The Westside Gazette

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Motown comes to town

The soulful sounds of Motown…Broadway in Broward

Ashley Tamar Davis as Esther Gordy (l) and Jamarice Daughtry (second from left) as Berry Gordy in Motown The Musical, during the opening night performance Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2014 at the Music Hall in Kansas City.

By Janice Hayes The extraordinary life story of Berry Gordy, the iconic founder of Motown, hits the

stage of the Broward Center for the Performing Arts, Feb 24– Mar 8, 2015. Mainstream and Social media outlets are blowing up with rave reviews for

this blockbuster musical performance. Motown The Musical is one of the most impressive, true stories of all time. As theater-goers race for prime

seating to feel the pulsating sounds of Motown, the electrifying show creates an unforgettable experience. This spectacular production tells the riveting journey of Berry Gordy’s rise from start-up to stardom.

Directed by Charles Randolph-Wright, the musical features over 40 best-selling hit songs such as “Brick House,” and “Who’s Loving You.” The epic musical drama depicts the story behind some of the greatest entertainment careers launched in the history of Motown which include Marvin Gaye, Michael Jackson, Smokey Robinson, Diana Ross, Stevie Wonder and so many more.

“I was raised on the exhilarating sounds of Motown. Every Saturday morning as we cleaned the house and did other chores, my parents would play various songs from Motown artists. Even though we were small children those songs invigorated us with energy and happiness,” said Martina Sykes, one of the cast playing the roles of Mary Wells, Gwen Gordy and Cindy Birdsong.

Martina Sykes is a Florida native. Like many other outstanding Black singers, she started singing in the church.

Ironically, the sounds of Motown started as a sultry mix of gospel and blues. Gordy’s musical genius recognized this mixture as a transcending sound that would bridge racial and cultural divides and bring people together.

(Cont'd on Page 9)

BFF’s enjoy breakfast together every Wednesday, rain or shine Men of the “Breakfast Club Esquire” share a taste of friendship that has stood the test of time the group were actively involved in the 1960s civil rights movement and have witnessed the impressive gains that were made by Blacks in education, employment, and other areas.

Yet they are keenly aware that Black Americans still have a long way to go in the quest for equality and economic empowerment.

The Breakfast Club group consist of men from various walks of life. They are members of local churches such as New Mount Olive Baptist Church, Piney Grove First Baptist and other local churches. They are members of different frater-

Best Friends Forever just keep coming together.

By Janice Hayes Friends will come and go in your life, but some friends like Best Friends Forever (BFF) just keep coming together, week after week. Every Wednesday morning, a jovial group of retired gentlemen get together for a delicious breakfast and a delightful fellowship. They meet, eat and “shoot the breeze” for a couple hours every Wednesday morning, rain or shine.

The group consists of about 25 local retirees from various career backgrounds.

“I remember when me, Bill and Herman started meeting together for breakfast and it was just the three of us. And now almost 13 years later, our group has grown to about 25 friends, and we still meet every Wednesday without fail,” said Blanton Mitchell, one of the three men who started the Breakfast Club.

In 2002, Blanton Mitchell, William “Bill” Cain and Herman “Big Man” Pittman decided to

start having breakfast together on a regular basis. Eventually Fredrick Kennedy and other retirees and friends were invited to join the group. Over the years they have dined at different restaurants, but as the size of the group expanded, they decided to dine at Spoons’ Grill.

Not only did the owner of Spoons’ Grill, Dwight Witherspoon, ,make special arrangements to accommodate the large group, but he also became a member of their group.

“We don’t have an agenda.

We don’t endorse any political or religious views. We just get together for the camaraderie.

We talk about sports, family, the latest news and politics in a relaxed atmosphere. We tell a few jokes and share a lot of laughter,” said Jennings Coleman, as he enjoyed his grits and egg breakfast.

As we celebrate Black History Month, some of the group members were engaged in lively conversations about Black History. Many of the members of

Pleading Our Own Cause

nities and other social and civic organizations such as the Kiwanis Club, NAACP, Masonic Lodge and more.

Their careers span from serving in the military, teaching, business owners and other professions. Yet they all share a common bond of friendship. In the context of social media, the term “friend” is often used to describe contacts rather than relationships. But this group exemplifies true friendship in the relationships that they have fostered over the years.

(Cont'd on Page 9)

The loud silence of rape survivors

Simmons says Black women are good at protecting everyone but themselves.

(Photo by Julie Yarbrough)

By Jazelle Hunt, NNPA Washington Correspondent (Part IV) WASHINGTON, D.C. (NNPA) – An online survey of

sexual assault survivors conducted as part of this series vividly captures the fear and reluctance Black women rape survivors exhibit about sharing their ordeal with others: From a young woman, drugged and raped by a man she met at a party at age 21: “I told someone, but I never gave specifics because I felt like they would think it was my fault.”

From a middle-aged woman, repeatedly raped by a classmate’s father at age six: “When it first happened, we told our teacher and the [school] nurse. We were told that we were making it up. He told me that if I told anyone, he’d kill my whole family. I was scared for weeks after telling my family.”

From a young woman, raped by her then-boyfriend’s older brother at age 15: (Cont'd on Page 3)

What’s in your salad bowl and is worth sharing?

Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.

James 1:17 (NASB)

By Bobby R. Henry, Sr. As I stood in the kitchen this morning wondering what I would have for lunch, I decided to make a salad. After consideration, I determined that I would make a mammoth salad for the entire staff.

As I chose each ingredient, perusing carefully not to include in this glorious salad fruits and vegetables that may have overstayed their welcome in the fridge a little too long or had ripened too much I used my most discerning eye.

Understanding that I could not use those vegetables or I could trim them as close as I could to the bad part, risking using stuff that was not the best.

In making that salad, with each piece put into it I wondered how this meal would nourish the bodies of my family members and workers. I thought about how with each ingredient God cared for it and allowed it to grow and mature as He had chosen and now it was my turn to make the best use of those things.

(Cont'd (Cont'don onPage Page13) 3)

Ending the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Atlanta As the new HIV program administrator for the Fulton County Department of Health and Wellness in Atlanta, Leisha McKinley-Beach has one overriding dream: that everyone ages 13 to 64 in metro Atlanta learn his or her HIV status.

The Black AIDS Institute caught up with McKinleyBeach to find out about her new role overseeing HIV prevention and how she hopes to turn her dream into reality.

Tell us about your new position.

I’m the health program administrator over the HIV High Impact Prevention Program. So that includes our condom-distribution program, HIV testing, HIV interventions, any prevention policies that affect the work we do in HIV.

Leisha McKinley-Beach, HIV Program Administrator, Fulton County Department of Health and Wellness

What needs to happen in Atlanta to end the HIV/AIDS epidemic?

We need a local HIV strategy. There are many wonderful programs in this city, but there isn’t a local strategy for us to work toward.

The Fulton County Board of Commissioners recently appointed an HIV Task Force

What other initiatives in Atlanta are you excited about?

I’ve always been a supporter of the Greater Than AIDS campaign. We will be implementing Greater Than AIDS as one of our social-marketing campaigns.

Westside Gazette Newspaper

(954) 525-1489

(Cont'd on Page 5)

C.R Patterson, born slave, built automobiles before Henry Ford.

(Read story on Page 5)

WWW. thewestsidegazette.com

Group. When the task force met, the first thing they talked about was developing an HIV strategy. So I am very excited to see where that’s going to take us.

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Page 2 • www.thewestsidegazette.com • February 26 - March 4, 2015

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

Annual Sistrunk Parade and Festival: Honoring our past...embracing our future Mission Statement - “To celebrate the historical and cultural richness, and contributions of people of African descent and their impact on the global community.”

Florida and the state of Florida over the years.

The Sistrunk Scholarship Program, proudly support Broward County Students financially in their pursuit of higher learning.

2015 marks the organization’s 35th year of providing community activities.

This year’s Grand Marshal is Alfred “Al” G. Battle Jr., Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA), Director for the City of Fort Lauderdale.

Al is a native of Jacksonville, Fl, with over fifteen years of experience in the economic and real estate development industry. In 2005, he was appointed Director of the Community Redevelopment Agency for the City of Fort Lauderdale. In this role he has lead redevelopment efforts that have resulted in over $300M in private capital investment and over $30 in complimentary public sector investments.

Grand Marshal is Alfred “Al” G. Battle Jr. Sistrunk Historical Festival is a cultural organization that celebrates the accomplishments of people of African descent.

The organization is named in honor of Dr. James Sistrunk, one of the first African-American Physicians in Broward County.

Annual activities provide educational, historical, and recreational events in the Greater Fort Lauderdale area.

They attract thousands of participants from the tri-county area and other parts of the State.

Each year a large parade and festival draw thousands of people to enjoy international foods, fellowship and net-working, local and national entertainment, and family-centric activities.

A highlight of this year’s parade will be the renown Central Florida’s marching entertainment band YBA. Young Blacks in Action, Inc. more commonly known as YBA

will truly light up and filled the spirits of all who will witness their performance for the Annual Sistrunk Parade and Festival!

Led by its Director and Founder Howard Gentry affectionately called Mr. Flute will perform its show stopping, spectacular, and synchronized dance and drum routines in front of the very large crowds expected to attend the annual event that “Celebrates the historical and cultural richness, and contributions of people of African descent and their impact on the global community.”

YBA, now in its 36th year, is and has been a feeder program for many of the area middle and high school band and cheer leading programs along with many members participating in college band programs such as FAMU and Bethune Cookman University, as well. Additionally, YBA have entertained thousands throughout Central

In June 2012, he was assigned to a new position as Economic and Community Reinvestment Manager for the City of Fort Lauderdale. On Jan. 12, 2015, Al was promoted to the position of Deputy Director of the Department of Sustainable Development where he will manage all administrative, budgetary, strategic initiatives and all internal services related to running a department that includes Planning, Zoning, Building Services, Code Enforcement, Housing and Community Development, Economic Development and the Community Redevelopment Agency.

Al earned a bachelor degree from the University of North Florida and a Masters of Public Administration from Florida Atlantic University. He is a graduate of the Executive Leadership Institute program of the National Forum for Black Public Administrators. He is currently

a board member of the Broward County Enterprise Zone Agency, and serves as Chairman.

Al is also active in his local community where he is a member of the Fort Lauderdale Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. and he also coaches youth football and basketball. Al and his wife Tamara are the proud parents of

three children – Alfred III, Alexander and Ashleigh.

The Sistrunk events are amongst the oldest AfricanAmerican promotions in the Broward County area. We are proud to continually provide cultural, social, political and educational events that help to increase awareness of the contributions of our diverse community.

James Lionel Tolbert, civil rights advocate Civil rights advocate and entertainment attorney James Lionel Tolbert was born in New Orleans, La. on Oct. 26, 1926 to Albert Tolbert and Alice Young Tolbert. His father was a chauffeur and his mother came from a prominent musical family. One of his uncles was noted tenor saxophonist Lester Young. Tolbert was sent at age 10 with his older sister and brother to Los Angeles, Calif., to receive musical training from their grandfather, Willis Young, a leading jazz educator who schooled him on the trumpet.

Tolbert dropped out of high school and served in the United States Army from 1945 to 1947.

Returning home from the service, he earned a high school equivalency degree and received a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Los Angeles

State College of Applied Arts and Sciences (later California State University at Los Angeles) in 1955. Four years later, he graduated from Van Norman Law School in Los Angeles.

Tolbert established the law firm of Tolbert and Wooden (later Tolbert, Wooden, and Malone) in 1960. In 1962, he co-founded and became president of the Beverly Hills-Hollywood branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). The branch was specifically established to address the problem of racial discrimination in the Hollywood film and television industries.

In the summer of 1963, Tolbert and other NAACP officials promised to picket theaters, hold demonstrations, and boycott major advertisers if film and

television studios did not portray more African Americans in diverse roles. By 1965, Black actors and actresses held over 80 roles in 35 movies and appeared on television in 140 parts. Tolbert also pressured allwhite craft unions to hire one African American worker for every movie and television show set in Los Angeles. His campaign led to some union hiring of Black technicians in the entertainment industry.

In May of 1964, civil rights attorney Loren Miller, owner and editor of the California Eagle, the oldest African American newspaper in the western United States, was appointed to the Los Angeles County Municipal Court. Tolbert took over the California Eagle and served briefly as coowner and publisher.

TOLBERT During the 1970s, Tolbert’s law firm represented several African American celebrities. Among them were comedian and actor Redd Foxx, actress and singer Della Reese and trumpeter Harry “Sweets” Edison.

(Read full story on www.thewestsidegazette.com)

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

What’s in your salad bowl and is worth sharing?

(Cont'd from FP) Now as I put what God had made into a bowl it dawned on me whether they would enjoy this with the understanding and appreciation of what I was going through to prepare the salad for them.

Would they welcome the care and selection of what I put in there; what I was thinking as I prepared it?; I really gave it some deep consideration.

And then it came into my recollection: “how many times had I turned my back and not appreciated, yet I enjoyed what God has made for us?

The time, the dedication, the choice, the ingredients are His choosing. All of His meticulous work that He put into preparing our lives for us and yet we turn and walk away.

We make choices not based upon His consideration but what we want to do.

At that moment our salad bowls are being filled with withered vegetables, rotten fruit and tasteless endings.

Looking at my life now I try to envision a healthy bowl of salad with the variety of ingredients made by God’s hands, mixed by God’s instructions to me.

Growing older and seasoned with wisdom, my mixed salad consists of ‘fruits of the spirit’ served in a ‘golden bowl of life. This makes it possible for me to serve others a choice meal pre-prepared by the Devine Chef.

“Remember Him before the silver cord is broken and the golden bowl is crushed, the pitcher by the well is shattered and the wheel at the cistern is crushed;” Ecclesiastes 12:6 (NASB) Now I ask you, “What’s in your salad bowl and is it fit to be served to others?”

“Most gracious God, we thank You for the ingredients that You have given us bountifully and we pray that You allow us to make the right choice in preparing those ingredients to serve to others to lead them to Your table in Jesus name amen.”

GOD USES ONLY HIS CHOICE INGREDIENTS TO SERVE OTHERS

February 19 - March 4, 2015 • www.thewestsidegazette.com • Page 3

Black History Month reflections on a social revolution Ohio State President Michael V. Drake presents “Reaching for the Top: Music of the Civil Rights Era,” a complex story of social change movements and the role music played in them.

From Jane Carroll COLUMBUS, OHIO – The role that music plays in social change took center stage on Tuesday as The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center welcomed Ohio State President Michael V. Drake as its 2015 Black History Month keynote speaker at University Hospital East and the Ross Heart Hospital.

Drake drew on his expertise in music and history to deliver his talk, “Reaching for the Top: Music of the Civil Rights Era,” a complex story of social change movements and the role music played in them. The lecture was based on a class that he taught to undergraduate students for several years when he was the Chancellor of the University of California, Irvine.

Drake demonstrated how music could be used in an anthropological sense to evaluate and reflect on the long journey to civil rights, and how it served as a device to take the social temperature of the time.

Music also functioned as an early tool for covert communication and, later, as an outlet for frustration, he said.

“Messages and stories about repression have been historically carried through song because people were not allowed to learn to write or read,” said

Drake. “In many cases it was not safe to speak openly about personal rights issues, so they needed to use innuendo.”

Drake cited Go Down Moses, commonly known by its refrain, “Let my people go.” The song was ostensibly about God commanding Moses to demand the release of the Israelites, but in the context sung by Paul Robeson in 1958, it was about the need for equality and justice for people of African descent.

“Just as one can look at the art of any era and tell what the culture was like, so can you with music,” Drake said.

In the 1950s, due in part to increasing social integration, what was once knows as “race music” started to cross over into the mainstream and become Rhythm and Blues, or R&B. Drake noted that TV pioneer and entertainer Ed Sullivan was an unlikely agent of this social change.

When no one else in mainstream media would, Sullivan broke through cultural divides, promoting artists like Nat King Cole, Marian Anderson, Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Louie Armstrong, The Supremes, The Temptations and dozens of others over the course of the show’s 23-year run. He also created the space for “crossover” artists like Chuck Berry and Ray Charles on a national stage.

Songs of protest and organization came into the national spotlight during the 1960s.

Drake described a touching example of how two artists—Sam Cooke and Bob Dylan, without every speaking to each other— further solidified the national consciousness through their music.

In 1962, Bob Dylan recorded Blowin’ in the Wind, which seeks solutions to race relations, war and peace.

“Dylan says that the answers are floating out there, just blowing in the wind without an anchor,” said Drake.

“This was a sentiment musician Sam Cooke found particularly profound. As an African-American man of great esteem and fame, he was having a particularly hard time with segregation and how it impacted him.

He heard Dylan’s song and was so moved by that song that in 1964 he wrote Change Gonna Come as an answer to it. Dylan countered with encouragement and hope that same year with the song The Times They Are a Changin’.”

“In 1964, the country was also going through a real spasm of emotion,” said Drake. “The president had recently been assassinated and the nation was looking for relief. Ed Sullivan looked around and found the

Former SABC presenter Alyce Critics say GOP education reform would Chavunduka dies at 46 funding and treathurt poor and Black students equitable ment.

The SABC’s first Black female TV news presenter Alyce Chavunduka has died at the age of 46.

Television and radio personality Alyce Chavunduka passed away after she collapsed on New Year’s Eve at her Johannesburg home.

According to Nehanda Radio, the Zimbabwean news and internet radio station that broke the news online, Chavunduka’s younger sister Thandiwe Chavunduka told SW Radio Africa that it was believed her 46year-old sister collapsed on New Year’s Eve at her Johannesburg home. She was found unconscious and rushed to hospital where she spent a week in a coma before her death last

month.

The TV personality, the station reported, was previously involved in two serious road accidents, one of which left her suffering from epileptic fits.

Chavunduka was the SABC’s first Black female television news presenter on their main channel, then called TV1, and also hosted a radio program called The Alyce Chavunduka Show. She also featured on Talk Radio 702 and 94.7 Highveld Stereo.

A press release issued by the SABC stated: “She played a pivotal role at a critical time where the then channel, TV 1, and indeed the whole organization, was undergoing a transformation process, as the country was carving itself into an inclusive and democratic society...

“Her demeanor and high level of professionalism carried her through and most importantly, her contribution to the SABC and influence she had on inspiring Black women to penetrate the broadcasting industry will never be forgotten.”

The loud silence of rape survivors (Cont'd from FP) “I never told anyone, not even my boyfriend, until I started talking to a therapist on campus during my sophomore year of college…to this day he doesn’t know.”

From a mature woman, raped at ages 12 and 13 and fondled by a pastor at age 15: “I never said a word. Because in the end, I blamed myself.

How do you know to blame yourself at 12 years old?”

Data from the Department of Justice shows that Black women are less likely than other women to report rape and assaults to police or tell anyone what hap-pened.

Why? About 80 percent of rapes happen between people of the same race. For Black women survivors whose assailants are also Black, cultural codes can make it difficult to speak out.

Black men vs. Black women “We in Black communities don’t talk about [sexual assault] because of this pressure to protect the race,” says Aishah Shahidah Simmons, a survivor, educator, activist, and director of “NO! The Rape Documentary,” an international awardwinning film that explores sexual violence within in the Black community.

The Philadelphia native explained, “[Black women] are valuable when we’re concerned

about protecting our men and our children and our communities, but when it comes to talking about the violence that we’ve experienced at the hands of the men in our communities, then we’re traitors.”

Many have absorbed this message, including survivors.

For example, Tiffany Perry, a native of Jersey City, N.J., was surprised to hear her mother’s opinion on the Bill Cosby sexual assault allegations.

“My mom is in support of Bill Cosby, she thinks he’s being sabotaged. She’s leaning more on the side of politics…. And I told her, ‘I can’t believe you, a person who has experi-enced a rape, would be in sup-port of him,’” Perry said.

“You hear all of these women, particularly Black women – ‘Oh, they should’ve said something a long time ago. They just this, and gold-digger that.’ But if these women had said something, who’s to say these women wouldn’t have gotten railroaded then like they are getting railroaded now?”

On top of the expectation to be supportive of Black men, beliefs about what constitutes ideal Black womanhood, including inexhaustible emotional strength and perfect sexual respectability, can add to the trauma for Black women.

(Read full story on www.thewestsidegazette.com)

Wade Henderson, president and CEO of the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, a network of more than 200 national research and advocacy groups, said that the ESEA reauthorization proposals currently pending in Congress would strip millions of students and their parents of the protections and resources that have helped them to hold their schools accountable for

Wade Henderson, president and CEO of the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, said that a strong ESEA is vital to ensuring that states and school districts are living up to their obligation to provide a quality education for all. (Freddie Allen/NNPA/ file photo)

By Freddie Allen, Senior Washington Correspondent WASHINGTON, D.C. (NNPA) – As the Republicanled Congress prepares to update the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), civil rights groups, educators and student advocates fear that current proposals leave many poor and Black children behind.

According to analysis by the Center for American Progress (CAP), a Washington, D.C. – based progressive think tank, the bill submitted by Senator Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.), eliminates accountability for low-performing schools, lowers academic standards, and abolishes targeted, state-level graduation goals for students of color.

A White House brief on the ESEA reauthorization bills said that the proposal being considered in the House of Representatives will cap spending on the ESEA for the next six years at $800 million lower than it was in 2012, eliminates “guarantees that education funding reaches classroom,” and “some especially high-poverty school districts would see cuts as large as 74 percent.”

In her weekly column, Marian Wright Edelman, president of the Children’s Defense Fund, said no ESEA bill would be better than the one now making its way through Congress.

She wrote, “H.R. 5 also removes strong accountability provisions required to make sure the children who need help most will actually be helped. It is morally indefensible and extraordinarily expensive that we have 14.7 million poor children in our country – 6.5 million of them living at less than half the poverty level. All of these poor children exceed the com-bined residents in all 50 state capitals and the District of Columbia.”

“For the students we represent, students of color, students with disabilities, English language learners and low-in-come students, a strong ESEA is vital to ensuring that states and school districts are living up to their obligation to provide a quality education for all on an equal basis not just for the most privileged or wealthy,” said Henderson.

(Read full story on www.thewestsidegazette.com)

DRAKE Beatles and got them here, to great fanfare.”

That same year also brought more complicated and even aggressive music onto the scene.

The Rolling Stones echoed the sentiment of a generation with (I Can’t Get no) Satisfaction at a time when people were wrestling with the collective consciousness and past the moptop balm and distraction the Beatles provided.

The end of 1968 was a time of great turmoil with the assassination of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in April and Robert F. Kennedy in June, but it was also a time of great empowerment. Drake cited several examples: James Brown focused on what it meant to be Black and proud. U.S. gold and bronze Olympians gave the Black power salute on the podium.

The notoriously politics-shy Barry Gordy agreed to let Marvin Gaye record a political album, the iconic What’s Going On. Slowly, change was happening, and it could be seen over time through the music, Drake said.

“Maybe you don’t remember all of a song,” said Drake, “But you can remember the feeling it evokes. Our brains are amazing things and they tie us to emotion and how we are feeling as people. The music of this era is a reflection of what we as individuals and as a country were going through at the time, and that is not something any of us should ever forget.”

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

February 26 - March 4, 2015 • www.thewestsidegazette.com • Page 5

Black History salute to Prince Hall Masons

By Benjamin Chavis, Jr., NNPA Columnist During Black History Month 2015 I believe it is important to highlight some of those long lasting institutions and entities

that have continued to serve the empowerment interests of Black America for over the past 200 years. Too often some of us forget too quickly about the historical groups and social bridges that have helped to bring Black

America across troubled and perilous waters during the last two centuries.

One group that I know we should resolutely salute during every Black History Month is the organization known today

C.R Patterson, born slave, built automobiles before Henry Ford Written by Monette Bailey Some of the finest buggies made in the late 1800s came out of a small, Black-owned company in Ohio. Charles Rich Patterson’s Company later made motor vehicles, and history, by founding the country’s only African-American-owned automobile manufacturing company.

To hear Tom Smith tell it, had Patterson been a white man, Greenfield, Ohio could have been another Detroit.

Smith - car dealer and lifelong resident of Greenfield - has spent years compiling mementos and information about the historical family.

PATTERSON

Writerand activist DavidWalker (though some sources say 1785, with some citing his birth date as Sept. 28, 1785). Walker’s father was a slave, but his mother was a free woman, thus in following the state’s laws, he inherited his mother’s liberated status. However, being free did not keep him from witnessing the degradations of slavery.

WALKER In 1829, African-American abolitionist David Walker wrote an incendiary pamphlet that argued for the end of slavery and discrimination in the United States.

“You may do your best to keep us in wretchedness and misery, to enrich you and your children; but God will deliver us from under you. And wo, wo will be to you if we have to obtain our freedom by fighting.”— David Walker Writer and activist David Walker was born in Wilmington, N.C., in either 1796 or 1797

Move to Boston At one point, Walker declared that he could not “remain where I must hear slaves’ chains continually and where I must encounter the insults of their hypocritical enslavers.” He left Wilmington between 1815 and 1820. He traveled the country—spending time in Charleston, SC., which had a large population of free African Americans—and settled in Boston by 1825.

Not long after his arrival, Walker became the owner of a successful secondhand clothing shop. However, even in Boston, he continued to note the effects of discrimination, such as African Americans not being allowed to serve on juries and their children having to attend inferior schools.

(Read full story on www.thewestsidegazette.com)

Ending the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Atlanta (Cont'd from FP) We’re going to be focusing on three priority populations.

Physicians play a role in HIV prevention, so the first phase will be our Physician Ambassadors campaign.

Our next phase will focus on HIV among women and perinatal transmission. Then later on in the year we’re going to focus on the transgender community. We’ll have some community-engagement sessions; we’ll have social-marketing materials.

We’re very fortunate that we have a Transgender Advisory Committee, so they’re going to be helping us in the development of those materials. We also have an MSM Advisory Committee that is very strong.

What are your thoughts on the HIV Workforce Study, and how will those results impact your work?

This study is historic. It will give health departments, community-based organizations and research institutions an idea of where some of our deficiencies are. We have all of the tools, but do we have the workforce that can implement the tools to have the impact we need to end the epidemic?

For example, when I look at Fulton County, we still reflect a disease-intervention-specialist model. We send people out, they do partner services and in some cases they may be that first point of contact to a client. It’s no longer enough to just talk

about “This is what it is,” “This is how you get it,” “This is how you prevent it.” We have advanced biomedical-prevention tools.

Our frontline staff must know how to provide all of the options that are available either to prevent this disease or to help people get linked into care.

Where do you think we stand today regarding the HIV/AIDS epidemic?

When I first started, there was no such thing as biomedical intervention. We had some condoms, and we’d stop you on the street and give you a brochure.

We have so many prevention, early-intervention and treatment tools now.

I think about a puzzle. We’ve got all the pieces. If we have a guide or a plan, we can put all these pieces together and end up with a finished product: the end of the epidemic.

What’s most rewarding about your work?

I talk about leadership and I talk about mobilization because people invested in me. They saw me as part of the next generation of leaders in the Black community that would take us farther to end the epidemic. And now it’s my turn to be able to pass the baton off for this next group that, quite honestly, I feel will lead us to the end.

Tamara E. Holmes is a Washington, D.C.-based journalist who writes about health, wealth and personal growth.

Just before the Civil War, Patterson left slavery and headed north, bringing blacksmithing skills he learned in Virginia. Not long after settling in, Patterson began working at a carriage company. By 1870 he was a foreman and by 1873, Patterson had gone into business with J.P. Lowe, a white carriage maker.

“When Lowe died about a decade later, Patterson became the sole owner. He made 28 different horse-drawn vehicles; doctor buggies, backboards, phaetons, rockaways and surreys,” says Smith, who managed to find and buy three Patterson buggies.

By 1883, Patterson’s two sons, Frederick Douglas and Samuel, could help dad work at what had become C.R. Patterson and Son Carriage Company. “They became natural mechanics and even built some of their own designs,” says Smith. Sam died in 1889. Fred went on to make his own history by being the first Black person to graduate from the town’s high school in 1888 and the first Black football player at Ohio State in 1891.

(Read full story on www.thewestsidegazette.com)

as the Grand Lodge of Prince Hall Masons. They have grown exponentially from their first lodge in Boston, Mass. in 1787 to numerous other Masonic lodges today strategically established and recognized throughout the United States.

Without a lot of external fanfare and public boasting about the accomplishments of Prince Hall Masons, the facts are that this organization of skilled and talented “Brothers” has been consistent in contributing to the long protracted progress of Black America. The living legacy of Prince Hall is still today focused on the mission of providing leadership of high moral character, charitable assistance to those in need, and steadfast support of freedom, justice, equality and empowerment for Black Americans and all people.

Who was Prince Hall? He was one of the earliest Black abolitionists against the slavery of African people in America in the mid-1700s. He was a Free Black leader in Boston who was proud of his African ancestry and committed to improve the quality of life of African people during the early founding years of the United States. Prince Hall was a Black American freedom fighter who, like Crispus Attucks, fought bravely in the Revolutionary War. Prince Hall was one of the first Black Americans to be made a mason in America on March 6, 1775 in Boston. Interestingly, he and 14 other Black men initially established and named their first lodge: African Lodge #1 on July 3, 1776, one day before the United States Declaration of Independence was adopted and issued on July 4, 1776.

Once again, this was a bold historic move by Hall and his Masonic brothers with the clear unambiguous intention to stand up and work for African libe-

CHAVIS ration and empowerment as a sacred fraternity. Hall was named master of African Lodge#1. Years later in honor of Prince Hall after his passing, the name of the lodge was changed to the Prince Hall Grand Lodge Free and Accepted Masons.

Why is this important and relevant 239 years later today in 2015? It is important because Black history did not start on a slave plantation in the south of the U.S. Prior to the birth of the United States, African people in America were engaged and involved in promoting unity to advance the cause of freedom and liberty. The evidence and truth about the historic and contemporary contributions of Prince Hall Masons to advance our interests needs to be better known and understood today by 44.3 million Black Americans.

The history of African people is as old as the history of humanity. Given the fact that racism and racial discrimination are still prevalent throughout the U.S. today means that we have to remain vigilant and committed to keep pushing forward to improve the quality of life for our families and communities.

(Read full story on www.thewestsidegazette.com)

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

Page 6 • www.thewestsidegazette.com • February 26 - March 4, 2015

Opinion

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

DuBois and Trotter: My Civil Rights heroes

“Shades of Grey:Symptom of a major disease”

In the interest of full disclosure, I have been a W.E.B. DuBois fanatic since my teenage years in Tuscaloosa, Ala. I CURRY have a healthy collection of books by and about DuBois, including David Levering Lewis’ twovolume biography of DuBois (W.E.B. DuBois: The Fight for Equality and the American Century 19191963 and W. E. B. DuBois: Biography of a Race, 1868-1919), each a winner of the Pulitzer Prize.

I first became enamored of DuBois at Druid High School when I learned he was the polar opposite of Booker T. Washington. In his Atlanta Compromise speech in 1895, Booker T. said in defense of racial segregation, “In all things that are purely social we can be as separate as the fingers, yet one as the hand in all things essential to mutual progress.”

DuBois, on the other hand, was unwilling to settle for anything less than full economic, social and political equality for African Americans.

When I learned that DuBois and I shared the same birthday – February 23 – I was ecstatic. I was born at 11:30 at night and told Mama if she had waited another 31 minutes, I don’t know if I would have ever forgiven her, not that the timing of my entry into this world was under her control.

By Pastor Rasheed Z. Baaith “… and there arose another generation after them, which knew not the LORD…” (Judges 2:10 b) For people to pretend that the movie Shades of Grey and the book of the same name is anything other than pornography is both misleading and untrue. It can be called “mainstream pornography” but it is porno none the less. It would better be entitled Shades of Filth and Degradation.

Yet, as debauched as the movie and the book are, they are just symptoms of a sexual wickedness that has become part of every institution in our lives. It is in schools, churches, government, entertainment and of course

the internet. There is no where it is not. And we, especially the churches, have either pretended it is not happening or wanting not to be seen as out of step with today’s world are mouthing nonsense about “Liberal Christianity,” and how we all come short of what we should be. If that attitude isn’t supportive of sin, I don’t what is.

Jesus said “Come as you are” not “Stay as you are.”

Many of us are watching television shows and movies with our children where there are scenes and language that is totally sexual in content while being blatant in its presentation. We refuse to understand that what is being planted in the minds of our children when they view this cinematic filth are seeds of determined curiosity.

In other words, what our children see, they want to experience or know more about. And while they may not come to us for answers, they have no problem going to Google for answers.

As one writer put it, “Google is the new Sex-Ed.” Amen to that.

What Google allows our children to do is ask sexually explicit questions without some adult passing judgment on them or their question. It is also probably the first place where they see pornography. Studies show that children go straight to Google Image in their search. Our children are very much into visual learning. But we need to remember where the impetus for the search began: a shared experience with the parents.

Of course there are those among us who don’t believe their children are

Mother calls for police help and they arrive and kill her son Written by Dr. P. L. Wright Ph.D. A mentally challenged 25-year-old man, Levall Hall was killed by Miami Gardens Police Officer Trimeno. Police arrived on the scene and found a mentally challenged man with a four-foot broom in his hand. Police report that he directed an attack against them after two officers tazed him and they still could WRIGHT not subdue him. One officer decided to fire his weapon, striking Hall twice. Hall died on the scene.

I can recall during 1963 personally witnessing, when my neighbor, a mentally challenged man, needed assistance from a crisis intervention team to help him. My neighbor entered a residence's home while we were having a fish fry.

He entered their home and into the kitchen, and walked directly to the stove and reached into a hot frying pan of fish and took a fish out and bit it without a look in his face that it was steaming hot. The owners shouted, “Get out of here,” and he stood staring with a lost and blank look on his face before walking slowly outside the home eating the remainder of the fish. The crisis intervention team arrived with five large size men in white with a straight jacket and some type of injection. They approached him and he tussled with them for a while. It took them about five or 10 minutes to subdue him and put him in the straight-jacket. It should have been what could have happened to Levall Hall too, by a professional mental health crisis team to assist.

Aren’t our police hired to serve and protect everyone without having to harm anyone unless absolutely necessary? What has happened to our Crisis Intervention team service today? Police should not have been the first help to arrive on the scene for a crisis situation like that of Levall Hall. If crisis intervention service is still in operation, then why did the police not call for their professional mental health assistance with that type of emergency situation? Police should have been there only to oversee preventing anyone from potential danger or harm, including that of the patient.

(Read full story on www.thewestsidegazette.com)

Ex-Mayor Giuliani attacks Passing time reflects the President Obama’s love for politics of political history

By Derek Joy America

By Roger Caldwell The insanity never stops with the Republicans because they are angry that an intelligent Black man is Presi- CALDWELL dent of the United States. The attacks will never subside when they know that President Obama will go down in history as one of the greatest presidents of all time. The Republicans will never admit when President Obama took over office, the country was heading for a major depression under President Bush.

By the grace of God, and the wise leadership of the President, the economy is improving; the unemployment numbers have been lowered and people are beginning to find work. President Obama took an impossible situation, and created a new paradigm where more people have an opportunity to succeed through diversity.

There has never been a president who has promoted more women, Blacks, and Latinos to positions of power in the federal government.

As the President continues to live his dream as one of the most powerful men in the country, and the world, exMayor Giuliani states that President Obama does not love America. Everyone knows this is a ridiculous statement, but many Republicans support the allegations. “I do not believe—and I know this is a horrible thing to say— but I do not believe that the President loves America,” Giuliani said at a New York dinner.

This statement makes no sense, but we must remember that the attacks must never stop because strategically, that is the plan.

(Read full story on www.thewestsidegazette.com)

Cherishing history that’s in your attic

By Julianne Malveaux, NNPA Columnist

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

Yep! You know it!!

Black History Month draws to a close!!!

And not without some underhanded slaps in the faces off people of JOY color. Did it in a hateful way. Dirty politics and all.

Sure, there was the look at the seamy side of politics. Backhanded.

Underhanded. Down right deception.

Capitalism in the literal and figurative sense employed by politicians and political hopefuls.

It is as if Republicans decided to capitalize on the publicity of Black History Month. Too farfetched to be a coincidence. President Barack Obama riding the wave of Black History Month.

America’s first Black American President was in his seventh Black History Month of his Administration. Former New York Mayor Rudy Guiliani, among other Republicans, took aim at Obama. Launched political salvos.

Talked about him in many ways.

Even questioned whether President Obama is really a Christian. Guiliani went further when he responded to the question of whether he is a racist against Obama by saying: “I can’t be racist against Obama because his mother is white.”

Precisely the comments that produce media attention. Public attention follows. So does dialogue across the spectrum. Racism and discrimination. The devil and politics busy building a foundation for campaigns.

Enter former Republican National Committee Chairman Haley Barbour.

Made the news circuit - print and broadcast.

(Read full story on www.thewestsidegazette.com) We gather together this month to lift up the names that have been frequently lifted, to call the roll of those African Americans who have made a difference. While some names are the tried and true names of important leaders, we need MALVEAUX to pay as much attention to the legacies of those whose lives and contributions have been swallowed.

Madame C.J. Walker’s life and legacy is no secret. There is a woman who shares her name though, and she is rarely lifted up when the roles of Black women in our nation’s history are mentioned. Maggie Lena Walker, with a second grade education, established Penny Savings Bank in Richmond, Va. She was the first African American woman to establish such a bank. Through the Great Depression, and through bank regulation shifts, some version of Penny Savings Bank existed until the early 21st Century.

among the children who have seen pornography or sexually act out.

Maybe, but I doubt it.

Here’s what computers have allowed our children to do: Receive and send Xrated images; see and read pornography, let BAAITH strangers see them, do sexting, and question their own sexuality. The latter may be more important than anything else: our young people questioning their own sexuality. Why else would children as young as 10 years old be de-claring their homosexuality? And why would there now be so much sexual misbehavior in elementary schools? Don’t take my word for it; go ask the principal of your child’s school.

Even worse, the very place where sexual immorality should be monitored at all times is not. The Church environment has in many places become as sexually suggestive as anywhere else. Sisters wearing too tight and too short dresses, men wearing shirts open to the navel and pants so tight they have to walk sideways and pastors in the pulpit sleeping with members of their flock, both male and female.

When some of the sisters “get the spirit,” the dance is more sexual than spiritual; speaking of dancing, some of the Praise Dancers have on dance garments that show too much and show it much too tightly.

There is a double danger in all of this. Those engaging in this non Christlike behavior are led to believe what they do is acceptable in the Eyes of God and those struggling with their past which contains sexual sin are having their struggles compounded and quieted desires inflamed by coming to church!

The leitmotif in all of this is unrestrained sex whenever, with whomever is okay. That what God gave us as blessing and gift for the strengthening of marriage is alright to pervert and trample because of selfish desire.

Now our children are hearing adults, including many parents talking about how much they want to see Shades of Grey and how good they think the book was and the movie is.

If it’s good to you, then it’s going to be good to them.

It’s seems that sexual filth is everywhere our children go, even at home.

Think about it.

Twin Evils: Terrorism and racism

By Benjamin F. Chavis, Jr., NNPA Columnist There are two related violent phenomena in that are now getting re- CHAVIS newed public attention and research around the world, as well as considerable debate and denial. The twin evils are terrorism and racism.

President Barack Obama’s recent White House Summit on “Countering Violent Extremism” reminded many of us in Black America that violent acts of “extremism” have not been isolated just to the Middle East or to the perversion of one religion. At the conclusion of the White House meeting on extremism, President Obama affirmed the national resolve and resilience of the United States in surmounting and overcoming terrific challenges in the past.

The President said, “For more than 238 years, the United States of America has not just endured, but we have thrived and surmounted challenges that might have broken a lesser nation. After a terrible civil war, we repaired our union.

We weathered a Great Depression, became the world’s most dynamic economy.”

(Read full story on www.thewestsidegazette.com) This woman’s contribution has been overshadowed because it is easy to ignore her contribution to history.

Madame CJ Walker garnered public attention, and few realize that she was not the first to do “Black hair.” Annie Malone developed a thriving hair care business in St. Louis and surrounding areas. According to some sources, she had at least two dozen training schools in the early 20th Century. Some say she mentored Madame CJ Walker. Many acknowledge that her hair care educational foci were a model for Madame Walker. Did Walker, more flamboyant and better connected, establish a place in history while Annie Malone and Maggie Lena Walker could not? What does it say about Black history when the glitz and glitter are substitutes for sacrifice and substance?

(Read full story on www.thewestsidegazette.com)

By George E. Curry, NNPA Columnist

(Read full story on www.thewestsidegazette.com)

To Be Equal Rhetoric of race at the crossroads of police reform

By Marc H. Morial, NNPA Columnist “Much research points to the widespread existence of unconscious bias… We all – white and Black – carry MORIAL various biases around with us. I am reminded of the song Everyone’s a Little Bit Racist from the Broadway hit, Avenue Q: ‘Look around and you will find no one’s really color blind. Maybe it’s a fact we all should face. Everyone makes judgments based on race.’” – FBI Director James Comey in his speech “Hard Truths: Law Enforcement and Race,” Feb 12, 2015 It was in the wake of the protestfueled aftermaths of the high-profile killings of Black men at the hands of police officers, along with the execution-style murders of two New York City police officers, that the nation’s sitting FBI director marked an unprecedented first. FBI Director James Comey – addressing an auditorium full of Georgetown University students on the celebration of Abraham Lincoln’s birthday – delivered an unsparing, timely speech on the alarming state of policing in Black and Brown communities.

Comey, the son of Irish immigrants and the grandson of a police officer, addressed the historically-charged relationship between law enforcement and the communities of color they are sworn to serve and protect, and in doing so, gave his speech an authority that cannot be understated. In fact, he made a sizeable step towards inserting this much-needed analysis into our ongoing conversation on race in America.

(Read full story on www.thewestsidegazette.com)

Facing America’s lynching frenzy

By Lee A. Daniels, NNPA Columnist We live in an era when humankind seems awash in war- DANIELS driven atrocities. Men, and in some instances, boys – for this is, overwhelmingly, a matter of the sins of males – who once lived within the boundaries of decency have dedicated themselves to committing crimes of shocking depravity.

Whether driven by tricked-up political ideologies, ethnic-group grievances, or pseudo-religious mumbojumbo, many of these killers display a seemingly unfathomable desire to be inhuman, monstrous.

I have a name for this bloodletting and the people who engage in it. I call it and them the Prime Evil. The phrase isn’t my creation. It was applied two decades ago to one man, Eugene de Kock, a colonel in South Africa’s police force during the apartheid era who directed the government’s terrorist squad that used torture and murder to try to destroy the freedom movement led by Nelson Mandela.

(Read full story on www.thewestsidegazette.com)

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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

February 26 - March 4, 2015 • www.thewestsidegazette.com • Page 7

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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"

Bishop Victor T. Curry Senior Pastor/Teacher WORSHIP SERVICES

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Mount Calvary Baptist Church

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

Reverend Anthony Burrell, Pastor SCHEDULE OF SERVICES SUNDAY

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Where the kingdom of God is increased through Fellowship.

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

A FAMIL Y THA T AMILY THAT PRA YS PRAY TOGETHER AYS ST STA T OGETHER

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

Rev. Cal Hopkins.

M.Div) Senior Pastor/Teacher

Rev. Dr. James B. Darling, Senior Pastor

PASTOR

Faith United Church of Christ

Williams Memorial CME

Bible Study (Wednesday Night) ...................................................... 6:45 p.m.

Sunday School .............................................................................. 8:45 a.m.

Sunday Morning Service ............................................................. 10:00 a.m.

Obituaries James C. Boyd Funeral Home

Roy Mizell & Kurtz Funeral Home

MILLER Funeral services for the late Margaret Annette Miller – 77 were held Feb. 21. Interment: Miller Cemetery, Hahira, Ga.

REED Funeral services for the late Willie B. Reed - 86 were held Feb. 21 at St. Ruth Missionary Baptist Church with Elder Johnathan Thomas officiating. Interment: Dania Westlawn Cemetery.

RILEY Funeral services for the late Lance Matthew Riley – 22 were held Feb. 21 at James C. Boyd’s Memorial Chapel with Evang. Johnethia Mack officiating.

Interment: Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens (Central).

McWhite's Funeral Home ALLEN Funeral services for the late Vernon Leron Allen - 58 were held Feb. 21 at McWhite’s Funeral Home Chapel with Brother Robert Allen officiating.

COTMAN Funeral services for the late Alexander Cotman - 63 were held Feb. 21 at 5th Avenue Church of God Temple with Pastor Sam Green officiating. Interment: National Cemetery of South Florida, Lake Worth, Fla. SIMPSON Funeral services for the late Richard Simpson, Jr. – 66 were held Feb. 21 at Spiritual Israel Church and Its Army with Elder David Torrence officiating.

Interment: Sunset Memorial Gardens.

STANLEY Funeral services for the late Darrell K. Stanley - 55 were held Feb. 21 at Victory Restoration Tabernacle, Inc., with Apostle Lawrence Sweeting officiating. Interment: Sunset Memorial Gardens.

Pay Tribute Keep Their Memory Alive wgazette@thewestsidegazette.com

(954) 525-1489

Lollie B. Carter Primous past away on Friday, Feb. 13, 2015 at Good Samaritian Hospital in West Palm Beach, Fla. She is the sister of Evelyn Carter Grooms.

Funeral services were held Saturday, Feb. 21.

Electronic option for condolences can be sent at: www.dignitymemorial.com/ royal-palm-funeral-home.

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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.

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KIDS TALK ABOUT GOD

Why is complaining a sin?

By Carey Kinsolving and friends “I hate spinach sand-wiches,” says Todd, 7.

Although I admit the thought of a spinach sandwich is revolting, Todd, I’m afraid you misunderstood my question.

I didn’t ask for your favorite complaint, but why complaining is a sin.

“If you complain, you might have to clean up more,” says Lane, 7. I assume you mean your room, which is always a challenge even for many adults.

“You will get into trouble because you will be fighting with your mom and dad,” says Brandon, 6. “Then they will punish you. They are in charge of you, and they can do whatever they want.”

Complaining is not the way to win friends and influence parents.

Lauren, 7, thinks the root of most complaining is jealousy: “Jealousy is a sin because you want something that someone has.”

Of jealousy, Erica Jong wrote, “Jealousy is all the fun you think they had.”

The biblical perspective is so different from our natural inclinations. Contentment in the Lord is a great gift, but the Bible goes further. Christians should rejoice with those who rejoice. Instead of having sour grapes over the success of a brother or a sister in Christ, we should be jumping for joy.

Why is this so seldom the case? The lone-ranger mentality needs to be replaced with a team or a corporate mentality.

Every Christian is part of a

spiritual body of believers that transcends economic, cultural, racial, national and time barriers. In the Bible, this joining together is so tight it’s called the body of Christ of which the Lord is the head (I Corinthians 12:27).

When you’re tempted to complain, think of a cake, says Sarah, 10: “God put us in particular circumstances for a reason. Everything God does is for a reason. A lot of bad things can come together to make one big, good thing. Like when you make a cake, everything you put in it is not always going to be good by itself.”

I’ve noticed that a universal ingredient for cakes is a raw egg. Unless you’re a serious body builder, a raw egg is not edible by itself. If you complain about your circumstances, you might miss out on that delicious cake God is trying to make from the raw eggs of your life.

“It’s right there in one verse of the Bible,” says Austin, 10.

“It’s not right to complain about your condition because God is the one who decided to put you in that condition, and he probably has a plan for it.”

That certainly was the case with the Israelites whom God delivered from slavery in Egypt. God planned to bring his people through the wilderness into a land flowing with milk and honey. But they angered God by complaining.

Even though they had seen God part the Red Sea miraculously and destroy Egypt’s elite troops, they quickly forgot God’s just- in- time deliverance.

God has been in the just-intime business long before corporate executives conceived of minimizing their inventories with timely deliveries just before products are assembled.

Because of their complaining and disbelief, the Red Sea generation wandered in the desert for 40 years until they all died. They missed out on the wonderful things God had in store for them. The notable exceptions were Joshua and Caleb who brought back a positive report of the land God had promised.

“Complaining about your circumstances is a sin because you don’t give God a chance,” says Fran, 8.

Think about this: There are giants to conquer in the land of God’s abundance. One of the biggest giants is complaining about circumstances.

Memorize this truth: “Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless children of God” (Philippians 2:14-15).

(Read full story on www.thewestsidegazette.com)

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Page 8 • www.thewestsidegazette.com • February 26 - March 4, 2015

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man show he developed in 2002 in Augusta.

It’s one thing to create a show, it’s another BROWN thing to secure the resources required to produce it. That’s where Brown’s vision and determined optimism made a difference. After getting his 75th “No” he didn’t give up.

Number 76 was Peter Knox, IV, the owner of D Timms Jazz Cafe. Knox said yes, but not as an investor or underwriter. He wanted his cafe to be the sponsor. And so D. Timm’s and Comcast proudly present From Mozart to Motown – An Evening with Russell Joel Brown sold out the Imperial Theatre in Augusta, bringing an integrated audience to Brown’s oneman revue.

You can reach Brown at THREATS3@aol.com .

Copyright 2015– Mel and Pearl Shaw Mel and Pearl Shaw position nonprofits, colleges and universities for fundraising success.

For help with your fundraising visit www.saadandshaw.com or call (901) 522-8727.

(Read full story on www.thewestsidegazette.com)

Blackonomics

50 years of economic futility

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You’re trying to raise money.

You know who could provide the funds. You set personal appointments, talk with people in person. You know you have a good project that will make an impact. And all you hear is “No.” When do you give up? Russell Joel Brown heard no 75 times before he got to “yes.”

He could have given up earlier, but he didn’t. It’s just not who he is. A singer, dancer, and actor he didn’t give up when auditioning for Disney’s The Lion King. Russell auditioned 10 times over 10 years.

The “yes” was elusive.

He toured the United States, Europe, Mexico, and Japan with Smokey Joe’s Cafe, The Scarlet Pimpernel and Ain’t Misbehavin’. But each time he auditioned for The Lion King the producers couldn’t figure out how to cast him.

A member of the Brown family from Augusta, Ga., Russell is also committed to his parents and siblings. When it came time to care for his father and then his mother, he took a break from touring and became a caretaker. He also continued to perform, this time in local productions, fundraisers and cabarets. His unstoppable creativity expressed itself in From Mozart to Motown the one-

During the 50-year period from 1963 (“I have a dream!”) to 2013, Black people have been on a virtual economic treadmill. Our relative economic po- CLINGMAN sition has not changed; our unemployment rate has consistently been twice as high as the white unemployment rate, which was 5 percent for whites and 10.9 percent for Blacks in 1963. Today, it’s 6.6 percent for whites and 12.6 percent for Blacks.

Our aggregate annual income is $1.1 trillion. But it’s not what you earn, it’s what you’re worth: The typical white family had $134,200 in wealth in 2013, while Black families had $11,000, which is lower than for Hispanic families, at $13,700.

The U.S. has a $17.7 trillion Gross Domestic Product (GDP), the world’s second-largest economy behind China. The total Gross Domestic Income (GDI), which some economists say is a better measure of an economy, was $9.3 trillion as of the fourth quarter of 2014.

A recent Pew Research study indicates that the financial gap between Blacks and whites is the highest it’s been since 1989. In 2010, the median wealth of white households was eight times higher than Blacks; now it’s 17 times higher. The African-American economy, by either measure, GDP or GDI, despite reports of robust economic growth, remains mired in a recession.

You awake yet? So what can we do about it? Please. Don’t take that fatal leap of faith in thinking the “guvment” will take care of it. They are too busy counting our income as a huge part of GDP, because we spend nearly all of our $1.1 trillion on goods and services, which comprise 70 percent of GDP. We must extrapolate a logical and appropriate response to the above information. All the reports in the world will do us no good if we fail to learn from them and then act upon what we know.

After that, we must do our part as individuals to contribute to the collective economic/political uplift of our people and future generations.

What do we have, as individuals, to contribute to our economic and political success? We have votes and we have dollars; and if we cast our votes with leverage and spend our dollars strategically, we can achieve parity. Let’s face it, to chase the illusion of economic “equality,” via income and wealth, will only keep us diverted from setting practical and achievable goals.

MLK was partially correct when he posited that by obtaining employment in White corporations and using either strategic consumption or boycotts as leverage, Blacks could secure economic equality, just as we had secured civil rights. He was right about the leverage of our dollars, but wrong about the result of us getting jobs in corporate America. The above statistics prove that.

Chasing equality instead of parity is futile, in that we are always chasing someone else’s standard, a standard that can be elevated at any time, thus never to be attained by the pursuer.

(Read full story on www.thewestsidegazette.com)

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

February 26 - March 4, 2015 • www.thewestsidegazette.com • Page 9

Greater Fort Lauderdale CVB official predicts bright future for multi-cultural tourism in South Florida

By Charles Moseley (Part III) Over the last several decades there have been differing circumstances which contributed to the rise in multi-cultural travel, as African Americans have become more upwardly mobile.

The Civil Rights Movement created greater access for a number of African Americans to higher education, greater employment opportunities, and an expansion of the economic base among African Americans across the United States. As these gains were made there has been a direct correlation to the economic boom in the travel industry due in part to an increase in Black travel.

South Florida’s travel industry has directly benefited from the surge in travel among African Americans and stepped up its efforts to attract people of color to have some fun in the sun, whether they’re here to conduct business, simply have some fun in the sun, or both.

In recent years there has been a steady increase in the number of Black organizations which have held their national conferences here in Broward County. Some of those organizations include: 100 Black Men of America, Inc., American Tennis Association, and the National Urban League, which is scheduled to convene in Fort Lauderdale this July 29-Aug. 1, 2015.

The Urban League conference is expected to attract 10,000 participants and projected to generate between eight

and 10 million dollars, into the local economy.

Locally, the term multi-cultural tourism began to take flight and gain momentum over the past decade due in part to the efforts of Albert Tucker, vicepresident of Multi-Cultural Tourism, Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau (GFLCVB). Tucker points to several factors for these developments.

“The Greater Fort Lauderdale community has become much more sophisticated to understand the value and economic impact of the revenue generated by tourism. With every 85 visitors it creates a job in the hospitality industry and that is why Broward County has one of the lowest unemployment rates in the nation. Many of our Divine Nine members, along with our other civic organizations have become CVB partners/ambassadors to attract conferences and family reunions to the destination. While progress has been made we need to educate our community more on how we can have tourism impact our community in a greater way. From the inception of the program I would say that multicultural tourism has grown more than 40 percent.”

He also credited the support among community leaders, social, civic organizations and businesses for the role that they have played in the emergence of multi-cultural tourism locally.

“The key players, in support of the GFLCVB have been presidents and leaders of our key Black organizations such as Ur-

ban League of Broward CEO Dr. Germaine Smith Baugh, 100 Black Men of Greater Fort Lauderdale President Dennis Wright, State Representative Bobby DuBose, and Rigo Garcia, President of the local Kappa Alpha Psi, Fraternity, Inc., along with members of the AKA’s, and Delta’s organizations,” added Tucker.

Part of Tucker’s approach to increase business as well as cultural awareness around the African American community has been to expose the cultural diversity which exists in South Florida. There are a number of events as well as locations within the Black community such as the Sistrunk Corridor, African American Research Library & Cultural Arts Center, Old Dillard Museum, and MidTown Business Center, which have been the focus of many events promoted by the GFLCVB. In addition, Tucker garnered the support of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., and Omega Psi Phi, Fraternity, Inc. to partner with the GFLCVB to participate in the Winterfest Boat Show Parade.

“South Broward Alumnae likes to think outside of the box and made an impact, because never in the 42-year history of the Winterfest Boat Parade has an African American non-profit ever participated in this event.

The cultural community impact of partaking in the boat parade was unprecedented. To see your Greek letters in lights sailing down the intercoastal waterway on a yacht was magical. It is rare where local chapters get

BFF’s enjoy breakfast together every Wednesday rain or shine (Cont'd from FP) They all agree that one of the best features of their group is the informality. They don’t have any rules or regulations.

They don’t require any special handshakes, initiations, symbols, colors, dues or other special criteria. The only prerequisite to be a part of this group is that you are invited by a group member, and that they vouch for you being a loyal friend.

They don’t even have a formal name for their group, but one day someone begin referring to them as “The Breakfast Club Esquires.” It was an easy title, without any constraints, so they accepted it. They don’t vote or elect officers, but Herman Pittman has dubbed himself president for life.

“Yeah, Pittman says he’s president for life, but I impeach him every week,” Roschell Franklin, owner of Franklin Bail Bonds and Tax Preparation, said jokingly. “So if I impeach him, then that tells you who has the real presidential powers.”

Although, the Breakfast Club doesn’t have any hard and fast rules, they do maintain a simple and succinct protocol that all members agree to observe.

Each member takes his turn in paying for breakfast for the entire group. This rotating obligation means that each group member enjoys a complimentary breakfast about 50 times a year.

“It’s my day to pay for breakfast,” said Henry Lumpkins, smiling as he surveyed the table. “It seems like everybody’s appetite increases when it’s my day to pay,” he chuckled.

“I really enjoy our breakfasts. It’s like our own private get away from everything. I know on Wednesday mornings, I can get away from that chore list my wife gives me,” whispered Joel Lumpkins, who asked that his comment is printed anonymously, but obviously that request was ignored.

Walter Snipes and Walton Hunter both agree that the Breakfast Club is more than just eating breakfast with a casual friend. It is more like a weekly get together with your brothers because their bonds are like family.

“Over the years, a few of our members have gone home to be with the Lord such as, Herbert Burrows, Nathaniel Phillips, nd Milton Roseburr, but we still cherish their memory and the years of laughter we shared over breakfasts ,” Willy Gun lovingly reflected.

“We keep coming because we enjoy being around each other, and we treasure our shared histories. This is something precious, and we know true friendships are rare,” said Nathaniel Sanders, a retired educator.

Research supports the premise that friendship is essential to good health and increases longevity. According to the Harvard Nurses’ Health Study, the more friends we have, the less likely we are to become ill as we age. But in this age of social media communications, true friendships are becoming harder to establish, and are defined by the number of tweets and likes we receive over the internet. It is refreshing to see friends actually communicating in person and maintaining per-

Motown comes to town (Cont'd from FP) In 1959, Mr. Berry Gordy Jr. founded and presided over the musical empire known as Motown. While the automotive industry was building its empire in Detroit, Berry Gordy was carving out his own dream in the music industry. It is unequivocally the most successful Black owned music company in the history of the United States.

He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1988 and in 2001, he was inducted into the Independent Music Hall of Fame. Berry Gordy is often quoted saying, “You can either be a peon or an icon.”

He inspired hundreds of artist to soar and strive to reach beyond their potential. He did not just talk the talk, but he walked the talk during his heyday while at the helm of the music company he founded. He worked hard and made sacrifices to accomplish the goals he

SYKES set for himself. He was a natural born entrepreneur. His parents were business owners and encourage him to make his mark on the world.

As a young man, Berry served in the army, competed as a professional boxer and managed a record store. After writing a few songs for local R&B acts, he used all of his resources and ingenuity to start his own company.

All of his Motown music ventures were overseen from a

sonal contact.

A lot of people go through life with only a few friends.

Sadly, some people claim to have no one they really consider a true friend.

Unlike any other creature in God’s creation, hu-man beings were meant to be in relationship to God and to each other. We all need someone to call and to share in good times and in difficult times. We need someone with whom to bounce ideas around, to debate the vicissitudes of life, or to talk about deep and troubling subjects. We need someone to encourage us and someone to extend our love and support to, as well. We can’t all be privileged to be a part of a splendiferous group like the Breakfast Club, but we can develop and foster genuine friendships. Just like the Breakfast Club, there is no special criteria necessary to cultivate meaningful and lasting friendships. To gain a friend, you must simply value friendship and connect with someone who also values friendship.

The Breakfast Club members include: Moses Ball, Benny Brown, William “Bill” Cain, Jennings Coleman, Roschell Franklin, Jr., Thadis Green, Emmitt Greene, Willy Gunn, William Harris, Jr., Walton Hunter, Clarence “CJ” Jackson, Jr., Henry Lumpkins, III., Joel Lumpkins, Charles McCoy, Blanton Mitchell, George Morgan, Nathaniel Phillips, Herman Pittman, Wilbert Rayner, Nathaniel Sanders, Frank V. Smith, Walter Snipes, Willie Turner, and McKinley Williams. house in Detroit that Gordy named “Hitsville, USA,” which is now the site of the Motown Museum.

Berry Gordy’s sister, was also very instrumental in creating the museum and preserving Motown’s history. She collected and saved hundreds of boxes of Motown memorabilia, original music, posters, and photographs. Motown Records made more than 110 number-one hit songs and countless top-ten records. The astounding success of Berry Gordy’s music empire is unmatched and sure to hail in the annuals of history as one of the greatest achievements that changed the music industry forever.

“The cast consist of some of the most phenomenal talent in the country,” beamed Linda Stewart, the president of “It Is Done,” the public relations and marketing company that oversees the Urban Press for “Motown The Musical” during the national tour.

(Read full story on www.thewestsidegazette.com)

The Deltas and Omegas unite to “Party with a Purpose” at the Winterfest Boat Parade, in partnership with the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau.

(Photos by David Muir) the opportunity to obtain such exposure. Having our newly elected National President, Dr. Paulette C. Walker and our Southern Regional Director Cheryl W. Turner, on the yacht added to the phenomenal experience.

“Our chapter approached Tucker, Vice President of MultiCultural Development at the Fort Lauderdale Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) and he saw the same vision of promoting the Winterfest Boat parade as a vehicle to bring African American dollars to vacation and celebrate in South Florida, which in turns stimu-

lates economic development in Broward County,” said Cassandra E. Joseph, Chapter president Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. South Broward Alumnae Chapter.

“As a Black business owner and a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., I think it’s important for us to help promote multi-cultural tourist because it makes good business sense.

Let’s face it, the more people that decide to make Fort Lauderdale their vacation destination, the more opportunity I have for additional business. It doesn’t matter what color they are, all the money is

the same. I personally believe that when Black people travel, they want to support Black businesses. I also think that they are more likely to visit a Black business that they know is supporting Black tourism.

“It’s important for me to let Al Tucker and the CVB know that we believe in what they’re doing and we want to be a part of the growth. As a business, the best way we can do that is to support their events through sponsorship,” said Harry Harrell, coowner Tom Jenkins Bar-B-Q. (Read full story on www.thewestsidegazette.com)

T-Dogg taking it to the streets After his 2014 album Street Medication, Christian rapper T-Dogg, also known as “The deliverer of God’s gospel” gets ready for tour around the East Coast.

By Maria Camila Montanez, Florida Memorial University, Intern As one of the most recognized Gospel artists, ministers and voices of the city of Deerfield Beach, T-Dogg, talked to The Westside Gazette about his recent achievements, future plans and past experiences that have marked his career and personal journey. Excited for what is coming soon, T-Dogg said that his most recent achievement was to get connected with the famous artist Flo-Rida and be part of the music record label IMG. After finalizing his new album Street Medication in 2014, the gospel artist and his team shot a video for one of the new songs “God’s Been Good” on Feb. 21.

With songs such as Joy Comes in the Morning produced and made with Trayvon Martin’s mother Sybrina Fulton, T-Dogg has demonstrated how committed not only he is to God but to the people. After 2010, the “Deliverer of God’s gospel” arose from a dark episode in which he found himself caught from a trafficking case that almost tore his life apart.

From then on, he began to use his music to be an inspire people and help those who at some point felt didn’t have hope.

When referring to how his music can reach young generations to deliver the message of God, he assured he “delivers the word in ways that a lot of people can’t" I can get to some people that some pastors’ cant… These kids see me and say hey he got gold teeth. He got baggy jeans. He looks like me. He walks like me.

But, he is not like me."

As a modern Christian artist, T-Dogg has attracted the attention of many young people who are now interested in building a relationship with God. .

In 2012, the recognized rap artist Flo-Rida organized a free gospel concert for the community in which T-Dogg was invited. Till this day, these two artists continue to work together, which is demonstrated

by T-Dogg recently signing for Flo-Rida’s record label, IMG. Street Medication, the new album, was put together in 2014 whereby its main objective is to “heal the streets." Asked about who puts all the work together, T-Dogg confessed he is the one who composes the majority of his songs. “I let God lead me. It is based on my experiences.

Everything I see, hear or feel, that’s how I get my music. I make music with my heart."

One of his most recognized songs has been Pray for Me. He wrote this song based on his dark experience in 2010. “I literally was asking everyone to pray for me."

Other artists have collaborated with his work such as Uncle Reece, Rick Ross and Trick Daddy.

Apart from his music, TDogg, also called by his closest peers Travis, goes to church every Sunday and dedicates his life to his family. With five kids and what he assures is his amazing wife, he does have a regular life like any other person.

At six in the morning, he goes to the beach to meditate and pray. He goes back to the house and helps the kids get ready for school. After the kids go off to school, he spends his mornings and afternoons checking his business aside and finally hits the studio to create music.

Travis Gammage is a person that was born for his music and now lives for his calling.

As a strong voice, Travis admits to being willing to keep being involved in delivering a message where society can get better. His philosophy is not based on the emphasis of the negative aspects of society, but more into inculcating the importance of God in each individual’s life.

“Everyone is concentrating on kids getting As and Bs, but not on introducing Christ into their lives." Therefore, his future plans are to keep making music and delivering God’s message.

His new video for God’s Been Good will be going public on Youtube by the second week of March. His album can also be found in iTunes and Google Play. One of his most recommended songs for this new album is It Could’ve Been You. This song calls for a newfound consciousness on how people should really appreciate the fortunes and stability that not everyone has the privilege to experience.

T-Dogg is doing tours around Atlanta, North and South Carolina and undoubt-edly his hometown, Deerfield Beach, Fla.

Page 10 • www.thewestsidegazette.com • February 26 - March 4, 2015

Film Review

Selma the movie

By Malik A. Azeez Selma, written and directed by Ava Marie DuVernay.

Alabama. Paramount Pictures, 2014. 140 minutes.

Venue: Muvico Parisian 20 Theater, City Place. West Palm Beach, Fla. Feb. 11, 2015 Ava DuVernay is deserving of the highest praise, honor and appreciation for the film Selma.

She compellingly tells the story of Dr. Martin Luther King’s visionary non-violent movement to secure equal voting rights through a protracted march from Selma to Montgomery, Ala. in 1965. DuVernay focuses on the people of Selma as the agents of political change, which led to the voting rights legislation in 1965 that was signed by President Lyndon Johnson. Also, the film shows the power of unity within The Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC), as well as the strategies, negotiations and principles of resistance to white supremacy (racism).

DuVernay celebrates the leadership of SCLC, Dr. King galvanizing people of different races, classes, nationalities and faiths, to effect political and legal change. Crucial events are chronicled by DuVernay which reveal the truth, such as: the bombing of a church in Birmingham, Ala., which killed four Black girls; “Bloody Sunday”; the murder of Jimmie Lee Jackson; the march from Selma to Montgomery over the Edmund Pettus Bridge and the implementation of The Voting Rights Legislation of 1965.

Moreover, Miss DuVernay emphasizes the value of AfricanAmerican marchers being the catalyst of the demonstrations, resistance, negotiations and life changing political ideas.

Collectively, the acting done by the cast, portraying different characters, is outstanding.

Amazing performances are given by the following individuals: David Oyelowo (Dr. King); Carmen Ejogo (Mrs. King); Oprah Winfrey (Annie Lee Cooper); Cuba Gooding, Jr. (Fred Gray); Wendell Pierce (Rev. Hosea Williams); Stephan James (John Lewis); Coleman Domingo (Ralph Abernathy);

LEGAL NOTICES PUBLICATION OF BID SOLICITATIONS Broward County Board of County Commissioners is soliciting bids for a variety of goods and services, construction and professional services.

Interested vendors can view and download the solicitation documents via the Broward County Purchasing website at: www.broward.org/purchasing. current solicitations and results.

Feb. 5, 12, 19, 26, 2015

Tim Roth (Gov. George Wallace) and Lorraine Toussaint (Amelia Boynton). Additionally, Selma was produced by five companies. These companies include: Cloud Eight Films, Celador Films, Harpo Films, Pathe and Plan B Entertainment.

Ultimately, DuVernay did a remarkable film on Selma. She tells a great story of Dr. King’s brilliant leadership along with SCLC’s protestors to effect equal voting rights through a revolutionary march from Selma to Montgomery in 1965.

Consciously, DuVernay celebrates the people of Selma as being the driving force behind the principles, strategies, negotiations and victories of the SCLC that led to the passage of the Voting Rights Legislation of 1965.

HELP WANTED Position: PART-TIME BOOKKEEPER Requirements: Associate degree or a minimum of 3 years experience in bookkeeping. Business college training a plus. Competent computer skills MS Office; emphasis in Excel. Knowledge of general accounting principles.Salary is negotiable.

Submit resumes: First Baptist Church Piney Grove Attn: Operations Manager 4699 W. Oakland Park Blvd Lauderdale Lakes, FL 33313

MISCELLANEOUS Mt. Pisgah MB Church of Pompano, Inc. at 891 NW 27th Ave, Pompano Beach, FL 33069 is now receiving resumes for the position of PASTOR.. Those interested must be called by God, meet the criteria of 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and should meet the following criteria: 1. Must be a Baptist ordained member in good standings 2. Must serve in a Baptist church that will give letter of recommendation 3. Position will be bi-vocational 4. 5 years of church leadership experience 5. High school graduate or higher Must submit to background check and home visit. Resumes are being accepted. Please send resume, video or links to : Mt. Pisgah - c/o Nathaniel Lowe 2613 NW 8th Street, Pompano Beach, FL. 33069 or email to mtpisgahpompano@att.net

NOTICE TO CONTRACTORS Florida Department of Transportation Project Bids will be received by the Tallahassee Office until 10:30 A.M. on Wednesday, March 25, 2015, for Proposal ID T4414. The improvements under this contract consist of signalization, lighting and pedestrian upgrades on SR 870 in Broward County. This is a Business Development Initiative (BDI) project, and a Certification of Qualification is not required for this project. Budget Estimate $508,935.00. Complete letting advertisement information for this project is available on our website at http://www.dot.state.fl.us/cc-admin/Lettings/Letting_Project_Info.shtm or by calling (850) 414-4000.

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

February 26 - March 4, 2015 • www.thewestsidegazette.com • Page 11

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

Blacks underrepresented in STEM classes Celebrating Black History: Richard Russell

Wade Henderson, president and CEO of the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights.

(Photo by Freddie Allen) NNPA Senior Washington Correspondent WASHINGTON, D.C. (NNPA) – Many young African Americans will be shut out of the high paying jobs of the future, if they don’t earn a degree in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), according to a new report.

The new report by The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, a coalition of more than 200 advocacy and outreach groups, said that less than 3 percent of Blacks have earned a degree in the natural sciences or engineering fields by the age of 24 and that the STEM labor force is projected to grow by 2.6 million jobs over the next five years. Researchers said that more than half of those jobs will go to people with bachelor’s or master’s degrees.

In a press release about the report Wade Henderson, president and CEO of both the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights and the Leadership Conference Education Fund, said that equal access to a STEM education is crucial to the future of our country and economy, and to the lives of millions of minority and women students.

“We must – all of us – examine what systemic changes are necessary to ensuring that STEM learning is inclusive, engaging, and equally accessible, so that all of our children have the same opportunities to adequately prepare for college and for careers that will allow them to support themselves and their families,” said Henderson.

According the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, STEM workers, specifically in computer and math careers, make more than $80,000 per year. Even workers that graduate with associate’s degrees earn about 10 percent more than those working in non-STEM jobs.

“Yet, right now, all across America, there are nearly 40 million adults – disproportionately people of color and those who grew up in poverty – who do not have a high school diploma or its equivalent,” stated the report. “And they are effectively locked into the lowest rungs of the occupational ladder.”

The majority of poor children don’t know enough words or have enough math skills when they start kindergarten and confronted with less experienced teachers and limited resources are ill-equipped for Algebra, a prerequisite for higherlevel math courses, by the time they reach the eighth grade.

Some states failed to provide minority students access to those high-level math and English courses altogether.

(Read full story on www.thewestsidegazette.com)

Congratulations to Steven T. Henry, Sr. and Tekeisha C. Fair Henry on their recent marriage on Friday, Feb. 20, 2015 at the Broward County Courthouse. They will be celebrating their marriage with a reception which is being planned for Saturday, July 18, 2015.

Mr. and Mrs. Russell

By Princess Hill Richard C. Russell was born Feb. 27, 1931 to the late Harold and Helen Russell in West Palm Beach, Fla. He attended Industrial High School where he played every sport; he loved basketball and football the most. On Oct. 25, 1950 Russell married the love of his life, Claretha.

This year will mark 65 years of marriage. To this union three beautiful daughters were born, Diana, Dione, and Elaine.

Russell started as a longshoreman in 1947 in West Palm Beach, which is now Riviera Beach Fla. During that time, racism was alive and feared amongst Black people. He recalled having a curfew. Once it turned dark you had to be on the Black side of the tracks. If caught out past curfew the dangers to face were unknown.

In December of 1953 they moved to Fort Lauderdale, Fla. He has been with ILA Local 1526 since then.

Russell is one of the Pioneers of Local 1526. He was there when roll calls and meetings were held outside President Simmons’ home, then later to McBride Lodge, and finally here on Sistrunk. He started under Alfred “Uncle Ben’ Evens; at that time it was considered the Bahamian Gang. His uncle,

Calvin Russell, was also a longshoreman and together they built the stage in the Union Hall in 1968. He pays homage to his uncle for teaching him everything from carpentry to saving money. He also worked alongside the Wilsons, Hills, Waldens, Walkers, and Bynes.

At a time when technology was very limited, everything was done by hand. It wasn’t an easy job, and a lot of people tried but didn’t make it. Everything took manpower. Every item, container, and 60-gallon drum filled with oil, cement, nails, steel, fertilizer, meat and fruit was lifted off the ship by hand. They helped each other and looked out for each other.

They were a family. Sometimes you would only get to work four hours out of the week. With a family at home, it wasn’t easy, but they made it work. They took turns, giving each other a chance when work was slow and limited. Russell said, “If someone was sick, the next day someone would take off so that person could make up their time.”

In 1968, Russell became a header under the Clayton Roland Administration. He stated,

“This was the best job I ever had.” Now he is remembered as “one of the best headers at the Port”. He would tell his gang to work at a steady pace, take your time, and to work as a team and not against each other. He was highly respected by Local 1526 and management at Stevedoring. Russell recalls himself and Jean Wilson running the Port back in those days. The dress code that the porters wear today is because of Russell and Jean Wilson. They wanted everyone to look good and represent the Local 1526.

In 1974, Russell got injured and retired, but he was never too far from the Local 1526. He still resides in his home just a couple miles away. Enjoying his beautiful wife Claretha, who organized the Ladies Auxiliary, daughters Diana Johnson, Dionne Gardner and Elaine Davis, two grandchildren Joshua Richard Lyons and Charl’ey Johnson-Davis, two great grandchildren Rayjon and Charda’ Davis.

This month we salute and honor Richard Russell for his labor, hard work and dedication to the ILA Local 1562.

Elks Lodge #652 Pride of Fort Lauderdale Present

Celebration

February 28, 2015 - 8 p.m. to 3 a.m.

712 N.W. Second St., Fort Lauderdale, FL DRESS CODE: African Attire: (Free) -- Non-African Attire: $5.00 For More information Call: (954) 463-7474

EVERY FRIDAY from 4 to 9 p.m. HAPPY HOUR DRINKS & FREE BUFFET

OLD SCHOOL, JAZZ & LIVE ENTERTAINMENT -- 10 p.m. to 2 a.m.

NEW & IMPROVED ELKS LODGE

Page 12 • www.thewestsidegazette.com • Februaary 26 - Maarch 4, 2015

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