PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID
FT. LAUDERDALE, FL 33310
PERMIT NO. 1179
VOL. 47 NO. 1 50¢
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 8 - FEBRUARY 15, 2018
A M E S S A GE F ROM OU R PU BL IS H E R
Florida voters at a polling place, in November 2016. (floridapolitics.com)
By Derek Hawkins In a blistering decision that could affect the 2018 midterm elections, a federal judge on Thursday ruled that Florida’s system for barring former felons from voting is unconstitutional and potentially tainted by racial, political or religious bias.
U.S. District Judge Mark Walker criticized the state panel led by Florida’s governor that decides whether to restore voting rights to people who have completed their sentences, saying their process is arbitrary and exceedingly slow. “In Florida, elected, partisan officials have extraordinary authority
CBC Chairman Offers Stinging Rebuttal to President Trump’s State of the Union Address
Members of the Congressional Black Caucus wear Kente cloth-inspired prints, during the State of the Union address on January 30. The CBC members stood in solidarity with the Americans, Haitians and the African nations smeared by President Trump’s comments during a bipartisan meeting about immigration at the White House. (Lauren Victoria Burke/NNPA)
The Importance of the Florida African American Vote in 2018 By Akilah Ensley, Finance Director, Andrew Gillum for Governor As we begin 2018, there is strong excitement in black communities all across Florida and the United States in the wake of Senator Doug Jones’ historic win in Alabama. Black voters have always made up the base of the Democratic Party, and in 2018 they’re ready to build on their progress from the past two years. Black women were Secretary Hillary Clinton’s strongest voting bloc at 94 percent — and we fought passionately to ensure the values that matter most to us and our communities were heard. In Alabama, black voters voted for Doug Jones at
96 percent, and black women voted for Jones at 98 percent. As we move forward, we know that OUR community’s votes will matter more so than ever in 2018 - and we must move forward as we always have. It matters more now than ever before. In Florida, our community has the opportunity to make history — electing the first ever black official to statewide office — Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum — as our next Governor. Mayor Gillum is the fifth of seven children, born to Frances and Charles, in Miami. Andrew’s mother worked two jobs as a presser in a dry cleaning store and as a bus driver, and his father was a construction worker. The family later moved to Gainesville, and Andrew went on to be the first in his immediate family to attend (Cont’d on page 8)
to grant or withhold the right to vote from hundreds of thousands of people without any constraints, guidelines, or standards,” Walker wrote. “The question now is whether such a system passes constitutional muster. It does not. “A person convicted of a crime may have long ago exited the prison By Freddie Allen Editor-In-Chief, NNPA Newswire Rep. Cedric Richmond, the chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus railed against President Donald Trump’s boasts about the economy, especially his claims about the Black community, in a blistering response to the president’s State of the Union (SOTU) address. CBC members also wore Kente cloth-inspired prints to the State of the Union address. Richmond said that every action taken by President Trump, since his election, has been destructive for poor, working-class, and middleclass communities throughout the country, as well as communities of color. Richmond said that nothing that the president said during his speech wiped that slate clean. The CBC chairman also leveled the charge made by lawmakers and economists alike that Trump is just riding the economic wave that
cell and completed probation,” the judge continued in the 43-page order. “Her voting rights, however, remain locked in a dark crypt. Only the state has the key — but the state has swallowed it.” The judge did not rule on how the issue should be remedied — he (Cont’d on page 9) began during President Barack Obama’s tenure. “He boasts about a booming economy, but it is not something he can take credit for,” said Richmond. “Much like the money he inherited from his father to start his business, President Trump inherited a growing economy from President Obama.” Richmond continued: “The low Black unemployment rate he boasted about has been falling for eight years and has only changed by one percent since he took office. In addition, while the Black unemployment rate is at an historic low, it is still double the rate of White unemployment and doesn’t take into account the fact that African Americans are disproportionately underemployed and underpaid.” Janelle Jones, an analyst working on a variety of labor market topics within EPI’s Program on Race, Ethnicity, and the Economy (PREE) told Vox that, “The recovery of employment was happening long (Cont’d on page 9)
To whom much is given much is expected “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly” (John 10:10) NKJV By Bobby R. Henry, Sr. As we begin Black History Month, I am forever reminded of how much we have given and how little we have gotten in return. If the premise for our giving to build this country was based on a selfish belief that whatever talents, time and effort we gave we would receive the same in some form of compensation. We would, I do believe, have jumped ship during the American Revolution. Our innate spirit of love for all mankind has (Cont’d on page 11)
NNPA Publishers Address Equity in Education in their Newspapers By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Contributor Today, more than ever before, parents, educators and stakeholders around the country are learning about the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) and the opportunities it presents for school districts to innovate learning in their classrooms and to address academic achievement gaps—through the pages and websites of the Black Press. “It’s critical for [Black] parents to be involved and the Black Press is strategically embedded in our communities, so that we have more opportunities to get the word out about ESSA,” said Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis, Jr., the president and CEO of the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA). “The NNPA is pleased to partner with and applauds the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation for working to raise public awareness throughout the United States about equity in education.” Chavis continued: “Bridging
Brandon Brooks, the managing editor of the Los Angeles Sentinel; Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis, Jr., the president and CEO of the NNPA, Dr. Elizabeth Primas, the program manager of the NNPA ESSA awareness campaign; and Dorothy Leavell, the chairman of the NNPA, celebrate the Los Angeles Sentinel for the newspaper’s engagement with the NNPA ESSA awareness campaign during the 2018 NNPA Mid-Winter Conference in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Freddie Allen/AMG/NNPA)
the academic gap in education, in particular for African American students and others from disadvantaged communities, is of critical importance.” The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation partnered with the National Newspaper Publishers Association to create a three-year, multi-media public awareness campaign focusing on the unique opportunities and (Cont’d on page 9)
80°
Thursday Feb 8TH
PM Partly Cloudy
Sunrise: 7:00am
Sunset: 6:09pm
Fri
Sat
Sun
Mon
Tues
80° 72°
80° 72°
81° 71°
81° 71°
80° 70°
PAGE 2 • FEBRUARY 8 - FEBRUARY 14, 2018
www.thewestsidegazette.com
A Proud Paper For A Proud People
BCPS honors top teacher, principal, assistant principal and school-related/ District employee at annual Caliber Awards Ceremony By Nadine Drew Broward County Public Schools (BCPS) announced its top teacher, principal, assistant principal and school-related/ District employee during the 2018 Caliber Awards Ceremony at the Fort Lauderdale/Broward County Convention Center in Fort Lauderdale on Thursday, February 1, 2018. The annual ceremony recognizes and honors the dedication and hard work of the District’s outstanding educators, leaders and staff. The event was attended by more than 1,300 guests to honor the nearly 550 talented nominees and 16 extraordinary finalists vying for their respective coveted titles. Congratulations to all of the 2018 Caliber Awards winners! Teacher of the Year Tammy Freeman, Monarch High School In her more than 10 years as an educator, Tammy Freeman’s passion for her work has earned the respect and admiration of both her students and colleagues. An English teacher who also serves as chair of the Language Arts Department, Freeman has shown outstanding ability as both collaborator
fidence in their abilities and a strong foundation for lifelong learning.
FREEMAN and leader. She was named Monarch High School Teacher of the Year, in recognition of her efforts in challenging and encouraging young learners to grow as critical thinkers. “I empower my students by not only instilling skills that will help them become successful in life, but by helping them see how important their voice truly is,” Freeman says. This accomplished educator encourages her students to challenge themselves as independent learners and critical thinkers. Her commitment to personalized instruction builds students’ con-
Principal of the Year Michelle Kefford, Charles W. Flanagan High School Michelle Kefford is in her seventh year as principal of Charles W. Flanagan High School. “When educating the next generation, it is critical that we provide exciting and relevant learning experiences for all students,” says Kefford. “My journey as a principal began by stressing to all staff it was imperative that we subscribe to a personalized apPORTER proach to learning.” She also emphasizes the importance of students taking ownership of their learning. Quality education is a family tradition for Kefford, who says its value was instilled from a very young age. She recalls her mother urging her to teach and says, “I am grateful every day that I took her advice.” Kefford is described by her colleagues as dedicated and relentless in her commitment to ensure that the students she serves receive a firstclass, high-quality education. KEFFORD
Assistant Principal of the Year
Winfred Porter, Jr., Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School For the last five years, Winfred Porter, Jr. has served as assistant principal at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High and for more than a decade, he has leveraged student ingenuity and curiosity by placing them in real-world situations. “It’s up to educators to find unique ways to prompt students to soak up information and apply it in unique and creative ways that impact the world,” he says. One of Porter’s strengths is the ability to build positive relationships with his students. “Building relationships with students is like opening a checking account. When it comes time to make a withdrawal, you must have something in the bank,” he says. “As an administrator, there are many opportunities to make withdrawals through discipline and corrective interactions, but I have made it a priority to make as many deposits of encouraging words and positive interactions, to ensure a productive understanding is developed. At the end of the day, students respect me for being consistent with them.” School-Related/District Employee of the Year Frinette Volquez, Office Manager/Confidential Secretary, Hallandale High
VOLQUEZ School Frinette Volquez is the confidential secretary at Hallandale High School. A 13-year veteran of BCPS, she began her career as a cafeteria aide. She believes that every student has the potential to become something special. Volquez says that “by providing students with a safe and stimulating environment, where they are free to express their feelings, ideas, and opinions without judgement. We empower them to unlock their full potential to do great things.” Volquez’ colleagues say she is a true team player who always goes above and beyond, and fosters positive attitudes to bring out the best in others. For the first time in Caliber Awards history, and thanks to the sponsorship of the Broward Education Foundation in partnership with Toyota of North Miami, the Teacher of the Year was awarded keys to a 2018 Toyota Camry SE.
Ann McNeill, President of MCO Construction & Services Inc., is one of the recipients for the 2018 Barry University Distinguished Association of Black Women in maga-zine, USA Today and West Palm Beach woman is the Alumni Awards Construction (NABWIC) to help ABC’s World News. McNeill travels around the face of national campaign increasing build a pipeline for Black woAnn McNeill is President of country speaking about workmen in every area of the inSouth Florida’s first African Alife balance for her speaking dustry, whether it be in the pumerican, female owned Conawareness about heart disease business, blic sector, private sector, enstruction Company. Founded over 40 years ago, MCO is still one of the leading minority firms in South Florida in the area of construction management and project controls. McNeill has been at the helm of this small company with a large presence that has worked on a majority of flagship projects in South Florida, such as American Airlines Arena, Marlins Park, Miami International Airport, The Philip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science, and The Miami Dade Children’s Courthouse, to name a few. As a licensed general contractor in the male dominated construction industry, McNeill discovered that women in the construction business were few
Ann McNeill, MBA ’82 President, MCO Construction & Services, Inc. and far between. She recognized that Black women in construction needed a network that would be an advocate and the voice of their small but growing segment of the industry. Thus, she founded the National
trepreneurs or young women pursuing construction disciplines in high school, trade schools or colleges. The main purpose of NABWIC is to create a network of professional women in the construction industry who teach each other how to turn contacts into contracts. Each month NABWIC has its “Billion Dollar” luncheon to help members do exactly that. Annually, McNeill and NABWIC host an Industry Day to connect STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) students with in-dustry leaders. As a result of her track record of accom-plishments, has been featured in Black Enterprise
Constructively Speaking, Inc.; she is also president of MCO Consulting, Inc., a consulting company that provides outreach, monitoring and compliance for private sector firms that perform work on public sector projects. She has received numerous awards and recognitions for her work in her industry and also in the community. McNeill received her Bachelor’s Degree in accounting from Florida Memorial College and her Master’s Degree in finance from Barry University. She and her husband Daniel have two daughters, Danelle and Ionnie, and grandchildren Malachi and Rajah-Nia.
Reg inald F ewis, F irst Black $Billion Dollar eginald F.. L Le First Dealmak er — Ne w docum en tar y to be br oadcast Dealmaker New documen entar tary broadcast wife of Reginald F. in F ebruar y, Black Histor y Mon th Februar ebruary History Month Lewis. Additional high By BlackNews.com NATIONWIDE — WNET has announced the television premiere of Pioneers: Reginald F. Lewis and the Making of a Billion Dollar Empire. The documentary chronicles the life and legacy of business pioneer, philanthropist and titan Regi-
nald F. Lewis. Lewis, a Harvard Law School graduate, who rose to prominence as a lawyer, financier, and leader of the global food company TLC Beatrice International. Lewis was the first African American ever to close an overseas billion dollar leveraged buyout deal. He acquired an
Recognizing Our Glorious
LEWIS unprecedented global conglomerate of 64 companies in 31 countries, and paved the way for future entrepreneurs and Black leaders through his life’s work until his untimely death at age 50. “Reginald Lewis is a pioneer because he executed a $1 billion buyout of Beatrice International Foods. No one had done anything of that size - Black nor white. He’s the first African American to do an overseas buyout,” says Mrs. Loida Lewis,
praise from Kenneth Chenault, Chairman and CEO of American Express notes, “There is no doubt that Reginald Lewis’ success paved the way for me, and many others and I think that really is the test and demonstration of real leadership.” Discover the legacy and celebrate the 30th anniversary of Reginald F. Lewis’ historic billion dollar deal by watching Pioneers: Reginald F. Lewis and the Making of a Billion Dollar Empire on these PBS affiliates: * Friday, Feb. 16, 8 p.m. WLIW21 * Sunday, Feb.18, 7:30 p.m. THIRTEEN * Saturday, Feb. 24, 7 p.m. NJTV * Streams nationally at thirteen.org and on THIRTEEN Explore OTT apps beginning Friday, Feb. 18
WEST PALM BEACH, FL — February marks the start of American Heart Month, a powerful reminder that heart disease is the leading cause of death in both men and women and an opportunity to raise public awareness about risk factors, prevalence, and prevention. With nearly 48 million women in the U.S. living with or at risk of heart disease, we know the critical importance of encouraging women to take control of their heart health. This includes following a heart healthy diet, exercising regularly, knowing your family history, and knowing your numbers (think blood pressure and cholesterol). Too many women do not even know that they are at risk of heart disease. That’s why I’m so honored to be one of the faces of the Burlington Stores and WomenHeart national campaign to #KnockOutHeartDisease launching Feb. 1; that seeks to raise awareness and educate women about their heart health. I got involved volunteering with WomenHeart: The National Coalition for Women with Heart Disease back in 2009 during my recovery period while attending the Larry King Cardiac Rehab located on the campus of St Joseph Hospital in Atlanta Ga. The program director asked me to become a WomenHeart Champion and Support Leader to provide peer to peer support to women with heart disease and I accepted. “Our WomenHeart Champion are our boots on the ground, the faces behind heart disease, and the reason we are so successful in our efforts to bring awareness to the number one killer of women,” says WomenHeart CEO Mary McGowan. “That’s why we’re thrilled to have three go-getters out on the forefront representing WomenHeart and encouraging all women to take control of their heart health.” Burlington customers will have the chance to get a free heart health screening on Feb. 6 and March 20 at 50 selected Burlington store locations nationwide. Additionally, during February and March, Burlington associates will ask customers at checkout if they’d like to make a donation to women’s heart health and then donates
Pamela E. Thomas will be featured in Burlington Stores and WomenHeart campaign to #KnockOutHeartDisease in women. the proceeds to WomenHeart. This generosity helps us advance women’s heart health through education, advocacy, and support resources. WomenHeart is the only national organization dedicated solely to offering women with heart disease the support services they need in addition to educational resources, advocacy opportunities, a platform to raise their voices, and a community of women just like them. With more than 850 trained WomenHeart Champions like me nationwide serving as ambassadors, educators, and support network leaders; my fellow WomenHeart Champions serve as crucial leaders in their communities providing social and emotional support through monthly meetings, outreach at health fairs, and educational resources through panels, or media appearances. This Heart Month, I ask you to talk to the women you love and encourage them to stop by their local Burlington store on Feb. 6 or March 20 to get their free heart health screening. Together, we can educate ourselves and empower women to #KnockOutHeartDisease.
www.thewestsidegazette.com
FEBRUARY 8 - FEBRUARY 14, 2018 • PAGE 3
A Proud Paper For A Proud People
Navy Honors the Contributions of African Americans during 2018 African American/Black History Month From Chief of Naval Personnel Public Affairs WASHINGTON (NNS) — The Navy joins the nation in celebrating the history of African American Sailors and Civilians during African American/ Black History Month, Feb. 128. This year’s theme is “African Americans in Times of War,” which recognizes the contributions African Americans have made to the nation during times of war from the Revo-
lutionary War to present-day conflicts. ALNAV 007/18 encourages commands to participate in heri tage celebrations and special observances throughout the year that honor the contributions, unique histories, and cultures Navy’s diverse Sailor and Civilian team. This month’s observance has its origins in 1915 when historian and author Dr. Carter G. Woodson founded the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History. Dr. Woodson
and the association initiated the first Negro History Week in February 1926. Every U.S. president has officially de-signated the month of February as National African American/ Black History Month since 1976. “We should celebrate our unique backgrounds because each Sailor brings something different to the fight and this makes us a stronger, more lethal team,” said Rear Adm. John Fuller, commander of the Carl Vinson Strike Group and one of
Legendary Performer and Civil RightsActivist Honored on New Forever Stamp Newest Addition to Black Heritage Stamp Series By Roy A. Betts NEW YORK — The U.S. Postal Service today celebrates the life and legacy of Lena Horne as the 41st honoree in the Black Heritage stamp series during a first-day-of-issue ceremony at Peter Norton Symphony Space. “Recently, we honor the 70year career of a true American legend,” said Deputy Postmaster General Ronald Stroman, who dedicated the stamp. “With this Forever stamp, the Postal Service celebrates a woman who used her platform as a renowned entertainer to become a prolific voice for civil rights advancement and gender equality.”
Joining Stroman to unveil the stamp were Gail Lumet Buckley, an author and Horne’s daughter; Christian Steiner, photographer; and Amy Niles, president and chief executive officer, WBGO Radio. The stamp art features a photograph of Lena Horne taken by Christian Steiner in the 1980s. Kristen Monthei colorized the original black-andwhite photo using a royal blue for the dress, a color Horne frequently wore. Monthei also added a background remini- scent of Horne’s Stormy Weather album, with a few clouds to add texture and to subtly evoke the album title. Art director Ethel Kessler designed the stamp. Share the news of the stamp using the hashtags
#LenaHorneForever #BlackHeritageStamps.
and
Women Grow Strong launches the Dorothy Baker Leadership Torch Awards Program From David Thompson MIAMI – Women Grow Strong has launched a special women’s business mentoring and leadership program that will serve to help empower and inspire women. It is called the Dorothy Baker Leadership Torch Awards Program, and is named after one of south Florida’s iconic business leaders. “There are but a handful of women who have made a profound impact in my life, and the late Dorothy Baker is one of them,” says Bernadette Morris, CEO of Women Grow Strong. “Back in 1994, I joined the Miami-Dade Chamber, where she served as their CEO, and loved every moment of our time together. Dorothy’s dedication and devotion was epic. I am ever so thankful that she inspired me and encouraged me on my road to business success. Now, it’s time to pay it forward.”
The Dorothy Baker Leadership Torch Awards Program is doing more than just providing cash awards and recognition. The program will serve to help aspiring business owners and entrepreneurs to develop, grow and achieve success. Morris herself is an accomplished business executive, and owner of two successful small businesses – Sonshine Communications and Black PR Wire, Inc., and the founder and owner of her non-profit organization, Women Grow Strong. Morris has personally pledged to work with the winners and provide in-kind
support and assistance to them, just as Dorothy provided to her. She wants to help plant a seed to support and encourage women who really want to make an impact for the good of the community through their business, their event, or their project. Applications for the Dorothy Baker Leadership Torch Awards Program are available from Feb. 1 – 23 online at www.womengrowstrong.com. Submissions must be received by Friday, Feb. 23, 2018. A panel of independent judges has been identified and will assist in the selection process. Winners will be notified by midMarch, and details for the awards ceremony will take place thereafter. For more information about Women Grow Strong, or to make a tax-deductible donation to the organization, contact Pat Allen at (305) 948-8063, ext. 215.
Wrea th L aying Cer em on y In Memphis Am ong eath La Cerem emon ony Among Na tionw ide “Mom en ts Nationw tionwide “Momen entt Of Silence” Even Events Hon oring Fallen S anita tion Wor k ers Honoring Sanita anitation ork
Surviving Memphis Sanitation Strikers will be among those paying tribute to Echol Cole and Robert Walker, whose deaths sparked the Pivotal Labor Action. Photo Credit: Richard Copley From Pat Allen WASHINGTON, D.C. — The first day of “Black History Month,” mayors and other elected officials in more than 73 cities across the nation, from Philadelphia to San Diego, will be joined by thousands of constituents, sanitation drivers, faith leaders and, online supporters in a coordinated Moment of Silence to honor Memphis, Tenn. sanitation workers
Echol Cole and Robert Walker. Both men were crushed to death in the compactor of their garbage truck on February 1, 1968, while trying to take refuge from a driving rain storm. At 1 p.m. EST, crowds will gather to bow their heads; sanitation drivers plan to pull off the roadways; and online participants will shut down their devices in remembrance. The deaths of Cole and Walker in Memphis sparked the
strike of 1,300 fellow sanitation workers, all members of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Union Local 1733. The strike brought Martin Luther King Jr. to Memphis, where he rallied the community and offered his solidarity. On April 3, 1968 at the Mason Temple, he delivered what would be his last speech (“I’ve been to the mountaintop”); the next evening, he was assassinated at the Lorraine Motel. The Moment of Silence is part of I AM 2018, a campaign jointly sponsored by AFSCME and the Church of God in Christ (COGIC). The two national organizations launched I AM 2018 to honor the Memphis sanitation workers and Dr. King and to continue their unfinished work confronting prejudice, poverty, and advancing the freedom of all working people today. In Memphis, the February 1 commemorative activity will have a special meaning. It will include a brief march and wreath laying ceremony at the location where Cole and Walker died. (Read full story at: www.thewestsidegazette.com)
GULF OF ADEN — Sailors and a Marine perform a step dance during the African American and Black History Month celebration aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island (LHD 8). The ship is deployed in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations in support of maritime security operations designed to reassure allies and partners, and preserve the freedom of navigation and the free flow of commerce in the region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Devin M. Langer) Navy’s African American flag officers. The strike group is currently deployed to the Western Pacific. African American Sailors and Civilians play an integral role in the success of the Navy as part of the One Navy Team. African Americans serve in every rank from seaman to admiral and perform duties in nearly every rating in the Navy. Currently, African Americans make up 17 percent of all Navy personnel, or roughly 64,000 Sailors. This includes more than 58,000 enlisted and 5,000 officers. Further analysis shows 17 percent of E-8 and E-9 Sailors are African Americans that hold a range of leadership positions. Nearly four percent of flag officers are African American Sailors. A breakdown by gender indicates there are currently over 45,000 African American
males and more than 18,000 African American females currently serving in the Navy. “Those serving today owe our success to the veterans who transformed our Navy into a more diverse force,” said Fuller. According to the September 2016 “One Navy Team” memo from Chief of Naval Operations Adm. John M. Richardson, actively being inclusive and open to diverse perspectives will produce leaders and teams who learn and adapt to achieve maximum possible performance, and who achieve and maintain high standards; be ready for decisive operations and combat. Diversity also influences various thoughts, ideas, skill sets, and experiences which ultimately helps increase the effectiveness of the Navy. Integrating Sailors and Civilians from diverse backgrounds enables the Navy to recruit and
retain the nation’s top talent from a wide pool of skilled personnel. The Navy supports minority youth development and encourages the pursuit of careers in science and industry through science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) programs. The Navy also partners with organizations including the National Naval Officers Association, the National Society of Black Engineers, and Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) in support of African American service members and civilians. A complete educational presentation, including a downloadable educational poster on African American/Black History month, can be requested from the Defense Equal Opportunity Management Institute (DEOMI) by email at deomipa@us.af.mil.
BROADWAY COMES TO SOUTH FLORIDA
And the Tony Goes to... An evening with Liz Callaway yK9Ąĩ Ąť ћӳіѕ
The South Florida Symphony Orchestra celebrates Broadway with “And the Tony Goes To”, featuring legend Liz Callaway, lighting up the stage with an evening of Tony award winning hits. Liz Callaway is best known from her roles in Cats, Miss Saigon and animated characters Anastasia and Princess Jasmine.
(305) 949-6722
(954) 462-0222
SOUTHFLORIDASYMPHONY.ORG • 954-522-8445 FORT LAUDERDALE | KEY WEST | MIAMI
PAGE 4 • FEBRUARY 8 - FEBRUARY 14, 2018
www.thewestsidegazette.com
A Proud Paper For A Proud People
Deerfield Native and Internationally acclaimed singer in concert to benefit disadvantaged young talent By Rev. Gene Townsel DEERFIED, BEACH, FL — Saturday, Feb. 10, 2018 at 6 p.m., internationally acclaimed singer Gene Townsél will be center stage in a Dinner Concert of Romantic and Inspir-
ational Songs to benefit the establishing of a Performing Arts Center for talented but disadvantaged youth in Deerfield Beach. On the bill with Gene will be Evangelist Delbert Mohorn. This festive gala will be held at the Royal Fiesta Event Center at 1680 South East 3rd Court, Deerfield Beach, Florida in the Cove Shopping Center.
Having been reared in Deerfield, Gene has a sensitivity for the absence of a facility dedicated to the development of talented kids who don’t have the means to pay for classes. Says Gene. “I find it ironic that after all these years nothing is here. Our neighboring cities Boca Raton, Pompano Beach and Coral Springs at least have
facilities of some kind that are dedicated to the performing arts. However, when it comes to a theater, a concert hall, an amphitheater or a performing arts center, Deerfield Beach is culturally barren.” Some have asked Gene why he would undertake such an awesome task. Well his answer is simple: “If not me, then who? If not now,
then when?” Gene Townsél started his secular career right here in South Florida on Miami Beach. He has in addition to having established The Gene Townsél Studio Of Theatrical & Musical Arts in Los Angeles in 19762000, now has a small studio here in Deerfield Beach. Gene has received rave reviews from
Prostate Cancer is the #1 Most Deadly Disease for Black Males — 10th Annual Prostate Cancer A wareness Observance Day to Bring A wareness! Awareness Awareness! From BlackNews.com NATIONWIDE — How far would you go to protect yourself and your family? What if it was a matter of life and death? And what if the answer was a simple exam? Like many, Kevin Byrd of Utica, NY would do just about anything for his family. When he learned that his grandfather was diagnosed with prostate cancer, he was devastated. But nothing prepared him for the death of his grandfather from the disease about 10 years ago. “When my grandfather died from prostate cancer, my world was crushed,” says Byrd. During Mr. Byrd’s time of bereavement, his colleague, Blossom Brown, shared that she had also experienced the loss of her grandfather to Prostate Cancer. “I could not stand around to see another family suffer the loss of a loved one to prostate cancer,” says Byrd. Kevin Byrd and Blossom Brown were motivated to keep their grand-father’s legacy alive so they joined forces and established the Brown Byrd Foundation, a Christian or-
ganization and a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Prostate Cancer, also known as a “Silent Killer”, affects 1 in 7 men, making it the most common non-skin cancer in America and the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in men in the United States. Every 2.9 minutes a man is diagnosed with prostate cancer. This
means that a non-smoking man is more likely to develop prostate cancer than he is to develop colon, bladder, melanoma, lymphoma, and kidney cancers combined. In 2017 alone, it is estimated that more than 181,000 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer, and more than 26,000 will die from the disease. Prostate Cancer is also
the number one killing disease among the African American male population. A man of African descent is 70% more likely to develop prostate cancer than a Caucasian man, and more than twice as likely to die from the disease. The founders of the Brown Byrd Foundation have been longtime advocates and an
Down But Not Out — single mom Fatima Alexander launches new lifestyle Magazine inspiring others to never give up She battled through depression, an abusive relationship and a suicide attempt. Now inspirational mom Fatima Alexander launches “I Am Unashamed” – a lifestyle magazine with a difference. Hannah. She is passionate From BlackNews.com WASHINGTON, DC — Having walked away from an abusive relationship and suffering from depression for more than 20 years, single mother Fatima Alexander knows that even the darkest of nights can give rise to the brightest mornings. First her mother passed away, then she lost her niece to brain cancer; her son was diagnosed with leukemia shortly afterwards. When the pain was too much to bear, depression consumed her and she attempted to end her own life. Thankfully her story doesn’t end there. After picking up a pen and paper one day, Alexander discovered how the written word can actually change how you think, feel and live your life. Through months of journaling and writing about her feelings, she found a form of self-expression that propelled herself through her personal abyss. Today, Alexander is determined to use her personal experiences to help others – and she’s putting her money where
ALEXANDER her mouth is. With an almost impossible feat ahead, she cleaned out her bank account and formed her own magazine – I Am Unashamed. Not your typical lifestyle glossy, the magazine’s mission is to feature only empowering articles that foster positive change in the life of the reader and encourage those who have dreams to push through no matter how impossible it may seem. Each edition features interviews with successful sing-
ers, artists, athletes, entrepreneurs, philanthropists and everyday people. Each talks openly about the adversity they’ve faced in their lives and the gift of a second chance. From mental-health challenges to poverty and teenage pregnancy, I Am Unashamed reveals that no matter the circumstance, anything is possible. “Everyone deals with struggles and difficulties in their lives – from mental health issues to being bombarded by ‘perfect’ lives on social media. I wanted to create a new kind of magazine that inspires its readers with stories of ordinary people doing extraordinary things,” says Alexander. “Despite the obstacles in my life, I made it. And you can too but only if you push through the pain, get back up and try again.” The magazine launches on Feb. 1 and is published quarterly on Amazon.com. For more information, please visit www.iamunashamedmag.com About Fatima Alexander -- Fatima lives in Virginia, USA and has also written a self-help book called The Faith of
Black Millennial Finds Success in Call Center Industry Young Entrepreneur Tavere Johnson Jr. Says He’s Just “Your Average Genius” to do about it?’” By Stacy M. Brown (NNPA Newswire Contributor) At 28, Tavere Johnson Jr. has established himself as an author, creative entrepreneur and, as many who know him say, a forward thinker. The Jamaican-born Johnson has still another way of describing himself: “Your Average Genius,” or “YAG” for short, which also happens to be the title of his new book that should hit book stores this year. “I just try to reveal the very simple idea of the average genius, who lives inside all of us,” Johnson said. “I used the word average not to downplay the greatness of us, but to encourage and promote courage, work ethics, drive, self-confidence and the willingness to risk it all for what you believe in and to be great.” In fact, Johnson has a unique view of stress. In one chapter of his book,
Black millennial entrepreneur Tavere Johnson Jr. is the author of “Your Average Genius.” subtitled “Enemies and Obstacles,” Johnson explains the need to battle adversity and not being overcome by stress. “Most people look at the word stress and they frown upon it,” he said. “I actually enjoy stress. If you are stressed, it means something that you care about is at risk, so the question becomes, ‘What are you going
Johnson’s friends note that he approaches life and business with an eye on what’s applicable. He said “YAG – Your Average Genius,” is for the budding businessperson, the titan of the industry or even the everyday go-getter. The tome is a way of sharing how a spiritual—but not religious—and positive approach will bring success by maximizing individuals’ resources, approaching obstacles with positive energy and taking time to consider a person’s goal and the consequences of obtaining them, he said. “At this point in my life, I want to make a positive impact on people I rub shoulders with,” Johnson said. Born in Jamaica, Johnson and his family immigrated to the U.S. and settled in Florida, when he was 13. (Read full story at: www.thewestsidegazette.com)
about empowering other women and is a motivational speaker.
active voice for the millions of men affected by prostate cancer. “We created the Brown Byrd Foundation to give men and their families hope. Our foundation helps to fund some of the world’s most prominent research to improve prostate cancer prevention, early detection, increase awareness and treatment and ultimately cure it once and for all,” Brown says. The Brown Byrd Foundation has received many accolades for their fight against prostate cancer and has led to a featured segment on Here and Now on ABC 7 News, Fios1 Heroes on our Island, and radio/ television interviews such as Keeping It Real with Shannon. In 2013, they received the Long Island, Health Care Heroes Award. In February 2012, their work was honored and entered into the Congressional Record Library of Congress by House of Representative Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke. The foundation has also received numerous proclamations from world leaders, U.S. Presidents and the Common Council of Utica, NY recognized their commitment to prostate cancer by honoring the foundation with a street named Brown Byrd Lane. (Read full story at: www.thewestsidegazette.com)
TOWNSÉL the stages of Buenos Aires, Tokyo, Bangkok, Acapulco, Aruba, Curacao and Singapore to name a few. He has also taught coached or worked with such notables as Margaret “Shug” Avery, Marcus Houston & Immature, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Darlene Love, Barry White and the list goes on. Since he returned to Deerfield Beach , Gene has presented Workshops and Showcases for his students to help them to develop and realize their dreams, but Gene asks the question: “What about those who can’t afford to pay for classes? We could have among us another Misty Copeland, or Wynton Marsalis or a William Grant Still or a Yolanda Adams, if we only had a place for them to develop even if they or their parents can’t afford to pay for it. My mission is to make the Artists Dream Performing Arts Center a reality. On March 15-22, Gene is scheduled to perform at the Soul USA Convention at the Tropicana Hotel in Las Vegas in an effort to raise awareness and funds for the Artists Dream Performing Arts Center. For tickets, reservations and further information on how you can help and be a part of this powerful movement, call (561) 4360868.
www.thewestsidegazette.com
A Proud Paper For A Proud People
FEBRUARY 8 - FEBRUARY 14, 2018 • PAGE 5
Local Events In The Community Publix is Proud to Support Community News WHERE SHOPPING IS A PLEASURE
Festival ************************
Throughout February, many Broward County Library locations will host free events in honor of Black History Month. From film screenings to festivals, there will be programs for all ages, all of which are listed in the attachment located at the bottom of this page. Another great way to celebrate Black History Month is with a visit to Broward County’s African-American Research Library and Cultural Center (AARLCC), located at 2650 Sistrunk Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, Fla 33311. AARLCC provides our community with the vast resources necessary to educate tis generation and future generations about the rich and colorful African, Afircan American, and Caribbean heritages cultures and historics. AARLCC is open on Monday and Wednesday from Noon to 8PM and Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 10AM to 6PM. For more info call (954) 357-6282. ************************
Program *********************
Third Annual Art Show & Festival Highwaymen Heritage Trail on Saturday, Feb. 17 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at Moore’s Creek Linear Park, Eight St., & Ave., Dr., Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
************************
*********************
The Aging and Disability Resource Center will coordinate its 12th Annual Fashion Show on Friday, Feb. 9, from 11:15 a.m. to 2:15 p.m., at the Renaissance in Plantation, 1230 S. Pine Island Rd., Plantation, Fla. Take a special someone to this luncheon event would be a wonderful way to show your love for the individual. For cost and reservations and other information, please call Cheryl Morrow at (954) 7459567, ext. 10206 or email morrowc@adrcbroward.org. For exhibitor and advertising in the keepsake journal, please contact Denise Jones, (954) 745-9567 ext. 10216 or email jonesd@adrcbroward.org.
Events *********************
Florida Health Broward County Events * Sunrise Lakes Phase III Health Fair on Sunday, Feb. 18 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Main Clubhouse, Sunrise, Fla, 9361 Sunrise Lakes, Fla. For more info call Faith Gassin at (954) 553-1937. * Centerfield Employee Wellness Fair on Wednesday, Feb. 21 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at Centerfield, 1601 S.W.80 Terr., Plantation, Fla. For more info call Mindy Gallagher at (954) 657-9658 or Celeste Roper at (954) 657- 9600. *********************
Event *********************
FDOT and CEI invite you to register for Business Development Training Small/Minority/Women and Disadvantaged. Business Enterprise can receive FDOT Assistance with State Certification and DBE Bid Matching – Training – Bonding – Financing. Dates: from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., at Broward County Government Center, 115 S. Andrews Ave., Room 302 Fort Lauderdale, Fla. To register call (800) 423-7058 · Wednesday, Feb. 7 · Wednesday, Feb. 14 · Wednesday, Feb. 21 · Wednesday, Feb. 28
Events
Fashion Show
Join Councilwoman Felicia Robinson Meet Me Mondays on Monday, Feb. 12 at 6 p.m., at Miami Carol City Park, 18500 N.W. 32 Ave., Miami, Fla. AGENDA: - Black Nurses Association - Bile Duct Cancer and Heart Disease - Miami Gardens Police Department Update - Code Enforcement Updates - City Manager’s Office - Bond Projects Update -Residents’ Concerns
*********************
Events *********************
Touch Weekly · Save the Date - Hallandale Beach Human Services Department invites YOU to attend the AARP-Age Friendly Community Stakeholder Meeting on Thursday, Feb. 8 from 1 to 2:30 p.m., at Cultural Community Center, 410 S.E. Third St., Hallandale, Fla. . Jump Start Your Heart on Saturday, Feb. 17, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Dania Beach PATCH, 1201 W. Dania Beach Blvd., Dania Beach, Fla. · First Annual Healthy Broward Run and Walk on Saturday, April 7, at 7:30 a.m.., at Markham Park, 16001 State Rd., 84 Sunrise, Fla. Save the date and celebration National Public Health Week. Employers take the 5% challenge, get at least 5% of employees to sign up. Register by Saturday, March 24, 2018. For additional info call (954) 812-4199.
*********************
Miramar Pembroke Pines Regional Chamber of Commerce Events · Thursday, Feb. 8 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Century Village, Only open to Century Village Residents. There a booth fee. · Tuesday, Feb. 13 from 7 to 9 a.m., at S.W. Focal Point Senior Center, 301 N.W. 103 Ave., Pembroke Pines, Fla. RSVP by Monday, Feb. 12 at noon. There is cost for members and non-members. · Wednesday, Feb. 21 – A Healthy U: Yoga Class from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., at Body Therapeutix, 1381 N.W. 129 Ave., Pembroke Pines, Fla. Free and open to Chamber Members registration required. · Wednesday, Feb. 28 from 9 to 11 a.m., Club Nineteen, 10500 Taft St., Pembroke Pines, Fla. There is cost. · Friday, Feb. 23, from 9 to 11 a.m. – Chamber Networking Optimization, at 4205 Bonaventure Blvd., Room 220, Weston, Fla. There a fee for Chamber members only space is limited to 15 attendees, pre-registration required no Walkins. *********************
Breakfast
*********************
Relay For Life and Carter Park will host our annual Community Prayer Breakfast on Monday, Feb. 19 at 8:30 a.m., in the Kathleen C. Wright Social Center, 1450 W. Sunrise Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, Fla. There is cost for the breakfast. For cost and additional info contact Dr. Pamela Pittman Beasley, Volunteer Event Lead at (954) 445-0244 or Pamela Aiken, Volunteer Fundraising Lead at (945) 205-1653. *********************
Events
*********************
*********************
Brunch
*********************
ALMAH International, Inc., South FLORIDA Gospel & Jazz Brunch on Sunday, Feb 18 from 1 to 5 p.m., at First Baptist, 301 E. Broward Blvd.. Fort Lauderdale, Fla. For additional info call (954) 641-2339 The 4th Annual Black Empowerment Summit will be at Dillard High School, 2501 Panther Lane, Fort Lauderdale, Fla. For time and additional info call (754) 484-4229
The Historic Ali Cultural Arts Celebrates Black History Month. All events will be held at 353 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Blvd., Pompano Beach, Fla. There is a fee for all events · Sunday, Feb. 11 at 6 p.m. – Soulful Sunday and Brunch after dark · Wednesday, Feb. 21 from 7 to 10 p.m. · Thursday, Feb. 22 at 8 p.m. – Ali Slam n’ Jam For additional info call (954) 786-7876.
17th Judicial Circuit & The Broward County Bar Association Present Black History Month: A Celebration of Black Broward.
“Broward’s Legal Firsts” Join us as we recognize our Legal Pioneers in the Black Community.
TherapistKeachia M. Bowers-Smith,CEO of Movements for Change Thursday, Feb. 15 Self-Sustainability People will be encouraged to start looking toward a different, brighter future. With over 45% of today’s labor industry projected to be gone in 20 years’ Black communities must begin to prepare for the things of the future, renewable energy, technology, and sustainable lifestyles. However, the most important element of self-sustainability is knowing how to heal, balance, and sustain ‘the self’. Our featured speaker, Keachia Bowers-Smith of Movements for Change LLC has traveled the world and carries a message of radical selflove. After her recent trip to Africa, her message of giving yourself permission and managing energy leeches is more informational than ever. The topics of self-sustainability will also cover mental health and trauma, nutrition, alternative medicine, and fitness.
Space is Limited! Registration is required. On Friday, Feb. 16, 2018 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Broward Courthouse Jury Assembly Room 3320 (3rd floor of the East Wing of the courthouse). No Cost Attendees MUST pre-register in order to receive Lunch All Parking will be validated
Events
Events
*********************
********************* Stephens Creates Black History Month Events · Saturday, Feb. 10 - Blacktech Week 18 at 5 p.m., at the Historic Lyric Theater, 819 N.W. Second Ave., Miami, Fla. · Thursday, Feb. 8 and Saturday, Feb. 10 - Global 1000 Miami - Hiring Event at 5 p.m., at University of Miami, CIC 1951 N.W. Seventh Ave., First Floor, Miami, Fla. · Thursday, Feb. 8 - Global 1000 Miami- Black Tech Round Table by Urban Philanthropies from 3 to 5 p.m., at Venture Café Miami, 1951 N.W. Seventh Ave., Miami, Fla. · Friday, Feb. 9 - S.O.O.T. Movie: Spoken Word documentary featuring Liberty City residents and advocates, from 5 to 7:30 p.m., at Sandrell Rivers Theater, 6101 N.W. Seventh Ave., Miami., Fla. For more info call (305) 646-2331. · Saturday, Feb. 1 - Fabulous Takes Overtown at 5 p.m., at Dunns Josephine Hotel, 1028 N.W. Third Ave., Miami, Fla. · Saturday, Feb. 10 - Trayvon Martin Peace Walk and Talk at Carol City Park, at 8 a.m., at 3201 N.W. 185 St., Miami Gardens, Fla. For additional info call (786) 504-4235. · Sunday, Feb. 11 - Trayvon Martin Sixth Annual Remembrance Dinner at 6 p.m., at Double Tree by Hilton, 711 N.W. 72 Ave., Miami, Fla. · Sunday, Feb. 11 – Free Gospel Concert with “Melvin Williams of the Williams Brothers featuring Miami Mass Choir” at 5 p.m., at 1300 Adrienne Arsht Center-Knight Concert Hall, 1300 Biscayne Blvd., Miami, Fla. reservation required. · Wednesday, Feb. 14 Valentine Pop Up Shop #Black Love” from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., featuring Valentine themed gifts, Silent Auction & Pop Up photo booth at Stephen P. Clark Government Center Lobby, 111 N.W. First St., Miami, Fla. For more info call (305) 375-4606. · Thursday, Feb. 15 – Community Health Fair from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.., at The Florida Department of Health, 6065 N.W. Sixth Ct., Miami, Fla. For more info contact Praveena Saxena at (786) 216-9230. · Friday, Feb. 16 – “Getting to Zero” Health Fair from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at Stephen P. Clark Government Center, 111 N.W. First St., Miami, Fla. For more details call Erika Coello at (786) 566-6651. · Friday, Feb. 16 – Black Lounge Film Street presents ‘Sammy Davis Jr., I’ve Gotta Be Me” a documentary at Overtown Performing Art Center, 1074 N.W. Third Ave., Miami, Fla. (ID is required), for tickets and additional info contact Harris Public Relations at (786) 897-8854. · Saturday, Feb. 17 – “Black Heritage Festival 2018” from 12 noon to 4 p.m., at Betty F. Ferguson Recreational Complex, 3000 N.W. 199 St., Miami, Fla. · Saturday, 17 – Perez Art Museum Fifth Annual Reception & Fundraiser from 7 to 9 p.m., at 1103 Biscayne Blvd., Miami, Fla. For tickets info call (305) 375-1707 www.pamm.org. · Sunday, Feb. 18 – TwentyFifth Annual Commemorative Service and Tenth Annual ”Youth Talent on Parade” at 3 p.m., at The Historic City of Miami Cemetery, 1800 N.E. Second Ave., Miami, Fla. For more info call (305) 638-5800.
United Way Upcoming Events · Thursday, Feb. 8 - The Yoga Joint, from 6 to 8 p.m., at 1850 S.E. 17 St., #303, Fort Lauderdale, Fla. There is cost to attend. · Saturday, Feb. 10 – NextGen United Ben and Bew from 9:45 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Ansin Building, 1300 S. Andrews Ave., Fort Lauderdale, Fla. · Thursday, March 15 Women United Magnolia Luncheon from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., at Pier 66 Hotel and Marina Crystal Ballroom *********************
Programs *********************
West Regional Library Children’s Programs - Mondays at 4 p.m. – Happy Feet Storytime Stories & crafts, from ages 3-6. Caregives may enter during the craft portion - Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m. – Bedtime Stories: Stories & crafts, for all ages. - Wednesdays from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. – Tiny Tales for Toddlers, stories, songs and crafts, for ages 24-40 months registration required. - Wednesday at 4 p.m. – “Anything Can Happen” Stories & activities, for ages 3 and up. - Thursday at 11 a.m. – Storytime Fun: stories, crafts for ages 3-5. Caregivers may enter during the craft portion - Saturday, Feb.10 & 24 at 11 a.m. – Chess Club, raffle prize awarded at 12 noon for ages 518 - Saturday, Feb. at 10:30 a.m. – Computer Coding: Plantation Dojo: Free computer coding for children, meets every other Saturday sign-up using the following link http:// www.eventbrite.com/o/ plantationgojo for ages 8-18. - Saturday, Feb. 10 at 3 p.m. – Valentine Crafts-Pre-registration required, for ages 6-11 - Monday, Feb. 12 at 6:30 p.m. – Tween Book Club: Book discussion, crafts & treats, for ages 8-12 reg. required. - Wednesday, Feb. 14 at 2 p.m. - Wednesday at West Sense of Cinema - Kirschbluten – Hanami – Cherry Blossoms” at West Regional Library, 8601 W. Broward Blvd., Plantation, Fla. Call for more info (954) 7651560. - Saturday. Feb. 16 at 1 p.m. – International Festival - Tuesday, Feb. 20 at 6:30 p.m. – Middle School Book Club for ages 11-14 or in Middle School reg. required. - BookChat (High School) Book Club, for ages 14-18 or in High School, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Call the Library for exact dates. For more info call (954) 7651560.
PAGE 6 • FEBRUARY 8 - FEBRARY 14, 2018
Opinion
The Westside Gazette, under the Management of BI-ADs, Inc., reserves the right to publish Views and Opinions by Contributing Writers that may not necessarily reflect those of the Staff and Management of The Westside Gazette Newspaper and are solely the product of the responsible individual(s) who submits comments published in this newspaper.
Black Civil Rights Groups Need to Spend More Time Focused on Black People in #ThankYouBlackWomen America and the Power of the Raynard Jackson says that when your Black Vote own community is in
‘Return to Camelot’ He Said: We got a glimpse of our future at the State of the Union Address. Welcome back to Camelot, President Elect Joe Kennedy III. The country is so ready for a groomed, polished and Presidential presence to unite our country. Now toss in his pedigree, he has been prepped and groomed for this position since before he was born. Talk about a “Manchurian Candidate”. The Congressman is a grandson of Senator and former United States Attorney General Robert F. “Bobby” Kennedy, a great-nephew of President John F. Kennedy and Senator Ted Kennedy.
She Said: Mixed feelings on this end! Kennedy’s rebuttal was decidedly spot on, and his lapse into Spanish was tactically brilliant. His delivery, however, was more energetic than charismatic. This man is definitely a diamond in the rough. but his youth may be against him in terms of a 2020 Presidential bid. He Said: Nicole, you recall the saying “That if one does not know there they are doomed to repeat it!”. The current administration is real time proof that the plebeian electorate does not mandate that the Commander in Chief have political experience. You probably voted for that has been “Reality T.V.” star.
Promises Not Kept at Trump’s State of the Union Address in 2018 By Roger Caldwell In Trump’s administration, the truth is an elusive quality to hold on to, and at Trump’s first State of the Union Address, many times it did not exist. Many will call his claims during his speech misleading, but I call them lies.
At this point in Trump’s presidency where new scandals/ falsehoods are constantly prevalent, many in leadership positions have been charged with breaking the law, and Trump will claim in 2018 that America is a prosperous and harmonious nation. Not only does he have the audacity to claim the government is running smoothly, but he seems to forget that at any hour of any day, he can be impeached. With gun violence at an all time high in the country, and an opioid crisis engulfing the nation, Trump’s administration has no strategy, and no one has been appointed to lead these departments. German Lopez of the VOX says,”Yet in the past year, there has been no move by Trump’s administration to actually spend more money on the opioid crisis. Key positions in the administration remain unfilled, even without nominees in the case of the White House’s drug czar office and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).” Trump gave one of the longest State of the Union speeches in recorded history, and he also clapped for himself many times. This was one of the strangest things I observed, which was also one of the first that I can ever remember. Again, the truth was not important, but he did tell some good stories. He started out by telling America that his polices is the reason Black unemployment rate is the lowest recorded in our country’s history. However, there was no mention of President Obama’s policies, or even a thank you, but instead he took all the credit. Trump is still wondering why none of the members of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) agreed with his statement, and many of the members wore kente cloths attached to their clothing. “Wearing kente cloth to the SOTU address with my fellow CBC members was to stand in solidarity with people from Africa,” says Rep. Bobby Scott, D-Va. (Read full story on www.thewestsidegazette.com)
Congressman Joe Kennedy III The man went to Harvard law school. You think he did not spend any time with his favorite uncle on Capitol Hill! She Said: Well, we’re pretty used to movie star politicians in California, but I’ve never voted for one! You would think they could throw some liberals into the mix, but they’ve all been conservatives. That brings up the question, what would be the successful path for Democrats going forward? Kennedy has a Progressive agenda, but would that turn off our Centrists and lose us some votes? I’m personally counting on Newton’s third law of gravity, “For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction”. We’re currently seeing the far right, but it’s time for the pendulum to swing the opposite way! Get out and vote in 2018!!
Donald, Donald, Donald, we told you a million times not to exaggerate By Tom H. Hastings In his little munchkin voice— surprising coming from such a big fat man—and his chemically hardened helmet hair, Donald Trump gave us his version of the State of the Union. It was, to borrow some of his superlatives, incredibly, amazingly, totally annoying. Great, beautiful. Wonderful. Everything is great. I am reaching back, searching my memory for another speech so rife with shallow, meaningless platitudes. “Beautiful clean coal.” Trump’s newfound gift is combining lying with gushing and faux compassion. Coal accounts for some 83 percent of US air pollutants, is a serious factor in exacerbating our climate chaos—hurricanes, floods, fires—and yet its share of energy production continues to fall. Yes, stripping the law of environmental protections can give coal a bit longer to survive, but natural gas, solar, and wind farms are increasing despite Trump and the market forces will ultimately prevail over coal. Trump has made the coal industry the new corporate welfare queen, with all the costs passed on to the consumers and taxpayers. Beautiful. Waxing on about how much he loves the flag, the national anthem, and those, unlike him, who served in the military, one can try to hold down one’s dinner. It’s not easy. The stock market fell 400 points in anticipation of Trump’s talk. (Read full story on www.thewestsidegazette.com)
New NAACP Report Highlights Ways Forward from Poverty in Charlotte, NC By Malik Russell CHARLOTTE, NC (February 1, 2018) – In a new report, the NAACP analyzes the impact of historical racism and segregation on Charlotte, NC and releases its recommendations for eliminating the entrenched poverty existing in large swaths of the city. On Tuesday, February 6, 2018 at 4pm, the NAACP will host a press conference at the Little Rock AME Zion Church (401, in which the civil rights organization will announce details and findings from its Economic Inclusion Plan for the city of Charlotte. Participants will include Corine Mack, President, Charlotte Mecklenburg County Branch of NAACP; James Mitchell, Councilman, Charlotte City Council; Braxton Winston, Councilman, Charlotte City Council; Lucille Puckett, Charlotte activist; and Robert Dawkins, State Organizer, NC SAFE. For an embargoed copy of the report, contact Vanessa Mbonu at vmbonu@naacpnet.org. The Charlotte report is one of three reports to be released on February 6 on cities that have faced social unrest in recent years due in part to community sense of economic exclusion. The other reports spotlight Baltimore, MD and St. Louis, MO.
NAACP’S TPS Lawsuit Is aReport Waste The Gantt of Time
We Must Resist the Dangerous GOP Agenda
“He Said - She Said”
By Don Valentine and Nicole Nutting
www.thewestsidegazette.com
A Proud Paper For A Proud People
Congresswoman Robin Kelly says that Republicans have passed spending bills that actively take resources away from communities of color. By Congresswoman Robin Kelly (D-Ill.) In the Age of Trump, logging onto Twitter can elicit everything from hysterical laughter to deep concern and fear. From time to time, I’ve even had the urge to teach the Trump Administration basic math. However, the Wednesday after Democratic candidate Doug Jones won the special election in Alabama for Attorney General Jeff Sessions’ vacant U.S. Senate seat, I woke up excited about the election results in Alabama. The first thing that I did that morning was log onto Twitter. When I looked at the trending hashtags, I saw one that I’d never seen before. One that surprised me: #ThankYouBlackWomen. I must’ve rubbed my eyes twice just to confirm what I was seeing. But there it was: #ThankYouBlackWomen. In the Alabama special election, African Americans represented slightly less than 30 percent of voters and cast 96 percent of their ballots for Senator-elect Doug Jones. Quite simply, African American voters, especially women, had a dramatic impact on the race, shifting the power dynamics of the Senate. While the disturbing and shocking allegations against Roy Moore certainly helped increase turnout and steered some voters to Jones, people, especially African Americans, voted because they understand that Trump and Congressional Republicans are taking our country to unimaginable lows. Republicans have controlled the White House and both chambers of Congress since President Trump was elected. In that time, the president has sought to normalize White supremacy and Congress has continued to strip a(Read full story on www.thewestsidegazette.com)
2018: The Year of the Black Woman BlackWomen Show theWay Forward in 2018
Monica Simpson, the executive director of SisterSong, says that the work of Black women will help us understand and combat Trump’s agenda, with Black women leading the fight. (Monica Simpson/SisterSong)
“Charlotte was once known as a site of great promise for racial justice,” said NAACP President and CEO Derrick Johnson. “In 1974, it was called, ‘The City That Made Integration Work.’ However, the persistence of voter suppression has prevented this early progress from having a lasting effect on African Americans’ prosperity in Charlotte and throughout North Carolina. With our Economic Inclusion Plan, we’re providing federal, state, and local government officials concrete recommendations on how to resolve issues pertaining to housing, jobs, and education in these Black communities.” The Economic Inclusion Plan (EIP) will be a resource for community residents, elected officials and stakeholders to alleviate systematic, government-sanctioned racial discrimination with beneficial economic policy and programmatic solutions. Releasing an EIP for the cities
By Monica Simpson (Executive Director, SisterSong)
(Read full story on www.thewestsidegazette.com)
(Read full story on www.thewestsidegazette.com)
There is a reckoning afoot in this country. On one side, Trump has emboldened and embodied a virulent and reckless hate that targets women, Black people, and immigrants (among many others). Each day brings a new outrage. On the other side, #MeToo has followed #BlackLivesMatter as a hashtagturned-movement, led by courageous truth-tellers who are sick and tired of a violent and largely ignored status quo. The conversation about race and gender in this country has broken open, and now we must all contend with the truth of who we are as a nation. While this may feel like scary and unfamiliar territory to some, in reality, the U.S. is just catching up to an understanding and analysis that Black women in this country have had for a long time. Black women have never had the luxury of ignorance—not to police violence, not to the rampant sexual harassment and assault that women experience at home, school,
need and hurting, your first and only obligation is to help your own. By Raynard Jackson (NNPA Newswire Columnist) In another episode of “What the hell are they thinking,” the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) has filed a lawsuit against the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) over how the agency is treating people from another country. Enough is enough. We live in the United States of America, not the United States of Everyone Else. Last week, my column was about how Black leaders, who have been appointed by the mainstream media, continue to make every other group’s issues our community’s issues. Now the NAACP has filed a lawsuit against DHS, because they revoked Temporary Protective Status (TPS) for Haitians living in the U.S. According to the lawsuit, the NAACP claims, “[Trump] wishes to reduce the number of immigrants of color in the United States.” They basically are asserting that DHS is terminating TPS for Haitians, because of their race and are being denied equal protection and due process rights under the Fifth Amendment. And their radical sister organization, the NAACP’s Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc. (LDF) in a press release goes even further, “As evidence of the intent to discriminate, the lawsuit cites public reporting that DHS sought crime data on Haitians with TPS, as well as information on how many Haitian nationals were re(Read full story on www.thewestsidegazette.com)
The Middle East Peace Process: A Cruel Joke By Mel Gurtov Three brief reports on January 25 concerning Israel-Palestine-US relations sum up the new situation created by Donald Trump’s decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and move the US embassy there in the near future. First is Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s absurd claim that there is “no substitute for the United States as honest broker.” His notion that “there is no one else” who can deliver peace is disproven by years of fruitless, one-sided US diplomacy that have amply demonstrated Washington’s incapacity to broker a just peace. Netanyahu followed up his comment with a predictable endorsement of Trump’s “peace” team led by Jared Kushner. “The thing people don’t realize is these people have made their mark in markets in real-estate,” he said. Shouldn’t that background be a liability? Not to Netanyahu, who managed to rationalize Kushner’s phantom peace plan by saying in one breath that while peacemaking “is not a real estate deal,” boundary questions comprise “real estate elements and they’re [the Kushner team]—I have to say— very creative. I wait to see what they put down, but I don’t rule it out,” he added. (Read full story on www.thewestsidegazette.com)
#MeToo “Where Are the Men?” Hiding in Plain Sight for 40 Years By Rob Okun Where are the men? Since last fall, when Harvey Weinstein and his predator brothers were exposed for enacting poisonous masculinity, I’ve heard that question a lot. More and more women are speaking out— and, thankfully, being believed. Two simple words—”Me, too”—have sparked a movement that’s woken a lot of people up. (Read full story on www.thewestsidegazette.com)
www.thewestsidegazette.com
BUSINESS
A Proud Paper For A Proud People
FEBRUARY 8 - FEBRUARY 14, 2018 • PAGE 7
UNITY IN THE COMMUNITY DIRECTORY
OFFICE: (954) 733-7700 ext. 111 CELL: (754) 234-4485 4360 W. Oakland Park Boulevard Lauderdale Lakes, Florida 33313 ken@acclaimcares.com
Dwayne Gocher PRESIDENT DG Adjuster Corporation
24 Hour Good Neighbor Service Se habla espanol
Johnnie Smith, Jr Jr.. Enrolled Agent Tax Professional F ranchise T ax P rofessional *T ax P reparation *Accounting *P ayroll *Tax Preparation *Payroll 3007 W W.. Commercial Blvd., Suite 204 Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309 Tel. (954) 730-2226 - Fax: (954) 730-2036 Cell (954) 303-5779 johnnie.smith@hrblock.com www .hrblock.com www.hrblock.com
STS TAX SERVICES INC. in association with
Freeman - R.L. Macon Funeral Home "AN INSTITUTION
WITH A
SOUL"
RICHARD L. MACON LICENSED FUNERAL DIRECTOR NOTARY OWNER 738 DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. BLVD. POMPANO BEACH, FL 33060 (954) 946-5525
I DON'T FLIP-FLOP GREEN BOIL PEANUTS BAGS $3.00 PAPER AND SOFT SHELL PECANS $4.00 GET ALL YOUR NUTS FROM CALL FORD (954) 557-1203
Common sense is not so common By Byler Henry It has once been said that common sense is not so common and it appears to be true. This new generation of youngsters has been playing dangerous games, not thinking things through. A couple of years ago there was fire challenge, a popular thing going around. Teens would put rubbing alcohol or nail polish remover on their bodies and set time themselves on fire just to run under a shower to put themselves out. It seemed as if the faze has died out, and now some new dangerous activities have surfaced. What is going through their heads? One such dangerous trend is the no lackin’ challenge. What is this, you may ask? The no lackin’ challenge is when someone pulls a gun out on their friends to see if they will pull a gun back out on them. Lackin is a slang word meaning you are not carrying a firearm. Although no one pulls the trigger, this is still very dangerous. In Memphis, Tennessee a 17year-old was shot in the head after they played this game. He is in the hospital in critical condition. His 21 year old friend faces charges of aggravated assault, reckless endangerment with a deadly weapon and unlawful possession of a handgun, because he didn’t have a permit to carry the gun. If the 17-year-old dies, he could be charged with murder. The trend has been seen online and needs to be stopped. If anyone is thinking about trying this game because they saw it online stop and ask yourself is it worth it? Take a look at the 17-year-
old’s story and let this be a lesson. Another dangerous internet trend that has surfaced is the eating of Tide Pods. This Tide Pod challenge is done by biting into the detergent packets and daring others to take on the challenge. This comes with health risks as the detergent should be for washing clothes not eating. When the detergent gets into your mouth, the chemicals result in serious burns to the esophagus, mouth, and respiratory tract. After experiencing cognitive issues some victims had to be rushed to the hospital. Don’t attempt everything you see online, and parents please don’t let your children attempt any of these dangerous online trends. Talk to them and find out about what trends are going around. It should be well known not to attempt any of these. I have some suggestions for challenges for youngsters in this generation to try. How about trying to see how many books you could read in a set amount of time, or how about high school seniors see how many scholarships you could get, or how many community service hours you could get. I have a challenge that all families can participate in, I call it the family dinner challenge. At the dinner table, the family should sit together and have a discussion and see if you could refrain from using any technology at the dinner table and have healthy discussions. How about these challenges? Do something productive instead of putting yourself at harm.
PAGE 8 • FEBRUARY 8 - FEBRUARY 14, 2018
www.thewestsidegazette.com
A Proud Paper For A Proud People
ACLU of Florida Greater Miami Chapter Sues City of Homestead on Behalf of Community Activist Banned from City Council Meetings February 2018The Hastings Monthly Report
Federal lawsuit states that arrest, removal, and barring of Homestead resident who spoke in support of police policy reforms violate free speech and due process
Dear Friend, Earlier this week, President Donald John Trump delivered his first State of the Union address. I was very disappointed that the President did not take the opportunity to move beyond the divisiveness of his first year in office. The President’s speech to Congress more closely resembled a pep-rally for his political base. Under the guise of patriotism, he took cheap shots at black activists and took credit for President Obama’s economic successes. The President highlighted the need for healthcare reform, while simultaneously cheering the elimination of one of the core elements of the Affordable Care Act. His claims of a “new American moment” gave way to nativist immigrant bashing and insulting DREAMers. The President’s policies speak for themselves. His $1.5 trillion deficit-exploding tax plan padded the pockets of his millionaire friends and stacked the deck against middle class and working poor Americans. We are just four months into the fiscal year, and yet, the Republican-run Congress and the President have needed four short-term continuing resolutions to keep our country running. The President sees himself as infallible, even as his policies jeopardize the wellbeing of the most vulnerable Americans.Congress must prevent another Republican government shutdown in just one week, protect DREAMers and recipients of Temporary Protected Status (TPS), and provide gravely needed disaster relief. These critical issues were all notably absent from the President’s speech. The clock is ticking, and we cannot afford to delay any longer. New Office Hours at the VA Medical CenterThe Palm Beach County Congressional Delegation made history last month, working together to open the first shared-space with the Department of Veterans Affairs at the Medical Center in West Palm Beach. This is the first agreement to share VA space with Congressional offices in the country, and it will ensure that veterans have better access to their Congressional representatives. It is my sincere hope that this arrangement sets a precedent for future partnerships between the VA and Congressional Representatives so that we can better serve the veteran community. The shared-space is located on the first floor of the Medical Center in room 1A-366. My office will hold office hours between 10 p.m. and 2 p.m. every
Thursday. Sincerely,
Alcee L. HastingsMember of Congress20th District of Floridawww.AlceeHastings.house.gov
Mayor Porter, Hill and Brown MIAMI, FL – The Greater Miami Chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Florida has filed a lawsuit against the City of Homestead and Homestead Mayor Jeff Porter on behalf of a community activist who was removed from a Homestead City Council Meeting and barred from attending future meetings for engaging
in constitutionally protected speech. Kim Hill, a middle school teacher and community activist in Homestead, had begun attending Homestead City Council meetings in 2015 following a shooting involving a Homestead Police officer, using the Council’s public comment period to call for police reforms
such as body cameras. On August 24, 2016, immediately after speaking during the public comment, Hill was surrounded by several police officers, told he was “under arrest,” and escorted out of City Hall. Hill was then told by officers that he had “been trespassed” and was not allowed to return to City Hall under threat of criminal charges – effectively preventing him from participating in the public comment section of future City Council meetings for fear of being arrested. “Suppression of free speech should never be a tool for the government to use against dissenters engaged in civil discourse,” stated Hill. “We all have a right to address our leaders, and officials can’t execute a gag order against a person like me simply because they don’t want to hear what we have to say.”
Florida African American Vote in 2018 (Cont'd from FP) college, graduating from Florida A&M University (FAMU) in Tallahassee. During his time at FAMU, Andrew served as student body president and he led countless demonstrations and protests against then-Governor Jeb Bush. While still at FAMU, he ran for and won a seat on the Tallahassee City Commission, becoming the youngest person ever elected to it. In 2014, he was elected Mayor, and in 2017 he began his historic campaign for Governor. He lives in Tallahassee with his wife R. Jai, fellow Rattler alumnae, and their three children. Andrew is championing many of the issues we care most about: lowering the costs of health care and expanding access to health insurance for ev-
eryday Floridians; defending our public schools by ensuring our tax dollars don’t go to unaccounted for privately managed charter schools, and paying our dedicated teachers what they’re worth; ensuring that every Floridian, especially those who have paid their debt to society, have the right to vote; and creating an economy where working people and families, not big corporations, are at its center. Andrew is touring the state and campaigning on his “Fair Share for Florida’s Future” plan — making the richest corporations pay a modest increase in their corporate income taxes in order to invest $1 billion in public school construction, teacher salaries, early childhood education and SHOP 2.0 vocational training. He has recently visited a number of high-profile events, including Congresswoman Fre-
derica Wilson’s 5000 Role Models Event, the Women’s March in Miami, and outreach events across Florida. As our Governor, Andrew will be the leader we have been waiting for over these past two decades. In this election, we have the opportunity to make a history-altering decision for ourselves. The only way we can do this is by making our voices heard at the ballot box, so that we can push forward progress in our communities from the ground up, the way that we always have.
Following his removal and barring from City Hall, Hill reached out to the Miami-Dade Branch of the NAACP, which in turn reached out to the Greater Miami Chapter of the ACLU of Florida for legal assistance. “As the NAACP was contacted concerning Mr. Hill’s situation and turned to the Miami ACLU for assistance, we commend the ACLU for filing this suit clarifying the rights of all persons to advocate before the Homestead City Council,” stated Brad Brown, a Vice President of the NAACP MiamiDade Branch. In the lawsuit filed today in Miami federal court, the ACLU argues that the ban imposed on Mr. Hill constitutes a prior restraint on his free speech, and the lack of a means for him to challenge the ban constitutes a violation of his due process rights. Additionally, the lawsuit points out that the printed policy used as the justification for Hill’s removal in August 2016 was not actually in effect at the time, as the City Council had adopted new rules four months prior. “One of the foundational ideas of our democracy is that all of us have the right to openly and publicly question and challenge our elected officials,” stated ACLU Greater Miami Chapter legal panel chair Jeanne Baker. “Those officials cannot use the power of their office to prevent someone from speaking indefinitely just because they don’t like what that person has to say. Mr. Hill has a right to be heard.” Hill is represented by Baker, Alan J. Greenstein, and ACLU of Florida legal director Nancy Abudu. A copy of the complaint is available here: https://www.aclufl.org/sites/ d e f a u l t / f i l e s / hillvhomesteadcomplaint.pdf
www.thewestsidegazette.com
A Proud Paper For A Proud People
FEBRUARY 8 - FEBRUARY 14, 2018 • PAGE 9
Stinging Rebuttal to President Trump’s State of the Union Address CBC Members Question CFPB Actions under Trump Appointee
In the Trump Era, consumer protection agency changes course the past month: · Halting implementation of the agency’s final rule preventing abusive payday lending (the ‘Payday Rule); · Announcement of the Bureau’s intention to initiate a rulemaking process that appears designed to weaken the Payday Rule; · Withdrawing a Bureau lawsuit against four online payday lenders who allegedly misled customers on interest rates that spanned a low of 440 percent to as high as 950 percent; and · Ending an investigation of World Acceptance Corporation, a high-cost installment lender that began in 2014 after consumers complained of unaffordable loans and aggressive collection practices. “For too long, some payday, auto title, and installment lenders have taken advantage of American workers who need a little extra money to pay an
unexpected medical bill or fix their car,” wrote the lawmakers. “For too many families, one unexpected expense or tight week traps them in a cycle of debt that lasts months or years…The rule finalized by the CFPB last October was carefully balanced to end that cycle of debt while ensuring that borrowers retain access to needed credit.” The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform Act that created the CFPB intended for it to be an independent agency, charged with serving as the consumer’s financial cop-on-the-beat. Its director was to be nominated by the President and confirmed by the Senate to a five-year term of service. Additionally, CFPB was to secure its funding directly from the Federal Reserve Bank, rather than through Congress’ annual appropriations process that could enable powerful special interests to restrict necessary funding.
2010. When the man went before the board three years later, Scott asked him about his illegal voting. “Actually, I voted for you,” the man said. Scott laughed and told him, “I probably shouldn’t respond to that.” Seconds later, the governor ordered his voting rights restored, according to the ruling. The plaintiffs identified five similar cases in which former felons were denied restoration of their voting rights because they had cast illegal ballots. Four of the five of them were African American, according to the ruling. The judge said there were other examples where applicants “invoked their conservative beliefs and values to their benefit.” And in other cases, he wrote, people who criticized felon disenfranchisement appeared less likely to receive clemency. “If any one of these citizens wishes to earn back their fundamental right to vote, they must plod through a gauntlet of constitutionally infirm hurdles. No more,” Walker wrote. “When the risk of statesanctioned viewpoint discrimination skulks near the franchise, it is the province and duty of this Court to excise such potential bias from infecting the clemency process.” Voter restoration was a faster and less demanding process for former felons under Scott’s predecessor, Rep. Charlie Crist, a former Republican who is now a Democrat in the House of Representatives. During Crist’s four years in office roughly 154,000 people had their voting rights restored. In the seven years since Scott took office, fewer than 3,000 people have been granted restoration, according to Walker’s ruling.
“We’ve known this policy was unjust, and today a federal judge confirmed it’s also a violation of constitutional rights,” Crist tweeted Thursday. We’ve known this policy was unjust, and today a federal judge confirmed it’s also a violation of constitutional rights. Justice will prevail! — Charlie Crist (@CharlieCrist) February 1, 2018 More than 20 percent of Florida’s black voting-age population can’t vote, according to figures from the nonpartisan Sentencing Project cited by the judge. Florida, Kentucky and Iowa are the only states where people convicted of a felony permanently lose their voting rights pending clemency hearings. In 2016, the Sentencing Project estimated that nearly 1.7 million Florida residents had been stripped of voting rights, as The Washington Post has reported. A measure to restore voting rights to 1.2 million Florida voters, excluding convicted murderers and sex offenders, will appear as an amendment on state ballots in November. State officials approved the measure last week after a grass-roots campaign collected 799,000 valid signatures from voters, as the Miami Herald reported. Echoing other recent judicial opinions in voting rights cases, Walker, an appointee of President Barack Obama, said he was “not blind to the nationwide trends” in which the right to vote “depends on who controls the levers of power.” “That spigot is turned on or off,” he wrote, “depending on whether politicians perceive they will benefit from the expansion or contraction of the electorate.” Correction: A previous version of this report incorrectly stated that the plaintiffs were supported by the American Civil Liberties Union.
NNPA Publishers Address Equity in Education
equality in education. It’s our duty to reach out to our students, our kids and to make sure that they have the information to succeed. If I didn’t do that, I wouldn’t be doing my job. Freddie Allen, the Editor-InChief of the NNPA Newswire, called NNPA publishers “MVPs” of the NNPA team for their work in publishing stories about ESSA. “Education is a civil rights issue and we must be engaged,” said Allen. “Imagine the Civil Rights Movement without the Black Press. Where would we be today? So, imagine the future of education without the Black Press. That’s why we have to get involved and stay involved with this issue.”
By Charlene Crowell (NNPA Newswire Columnist) In the wake of a recent series of anti-consumer actions taken by Mick Mulvaney, the Trumpappointed Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s Acting Director, a bicameral call for accountability was released on Jan. 31. Led by Congress-woman Maxine Waters of California and Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, two other Congressional Black Caucus Members, Congressmen Keith Ellison (D-Minn.) and Al Green (D-Texas) joined Senators Richard Blumenthal (DConn.) and Jeff Merkley (DOre.) as signatories. Together, the group of lawmakers seek to know what prompted Mr. Mulvaney’s actions as well as his ties to the payday lending industry. A Jan. 31 letter calls into question the following specific actions that have occurred over
Crowell says that the Trump-appointed CFPB director Mick Mulvaney delayed the implementation of its prepaid card rule that was designed to help stop abusive fees for users.
Florida’s ban on ex-felons voting (Cont'd from FP) will hold hearings on that in mid-February — but he said the voter restoration system must be changed as soon as possible. The lawsuit was brought against Gov. Rick Scott (R) by a group of former felons in Florida who had completed their sentences but were denied voting rights by the state’s Office of Executive Clemency. They were supported by the Fair Elections Legal Network. The decision comes amid a wave of victories that voting rights activists have scored in the past two years in court cases fighting restrictive state voting policies. In 2016, federal judges in North Carolina and Ohio struck down Republican-backed voter-identification laws in those states, finding that they discriminated against minority voters. A federal judge in Texas came to the same conclusion last year in a lawsuit challenging that state’s voter-identification law. Walker’s ruling is also a forceful rebuke of Scott, who implemented Florida’s current felon restrictions shortly after he took office in 2011, reversing a more lenient policy that was in place previously, as the Tampa Bay Times has reported. A spokesman for the governor defended the state’s practices. “The discretion of the clemency board over the restoration of felons’ rights in Florida has been in place for decades and overseen by multiple governors,” read a statement from Scott’s communications director, John Tupps. “The process is outlined in Florida’s Constitu-
(Cont'd from FP) challenges of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). Dr. Elizabeth V. Primas, the project manager for the NNPA ESSA awareness campaign and a life-long educator, said that ESSA was established to help increase the effectiveness of public education in every state. ESSA, which reauthorizes the Elementary and Secondary School Act (ESEA) and replaces the No Child Left Behind Act, received bipartisan support and was signed into law by President Obama on December 10, 2015. Under ESSA, states have more flexibility to craft elementary and secondary education programs designed to improve educational outcomes in the nation’s public schools. The law also ensures that every child, regardless of race, income, background, or where they live, has the opportunity to obtain a highquality education. “Education is the pathway out of poverty,” Primas said. Since receiving the Gates Foundation grant, the NNPA has engaged its 211-member publications in more than 60
tion, and today’s ruling departs from the precedent set by the United States Supreme Court.” Florida’s constitution automatically strips voting rights from anyone convicted of a felony, but governors can control how those rights get restored. Under the current system, former felons must wait a minimum until five years after completing the full scope of their sentence, including probation and restitution, before they can seek re-enfranchisement. At that point they can appeal to the clemency board, a fourmember panel headed by the governor. State rules give Scott, and Scott alone, “unfettered discretion to deny clemency at any time, for any reason.” A number of factors can influence the clemency board’s decision, including drug and alcohol use as well as fuzzier elements such as “level of remorse.” In some cases, traffic tickets have been enough for the board to deny re-enfranchisement. Those who are rejected can’t reapply for at least two years. There’s a 10,000person backlog of applicants. The broad, uncheckable nature of the board’s power over the process made it ripe for abuse, the judge ruled, saying it “risks — if not covertly authorizes the practice of — arbitrary and discriminatory vote-restoration.” He said it violated people’s First Amendment rights to free association and free expression, as well as the equal protection clause of the 14th Amendment. In one withering anecdote, Walker described the case of a white man who was convicted of casting an illegal ballot in
markets across the country in a campaign designed to heighten public awareness about ESSA, and to focus on efforts and policies aimed at closing the achievement gaps for students of color and low-income students. Due to the importance of education in the Black community, NNPA members have paid particular attention on the NNPA ESSA awareness campaign; three NNPA members were rewarded for that engagement at the Mid-Winter Conference for their relentless reporting on ESSA. “I do believe that the last chance anybody has to hold anybody down is education,” said Bobby Henry, the publisher of the Westside Gazette in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, who was one of those publishers that received an award for his engagement with the awareness campaign. “The state of Florida is not doing too well in educating our children, so I thought it was out of duty and respect that we do our due diligence to bring awareness to our readers.” Henry added that the ESSA law and reporting on it helps to hold school districts accountable
and he said that it’s also important that more teachers of color are recruited and hired. Brandon Brooks, the managing editor of the Los Angeles Sentinel, said that education is the key to helping to end poverty in the Black community and all NNPA members are a testament to that. Danny Bakewell, the publisher of the Los Angeles Sentinel was also rewarded for his newspaper’s engagement with the NNPA ESSA awareness campaign, and Brooks accepted the reward on behalf of the Sentinel. For numerous reasons, Brooks said he didn’t hesitate to run articles about ESSA and educational equality in the Los Angeles Sentinel—in print and online. “The content [produced by NNPA Newswire] was there and it was rich and educational and informative. Running the articles has never been too much of a directive, especially when I got the green light,” Brooks said. Brooks continued: “The goal of the Black Press has always been to advocate for justice for Black people. ESSA is a campaign for social justice and
The Westside Gazette Celebrates Black History
(Cont'd from FP before Trump got into office.” Richmond also said that even though the president’s infrastructure proposal sounded good, he doubted that the proposals would live up to their promise. “We know that it will be more of the same: toll roads, reduced federal cost-share, and giveaways to his wealthy friends in the construction industry,” said Richmond. “It is important to note that he said
nothing about contracting with minority firms.” Richmond said that the CBC can now answer the question that Trump posed to the Black community in 2016, “with 100 percent certainty.” Richmond continued: “African Americans have a lot to lose under the Trump Administration and we have lost a lot already, especially when it comes to his justice, voting rights, education, housing, and healthcare policies. President Trump is still who we thought he was and we won’t be fooled by this speech.”
ACLU of Florida Greater Miami Chapter Sues City of Homestead on Behalf of Community Activist Banned from City Council Meetings Federal lawsuit states that arrest, removal, and barring of Homestead resident who spoke in support of police policy reforms violate free speech and due process
Submitted by ACLU of Florida Media Office MIAMI, FL – The Greater Miami Chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Florida has filed a lawsuit against the City of Homestead and Homestead Mayor Jeff Porter on behalf of a community activist who was removed from a Homestead City Council Meeting and barred from attending future meetings for engaging in constitutionally protected speech. Kim Hill, a middle school teacher and community activist in Homestead, had begun attending Homestead City Council meetings in 2015 following a shooting involving a Homestead Police officer, using the Council’s public comment period to call for police reforms such as body cameras. On August 24, 2016, immediately after speaking during the public comment, Hill was surrounded by several police officers, told he was “under arrest,” and escorted out of City Hall. Hill was then told by officers that he had “been trespassed” and was not allowed to return to City Hall under threat of criminal charges – effectively preventing him from participating in the public comment section of future City Council meetings for fear of being arrested. “Suppression of free speech should never be a tool for the government to use against dissenters engaged in civil discourse,” stated Hill. “We all have a right to address our leaders, and officials can’t execute a gag order against a person like me simply because they don’t want to hear what we have to say.”
Following his removal and barring from City Hall, Hill reached out to the Miami-Dade Branch of the NAACP, which in turn reached out to the Greater Miami Chapter of the ACLU of Florida for legal assistance. “As the NAACP was contacted concerning Mr. Hill’s situation and turned to the Miami ACLU for assistance, we commend the ACLU for filing this suit clarifying the rights of all persons to advocate before the Homestead City Council,” stated Brad Brown, a Vice President of the NAACP Miami-Dade Branch. In the lawsuit filed today in Miami federal court, the ACLU argues that the ban imposed on Mr. Hill constitutes a prior restraint on his free speech, and the lack of a means for him to challenge the ban constitutes a violation of his due process rights. Additionally, the lawsuit points out that the printed policy used as the justification for Hill’s removal in August 2016 was not actually in effect at the time, as the City Council had adopted new rules four months prior. “One of the foundational ideas of our democracy is that all of us have the right to openly and publicly question and challenge our elected officials,” stated ACLU Greater Miami Chapter legal panel chair Jeanne Baker. “Those officials cannot use the power of their office to prevent someone from speaking indefinitely just because they don’t like what that person has to say. Mr. Hill has a right to be heard.” Hill is represented by Baker, Alan J. Greenstein, and ACLU of Florida legal director Nancy Abudu. A copy of the complaint is available here: https://www.aclufl.org/sites/ d e f a u l t / f i l e s / hillvhomesteadcomplaint.pdf
PAGE 10 • FEBRUARY 8 - FEBRUARY 14, 2018
www.thewestsidegazette.com
A Proud Paper For A Proud People
Dwyane Wade says he’d like to end career with Heat Will Wade sign a ceremonial one-day contract, or play out his career with Miami like Alonzo Mourning did?
"You have to expect things of yourself before you can do them." --Michael Jordan
MIAMI RED 36
VOL. 45 NO. 19
2 0 7
NUMEROLOGY - DOGS
PUBLICATION OF BID SOLICITATIONS Broward County Board of County Commissioners is soliciting bids for a variety of goods and services, construction and architectural/engineering services. Interested bidders are requested to view and download the notifications of bid documents via the Broward County Purchasing website at: www.broward.org/purchasing. February 1, 8, 15, 22, 2018
PUBLIC NOTICE CareerSource Broward will be making its Local Workforce Services Plan available for comment at a public meeting from 9 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. on March 6, 2018, at 2550 W. Oakland Park Boulevard, Oakland Park, FL 33311, in the Central Illumination Room. The Local Workforce Services Plan will be available for comment for 30 days and can be found on CSBD’s website under “Plans and Presentations.�
NOTICE UNDER FICTITIOUS NAME LAW NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the undersigned, desiring to enage in business under the fictitous name of IT'S YOUR DESTINY PROPERTY AND LAWN MAINTENANCE intend(s) to register said name with the Florida Department of State, Division of Corporations, Tallahassee, Florida and/ or Clerk of the Circuit Court of Broward County, Florida. KELVIN GRAHAM 348 Northwest 30 Avenue Pompano Beach, Florida 33069 February 8, 2018
Sistrunk Festival and Parade Applications for participation are now available at sistrunjkfestival.org The parade and festival will be held on the Sistrunk corridor on February 24th, 2018 from 9:00-8:00. Parade monitors are needed. If you are able to volunteer, please call (954) 7794376.
48
HORSES - JAI-LAI - LOTTERIES
FLA Lottery FL Cash 4Life
Powerball Florida MegaMillion LuckyMoney Fantasy 5 Pick 2 Pick 3 Pick 4 Pick5
3,&.
3,&.
3,&.
Lucky Money 08-37-38-44
3RZHUEDOO 15-23-27-48-53 PB6
LM8
02-07-09-15-35
01-04-14-17-40
4
7KH 0LDPL 5HG +RWOLQH 3DJH FDQ QRZ EH UHDFKHG WKURXJKRXW 6RXWKHUQ )ORULGD IURP .H\ :HVW XS WKURXJK 2UODQGR &DOO 0LDPL 5HG IRU WKH TXLFNHVW *UH\KRXQG 5HVXOWV 'DGH
0DWLQHH 1LWHKRXVH 5HVXOWV %URZDUG
*********************************** NUMBERS (2 - Day Results) Send Self Addressed Envelope and $10 to: C. L. Henry or S. H. Robinson P.O. Box 5304 FT FT.. LAUDERDALE, FL 33310 tainment Purpose Only! For Enter Entertainment
WHAT'S HOT? 56-28-89-78-61 MIAMI RED SEZ --- 207
29
65
34
PROFILES
3,&.
HOROSCOPE/NNPA
FEBRUARY 8 /2772 3,&. )/ &$6+ /,)( ARIES-It’s easy to take it easy! Just slow down and let each moment arrive at its own speed. You’ll get a 30-26-39-55-60 16-19-21-37-50-51 lot done this week if you get in tune with the rhythm 1 of the week. Each moment has its own beat. Stay with it. The wisdom of the ages is revealed as my spirit. 9, Fantasy 5 Florida Mega Million 16, 42
LATEST LOTTERY RESULTS
By Barry Jackson Dwyane Wade chose to join the Cleveland Cavaliers last year possibly for one last championship run with good friend LeBron James over the Miami Heat, despite overtures from Udonis Haslem and Dion Waiters. But the franchise’s favorite son may soon find himself with the Heat. Before the Cavaliers’ game against the Miami Heat Jan. 31, Wade said that he would “love� to end his career in Miami. Now, we don’t know whether Wade will sign a ceremonial one-day contract with Miami — as Paul Pierce did with the Boston Celtics, or Amar’e Stoudemiere did with the New York Knicks — or if he’ll play for the Heat, similar to Alonzo Mourning’s role with the Heat from 2005 to his eventual retirement. The following quote is from Barry Jackson’s article. “I don’t know,� he said before the Heat played the Cavaliers at Quicken Loans Arena. “For me, I’m at the point where you get this high up in years played in the NBA, you kind of take the summer to think about what you want as a player and go from there. For me, the arena that I walked in to play, I would like to leave in. How it’s done, I don’t know. I can’t predict the future. If it’s a Paul Pierce situation or just playing, I don’t know. But I definitely would like to walk out the same way I came in.� So what will Wade do this summer? If LeBron James leaves the Cavaliers, will Wade follow him? If Wade joins the Heat for a one-year deal, what will that team look like? We’ll see. But it’s clear that Wade wants to retire as a Heat player.
8 3 7
/2772 3,&.6
(Internet Photo)
LEGAL NOTICES
FEBRUARY 8, 2018
62
LIBRA-Happiness arrives and sits on your shoulder like a bright butterfly this week. A relationship can make significant progress if you stay open to love. Keep your evening free for romance in a social setting. I give thanks for who I am this week. 15, 22, 44
- FEBRUARY 14, 2018
TAURUS-Change is near, and it’s going to be good. Clear your desk of pesky tasks this week and get your mind free to receive what life brings. Positive results help you feel even more positive. Someone wonderful is looking to find me. 2, 25, 27
SCORPIO-Take charge of a project at work and get it finished up. It’s been languishing on someone else’s shoulders and desk for way too long. A sensible outlook will get you far this week. Forget about all grudges and move forward in love. My hunches work well for me this week. 7, 12, 48
GEMINI-You are the boss of your week this week, so act like the leader you are and let the week follow you around. Your creativity is soaring schedule enough time to get some of your brilliant ideas on paper. Trust gives me a deep sense of peace and joy. 1, 30, 41
SAGITTARIUS-You may find yourself faced with many distractions this week but you’ll sail through and accomplish much if you stay focused on each task and take them one at a time. You know you can do it this evening. Money opens doors for friendship to enter. 3, 32, 46
CANCER-A steady stream of opportunities is beaming your way, lucky you and they contain endless variations of possibilities. Wear your instincts like a rainbow colored coat this week and gather the good resources that you need. Hope is future’s way of shining on me this week.16, 23, 35
CAPRICORN-Creativity is favored and yours is especially favored with some project that you’ve been working especially hard on. For the next few days watch for a romance that will bring special gifts. I care deeply about the feelings of others. 14, 17, 29
LEO-Some down time will work wonders for you this week. You’ve been running fast with your projects, and now it’s time to slow it down. Try to spend time outdoors and with nature. Enjoy! Hope is a beautify jewel. I enjoy owning it. 39, 45, 48
AQUARIUS-Your new ideas combine well with your will and skill. You get a lot done at work this week. Be soft and forceful. Make time for family life this week. Your rewards come from those who are related to you by blood. I let positive emotions carry me through the week.6, 22, 36
VIRGO-Center yourself at every opportunity during this busy week and keep your quest for emotional and spiritual balance in the forefront. Make an effort to take your time; that way you’ll recognize opportunity from impulse-control problems immediately. My spirit gives me limitless possibilities.12, 23, 36
PISCES-Before you spend your money check the quality of the goods. This rule applies to intangible goods as well. Make the first move with your honey this week. Be sweetly aggressive. The enjoyment of good food is high on my agenda this week. 21, 34, 45
FEBRUARY 08
LUCKY 7 PYRAMID FEB. 09 MAR. 14
352),/(6
LAST WEEK'S HITS
7
11 12 13 JULY
15 16 17 18 19 AUG.
21( $50 %$1',7
APRIL
76
62
13
MAY 33 34 35 JUNE 47
36
37 38 39
55 56 57 58 59
48 49
44 45 46 OCT. 66
67 68 69 NOV.
02 , // :,1 72'$<
)/2$7,1* 21 $,5 *22' 1(:6
77 78 79 88 89 99 01 02 03
04 05
06 07 DEC.
Today is WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 2017
685( ),5(
1 4
35
The lines that correspond to your birthmonth are your best numbers for today.
56 3241
23
34 '28%/(6
77
3
SIGNS of the ZODIAC
:25.287
18
66
29 SEPT.
803 52
021(< ,1 7+( %$*
22 23 24 25 26 27 28
,6 $ +27 /($' 180%(5
&$35,&251 &$1&(5
$48$5,86 /(2
3,6&(6 9,5*2
POSITIVE WOMEN T-SHIRTS ON SALE NOW
$5,(6 /,%5$
7$8586 6&253,2
*(0,1, 6$*,77$5,86
BLACK HISTORY T-SHIRTS ON SALE NOW
â&#x2014;&#x2039;â&#x2014;&#x2039;â&#x2014;&#x2039;â&#x2014;&#x2039;â&#x2014;&#x2039;â&#x2014;&#x2039;â&#x2014;&#x2039;â&#x2014;&#x2039;â&#x2014;&#x2039;â&#x2014;&#x2039;â&#x2014;&#x2039;â&#x2014;&#x2039;â&#x2014;&#x2039;â&#x2014;&#x2039;â&#x2014;&#x2039;â&#x2014;&#x2039;â&#x2014;&#x2039;â&#x2014;&#x2039;â&#x2014;&#x2039;â&#x2014;&#x2039;â&#x2014;&#x2039;â&#x2014;&#x2039;â&#x2014;&#x2039;â&#x2014;&#x2039;â&#x2014;&#x2039;â&#x2014;&#x2039;â&#x2014;&#x2039;â&#x2014;&#x2039;â&#x2014;&#x2039;â&#x2014;&#x2039;â&#x2014;&#x2039;â&#x2014;&#x2039;â&#x2014;&#x2039;â&#x2014;&#x2039;â&#x2014;&#x2039;â&#x2014;&#x2039;â&#x2014;&#x2039;â&#x2014;&#x2039;â&#x2014;&#x2039;â&#x2014;&#x2039;â&#x2014;&#x2039;â&#x2014;&#x2039;â&#x2014;&#x2039;â&#x2014;&#x2039;â&#x2014;&#x2039;â&#x2014;&#x2039;â&#x2014;&#x2039;â&#x2014;&#x2039;â&#x2014;&#x2039;â&#x2014;&#x2039;â&#x2014;&#x2039;â&#x2014;&#x2039;â&#x2014;&#x2039;â&#x2014;&#x2039;â&#x2014;&#x2039;â&#x2014;&#x2039;â&#x2014;&#x2039;â&#x2014;&#x2039;
DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING T-SHIRTS ON SALE NOW
Med. Lg. $10 - XL - $12 2X- $13 3X - $15 4X & 5X - $20 Colors: Red - Black- Royal Blue ALL TT-SHIR -SHIR TS ARE SOLD AATT THE -SHIRTS WESTSIDE GAZETTE NEWSP APER NEWSPAPER 545 N.W er race, N.W.. 7 TTer errace, Fort Lauderdale, Fla. To O ts Orrder ALL T-shir -shirts Contact: Sonia Robinson P.O. BBoox 5304
For dale, FFla. la. 33310 ortt Lauder Lauderdale, Additional Shipping Charges Call Sonia--(954) 646-0330 or
Thank You Mr. President T-SHIRTS ON SALE NOW
Med. Lg. $10 - XL - $12 2X- $13 - 3X $15 4X & 5X - $20 ALL TT-SHIR -SHIR TS ARE SOLD AATT -SHIRTS THEWESTSIDE GAZETTE NEWSP APER NEWSPAPER 545 N.W er race, N.W.. 7 TTer errace, Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
M ed. Lg. $10 - XL - $12 2X$13 - 3X - $15 4X & 5X - $20 ALL TT-SHIR -SHIR TS ARE SOLD AATT -SHIRTS THEWESTSIDE GAZETTE NEWSP APER NEWSPAPER 545 N.W er race, N.W.. 7 TTer errace, Fort Lauderdale, Fla. To O ts Orrder ALL T-shir -shirts Contact:Sonia Robinson PP.O. .O. BBoox 5304 For dale, FFla. la. 33310 ortt Lauder Lauderdale, Additional Shipping Charges Call Sonia--(954) 646-0330 or call (954) 525-1489
www.thewestsidegazette.com
On the Scene with Crystal Chanel
A Proud Paper For A Proud People
To whom much is given much is expected
Olive Garden Rolls out New Menu Items
Meatball Pizza Bowl By Crystal Chanel Olive Garden is currently unveiling its newest menu items, and I had an opportunity to be a guest at their intimate media tasting. Hosted by Linda Costa Communications Group (LCCG) and dubbed #OGTastes, the menu included Olive Garden’s signature salad and breadsticks, new appetizers and main courses, lunch fa-vorites and classics. As a self-proclaimed foodie, I was grateful for the media perk of having a complimentary meal, but I was not prepared to be wow’ed in any manner. Let’s face it: while Olive Garden has become an undeniable staple in the community serving a classic American version of Italian dining, it’s typically only a goto for family outings and lunch meetings. However, as Fernanda Horvath, a LCCG Rep, explained the new menu items, restaurant renovations and low calorie options, my interest was piqued, and my anticipation began to rise. “With over 800 restaurants and more than 96,000 team members,” Horvath says “#OG
knows that their people equal their success.” As servers poured each of us a refreshing glass of Watermelon Moscato Sangria to try, Niki May hue, the General Manager for the Olive Garden located at 5550 N. Fed. Hwy. in Fort Lauderdale, introduced herself and gave some historical insight of her location dating back to its inception in 1987. This was the perfect conversation starter and segway for waiters to deliver new and clas-
sic menu items, family dining style. Overall, I give Olive Garden a 10, and here’s why: Health Consciousness Was Apparent - The Taste of the Mediterranean included 3 options: Spiralized Veggie Pasta, Chicken Giardino and Salmon Piccata, all under 600 calories. I could literally drink the Salmon Piccata sauce, and we all kept asking, are you sure this is under 600 calories. The chefs at Olive Garden mastered upping the vegetable content without sacrificing flavor. It says a lot when a restaurant is intentional in its efforts to feature several healthy and/or vegan options. Large Portions - Olive Garden was diners to have both dinner that night but lunch the next day. Not only were the portions generous, but the prices ranged from $6.99 to about $15.49 making me realize that Olive Garden is ideal for a date night, happy hour or even a vacation dining option. Large portions of awesome food is appropriate in a multitude of settings. An Innovative Approach Olive Garden is thinking out-
(Cont'd from FP)
CHANEL side of the box when it comes to creating new menu items and introducing those items to their customer base. I really enjoyed the Loaded Pasta Chips and the Parmesan Zucchini Bites. I probably would not have ordered either of these items, but after one bite of each, I could not get enough. The Meatball Pizza Bowl is sure to be a hit with kids, and the breadstick (spicy chicken) sandwich with an ice cold beer is perfect for sitting at the bar and watching the game.. Since none of these items are traditional Olive Garden cuisine, I like the innovative approach of allowing traditional and non-traditional media to ‘taste and tell’ first. Yet Classics are still Classic - Personally, I was glad to see classic pasta dishes like Fettuccine Alfredo and Chicken Parmigiana still on the menu. But for me, the Braised Beef Bolognese, stole the show. It’s a new and limited edition to Olive Garden’s never ending pasta and a must try! I ended the night with a bite of my Cannoli (neapolitan) Trio and a huge gulp of my Milan Mai Tai and plenty of doggie bags. I can’t wait to get your feedback. Next time you are dining at Olive Garden, let me know what you think of their new menu items. Use the hashtag #OGTastes.
FEBRUARY IS
Fettuccine Alfredo and Chicken Parmigiana.
FEBRUARY 8 - FEBRUARY 14, 2018 • PAGE 11
MONTH
brought us across a many troubled waters and has continuously carried us to safe harbors throughout our pilgrimage here in this whole-wideworld. Even though the question of “existing or truly living” may be asked of our presence here, the question of our purpose leaves no doubt in the minds of those who know. In the face of seemingly insurmountable odd, we struggle constantly battling for breakthroughs and now, all of a sudden, we find ourselves groping in the dark looking for handouts. A once proud race of Kings and Queens with productive willing citizens, are we now reduced to shivering whimpering rascals with a wanton spirit for life? The last time we received a handout it was in the form of welfare. We all are familiar with the repercussion of a welfare system gone amuck. As the system was not set up to be unsuccessful however, Black families were positioned on a course of failure. Be wary of the giver, for misfortune may be in their hands clothed as gifts of prosperity. As we try to ascend to the apex of life, we endeavor this climb clothed with loose fitting garments woven with the threads of greed, envy, lust and deceit. And while some of us may slip from fatigue while attempting to conquer this “mountain of despair,” we reach to grab a hold of a lifeline only to feel the cloth melt in our hands like butter on hot grits. Because life was given to us, shouldn’t we give our lives for others? I pray that I live life to the fullest, not merely just to exist even if this means that I have to lose my mine to help others in order that I may be helped. I am beginning to understand that my talents are a gift to me from God so I don’t have to worry about any hidden motive or agenda. What I do have to be concerned with is believing that my talent is bigger than me. We are bigger than our talents. Our talents will fade and leave us, but our true gifts will last forever when used for its proper purpose. What are your talents or
more importantly, how are you using them? Whatever your talent is, it is not for you alone to keep. It is expected that it be used in order that you and those that you come into contact with can experience life in its fullness- not by the principles of a disintegrating world. We do damage to others and ourselves when we allow our talents to be the focal point of who we are. What causes this to manifest? This happens when we begin to become dependent on our talents and get “stuck on stupid” believing that they are who we are. When we don’t grow up spiritually or emotionally, we destroy our likelihood of using our talents for what God meant them for. When our moral fiber is not in sync with our talent, “we fake it til we make it” through life. Our life is shallow and without roots. As soon as calamity hits, or we are tested, we break like “HumptyDumpty when he had a great fall.” You can’t “fake it” when it comes to character structure. The more talent you are given the more developed your character must be and this requires time spent with God. The rewards for your instructed use of your talents are: “Who may stay in God’s temple or live on the holy mountain of the Lord? Only those who obey God and do as they should. They speak the truth and don’t spread gossip; they treat others fairly and don’t say cruel things. They hate worthless people, but show respect for all who worship the Lord. And they keep their promises, no matter the cost. They lend their money without charging interest, and they don’t take bribes to hurt the innocent. Those who do these things will always stand firm.” Psalm 15 1:5 CKV As we go through the sharing of our history not only in this month, but throughout the year, let’s ask these questions in reference to our history: how much are you giving and is it enough for the quality of our being? Dear God, in the name of Jesus. I pray that You give my hands work to do in telling and teaching others about our great History. In Jesus’ name, Amen. OUR GOD IS THE FATHER OF ALL HISTORY
PAGE 12 • FEBRUARY 8 - FEBRUARY 14, 2018
AF amily T hat Prays T ogether, Stays T ogether Family That Together, Together
Church Directory
Worship T his and Every Sunday at the Church of Your Choice This
Bethel Missionary Baptist Church 2211 N.W. 7th Street, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33061 Church: (954) 583-9368 Email: bethelmbchurchfl@att.net
Reverend Jimmy L. English PASTOR WORSHIP SERVICES Sunday Worship ............................................................. 8 a.m. & 11 a.m. Sunday School ........................................................................... 9:30 a.m. Wednesday (Prayer Service & Bible Study) ............................... 7:30 a.m. Saturday (Women Bible Study) ............................................................ 8 a.m. "Baptized Believers working together to do the will of God"
www.thewestsidegazette.com
A Proud Paper For A Proud People New Birth Baptist Church The Cathedral of Faith International Bishop Victor T. Curry, M.Min., D.Div. Senior Pastor/Teacher 2300 N.W. 135th Street Miami, Florida 33167
ORDER OF SERVICES Sunday Worship ........................................................ 7:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m. & 7:00 p.m. Sunday School ....................................................................................................... 9:30 a.m. Tuesday (Bible Study) ......................................................................................... 6:45 p.m. Wednesday (Bible Study) ............................................................................... 10:45 a.m.
1-800-254-NBBC * (305) 685-3700 (o) *(305) 685-0705 (f) www.newbirthbaptistmiami.org
Williams Memorial CME “PRAYER IS THE ANSWER” 644-646 NW 13th Terrace Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33311 (954) 462-5711(Ministry Office Line) (954) 462-8222(Pastor’s Direct Line) Email: wm_cme@bellsouth.net (Church} pastorCal50@yahoo.com (Pastor)
Rev. Cal Hopkins. M.Div) Senior Pastor/Teacher
The WITNESS of “The WILL” Sunday Worship Experiences ................................................................ 7:45 and 11:00 a.m. Sunday School ................................................................................................................. 9:30 a.m. Tuesday Night Triumph {Prayer, Praise and Power} Prayer Meeting ................................................................................................................ 7:00 p.m. Bible Study ........................................................................................................................ 7:30 p.m. We STRIVE to PROVIDE Ministries that matter TODAY to Whole Body of Christ, not only the Believers, but also for those stranded on the “Jericho Road”! “Celebrating over 85 Years of FAITH and FAVOR! Come to the WILL ... We’ll show You the WAY: Jesus the Christ!”
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!
Shaw Temple A.M.E. Zion Church 522 N.W. Ninth Avenue Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33311 Church: (954) 462-1413 or (954) 647-8254 Email: AMEZ522@yahoo.com
Local Southern Christian Leadership Conference Chapter Partners with powerful law firm to help Black children from a low income community in North Carolina
Rev. Dr. William Calvin Haralson, Pastor SERVICES
Harris Chapel United Methodist Church
Sunday School .................................................................................. 10:15 a.m. Sunday Morning Worship ............................................................ 11:00 a.m. Bible Study (Wednesday) ............................................................... 7:30 p.m.
Rev. Stanley Melek, M.Div
"Reaching beyond the four walls touching lives, touching communities".
E-MAIL:stanley.melek@flumc.org 2351 N.W. 26th Street Oakland Park, Florida 33311 Church Telephone: (954) 731-0520
SERVICES 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.
Honor your loved ones in the Westside Gazette Newspaper Call -- (954) 525-1489 * In Memoriam * Happy Birthday Remembrance * Death Notice * Obituaires * Cards Of Thanks
Keep Their Memory alive with a Guestbook on www.thewestsidegazette.com share pictures, stories, even videos. The perfect tribute for someone speical.
Mount Calvary Baptist Church 800 N.W. 8th Avenue Pompano Beach, Florida 33060 Church Telephone: (954) 943-2422 Church Fax: (954) 943-2186 E-mail Address: Mtcalvarypompano@bellsouth.net SCHEDULE OF SERVICES SUNDAY
New Member Orientation ........................... 9:30 a.m. Sunday School ................................................ 9:30 a.m. Worship Service ........................................ 11:00 a.m. WEDNESDAY Prayer Meeting ............................................... 6:00 p.m. Bible Study ..................................................... 7:00 p.m.
"Doing God's Business God's Way, With a Spirit of Excellence"
Mount Hermon A.M.E. Church Reverend Henry E. Green, Jr., Pastor 401 N.W. 7th Terrace, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33311 Phone: (954) 463-6309 FAX 954 522-4113 Office Hours: Tuesday - Friday 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Email infor@mthermonftl.com
SUNDAY CHURCH SERVICES Worship Service ..................................................................... 7:30 & 10:30 a.m. Fifth Sunday ONLY .................................................................................... 10 a.m. Church School ........................................................................................ 9:15 a.m. BIBLE STUDY: Wednesday ....................................................................... 10 a.m. Gems & Jewels Ministry Senior Wednesday Wednesday (Bible Study) .................................................... 12 Noon & 7 - 8 p.m. Daily Prayer Line ...................................................................................... 6 a.m. (712)432-1500 Access Code296233#
Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church 1161 NW 29th Terr., Fort Lauderdale, Fla. 33311 (954) 581-0455 ● Fax: (954) 581-4350 www.mtzionmissionarybapt.com
Dr. James B. Darling, Jr., Pastor/Teacher WORSHIP SERVICES Sunday Worship Service .............................................................................. 8:00 & 11:00 a.m. Sunday School ............................................................................................................... 10:00 a.m. Communion Service (1st Sunday) ......................................................................... 11:00 a.m. Wednesday Night Prayer Meeting ........................................................................... 6:30 p.m. Wednesday Night Bible Study ................................................................................... 7:00 p.m. Saturday (2nd & 4th) Christian Growth & Orientation .................................. 8:30 a.m. But be doers of the Word - James 1:22 nkjv - “A Safe Haven, and you can get to Heaven from here”
Mount Zion African Methodist Episcopal Church, Oakland Park "The Miracle On 33rd Street" 420 N.E. 33rd Street Oakland Park, Florida 33334 Church: (954) 563-3060 Email: mtzion420@gmail.com
Rev. George A. Hardy, Pastor SERVICES Sunday Church School ................................................................... 8:45 a.m. Sunday Morning Worship ........................................................... 10:00 a.m. Tuesday Night (Family Prayer & Bible Study) ........................... 7:00 p.m. Wednesday (Prayer Conference Line) ................................................ 8:00 p.m. (Dail (786) 233-6715 - Acess Code 703513) Oakland Park CDC (Senior Activity Center) Daily ............10 a.m. & 2:00 p.m.
Obituaries James C. Boyd Funeral Home BROWN Funeral services for the late Christopher Lloyd Brown. ROBERTS Funeral services for the late Elder Willie Mae BynesRoberts - 78 were held Feb. 3 at The House of God Which is the Church of the Living God the Pillar and Ground of the Truth and Without Controversy, Keith Dominion with Elder Emma Lowery officiating.
McWhite's Funeral Home BELGRAVE Funeral services for the late Glendyne Devore Belgrave - 61 were held Feb. 3 at Holy Sacrament Episcopal Church with Rev. Dr. Anthony B. Holder officiating. BROCKING Funeral services for the late Roy Brockington, Jr. - 28 were held Lighthouse Worship Center Church with Elder Joshua Andrews officiating. Interment: Sunset Memorial Gardens.
Valencia O. Davis - 56 were held Feb. 3 at Mt. Bethel Baptist Church with Bishop C.E. Glover officiating. Interment: Sunset Memorial Gardens. ROLAND Funeral services for the late Olga Roland 89 were held Feb. 3 at St Anthony Church Catholic Church with Rev. Julio Solano officiating. Interment: Sunset Memorial Gardens. SIMMONS Funeral services for the late Alzora Rhea Goodrum Simmons – 98 were held Feb. 2 at First Baptist Church Piney Grove with Rev. Derrick J. Hughes officiating. Interment: Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens Central.
"Let us pray and God will do the rest."
Roy Mizell & Kurtz Funeral Home DAVIS Funeral services for the late
-- St. Josephine Bakhita
NATIONWIDE-(BlackNews.com) — While the past year might have been dominated by politics, it’s important to remember what unites us all, and that’s family and our sense of community. Often times when breaking news reports are pumped out stories seeking our attention, the heartfelt action of compassion and community support seem to fade into the background. One such moment of generosity and civic engagement for the betterment of a small community happened in North Carolina this past holiday season. Roanoke Valley Southern Christian Leadership Conference partnered with Oak Grove Baptist Church and Six 38 Dance Ministries in a toy distribution serving more than 50 children of the Roanoke Valley Community. This generous contribution included a large collection of handpicked must have educational tools such as ereaders and laptops to capture a child’s imagination and promote equality and support
for the Roanoke Valley community. The benefactor of this charitable donation was Amsterdam & Partners LLP, an awardwinning International Crisis Law Firm based in Washington, DC and London. Roanoke Valley SCLC President and Oak Grove Pastor, Charles E. McCollum, received the items along with Phyllis Caine, Community Service Consultant, Halifax County DSS, Oak Grove and Six 38 member and Kevin Kimble, Executive Director of American Innovation & Opportunity Fund Workforce Development. “We’re so appreciative of groups like Amsterdam & Partners that help support families and children in need,” said Kimble. SCLC Roanoke Valley Chapter remains devoted to the promoting the remarkable ideals and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to the families of our wonderful community. It’s important we continue to tell the stories of selfless acts of kindness, especially when they impact those communities that benefit from it most.
The National Primitive Baptist Convention, USA to hold its annual Winter Board of Directors’ meeting and 40th F. L. Livingston Institute Feb. 18-21, 2018, national officers, auxiliary heads, regional vice presidents, state presidents, moderators, pastors, elders, and laity of the National Primitive Baptist Convention, USA will convene its annual Winter Board of Directors’ Meeting, 40th F. L. Livingston Institute and Evangelistic Worship Services in Pensacola, Fla at Zion Hope Primitive Baptist Church, 201 West Leonard Street. Elder Dr. Bernard C. Yates, Host Pastor, is the General President. Held annually during the month of February, this national denomination assembles its Winter Meeting to: 1) conduct business on behalf of the national body; 2) participate in worship experiences; 3) promote evangelism and the study of God’s Word; and 4) fellowship with each other. Elder Kenneth D. Duke, Pastor of St. John Primitive Baptist Church, Delray Beach, Florida, will deliver the message on Sunday night; February 18, Dr. Charles Dates, Senior Pastor of Progressive Baptist Church, Chicago, Illinois, is the Guest Preacher on Mon-
day and Tuesday nights, beginning at seven o’clock. Dr. Michael Duduit, Dean of the College of Christian Studies at Anderson University, Anderson, South Carolina, is the Institute Lecturer on Tuesday, February 20; and Elder Jaymes Mooney, Pastor of St. Bartley Primitive Baptist Church, Huntsville, Alabama, and Elder Jeremiah Chester, Pastor of St. Mark Baptist (Read full story on www.thewestsidegazette.com)
www.thewestsidegazette.com
A Proud Paper For A Proud People
FEBRUARY 8 - FEBRUARY 14, 2018 â&#x20AC;˘ PAGE 13
As Phill Wilson Retires, Black AIDS Institute Launches New Programs
Black AIDS Institute President and CEO Phill Wilson leaves the Institute well positioned to take on the challenges of future. (Black AIDS Institute)
Black AIDS Institute Launches Bold Vision for the Future: Announces Retirement of President and CEO Phill Wilson, New Board Members, New Staff, New Partnerships, New Programs As part of a new strategic plan to prepare for the next generation of Black HIV/AIDS response, the Black AIDS Institute announced several organizational changes, including the retirement of long-time president and CEO Phill Wilson. Wilson launched the Black AIDS Institute in 1999 with a clear mantra (â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our People, Our Problem, Our Solutionâ&#x20AC;?) and mission, â&#x20AC;&#x153;to stop the AIDS pandemic in Black communities by engaging and mobilizing Black
leaders, institutions and individuals in efforts to confront HIV from a uniquely and unapologetically Black point of view. â&#x20AC;&#x153;In order for a movement to endure, there must be a plan for the future,â&#x20AC;? said Wilson, in a statement. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Stepping down as the President and CEO of the Institute, where I have had the privilege of serving for the last 19 years, is bittersweet for me. I have been involved in this fight for almost my entire adult life.â&#x20AC;? The statement continued: â&#x20AC;&#x153;In 1983, when I started doing this work, none of us could have imagined this mysterious new disease, first identified at U.C.L.A. Medical Center, would become the defining health is-sue of our generation. We are at a
turning point. Are we are going to build on the remark-able advances we have made over the last decade and con-tinue to push forward and fin-ally end of the HIV/AIDS epidemic or are we going to go back to the dark days of despair and death?â&#x20AC;? In the statement, Wilson said that the Institute is committed to doing everything in its power to end the HIV/AIDS epidemic, especially in Black communities. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The time is right. The organization has the infrastructure and capacity to do the
changes set forth by the Board to prepare for a new generation of capacity building, advocacy, mobilization and service delivery,â&#x20AC;? said Wilson. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I am very proud of the work we have done over the last 19 years and of the organizationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s commitment to new leadership. That commitment is more important now than ever before.â&#x20AC;? Pursuing new executive leadership is a part of a larger effort on the part of the Institute to prepare for the next generation of HIV/AIDS response in Black communities.
Ahead of the Curve From the African American HIV University (AAHU) and Black Treatment Advocates Network, to the ground-breaking State of AIDS in Black America reports and acknowledgements of Black excellence at the annual Heroes in The Struggle Awards Gala, the Institute has been relentless in its focus on Black communities. Capacity Building manager Leisha McKinley-Beach says. (Read full story at: www.thewestsidegazette.com)
NBHAAD 2018: TTAKING AKING THE HIV/AIDS FIGHT TO THE FUTURE By Tamara E. Holmes In order for a movement to endure, there must be a plan for the future. National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (NBHAAD) on Feb. 7, 2018, is a great time to assess the state of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Black America and plan a forward-thinking response. This year, the Black AIDS Institute is celebrating the day by laying the groundwork for the next generation of HIV/AIDS response in Black communities. National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day started in
National Black HIV/AIDS Day events take place across the country. 1999â&#x20AC;&#x201D;the same year that the Black AIDS Institute was launched. â&#x20AC;&#x153;A lot has changed in the last 19 yearsâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;tremendous improvements and advances,â&#x20AC;?
NIH begins large HIV treatment study in pregnant women
Black pregnant women participate in medical research. From HIV.gov The National Institutes of Health has launched a large international study to compare the safety and efficacy of three antiretroviral treatment regimens for pregnant women living with HIV and the safety of these regimens for their infants. The study will evaluate the current preferred first-line regimen for pregnant women recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) and two regimens containing newer antiretroviral drugs that are becoming more widely used. It will provide data on the use of these newer drugs during pregnancy, helping to ensure that women living with HIV and their infants receive the best available treatments. Each year worldwide, an estimated 1.5 million women living with HIV give birth. Previous research has clearly demonstrated that antiretroviral therapy to suppress HIV prevents perinatal HIV transmission and benefits the health of both mother and child. In the new study, investigators will compare the virologic efficacy of the three regimens by measuring the motherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s viral load (amount of HIV in the blood) at delivery. The study also will compare how the regimens affect rates of adverse pregnancy outcomes, such as preterm delivery and low infant birth weight; maternal adverse events; and infant adverse events. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Women should have access to the best available HIV medications throughout their lives,â&#x20AC;? said Anthony S. Fauci, M.D., director of NIHâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID). â&#x20AC;&#x153;Our priority is to evaluate newer, improved antiretroviral drugs during pregnancy to identify the optimal regimens for women living with HIV and their infants.â&#x20AC;? The first participants in the new clinical trial have begun receiving treatment at research sites in Zimbabwe. Clinical trial sites in the United States and Zimbabwe are now open for enrollment, with additional sites in Botswana, Brazil, Haiti, India, Malawi, South Africa,
Tanzania, Thailand, Uganda, the United States and Zimbabwe expected to open in the coming months. The trial is supported by NIAID, the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) and the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), all part of NIH. It is being conducted by the International Maternal Pediatric Adolescent AIDS Clinical Trials (IMPAACT) network . (Read full story at: www.thewestsidegazette.com)
says Phill Wilson, president and chief executive officer of the Institute. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Unfortunately, those advances have not benefited all communities equally.â&#x20AC;? Wilson recently announced his retirement later this year, and in his last NBHAAD as leader of the organization, the activities reflect the importance of crafting a next-generation response. Todayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Challenges, Tomorrowâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Strategy New challenges call for an updated approach. For example, the political climate makes the fight against HIV/ AIDS even more challenging than in years past, Wilson says. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The intersectionality between race and HIV is so clear. We have a president and an administration that is attacking efforts to fight HIV directly, while at the same time attacking Black people along with it. National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day provides an opportunity for us to look at that clearly and work on initiatives and strategies to respond to those attacks.â&#x20AC;? One initiative that will be launched on NBHAAD is a new PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) clinic in Los Angeles in partnership with St. Johnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Well Child & Family Center, a federally qualified community health center. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Black community has historically been underserved and has historically not had the kinds of services that other communities have had,â&#x20AC;? says Jim Mangia, president and chief executive officer of the center. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I hope that we can build a program that effectively prevents the spread of HIV amongst the African American population in South Los Angeles.â&#x20AC;? The PrEP Clinic is part of a broader partnership between St. Johnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s and the Institute. The two organizations will open a Black menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s primary clinic in the Leimert Park neighborhood of Los Angeles in April and a Black gay menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s drop-in center in Compton before the end of the year. (Read full story at: www.thewestsidegazette.com)
FORT LAUDERDALE VILLAGE DISTRICT IS OPEN FOR BUSINESS! Our 3 distinct neighborhoods - Historic Sistrunk, Progresso Village, and Flagler Village invite you to expand, relocate, or open your new business in the heart of Fort Lauderdale. Learn about future development plans, investments and redevelopment opportunities. Incentive programs are available to new and existing business owners.
Local Investors and property owners forum
Wednesday | February 21, 2018 | 5 - 8 pM
MIDTOWN COMMERCE CENTER
/ 8 UI 4USFFU t 'PSU -BVEFSEBMF 'MPSJEB
RSVP AT CRAmanager@fortlauderdale.gov or (954) 828-6130
Presented by the Northwest-Progresso-Flagler Community Redevelopment Agency
PAGE 14 â&#x20AC;¢ FEBRUARY 8 - FEBRUARY 14, 2018
www.thewestsidegazette.com
A Proud Paper For A Proud People