The Westside Gazette

Zo’s Winter Groove 2018

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The Mourning Family Foundation continues to uplift the community and plant seeds of hope in South Florida’s minority youth.

View highlights of ZWG2018 on our website at: www.thewestsidegazette.com

VOL. 46 NO. 50 50¢

THURSDAY, JANUARY 18 - JANUARY 24, 2018

By Freddie Allen (Editor-In-Chief, NNPA Newswire) Jack Gerard, the president and CEO of the American Petroleum Institute, said that he visited historically Black colleges and universities to share information about the career and business opportunities in the petrochemical industry with students.

By 2040, consumers across the country could save an estimated $100

billion, or $655 per household, from the increased use of natural gas throughout the U.S. economy, according to the 2018 State of American Energy report.

Artificial heart valves, air bags, seat belts and components in smartphones are made with petroleum-based products.

Jack Gerard, the president and CEO of the American Petroleum Institute, said that there are incredible (Cont’d on page 9)

Congratulations Commissioner Robert L. McKinzie Jack Gerard, the president and CEO of API, said that the Black Press can play a critical role in educating the Black community about business opportunities in the petrochemical industry.

(Freddie Allen/AMG/NNPA)

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

LOCAL

By Barbara Feder Ostrov The nation is having a Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad flu season.

Flu is widespread in 46 states, according to reports to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Nationally, as of midDecember, at least 106 people had died from the infectious disease.

In addition, states across the country are reporting higher-than-average flurelated hospitalizations and emergency room visits.

Hospitalization rates are highest among people (Cont’d on page 9)

A federal judge has ruled in favor of the Obama rule to be executed starting January 1, 2018. This is great news to low-income families because they will have more chances for better housing in a more affluent neighborhood.

The rule, created on Obama-era, was intended to separate regions of concentrated poverty in two dozen metro regions, from Atlanta and Charlotte to San Diego and Honolulu. It would work by considering the rental costs in particular neighborhoods, as opposed (Cont’d on page 12)

By Marie-Fatima Hyacinthe

Hatians Fight Back On Dec. 22, 2017, a report surfaced in The New York Times that President Donald Trump had allegedly made inflammatory remarks regarding immigrants.

According to the report, as he reviewed the visas issued to immigrants in the last year, he claimed that Nigerians coming to America “would never return to their huts” and that Haitians “all have AIDS.” I was in my mother’s house in Flatbush, in Brooklyn, N.Y., when I heard the reports. Flatbush is a working-class Caribbean neighborhood, and amid the

Christmas preparations, the community reverberated with memories of previous stigma and discrimination.

In the late 1980s and early ’90s, Haitian immigrants were discriminated against in both overt and subtle ways.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention listed four groups as being at high risk for contracting HIV, colloquially referred to as the “4H’s”: hemophiliacs, heroin users, homosexuals and Haitians.

This list had ramifications in every aspect of life.

The author Edwidge Danticat, responding to Trump’s comments in The New Yorker, told of her English-as-a-second-language (Cont’d on page 5)

By De Geo Could the gift of creativity be found in her name?

Named after a beautiful plant, Pansy means “ to be remembered”. As far back as she could remember she was enamored with the art of quilt making. Some sixty years later after raising and sending six first generation children to college, she retired and rekindled her passion…quilt making.

Pansy Payton Brown, 80 years young born into the family of one of the first African American settlers in Pompano Beach Florida, has been living in Fort Lauderdale

Florida for fifty-nine years.

She is the progeny of a long line of quilters. She was taught to quilt by her aunt Gertrude born in the late 1800’s. Pansy recalls, “I remember my aunt Gertrude telling me while she was sitting on the porch quilting in Pompano Beach, don’t just sit there and look at me, get some pieces from over there and start making your own quilt. And don’t make the stitches to long.

You don’t want your big toe to get stuck in a stitch while you are sleeping. I still have that quilt, my first.

I was only 13 years old.”

Her first quilt, a (Cont’d on page 9)

LOCAL

By Charles Moseley Whether Charles Jackson, Jr., is fulfilling his role as husband to his wife Belinda of 28 years or providing helpful advice to one of his three sons and three daughters, Jackson has donned many hats over the years. In addition to his family responsibilities, Jackson has impacted on countless numbers of students during his career as a teacher’s assistant in the Broward County Public Schools System. Jackson is just one year shy of his thirtieth year, the majority of which he spent at William Dandy Middle School in Fort Lauderdale. To say Jackson Charles Jackson, Jr. aka CJ, the Clown’s passion for clowning took likes working with kids would be an understatement. flight almost 30 years ago. He has been an educator in Broward By any standard Jackson has led an exemplary (Cont’d on page 11) County Public Schools for 29 years.

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Can crippled Americans be made whole?

Then Peter said, “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.” -- Acts 3:6 (NKJV)

By Bobby R. Henry As I reflected on yesterday’s election process, I was reminded of Dr. Mack King Carter’s sermons from the Book of Acts 3: 1-10.

That story in the Book of Acts Chapter Three is about a man crippled from birth, who was placed by others at the gate of the temple called Beautiful, to beg.

The process of voting kept reverberating in my head creating the hologram of people begging others for the right to enter into the “Good Life”.

This good life meant that the beggars would (Cont’d on page 9)

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

PAGE 2 • JANUARY 18 - JANUARY 24, 2018

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North Lauder dale Elementar y rreceives eceives a $500 Grief- Sensitive Grant Lauderdale Elementary What every Black woman should know about hair loss and fibroids

From Minority/ Black Health Blog A recent study shows that Black women with a relatively similar type of hair loss may also be at a high risk of developing fibroids.

What are fibroids? Fibroids are fibrous growths that develop in or around the uterus. On average, about 80 to 90 percent of Black women and 70 percent of white women develop fibroids by the time they turn 50. Not to worry, these growths are mostly benign and noncancerous.

The research, wherein four years of data of over 487,000 adult Black women were studied, also included data regarding a hair loss condition called the central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia (CCCA).

Black women are the ones usually affected by CCCA, which makes it the most common hair loss condition in this group.

It is discovered in the research that almost 14 percent of women affected by CCCA also had fibroids while only 3 percent of women without CCCA had fibroids. This shows that women with CCCA have five times higher chances to develop fibroids “The cause of the link between the two conditions remains unclear,” says Dr. Crystal Aguh, the author of the research and an assistant professor of dermatology at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore.

Even though the research still does not prove that one condition causes the other, there seems to be some kind of connection between the two. Nevertheless, the findings still suggest that women with CCCA be checked for fibroids or any excess fibrous growth.

The research also considered that Blacks, in general, are more likely to develop some conditions that involve scarring and that scarring is one of the results linked to the beginning of CCCA. Consequently, the findings of the research show that CCCAlinked scarring is resemblant to the type of fibrous-tissue scarring associated with fibroids, which could be the reason why there is a higher risk to develop fibroids with the hair-loss condition.

NORTH LAUDERDALE, FL -- North Lauderdale Elementary today announced it received a $500 Grief-Sensitive Grant from the New York Life Foundation, which will help the school to develop a bereavement support plan and encourage ongoing staff development.

Over several years, the New York Life Foundation, in partnership with National Center of School Crisis and Bereavement, has been working with the leading K-12 education professional organizations to form the Coalition to Support Grieving Students to develop a set of materials and a website, www.grievingstudents.org, to help teachers, counselors, and other people in the school community to provide comfort and

guidance to bereaved students.

The Coalition found through a survey that just seven percent of schoolteachers feel adequately prepared to help grieving students when they return to the classroom, even though 70 percent of them have a grieving student in their classroom at any given time. And studies show that a child’s unresolved grief can have a social and emotional impact on him or her, leading to behavioral issues and poor performance in school.

The grant will be used to develop a plan to activate when a student suffers a loss, or a death occurs in the school community.

Mrs. Nichele Williams North Lauderdale Elementary K-8 (754) 322-7400 nichele.williams@browardschools.com

General Office presents a $500 Grief-Sensitive Program Grant check to Nicole Neunie (Assistant Principal), Nichele Williams (Principal)and Alyssa Matricinno (Language Pathologist) of the school. The grant will be used to develop a plan to activate when a student suffers a loss, or a death occurs in the school community.

Black Girl P ower ers, and empowerment Power ower,, celebrity speak speakers, lead minority teen girls to apply for At The W ell’s Well’s premiere summer programs at Princeton University

2017 graduates of the program NEW YORK, NY (BlackNews.com) — Comradery, a safe haven to share celebrity speakers, and Black girl empowerment are the reasons why each year hundreds of young minority girls vie for one of 50 spots in the At the Well Young Women’s Leadership Academy. The summer

enrichment program for 10th and 11th grade minority girls is in its eight straight year on the campus. A Weekend Intensive mini program is held for students in the ninth grade on the campus of Princeton University. Planned speakers returning for 2018 include actress Nicole Ari Parker, scholar Ju-

lianne Malveaux, motivational speaker Brandi Harvey, 2016 DNC Chief Leah Daughtry, physician Michele Reed, and plus-size super model Liris Crosse.

The Academy focuses on developing strong leaders through academic, social and career components. Girls participate

in peer tutoring and small group projects that build lasting bonds.

While living in the campus dorm rooms, there are ample opportunities to create meaningful relationships. The curriculum includes critical reading, essay writing, and leadership workshops. The Academy offers a safe place for students to share the challenges of daily personal and school life.

Workshop facilitators include role models from the medical, legal, financial, entertainment, and non-profit fields and have featured Financial guru Tiffany “the Budgetnista” Aliche from The Real show, QVC Inventor Lisa Ascolese, and teen acting phenomenon Eden Duncan Smith. Topics include financial literacy, body image, entrepreneurship, health and wellness, and self-esteem just to name a few.

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

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JANUARY 18 - JANUARY 24, 2018 • PAGE 3

As a Parent, I Recognize that I am the Biggest Advocate for My Children Florida’s ESSA State Plan Lacks Important Information

By Donna Fletcher (Conference Coordinator, National Science Teachers Association) I Moved to Florida and Struggled to Find the Right Schools for My Children.

As a parent, I recognize that I am my children’s biggest advo

cate and I work hard to make sure that they have the best learning opportunities inside and outside of the classroom.

When I relocated from Washington, D.C. to Florida, I struggled to find schools that were rigorous in their instruction, included strong community and parental involvement, provided a diverse selection of extra-

NAACP and Africa-America Institute Announce Alliance Partnership Includes Pre-K to College Curriculum on the African Diaspora

By Malik Russell PASEDENA, CA —On Monday, January 15, 2018, the holiday marking the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., the NAACP and the Africa-America Institute announced a groundbreaking partnership during the 49th NAACP Image Awards.

The NAACP will work with the AAI on the development and distribution of a curriculum designed to highlight the accomplishments, achievements and history of Africa and its Diaspora.

“It’s appropriate that on a day that we honor Dr. King as well as promote positive images of people of color, we announce to the world a partnership that includes a curriculum, learning exchange and a network for advocacy and activism on behalf of those of African descent in the United States and abroad, “said Derrick Johnson, President and CEO of the NAACP. “AAI has a long history of academic exchange and educational meetings between Africa and America. Now is an extraordinary time and opportunity to partner with the NAACP and together connect the more than 42 million Afro-descendants with the brilliance of the African history and its contribution to modern civilization,” added Kofi Appenteng, President of the Africa-America Institute.

The curriculum from the

The NAACP and the AfricaAmerica Institute announced a partnership to develop and distribute a curriculum designed to highlight the accomplishments, achievements and history of Africa and its Diaspora. (NAACP) NAACP/AAI Alliance will include content such as Africa’s Great Civilizations, the critically acclaimed series by Professor Henry Louis Gates, Jr. Partners and NAACP chapters will benefit from organized screenings and lessons with an early education focus on positive identity formation and a more advanced curriculum that includes studies in social sciences.

A campaign kick-off will take place in February of 2018 as a part of Black History Month.

curricular activities, and offered the support services my children needed. Eventually, I found a school that met the majority of my expectations, but that school was located in a different county.

As a result, I relocated to an address within that area. With a background in education and familiarity with the District of Columbia Public Schools system (DCPS) through my older children, I constantly found myself comparing the materials being taught at my children’s elementary school to the lessons that were taught in DCPS over 15 years earlier. To my chagrin, my younger children were lagging far behind, academically.

Therefore, my search to find a more rigorous academic program led me to placing my younger children in a private, Christian-based school. However, I have found that while private schools promote a superior academic experience, in actuality, they lack more than they deliver. Academic rigor, community and parental involvement, extracurricular activities, and the passion needed to encourage the love of learning were all missing from the private school my children attended.

Thus, my search continues.

The new national education law, the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), gives more power back to states to determine their own academic standards, but provides several grant opportunities to ensure school districts are implementing evidenced-based interventions to improve academic achievement.

Student Support and Enrichment Grants combine several programs from No Child Left Behind to improve acade-mic achievement by providing all students with funding for improved school conditions, wellrounded learning, and efficient use of technology. Title IV, Part B of ESSA also provides opportunities for communities to expand or establish community learning centers, which provide a broad array of resources, including meaningful parent engagement.

Florida has updated its academic standards in an attempt to align them with college-andcareer-ready expectations twice, since 2011; the most recent update occurred in 2015. However, Florida’s ESSA plan does not explain the process through which updates have occurred.

Florida does attempt to emphasize a well-rounded education by including progress in science and social studies as an indicator of school success. However, Florida fails to include progress in English Language Proficiency (ELP) as an indicator of school success and will only provide assessment instructions in English despite a diverse student population. Furthermore, Florida does not incorporate student sub-group (race/ethnicity) data in its school grading system.

Student subgroup data will only be reported on school report cards. This process does not guarantee struggling sub-groups will be identified and supported.

Florida proposes to use a simple A-F grading sy-stem to identify underperformi-ng schools. For schools that do not earn a “C” grade after two years, the plan calls for the schools to close or turn over operations to a charter or an external operator. While schools are held accountable for continued failure, as a parent, I am concerned about the impact on students who are enrolled during the two-year improvement period. Lastly, Florida does not explain how it will use the

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set-aside Title I dollars for school improvement or how the state will encourage the equitable distribution of funds.

Overall, while the plan clearly articulates its intentions, it provides little explanation for how the stated goals will be achieved.

How can I, as a parent, get more involved and engaged to help advocate for my children?

For my children, who are in the middle of the pack, how can they receive resources to accelerate their abilities to the next level? How does Florida’s ESSA Plan empower parents to choose higher-performing schools with very few available spots for students zoned to under performing schools?

Florida’s ESSA plan is not an all-encompassing document; specifically as it relates to the lack of information regarding explanations for fund-

ing, school accountability, and amended academic standards.

The consolidated state plan should be viewed as one additional resource in the search to find answers and be em-powered to impact our children’s education.

As a parent, my goal is to support instruction received inside the classroom by fostering added learning through enriching opportuni ties outside the classroom and like all parents I want the best for my children.

Dillard Center for the Arts Students selected to attend prestigious GRAMMY Camp – Jazz Session Congratulations to Broward County Public Schools Dillard Center for the Arts (DCA) students, Kieran Hitsman (Tamarac) and Summer Camargo (Hollywood), who are two of only 18 talented high school students from across the United States selected for the prestigious 2018 GRAMMY Camp – Jazz Session, Jan. 23– 29, 2018. Their selection launches them into the spotlight surrounding the 60th Annual GRAMMY Awards.

The students, who are members of the nationally renowned and award winning DCA Jazz Ensemble, will travel to New York City for a seven-day musical adventure. The program provides students with unparalleled opportunities to rehearse, record and perform with their fellow Jazz Session members and some of the music industry’s biggest names. The young musicians, Kieran on tenor sax and Sum-mer on trumpet, will also parti-cipate in recording an album (GRAMMY Jazz 26).

The students will perform

CAMARGO th

HITSMAN at various GRAMMY Week events, including GRAMMY in the Schools Live! on January 25, with special guest performer Jon Batiste, an internationally acclaimed musician, composer and bandleader on The Late Night Show with Stephen Colbert. The students will showcase their talents in additional public performances and attend

the 60 Annual GRAMMY Awards telecast on January 28 as guests of the Recording Academy. Their final performance will be at a GRAMMY after-party celebration.

GRAMMY Camp – Jazz Session members are eligible for more than $2 million in college scholarships made possible through the GRAMMY Museum’s college partners: Berklee College of Music, Manhattan School of Music, The New School for Jazz and Con-temporary Music, and USC Thornton School of Music.

Meet Zandra Teen Beauty Entrepreneur and girl’s Education Advocate At The 2018 AmericasMart Atlanta Show — Zandra Beauty, an award winning all-American brand of natural teen skin care, is proud to announce its participation and innovative DIY STEM learning at AmericasMart Atlanta, Booth 3 - 2418, January 2018 – A T L A N T A , G A (BlackNews.com) — Zandra Beauty, the award-winning natural skin care line by teen entrepreneur Zandra Cunningham - accomplished girl’s rights advocate and philanthropist - is proud to participate as an exhibitor and demonstrate live DIY STEM education sessions at the AmericasMart Atlanta, booth B3, F3 - 2418, from Jan 11-15, 2018.

Zandra Beauty offers 40 nutrient-rich natural skincare products as an alternative to commercial products with yucky unhealthy ingredients. “At age nine, I began my passion for making my own skincare product as a result of my dad’s refusal to buy my beloved lip balm!” said Cunningham. Fast forward 8 years, Cunningham operates her award-winning skincare line for teen-sensitive skin from a lab in Buffalo, NY where she distributes to various retail stores globally, including partnerships with Walmart and Paper Mart in the USA. Join the #MoreThanSoap andLotion movement!

Promoting her brand philosophy of being ‘More Than Soap and Lotion’ Zandra will open a live Beauty Bar featuring DIY STEM education sessions for exhibit visitors who

Zandra Cunningham, founder of Zandra Beauty. want first-hand experience of how to make their own natural skin care pro-ducts.

STEM education in plantbased skincare is the process of combining science, technology, engineering, and math to create natural beauty products from the best ingredients that nature has to offer. “DIY STEM education sessions create exciting educational opportunities for aspiring CEOs through handson experience and support our global initiative to help girls and women across the globe to use STEM and entrepreneurship skills to develop their own business innovations,” said Cunningham.

“As the national premier product destination, AmericasMart Atlanta is a great platform for the Zandra brand to continue

its expansion across the USA and develop international partnerships. Our experience of working with retailers of all sizes and platforms - from online to stores - allows us to meet the increasing demand for plantbased and natural skin care ingredients that are proven to soothe, heal and renew skin teenage-sensitive skin. As a trade show special, Zandra is offering free minimum orders of $250 and free shipping and big balm displays over $500.

This is a great way to try and buy some of our most popular sell-out products!” added Cunningham.

Cunningham leads a number of philanthropy initiatives which focus on girl empowerment inspiration and education through the Zandra TLC Foundation.

PAGE 4 • JANUARY 18 - JANUARY 24, 2018

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Local Events In The Community Publix is Proud to Support Community News WHERE SHOPPING IS A PLEASURE

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Zoetic Stage and the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County present Wrongful Death And Other Circus Acts on Thursday, Jan. 18 preview and Friday, Jan. 19 Opening Night through Sunday, Feb 4, 2018 at Carnival Studio Theater in the Ziff Ballet Opera House, 1300 Biscayne Blvd., Miami, Fla. For time, tickets and info call (305) 949-6722 or online at www.arshtcenter.org ************************

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APBC is presenting “Live Model Painting and Drawing at APBC Art Park Gallery on Monday, Jan. 22, 2018 from 1 to 4 p.m., and Monday, Jan. 29, 2018 from 1 to 4 p.m., at 800 Park Ave., Lake Park, Fla. Reservation are required. For cost and additional info call (561) 345-2842. ************************

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The Moment of Truth A Dramedy! You’ll laugh you’ll cry, from Friday, Jan. 26 and Saturday, Jan. 27 at 7:30 and Sunday, Jan. 28, 2018 at 4 p.m., at Lauderhill Performing Arts Center, 3800 N.W. 11 Pl., Lauderhill, Fla. For more info call (954) 777-2055.

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Join Tracy Dunn and the LYC Art Show Committee for the 11th Annual Lauderdale Yacht Club Art Show on Thursday, Jan. 25 from 6:30 to 10 p.m., at Lauderdale Yacht Club, 1725 S.E. 12 St., Fort Lauderdale, Fla. MUSE: Art That Inspires. For tickets info call (954) 524-5500. ************************

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Bair Middle School will be holding an event to celebrate National School Choice Week 2018 on Friday, Jan. 26 at 3:15 p.m., at Bair Middle School, 9100 N.W. 21 St., Manor, Sunrise, Fla. For tickets info call (954) 524-5500. ************************

Workshop

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Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, Zeta Rho Omega chapter, is hosting its annual and exciting “So You Want to go to College” free 2018 College Workshop, on Saturday, Feb. 3, 2018 at the Lauderdale Lakes Educational and Cultural Center, 3580 W. Olkd.

Park Blvd., Lauderdale Lakes, Fla. Registration begins at 9:30 a.m. and the workshop will be held from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Information will be provided on college admission requirements, application process, scholarships, financial aid, college life and College Tour.

The College Tour will be held the week of March 26-30, 2018 (open to high school students grades 9-12). For additional information contact RG Foderingham at (954) 714-0677 or email at collegetour@zetarhoomega.org.

Pleading Our Own Cause STAYCONNECTED -- www.thewestsidegazette.com (954) 525-1489 ADRC HOSTS 12th ANNUAL “HAVE A HEART” FASHION SHOW & LUNCHEON The Aging and Disability Resource Center of Broward County presents the 12th Annual Fashion Show and Luncheon, showcasing ADRC Volunteer Models, and designer clothes from Stein Mart, at the at the Renaissance Fort LauderdalePlantation Hotel, 1230 S Pine Island Rd, Plantation, FL 33324, from 11:15 AM to 2:00 PM on Friday, February 9, 2018.

The event also features time to visit the boutique/vendors tables, participate in 50/50 drawings, and Chinese and Silent auctions. The fabulous fashion event will benefit the ADRC’s programs of services provided to the over 421,000 senior year-round residents of Broward County.

The cost is $50/person or $500 for a table of 10. A $800 Angel Sponsorship includes a table of 10 and a full-page color ad in the event’s keepsake journal that is distributed to all attendees. For more information, or to inquire about sponsorship, additional advertising options in the Program, and exhibitor opportunities, please contact Denise Jones, ADRC Community Coordinator at jonesd@adrcbroward.org or call (954) 745-9567, ext. 10216. For reservations, contact Cheryl Morrow, ADRC Executive Secretary, at morrowc@adrcbroward.org or call (954) 745-9567, ext. 10206.

Happening at African-American Research Library and Cultural Center ********************************************************

Classical Music , Jazz, Theater & Ballet 10th Anniversary Jazz Roots at Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts, at 1300 Biscayne Blvd., Miami, Fla. · Friday, Feb. 16, 2018 – George Benson: A Night of Breezin’ & Greatest Hits · Friday, March 2, 2018 – Gregory Porter: The Voice Of Our Time · Friday, April 20, 2018 – Cubismo! Chucho Valdes: Irakere 45 For ticket info call (305) 9496722. ************************

· The Food For All Broward Kick-Off event on Thursday, Jan. 18 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., at Roosevelt Gardens Park, 2841 N.W. 11 St., Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Food For All Broward is a new initiative to expand access to healthy foods for residents of all ages. . Age-Friendly Resident Workshop on Thursday, Jan. 18 from 2 to 4 p.m., at Hallandale Beach Cultural Community Center, 410 S.E. Third St., Hallandale Beach, Fla. Join us in the next step of prioritizing your Age-Friendly Community Action Plan!

20th Anniversary Symphony Gala at Broward Center For The Performing Arts, Tuesday, Jan. 23. 2018: Guests will be welcomed in the Peck Courtyard at 5 p.m. for a special VIP Champagne Reception. After this reception, guests will be served dinner, featuring the strings of a strolling violinist, at 6 p.m., in the Mary N. Porter Riverview Ballroom at Huizenga Pavilion. At 7:30 p.m. guests will be escorted to the Au Rene Theater for the Symphony/ Company performance. A dessert reception in the Mary N. Porter Riverview Ballroom, where guests will have the oppotunity to mix and mingle with Symphony musicians and Martha Graham dancers.

Champagne Reception, Gourmet Hors d’Oeuvres, Surf and Turf Dinner, and Post-Concert Dessert Reception: $250; all of the above plus additional parties and listing as a Host Committee Member: $500; and all of the above plus special group photo ppportunity with Martha Graham Dancers: $1,000.

Masterworks Concert III Beethoven and Vivaldi’s Expressions of Nature. * Fort Lauderdale Concert: Feb. 6, 2018 * Miami Concert: Feb. 7, 2018 * Boca Raton Concert: Feb. 8, 2018 * Key West Concert: Feb. 10, 2018

· 12th Annual FLIPANY Fun Run on Saturday, Jan. 20 registration opens at 6 a.m., Event at 7:30 a.m., at Hollywood North Beach Park, 3601 N. Ocean Dr., Hollywood, Fla. Kick off a healthy New Year at the 12 Annual FLIPANY Fun Run, Walk or Parade plus interactive Kids’ Zone. · Get Fit For the New Year on Saturday, Jan. 20 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Dania Beach PATCH, 1201 W. Dania Beach Blvd., Kick off the New Year by joining us at the Dania Beach PATCH for arts and crafts and educational workshop and more. · Seed Saving Workshop on Saturday, Jan. 20 at 9:30 a.m., at Dania Beach PATCH, Register for this free hands-on workshop featuring the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences. · Point-in-Time Homeless Count on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Saturday, Jan. 23-24 & 27. The Point-in-Time (PIT) Homeless Count is a countywide count of all people experiencing homelessness, both sheltered and unsheltered, during a 24-hour period. Have a group of 10 or more to be trained? Email Pitvolunteers@brhpc.org to request a personal training. · First Annual Healthy Broward Run and Walk on Saturday, April 7, at 7:30 a.m.., at Markham Park, 16001 State Rd., 84 Sunrise, Fla. Save the date and celebration National Public Health Week. Employers take the 5% challenge, get at least 5% of employees to sign up. Register by Saturday, March 24, 2018. For additional info call (954) 812-4199.

Bethel Miami Men atRisk Project provides free behavioral health prevention, intervention and treatment for Black/African AmericanS at risk for HIV, Substance Use and Mental Health Disorders in Miami Gardens- Annex Building on the campus of Bethel Family Enrichment Center.

For more info call (305) 6270396.

SUPPORT THE WESTSIDE GAZETTE NEWSPAPER BLACK PRESS. IS THE VOICE IN THE BLACK COMMUNITY. CALL FOR YOUR SUBSCRIPTION TODAY (954) 525-1489

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African-American Research Library and Cultural Center, 2650 Sistrunk Blvd., Fort Lauderale, Fla. For more info call (954) 3576210. · On Display: Carlton B. Moore: Life and Legacy of a Public Servant Prearranged group tours available during library hours: Youth tours, (954) 357-6209 Adult tours, (954) 357-6224 · Mondays in January - Adult Literacy Classes from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Call for more info (954) 357-6157. · Thursday, Jan. 18 - “Introduction to Job Searching” from 11 a.m. Course will guide you through an assessment of your personal strengths. Learn how to use the Internet to search for jobs and learn effective skills for interviewing and follow-up.

Basic Windows, Word, Internet and Email skills are required.

Must pre-register. · Saturday, Jan. 20 - Library Databases from 1 to 2:30 p.m.

Use Digital Divide tablets available to residents and co-sponsored

by T-Mobile and Broward Municipal Services District (BMSD).

Find articles/books for research. Pre-registration required.

For additional information and for Free classes being offered at other library locations call (954) 357- 6236, or inquire at the Computer or Reference Information Desk.

YOUTH SERVICES Call Youth Services Department (YS) at (954) 357-6209 if you have any questions about the following programs and to preregister if needed. · Monday Tuesday Wednesday - Free Homework Help: After school help with homework for grades K-12 from 3 to 5 p.m.

For more info call (954) 357-6209 · Tuesday, Jan. 23 - Pre-school Storytime from 10:30 to 11:15 a.m., · Now through 31 -- NEA Big Read On Display: Hispaniola’s Butterflies - View a collection of books and pictures featuring some of the more than 200 species of butterflies and moths found in the Dominican Republic and Haiti. · Thursday, Jan. 18 “The movie’s good, but the book’s better” 4 to 5 p.m. for ages 13+. Learn and discuss young adult books that have been turned into movies. Prizes will be awarded for correctly naming movie clips. · Monday, Jan. 22 - NEA Big Read? “Butterfly Crafts” from 5:30 to7:30 p.m. Color or create a butterfly for display at the li· · Thursday, Jan. 25 - My Family and I: An Introduction to Genealogy at 11 a.m. An introduction to online genealogy to help you learn the program vocabulary, get organized and begin to sort through all the possibilities. · Saturday, Jan. 27 - Resume Writing from 1 to 2:30 p.m., Using Digital Divide tablets available to residents and co-sponsored by T-Mobile and Broward Municipal Services District (BMSD). This workshop provides processes for creating an effective résumé. Pre-registration required, call (954) 357-6228? brary or to take home. Kids of all ages. · Tuesday, Jan. 30 - Family Fun Afternoon from 4 to 5:30 p.m. The Beatles Remembered: The Beatles’ last performance was 49 years ago today. Work on Beatles jigsaw puzzles and answer trivia while we listen to classic Beatles tunes. Light refreshments served.

2018 Black History Month Essay Contest - Theme: “Hidden Figures - Yesterday and Today” Open to all students in grades 4-12 who live or attend school in Broward County (including home-schooled students). Prizes sponsored by Best Buy in Dania. Please visit your local library for an official entry form and complete details. All entries are due on February 16, 2018 - so get started NOW! Auxiliary aids for communication available by calling (954) 357-6224 or (954) 357-6246 (TTY). Visit us online at Broward.org/ Library Save the Date: #DestinationFridays “Mardi Gras”, Feb 2, from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Admission is $10 and includes food, beverages and entertainment. Event is for 21 and over and guests are encouraged to wear wacky costumes, a Masquerade Mask or dressed-to-impress in Green, Gold and Purple. Visit Fridays.Broward.org.

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A Proud Paper For A Proud People

JANUARY 18, - JANUARY 24, 2018 • PAGE 5

Thir ear Old Entr epr eneur T ur ns Education A bout Afr ican Thirttheen-y heen-year Entrepr epreneur Tur urns About African Her it ag e Int o An Ar ts & Cr af ts Business Herit itag age Into Arts Craf afts N A T I O N W I D E (BlackNews.com) — Thinking about starting a business as a youth these days reaches farther into the creative realm than a lemonade stand or mowing lawns. Children today are discovering ways to educate and make a difference in how the story is told and sold.

Meet Kalimah McKeaver, 13, founder & CEO of Dinkra Stylez, LLC and The Kid Griot.

Dinkra Stylez is the world’s first craft design firm with the mission of educating its clients about African Heritage through the creation of fun, colorful, and engaging products. The idea and inception of starting

this business arose when Kalimah couldn’t find engaging resources to complete a school project on the Ancient Empires of Ghana. The research materials were very dull and boring and did not peak her interest at all.

She was however very fascinated with the content she read and discovered. She wanted to ensure others would have access to the rich and inspirational history she was uncovering, but in a more fun, colorful, and engaging manner.

At that moment Dinkra Stylez was born.

As a kid entrepreneur, clay sculptor, and teen historian, Kalimah started her trek as a

FIGHTING STIGMA (Cont'd from FP) class being excluded from a trip to the Statue of Liberty when parents of other children voiced concerns that these recent immigrants would expose their children to HIV. One of my aunts was quarantined after she returned from a trip abroad.

Although she had been living in the United States for years, she still carried a Haitian passport, so the hospital staff assumed that she had HIV when she presented with what was, in fact, malaria. Harmful policies continued long after science would suggest that we knew better; immigrants living with HIV were not admitted into the U.S. until 2009.

Of course, Trump’s alleged statements also stigmatized people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA), by insinuating that they would be unworthy candidates for immigration to the U.S. Similar to Haitian immigrants, PLWHA have also been disenfranchised by a history of stigma. HIV criminalization laws exist in 23 states. This administration has not set an HIV

agenda and actually disbanded the President’s Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS right before the new year.

The attacks on health care showed disregard for the health of PLWHA, especially people of color and low-income people.

My aunt once noted that “even when you change the list, stigma returns and it can flare up at any time.” Stigma feeds on itself and manifests in dehumanization and the creation of callous policies. In November, right before Thanksgiving, the end of Temporary Protected Status for Haitians was announced, leaving 60,000 people unsure of their future within the United States.

HIV advocates know that at certain points, communities must mobilize not only against policies but also against ignorance and hate, which threaten their very humanity. In 1990, Haitian Americans and their allies marched across the Brooklyn Bridge to protest a ban on blood donations from Haitian Americans. Growing up, I heard stories about the palpable feeling of community rage and po-

young artisan entrepreneur at the age of 6, with a lemonade stand. Growing in thought and creativity with Dinkra Stylez, she was commissioned by the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African Art to conduct a workshop on how to make her handcrafted bowties. As a youth entrepreneur Ambassador for the Baltimore Children’s Business Fair, she presented her business and showed the correlation between science and the sculpting process of her craft.

The entrepreneurial journey has been fruitful for this young business visionary. She was accepted into the YEA (Young Entrepreneur Academy), a wer on that day. In retrospect, these stories taught me that harmful rhetoric begets harmful policies, but also that communities have the power to fight back.

The beginning of a new year often brings reflection and preparation. Jan. 1 is Haitian Independence Day, and we tend to spend a lot of time thinking about our ancestors. Similarly, HIV work, through its daily advocacy, honors those who were lost,. The lessons we must carry forward are clear: We cannot afford to risk dehumanizing one another as we fight dangerous policies. When we are defending our fundamental rights, we cannot splinter. Not only must we be unified in our resistance, but we must proactively shape the future we want. A future that does not vilify immigrants—or dehumanize them based on their perceived “worth” to the U.S.—also does not vilify PLWHA. When the next stigmatizing comments or policies come, we must meet them with a resounding unified resistance and counter them with a vision for a better tomorrow.

Marie-Fatima Hyacinthe is a mobilization coordinator for the Black AIDS Institute.

nation academy geared towards helping young entrepreneurs succeed, featured on WUSA9 DC News for the success of her entrepreneurial endeavors and aspirations, has a Pop Up shop at the Congress Heights Arts & Culture Center in Washington, D.C. and ranked as a TOP 5 finalists, at the TOFI International HERs Ownly Pitch Contest in Atlanta, Ga. With a strong pitch game, Kalimah had the distinct honor of being selected to work with The Home Shopping Network (HSN), after she pitched her products during the American Dreams Academy

in Washington, DC. Kalimah’s future aspirations include, helping other young entrepreneurs fulfill their goals and dreams. She says, “It motivates me when I help other kids rise and realize their amazing potential.”

With a love for STEM, she is currently brain-storming ideas, in hopes of developing a business plan that will allow her to combine her love of architecture, engineering, archaeology, and food chemistry into a thriving and successful business. “There are some many cool things to learn and explore, why limit myself to just one?”

Kalimah McKeaver, founder of Dinkra Stylez.

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

Entr epr eneur launches af for dable services to Entrepr epreneur affor fordable help Black-owned businesses incorporate, negotiate contracts, and more — Legal research and writing company expands to provide business writing and management for

busy entrepreneurs who wear many hats, and small businesses operating without a full-time staff. — N A T I O N W I D E (BlackNews.com) — Angela Majette, founder and owner of Just Write Legal, is expanding to include writing and management services for business. The company, which manages litigation for attorneys, will introduce new services designed to help entrepreneurs and small businesses with communications and administration.

“Over the past 19 years, I have worked closely with many entrepreneurs and business owners while collaborating with attorneys in business litigation, business formation, and transactional matters. Having analyzed tens of thousands of business records and documents, I realized that one area in which small businesses tend to be lacking is written communications,” says Majette.

Angela Majette, founder and owner of Just Write Legal.

Just Write Legal has been providing legal research and writing, litigation strategy, and case analysis services since 2002. The company revealed

that it began integrating business writing, contract administration, and mediation services for small business owners last year, and decided to officially expand in this area as the number of requests from business owners continued to grow.

Majette had this to say, “Effective communication is crucial for the success of any business.

Business writing requires both a comprehensive business understanding, and the ability to communicate in a concise, professional, and timely manner.

Creativity and style can also be important factors when the aim is to attract customers or investors. Our service allows business owners to focus on their product or service, while we focus on presenting the business in a polished manner in written communications.”

PAGE 6 • JANUARY 18 - JANUARY 24, 2018

Opinion

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

Race Forum Dear readers, The Westside Gazette is breaking our normal format and printing a “Town-Hall” style forum on race relations, consisting of a compilation of comments from some of our readers. In the words of our father and the founder of the Westside Gazette, “This paper will be black, it will be white, and it will be read.”

We want to and are encouraging open discourse between all people. We will never come together if we don’t at least attempt to walk in the footsteps of our brothers and sisters of all races.

Thanks to the inspiration of one of our courageous writers, Don Valentine, we are embarking on a much needed racial dialogue. This conversation is about racial views between Whites, Blacks, and Latinos. One of the issues of concern is “what causes Whites to seem so reluctant to discuss their views of Blacks in an open, candid manner.”

We’ve received responses from several people from various backgrounds. I think you will find the comments quite educational. Once you have read the forum, please email your thoughts and comments to wgproof@thewestsidegazette.com We will not censor any printable comments, and look forward to elevating this discourse. Let me encourage all of our readers to be forthright in your comments!

Yours in the struggle, Bobby R. Henry, Sr.

By Barbara Brink Well, that’s a pretty strident response. I can see her point to some degree—again, as I said, if you live in a diverse community, you’re less likely to think about other people’s color or ethnic background. In fact, the diversity makes life much more interesting— at least for me.

If you live in a predominantly white community and you’re a minority, then you’re probably going to experience racism on some level because you don’t look like everyone else and you may have different cultural/religious practices that are unfamiliar and perhaps frightening or threatening to the white community. I feel the white expression of rudeness and/or exclusion is really just the fear of the unknown. Of course, there are people who also want to feel they are in a position of power. Then the issue of respect comes into play.

This can happen to anyone, no matter whether you’re white, Black, brown, yellow, male, or female.

“He Said - She Said”

Race - Relations

By Stephaniee Washington and Don Valentine He Said: Leslie, your alumni from the University of Southern California. Well acclaimed for it’s academic caliber, but, with a student population of approximately 5% Blacks it is not exactly diverse. I graduated from an analogous environment at U.C. Berkeley. There we had a 3% Black population. Tell me why it is so difficult for Whites to candidly communicate with Black people? We attempted a random sampling of polling of White Americans to engage in discussion of their views on race relations. Since you're in South Dakota and I’m based in Miami that made for a good cross section of “Americana”.

She Said: Well Don, White people have an inability to candidly communicate because doing so would imply respect. I teach third year PharmD students. Many of them don’t look me in the eye and have often criticized both my teaching methods and content. They don’t believe they are prejudice .

So how dare we ask them to address, acknowledge or even understand prejudice and privilege.

He Said: My view is that White people are “Uber” sensitive to any admission of real time racial bias. The most offensive thing you can call a White person is “Racist”. That is why I think they treat the topic as “Radioactive” .

Here is another thing to consider.

Whites who were neutral before Trump may now be strident to racial diversity. (Especially if they’re Fox viewers.) Whites who haven’t been talked into hating might just play safe and stay mute rather than speaking up, depending on who is asking.

How do we as two educated Black professionals, engage our White peers into this discussion.

She Said: Open dialogue is only permeable if the recipient is still porous. If one has spent his life learning to hate or being desensitized to the plight of the Black race then the only way to begin such a discussion is through the ear, eyes and still penetrable hearts of the young. The dialog only has a chance if we begin there. It then replaces hate as the learned behavior.

By Lois Steiner This was just painful to read....so blatantly obvious that all of the racism is on YOUR and your friend’s side. I hesitate to speak for

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.

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all White people, partly because it is so offensive to read your stereotypical comments. However, if I could speak for my race, I would answer that the reason we don’t engage in your ‘race relations’ dialogue has nothing to do with respect.

Most of ‘us’ just don’t feel the need to explore our differences, since most of ‘us’ actually don’t think of ‘you’ as different from ‘us’. I find it pathetic that so much of your time is spent feeling wronged all the time, and assuming a lack of respect from any-one who doesn’t match your color. ‘We’ go about our lives, happily assuming that ‘you’ are doing the same.

Why is it so important to know what ‘We’ think?!? People who fan the race relations flames are the ones who have no respect, neither for themselves or for anyone different from themselves. That Is Racist.

By Nicole Nutting

By Vince Russo After reading that article, I’m sick of the “Race Card” being played. Black people should stop complaining about alleged racial bias and dragging out the 400 year old “Original Sin” every time things don’t go your way!

Why don’t you Black people “man up” and deal with the fact that life is not always fair? Get over yourselves.

Be productive citizens like us regular White folks.

You people need to quit whining about the isolated incidences of police abuse. Check the facts—more White people are accidentally shot by White cops than are Black folks. Don’t even get me started on that bigoted “Black Lives Matter” nonsense. All lives matter. Black people lives should matter more than everyone else? Give me a break.

Trump’s Comments Recall a Racist Past in Immigration Policy

By Jose-Antonio Orosco

My belief, based on personal experience, is that change starts with children. Whites who were fortunate enough to grow up in a multi-cultural environment don’t really GET what all the hubbub is about, because they never learned to see a color difference and attach negative connotations to it.

Those are the folks who might ask “Why are you whinging on about this?”, because for them it’s a nonissue. Ironically, it’s the Black community that teaches them racism, probably the opposite result from what you may have hoped to achieve with the dialogue. Keeping the race issue front and center isn’t necessarily guaranteed to help the cause, much like repeatedly picking a scab.

“White Fatigue” may play into this too. Many, possibly even most, Whites don’t condone slavery. Without knowing how to assuage your pain, that feeling of helplessness to change the past is wearing. My own ancestors never enslaved anything but a herd of hapless sheep, so why can’t we just get along in the here-and-now! Getting along IS the ultimate objective, no??

Public sentiment may make a change for the better when all the older racist White men finally pass on.

The younger generations are used to seeing mixed marriages, mixed-race babies, and they aren’t stuck in nostalgia for the “good old days” of separate drinking fountains.

The condemnation of Trump’s remarks on immigration has been swift and widespread. Most of the denunciations cast his ideas as seriously out of line with American ideals on immigration. The problem is that they aren’t really. From the very beginning of our nation, there has been a white nationalist core driving our immigration priorities. Even as we struggled to be a “nation of immigrants,” most of the people we allowed in were chosen on the basis of national origin from the “whitest” parts of Europe.

The first US naturalization law of 1790 required that anyone who wanted to become a citizen had to be a “free white person.” At its start, the Framers envisioned the US as a political society for members of a specific racial caste. This requirement stayed in place until the mid-20th century.

In 1924, the US passed the Johnson Reed Act, one of the most significant comprehensive immigration reform bills in our history. It limited the number of immigrants each year and those allowed were selected on the basis of their country of origin. Immigrants from North and Western Europe (such as Norway) had almost no restrictions on entering, while Southern and Eastern European immigrants were severely controlled. Immigration from Asia had been almost completely prohibited for several decades by this point.

(Read full story on www.thewestsidegazette.com)

‘A MOUTH FULL OF BILE’

By Pastor Rasheed Z Baaith

By Elizabeth Hughes The point about real time racial bias being difficult to face is entirely true. For educated Whites, it is offensive to be accused of racism. However, that doesn’t mean that they are not guilty of just that. I think the point that this topic is “radioactive” indicates that it MUST be faced.

Trump’s tenure in the White House has heightened tension along racial lines. This is both a horror and an opportunity for change. The idea of aiming to engage the younger population because they are more porous is a starting point. I truly believe that the only way to really understand one another’s views is to engage each other’s experience. That means seeing below the skin, but also understanding how skin color and life experience has informed that person’s experience.

There is no easy way to do this but head on and one-on-one.

In Canada, we do not seem to have the same degree of racial bias as in the USA, but our history is different. We marginalized Native Canadians, Chinese and East Indian citizens, some of whom came here to work but were denied citizenship and even paid a “head tax” to enter the country.

Sounds a little familiar, no?

“You know my friends, there comes a time when people get tired of being trampled by the iron fist of oppression.

There comes a time my friends when people get tired of being plunged across the abyss of humiliation, where they experience the bleakness of nagging despair.”

(Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. “A Testament of Hope: The Essential Writings and Speeches”) The President’s comments on immigration should come as no surprise to any of us. We have been taught that while man looks on the outside, God looks at the heart. It is time we not only looked at the heart of Donald Trump but accept what his heart reveals to us. That he has a heart full of hatred and intolerance and bigotry. Him denying and his supporters denying he is a racist will not change the reality of what his heart displays and his mouth endorses. Which is : President Trump is without question a racist.

And despite what the nephew of Dr. King said, and demonstrating to us he lacks the moral courage of his uncle, President Trump is the traditional racist. While he does not light torches, he ignites passions of xenophobia, while he does not burn wooden crosses, he does fan the flames of racial intolerance in those looking for reasons to justify their anger at people (Read full story on www.thewestsidegazette.com)

Don’t Ignore Racial Profiling in Traffic The Gantt Report Stops

By Perry E. Thurston Jr. There’s no doubt Florida needs a stronger law to address texting while driving. As a “secondary offense,” our current law does little to curb a practice that puts the lives of so many motorists and passengers at risk.

The Florida Legislature is poised to make the law a “primary offense,” meaning law enforcement can stop motorists and cite them specifically for texting while driving, something police now cannot do. The bill, SB 90, and its companion legislation, HB 33, are making its way through the legislature, and a final bill is expected to become law this year.

Stronger enforcement, the argument goes, saves lives. Unfortunately, the inequitable enforcement of wellmeaning traffic safety laws has made it difficult, if not impossible, for many Black and progressive legislators to support changing Florida’s texting while driving law.

Too many Black and Hispanic motorists are being pulled over, cited and, in some cases, harassed, under the pretext of a traffic stop. If the enforcement of our state’s seat belt laws is any indication, then efforts to tighten the texting while driving law could lead to similar abuses. Racial profiling in traffic stops remains an issue that must be addressed.

(Read full story on www.thewestsidegazette.com)

Honoring Martin Luther King Jr.’s Legacy MLK Jr.’s 2018 Legacy: Say ‘No’ to Evil, But ‘Yes’ to Unity and Freedom Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis Jr., says that we owe it to the memory and living legacy of Dr. King to strengthen and refortify all our national civil rights organizations.

By Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis, Jr. (President and CEO, NNPA) As the world community observes and celebrates the 89th birthday of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., it is important for Black America to assess how far we have come 50 years since the tragic brutal assassination of Dr. King in Memphis, Tennessee of April 4, 1968.

As a young worker for the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC), under the visionary leadership of Martin Luther King Jr. from 1963-1968 in North Carolina, I still have many vivid memories. I remember Dr. King’s admonition to “Stay focused on building an inclusive beloved community, and to not let evil in high places divert us from the pathway that will ensure freedom, justice and equality for all.”

Today, as we acknowledge and pay tribute to Dr. King’s freedom-fighting legacy, there are 47 million African (Read full story on www.thewestsidegazette.com)

Remembering the 1968 Memphis Sanitation Workers’ Strike Never Forget Why Martin Luther King, Jr. Was in Memphis.

Julianne Malveaux says that we must resist the current administration’s attempts to dehumanize all of workers.

By Julianne Malveaux (NNPA Newswire Columnist) Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. didn’t plan to get involved in the Memphis garbage workers strike. He hadn’t planned to be there on the fateful day when he was shot on April 4, 1968.

King was pressured to go the first time and found the garbage worker’s strike compelling. He promised to return, and felt it important to keep his word, despite a packed schedule.

Memphis was so very important, because the 1,300 Black men who worked in the city’s sanitation department were treated despicably. Two workers had been crushed in a gar(Read full story on www.thewestsidegazette.com)

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BUSINESS

A Proud Paper For A Proud People

JANUARY 18 - JANUARY 24, 2018 • PAGE 7

UNITY IN THE COMMUNITY DIRECTORY

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24 Hour Good Neighbor Service Se habla espanol

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I DON'T FLIP-FLOP GREEN BOIL PEANUTS BAGS $3.00 PAPER AND SOFT SHELL PECANS $4.00 GET ALL YOUR NUTS FROM

CALL FORD (954) 557-1203 T-Mobile’s Senior National Field and Operations Manager is home grown!

RICHARD L. MACON LICENSED FUNERAL DIRECTOR NOTARY OWNER 738 DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. BLVD. POMPANO BEACH, FL 33060 (954) 946-5525

Jacqueline (Jackie) Taylor, a Fort Lauderdale native, now occupies this prestigious post. She started working for TMobile as a sales representative in one of their local stores.

After moving up to store manager, Jackie set her mind on expanding her career.

She was promoted to regional auditor and the national auditor.

While mastering the complexities of these positions, Jackie set her goals time and time again to achieve further growth within the company.

She often moved to pursue her professional goals; doing so gave Jackie the opportunity to see and experience different states across the country from Florida to Niagara Falls, Texas and Washington State.

As she advanced within the company, Jackie caught the eye of T-Mobile’s top corporate executives. When the position of Senior National Field and Operations Manager came to be, one name continuously came up among discussions of prospects with the skills and experi-

Jacqueline (Jackie) Taylor ence to do the job: Jackie Taylor.

Jackie had not planned to serve T-Mobile in this capacity, so when she was offered the position, she was grateful. She also needed to give it some thought. But she didn’t think long before accepting this phenomenal opportunity.

Jackie is the daughter of Deborah Mizell and Johnny C. Taylor, Sr. She is a graduate of Plantation High School and attended Albany State University.

Jackie is the Senior National Field and Operations Manager for T-Mobile. Although she currently resides in Atlanta, she is home grown!

PAGE 8 • JANUARY 18 - JANUARY 24, 2018

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

Church Directory

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

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

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

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

Keep Their Memory alive with a Guestbook on www.thewestsidegazette.com share pictures, stories, even videos. The perfect tribute for someone speical.

Obituaries James C. Boyd Funeral Home

Roy Mizell & Kurtz Funeral Home

ROBERTS Funeral services for the late Dora Roberts – 101.

BLOCKER Funeral services for the late Bobbie Jean Freeman Blocker – 76 were held Jan 13 at First Baptist Church Piney Grove with Dr. Derrick J. Hughes officiating.

Interment: Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens-Central.

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.

Reverend Jimmy L. English PASTOR WORSHIP SERVICES Sunday Worship ............................................................. 8 a.m. & 11 a.m.

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

Wednesday (Prayer Service & Bible Study) ............................... 7:30 a.m.

Saturday (Women Bible Study) ............................................................ 8 a.m.

"Baptized Believers working together to do the will of God"

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A Proud Paper For A Proud People

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!

WILLIAMS Funeral services for the late Ida Lou Williams - 96 were held at Jan. 13 at James C. Boyd’s Memorial Chapel with Bishop L.L. Ward officiating. Interment: Sunset Memorial Gardens.

McWhite's Funeral Home

Harris Chapel United Methodist Church Rev. Stanley Melek, M.Div E-MAIL:stanley.melek@flumc.org 2351 N.W. 26th Street Oakland Park, Florida 33311 Church Telephone: (954) 731-0520

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

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

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

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

Rev. Cal Hopkins.

M.Div) Senior Pastor/Teacher

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

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

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

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

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

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

Victory Independent Baptist Church Pastor Keith & Sister Maria Cunningham 2241 Davie Blvd.

Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312 Church Telephone: (754) 214-6753 Visit: www.victoryweb.org

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

SundaySchool………………………..........................................................................................................9:45a.m.

WorshipServiceSundayMorning………………………..................................................................11:00a.m.

SundayEveningService………………………………………..............................................................................6:00p.m.

Wednesday Evening Bible Study & Prayer……………..........................................................7:00 p.m.

Saturday Morning Soul Winning/Visitation……………….....................................................10:00 a.m.

Men’s Fellowship (Every 2nd & last Tuesdays)………….....................................................6:00 p.m.

Ladies Fellowship (the last Saturday of each month)……..........................................5:00 p.m.

5th Sunday – Family Fellowship (April 30, 2017)……………………..................................... .5:00 p.m.

YouthFellowship(EveryFriday)………………………….....................................................................6:30p.m.

Discover GOD Let Us Help You Find The Way To Jesus Christ

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

Mount Hermon A.M.E. Church

401 N.W. 7th Terrace, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33311 Phone: (954) 463-6309 - FAX 954 522-4113 Office Hours: Tues. - Fri. 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Email: infor@mthermonftl.com

SUNDAY CHURCH SERVICES

www.mtzionmbc1161.com

Dr. James B. Darling, Jr., Pastor/Teacher WORSHIP SERVICES Worship Service ............................................................................................................ 10:15 a.m.

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

Communion Service (1st Sunday) ........................................................................... 10:15 a.m.

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

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

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

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

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

Rev. George A. Hardy, Pastor SERVICES Sunday Church School ................................................................... 8:45 a.m.

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

Tuesday Night (Family Prayer & Bible Study) ........................... 7:00 p.m.

Wednesday (Prayer Conference Line) ................................................ 8:00 p.m.

(Dail (786) 233-6715 - Acess Code 703513) Oakland Park CDC (Senior Activity Center) Daily ............10 a.m. & 2:00 p.m.

Those who walk with God, always reach their Destination

YOUNG Funeral services for the late Bobie Young – 78 were held Jan. 12 at First Baptist Church Piney Grove with Pastor Derrick J. Hughes officiating. Interment: Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens Central.

By Carey Kinsolving

Rev Henry E. Green, Jr. PASTOR

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

WOODARD Funeral services for the late Vincent C. Woodard - 22 were held Jan. 13 at Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church with Pastor Jimmy Witherspoon officiating.

Interment: Sunset Memorial Gardens.

MCGOWAN Funeral services for the late Cleola C. McGowan - 89 were held Jan. 15 at New Mount Olive Baptist Church with Dr. Marcus D. Davidson officiating. Interment: Lauderdale Memorial Park.

How Do We Know Jesus Came From Heaven On A Mission From His Father (John 8:12-20)?

SCHEDULE OF SERVICES 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.

Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church

JONES Funeral services for the late Bernadette Jones – 59 were held Jan. 13 at McWhite’s Funeral Home Chapel with Bishop Timothy Jackson officiating. Interment: Forest Lawn Central.

FLOURNOY Funeral services for the late Luereen Walker Flournoy – 103 were held Jan. 13 at New Mount Olive Baptist Church with Dr. Marcus D. Davidson officiating. Interment: Sunset Memorial Gardens.

Gospel Legend Edwin Hawkins passes away Kids Talk About God

SUNDAY

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

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

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

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

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

(712) 432-1500- Access Code296233#

EDWARDS Funeral services for the late Willard Edwards - 78 were held Jan. 13 at McWhite’s Funeral Home Chapel.

COOPER Funeral services for the late Eliza Cooper – 93 were held Jan. 15 at New Hope Baptist Church with Rev. Ricky Scott officiating. Interment: Sunset Memorial Gardens.

From PraisePhilly Gospel Pioneer & Grammy winner Edwin Hawkins passed away.

Hawkins died early Monday (Jan.15) at his home. He had been suffering from pan-

(Erika Goldring / Getty) creatic cancer according to his publicist.

The Edwin Hawkins Singers crossed Gospel into the pop world with their song, “Oh Happy Day.” It went on to become a top 10 hit and won the Grammy for best soul gospel performance.

R&B Singer Denise LaSalle has died at 78 JACKSON, Tenn. (AP) — Singer and songwriter Denise LaSalle, whose hit “Trapped by a Thing Called Love” topped the R&B charts in 1971, has died. She was 78.

Musician and producer Lawrence “Boo” Mitchell, owner of Royal Studios in Memphis, Tennessee, and a close family friend of LaSalle’s, said Tuesday that the singer died in Jackson, Tennessee. Another family friend, Howard Rambsy, said she died Monday night at a hospital, surrounded by family.

(Read full story on www.thewestsidegazette.com)

When it comes to where we will spend eternity, God doesn’t want us to gamble. Therefore, Jesus banished all doubt by fulfilling a mission predicted by Hebrew prophets hundreds of years before his miraculous birth in Bethlehem.

“Gambling is the surest way of getting nothing for something,” wrote Wilson Mizner.

By bringing us into this world, God gives us something. If we’re not careful to consider Jesus’ mission, we can leave this world like a foolish gambler with nothing.

“We know Jesus came from Heaven because of all the prophecies,” says Iva, 11. “People said in the Old Testament that God would send his Son who would rise from the dead, and Jesus matched all the prophecies. Jesus completed his mission by dying for us and saving us from our sins.”

There are more than 60 distinct prophecies in the Old Testament concerning the messiah. Professor Peter Stoner of Westmont College calculated the odds at 1017 to 1 of one man fulfilling only eight messianic prophecies. That’s one chance in 100 quadrillion! It would be like giving a blind-folded person one try to find one marked silver dollar in a two-foot sea of silver dollars covering the entire State of Texas.

“Only Jesus has prophecies made hundreds of years in advance made literally true,” said Dr. Norman Geisler, Bible scholar and author of more than 50 books.

“The Bible records the most important events in the universe, including Jesus dying on the cross,” says Sophia, 9. “That was his mission.”

I’m constantly amazed at the blank faces I see when I ask people what Jesus meant when he said, “It is finished,” as he died on the cross. When I encounter that blank stare, I ask, “What was his mission?” Sometimes, but too rarely, I hear, “He died for our sins.”

At the beginning of Jesus’ ministry, he attended a wedding feast with his disciples. When his mother told him they had run out of wine, Jesus said, “My hour has not yet come” (John 2:4).

Jesus knew that if he turned the water into wine publicly, it would accelerate his mission, which was his death to pay for our sins. Therefore, he performed the miracle privately.

Years later, after Jesus rode triumphantly on a donkey into Jerusalem, he said, “The hour has come that the Son of Man should be glorified,” (John 12:23).

Now, Jesus performed miracles publicly. A few days before riding into Jerusalem, he raised Lazarus from the dead.

(Read full story on www.thewestsidegazette.com)

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A Proud Paper For A Proud People

JANUARY 18, 2018 - JANUARY 24, 2018 • PAGE 9

Following Death of Erica Garner, National Civil Rights Groups Renew Call forAttorney General Jeff Sessions to Press Charges in The 2014 Death Of Eric Garner Call for Action Comes as Family Holds Funeral Service for Erica Garner, Daughter of the Late Eric Garner and Vocal Advocate for Police Reform WASHINGTON, D.C.— The Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law and the National Action Network on Monday called on Attorney General Jeff Sessions to present an indictment against New York City Police Department Officer Daniel Pantaleo for the 2014 death of Eric Garner. The renewed call for action comes in light of the recent and tragic death of Erica Garner, daugh-

ter of Eric Garner and prominent civil rights activist who opposed police brutality.

The 2014 death of Eric Garner, an unarmed AfricanAmerican man who was placed in a chokehold by Officer Pantaleo and could be heard on video repeatedly saying “I can’t breathe,” sparked a nationwide movement for police accountability and criminal justice reform. An autopsy by New York

City’s medical examiner ruled Eric Garner’s death a homicide, yet the federal investigation into his death remains stalled, delaying justice to the Garner family.

In their letter sent to Attorney General Sessions Monday, the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law and National Action Network call on DOJ to conclude its pending criminal investigation and pre-

Museums And The Marathon Man: Do Black Museums Get The Recognition They Deserve?

— In the first of a series of articles, Professor Bentley Whitfield focuses on the tremendous value and role of small American museums - educational institutions that outnumber all Starbucks and McDonalds combined in the USA. He explores visiting museums while discussing a journey to regain his health. –

Professor Bentley Whitfield N A T I O N W I D E (BlackNews.com) — The Washington Post article by Christopher Ingraham (June 13th, 2014) says it all: “There are more museums in the U.S.

than there are Starbucks and McDonalds – combined.” Quite accurately we think of museums as important cultural and educational institutions; however, they are also quiet superstars of the entertainment industry.

According to The American Alliance of Museums (AAM), with over 800 million live visits annually, their attendance exceeds that of all theme parks and major sporting events combined. But America’s museums are much more than popular and numerous; they are cultural and educational gems that play a vital role. They are community elders that tell the stories of our American neighborhoods. Mamie Bittner with The Institute of Museum and Library Studies (IMLS) stated in the Washington Post article: Many of these institutions, particularly in small towns and

rural areas, are historical societies and history museums.

“We are in love with our history - at a very grassroots level we care for the histories of our towns, villages and counties,” The story of how I came to visit and admire so many small museums begins nearly eight years ago when I faced a scary scenario. Diagnosed with prostate cancer my doctor’s instructions were clear and blunt. “We caught this thing very early; lose some weight but by year’s end take care of this.” Taking care of this meant either an operation or radiation. He was confident that either procedure would be sufficient; nevertheless, I was scared as hell.

When you hear that diagnosis, “you have cancer”, a thousand things race through your mind all at once, yet somehow the whole world stops at the same time. What are the treatment

Opportunities for Blacks in the Oil Industry (Cont'd from FP) career and business opportunities in the petrochemical industry and he’s committed to increasing awareness about those prospects in the Black and Hispanic communities.

API is a national trade association that represents all facets of the oil and natural gas industry, according to the group’s website, and its membership includes “large integrated companies, as well as exploration and production, refining, marketing, pipeline, and marine businesses, and service and supply firms.”

In 2015, the natural gas industry supported more than 4 million jobs across the U.S. “from production to end uses such as manufacturing,” the State of American Energy 2018 report said. “The number is expected to rise to 6 million jobs by 2040.”

Gerard said that if you look at the energy industry, in general, there are still emerging opportunities for new job creation, low-cost affordable energy, and export markets.

“The sky is the limit, to some degree, in our ability to expand and grow and I think that’s

exciting, particularly from the job perspective side,” said Gerard. “What we’re trying to do is broaden our base particularly in the Black community about the opportunities that are available.”

That’s why Gerard has committed to speaking to students at historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) to dispel some of the myths about the petrochemical industry; some believe that many of the jobs are on oil rigs in Texas or Oklahoma.

“We’ve got to find those partnerships, everything from individual students, who are just rising up to begin to consider their own careers, to small businesses to opportunities all the way up to the C-suite,” said Gerard.

People who work in the oil and natural gas industry are engineers, accountants, and designers; they work in marketing, finance and transportation, Gerard said Gerard said that the Black Press can play a number roles in educating the Black community about the opportunities in the oil and natural gas industry.

“We need to identify African American leaders currently in the oil and natural gas industry and profile them; let them talk about their successes, let them share their stories with others,” said Gerard. “We also have to continue our efforts to reach out and educate the community so that people just don’t think that [only a handful of people] got lucky. No, no these opportunities are for everybody.”

The president and CEO of API also said that the oil and natural gas industry must do a better job with communicating a clear message about the impact of the industry on everyday life.

The 2018 State of American Energy report noted that everything from artificial heart valves and air bags to seat belts and astronaut’s space suits are made with petroleum-based products.

Gerard added that the contributions of the oil and natural gas industry extend to the ubiquitous smartphones that millions of Americans use every day.

“The majority of the products and the components in that

sent charges to Officer Pantaleo without further delay.

“Erica Garner’s heart was broken over three years ago when the justice system failed to provide her any kind of justice for her father,” said Rev. Al Sharpton, president and founder of National Action Network.

“After her father’s death, Erica committed her life to her father’s memory and we find it unacceptable that she was not able to see justice in her short lifetime. We must continue to fight to end police brutality and we will not rest until we do so.” options... I have to research each treatment... I have to research the surgeons... what if I don’t make it... what happens to my wife... what happens to my family... I want this thing out of me... how do you research this stuff... I want this done before the end of the year... why me... why not me. My mind was racing, racing, racing. Who do I tell? When do I tell them?

Should I tell them? My mind was just racing, racing, racing.

It was June 2010. I was 54 years old, a professor, husband and father. Earlier that year my wife had been hospitalized for 34 days. Should I tell my wife? Would this aggravate her condition? She was already worried about being unemployed. Do I tell her? Our three sons were all in high school and doing reasonably well; the oldest would start college in the fall. Out of worry would my oldest boy forgo his athletic scholarship to stay home with his ailing parents? Even if he did go to college, if he knew I was battling cancer how would this affect him academically?

Who should I tell? Do I tell my boys? Do I tell everyone? Do I tell no one?

(Read full story at: www.thewestsidegazette.com) smartphone come to you via petroleum products, natural gas and oil,” said Gerard. “Without natural gas and oil, you couldn’t build that smartphone the way you use it today, even down to the circuitry that makes it such a high-tech instrument.”

Gerard said that it’s important that African Americans turn their focus toward the oil and natural gas industry, because the career and business opportunities will only continue to grow.

“We’ve got a lot of African American groups that are apart of our strategy to better understand those interests and secondarily how to communicate and educate [the Black community] about those opportunities,” said Gerard. “We just have to stay at it; we have to persevere. We can’t get frustrated after six months, and say ‘well, its not working as fast as we would like it to.’”

Gerard continued: “These are long-term objectives. We’re already gaining some traction.

These are generational challenges that don’t [change] overnight. We’ve got to keep pushing the understanding and the opportunity in the African American community.”

THIS SEASON’S DEADLY FLU: 5 THINGS TO KNOW NOW (Cont'd from FP) older than 50 and children younger than 5.

In California, which is among the hardest-hit states, the virus struck surprisingly early this season. The state’s warmer temperatures typically mean people are less confined indoors during the winter months. As a result, flu season usually strikes later than in other regions.

Health experts aren’t sure why this season is different.

“We’re seeing the worst of it right now,” said Dr. Randy Bergen, a pediatrician who is leading Kaiser Permanente-Northern California’s anti-flu effort.

“We’re really in historic territory, and I just don’t know when it’s going to stop.” (Kaiser Health News, which produces California Healthline, is not

affiliated with Kaiser Permanente.)

Here are five things you should know about this flu season: 1. It’s shaping up to be one of the worst in recent years.

The H3N2 influenza A subtype that appears to be most prevalent this year is particularly nasty, with more severe symptoms including fever and body aches. Australia, which U.S. public health officials follow closely in their flu forecasting — in part because their winter is our summer — reported a recordhigh number of confirmed flu cases in 2017. Another influenza B virus subtype also is circulating, “and that’s no fun, either,” Bergen said.

Flu season in the U.S. typically starts in October and ends in May, peaking between December and February.

2. This season’s flu vaccine is likely to be less effective than in previous years.

U.S. flu experts say they won’t fully know how effective this season’s vaccine is until the it’s over. But Australia’s experience suggests effectiveness was only about 10 percent. In the U.S., it is 40 to 60 percent effective in an average season. Vaccines are less protective if strains are different than predicted and unexpected mutations occur.

3. You should get the flu shot anyway.

Even if it is not a good match to the virus now circulating, the vaccine helps to ease the severity and duration of symptoms if you come down with the flu.

Children are considered highly vulnerable to the disease. Studies show that for children a shot can significantly reduce the risk of dying.

High-dose vaccines are recommended for older people, who also are exceptionally vulnerable to illness, hospitalization and death related to the flu, according to the CDC. “Some protection is better than no protection,” Bergen said, “but it’s certainly disappointing to have a vaccine that’s just not as effective as we’d like it to be.

Shots may still be available from your doctor or local health clinic, as well as at some chain drugstores. Check the Vaccine Finder website for a location near you.

4. Basic precautions may spare you and your family from days in bed.

As much as possible, avoid people who are sick. Wash your hands frequently and avoid (Read full story at: www.thewestsidegazette.com)

Erica Garner speaking.

“As Erica Garner is laid to rest, the exacting toll that police violence has on families and communities can no longer be ignored. The federal investigation into the death of Eric Garner was launched over three years ago and, to date, no officer has been held accountable,” said Kristen Clarke,

president and executive director of the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law. “Justice was denied to the late Erica Garner and can no longer be delayed for the Garner family. The Department of Justice must conclude its investigation and immediately present charges against Officer Pantaleo to a grand jury.”

African American Quilt Artist (Cont'd from FP) traditional multi-colored patchwork made with ancestors clothing from the early 20th century, remains in good condition.

Pansy is true to the art of quilting. All of her quilts are handmade and stitched by hand. The average quilt is 8 feet by 7 feet, takes about 350 hours to make and averages about million hand stitches.

Whether it is quilt art for the wall, a traditional or contemporary quilt for the bed or a family heirloom, they are all embedded with love, color and herstory.

Pansy’s quilt making experience came full circle when she had the opportunity to display her quilts at the African American Cultural and Research Li-

brary, Fort Lauderdale, Fla in August 2007 during a reception honoring Ladies of Gee’s Bend Quilters.

Pansy has donated quilts for special causes, for example to Jessie Trice Community Health Foundation, a family honoring the scholastic achievement of a loved one and a family remembrance of a loved one.

Pansy is quick to tell you that her children treasure and enjoys the beauty of her one of a kind creations but are not interested in learning how to quilt. She remains hopeful though; One of her granddaughters shares her passion and helps piece quilts sometimes and sew it is…

Pansy is available for shows and interviews. Please contact via email: quiltsbypansy@gmail.com

Can crippled Americans (Cont'd from FP) be entitled to the rights, welfare and civil liberties extended to those considered privileged. You know: a nice home, a good job, great schools and neighborhoods free from crime, etc…etc...etc…

So like the beggar who sat at the gate, we come to the voting sites begging to get a piece of this good life by casting our votes. And, also like the beggar we couldn’t come on our own. We had to be brought and placed there by others who may have ulterior motives by offering us their political platforms of deceitfulness.

Yes, taking advantage of cripples seems to have been around for a long time. Taking something, maybe a part of the alms that the beggar got that day or the satisfaction of knowing that the beggar could be looked down on and could not maneuver unless the politrickians assisted him, making him dependent upon the politrickians for his welfare could be equated with the aim of most politrickians today.

Crippled Americans crawling at the voting polls begging for alms.

What is a crippled American you might ask? My answer to you would be one who has been deprived and disenfranchised, led with falsehoods and yet they are required to perform at or above the standards of the norm.

The scripture says that the man was carried and was placed at the gate. We don’t know if the crippled man wanted to go beg or not. Maybe he wanted to be self- sufficient. But if those that carried him were politrickians, he was under their manipulation and would be crippled for life.

Something strange happened when the beggar met the disciples Peter and John, who were going into the temple to pray.

These two politicians were on the right side. They were willing to make the crippled man whole (equal), allowing him to be able to partake in the good life at his own leisure and with no hooks attached.

And he, leaping up, stood and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking and leaping and praising God. Acts 3:8 Politics do not mean that disenfranchised and povertyridden societies have to exist and people who do not vote for you should be driven by the necessity of survival on its own, barely alive, living in squalor.

We can better our society when we better ourselves. We become better when we begin to look after those who are crippled by societal perfidiousness. When we don’t look down on them and use them but give them a hand to pull themselves up on.

Can crippled Americans be made whole? “Yes we can”! We are not sitting at the gate begging; we are standing in the poll booths making a difference by voting. We do understand that “A voteless people is a hopeless people.”

“By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” — John 13:35 GOD’S LOVE DOES NOT PUNISHES BECAUSE YOU DIDN’T VOTE FOR HIM

PAGE 10 • JANUARY 18 - JANUARY 24, 2018

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A Proud Paper For A Proud People

Heat center Hassan Whiteside responds to decreased role in Miami In his last game, Whiteside played just under 20 minutes.

Spoelstra subbed Whiteside out with about six minutes left in the third quarter. He sat the rest of the game and saw how the Chicago Bulls snapped the Heat’s seven-game winning streak.

Coach Spoelstra seems to make substitutions and decide who plays according to match-

By Jorge Cantu Since returning from a left knee injury, Hassan Whiteside has played in 10 games for the Miami Heat. The starting center is yet to play 30 minutes or more in any of those 10

LEGAL NOTICES PUBLICATION OF BID SOLICITATIONS Broward County Board of County Commissioners is soliciting bids for a variety of goods and services, construction and architectural/engineering services. Interested bidders are requested to view and download the notifications of bid documents via the Broward County Purchasing website at: www.broward.org/purchasing.

January 4, 11, 18, 25, 2018

Mock Jurors Earn a minimum $110 upon completion Spend 6-10 hrs on a given wkday night, wkday or wkend serving as a juror in a mock trial to evaluate settlement of an actual court case. If you have a valid FL DL or State I.D.,a U.S. Citizen, and eligible to vote, enroll with us on: SIGNUPDIRECT.COM (please fill out on line form completely for consideration) or only if you do not have access to a computer Call: 1-800-544-5798. (On-line sign up preferred). *****Mock Trials will be held in Lake Worth.

January 18, 25, 2018

75

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For more info call (954) 525-1489

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LIBRA-This week your honest acceptance of yourself will give you a power of both grandeur and humility. People will approach you for advice. You are capable of seeing clearly what it is that troubles them. This week be a counselor. In that you will find your prize. I rejoice because of who I know myself to be.-34, 51, 52

ARIES-Be especially sensitive to your spirit and your intuition this week. They are your sixth sense that will alarm you of a situation that you should avoid. You’ll also be alerted to meet a new person who will be important to your personal life in the near future. Expect the unexpected from your lover. New intuitions create new plans and a new cast of characters. 4 12, 17

SCORPIO-This week others might mistake your gift for something else. They may not be able to see it but your inner strength is very available to you this week. Fill the workplace with warmth as soon as you enter. Let peace radiate from your inner glow. Love is the greatest gift I can give. 7, 16, 33

TAURUS-Do not feel alone in facing your tumultuous circumstances this week. Call upon your support system and do not be afraid to ask for help. Your ability to reach out will be a strong sign of courage. The people closest to you will feel a new respect for you. When I reach out in love someone is always there.-8, 24, 32 SAGITTARIUS-Someone influential is watching you at work this week. Get your work done as you think about celebrating your GEMINI-Do not narrow your options by accepting any harmonious vibrations in the evenings in secluded time with your offer that is put on the table this week. Internalize the situation and discover how resourceful you are and lover. Think about being uninhibited in your celebration and you capitalize on your own strengths and ability make things will radiate joy in you work place and no one will know the reason. happen. Don’t underestimate yourself, especially this My focus is good for making those decisions important to my week! The wisdom of the ages is revealed as my spirit. 12, career. 14, 16, 19 32, 48 CANCER-Love, joy and hope fill the air around you this week. Three of the greatest intangible assets that one can experience will be given to you in abundance this week.

Use them to overcome the bad vibes being given out by a co-worker this week. Hope is future’s way of shining on me this week. 1, 23, 42

CAPRICORN-Emotional well-being is as important to happiness as physical health. Cool it this week. Give yourself a break.

Problems are learning experiences. Make sure you keep that in mind as you face a challenge in the financial area of your life this week. Know that highs and lows bring balance to life and balance signifies well-being. Money is my good friend this week. 4, 21, 55 AQUARIUS-This week is your week to shine! Let nothing get in the way of your light. You have an energy inside of you that can light the path at work. Now is the time to let your inner glow radiate out to co-workers. Others are in need of your inner strength. Let love dominate your week. I move ahead joyfully in practical matters.

3, 46, 47

VIRGO-Take the time this week for self-reflection.

There is something about yourself that you are not seeing clearly. Remember now and whenever you examine your inner self to celebrate your strengths, for you have so many, and to accept your weaknesses as necessary, you are rewarded. When I am clear about whom I am, the world becomes clearer. 6: 8, 47

38

PROFILES

JANUARY 18- JANUARY 24, 2018

LEO-Live this week especially in a celebratory mode and count your blessings for you are wealthy in ways that are above materialistic levels. Do not dwell on the financial situation in which you find yourself this week. Be ecstatic about the little pleasures that bring you laughter and gladness in your life! When I give thanks for what I have, I lose all sense of what is missing. 7, 28, 31

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we were getting it back. We got it to six and then they made bigger plays down the stretch.�

Whiteside had recorded four straight double-doubles before Monday’s game and could not extend the stretch to five. Spoelstra said he did not look at those things when making decisions in-game:

MIAMI RED

WHITESIDE contests. He averages 24 minutes per game in this span, contributing 12.2 points, 9.8 rebounds, one assist, and two blocks on 50 percent shooting.

Those stats are certainly not bad, but they are down from the 27 minutes, 14.9 points, and 12.7 rebounds through the rest of his games this season.

Not only is he playing less, but he has also been benched for the whole fourth quarter in five of his last 10 games.

According to Tom D’Angelo from Palm Beach Post, Whiteside spoke about the topic saying: “It’s whatever [head coach Erik Spoelstra] wants. That’s what Coach Spo wants to do, that’s the lineup he wants to go with. ‌ he thinks is going to get us the win. I can’t do nothing about it.â€?

ups. When asked about Whiteside sitting in the fourth quarter, Spoelstra said: “It goes however it goes.

We didn’t get the job done.

That’s the bottom line. We were in a hole. At that point, you got to make whatever decisions you can make to try to get back into the game. It looked like

“I actually don’t care about his double-doubles at all. It has nothing to do with that. Sometimes he gets confused by that barometer. It has everything to do with winning plays and making an impact to help your team win.�

The coach’s decisions seem to be working out well when looking at the big picture. Miami is now sitting fourth in the Eastern Conference standings, only one game behind the Cleveland Cavaliers.

JANUARY 18

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www.thewestsidegazette.com

On the Scene with Crystal Chanel

A Proud Paper For A Proud People

JANUARY 18, - JANUARY 24, 2018 • PAGE 11

After #MeToo, I hope #Not I

CHANEL In conjunction with #MeToo, I applaud the Tower Forum for hosting their monthly breakfast on the topic of “Harassment: A

Power Play”. The Tower Forum, founded in 1976, is comprised of Broward County’s business and civic leaders who host thought-provoking discussions highlighting political and social issues.

According to nytimes.com though, Tarana Burke, a woman of color, began using the phrase Me Too in 1997 to help victims of sexual assault cope.

Burke, the Founder of Just Be Inc., continued to use the phrase long before hashtags became a thing. However, when actress Alyssa Milano took #Metoo to Twitter in October of 2017, the hashtag went viral instantly with reports of over 12 million

posts in 24 hours and celebrity endorsements from Lady Gaga, Ellen Degeneres, Oprah Winfrey and Gabrielle Union. #MeToo sparked conversations and shed light on America’s rape culture. It caused once notable men like Harvey Weinstein, Russell Simmons, Ben Affleck, and Bill Cosby to walk in public shame as sexual predators. Countless women broke their silence and began publicly telling their stories of survivorship collectively sending a strong message of #NoMore.

The Tower Forum’s breakfast, sponsored by Nova Southeastern University, featured a dynamic panel of accomplished

Cervical cancer is the 15th leading cause of cancer deaths among women in Florida

By Bob LaMendola Florida Department of Health in Broward

Cervical cancer is the 15th leading cause of cancer deaths among women in Florida, but it is the easiest gynecological cancer to prevent through screening, vaccination and lifestyle changes.

Starting in January, which is Cervical Cancer Awareness Month, the Florida Department of Health in Broward (DOHBroward) reminds women to visit a health provider regularly to be screened with a Pap test.

Also, young adults and adolescents should consider getting the vaccine against Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) from your provider or DOHBroward. Nearly all cervical cancers are caused by HPV, a common virus that is spread during sexual activity.

Broward County has higher rates of cervical cancer than the state. In 2014, 87 cases of the cancer were diagnosed in Broward – 47 percent at late stage when it is harder to treat successfully. In 2016, cervical cancer claimed 26 women’s lives in Broward.

Qualified women ages 50 to 64 who are underinsured can get a free Pap test – and follow

CJ the clown (Cont'd from FP) life while serving as an amazing a role model, in his community. However, these aforementioned things to know about Jackson, only tell a part of his story. After closer examination, a revealing story unfolds. You see this the 61 year-old educator has had more than a few tricks up his sleeve over the past three decades.

In 1987 Jackson decided to take his show on the road. He took his classroom experience with kids to another level to pursue another passion, one which involved entertaining the young and young at heart.

That’s when Jackson began his transformation into his persona, as CJ the Clown. Just mention the word clown brings a twinkle in his eyes.

His passion for “clowning” stems back to his earlier days in school where it often wasn’t as well received by his former teachers, as it is today. Now his performances are welcomed in schools and other venues that cater to children throughout South Florida.

Fast forward to today and you will find Jackson putting those “class clown” skills to good use. In addition Jackson has found time to author eight books on, of course the finer points on being a clown.

In an effort to give back to the community which has supported him over the years Jackson aka CJ the Clown, plans to take his act to the Broward County Main Library in downtown Fort Lauderdale with a performance that is absolutely free. CJ the Clown will be performing his act which includes elements of Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics (S.T.E.A.M). Not to mention traditional clown theatrics such as magic, face painting, juggling and every-

up doctor visits, if needed – from the Florida Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program. Call (954) 762-3649 to see if you qualify.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), here are easy ways to prevent or reduce the risk of cervical cancer: · Get HPV vaccine (two or three shots) between ages nine and 26 to prevent the virus.

Vaccine is recommended for boys and girls to prevent cancers of the cervix, mouth and throat. · See your health care provider regularly for a Pap test between ages 21 and 65.

The test looks for cell changes on the cervix that may become cancer if not treated. Your doctor can determine how often you need the test, depending

on family history and age. If your results are normal, you may need the test only once every three or five years. · Don’t smoke. · Limit the number of sexual partners. The risk of cervical cancer is higher for those who have early sexual activity.

Cervical cancer causes no symptoms in the early stages.

In later stages, it can cause abnormal bleeding, vaginal discharge and pain.

On Pap tests: http:// broward.floridahealth.gov/ programs-and-services/ clinical-and-nutritionservices/florida-breastcervical-cancer/index.html On HPV: www.cdc.gov/ vaccines/who/teens/vaccines/ hpv.html

thing else one would expect from a real live clown. The show is schedule on Saturday February 3, 2018. To find out more about his upcoming event or reach Jackson, he can be contacted by email atcejjr60@gmail.com.

Jackson aka CJ the Clown, recently sat down with the Westside Gazette Newspaper for an interview, to share some insight on his experiences over the years.

(Westside Gazette)-What made you want to be a clown?

Jackson-”Despite only having a sixth grade education my dad Charles Jackson, Sr., owned a chattahoochee and concrete business. It was great working with him and my brothers so; I got the business sense from him. But, I just didn’t want to do this when I got this age. It was hard physical work and I used to read a lot of comic books. My brother used to buy comic books and I used to read them. So, I had a vivid imagination. I was looking for a profession that I could do myself. I decided to go to the Comedy Strip on Open Mic Night. I did well during my three minute routine, the manager wanted more. However they talked about God so bad that I decided I wanted something more family oriented. I ran across a book written by three Christians on clowning. So from the book I learned make-up, juggling and all the clown routine. This journey began when I was in my early thirties.”

(W.G.)-Do you remember your first performance?

Jackson-”The one I have documented was in 1987 was at a local Boys & Girls Club in Fort Lauderdale. They invited me to their program which had over 400 kids that night. I loved it because it brought laughter and smiles on their faces. The inner spirit within me said this is what you should do. I just felt good about it. I wanted to do it. I decided to get more experience so that eventually I

could do it full-time. Now that opportunity is occurring. I have my state license and joined the World Clown Association. I’ve written some books and gotten my first copyright from the Library of Congress. I feel like the Lord has allowed me to get to this point because I didn’t want to go before my time.”

(W.G.)-Can you recall seeing or witnessing a Black clown perform before you decided to try it?

Jackson-”I saw a Black clown at the Swap Shop. He was just sitting down blowing up balloons. But before that, I saw some old footage from the Vaudeville days; performers like Sammy Davis Jr., Bill “Bojangles” Robinson, guys during that era even Satchel Paige from the Negro Baseball League impressed me with their performances.”

(W.G.)-What does it take to become a great clown?

Jackson-”I think first of all you should love it. And you have to work on your skills. I remember a kid asking me, “Are you a real clown?” I thought that was an interesting question. My response to that particular kid was, “well these are the skills that a clown has. Do I juggle? Yes. Do I paint faces?

Yes. Do I blow up balloons?

Yes. Am I a clown? Yes I’ve got the basic skills that a clown has.”

(W.G.)-What are your plans for the future?

Jackson-”My plans for the future are to perform live shows before theater audiences. I love live shows. I’ve done a lot of birthday parties. I want to do theaters. I’ve made a DVD showing kids how to count from zero to 100. I’ve written about 14 books, four of which I wrote just to encourage somebody.

The others I plan to get published. I had one published and it’s called, “CJ the Clown Goes to School.” It’s a story about a circus clown that I’m really proud of because it’s the first one and it’s going to promote my upcoming show.”

men and women, [i.e. Dr. William Leap - an affiliate professor at Florida Atlantic University, Attorney Carol Field, Attorney Kelly Kolb, and Dr. Kathleen O’Leary - a professor at Wayne Huizenga College of Business Entrepreneurship,] who put the social media movement right in front of our faces. The discussion was hosted by NSU President Dr. George Hanbury, who opened the conversation condemning individuals of great power and wealth for using their influence as a power play to take advantage of women.

Panelists and Tower members alike chimed in from a multitude of perspectives forcing me to realize that even though my grandmother taught me to protect the jewel between my legs at all costs, I too, had been #metoo’ed far too many times to count. Thankfully, her words rang in my ears when I found myself being molested at eight years old by an adult male “friend” of the family.

Despite his “power position” within my family, I found an opportunity to report his behavior. Unfortunately, I was an adult before I fully under-

stood that my allegations of sexual assault had not fallen on deaf ears. Regardless, I was empowered by the fact that I spoke up on my own behalf. So in terms of healing, we must inform our girls that silence prolongs the pain. We can not allow cases of assault to become cold by reporting abuse years after the offense.

Although, the prevalence of “Bro Culture” discourages women from reporting every case of sexual misconduct every time, we should try. Despite being molested as a child, I was not deterred from standing my ground when I found myself being #metoo’ed by a military superior. My sergeant would blurt out demeaning sexual commentary anytime I entered his space. But one day, I had enough and found the strength to pull that sergeant aside, look him in eyes and express my disdain for his lack of professionalism. I made him fully aware that after #Metoo, #NotI. And yet another #MeToo moment came full circle when a popular and married media professional asked if he could record a nude video of me in exchange for public relations’ access. I de-

clined his offer without hesitation by ceasing any further communication. And once again, I was empowered by my #NotI stance in the wake of promises of fame and fortune.

More importantly, I believe his perception of women doing anything for career advancement was altered when he met me. Years later, I am happy I dealt with the issue when it happened because when I see him from time to time, I firmly believe he is no longer that same person he was years ago… Are you?

Together, we can do our part to transition for #MeToo to #NoMore cuz #TimesUp and #NotI. Our movement should culminate with teaching males to use their power to protect and not abuse, while teaching females to speak now, as opposed to later, regardless of the abuser’s influence. In the wake of #MeToo, we must endeavor to say #NotI, not now, not ever, because we now, have the attention of the entire nation.

Crystal Chanel Press Release Marketing, LLC Event Hosting - Marketing Public Relations www.justpressrelease.com @PressReleaseLLC on Instagram

PAGE 12 • JANUARY 18 - JANUARY 24, 2018

www.thewestsidegazette.com

A Proud Paper For A Proud People

Shaquille O’neal appointed as Carnival Cruise Line’s new ‘CFO’…Chief Fun Officer

MIAMI, FL – NBA Hall of Famer and TNT commentator Shaquille O’Neal – also known as “Shaq” – recently announced on TNT Inside the NBA broadcast that he has been given a

new title, joining Carnival Cruise Line as their newly appointed “CFO.” The announcement was made with a tongue-in-cheek video that features Shaq and

Sharon Annette Moffett 2018 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Funeral Services are as follows: Wake-Friday, January 19, 2017 at the New Mount Olive Baptist Church from 5-7 p.m.

Funeral Service -Saturday, January 20, 2017 at the New Mount Olive Baptist Church at 11 a.m.

When she walked into a room, her presence commanded your attention. She had a niche for fashion and teaching. The work she did in the community made her a trailblazer for the South Florida area. She did so much for so many people.

Sharon Annette Moffett, daughter, sister, aunt, fashion model, mother figure and devoted Sunday school teacher, died Saturday, January 13,

The Westside Gazette Newspaper extend Our Deepest Sympathies to the Moffett Family

Carnival President Christine Duffy but omits one minor detail: CFO stands for “Chief Fun Officer,” personifying the cruise line’s newest brand campaign, “Choose Fun,” which launched earlier this week.

As the newly appointed “CFO,” O’Neal has partnered with the cruise line, lending his fun, larger-than-life personality and playful spirit to inspire America to Choose Fun with Carnival when planning their next vacation, and in their everyday lives.

Shaq’s role will be brought to life via engaging video content social media and experiential activations, beginning today.

In the first piece of advertising that introduces Shaq as Carnival’s Chief Fun Officer, he takes viewers on a whirlwind 30-second tour of Carnival Vista, showing his playful self as he enjoys the ship’s many attractions and experiences, including SkyRide, Havana pool, Cloud 9 Spa, a burger at Guy Fieri’s Burger Joint and, of course, the basketball court.

“We are very excited to have Shaq as part of the Carnival team! He will serve as a great partner ensuring everyone knows all about our one-of-akind brand of fun,” said Duffy.

“We’re confident that his embodiment of our brand values

will inspire America to Choose Fun and discover the authentic, participatory and social atmosphere that Carnival offers.”

“In today’s world, it’s more important than ever to choose fun, especially when everyone is busy with work, family, and life in general,” says O’Neal.

“So, I’m honored to be appointed the Chief Fun Officer at Carnival – a company that lives and breathes fun.”

Carnival Cruise Line is the largest brand in the Carnival Corporation portfolio with a fleet of 25 ships designed to deliver fun and memorable vacation experiences at a great value. It is the world’s most popular

cruise line carrying five million guests a year and catering to a wide consumer demographic, appealing to families, couples, singles and seniors. Carnival carries more children and military personnel than any other cruise line. In spring 2018, the 133,500-ton Carnival Horizon will debut as the 26th ship in the fleet.

For additional information and reservations, contact any travel agent, call 1-800-CARNIVAL or visit carnival.com.

Carnival also can be found on: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube. Journalists also can visit Carnival’s media site, carnival-news.com or follow the line’s PR department on Twitter at twitter.com/ CarnivalPR.

Obama rule that will help 200,000 low income families in 2018 (Cont'd from FP) to averaging it to over a whole metropolitan area. Through that, it is much easier for lowincome families to afford better apartments in a well-to-do neighborhood with good schools, higher-paying jobs, and lower crime rate.

Previously, public rental assistance for low-income families usually allow them to reside only in segregated communities with high-poverty rates.

The Section 8 vouchers that they receive are either not accepted by individual landlords or too low to cover the rent in more affluent communities.

On November 2016, after years of research and public debate, then-HUD Secretary Julian Castro issued a rule requiring house agencies in 23 metro areas to take on “small area fair market rents” making way for a redistribution of voucher value, higher government subsidies for units in more affluent neighborhoods, and

lower subsidies for apartments in poor communities.

However, late last year, Ben Carson, the secretary of U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development under the Trump administration, announced that the rule will be postponed for about two more years to allow the recent administration to fully understand it and prepare for the changes. Many civil rights organizations rallied against it and sued the Trump administration.

Chief Judge Beryl A. Howell, appointed by Barack Obama to the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, found HUD’s decision to be “arbitrary and capricious.” On December 23, Howell stated that there are no enough reasons for the delay and that it would negatively affect the plaintiffs wanting to move to a safer suburban community.

This restored rule will give better opportunities for more

than 200,000 families to choose where to live.

“This represents a new opportunity for tens of thousands of families with housing vouchers,” said Philip Tegeler, president and executive director of the Poverty & Race Research Action Council. “It’s about the right to choose where to live and the right not to be segregated. Good housing policy does not confine families to high poverty neighborhoods.”

The NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Funds, one of the groups that disputed HUD’s attempts to delay the rule, also thought that it’s about time that the blacks, Latinos, and all other low-income Americans have a fair rights in all aspects, including housing settlement.

“Suspending this rule was yet another attack by this administration on communities of color,” said Sherrilyn Ifill, the president and director-counsel of NAACP. “By restoring the prior rule, this injunction is a

key step toward expanding equal opportunity in all aspects of American life.”

It was the labor movement that helped secure so much of what we take for granted today. The 40-hour work week, the minimum wage, family leave, health insurance, Social Security, Medicare, retirement plans. The cornerstones of the middle-class security all bear the union label.

--Barack Obama--