WhereItzAt Feb. 2015

A Legend...

Winston Dyer

Creating a Meaningful Legacy Rev. Dr. Audley Donaldson

Black History Month

Ida B. Wells

Bishop Shawn D. Bartley Welcome to Philly

Offers Expire March 31th, 2015

A Blessed and Happy Easter from the management and staff of Brucee’s

2 | PULSE OF THE CARIBBEAN PEOPLE

PULSE OF THE CARIBBEAN PEOPLE | 3

February Articles 8 Ida B. Wells 10 Voices from the Playground 12 The Economy of Abundance 14 The Beauty of the Black Woman 15 Congrats Colby 16 Black History facts you didn’t know

Vol #13 2nd edition

Contents

Feature Articles

Creating a Meaningful Legacy

28 R esurrecting the past to better understand the present

pg 20

30 Friendship 9 35 Cribbean Culture Commission 36 Life Too Sweet 37 A Look at Black and Nobel Founder Hakim Hopkins

Winston Dyer

pg 32

18 Irie Jam Ladies ball rocks Resort World Casino 26 Selma - A Personal Review

CHAIRMAN & PUBLISHER

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

PHOTO JOURNALIST

LEGAL COUNSELOR

PHOTOGRAPHERS

DELAWARE VALLEY

CLIVE WILLIAMS

ADIKA BUTLER

MARJORIE FLASH

GARNETT H. SULLIVAN, ESQ

MARJORIE FLASH OF MY FLASH KEN/UNIVERSAL

PRESIDENT & ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER

ART DIRECTOR

NEW MEDIA INITIATIVES

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

MEDIA

(PHILADELPHIA, SOUTH JERSEY, DELAWARE)

CHRISTOPHER C. WILLIAMS

VICTOR STOUTE JR

ROCKSTONE MEDIA GROUP

ADIKA BUTLER - DR. CLIVE WILLIAMS - MARJORIE

SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT

MANAGING EDITOR OF

CONTROLLER

FLASH - CHRIS GODFREY SHERON P. - REUBEN

ANNETTE GORDON

ONLINE MAGAZINE

MICHELLE WILLIAMS

JAMES - BEN CASSELMAN

ON THE COVER IMAGE Rev. Dr. Audley Donaldson, bishop shawn d. bartley, winston dyer, ida b. wells

NAKISHA DUNCAN

INQUIRIIES

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PULSE OF THE CARIBBEAN PEOPLE | 5

PUBLISHER’S VIBE

RESURRECTING THE SPIRIT OF MARCUS GARVEY Clive Williams, CEO/ Publisher _________________________ At age seven I became more and more aware of the stories the elders told. My father, a stern and contemplative man was not much given to tales of Bra Anancy or Duppy (ghost) stories being told on the piazza of my mother’s shop. Neither was he engaged in the playing of dominoes like many men of his time: instead, he told anyone who would listen about the teachings and philosophy of Garvey, (which he referred to as GARVEYISM), his passion was only matched by my mother’s vociferous support for his Garvey impersonations. These events were always met with a reverential silence from those gathered on

PRESIDENT OBAMA, WE NEED YOUR URGENT ATTENTION! the shop piazza, who heard Garvey’s words from my father’s mouth. As I grew in knowledge and more understanding, I realized how privileged I was to have parents who actually understood and followed Marcus Garvey. My Mom and Dad had liberated themselves from the “slave mentality” of depending on others for opportunity, while being supportive of those less fortunate. Instead, they adopted the philosophy of self- reliance and commitment to community, believing sincerely that the black man should create his own destiny.

I must express humbly, that I owe everything that I have achieved intellectually and spiritually to the philosophy of my parents, Clarence and Gladys Williams whose lives were changed by the emergence of the most significant black leader of the early 20th century. Marcus Mosiah Garvey regrettably remains unknown to most young people who now enjoy the liberty and freedom he needlessly suffered and died for. Nothing saddens me more than the collective ignorance of our people on the achievements of Marcus Garvey and how his black liberation movement galvanized the black world in the early 1920’s with scores of U.N.I.A offices throughout the United States, Canada, Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean. That achievement, along with ownership the Negro World Newspaper and several large Business Enterprises established Garvey’s movement as still the most extensive and influential effort of Black Liberation and Selfdetermination. Yet, this amazing man who later became Jamaica’s First National Hero, was tried and convicted in the United States on charges of mail fraud, deported and consigned to disrepute and oblivion. The preponderance of forensic evidence, as well as years of extensive research

all indicate that the charges were politically and racially motivated and that Mr. Garvey should be exonerated completely.

As we approach what will be Mr. Garvey’s 128TH birth date on August 17th, join me in a desperate appeal to our President as others have done before, (through petitions as well as the congress), for a complete exoneration of Marcus Mosiah Garvey from all charges, and even though it will be posthumous, there is precedent for that. We are indebted to The Hon Charles Rangel for making this issue front and center in the Congress since President Obama has been in office. I must admit the disappointment I feel about the Obama administration rejecting congressman’s Rangel appeal for Garvey’s pardon, (we are requesting exoneration) but I understand the politics. If however President Obama doesn’t do it in his second term, then it would be clear, that he repudiates every sacrifice made by a man who has singularly influenced every Black leader in the 20th century and beyond. Mr. President, I am imploring you to make the exoneration of Marcus Mosiah Garvey part of your legacy, if you fail to do this – WHO WILL? Let me restate the request we are making of the President as it was articulated in the House of Congress Resolution 44 and was introduced in the 111th congress by an experienced and seasoned Civil Rights Activist, the Hon. Charles Rangel.

Expressing the sense of the Congress that the President should grant a pardon to Marcus Mosiah Garvey to clear his name and affirm his innocence of crimes for which he was unjustly prosecuted and convicted.

continues on pg 9 6 | PULSE OF THE CARIBBEAN PEOPLE

WHEREITZAT PUBLISHER AND CHAIRMAN MAKES AN “AMAZING, ONE OF A KIND GUARANTEE TO EXISTING AND NEW ADVERTISERS: IT’S CALLED THE WHEREITZAT ADVERTISER AD –VANTAGE! Hi I am Clive Williams, our publication WhereItzAt has distinguished itself as a high quality, colorful tabloid with sharp images and fascinating stories. We have established a solid and trusted reputation for satisfying the needs our advertisers. We are committed to YOU the advertiser – we pledge to be your customers as well as your biggest promoters.

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PULSE OF THE CARIBBEAN PEOPLE | 7

CULTURE & EDUCATION

Ida B. Wells Black History Month comes only once a year. During this time, we honor the African Americans who have made changes toward the advancement of our culture.

In today’s society, we must understand that staying connected with the past can aid in the advancement of our future. This is why historians, anthropologists and the like are so important to the progress of our civilization. All too often we fail to take the time to honor our history. We instead choose to concern ourselves only with what is current. Many of us immerse ourselves in the entertainment, television shows, and trends of today. Some of these trends make a mockery of our history and what our predecessors worked so hard to preserve: our dignity as human beings on this earth.

of yellow fever when Wells was a teenager, forcing Wells to drop out of school and take on a position as a teacher to care for her orphaned siblings. She immediately experienced unfair treatment in the workplace and quickly learned that in segregated schools, white teachers were paid 62% more than Black teachers. Because of this unfair treatment,

What Ida B. Wells established through her militant quest for civil rights, was that African Americans should take control of their own destiny. She highlighted that the issues between blacks and white was based on economic concerns, which were for whites to have to one day compete with the growing, and thriving African American community. Her European campaigns exposed America for its violent and inhumane treatment of the Black community, something that is parallel to what is happening today. The phrase “Black Lives Matter” has been coined to represent these injustices. Let us all take a page out of Ida B. Wells’ book. There is value attached to the lives of Black Americans. Once we begin to believe that, and truly understand our worth. Through studying our history we will be able to empower our communities and break the emotional and economic chains of modern day slavery.

Times have changed, but as they say, some things do stay the same. Issues that were prevalent hundreds of years ago, as we know, are still afflicting our communities today. With the latest string of events regarding police brutality in the black community, there is a revolution rising in our midst. The African American community has voiced a strong concern about race relations in America after the killings of a number of unarmed black youth. One hundred and fifty-two years after the abolition of slavery, one would think Black America would be almost fully transitioned into a society where all people are fairly treated without prejudice.

History is yet again repeating itself with the introduction of (what society is calling) “modern day lynching”. The painful memories of the killing of young, black Americans are haunting our present day. Freedom fighters such as Martin Luther King Jr. and Rosa Parks stand out in our minds as African Americans who have paved the way for justice. Although a number of us are unaware that in 1884, approximately 71 years prior to Rosa Parks’ unwillingness to give up her seat for a white man on a bus in Montgomery, Alabama; a woman named Ida B. Wells was dragged out a train car for failing to give up hers. In that act of defiance, an African American human rights and women’s suffrage leader was born.

Ida was born a slave and was freed as a result of the Emancipation Proclamation. Her parents sent her to school to receive a formal education. They later died 8 | PULSE OF THE CARIBBEAN PEOPLE

money and to leave Memphis emphasizing that there was “no protection from their white accusers”.

Approximately 6,000 blacks did leave Memphis and those who stayed boycotted white merchants.

Boycotting has been one of the most effective ways of taking a stand against racial injustices to date.

Currently, African American spending power is listed as 1.1 Trillion dollars. Wells understood the value of the “black dollar”, and that knowledge caused the economy in Memphis to suffer. Wells then went on to tour the US and Europe speaking out against violent lynching as a result of black economic progress and the notion of black inferiority.

while teaching, she took a job as a journalist writing about social injustice and poor race relations. In one article, Wells wrote about her friends who owned a local grocery store in Memphis: a store that was doing financially better than the local “white store”.

One day a group of white men came in and attacked the store and its workers. During the attack, three white men were shot. This stirred immense anger in the white community. The black owner and workers were jailed and while awaiting a trial, an angry mob stormed the jail and lynched them all.

Wells was not hesitant to speak out, writing about the incident. She encouraged blacks to save their

• Fridan, D, & Fridan, J. (2000). Ida B. Wells: Mother of the Civil Rights Movement. New York: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, p. 21. ISBN 0-395-89898-6Lee D. Baker. “Ida B. • Wells-Barnett(1862-1931) and Her Passion for Justice, Black Women, African American Women, Sufferage, [sic] Women’s Movement, Civil Rights Leaders”. Duke University.

• Alison Shay. “Remembering Ida B. Wells-Barnett”.

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

By: Lila Green

PUBLISHER’S VIBE continues from pg 6

RESURRECTING THE SPIRIT OF MARCUS GARVEY PRESIDENT OBAMA, WE NEED YOUR URGENT ATTENTION!

Quote: CONCURRENT RESOLUTION Whereas Marcus Mosiah Garvey was born in St. Ann’s Bay, Jamaica, on August 17, 1887, and immigrated to the United States;

Whereas, after a zealous effort by Government authorities, which included infiltration of the Universal Negro Improvement Association, Marcus Garvey was prosecuted and convicted of a single count of mail fraud by Federal authorities in 1923 and sent to prison;

Whereas Marcus Garvey was the founder and leader of the Universal Negro Improvement Association, the largest Black organization in history, which was dedicated to the economic, social, and political empowerment of AfricanAmericans and the fostering of unity between all people of African descent;

Whereas Marcus Garvey, in connection with the severe criticism of his politically motivated conviction, submitted his first official application for Executive clemency in 1925;

Whereas Marcus Garvey’s movement for humans rights, economic self-sufficiency, and cultural solidarity for peoples of African descent attracted millions of followers in the United States, the Caribbean, Latin America, Africa, and Europe;

Whereas, in response to the public outcry regarding the suspect nature of Garvey’s conviction, and on the action of the United States Pardon Attorney’s Office, President Calvin Coolidge commuted Garvey’s sentence in 1927, establishing the precedent for Executive clemency in this case;

Whereas Marcus Garvey’s philosophy of uniting the people of the African Diaspora around a recognition of their common heritage and his teachings regarding pride, self help, and identification with Africa inspired Black leaders throughout the world, including W.E.B. DuBois, Kwame Nkrumah, Malcolm X, and Martin Luther King;

Whereas, in 1926, nine members of the jury that convicted Marcus Garvey signed an affidavit recommending the commutation of his sentence;

Whereas Marcus Garvey, as a consequence of his conviction, was deported from the United States in 1927, never to return again; Whereas Marcus Garvey maintained his innocence and his desire to be exonerated throughout the remainder of his life;

Whereas pervasive discrimination and subjugation of African-Americans in the United States created a climate of intolerance towards Black social activists, such as Marcus Garvey, and a determination by the United States Government to undermine and destroy the Universal Negro Improvement Association;

Whereas it is now widely accepted that the case against Marcus Garvey was politically motivated, the charges unsubstantiated, and his conviction unjust;

Whereas Marcus Garvey became the target of surveillance and harassment by Federal law enforcement agencies;

Whereas Marcus Garvey’s body was returned to Jamaica in 1964, where he was officially declared the country’s first national hero;

Whereas Marcus Garvey was arrested numerous times, with charges being dropped on each occasion, thus indicating that the arrests were solely for the purpose of harassing Marcus Garvey and disrupting the Universal Negro Improvement Association;

Whereas Marcus Garvey is recognized as a towering figure in African, African-American, and world history; and

reputation in this country: Now, therefore, be it Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), That it is the sense of Congress that-(1) Marcus Garvey was innocent of the charges brought against him by the United States Government; (2) Marcus Garvey is and should be recognized internationally as a leader and thinker in the struggle for human rights and dignity; and (3) the President should endeavor to restore the honor and good name of Marcus Garvey through the granting of a full posthumous pardon that proclaims his conviction to have been unjust and unwarranted and affirms his innocence on the charges brought against him.

Let me assure YOU, that WhereItzAt will relentlessly pursue this matter as long as we live and breathe, and if this exoneration doesn’t happen in my lifetime, my son and grandsons are sworn to pursue it. This is a matter of truth and justice. The wisdom of Dr. King, (whose legacy is indebted to Garvey’s body of work), puts this in perspective when he said, “The ark of the moral universe is long, but it bends towards justice.”

Please Mr. President, use that Executive Order, Exonerate Marcus Garvey.

Whereas millions of petitioners have appealed for his exoneration;

Whereas Marcus Garvey’s life and contributions to the United States should be recognized and appropriate steps taken to restore his name and PULSE OF THE CARIBBEAN PEOPLE | 9

CULTURE & EDUCATION

Voices from the Playground Black boys speak on police violence and racial profiling When many Americans think of the struggles and challenges that they face as adults, they look to the fu-ture for hope because, they want it to be better for younger generations. But, what do young people think about their future?

With the tragic incidents involving Michael Brown and Eric Garner in 2014, it seems that racism and po-lice brutality have resumed their places among America’s most passionately discussed topics of conversa-tion whether at work or at home.

Yet how often are children—particularly young Black boys—included in a conversation that ultimately addresses the value of their lives in America? How do they feel about the U.S. justice system? Are they even aware of the struggle that many people are undertaking to fight for their rights?

I interviewed a few young males in my community and in my findings I concluded that many were being made aware of the deaths through social media.

Several others watched the news and talked about the subjects at school and at home with their parents.

Adolescents spend a majority of their time at school.

Some students in school have had discussions with their teachers who are usually white. One child, whose mother preferred that he spoke to WhereItzAt un-der the condition of anonymity, said that these teachers “try to explain that there are some evil people in the world and they would do anything, and that racism is still alive.”

He was also told that not all cops are out to get Black people and that there are just a few bad apples in a batch filled with rosy ones. This is a hard sell for any young Black male who is aware of his environment and the country that he is currently living in.

Between 1999 and 2015 there were at least 19 publicized cases of unarmed Black men being shot down by cops, proving that there has been a constant issue with police violence against Black citizens.

Most of these cases show that the victims of these shootings were unarmed and/or non violent. Also, the police officers that committed these heinous crimes served no or little time due to the decisions 10 | PULSE OF THE CARIBBEAN PEOPLE

based off a judge or grand jury.

Many of the young people interviewed felt or knew about situations where police abused their power and harassed Black people. They came from backgrounds that fed the notion that they couldn’t trust the police completely, even though not one of these kids has ever been a victim of police harassment themselves.

One young man told me that prior to the deaths of Michael Brown and Eric Garner “I was just walking and then a police officer saw me and he waved at me, and I waved back, but in the back of my head I was like ‘there are other people out there that are not like him.’”

The teenager knew in his mind that this was a decidedly rare occurrence. “I feel intimidated, I feel like anything can happen to me just walking down the street,” he said. Another child, who spoke under the condition of anonymity said that there is a great deal of disdain for Black people among some police of-ficers. “Two black kids are riding their bikes with hoodies on, or something like that, and they could get stopped by the police. But if it was two Caucasian kids it wouldn’t even be a problem.”

These young men I interviewed were all aware of the racially charged incidents that have gripped the country, but haven’t been told about other young Black men like Amadou Diallo or Ramarley Graham.

When one young man was asked what the true role of a police officer was, he said point blank that it is

“to control the community.” He did not know that it is actually a police officer’s job to serve the community. The community—which pays the police officer’s salary through its collective tax dollars—is in charge of the police, not the other way around.

With the exception of one young man, everyone agreed that in order for real change to happen, protesting was necessary. “It’s already said and done,” the young man continued. “He is gone. He is dead.

There is no justice going to be served, so I don’t think there is anything that we can do. ” A remarkable young man said that after having a conversation with his mother there were some difference’s he would make in protesting he would “make signs, huge signs, and put them up in the windows of people’s homes and businesses” like commercial billboards. This young man understood that by creating propaganda you can also inform people.

These young adolescents who were interviewed understood, to a certain degree, the racial issues that are griping America, but many of them didn’t even know who Michael Brown was. In a time like these, when history is being decided, young men need to be informed and aware of what’s going on if the hope for the future that the elders of their communities harbor are to be realized.

By MARCUS BOGLE

PULSE OF THE CARIBBEAN PEOPLE | 11

EDITORIAL PAGE

Abundance Abundance

The Economy of

CosmiCoins are withdrawn and disseminated to dedicated men and women who create value in society by doing the hard work that fosters Whether we realize it or not, we always get culture, which in turn forms the bedrock upon charged at full price for whatever we take from which high civilizations are built. others. You are even charged by the sun for the photonic food that you receive, which explains All of the emanations of the Most High, that why you may feel taxed once you’ve been exposed people call angels, or gods and goddesses are to a lot of sunshine. Pay close attention to the investors and creditors. Are you drowning in advertisers in this publication. Their sacrifices debt, or is your credit line steadily increasing have made this publication available to you. through your valuable contributions to your They have demonstrated their commitment community? It is my personal observation that to community through their sponsorship of those who practice philanthropy smile very WhereItzAt. They are more than deserving of often, and these smiles are not forced. These are the genuine smiles of people who are safeguarded your support. by universal law. You don’t have to be wealthy It is better for us to pay willingly for what we to practice philanthropy. All that you need is a acquire on our own accord than be forced by willingness to add value to the experiences and unforeseen circumstances to pay a spiritual contributions of others. expense with compounded interest to satisfy a universal debt. Nature abhors a void, but a void Those who diligently keep their noses to the is exactly what is created when great work is not grindstone, despite a perceived lack of support, will inevitably receive credit line increases and enthusiastically compensated. currency from the Masters of the Universe Still, the great work of people who create value who are shareholders of the Meta Bank. Visible is always rewarded despite what we think we success takes its time accumulating mass and see while making observations from the outside volume within the realm of the unseen. looking in.

It is wise to conserve precious resources, but in There are non-corporeal intelligences, divine a universe of abundance, being dishonorably emanations of God, that accumulate spiritual cheap doesn’t pay. Follow the rhythm of currency from the sorrow and misfortune of reciprocity and participate in the dance of stingy men and women who have the power to abundance today. give, but choose not to. us from the universal law of reciprocity. We will pay.

Someone once asked me why I would insist on paying a good friend full price for their service when they were willing to offer that service for free. My answer was simple: My friend is incredible at what they do and should receive full compensation for their work.

There’s nothing wrong with getting a good deal, or even a gift, when you can. However wholly embracing the “Get Over” mentality is for bums who think and act from a position of perpetual lack. The compensation we give to others should resonate with the energy frequency of the work they’ve produced.

Nothing that we receive that is of value is for free, even if it is given to us for free. Good marketing This currency, accumulated from their collective Editor-In-Chief on the part of a manufacturer does not excuse grief, is placed in a Meta Bank, from which Adika Butler

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PULSE OF THE CARIBBEAN PEOPLE | 13

Beauty Black Woman The of the

PHOTO CREDIT: Damion Reid

World-renowned photographer Damion Reid captures the amazing images of women in the Tri-State area as part of his Beauty of the Black Woman project.

The project has evolved into a book collection of heart-stopping photographs that capture the style, grace, and natural beauty exemplified by Black women of all ages. Be sure to check out Reid’s Tumblr page at Damionkare.tumblr.com, and follow him on Instagram at @BOTBW2013.

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WOMEN EMPOWERMENT

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Congrats Colby

Congratulations have been resonating around the world for the 13 year old Queens resident and Brooklyn Restoration Corporation Youth Arts Academy student COLBY CHRISTINA as she joined the ranks of such talents as Kerry Washington, Sanaa Latham and Denzel Washington to win the coveted 2014 AUDELCO “Rising Star” Award for her performance as “Alice” in the Stage to TV Production “The Liberation of Mother Goose”. The 42nd Annual 2014 AUDELCO Awards were held on Monday, November 17, 2014, at Symphony Space in New York City.

The Annual Vivian “VIV” Robinson/AUDELCO Recognition Awards are the only formally established awards presented to the Black Theatre Community and are revered as the “Black Tony Awards”. AUDELCO is still alive and thriving thanks to Grace Jones, President and others.

Space Accomodations

WE CAN ACCOMMODATE FROM AS LITTLE AS 10 UP TO 260 GUESTS

At just thirteen, Colby has been labeled a formable “triple threat” nationally and internationally. To her credit she has accomplished many “first” in the Arts and in Academia and is the recipient of many awards, citations, proclamations and honors as a Professional Dancer, Actress, Singer, Model, Choreographer and Motivational Speaker. An honor student, Colby has been studying at the Restoration Center for Arts and Culture since the age of 2. What is most amazing about Colby’s story is not only that she received the most prestigious award in Black Theater, but that she achieved all of this (and more) before the tender age of 13.

Standing before a packed theater Colby gave a riveting acceptance speech which will forever be noted in the AUDELCO and Entertainment World Archives.

Colby stated: “Thank you for keeping Black Theatre alive and to all those whose shoulders I stand on, I am ready to work, ready to achieve and ready to rise... so call me”. Colby says she sees more professional acting in her future. “I want to be on Broadway, on TV and in many Movies.

My main goal is Movies … I’m really, really excited for my life to come!”

You can email ColbyChristina@aol.com or call 641-715-3900 ext. 25715 to reach Colby Christina.

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CULTURE & EDUCATION

Black history facts you didn’t know In 1926, historian Carter G. Goodson pioneered the celebration of Negro History Week in February as a recognition to coincide with the birthdays of President Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass. Today, that commemoration has evolved into Black History Month. Though February has long been replete with special curriculum in schools, public events and tailored TV programming, many elements of the past remain obscured. Here are 3 examples worthy of Mr. Woodson.

Michelle Obama is not our first black First Lady; Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis was.

Jackie O, perhaps America’s most emulated and admired First Lady, descended from a family known as the van Salee’s, who were described as “mulatto” in the 17th century. This family traced its lineage in part to a Dutch mariner named Jan Jensen, who turned Turk (what some Europeans called “going native”), which was more popular than common history reveals.

It is widely believed Jensen fathered two children, Anthony and Abraham van Salee, by a Moorish concubine. The Moors were, in large part, Blacks from West Africa who invaded Europe in the 8th century C.E. All of Europe’s royal families are the direct descendants of these Africans. Following a dispute with his white wife, Anthony van Salee was exiled to a territory across the river, where he became Brooklyn’s first settler. Until a few decades ago, this property adjoining Coney Island was called Turk’s Island after Anthony van Salle— the term “Turk,” in his day being synonymous with Moor (North African). A descendant, John van Salee De Grasse, born in 1825, was the first Black American formally educated as a doctor.

When Jackie Kennedy was asked about her van Salee roots during the height of the Civil Rights Movement, she called her ancestors “Jewish.”

Of course, her socialite father, born in 1891, was nicknamed “Black Jack” Bouvier for his swarthy complexion. In the 1960s, journalists described the First Lady’s features as “French,” earning her the cover page of countless magazines, including

16 | PULSE OF THE CARIBBEAN PEOPLE

film and fan publications. Not only Kennedy Onassis, but well-borns Humphrey Bogart and Gloria Vanderbilt (and thus Anderson Cooper), are van Salee descendants.

Haiti’s battle for independence precipitated the Louisiana Purchase, doubling the size of the United States.

Haiti was the second Western nation to gain its independence from Europe. Successful campaigns by freedom fighters Henri Christophe and JeanJacques Dessalines, under the leadership of Toussaint L’Ouverture, drove the vaunted general and emperor Napoleon Bonaparte to demand in 1803 that his ministers sell the Louisiana Territory to the U.S. for an original figure of $22,500,000.

Napoleon sought not only to recover financially from the outlay involved in fighting the slave armies, he also realized the territory in question, under the circumstances, was indefensible by the French from the British.

The ministers Barbe-Marbois and Talleyrand, further frustrated, adjusted the sale during the months it took to reach President Thomas Jefferson to $15,000,000, or four cents an acre.

The acquisition not only doubled the size of the country, it tripled the area of fertile land.

Due to the heroism of a vastly outnumbered slave rebellion, present-day Louisiana, Arkansas, Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, North and South Dakota, and Wyoming were purchased by the U.S. The same year, Napoleon withdrew a majority of his forces from then-Saint Domingue to prepare for a possible invasion of vulnerable France by England, Prussia and Spain. Though L’Ouverture was captured and imprisoned near Switzerland, where he was starved to death, Dessalines claimed official victory and independence on January 1, 1804, when he changed the nation’s colonial name, Saint-Domingue, to the indigenous Arawak name Haiti.

Haiti was the first independent Caribbean nation, the first post-colonial independent black nation in the world, and the only country whose

independence was brought on by a successful slave revolt. The repercussions for the North American slave trade were significant; as wealthy planters and the U.S. government grew concerned a similar rebellion could occur in the former 13 colonies. Slaveholders were banned from bringing Haitians into the States, for fear they would incite resistance.

Suppressive laws were passed, aimed at thwarting insurrection. This atmosphere led to the littleknown German Coast Uprising of 1811 in Louisiana, in which 200 to 500 escaped Louisiana slaves, in ever growing bands as they traveled from town to town, burned down five estates and several sugar houses, for which 44 of them were later hung or beheaded. Inspired by the Haitian independence, Charleston, South Carolina’s Denmark Vesey scheduled his unsuccessful slave rebellion on Bastile Day (July 14), 1822. Word of Vesey’s plot leaked, and his effort was put down.

The Haitian Revolution was a turning point in European and Western geography, economics, military history, and regarding the control of American slaves.

By BIJANE C. BANE

The Moorish Brotherhood of Blackheads’ Coat of Arms

PULSE OF THE CARIBBEAN PEOPLE | 17

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

IRIE JAM LADIES BALL ROCKS RESORT WORLD CASINO If the number of people in attendance at an event with smiling faces is a measure of its success, then the Irie Jam Radio Ladies Ball Love Eternal concert at Resort World Casino was “turned up.” The pre-Valentine weekend affair held on Sunday February 8, 2015, drew concert goers to the World Resorts Casino in Queens in droves to take in a celebrity lineup of phenomenal singers. Sanchez, Cocoa Tea, Freddie Jackson, Richie Stephens, KConeil, and a very demure Marion Hall (aka Lady Saw) filled up a well balanced lineup.

The young and stylishly dressed artist KConeil opened the show with a medley of hits by the late great John Holt, before performing one of his own original songs, all of which was very well received by the huge crowd. Soulful baritone singer Richie Stephens launched his set with his biggest hit “Trying to Get to You.” Stephens gave an enjoyable performance including more of his most popular songs like the gospel tune “God is Real.” The finale was set to his latest single “Everybody Dance,” complete with dance moves he calls “Ska Teck Ova” with a slew of hot young dancers demonstrating the steps. Cocoa Tea who has not been in the NYC area in a long time appeared to be the most enjoyed act of the evening and received heartfelt cheers as he belted out tunes from his vast treasure trove of hits. His energetic set was made even livelier, backed by the popular Derrick Barnett and the Statement Band, pounding out all of Cocoa Tea’s songs to complete perfection and closing out with a memorable tribute to Bob Marley with “Waiting In Vain.”

The only woman on the bill was the very modestly dressed Marion Hall (aka Lady Saw), who topped off her outfit wearing cute sneakers and socks. I mention her outfit because it was evident that the audience anticipated that she would look and perform in the usual style of “Lady Saw” and seemed surprised, although by no stretch displeased, with her “lady-like” look and song selections. Hall sang “No Less Than A Woman” and others that were well performed but well outside the raunchy antics of her alter-ego we’ve come to know and love. Overall Hall’s set 18 | PULSE OF THE CARIBBEAN PEOPLE

PULSE OF THE CARIBBEAN PEOPLE | 19

OUTSTANDING PERSONALITIES

“

“

Creating a

Creating a Meaningful Legacy “Show me someone who is creative, caring, honest, enthusiastic, bold and fearless; one whose concept of risk is,‘the rewards it brings,’one who brims with optimism and love for life,his creator and for others; that one, is more capable of creating a meaningful legacy than all others lacking those priceless attributes”.

-Clive Williams

A

Bishop lawrence provenzano

udley Donaldson is an ordained Episcopal Priest who preached his first sermon when he was only fourteen years old and as far back as he can remember he wanted to enter the Priesthood. This was influenced by a number of clergy which includes, Rev. Gary Lemon, Rev. I.C. Wright and the Rev. Weville Gordon. His religious formation began at St. Mary’s Church Negril where as an Acolyte he honed his skills as a leader and public speaker. In 1975 he graduated from Manning’s High School and entered the United Theological College of the West Indies in September 1976 where he started his theological training. In 1980 he received both a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of the West Indies and an ordination to the Priesthood. Fr. Donaldson served as Curate at St. Luke’s Cross Road as well as Priest in Charge of the Morant Bay Cure, St. Thomas.

After accepting a scholarship from Yale School of Medicine and Yale Divinity School he migrated to

Rev. Dr. Audley Donaldson

20 | PULSE OF THE CARIBBEAN PEOPLE

OUTSTANDING PERSONALITIES

Legacy

the United States in 1984 and completed a one year residency in Clinical Pastoral Education and a Masters of Sacred Theology. In 1992 He completed a Doctor of Ministry program at New York Theological Seminary. In 1997 he was named a fellow of the prestigious Institute for Educational Leadership.

a few. He is a certified Diversity trainer with the state of Connecticut. He has designed a curriculum on Diversity training for children, and for the past ten years has been working as a diversity trainer with Elementary, Middle and High school students along with their teachers and parents in Connecticut.

In the United States Fr. Donaldson served as College Chaplain at Voorhees College, South Carolina and Kings County Hospital Brooklyn, New York. Starting in 1993 he entered the world of Social services serving as Case manager and Program Developer at the New Haven Family Alliance then as Executive Director of the North Hartford Family Resource Center, Hartford, Connecticut.

Rev. Dr. Donaldson then accepted a position with Family Resource Coalition of America, Chicago, Illinois. As its Director of Constituency Building, he was largely responsible for designing a series of National conferences and symposiums with diverse communities in the United States. He has provided technical assistance to Federal, State and community based organizations in over forty states. Rev. Dr. Donaldson is proud of his work in creating a national parent Agenda in America. This has led to innovative policy development, legislation, family friendly practices at work places as well as federal and state funding for Family support programs. Rev. Dr. Donaldson is highly regarded as having a unique expertise in the field of neighborhood organizing and Parental involvement in schools. Rev. Dr. Donaldson also served as Adjunct Professor of Psychology at gateway Community College in New Haven, Connecticut.

Most recently Fr. Donaldson served as Principal of St. Mark’s Day School and Associate Priest at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, Brooklyn, New York. During his tenure as Principal Rev. Dr. Donaldson Managed over 80 staff members and administered a 2.5 million dollar budget. Presently Rev. Dr. Donaldson is the Rector at St. Stephen and St. Martin Episcopal Church, before being the Priest in Charge there and at the Church of the Redeemer both located in Brooklyn.

In 1998 Rev. Dr. Donaldson became President and CEO of L.E.A.D Associates, a company he founded along with three other consultants. His clients included, Yale University, University of North Carolina, Brown University, University Of Kentucky, University of Pittsburg and The Annie Casey Foundation, just to name

He is regarded as a dynamic and eloquent speaker, and has delivered hundreds of Keynote addresses internationally and locally, as well as been featured in many news articles.

He has worked on a number of federally approved projects including site visits and program evaluation.

For more than ten years he worked closely with Gang members in Connecticut and the Prison staff at Maloney Correctional Institute in Cheshire, Connecticut. Rev. Dr. Donaldson has demonstrated his passion and skill as a visionary leader, strategist and academician. His proudest accomplishment however is the establishment of the Lena and Lester Donaldson Memorial Scholarship which provides funding for students from Negril, Westmoreland, who are successful in the Common Entrance Exam to attend Manning’s High School.

Rev. Dr. Donaldson is proud of the dynamic ministry that he has practiced over the years with pilgrimages and work in Ethiopia, South Africa and Zambia. He is married to Kendra and is father of Andre.

Having read father Donaldson’s story, it should give

Artists Rendering

PULSE OF THE CARIBBEAN PEOPLE | 21

OUTSTANDING PERSONALITIES almost doubled. The building of the physical church now remained the most daunting of his ministry. As any great leader would do, he analyzed the situation and decided to think outside of the box, by looking beyond the faith community for the technical and financial components he needed to start the new construction and make his contribution to the development and expansion of his Parish.

What he needed, was the partnership of those who had an interest in revitalizing the BedStuy community. That search was not an easy one however; it resulted in eventually meeting with the Notias Investment Company run by a local businessman who expressed an interest in partnering with the church. It was now time to seek the blessing of the Diocese and in particular his Bishop, Lawrence Provenzano.

Fortunately the vision of the Diocese and his Bishop were compatible and thus began perhaps the most exciting partnership in the Diocese of Long Island. This fusion of secular and religious partnership set the stage for a new prototype for future endeavors.

Creating a

anyone complete confidence in his ability to lead. But clearly, the most challenging aspect of leadership is getting those you lead, to both see the vision and believe the vision. Having assumed the position of pastoring St. Stephen and St. Martins, father Donaldson had to deal with a crumbling church structure built over a hundred years ago. The difficulty of that task was compounded by the fact that several attempts had been made before, to build a new church which met with no success. After these failed efforts the church was now deemed unsafe, accompanied by a half finished foundation that became an eyesore in the community for over fifteen years. So, Father Donaldson now had two new building projects; that of rebuilding the self- image of his constituency as well as finding a way to build a new physical church.

Father Donaldson credits the faithfulness of his members and their resilience as they rallied around him and began the journey.

In his seven years St. Stephen and St. Martins’ morale has been rebuilt and membership has

The old building is slated to be demolished by the middle of March and will make way for a new two hundred and eighty seat church and a forty one unit market rate housing complex next door. The construction should last for the better part of two years and its success is blessed with optimism. Father Donaldson philosophically affirms “Our one single guiding principle during this humbling experience has been, that this is not about us, or our egos, or title, or our accomplishments. This is all about God and to him belong the power and the glory.

Being selected or elected to build this house of God is truly a gift that is undeserved; however we have given ourselves as instruments.”

In the meantime St. Stephen and St. Martins can be found faithfully worshiping in their temporary home every Sunday at 9:00 am in the Fellowship Hall at Varick AME Zion Church, 806 Quincy Street. Show them your support and follow their journey on their Facebook page: ststephenandstmartins.com.

Creating a Meaningful Legacy

“

“

“Show me someone who is creative, caring, honest, enthusiastic, bold and fearless; one whose concept of risk is,‘the rewards it brings,’one who brims with optimism and love for life,his creator and for others; that one, is more capable of creating a meaningful legacy than all others lacking those priceless attributes”.

-Clive Williams

22 | PULSE OF THE CARIBBEAN PEOPLE

Bishop Shawn D. Bartley

OUTSTANDING PERSONALITIES

Since 1987, Bishop Bartley has pursued a career in proprietary education. He began serving as a High School Admissions Representative and later went on to become the Director of Admissions for three different schools. He served as the Executive Director for five years and in 2005 he was promoted to President and was the First African American President of Thompson Institute – a leader in allied health training. Thompson Institute provides staffing for area hospitals such as Hahnemann, Jefferson, Einstein, Temple and others. Under his leadership, this company has experienced tremendous growth in recent years and is now listed as one of the top 5% of schools in the country.

his ministry in 1986 and was ordained as a minister in 1988. After serving as Associate Minister for several years, he was appointed to the Pastorate of True United Church of Jesus Christ (Apostolic). His influence as a Pastor has extended far beyond the Philadelphia area.

In September 2005, Bishop Bartley received a Doctorate Degree in Ministry from St. Thomas Christian College located in Jacksonville, Florida. In June 2007, Bishop Bartley stepped out in faith and resigned his position as President of The Thompson Institute to heed to the voice of God, and pursue the call on his life by entering into full time ministry.

serving as a Pastor he was recognized for his impact in the community and was honored by the Germantown Courier Newspaper and various political leaders, namely, the Governor of Pennsylvania, the State Representative of Pennsylvania (Germantown) and the Mayor of Philadelphia.

Bishop Bartley is the Founder of the United Fellowship of Churches, a covering body providing pastors & churches with guidance. In all of his endeavors, Bishop Bartley continues to impact the lives of thousands of people, locally, nationally and internationally. Since 1987, True United has experienced remarkable numerical and spiritual growth under the leadership of Bishop Bartley.

Legacy

Bishop Shawn D. Bartley, a native of Jamaica, West Indies, was born in Kingston and raised in the Portmore area. After attending the Morris Knibb Preparatory School, he went on to Kingston College High School, where he excelled academically. In 1982, he graduated, with honors, as the class valedictorian. Upon his graduation, he migrated to the United States with his family, where they settled in the Philadelphia area. Bishop Bartley furthered his education by attending the Community College of Philadelphia and Beaver University, with a double major in Business and Science.

Bishop Bartley consistently has the support of not only his TUC family, but also his immediate and extended family. Pastor Neville and Minister Carol Crawford, his parents, nurtured his gifts and spiritual growth. His four sons: Shawn Jr., Sheldon, Devon and Chad bring him much joy At age 13, Bishop Bartley experienced the power and will be his greatest legacy. Bishop Bartley of God in a way that changed his life forever. is married to Lady Tanya Manning-Bartley, After witnessing the miraculous healing of his his best friend. Together they are leading their 5 year old brother from cancer, Bishop Bartley family and church toward the vision God has accepted Jesus Christ as his personal savior. He pressed upon them. was 15 years old when he began to share the Word of God. Bishop Bartley officially began Bishop Bartley has served the Germantown community for 24 years. During his 27 years

Since he has made such a major impact globally, Bishop Bartley also received letters of recognition from the former President of the United States, George Bush and the Jamaican Consul to the United States.

Anointed of God, dynamic, effective and skilled in his preaching ministry, a visionary with the integrity and courage to pursue the plan of God, Bishop Bartley is a leader par excellence. The profound influence on the lives he has touched as father, husband, spiritual father, colleague, friend and trailblazer is prolific. As he continues to live a life pleasing to God through faith, the expectation of how God will move next through his life is tremendous.

True United Church is a 34,000 sq. ft facility that contains a 1200 seat sanctuary, a Banquet facility that seat 450 people and 10,000 sq. ft of classrooms, office space and a conference room.

Five thousand sq. ft. of the classroom space is now the home of True United Learning Center, providing early childhood education and before and after school programs.

The building was built as a Synagogue in 1948 and was the home of Temple Emmanuel. It was sold to an independent Church in 1982 and then to True United Church in 2010. After, over One Million dollars ($1m) in renovation, the building is in pristine condition.

PULSE OF THE CARIBBEAN PEOPLE | 23

This Delghtful creature was spotted in the Bronx - We crowned him Bronx Top Model

I need an agent...

24 | PULSE OF THE CARIBBEAN PEOPLE

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT continues from pg 18

IRIE JAM LADIES BALL ROCKS RESORT WORLD CASINO was entertaining made even more exciting when peppered with occasional teases from Lady Saw. After leaving the stage to resounding applause; we were delighted when the star returned moments later this time donning glittery stilettos and provocatively prancing around the stage re-introducing herself as Lady Saw, (who by the way is a Grammy Award winner) and giving us the hottest and raciest performances for the night. The audience went crazy!

American Grammy Award winner Soul/R&B singer Freddie Jackson served up a mega dose of his #1 hits that included “Rock Me Tonight”, “You Are My Lady”, “Tasty Love”, “Jam Tonight”, “Have You Ever Loved Somebody” to name a few and did a superb job taking us down memory lane. Looking good, Jackson shared that he has lost 107 lbs and is half of his old self. Although Jackson had a marvelous set he was on too long leaving little time for Reggae crooner Sanchez to close out the evening. A consummate showman however, Sanchez came out delivering his usual array of hits from his significant collection of love songs and as is his habit he added one gospel song. Although his set was somewhat shortened because of time constraints Sanchez came to give his all and did exactly that even joking saying something to the effect that “they’re going to have to drag me off the stage!”

All in all, Ladies Ball was extremely well attended by exceptionally decked out ladies and gents alike, who were all out for a spectacular evening of music and performances. Everyone was pleased as this star-studded event lived up to its billing and attendees were serenaded by an exquisite lineup of talented artists.

By Marjorie Flash

PULSE OF THE CARIBBEAN PEOPLE | 25

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

SELMA – A Personal Review I had the pleasure of attending a private screening of the movie “Selma” and was moved to tears at the barbarism of racism. The Ava DuVernay directed movie was both poignant and horrifying at the same time as we watched black people being beaten for wanting their civil rights as citizens of the United States.

The film starts off by taking you back to 1964 when King received a Nobel Peace Prize and four African American young girls were killed as a bomb exploded in their church.

Right away that violent scene hit you deep in the pit of your stomach as you see their small bodies covered in rubble. It goes on to depict the events and violence unleashed on black people that led up to Martin Luther King and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference’s (SCLC) involvement in the historic Selma to Montgomery marches and the creation of the 1965 Voting Rights Act. The role of Martin Luther King was played by British Actor David Oyetokunbo Oyelowo to utter precision. If you closed your eyes you could hear Martin Luther King’s orator voice as he gave his renowned speeches. Oyelowo’s powerful and stirring portrayal of King deserves nothing less than an Oscar, for which he was not even nominated. King is shown as a man that was strong and determined but was human with weaknesses; had compassion but fierce in his conviction to bring about change knowing he would be killed for his works and power.

On all levels the acting was superb by all the actors, American Rapper and Actor Common, who with John Legend, received a Golden Globe award for Best Original Song; Oprah Winfrey (who looked like Sofia from the Color Purple) Harpo Productions was one of the producers and along with Plan B Entertainment (owned by Brad Pitt) provided some financing; Cuba Gooding Jr., Niecy Nash, British actors Tim Roth and Carmen Ejogo who played Coretta Scott King with such dignity, to name a few.

Selma had four Golden Globe Award nominations, including Best Motion Picture – Drama, Best Director, and Best Actor, and won for Best Original Song. It also gathered nominations for Best Picture and Best Original Song at the 87th Academy Awards. This should be a must see movie for kids in high school and one that will take its place amongst other great movies depicting the life and times of Dr. Martin Luther King and racism in America. I left the theatre with such sadness that this great man was gone because we still need him today. Ase!

By Marjorie Flash 26 | PULSE OF THE CARIBBEAN PEOPLE

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PULSE OF THE CARIBBEAN PEOPLE | 27 State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company, State Farm Indemnity Company, Bloomington, IL

CULTURE & EDUCATION

Resurrecting the past to better understand the present In recent times, a very popular television host has written a series of books titled, Killing Kennedy, Killing Lincoln, Killing Jesus and Killing Patton. There is no doubt, that their titles were a great public relations and marketing coup, because of the American culture and pastime of killing. As a writer, I would be deeply troubled with spinning off book titles which re-enforced an American stereotype. So I dare anyone take offense when I assert my right to resurrect rather than kill. As of this time, I am in the resurrection business, resurrecting some truths that will be painful for others, but cathartic to us. I am looking both for catharsis and understanding the story of our suffering. So let us together begin resurrecting the stories that shaped our dysfunction as well as our courage, our deprivation, as well as our prosperity, our enslavement as well as our liberty. Looking at the past is both informative and instructive, as we will see in these two cases.

Let’s take the case of a young boy, George Junius Stinney, Jr; who holds the record for being the

youngest person executed in the United States in the twentieth century. Born in South Carolina on October 21st, 1929, he was convicted of the first degree murder of two white girls, ages eleven an eight years old. He was executed on June 16th, 1944 in Columbia, South Carolina at the tender age of fourteen. The only evidence presented was the circumstantial fact that the two girls had spoken to George and his sister shortly their demise and the testimony of three police officers who claimed that this fourteen year old boy had confessed. If someone had not resurrected the past, a cruel and cynical miscarriage of justice would have prevailed. Following this young boy’s arrest, his father was fired from his job and his family forced to flee the town in which they lived, in the town of Alcolu, Clarendon County, South Carolina.

existed and obviously no thought given as to how a skinny fourteen child could have committed such a crime and no physical evidence existed on his person. Someone in 2004 resurrected the case after reading a newspaper article about it.

He is a local historian who grew up in Alcolu.

His historical treatment of the case got the attention of these two lawyers in South Carolina; Steve McKenzie and Matt Burgess. They along another lawyer Ray Chandler filed a motion on behalf of this child for a new trial, on October 25th, 2013 sixty-nine years after fourteen year old George Stinney’s execution.

Steve McKenzie, Esq. said “If we can get the case reopened we can go to the judge and say there wasn’t any reason to convict this child. There was no evidence to present to the jury. There was no transcript. This case needs to be re-opened.

This fourteen year old child was tried by an all This is an injustice that needs to be righted. I am - white jury because at that time blacks were pretty optimistic that we need to come forward not allowed as jurors because they were not on we will be successful in court. The historian who the voting rolls. The jury took ten minutes to resurrected the case stated in recent interviews deliberate in a case where no physical evidence stated that “There has been a person that had been named as being the culprit who, is now deceased and it was said by the family that there was a deathbed confession.” Frierson added that the rumored culprit came from a well-known prominent family a member or members of that family had served on the initial coroner’s inquest jury which had recommended Stinney’s prosecution. The new trial seventy years after the fact on December 17th 2014 was administered by circuit court judge Carmen Mullen , who vacated Stinney’s conviction, citing that his sixth amendment right had been violated and his claimed confession was likely coerced , thus inadmissible. It needs to be said resurrecting and correcting injustices is not only cathartic, it is also empowering.

By: Clive Williams

George Junius Stinney (14 years old) 28 | PULSE OF THE CARIBBEAN PEOPLE

PULSE OF THE CARIBBEAN PEOPLE | 29

CULTURE & EDUCATION South Carolina is one of the hot beds in the fight for Civil rights so it is not coincidental that much of our painful past was played out in that part of the country.

By 1960 the new civil rights movement under the influence of Martin Luther King, Jr had employed non- violent methods as a new form of activism. This new tactic was played out particularly well by students who came together to form the Student Non-violent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) to organize sit-ins at lunch counters throughout the South. So the sit in movement or strategy was born as an effective tool in desegregating the South.

The student’s tactics were simply to sit quietly at lunch counters and wait to be served. They were teased, jeered, pelted with food and threatened, but they remained stoic. This is a lesson students all over America should learn. The rights you now enjoy were paid for with blood. Many of these students were beaten. They were instructed to react to this type of violence by rolling themselves up in a ball. So don’t be misled by the name Friendship 9, there was nothing friendly about the way they were treated, they earned their place in history through extreme sacrifice. Their case was so named because on January 31st, 1961 students from Friendship Junior College staged a sit in at McCrory’s lunch counter in Rock Hill, South Carolina, but in addition to using the sit in tactic,

Surviving Members

Friendship 9 they also initiated a new strategy in the civil rights movement at the time called “Jail, no bail.”

This “jail, no bail” strategy was useful because the cost of bailing out participants taking part in sit-ins had begun to burden the financial resources of the civil rights movement, so the new strategy was employed, where participants would take the thirty day jail term rather than pay a fine. It just so happened that after the Friendship Junior College students were arrested for their sit-in at McCrory’s ten were convicted of trespassing and breach of the peace and sentenced to serve thirty days in jail or pay a $100.00 , one man paid the fine. Of the remaining nine, eight of them who were Friendship students chose to serve the sentence of thirty days hard labor at the York County

Prison farm. This was the birth of the Jail no bail movement and the birth and historical significance of the Friendship 9.

Fifty-four years later in 2015, Judge John Hayes 111 of Rock Hill, South Carolina overturned the conviction of the 9 stating “We cannot re-write history, but we can right history.” The prosecutor Kevin Brackett on the same occasion apologized to the eight men, still living, who were in court. They were represented by Ernest A. Finney, Jr, the same lawyer who had defended them originally, he went on to become the first African American chief Justice of the South Carolina Supreme Court.

By: Clive Williams

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OUTSTANDING PERSONALITIES

Creating a

WINSTON DYER A LEGEND IN HIS TIME He was a force of nature, a man who inspired hyperboles and superlatives usually reserved for either the very rich and powerful or Hollywood celebrities; it was that awesome personality coupled with a sincere compassion for others that allowed him to forge a friendship and alliance with the brilliant and infamous billionaire, Michael Milken, who is himself a prostate cancer survivor. When Milken met Winston in the late 1990’s, he was so impressed with his advocacy work and incredible personality, that he hired Winston as a patient coordinator for CaP CURE, a research organization he founded for the cure of prostate cancer. I am compelled to paraphrase best-selling author, Joyce Carol Oates, in describing the impression Winston made on almost everyone he met, “a man of utmost sincerity: somewhat larger than life.”

Winston was always compelling, as my senior classmate at the distinguished Jamaican institution, Calabar High School, he made his early impressions as a gifted artist with great potential, who spent quite a bit of time with his very supportive Art Teacher, Mrs. Ogle. The art world’s loss was everybody else’s gain, because even after receiving a scholarship from the Art Students League of New York, he followed his entrepreneurial instincts and became famous as a Night Club owner/partner at the once popular “Love People Night Club.” So amazing was its popularity and the culture of ‘good times’ it spawned, that the Love People Alumnae still meet and reminisce about the good times they had. “Love People,” is the holy grail of good times and enjoys the distinction of being both noun and adjective as it also became Winston’s mantra and a way of life; established by a partnership of friends, Winston, Lloyd ‘Frano’ Francis and Las Allen along with managers Norman Allen, Charles ‘Simo’ Simpson and Tony Odman; the Love People tradition has remained intact, even after the music died and the lights went out. Although that aspect of Winston’s life may seem frivolous or even misspent by some, this was his process, this was where his education and philosophy flowered, in his desire and purpose to - LOVE PEOPLE - unconditionally.

32 | PULSE OF THE CARIBBEAN PEOPLE

Frano, his lifetime friend and business partner says, “I find it difficult to get over his deep and abiding friendship, his motto was simply to ‘love people.’

Norman Allen remembers Winston this way, “Winston was personable, warm and generous, he was a happy guy, who was inviting, inclusive and open to everyone and always full of life. I sometimes wish I could be as open as he was.”

Derek Cyrus who was instrumental in establishing Arianna Prostate Cancer Community Outreach, the organization through which Winston expanded his mission to help Prostate cancer victims, said in a sad and emotional voice, “because of Winston’s caring and commitment we have begun to bridge the gap in the healthcare disparity that existed for years in our community. He would spend his own money in assisting victims of prostate cancer; the passion he had for his mission was unquenchable.”

Winston had a voracious appetite for life, and he didn’t just live for himself, (the casual observer wouldn’t know that), only his friends knew how much he lived for family, his wife Brenda and daughters Tiffany, (his ‘baby’ daughter) who is in medical school, Anjanette and son Christopher.

While gathering the notes to immortalize my friend, one thing left a lasting and profound impression on my life – it’s the courage, dignity and good humor that this man maintained in the face of tragedy and suffering. Winston had suffered the loss of two brothers, Lawson and Lenworth then, his son, Winston Jnr., how he functioned despite this, demonstrated his love for humanity. My own attempt at understanding this phenomenal man, led me back to a book that should be mandatory reading for everyone over 30, in that book “Man’s Search for Meaning,” Viktor Frankl says, “If there is a meaning in life at all, then there must be a meaning in suffering. Suffering is an ineradicable part of life, even as fate and death. Without suffering and death, human life cannot be complete.”

Winston never stopped talking about family, his

Lloyd (Frano) Francis and Winston Dyer Mom (Myrtle), who everyone knew as “Mother,” his sister Evelyn Ruth, (Ruthie) and surviving brother Andrew, who bears an uncanny physical resemblance to him. His devotion to his mother was as legendary as the man himself: a devoted, loving and protective son, he would announce more often than not, that he going to visit his mother and sister, an event he obviously looked forward to; he was loved because he loved and no matter his flaws, his intentions and his big heart were always in the right place. Despite all the responsibilities he carried Winston had time for his friends, but when friends were not able to provide him the spiritual support he needed, he always found a friend in the Rev. Dr. Samuel G. Simpson of the Bronx Baptist Church..

Whatever anyone had expected of Winston, the worst and the best was yet to come – the worst was represented by his prolonged illnesses which persisted in his later years, but as Nietzsche wrote,” he who has a ‘why’ to live for, can bear with almost any – ‘how.” To Winston, this was his time, to be his best and that meant providing information and support to individuals and families affected by prostate cancer. In the life altering book, “Man’s Search for Meaning,” Dr. Viktor Frankl a Psychiatrist and holocaust survivor, points out that the meaning of one’s life comes from three possible sources (1) purposeful work, (2) love (3) and courage in the face of difficulty. When you examine Winston’s life in the context of those parameters he was a giant – his suffering propelled him to ‘purposeful work; his love enveloped his family, friends as well as the prostate cancer community he nurtured and - his courage was

OUTSTANDING PERSONALITIES Spending time with Winston was entirely comparable with being at the movie’s, every facet of your imagination was engaged and entertained by this man, his adventures and misadventures would have his listeners transfixed in awe or convulsing in laughter; his stories though sensational were not fabrications, far from it, they were simply constructed that way to protect the innocent. The doubters just couldn’t conceptualize anyone else – ‘living out of the box,’ but Val Hackett can and did, in remembering his friend of over half a century, he says, “as long as it was, (over 50 years) it wasn’t long enough for me to learn his secrets for finding joy in every situation and in each moment - and it wasn’t long enough to exhaust his stories and jokes.

It was long enough though, for Winston to prove the myth that he knew everybody and everybody knew Winston.”

I often teased him to begin writing his memoir, but his focus was firmly fixed on completing his mission – HE KNEW what we didn’t know! That focus was directed to the many men (and their families) who were no match for the scourge of Prostate cancer ravaging the Black community, this was a crisis that Winston Dyer was prepared for and one which he met with an unmatched dedication. In 2003 a grant from the New York City Council armed him with a much needed medical mobile bus which not only expanded his outreach but made his efforts more credible and effective, also allowing him to include screenings for breast cancer in women.

Emblazoned with the name Arianna (the name of his youngest daughter) Prostate Cancer Community Outreach, the mobile medical bus became a beacon of hope for many who needed Prostate screenings but couldn’t afford them.

Tiffany Arianna (Winston’s youngest daughter), said of her dad, “growing up, I always looked at my dad as a sort of superhero, he was my coach, my teacher, my friend my inspiration and my biggest fan. He had an answer to every question I could ask and a solution to every problem I could present. If you needed it, he could build it, if you broke it, he could fix it. And, he knew so many people, that I felt the whole world was looking out for me.”

In attempting to understand his motivations more accurately, I had to rely on family and friends to fill in the threads of the beautiful tapestry that’s now a life well lived; I did find another thread that explains a lot – Winston had lost his dad to prostate cancer, and one of his brothers had prostate cancer - a perfect storm from which he emerged as a revolutionary voice on behalf of the voiceless, first in the Caribbean-American community, and then as far as his voice and influence could go.

Winston could no longer escape the attention of an influential cadre of Doctors/Urologists, Associations and Hospitals who all treated him like a colleague, foremost among those, were Urologists, Dr. Ira Grunberger, (a mentor and friend), Dr. Errol Mallett and Dr. Rupert Thompson, to name a few.

He was a board member of the National Prostate Cancer Association, a member of the Integration Panel of the Department of Defense; he met and

Legacy

unflinching in his darkest moments.

conferred with doctors, scientists, politicians and celebrities, many of them cancer survivors. It was at this intersection of his educational journey, and his life’s mission that Winston was most productive, he now had the resources to bring relief to scores of families through churches, clinics, health fairs, block associations, synagogues and/or any group that would accommodate him.

So allow us at WhereItzAt to celebrate the life of this superhero, this game-changer who demonstrated the Power of One to bring about change, our tribute to our legendary friend is incomplete however, without the most authentic and eloquent voice to espouse his real value to those that matter most: the words of Tiffany Arianna is that voice, “daddy, you’ve left this world with a sizeable hole and impossible shoes to fill; I’ll miss dancing and singing with you in the basement. I’ll miss our late night drives to nowhere and your endless stories. I’ll miss batting practice and art lessons. I’ll miss arguing with you over the radio dial and I’ll miss your silly faces and your terrible jokes, I’ll miss your loving hugs and kisses, but most of all I’ll just miss having you here.” Your memory remains deeply embedded in our hearts my friend.

‘Cause that’s WhereItzAt!

Publishers note: Mr. Winston Dyer will be honored posthumously for his Community Service and Leadership at the B I G Awards Gala on Saturday, June 13 at 8 pm, this event will be held at the prestigious Adria Hotel and Conference Center, 221-17 Northern Boulevard, Bayside, Queens.

Winston, wife Brenda and Family

Winston and daughter Anjanette

Winston and daughters Anjanette and Tiffany

PULSE OF THE CARIBBEAN PEOPLE | 33

Presents...

Pulse of the Caribbean People

The Delaware Valley Voice

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COMMUNITY, CULTURE & EDUCATION

CARIBBEAN CULTURE COMMISSION MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN PHILADELPHIA

every other culture except ours. I had the pleasure of launching a nonprofit organization, the Caribbean Culture Commission (501c), under the leadership of President Bishop Shawn Bartley.

The organization is comprised of individuals from various Caribbean Islands to ensure that every island is represented. The aim of the Caribbean Culture Commission (C.C.C) is to unite the Caribbean community via a one voice representation. I am proud to be the Regional Vice President of the marketing, promoting and distribution of the WhereItzAt magazine. I intend to highlight our peoples ambitions and accomplishments with the help of Ms. Laverne Andries, WhereItzAt Director of Publicity and The Delaware Valley is home to a very diverse Women’s Issues. group of people from all over the world. It is hard not to notice the presence of the strong Team Jamaica Bickle has been doing a tremendous Caribbean community in the region. The full job in supporting our Caribbean athletes. I strength of that community comes to life in April applaud their efforts and encourage you to at the annual Penn Relays, where Caribbean Pride support them by donating. Every $1 helps to is on full display. It is always amazing to see how make a difference in accommodating and feeding sport’s unites every other community with the the athletes. The Caribbean Festival Committee Caribbean’s, all supportive of each other in their also does a good job of helping to preserve our efforts to win. Sadly, that support is temporary, heritage and culture with the annual Caribbean after that we go back to adopting and supporting Festival at Penn’s Landing, with over 50,000 people in attendance. There are a few other organizations in the community representing important issues but none has emerged as a force to reckon with.

In 1682 William Penn founded the city of Philadelphia to serve as capital of the Pennsylvania Colony. During the American Revolution, the founding fathers met at what became known as Independence Hall. The Liberty Bell was first rung July 8, 1776 to summon Philadelphian’s to hear the first reading of the Declaration of Independence. In 1846 an extended crack in the bell prevented it from being rung and it was removed from the Liberty Hall tower and put on display. Although Delaware was declared the first state, Philadelphia has played an intricate role in almost every aspect of social development in America.

magazine, to share important information and promote our businesses. These are the proper tools to help us to empower each other, and once united, we’ll make a powerful impact.

The Delaware Valley is home to various Caribbean nationals across South Jersey, Philadelphia and Delaware. We all migrated from the Caribbean with hopes of a better life. America was founded on ideals such as hard work, discipline, equality and freedom.

Businesses such as South Street Business Center, Abyssinia Culture Shop, Reef Restaurant and Lounge, Caribbean Delight, Mango Bush, Besco Shipping, Black and Nobel, Just Right Caribbean Delight, Brown Sugar, Starrr Enterprise Inc, Reggae Grill, IMP Auto, Champs Shipping, Moonlight Cuisine, Sunday Best and Top Taste. All have shown interest in the movement.

Let us unite and make a change so we can all leave a significant legacy for our children. For more information on The Caribbean Culture Commission call Andre at 267-368-8026.

By Laverne Andries

There are a lot of important issues that are affecting us as Caribbean nationals, especially our family and friends that are undocumented. Education, healthcare, law enforcement, voting, business development and job placement are also on the list. These are issues that the Caribbean Culture Commission intends to address promptly.

The main problem this: the Caribbean community did not have a legitimate news Source to represent us. That problem is has found a solution, now we can begin to tackle obstacles preventing us from financial growth with a renewed effort because we now have a platform to express ourselves.

Most of us treasure our humble beginnings and how far we have come. We have a legitimate organization and news outlet, WhereItzAt PULSE OF THE CARIBBEAN PEOPLE | 35

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

“Life too Sweet” Video by M-Gee Featuring Gully Bop Creating a Sensation Globally Philadelphia based dancehall sensation M-Gee last month (January) released a video featuring one of Jamaica’s most sought after dancehall act; Gully Bop. The track titled “Life Too Sweet” is already creating a buzz across the globe. WhereItzAt recently spoke with M-Gee who described the collaboration as a major milestone for him; he also spoke of his introduction to music.

United Kingdom and the Caribbean.

Since then he has gone on to release singles like “No Tail”, “Life Is No Joke” and “Di Gal Dem” to name a few which have received numerous airplay globally. In 2012 he got the opportunity to perform on Sting, Jamaica’s ultimate dancehall show which attracts a wide assortment of patrons. Since then he has done other shows in Jamaica and worked M-Gee, born Garfield Stewart in Kingston with some of the top producers on the island.

Jamaica has been singing and writing for over a decade. Like most Jamaican artiste he M-Gee draws inspiration from local Jamaican started singing in church. His superb talent acts like Vybz Kartel, Capelton and Bounti was recognized from early and both his church Killa. During the interview he expressed his family and the community encouraged and delight in doing a collaboration with Gully motivated him to seek a career in music. Bop and said based on the nature of the song While in Jamaica he performed at numerous he see Gully Bop as the best person to bring events in Eastern Jamaica. However M-Gee the message he wanted to portray across. The quickly recognized that if he wanted to single can be viewed on YouTube. At present realize his full potential as an artiste, leaving M-Gee is concentrating on his singles before his native country Jamaica, would be a compiling an Album. Finally he encouraged new acts to strive at all times to deliver viable option. their best. He has a few shows lined up for As a result, when the opportunity presented Philadelphia this year; more details on these itself he migrated to the United States and shows will be announced. situated himself in the Philadelphia, PA area.

To date, M-Gee described this as his best By: Tracey A Spence career move as he would have more avenues to further pursue his musical dreams. His first major hit released in December 2011 “Never Come See” was a massive hit on the dancehall scene though-out the United States, The

ENTREPRENEURSHIP

A Look at Black & Nobel Founder Hakim Hopkins

Any book that helps a child to form a habit of reading, to make reading one of his deep and continuing needs, is good for him.

–Maya Angelou

For forty three year old businessman Hakim Hopkins, there was never ever a doubt that he could and would succeed when he decided to start selling books. Twelve years later the business that operated for three years outdoors on a street corner has grown into what is arguably one of the best black owned bookstores in the United States.

Aptly named Black & Nobel, the bookstore located in North Philadelphia, today serves not only as a place to find urban fiction and other literature, but serves as a community center of sorts where members of the area can come to get information. They also offer lecture series and is proud of the fact that they offer “ship to prisoners” this is where family member can send books to their loved ones who are incarcerated. Black & Nobel serves as a hub, catering to all irrespective of ethnicity or religious beliefs.

Founder and C.E.O of Black & Nobel Hakim Hopkins bases his success on the strong support he has gotten over the years from, not only his family but his peers, and the enormous support he has gotten from his strong customer base. As it relates to emerging technology and the rise in e-books, Hopkins says while it has affected bookstores, in general, he has not allowed it to affect him that much; through aggressive marketing he has found ways to carve a niche for the business and has a vibrant internet presence.

He also announced that plans are underway to create a mobile application, where book lovers all over the world can make purchases.

In addition to Black & Nobel, Hopkins also founded weshiptoprisioners.com, as a way to ship books to those who are incarcerated. Hopkins credits this initiative as one of the cornerstones of his business. Born and raised in Philadelphia, Hopkins expressed his pride in sharing his Caribbean heritage (his grandparents are natives of Jamaica.) He spoke enthusiastically of the numerous trips he has made to Jamaica and has dubbed himself a “Jamerican.”

In closing Hopkins encouraged prospective business owners to believe in the power of prayer. He also challenged them to read “Think And Grow Rich, A Black Choice” a book he claimed he has read numerous times, which motivated him to realize that; despite whatever challenges life throws your way, with determination and willpower you can overcome and become successful. Hopkins also stated that finding out who you are and just being yourself is another motivating factor to being a success. He expresses his gratitude to his customers for the twelve years of continued support and will do whatever it takes to continue earning their business.

He said reading is paramount and should be of utmost importance to all. For more information on Black & Nobel you may visit the website at www.blackandnobel.com or check out their YouTube channel.

Tracey A. Spence PULSE OF THE CARIBBEAN PEOPLE | 37

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B.I.G Awards Gala 2015 The premier event for the recognition and celebration of business leadership, community service and outstanding achievement, invites you to its Gala Awards Ceremony and Presentation

“Promoting Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development”

Adria Hotel, 221-17 Northern Blvd, Bayside, Queens, NY 11361

Saturday, June 13th, 2015 8pm-1am Tickets (all inclusive): $75/person

Dress: Strictly Formal – no exceptions For more information, Contact: Dr. Clive Williams: 917-749-7613

bigawards@gowhereitzat.com

“Think Big, Achieve Big – and realize Big Rewards”

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