsea Washington. After serving many years as an employee of the state, Williams felt that it was time to pursue her goal of getting a college degree. She did that.

She courageously looked beyond what others would notice first, her age, and got out of life what she’d desired most.

She took the first step by enrolling into Tallahassee Community College, even while she worked full time. After earning her Associates she then went on to fulfill her second goal of receiving her Bachelor’s degree from FAMU. (Read full story on www.thewestsidegazette.com)

As class of 2015 Florida Memorial University graduate, Shanisse Lanoue put it “we are so blessed to be in the midst of greatness,” as she referred to Secretary Johnson. His plan included personal accounts such as his journey as a C – D student through his sophomore year at Morehouse College. With leaps and bounds, Secretary Johnson overcame his self-inflicted hurdles to become a 4.0 student.

His first lesson for students advised that “you have it within you to do far more than you know. I am living proof of that.”

Secretary Johnson’s advice ranged from putting forth maximum effort in all endeavors despite how menial the task to seeking a mentor. The lesson for thought came at number eight for students. Secretary Johnson encouraged them to consider a career in public service and to be productive.

Those sentiments were echoed by Florida Memorial president, Dr. Roslyn C. Artis, “It is not enough that we produce graduates. We must also pro-

"We are so blessed to be in the midst of greatness.” — Shanisse Lanoue duce proactive citizens who are committed to improving their communities and their countries." Immediately following Secretary Johnson’s address Dr. Artis and the Vice-Chairman for Florida Memorial University Board of Trustees, John Ruffin, presented Secretary Jeh Johnson the President’s Award in appreciation for serving as keynote speaker for the 2015 Spring Commencement Ceremony.

The Fourth Secretary of Homeland Security was then presented by Dr. Denise Callwood-Brathwaite, associate provost, with an honorary doctorate degree of Humane Letters. Fedrick Ingram, the president of United Teachers of Dade, was also presented with an honorary doctorate degree of Humane Letters.

Honorable dignitaries in attendance for the graduation were Miami-Dade County Commissioner, Chairman Jean Monestime, and City of Miami Gardens Council Member, Lisa Davis. For more information about the Commencement Ceremonies, please contact Florida Memorial University, 305-6263000.