The Westside Gazette

PRSRT STD 

U.S. POSTAGE 

PAID 

FT. LAUDERDALE, FL 33310 

PERMIT NO. 1179 

SURGEON GENERAL 

CALLS FOR HEALTH 

WARNINGS ON SOCIAL 

MEDIA PLATFORMS 

PAGE 5 

President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. 

Approves Major Disaster 

Declaration for Florida 

CHECK OUT PAGE 14 

THURSDAY, JUNE 20 - JUNE 26, 2024 

VOL. 53 NO. 20 $1.00 

Is illiteracy Black America’s Public Health Enemy #1? 

Low-income Floridians with 

sickle cell disease 

will have access to new gene therapies 

PAGE 2 

Ex-Trump Officials Confirm 

Talk of Executions, 

Potential Bloodbath if He 

Beats Biden In November 

A MESSAGE FROM 

THE PUBLISHER 

The Florida Agency for Health Care Administration approved both sickle cell disease gene 

therapies for Medicaid coverage on June 14, 2024. (Photo by TEK IMAGE/SCIENCE PHOTO 

LIBRARY via Getty Images) 

‘It gives us so much hope 

and inspiration, especially for 

our younger children’ 

By Jackie Llanos 

(Source: Florida Phoenix) 

Raising a child with sickle cell 

disease during the 1990s, there wasn’t 

much hope for Kemba Gosier, a Miami 

resident, that she could make her 

daughter’s unbearable pain go away. 

Now, Floridians with sickle cell 

disease are closer to a functional cure 

after health care officials authorized 

Medicaid coverage for newly FDAapproved 

gene therapies. 

Officials with the Florida Agency 

for Healthcare Administration voted 

Friday to cover both breakthrough 

Lenora Howze, 

Executive/Advertising 

Director for the 

131- year- old AFRO- 

American Newspapers 

welcomes Bobby 

Henry, Sr., chair of the 

National Newspaper 

Publishers Association 

(NNPA) at BWI. Henry, 

Publisher of the 

Westside Gazette in Fort 

Lauderdale, Florida., 

is in Baltimore for 

NNPA’s Annual 

Convention on 

June 19-22. 

therapies, offering relief for more 

than 7,000 low-income people with 

subsidized health insurance in the 

state, according to a report from the 

agency. The staggering cost of the 

therapies left people in the sickle cell 

medical community wondering how 

accessible the one-time treatment 

would be; it can cost up to $3.1 

million. 

The more than 7,000 Florida 

Medicaid patients represent about 

half of the state’s total population 

living with sickle cell. A 2023 study 

in Blood, a journal of the American 

Society of Hematology, placed the 

number of cases in Florida at 13,886, 

the highest in the nation. Most people 

living with sickle cell disease in the 

(Cont’d on page 10) 

By Jim Saunders 

©2024 The News Service of Florida. 

All rights reserved; see terms. 

Abortion 

‘Statement’ 

Ruling On Hold 

TALLAHASSEE — An appeals court Monday kept 

on hold a ruling that would require a revamped “financial 

impact statement” that will appear on the November 

ballot with a proposed constitutional amendment about 

abortion rights and refused to fast-track the issue to the 

Florida Supreme Court. 

The 1st District Court of Appeal approved the state’s 

request for a stay of a ruling by Leon County Circuit 

Judge John Cooper and rejected a suggestion by the 

Floridians Protecting Freedom political committee that 

the dispute be sent to the Supreme Court — a move that 

would have essentially skipped consideration of the case 

by the appeals court. Floridians Protecting Freedom is 

helping lead efforts to pass the abortion amendment. 

Monday’s order did not explain the appeals court’s 

decisions, but it was the latest twist in a legal battle 

about the financial impact statement. 

Financial impact statements appear with ballot 

initiatives to provide estimated effects of the measures 

on government revenues and the state budget. A state 

panel issued the financial impact statement for the 

abortion proposal in November 2023. 

Continue reading online at: thewestsidegazette.com 

Two former senior aides have 

revealed that Trump discussed 

executing Americans, including his 

own staff, for disobedience. 

By Stacy M. Brown 

NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent 

Bill Fletcher, Jr., said white extremist 

violence is being driven by white 

men who feel marginalized in the 

country they regard as their own. 

(Photo: iStockphoto / NNPA) 

Having already been convicted of 34 felony charges this year, facing 

nearly 60 other felonies, and found responsible for sexual assault, new 

details have emerged about the twice-impeached and four-times indicted 

former President Donald Trump’s extreme and violent rhetoric, and the 

retribution he will seek if elected again. 

Two former senior aides have revealed that Trump discussed executing 

Americans, including his own staff, for disobedience. With Trump 

declaring that he’ll be a “dictator on Day 1,” the revelations provide more 

insight into the authoritarian wrath a second MAGA presidency would 

unleash on America. 


Ms. Robinson’s 12-Year 

Summary of Accomplishments 

After dedicating 12 years 

to her role, Mrs. Casandra 

D. Robinson, the esteemed 

and Proud Principal of the 

Historic Dillard High School, 

received unexpected news 

during a brief meeting on 

Friday, June 10, 2024. She 

was informed that effective 

July 1, 2024, she would be 

transferred to another high 

school less than five miles 

from her current location. 

Mrs. Robinson, while sad to leave the Dillard community, 

is more than equipped with the skill set needed to meet 

the demanding challenges that await her as the new 

and first Black principal of Plantation High School. 

Mrs. Robinson, a dedicated servant and leader of the 

Dillard community, has demonstrated an unmatched 

passion for teaching and learning. Her commitment, 

shared leadership, and winning personality have been 

the cornerstone of her success at Dillard High School. 

During her tenure she has been recognized with 

numerous awards and accolades. As Principal, she has 

spearheaded countless educational and community 

initiatives, too many to list them all. However, below 

are a few standout moments from her tenure at Dillard 

High School 6-12: (Cont’d on page 12) 

A Broward Sheriff’s Office deputy took his 

own life in South Miami-Dade, BSO says 

BSO didn’t name the deputy, but said, he “has been employed at the Broward Sheriff’s Office for 

16 years and was off duty at the time of his death.” 

Read article online at: thewestsidegazette.com 

For some 

it’s a game 

of deception 

“When he speaks graciously, 

believe him not, for there 

are seven abominations in 

his heart; though his hatred 

be covered with deception, 

his wickedness will be 

exposed in the assembly.” 

Proverbs 26:25-26 

By Bobby R. Henry, Sr. 

As the United States 

stands on the edge of a 

precipice, staring down the 

barrel of potential civil strife, 

it is crucial to reflect on 

the state of our democracy 

and the peril it faces. At 

the center of this storm is a 

former president who has 

been convicted of 34 felonies, 

charged with sexual abuse 

and defamation of writer E. 

Jean Carroll and alleged to 

have incited an insurrection. 

His actions have sown division 

and fear, conspiring with our 

adversaries and seeking to 

disenfranchise Black and 

Brown communities. The 

sheer audacity of this man, 

who, instead of seeking 

forgiveness, continues to 

spread lies and propaganda, 

even in sacred spaces like 

Black churches, is an affront 

to the very essence of our 

nation’s values. 

For Black Americans, the 

stakes could not be higher. 

The erosion of our rights 

and the persistent threat 

of bigotry hang over us like 

a dark cloud. The former 

president’s visit to a Black 

church, not to reconcile but 

to perpetuate falsehoods, 

is a stark reminder of the 

contempt with which he 

regards our communities. It 

is a call to action, a plea for 

Thursday 

June 20 th 

Fri 

(Cont’d on page 10) 

Rain 

Sunrise: 7:08am 

87° 

82° 

Sunset: 7:39pm 

Sat Sun Mon Tues 

CORRECTED ONLINE: There were misspelled names in the article “ARTFUL MINDS” by Dixie Ann Black 

We apologize for the errors and have corrected the names online at www.thewestsidegazette.com 

89° 

82° 

87° 

81° 

88° 

80° 

88° 

80° 

89° 

79° 

The Westside Gazette Newspaper 

@TheWestsideGazetteNewspaper 

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 • JUNE 20 - JUNE 26, 2024 

The Westside Gazette Newspaper is honored to feature these editorial contributions made by local students. 

www.thewestsidegazette.com 

Florida Governor Ron 

Is illiteracy 

DeSantis has officially 

Black America’s Public Health Enemy #1? 

concluded his presidential 

campaign and announced 

his endorsement of former 

By Jayne Hopson President Donald Trump. In 

3 out of 4 people on welfare can’t read 

a strategic move, DeSantis 

The early deficiencies in literacy extend 

Illiteracy is decided a big problem to support in the Trump, 

into adulthood, contributing to a myriad of 

United States, a especially significant in the player Black in 

social and health problems. These figures 

community. People Republican who can’t politics. read This 

are not just numbers; they represent real 

well often have alliance worse health could outcomes shape the 

individuals whose lives and health are 

because they can’t dynamics understand of the medical upcoming 

severely impacted by their inability to read 

instructions. Many presidential Americans race, struggle leveraging 

proficiently. 

with reading, and this can lead T to r serious u m p ’ s 

The financial costs of medical illiteracy 

health issues and even death. Illiteracy influence is and 

are staggering. It is estimated that 

a major issue that affects many DeSantis’ 

aspects 

billions of dollars are spent annually on 

of life, including health and well-being. r i s It i n g 

the treatment preventable diseases 

is important for communities to political provide prominence. The move signals a unified front within the party, 

B-CU Celebrates and illnesses Day suffered of by Service patients who are 

with 

programs to help people improve emphasizing their key conservative values. As the 2024 election landscape 

functionally illiterate. These individuals, 

reading skills. Healthcare takes providers shape, DeSantis’ decision to step back from his own presidential 

Home Depot’s “Retool Your School” #1 

unable read at a fifth-grade level, struggle 

also need to make sure that medical aspirations in favor of backing Trump adds a noteworthy chapter to 

to understand prescription medicine labels 

information is easy to understand the for evolving narrative of Republican politics. 

Submitted by B-CU 

and concession hospital being discharge the instructions, postponement which of painting 

everyone, regardless of their reading level. 

can stripping significantly the basketball increase court their – a risk minor of hiccup 

Submitted by Layla Davidson - Photo credit: cnn.com 

By addressing illiteracy and improving 

Bethune-Cookman University making more favorable medical errors. weather prevails. 

access to education, we can help improve 

celebrated a significant day of unity This Dr. issue William is particularly Berry, Provost acute and among Acting Presid 

the health of the Black community and 

and service on Thursday, Jan. 18, poor, expressed chronically excitement ill individuals and gratitude, who must stating, “We 

reduce the impact of medical illiteracy. Biden Unveils New 

at the Photo Michael Credit: Artwork: and Libby Shutterstock Johnson self-administer excited about this their project medications and grateful and rely to all those 

Powered by ZingFrog.ai 

medicine label or determine the number implications. The “face” Center of illiteracy: for Civic Engagement on caregivers who may also have limited 

Illiteracy is a silent, but pressing issue of patients Sweeping who became ill after Student surgery Loan Currently, 45 million (CCE). Americans This momentous are functionally occasion literacy skills. 

in the United States, particularly within because they could not read or understand illiterate and cannot read brought above together a fifth-grade students, level faculty, Medical content is generally 

the Black community. This problem critical 

Debt 

home care 

Relief 

instructions. 

Measures, 

The 50% of adults cannot read staff, a book alumni, written and at an friends eighth-tgrade 

level 

commemorate the University’s Continue reading online at: 

transcends educational boundaries and Literacy Project has gathered U.S. 

has severe implications for public health. 

Surpassing 3.7 Million 

Census Bureau data to offer a compelling 57% of students failed recent the California accomplishment Standards – Test securing 

thewestsidegazette.com 

“Health Matter’s” introductory article, look at illiteracy and the magnitude of the English 

the fourth position in Home 

Beneficiaries 

“Medical Illiteracy: Black America’s problem: 

1/3 of fourth-graders reach 

Depot’s 

the proficient 

prestigious “Retool Your 

Public Health Enemy #1,” outlines the According to data from The Literacy reading level 

School” competition and receiving a 

direct correlation between low literacy Project, 45 million Americans are 75% of students in California 

substantial 

school 

$60,000 grant dedicated 

to campus enhancement. 

levels and adverse health outcomes, functionally illiterate, unable to read systems are unable to perform basic 

Despite cooler temperatures and 

underscoring an urgent need for systemic above a fifth-grade level. These statistics reading skills 

overcast skies, the collective Leia’s spirit Mathematics 

intervention. 

reveal the magnitude of the literacy 85% of juvenile offenders have problems 

prevailed as almost 135 participants, 

It is nearly impossible to calculate how crisis and beg responsible community reading 

led by Home Depot Daytona Beach Corner 

many people die each year because they stakeholders and leaders for a deeper 3 out of 5 people in American prisons 

Store Manager Therese Watsoncould 

not correctly read a prescription examination of illiteracy’s far-reaching can’t read 

Murray, joined forces in yesterday’s participated in the vote for B-CU. These enhancem 

NNPA NEWSWIRE — debt crisis, announcing the loan repayment structure 

successful effort. Their mission will help create more vibrant and engaging space 

Earlier this month, Biden approval of debt cancellation while providing life-changing 

was ambitious, involving projects our students to retreat on campus for a brain brea 

Broward announced County the accelerated Students for an additional Soar 74,000 support To to New students and Heights their At 

ranging from assembling bookcases find inspiration through the downtime.” 

implementation of a student loan borrowers. The families. 

and indoor-outdoor dining sets to Home Depot’s “Retool Your School” prog 

Southern Black Girl Dream Conference in Atlanta 

constructing arcade games, foosball established in 2009, has been a beacon for positive cha 

tables, basketball hoops, hockey providing over $9.25 million in campus improvem 

sets, and table tennis tables. Even grants to Historically Black Colleges and Univers 

adverse weather conditions couldn’t (HBCUs). Beyond the competition, the Office of Alu 

Student Aid for Voluntary 

Education (SAVE) plan, 

which the administration 

said has helped 3.6 million 

Americans by canceling 

their student debt. 

By Stacy M. Brown 

NNPA Newswire Senior 

National Correspondent 

@StacyBrownMedia 

President Biden continues 

to make significant strides in 

alleviating the student loan 

Students at the Southern Black Girl Dream Conference in Atlanta. 

Submitted by Dr. Ciara L. Bostick 

Broward County, FL – On June 7th-8th, 

2024 thirty Black girls from Broward County 

had the unique opportunity to attend the 

Southern Black Girl Dream conference in 

Atlanta, Georgia. For many of these young 

scholars, it was their first time flying on an 

airplane, marking a significant milestone in 

their lives. 

The students, grades 5th-12 th , represented 

two local organizations: local nonprofit,God’s 

Gift, and Rock Island Elementary School’s 

Ladies in Training mentoring program. 

Both groups earned their place at the 

conference through a competitive process 

that awarded them a $1,000 travel voucher to 

cover expenses. 

the record-breaking relief the 

administration has provided 

to more than 3.7 million 

Americans. Earlier this 

month, Biden announced the 

accelerated implementation 

of a crucial provision under 

the Student Aid for Voluntary 

Education (SAVE) plan, 

which the administration 

said has helped 3.6 million 

Americans by canceling 

their student debt. Biden 

said the plan aims to create 

a more affordable student 

approved debt cancellation 

for another 74,000 student 

loan borrowers across the 

country, bringing the total 

number of people who have 

had their debt canceled under 

my administration to over 3.7 

million Americans through 

various actions,” Biden said 

in a statement on Jan. 19. 

The beneficiaries of the latest 

round of relief include nearly 

44,000 teachers, nurses, 

firefighters, and other public 

service professionals who 

The two-day conference featured a 

variety of workshops designed to inspire and 

educate the attendees. Sessions focused on 

STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, 

and Mathematics), Leadership, and Career 

Development. The interactive and immersive 

environment aimed to equip these young 

women with the skills and confidence 

necessary to pursue their dreams and become 

leaders in their communities. 

“We are incredibly proud of our students,” 

said Dr. Ciara L. Bostick, Executive Director 

of God’s Gift. “This experience not only 

broadened their horizons by allowing them to 

travel but also provided invaluable learning 

opportunities that will help shape their 

futures.” 

The Southern Black Girl Dream conference 

their debts forgiven. 

is renowned for its commitment to 

empowering young Black girls by 

providing them with the tools and 

resources needed to succeed in 

various fields. This year’s event was 

no exception, offering a supportive 

platform for the attendees to learn, 

grow, and connect with peers and 

mentors. 

deter their dedication, with the only 

have earned forgiveness after 

a decade of dedicated service. 

Additionally, close to 30,000 

individuals who have been 

in repayment for at least 

20 years without receiving 

relief through income-driven 

repayment plans will now see 

Learn more about 

God’s Gift at 

www.godsgiftinc.org 

123 271 

+89 -16 

——— Biden credited the success 

of these relief efforts 

——— 

to the 

corrective 200 measures taken 

to address broken student 

loan programs. X 20He asserted 

that these fixes have removed 

——— 

Continue reading online at: thewestsidegazette. 

barriers preventing borrowers 

from accessing the relief they 

were entitled to under the law. 

Created by Leia Palmer 3rd grader! 

College 

Prep 

Word of 

the Week 

The president outlined 

broader achievements of 

administration in suppo 

students and borrow 

including achieving the 

significant increases in 

Grants in over a decade, a 

Continue reading online 


verb - to slow the movement, progress, or action of someone or something 

noun - a large adjective basket usually with a cover for packing,storing HOW TO USE or QUIESCENT IN A 

transporting articles (such as food or laundry) SENTENCE 

being at rest; inactive or 

motionless; quiet; still: a 

quiescent mind. 

hamper 

quiescent 

[ kwee-es-uhnt, kwahy- ] 

HOW TO USE IN A SENTENCE: It’s possible that other volcanoes w 

Bad weather could hamper our search long quiescentperiods efforts. may also ha 

subtle but protracted warning peri 

as well. 

Kid Triston maintaining a 4.6 

GPA is a remarkable achievement 

in itself. Earning a full scholarship 

to play Division 1 basketball, 

with only a 1% acceptance rate, 

is a feat of its own. To accomplish 

both is truly extraordinary. 

Congratulations to Triston on 

graduating in the top 5% of his 

class, Summa Cum Laude! Your 

hard work and dedication have 

paid off. You’ve made tremendous 

sacrifices to reach this milestone, 

and it’s been an inspiration to 

witness your journey. Well done, 

Triston - this achievement is a 

testament to your perseverance 

and excellence!” 

Word Sea 

List Comp 

by Kama 

Jackson 

Freshme 

at Dillar 

High Scho 

The Westside Gazette Newspaper is honored to feature editorial contributions made by local students. Sumbit articles to wgazette@thewestsidegazette.com


By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Senior 


In the lead-up to the June 27 presidential debate, 

the Biden-Harris campaign has unveiled a $50 million 

paid media blitz, ramping up attempts to secure the 

crucial Black and minority voting bloc that could be 

the difference in the contest between President Joe 

Biden and the twice-impeached former President 

Donald Trump. Titled “Character Matters,” the new 

ad encapsulates the campaign’s core message: Biden 

is committed to serving the American people, while 

Trump is fixated on his own interests. 

The ad emphasizes Trump’s recent legal troubles, 

including his conviction on 34 felony counts and 

liabilities for sexual assault and financial fraud. 

It paints Trump as a figure driven by power and 

revenge, contrasting sharply with Biden’s focus 

on lowering costs, tackling corporate greed, and 

improving the lives of Americans. 

“Trump approaches the first debate as a convicted 

Deeply Rooted 

Ahead of June Debate, Biden-Harris Campaign’s 

‘Character Matters’ Ads Highlights Central 

Dynamic of the Race 

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg is the 

local prosecutor in Trump’s New York trial, and 

the case had nothing to do with President Biden 

or his administration. Trump was convicted of 

falsifying business records as part of a scheme to 

cover up a sex scandal that threatened to erupt 

while he was running for president in 2016. 



On a cool Thursday afternoon, in a New York 

courtroom, history was made as a somber Donald 

Trump, former president of the United States, listened 

to a jury pronounce him guilty of 34 felony counts of 

falsifying business records. He sat slack, becoming the 

first former president ever to be convicted of a crime. 

“Our whole country is being rigged right now,” 

Trump declared. “This is being done by the Biden 

administration in order to wound or hurt a political 

opponent.” 

That statement is unequivocally false. Manhattan 

District Attorney Alvin Bragg is the local prosecutor in 

Trump’s New York trial, and the case had nothing to 

do with President Biden or his administration. Trump 

was convicted of falsifying business records as part of 

a scheme to cover up a sex scandal that threatened to 

erupt while he was running for president in 2016. 

Prosecutors argued it was an unlawful effort to 

influence that election. But Trump has tried to turn 

that accusation on its head, calling it the “Biden trial,” 

“election interference,” and a “witch hunt.” His allies 

quickly echoed these sentiments. Arizona Senate 

candidate Kari Lake described the verdict as “the 

most egregious example of election interference and 

an outright mockery of the rule of law in the 246-year 

history of our Republic.” Republican House Speaker 

Mike Johnson called the trial a “purely political exercise, 

not a legal one,” accusing the Biden administration of 

weaponizing the justice system. 

That strategy aims to erode public faith in the 

system that convicted Trump, a move likely to worry 

Republicans and Democrats alike about the future of 

American democracy. “This was a conviction by a jury 

of Americans who listened to the evidence and made 

their decision,” Rachel Kleinfeld, a senior fellow at the 

Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, told the 

New York Times. “When you undermine courts the way 

that elections have already been undermined, there is 

no peaceful way to settle differences.” 

For Trump and his campaign, the party line is 

clear: grievance, anger, and a call for revenge. Former 

Maryland Governor Larry Hogan, a Republican Senate 

candidate, faced immediate backlash from Trump’s 

senior advisor, Chris LaCivita, for urging Americans to 

respect the verdict and legal process. “You just ended 

your campaign,” LaCivita retorted. 

“I couldn’t help but think throughout this trial of 

Donald Trump sitting through days of testimony in 

The ad emphasizes Trump’s recent legal troubles, including his 

conviction on 34 felony counts and liabilities for sexual assault 

and financial fraud. It paints Trump as a figure driven by power 

and revenge, contrasting sharply with Biden’s focus on lowering 

costs, tackling corporate greed, and improving the lives of 

Americans. 

felon who continues to prove that he will do anything and harm 

anyone if it means more power and vengeance for Donald Trump,” 

said Michael Tyler, the Biden-Harris 2024 Communications 

Director. “Character matters, and the President of the United 

States should be someone who understands that the highest office 

in the land is about you and your family—not a vehicle to enrich 

yourself.” 

The June campaign’s $50 million expenditure would mark a 

historic investment in reaching African American, Hispanic, and 

AAPI voters across battleground states. This investment includes 

significant media buys targeting these key demographics via 

television, radio, print, and digital channels. Campaign officials 

said ads like “Protect and Thrive” and “No One” highlight Biden’s 

achievements and commitments, particularly in healthcare and 

cost reduction, aimed at resonating with these communities. 

As part of this effort, the Biden-Harris campaign plans to make 

its largest to-date investment in African American media through 

Trump’s Conviction Sparks Accusations and Deepens Divisions 

According to www.nextgov.com, predictive policing involves law 

enforcement officials implementing mathematical and predictive analytics 

and other technology-based techniques to pinpoint potential crimes. 

(Photo: iStockphoto / NNPA) 

The nine-member court upheld 

a previous ruling by a district court 

judge in Tulsa, stating that the 

plaintiffs’ grievances, although 

legitimate, did not fall within the 

purview of the state’s public 

nuisance statute. 

By Stacy M. Brown, 

NNPA Newswire Senior National Corr. 

The Oklahoma Supreme Court dismissed 

a case filed by the last two remaining 

survivors of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre on 

Wednesday, June 12, casting doubt on racial 

equality campaigners’ aspirations for justice 

and reparations for one of the most heinous 

acts of racial violence in American history. 

The nine-member court upheld a previous 

ruling by a district court judge in Tulsa, 

stating that the plaintiffs’ grievances, 

although legitimate, did not fall within 

the purview of the state’s public nuisance 

statute. “We further hold that the plaintiff’s 

allegations do not sufficiently support a claim 

for unjust enrichment,” the court declared in 

its decision. 

Attempts by the Black Press to contact 

both parties were unsuccessful. 

Lessie Benningfield Randle 

and Viola Fletcher, two survivors 

who are both over 100 years old, 

filed the lawsuit in 2020 to compel 

JUNE 20 - JUNE 26, 2024 • PAGE 3 

partnerships with minority-owned media outlets like the National 

Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA), the trade association 

representing over 250 Black-owned newspapers and media companies 

that comprise the 197-year-old Black Press of America. The strategic 

placements should ensure that critical messages about Biden’s 

policies and achievements reach African American voters through 

trusted community channels. 

Additionally, the Biden-Harris campaign has made significant 

grassroots efforts, such as organizing around the Dobbs decision 

anniversary to support reproductive rights and mobilizing seniors on 

healthcare issues through events run by First Lady Dr. Jill Biden 


Manhattan Criminal Court,” said the Rev. Al Sharpton. “This is the 

same building that Antron McCray, Kevin Richardson, Yusef Salaam, 

Raymond Santana, and Korey Wise all passed into, day after day, as they 

endured a show trial for a crime they did not commit. These children 

had to hear vitriol from people whose anger was incited by a man who 

spent a small fortune on full-page ads calling for their execution. Now 

the shoe is on the other foot. Donald Trump is the criminal, and those 

five men are exonerated.” 


Oklahoma Supreme Court Dismisses 

Tulsa Race Massacre Survivors’ Lawsuit 

the City of Tulsa and other parties to 

make amends for the destruction a 

white mob caused to the thriving Black 

neighborhood known as Greenwood. On 

May 31 and June 1, 1921, the mob, which 

included individuals hastily deputized 

by local authorities, looted and set fire to 

the district, famously dubbed “Black Wall 

Street.” 

The massacre resulted in the deaths 

of up to 300 Black Tulsans and forced 

thousands of survivors into internment 

camps managed by the National Guard. 

Today, only remnants like burned bricks 

and part of a church basement remain of 

the once-thriving 30-block area. 

Benningfield Randle and Fletcher, 

along with the now-deceased Hughes Van 

Ellis, sued to secure what their attorney 

termed “justice in their lifetime.” Van 

Continue reading online at: 


The Washington Post / 

Contributor / Getty Images 

A Grant Program For 

Black Women Business 

Owners Is Discriminatory, 

Federal Appeals Court Rules 

By Rayna Reid Rayford 

(Source Essence) 

A federal appeals court 

has ruled that the Fearless 

Fund grant program for Black 

women business owners is 

discriminatory. 

“The judges ruled that 

the Fearless Fund’s Fearless 

Strivers Grant Contest is 

‘substantially likely to violate’ 

the provisions of Title 42 of 

the US Code, which ensures 

equal rights under the law 

and prohibits the use of race 

when awarding and enforcing 

contracts,” CNN reports. 

The case against the 

Atlanta-based venture capital 

fund began last year with 

a lawsuit by the American 

Alliance for Equal Rights. The 

lawsuit, led by Edward Blum, 

who is known for challenging 

affirmative action in college 

admissions, alleged that the 

fund, which specifically caters 

to Black women, is racially 

discriminatory. 

However, a significant 

racial gap exists in venture 

capital funding, with Black 

women businesses receiving 

less than 1% of the $288 

billion invested by venture 

capital firms in 2022. 

Monday’s 2-1 decision was 

a reversal from last year’s 

ruling by a federal judge, 


thewestsidegazette.com

PAGE 4 • JUNE 20 - JUNE 26, 2024 

Westside Gazette Calendar 

of Events 

Deeply Rooted 

LOCAL HAPPENINGS IN 

BROWARD MIAMI-DADE 

AND PALM BEACH 

COUNTIES 

HAVE YOUR COMMUNITY EVENTS 

PLACED ON THIS PAGE 

email:wgproof@thewestsidegazette.com 

********************************* 

Celebrate Announcements: 

Call -- (954) 525-1489 

Happy Birthday * Weddings 

* Anniversaries 

Retirements * Congratulations 

Juneteenth Celebration Events 

EVENT 


FAMILY DAY 

Wednesday, June 19 Juneteenth 

Family Day, from 11 

a.m. to 3 p.m., at Miramar 

City Hall Plaza, 2400 Civic 

Center Pl., Miramar, FL 33025 

CELEBRATION 

Juneteenth Celebration, 

presented by Black Genius 

In Flight, Inc., June 20 thru 

June 22. RecurrenceL Recurring 

daily. Thursday,June 20, 

at 7 p.m., and Friday, June 

21 at 7 p.m., and Saturday, 

June 22 at 7 at 3800 N.W. 

11th Pl., Lauderhill, FL 33313. 

There is fee to attend. 

Wednesday, June 19 from 

10 a.m. to 12 p.m., at Loan- 

Depot Park, 501 Marline 

Way, Miami FL 33125 

EVENT 

Historic Virginia Key Beach 

Park, Juneteenth Beach 

Bash, Saturday, June 22, 

from 12 to 4 p.m., at 4020 

Virgina Beach Dr., Miami, FL 

33149. There a parking fee. 

RSVP bit.ly/3Wn4YKY 

CELEBRATION 

LiT CAFE part of Juneteenth 

Celebration Weekend, 

Thursday, June 29 from 7 to 

9 p.m., at Lauderhill Performing 

Arts Center, 3800 N.W. 11 

Pl., Lauderhill, FL 33313 

You are not alone, 

God’s Precious Widows 

Elevating Widows Support Group 

Meet every 4th Saturday 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. 

2300 N.W. 22nd St. 

Fort Lauderdale, FL 33311 

Fellowship Hall 

New Birth House of Prayer for all People. 

Contact Eular Nelson (954) 595-9338 

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Deeply Rooted 

Surgeon General Calls for Health Warnings on Social Media Platforms 

Adolescents who spend more than three hours a day on social media face double the risk of anxiety and depression symptoms. At the last 

observation, the average daily use for this age group was 4.8 hours, with nearly half reporting that social media negatively impacts their body 


JUNE 20 - JUNE 26, 2024 • PAGE 5 

By Stacy M. Brown, (NNPA 

Newswire Senior National 

Correspondent 

@StacyBrownMedia) 

U.S. Surgeon General 

Vivek H. Murthy has called for 

mandatory health warnings 

on social media platforms to 

alert younger users to the 

potential mental health risks 

associated with their use. In 

an op-ed published in The 

New York Times, Murthy 

emphasized the urgent need 

to address the mental health 

crisis among adolescents, 

highlighting social media as 

a significant contributing 

factor. 

“It is time to require a 

surgeon general’s warning 

label on social media platforms, 

stating that social media is 

associated with significant 

mental health harms for 

adolescents,” Murthy wrote. 

Florida starts to set rules allowing pharmacists 

to prescribe emergency HIV prevention drugs 

By Jackie Llanos 

(Source: Florida Phoenix) 

Florida is joining the 

growing list of states that 

allow pharmacists to order 

and dispense HIV infectionprevention 

drugs, but it will 

still take months until any 

pharmacists are certified to 

provide that service. 

Greater access to emergency 

HIV postexposure prophylaxis 

drugs, commonly known as 

PEP, could curb infections in 

the state, which has the thirdhighest 

rate of diagnosis in 

the country, according to 

recently published data from 

the Centers for Disease and 

Control Prevention. 

Lawmakers unanimously 

passed HB 159, set to go 

into effect on July 1, and the 

Florida Board of Pharmacy 

has started the process 

of writing implementing 

regulations. So far, the board 

has created drafts of the 

paperwork needed to certify 

pharmacists and approve the 

courses pharmacists would 

have to take to safely dispense 

PEP. 

Not as many people coming 

into the LGBT+ Center 

Orlando for HIV testing know 

about PEP as are aware of 

A Publix Super Market pharmacy manager. 

(Photo Credit: Joe Raedle/Getty Images) 

PrEP, a medicine that helps 

prevent infection in people at 

risk of contracting HIV, such 

as those whose partners have 

HIV, said Kenya Harris, the 

center’s chief health equity 

officer, in a phone interview 

with the Phoenix. 

Still, Harris said, the law 

could produce significant 

benefits, especially for those 

who might be exposed to HIV 

on, say, a Friday and can’t see 

a physician over the weekend. 

“So many pharmacies are 

open late night. There are 24- 

hour pharmacies,” she said. 

“So, the more pharmacists 

that are able to prescribe 

PEP, the more individuals are 

able to access it, and then the 

less individuals that may end 

up becoming HIV positive.” 

Similar to emergency 

contraception, people must 

take PEP within a 72- 

hour window. The CDC 

recommends PEP for people 

who might have been exposed 

to HIV if their condom broke 

during sex, shared needles to 

inject drugs, or were sexually 

He cited alarming statistics, 

noting that adolescents who 

spend more than three hours 

a day on social media face 

double the risk of anxiety and 

depression symptoms. At the 

last observation, the average 

daily use for this age group 

was 4.8 hours, with nearly 

assaulted. Once prescribed, a 

person has to take PEP for 28 

days. 

In 2022, more than 200 

Floridians took PEP, 

according to a Florida 

Department of Health report. 

Florida is following 10 states 

that since 2018 have explicitly 

allowed pharmacists to 

prescribe HIV infectionprevention 

drugs, according 

to the National Alliance of 

State Pharmacy Associations. 

During meetings on 

Wednesday and Thursday, 

board of pharmacy members 

voted to require the courses 

to train pharmacists to be 

at least two hours long. How 

many pharmacists can get 

certified to prescribe PEP 

depends on the number of 

courses the board approves. 

Anyone could be affected 

Although the Center 



half reporting that social 

media negatively impacts 

their body image. 

Murthy’s office had 

previously issued an 

advisory on social media use 

and its effects on teenage 

users, urging social media 

companies to prioritize safety 

and privacy in their product 

designs and enforce minimum 

age requirements. In his oped, 

Murthy reiterated these 

points and called for a broader 

societal effort to protect young 

people. 

“To date, the burden of 

protecting youth has fallen 

predominantly on children, 

adolescents, and their 

families,” Murthy stated. “The 

entire burden of mitigating 

the risk of harm of social 

media cannot be placed on 

the shoulders of children and 

parents.” 

Murthy argued that a 

surgeon general’s warning 

label, which would require 

congressional action, could 

raise awareness and prompt 

behavioral changes. “Evidence 

from tobacco studies shows 

that warning labels can 

increase awareness and 

change behavior,” he noted. A 

Yours in good health. 

recent survey indicated that 

many parents would limit 

or monitor their children’s 

social media use if a warning 

from the surgeon general was 

issued. 

However, Murthy 

acknowledged that a warning 

label alone would not make 

social media safe for young 

people. In his 2023 advisory, 

he called for comprehensive 

research to understand the 

extent of mental health 

impacts on young people, 

identify harmful content, and 

explore societal factors that 

could protect youth. 

Murthy also highlighted 

the need for collective action 

beyond individual families. 

He suggested schools ensure 

classroom learning and 

social time are phone-free 

experiences and advised 

parents to create phone-free 

zones around bedtime, meals, 

and social gatherings. He 

recommended that parents 

wait until after middle 

school to allow their children 

access to social media and 

encouraged collaboration 



Westside Health Brief 

Marsha Mullings, MPH 

June 17, 2024 

This Week in Health: Keeping a Healthy Prostate 

– 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MEN’S HEALTH AWARENESS 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

– 

 

 

 

 

 

 

depending on whether you’re in a high 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Situated across from Provident Park, Holy Cross Health Center is a beacon of health 

and hope for Sistrunk and surrounding Ft. Lauderdale communities. Today, we 

provide an array of medical services designed to foster well-being, from family 

medicine and pediatric care to annual wellness visits, immunizations and disease 

prevention – empowering the communities we serve to grow and thrive. For an 

appointment, please call or visit us online. holy-cross.com • 954-542-4000 

1409 Sistrunk Blvd, Suite 103 

Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33311

PAGE 6 • JUNE 20 - JUNE 26, 2024 

WESTSIDE 

GAZETTE 

NEWSPAPER STAFF 

Bobby R. Henry, Sr. 

PUBLISHER 

Sonia Henry-Robinson 

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Tawanna C. Taylor 

ADMINISTRATIVE 

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SENIOR EDITOR 

Arri D. Henry 

CREATIVE DIRECTOR 

Carma L. Henry 

COMMUNITY NEWS 

EDITOR 

Sylvester 

“Nunnie’ Robinson 

SPORTS WRITER 

Elizabeth D. Henry 

CIRCULATION 

MANAGER 

NoRegret Media 

WEBMASTER 

Carma T. Taylor 

DIGITAL SPECIALIST 

Eric Sears 

IT SPECIALIST 

Ron Lyons 

PHOTOGRAPHER 

Levi Henry, Jr.: 

PUBLISHER 

(Emeritus) 

Yvonne Henry: 

EDITOR 

(Emeritus) 

WEBSITE: 


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American Owned and 

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Serving 

Broward - Miami-Dade 

and Palm Beach Counties 

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OFFICE (954) 525-1489 

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PROUD MEMBERS OF 

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CREDO -The Black Press 

believes that America 

can best lead the world 

away from racial and national 

antagonisms 

when it accords to 

every person, regardless 

of race, color or creed, 

full human and legal 

rights. Hating no person, 

fearing no person, the 

Black Press strives to 

help every person in the 

firm belief that all are 

hurt as long as anyone is 

held back. 

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR 

GUIDELINES 

We welcome letters from 

the 

public. Letters must be 

signed with a clearly 

Jailing Trump: 

By John Johnson II 

Currently, Trump is on a turbulent 

anti-democratic mission to save his 

presidential aspirations and himself 

from facing imprisonment as a 

common criminal. His ability to openly 

garner support from Republican 

Congresspersons, SCOTUS’ six 

conservative justices, and complicit 

judges demonstrates his systemic threat 

to democracy. 

Therefore, as unthinkable as it may 

seem, the imperative of jailing Trump becomes clear. It is a 

necessary step to safeguard our democracy. Once he’s behind 

bars, the true extent of his actions and threat to our democratic 

values will be revealed. 

Remember Trump’s infamous quote, “I could stand in the 

middle of Fifth Avenue and shoot somebody, and I wouldn’t 

lose any voters, OK?” This quote is only partially correct. Yes, 

he might not lose any MAGA voters. But if he’s indicted, tried, 

convicted, and issued a guilty verdict, he’s going to jail. 

Let’s be clear: ‘Neither civil nor criminal immunity is directly 

or explicitly granted in the US Constitution or any federal 

statute.’ If SCOTUS were to assert that a sitting or former 

president is immune from criminal liability or persecution, 

it would effectively grant the president monarchical powers, 

placing them above the rule of law and threatening the very 

foundations of our democracy. 

However, the Supreme Court’s ruling would be 

unconstitutional. Its decision would constitute an amendment 

to the Constitution. Article V of the US Constitution explicitly 

delineates procedures that only Congress can and must follow to 

amend the Constitution. Consequently, SCOTUS would exceed 

its judicial authority if it granted Trump absolute immunity. 

YOU BE THE JUDGE! 

A Must 

“Supreme Court Justices who exceed their 

judicial authority to affirm unethical or criminal 

behavior constitute an abominable threat to 

democracy.” John Johnson II, 06/19/24 

What, Biden because 

there is no other? 

By Al Calloway 

While President Biden incessantly 

proclaims his dedication to this country 

and that country, and this issue and 

that issue, he gives us that lifting all 

boats logic regarding our needs. Pundits 

proclaim that as servicing the Black 

base. When really analyzed, anything 

Black people are promised -- do they 

ever actually become reality? -- other 

groups get the bulk of it. Black so-called 

leaders get special attention by keeping 

us on the plantation. We are so often told by them that we 

are making progress, which is a half truth in this hydraheaded, 

janus faced American society. The actuality is this: 

If, for example, Black people progressed from A to C during a 

protracted period, White America moved from E to V during 

that same period. You get it? 

We get crumbs in return for our vote. Placing Blacks in 

administrations has the appearance of political payoffs to 

the Black base, but they in no way have actual power. Notice 

where real economics is concerned, you see no Black people on 

the money! Biden talks to Black people about jobs (a lingering 

1960s tact continued because it works) but nothing about 

economic opportunities for Black people who are segregated 

from the financial sector of society. There is no quid pro quo 

relationship between the political party and the persons Black 

people vote for; what we get in return for our vote is miniscule, 

at best, and does not equal the value of our vote. 

The Black vote is the base of the Democratic Party, which 

takes us for granted. So who are the people making deals for 

Black people? How do they get the right to represent all of us 

Black folk in the United States of America? You see, it’s our 

fault; we don’t pay attention. We don’t do the work of organizing, 

so, we get the hole in the American donut! Folks, we have to 

establish a National Conference of Black Voters, convened by 

a delegation of ten chosen by each state. Delegations should 

include the following members: a senior or graduate student 

in political science; $1Million business owner; a noted Black 

history scholar; a single mother activist; a female registered 

nurse; a mature male ex-offender; a female veteran of foreign 

war; a mature male Black nationalist; a 19-24 year old male 

high school dropout; a female physician or dentist. 

No civil rights groups, political, religious or secret organizations 

are to be sponsors or in any way have involvement in any 

aspect of the endevor. Sponsorship must come directly from 

the National Democratic Party. However, the participants 

conveaned will pull together needed agenda on the spot before 

the conference begins. The Democratic Party cannot influence 

delegates or participants in any way throughout the process. 

(This is an idea/overview, particulars have to be worked out far 

in advance.) I mean, good grief, something’s got to be done for 

2025, and fast! 

Hopefully our national Black media will be the vehicle that 

communicates all information about the coming National 

Black Conference and report its outcome and keep the thrust 

public with pressure on the Democratic Party and on the entire 

American government, and society in general, including Black 

organizations.The press must be what is called “objective,” and 

they will be by reporting on all and editorially impacting the 

conversation, as well. Of course part of the Democratic Party 

sponsorship will be the cost of Black filmmaking/videography, 

and advertising for national Black print and electronic media. 

In fact, if only the Black Press would generate the thrust for 

this effort, history is made at the outset. Wow! 

al.calloway715@gmail.com 

Deeply Rooted 


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 submit comments published in this 

newspaper. 

The Gantt Report 

Black Trumpers 

By Lucius Gantt 

I don’t get it. I think I should, but I’ll 

probably never truly understand why so 

many so-called Black progressives are 

so quick to praise the law violator and 

candidate for the United States presidency. 

I’m not a rapper or entertainer. I’ve written a book of poetry 

but I’m more of a “Last Poets” guy rather than a Flava Flav. 

I’m embarrassed when I see my people in various limelights 

talking about how great it will be to have a convicted felon, white 

nationalist and white supremacist entertaining klansmen and 

neo-nazis in the, appropriately named, “White House”. 

I’ve been told that Black millionaires adore Donald Trump 

because Trump will cut taxes for rich Americans. 

Well, if you do a rudimentary glance at American moneymakers, 

you’ll find that a million dollars is not as much as it may seem. 

Rich is not “wealthy”. 

After you pay off your bills, buy a house, and buy a car, your 

million dollars could be gone like the monetary wind! After 

taxes, your million dollars could be less than $500,000. 

Many Black men and women that you love and patronize 

are not political experts. They probably get their political 

knowledge from the internet. 

Instagram and TicTok “political posts” made by foreign assets 

are not the best way to find political truths. You can’t possibly 

judge any candidate by viewing 15 or 30 second posts made by 

foreign nationals from communist countries that hate America 

and want to divide and conquer America. 

If you want to learn about politics, you should read. I am one 

of a very few Black men that has books in every room of his 

house. I read books written by authors that interest me, I read 

multiple newspapers and magazines every day from around 

the world. I read research materials. 

Do you remember the days of slavery? I know slavers and 

overseers beat us; I know they used us. I know they abused us 

and worked our ancestors so hard. 

Perhaps you know slave traders believed if you want to hide 


The European Parliament Elections: 

Crisis Averted? 

By Mel Gurtov 

The Results and the Implications 

When it comes to paying attention 

to international news, Americans are 

notorious for focusing on wars, bad 

economic news, and not much else. That’s 

unfortunate, since the recently completed 

elections for parliament in the 27 European Union (EU) 

countries do impact the US government and citizens.* 

Their position on the war in Ukraine is an obvious example. 

But beyond that, the rightward lurch of voting across the 

continent has to be of concern here. A Trump win in November, 

to state the obvious, will fuel the far right in Europe and 

beyond. And the reverse may also be true: What is happening in 

France in particular is especially worrisome, since democracy 

is believed to be on the line there as it is here. 

The major issues in the European Parliament (EP) elections 

were the Ukraine war, immigration, and the costs of a green 

transition. Just as is true here, each of those issues is highly 

divisive. The war finds the French, the Germans, the Poles, 

and the Baltic countries pushing for more aid to Ukraine, while 

Hungary heads a much smaller group that tends to side with 

Russia. 

Immigration is easily the most prickly issue for just about 

every EU country, with right-wing populist leaders and 

candidates finding it a winning issue—in Netherlands, most 

recently. And on a green economy, European Greens lost 

the most seats as they faced a backlash from hard-pressed 

households, farmers, and industry over costly EU policies 


Carbon Pipelines are a Bad 

Deal (For Everyone Who Is 

Not Getting Rich from Them) 

A small handful of Iowa senators continue to 

block a bill virtually everyone in the state agrees 

on. Follow the money. 

By Ben Jealous 

“Isn’t it sad that money controls 

everything?” 

That is what Kim Junker says, as she 

laments the iron grip wealthy pipeline interests 

seem to have over some of Iowa’s most powerful 

lawmakers. What she is referring to is a yearslong 

fight against a massive carbon dioxide 

(CO2) pipeline project planned to run through the state. 

Junker and her husband own farmland in both Grundy 

and Butler Counties where they grow corn and soybeans. She 

describes a “David vs. Goliath” fight. The irony is that in this 

case, David – at least in terms of the number of people on that 

side of the fight – is bigger. 

The Iowans fighting the pipelines, and the use of eminent 

domain to seize people’s land for the projects, are a wide-ranging 

coalition of farmers and landowners, environmentalists, 

county supervisors and attorneys, and others. It is a coalition 

that crosses all party lines. Junker herself identifies as a 

Republican-raised conservative who is also a conservationist. 

The bill that was in front of legislators this year was 

overwhelmingly popular (as is opposition to the pipeline 

project). Written to maximize its chance of passage, it would 

have protected landowners’ due process rights by allowing 

them to challenge eminent domain requests in court earlier in 


Power, 

Ego 

and 

Godliness 

By Robert C. Koehler 

OK, 

the big 

question: 

Should 

o u r 

country 

– USA! 

USA! – 

return to 

a place 

of godliness? 

Suddenly the nation’s stewpot 

of controversy started 

boiling over, thanks to Supreme 

Court Justice Samuel 

Alito being secretly recorded 

agreeing with a fake conservative 

at the Supreme Court 

Historical Society dinner last 

week. 

The fake conservative – progressive 

filmmaker Lauren 

Windsor – managed to snag 

(and record) a conversation 

with Alito at the event, in 

which she lamented she could 

see no way a conservative 

Christian could make peace 

with liberals and their focus 



How Donald 

Trump 

Worked 

to Destroy 

America’s 

Labor Unions 

By Lawrence S. Wittner 

Although 

D o n a l d 

Trump has 

been eager 

to garner 

support from 

American 

labor unions 

for his reelection 

campaign, there are lots of 

reasons he’s not going to 

get it. Chief among them is 

his record in sabotaging the 

nation’s labor movement. 

During his decades as 

a wealthy businessman, 

Trump clashed with unions 

repeatedly. And, upon 

becoming President, he 

appointed people much like 

himself―from corporate 

backgrounds and hostile 

toward workers―to head 

key government agencies 

and departments. Naturally, 



Korean Atomic 

Bomb Victims 

Seek Justice 

By Brad Wolf 

On June 

8th, 2024, in 

Hiroshima, 

Japan, The 

International 

People’s 

Tribunal 

On The 1945 

Atomic Bombings 

met 

with the goal of holding the 

United States accountable for 

the dropping of atomic bombs 

on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. 

This People’s Tribunal 

focuses on the Korean bomb 

victims, 100,000 of whom 

were forcibly taken from their 

homeland by the Japanese 

to work in Hiroshima and 

Nagasaki during the war and 

were subsequently exposed to 

the A-bomb blasts. 

The recent Tribunal 




BUSINESS 

UNITY IN THE 

COMMUNITY DIRECTORY 

Cell: 754-234-4485 

Office: 954-733-7700 ext. 111 

Fax: 954-731-0333 

Kenneth R. Thurston 

REALTOR, CPM, CAM 

4360 W. Oakland Park Blvd Email: ken@acclaimcares.com 

Lauderdale Lakes, FL 33313 

Web: www.acclaimcares.com 

Summer Fun: Beaches, 

Pools and Taxes! 

Submitted by Anthony Brunson, P.A. 

What is June without 

weddings? If you’re getting 

hitched, here are some tips 

to make filing your taxes 

easier: 

• Report any name change 

to the Social Security 

Administration. 

• Notify the United States 

Postal Service, your 

employers and the IRS of any address change. To officially 

change your mailing address with the IRS, complete and 

submit Form 8822, Change of Address. 

How about summer camp? If you’re sending a child to camp, 

the cost may count toward the child and dependent care credit. 

Now that’s something you never thought about but, hey, a 

genuinely good idea! 


Dr. Tawanna O. Gilliard Releases 

Debut Book – On the Other Side 

of Greatness: Lessons on the 

Journey from 6-Figure Debt to 

7-Figure Success 

– New Book Empowers Readers To Achieve 

Financial Wellness – 

SUMMERVILLE, SC – Dr. Tawanna 

O. Gilliard, a renowned author, speaker, 

and board-certified Obstetrician/Gynecologist, 

announces the release of her 

highly anticipated debut book, On the 

Other Side of Greatness: Lessons 

on the Journey from 6-Figure Debt 

to 7-figure Success, offering a transformative 

approach to conquering financial 

challenges and embracing the 

shift of your money mindset. 

On the Other Side of Greatness: 

Lessons on the Journey from 

6-Figure Debt to 7-figure Success, 


JUNE 20 - JUNE 26, 2024 • PAGE 7 

Taxpayers to benefit from IRS program 

NNPA NEWSWIRE — The IRS also plans to gradually 

expand the range of tax situations supported by Direct 

File. Over the coming years, officials said the goal is to 

accommodate the most common tax scenarios, focusing on 

those affecting working families. Announcements about new 

state partners and expanded eligibility are expected soon. 

The IRS plans to broaden Direct File’s availability to 

make more taxpayers eligible by 2025 and beyond. 

(Photo: iStockphoto / NNPA)The IRS plans to broaden 

Direct File’s availability to make more taxpayers eligible 

by 2025 and beyond. (Photo: iStockphoto / NNPA) 


Correspondent 

The IRS announced that its Direct File program will become 

a permanent option for federal tax returns starting in the 2025 

season. 

The expansion will make more taxpayers eligible and include 

more tax situations, while maintaining user satisfaction and 

improving filing experience. 

The Internal Revenue Service announced that its Direct File 

program will become a permanent option for federal tax returns 

starting in the 2025 tax season. Biden-Harris administration 

officials said the move follows a successful pilot program and 

positive feedback from a broad range of stakeholders. 

The IRS plans to broaden Direct File’s availability to make 

more taxpayers eligible by 2025 and beyond. Officials said 

the expansion includes examining ways to cover more tax 


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PAGE 8 • JUNE 20 - JUNE 26, 2024 

CHURCH DIRECTORY 

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Dr. Ezra Tillman, Jr. Senior Pastor 

WORSHIP SERVICES 

Sunday ..... 8:00 AM & 11:00 AM In Person Virtual 

Sunday School.......9:30 AM In Person 

Bible Study on Wednesday.......11:30 AM & 7:00 PM In Person & Virtual 

"Winning the World for Jesus" 

Harris Chapel Church, Inc. 

Rev. Stanley Melek, M.Div 

e-mail: harrischapelinc@gmail.com 

2351 N.W. 26th Street 

Oakland Park, Florida 33311 

Church Telephone: (954) 731-0520 

SERVICES 

Sunday Worship........................10:30 AM 

Church School................................................9:00 AM 

Wednesday (Bible Study).........11:00 AM to 7:00 PM 

Living Waters Christian Fellowship 

Meeting at Central Charter School Building #5 

4515 N. St. Rd. 7 (US 441) 

(954) 295-6894 

SUNDAY SERVICE: 10 AM 

Iwcf2019@gmail.com (Church) 

lerrub13@gamil.com (Pastor) 

Rev. Anthony & Virgina Burrell 

Jesus said, ‘‘let anyone who is thristy come to Me and drink.” (John 7:37) 

Mount Hermon A.M.E. Church 

Reverend Henry E. Green, III, Pastor 

401 N.W. 7th Terrace, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33311 

Phone: (954) 463-6309 Fax: (954) 522-4113 

Office Hours: Monday - Thursday 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM 

Email info@mthermonftl.com 

SUNDAY CHURCH SERVICES 

Worship Service....................................9:00 AM 

In person/www.mounthermonftl.or/YouTube Live/FaceBook 

Church School.............................9:30 AM 

BIBLE STUDY: Wednesday........................10:00 AM 

Bible Study Wednesday ...............7:00 PM via Zoom 

Meeting ID: 826 2716 8390 access code 55568988# 

Daily Prayer Line.............................6:00 AM 

(716) 427-1407 Access Code 296233# 

(712) 432-1500 Access Code 296233# 

New Mount Olive Baptist Church 

Dr. Marcus D. Davidson, Senior Pastor 

400 N.W. 9th Avenue Fort Lauderdale, FL 33311 

Office (954) 463-5126 - Fax: (954) 525-9454 

CHURCH OFFICE HOURS 

Monday- Friday 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM 

WORSHIP SERVICES & BIBLE STUDY 

Sunday In Person ..............8:00 AM 

Sunday Virtual..................9:00 AM 

Sunday School....................9:30 AM 

Wednesday Encountering Truth 

Noonday Bible Study...........12:00 PM to 12:30 PM 

Where the Kingdom of God is Increased through: 

Fellowship, Leaership, Owenership and Worship 

Fellowship, Ledership, Ownership and Worship 

As we F.L.O.W. To Greatness! 

Mount Nebo Missionary Baptist Church 

2551 N.W. 22nd St., Fort Lauderdale, FL 33311 

P.O. Box 122256, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312 

(954) 733-3285 - Fax: (954) 733-9231 

Email: mountnebobaptist@bellsouth.net 

Website: www.mountnebobaptist.org 

WORSHIP SERVICES & BIBLE STUDY 

(In Person) 

Sunday..........................10:00 A.M. 

Sunday School ....................8:30 A.M. 

Tuesday Night Bible Study..............7:00 P.M. 

“Reaching Our Wrold One Persons At A Time” 

Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church 

Dr. James B. Darling, Jr., Pastor/Teacher 

1161 NW 29th Terrace; Fort Lauderdale, FL 33311 

P.O. Box 5545; Fort Lauderdale, FL 33310 

(954) 581-0455 - (FAX) 581-4350 

mzbc2011@gmail.com - www.mtzionmbc1161.com 

Sunday School...................................................9:00 A.M. 

Sunday Worship Service..................................10:15 A.M. 

Communion Service (1st Sunday)................10:15 A.M. 

Wednesday Night Prayer Service....................6:30 P.M. 

Wednesday Night Bible Study.............................7:00 P.M. 

New Birth Baptist Church 

Catheral of Faith International 

Bishop Victor T. Curry, M. Min., D. Div. Senior Pastor/Teacher 

ORDER OF SERVICES 

Sunday Worship.............................9:30 AM 

Sunday School ..............................8:30 AM 

Tuesday Bible Study...................7:00 PM 

Wednsday Bible Study..................10:30 AM 

(305) 685-3700 (0) * (305) 685-0705 (f) 

www.nbbcmiami.org 

Deeply Rooted 

New Creation Baptist Church In Christ 

r.curry7me@gmail.com 

Drive-Up Sunday Worship - 10 AM 

4001 North Dixie Hwy. 

Deerfield Beach, FL 33064 

(954) 943-9116 

newcreationbcic@gmail.com 

Williams Memorial CME Church 

644-646 N.W. 13th Terrace 

Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33311 

Office: (954) 462-8222. Email: inf@wmsfl.org 

Reverend Errol Darville, Pastor 

E-mail: erroldarville@gmail.com 

WORSHIP SERVICES and BIBLE STUDY 

In person, Zoom; 646-558-8636 ID: 954-462-8222, Stream: Facebook Live @ WMCMECHURCH 

Sunday Church School..................... 9:00 AM 

Sunday Worship Service ................10:00 AM 

Tuesday Prayer Meeting...............7:00 PM 

Tuesday Bibke Study................7:30 PM 

"Celebrating over 100 years of SERVICES" 

St. Ruth Missionsary Baptist Church 

145 NW 5th Avenue 

Dania Beach, FL 33004 

(954) 922-2529 

WORSHIP SERVICES 

Wednesday (NOON DAY PRAYER.......................12- 1 PM 

Sunday Worship Service ...................................10:00 AM 

Website: www.struthmbc.org 

"Celebrating 115 Years of Service" 

Victory Baptist Church Independent 

Pastor Keith Cunningham 

2241 Davie Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312 

Church: (954) 284-9413 

Sunday School .................................................9:45 AM 

Worship Service Sunday Morning..................................11:00 AM 

Sunday Evening Service.........................................6:00 PM 

Bible Study...................................................7:30 PM 

Wednesday Evening Bible Study & Prayer ........................7:00 PM 

Saturday Morning Soul Winning/Visitation..............10:00 AM 

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

Ladies Fellowship (the last Saturday of each month)..........................5:00 PM 

Youth Fellowship (Every Friday)...............6:30 PM 

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

We STRIVE to PROVIDER 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” 

Shaw Temple A.M.E. Zion Church 

Rev. Dr. William Calvin Haralson, Pastor 

522 N.W. 9th Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33311 

Church: (954) 647-8254 

Email: AMEZ522@Yahoo.com 

SERVICES 

Sunday School.................................................10:15 AM 

Sunday Morning Worship.................................11:00 AM 

Bible Study.....................................................7:30 PM 

“Reaching beyond the four walls touching lives, touching communities”. 

Jesus Christ Ministry Of Faith, Inc. 

Jesus Loves You 

Join Us Sundays 

at 9 AM 

477 NW 27 Avenue 


JCMOFINC@gmail.com 

The New Beginning 

Embassy of Praise 

The Most Reverend 

John H. Taylor, Bishop, Sr. Pastor 

Dr. ML Taylor, Executive Pastor 

4035 SW 18th Street, West Park, FL 33023 

Sunday Worship Service - 11:00 a.m. 

Conference Line - 848-220-3300 ID: 33023 

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

Noonday Prayer - Wednesdays- 12:00 noon 

Come Worship With Us For Your New Begnning! 

Romans 10:13 

Pastor David Deal, Jr. 


Every Christian's Church 

SUNDAY @11:00 am 

Phone (313) 209-8800 Conference ID 1948-1949 

Bible Trivia 

‘Test Your Bible Knowledge' 

How well are you familiar with Biblical siblings? Let's find 

out: 

1)Who said’ Am I my brother’s keeper? 

2) Who’s the brother of Haran and Nahor? 

3) Who was Leah’s prettier sister? 

4)The half brother of Ishmael? 

5) Manasseh’s brother and the head of a half-tribe?= 

6) Sister to Moses and Aaron? 

7) Brother of Tamar and the murderous half brother of 

Amnon? 

8) He stole his brother Philip’s wife, Herodias? 

9)Half brother of James, Joseph (Jose’s), Juda (Judas) and 

Simon? 

** Bible Facts** Polls have indicated that one in nine 

Americans ( 11%) reads the Bible daily. Another two in nine 

(22%) read it weekly. Nearly 48% read it less than once a 

month or never. 

Answers – 1) Genesis 4:9; 2) Genesis 11:26; 3) Genesis 29:16; 

4) Genesis 21:3; 5) Genesis 41:3; 6) Exodus 2:4 (Miriam); 7) 2 

Real Times Media Co-Owner, 

Legendary Businessman and 

Philanthropist Dr. William ‘Bill’ 

Pickard passes away at Age 83 

(Source By Special to the AFRO): 

Jeremy Allen, Executive Editor, Michigan Chronicle 

Dr. William “Bill” Pickard – entrepreneur, philanthropist, 

education advocate, business titan, mentor, and visionary – 

passed away peacefully Wednesday, June 12, at his West Palm 

Beach, Fla. home, surrounded by family and loved ones. 

Dr. Pickard’s daughter, Mary Pickard, issued the following 

statement: “On behalf of the Pickard family, we extend our 

heartfelt gratitude for the love and support during this difficult 

time. Your kindness has provided immense comfort. We are 

deeply touched by the memories shared, which highlight the 

impact my dad had on so many lives. Thank you for standing by 

us as we navigate our grief. We kindly ask for privacy to allow 

our family to heal. Funeral arrangements will be announced 

soon.” 

Born in the modest confines of Georgia, Dr. Pickard’s early 

life was steeped in the values of hard work and education. His 

family’s migration to Flint, Michigan, was a pivotal moment 

that set the stage for his future successes. It was in Flint that 

Dr. Pickard began to forge his path, starting with an associate’s 

degree from Mott College in 1962. His academic journey did 

not stop there; he earned a degree in sociology from Western 

Michigan University in 1964, followed by a master’s degree 

in social work from the University of Michigan in 1965, and 

ultimately a Ph.D. from Ohio State University. 

Sign up for our Daily eBlast to get coverage on Black 

communities from the media company who has been doing it 

right for over 130 years. 

Dr. Pickard’s entrepreneurial spirit was ignited in 1971 

when he purchased his first McDonald’s franchise in Detroit. 

This initial venture was the cornerstone of a business empire 

that would span several industries and impact communities 

across North America. By 1989, Dr. Pickard founded the Global 

Automotive Alliance (GAA) Manufacturing, a holding company 

that generated over $5 billion in sales through its network of 

automotive parts manufacturers. His ability to navigate and 

succeed in the competitive world of business was unparalleled, 

making him one of the most influential Black businessmen in 

the nation. 

However, Dr. Pickard’s legacy extends far beyond his 

business achievements. His commitment to philanthropy and 

community service was equally remarkable. A proud member 

of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Dr. Pickard was deeply 

invested in the upliftment of the Black community. His 

contributions to education were vast and impactful, highlighted 

by his more than $3 million donations to his alma mater, 

Western Michigan University, resulting in the construction 

of new campus facilities named in his honor. Additionally, he 

donated more than $2 million to Morehouse College to support 

Black male students from Detroit, Flint, and his birthplace, La 

Grange, Georgia. 

Pickard, who co-owns Real Times Media and Michigan 

Chronicle, has generated more than $5 billion dollars in sales 

through GAA, with eight plants in the U.S. and Canada, 

servicing Boeing, Mercedes Benz, Ford, General Motors, 

Delphi, Johnson Controls, Starbucks, The Home Depot and 

Merck & Co. Pharmaceuticals. Black Enterprise honored Dr. 

Pickard as one of the 50 most Influential Black Entrepreneurs 

over the past 50 years. 

Beyond that, Dr. Pickard has served on numerous business 

and non-profit boards including Asset Acceptance Capital 

Corporation, Michigan National Bank, LaSalle Bank, Business 

Leaders for Michigan, National Urban League, Detroit 

Symphony Orchestra, Detroit Black Chamber of Commerce, 

the Board of Directors of the National Park Foundation, and is 

a lifetime member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity. 

In 2019, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer awarded Dr. 

Pickard “The Michigan Lifetime Humanitarian Award,” and 

he was awarded “Michiganian 

of the Year” for his exemplary Cont'd on Page 9


Real Times Media Co-Owner, Legendary Businessman Cont'd from Page 8 

business success, civic leadership, and philanthropy. 

He was the first Chairman of the African Development Foundation in 1982, appointed by 

President Ronald Reagan, and under President George H.W. Bush, he was appointed to The 

National Advisory Committee on Trade Policy Negotiations (1990) and the Federal Home Loan 

Bank Board – Indianapolis Bank of Indiana (1991). In February 2021, he was appointed by the 

Commonwealth of the Bahamas as the first-ever honorary consul for the State of Michigan. 

“The world has lost a true visionary and trailblazer with the passing of Dr. William F. Pickard. 

He was not only my esteemed business partner and colleague, but a dear friend whose wisdom, 

guidance, and unwavering belief in me changed the course of my life,” said Hiram E. Jackson, 

Publisher of Michigan Chronicle and CEO of Real Times Media. 

“Dr. Pickard’s pioneering spirit, coupled with his brilliant mind and generous heart, left an 

indelible mark on the business world and inspired countless others to dream big. His legacy of 

entrepreneurship, philanthropy, and uplifting the Black community will forever be etched in 

history. I am eternally grateful for the opportunity to have walked alongside this giant among 

men. While his physical presence may be gone, Dr. Pickard’s impact on me and so many others 

will reverberate for generations to come. Rest in eternal peace, my friend and mentor.” 

Born on Jan. 28, 1941, Dr. Pickard notably said to the Clark Atlanta graduating class of 

2017: “I’m from LaGrange, Georgia, a very small town, but I have a simple belief about life. 

Anybody from anywhere can accomplish anything. But you must put the work in.” 

That was Dr. Pickard’s spirit. That’s what made him special. 

Funeral arrangements will be forthcoming. The family has asked for privacy at this time but 

wants to thank the community for their prayers and support. 

Senior Reporter Ebony JJ Curry contributed to this report. This article was originally published 

by the Michigan Chronicle 

‘ANGEL OF THE NIGHT’ SINGER ANGELA BOFILL DEAD AT 70 

Bofill died at her daughter’s home in Vallejo, California. 

By Nahlah 

Abdur-Rahman 

(Source Black 

Enterprise): 

Angela Bofill, an R&B 

singer known for her hits 

“Angel of the Night” and “I 

Try,” has died. A rep for the 

entertainer confirmed the 

news on June 14. She was 

70. 

Bofill died at her daughter’s 

home in Vallejo, California, 

on the morning of June 13, 

as reported by People. Her 

friend and manager, Rich 

Engel, posted the news 

to her personal Facebook 

account. 

“ON BEHALF OF MY 

DEAR FRIEND ANGIE, 

I AM SADDENED TO 

ANNOUNCE HER 

PASSING ON THE 

MORNING OF JUNE 

13TH,” expressed Engel. He 

later wrote of her funeral 

date on June 28. 

However, the account 

shared another update on 

behalf of Bofill’s husband, 

Chris Portuguese. 

“JUST TO CLEAR UP 

THE CONFUSION. ON 

BEHALF OF SHAUNA 

BOFILL, HUSBAND 

CHRIS PORTUGUESE, 

WE ARE SADDENED BUT 

MUST REPORT THAT THE 

PASSING OF ANGELA 

YESTERDAY IS INDEED 

TRUE. WE THANK MELBA 

MOORE AND MAYSA 

FOR THEIR EARLY 

CONDOLENCES. THANKS 

FOR YOUR MANY POST,” 

detailed the post. 

Bofill was born in New 

York in 1954, and turned 

70 on May 2. Of Cuban and 

Puerto Rican descent, the 

Bronx native studied at the 

Manhattan School of Music. 

She received her bachelor’s 

degree in music before 

beginning her professional 

"Juneeteenth 

is a day 

of 

remembrance, 

a day 

to 

celebrate 

everyone's 

freedom. 

singing career. 

She released her 

first album, Angie, in 

1978. Following her 

more successful second 

album, Angel of the Night, 

Bofill signed with Clive 

Davis’ Arista Records. 

She went on release three 

albums under the label. 

Bofill emerged as a distinct 

face in the R&B genre given 

her identity as a Latina. 

However, she also 

faced health problems that 

James C. Boyd Funeral Home, Inc. 

2324 Sistrunk Boulevard 

Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33311 

(954) 584-3940 

Contact – Mrs. Avis Boyd-Gaines, Owner 

President, Licensed Funeral Director & Embalmer 

James C. Boyd Funeral 

Home, Inc. 

2324 Sistrunk Boulevard 

Fort Lauderdale, Florida 

33311 

(954) 584-3940 

Mrs. Avis Boyd-Gaines, 

Owner 

Funeral Director and 

Embalmer 

Mrs. Alexis Gainer-Sullivan, 

Funeral Director 

and Embalmer - Intern 

Position 

Full-Time Operations Administrative Assistant – Apply within 

Salary 

$12.00 - $15.00/hour (salary can be increased base upon performance) 

– one week paid vacation 

Schedule 

Hours per week (40) - 10:00 am – 5:00 pm 

Job Description 

This full-time position will provide administrative and operational 

support to the Funeral Service Team. Primary responsibilities 

include, preparation of funeral service administration documents, 

production of funeral service printed materials and additional administrative, 

clerical and customer service duties. 

Primary Responsibilities: 

- Prepare, monitor and maintain family case files 

- Type funeral service documents to include obituaries, 

death certificates, veterans cemetery requests and social security 

notification 

- Design printed memorial tribute materials for funeral 

services and ceremonies 

- Scan and process photographs 

- Prepare letters, certificates and other written 

correspondence 

- Answer telephones and greet guests Requirements: 

- The ideal candidate must possess; excellent verbal and 

written communications skills; strong time management skills and 

multi-tasking abilities; exceptional computer literacy: Microsoft 

Office and data-entry, (additional Microsoft Publisher, Adobe Photoshop 

and graphic design experience preferred) and typing skills 

of 50 Words Per Minute. 

- In addition, the ideal candidate need to encompass and 

value the following personal and professional attributes: Confidentiality, 

Accuracy, Adaptability, Flexibility, Teamwork, Professionalism, 

Initiative, Dependability, and Honesty. 

Deeply Rooted 

stunted her vocal ability. 

She suffered a stroke in 2006 

which left her paralyzed 

on her left side. Her second 

stroke in 2007 left her unable 

to sing, leading her to take a 

step back from performing 

in her later years. Despite 

this, her recognition in the 

music industry remained. 

She was inducted into the 

Women Songwriters Hall of 

Fame in 2023. 

The family did not list a 

cause of death. 

McWhite’s Funeral 

Home Services 

Roy Mizell & Kurtz 

Funeral Home Services 

JUNE 20 - JUNE 26, 2024 • PAGE 9 

VIEW OBITUARIES ONLINE AT 


****************************** 

Acknowledgments/ Announcements: 

In Memoriam * Death Notices * Happy Birthdays 

Card of Thanks* Remembrances 

******************************************************************* 

HAVE YOUR CHURCH ANNOUNCEMENTS PLACED ON THIS PAGE (954) 525-1489 

Obituaries 

Death and Funeral Notices 

James C. Boyd 

Funeral Home Services 

Doreatha 

Rose 

Gillings 

Harvey – 

88 

Funeral 

Service 

was held 

June 15 th 

at James C. Boyd’s Memorial 

Chapel with Rev. Stanley T. 

Gillings, Sr. officiating. 

James Kelly 

– 94 

Funeral 

Service 

was held 

June 12 th 

at James 

C. Boyd’s 

Memorial 

Chapel. 

Sister Naomi 

Nadine 

Washington 

- 64 

Funeral 

Service 

was held 

June 15 th 

at Mt Nebo 

Missionary Baptist Church 

with Deacon Samuel Morgan 

officiating. 

Freddie 

L. Bruton 

Funeral 

Service 

was held 

June 15 th 

at McWhite’s 

Funeral 

Home Chapel. 

Johnnie 

Mae Finklin 

Funeral 

service 

was held 

June 15 th 


Funeral Home 

Chapel. 

Pastor 

Frances 

Mae 

McGirt 

Funeral 

Service 

was held 

June16 th at 

McWhite’s 

Funeral Home Chapel. 

Jesu’s L. 

Morales- 

Montilla 

Funeral 

Service 

was held 

June 16 th at 

McWhite’s 

Funeral 

Home Chapel. 

A Family 

That Prays 

Together, 

Stays Together 

Arnaldo 

Muriel 

Funeral 

Service 

was held 

June 12 th at 

McWhite’s 

Funeral Home 

Chapel. 

Howard A. 

Nicholson 

Funeral 

service was 

held June 15 th 

at Mt. Zion 

AME Church. 

Hayward 

Smith 

Funeral 

Service 

was held 

June 15 th at 

McWhite’s 

Funeral Home 

Chapel. 

Beulah Lee 

Wright 

Funeral 

service 

was held June 

15 th 


Funeral Home 

Chapel. 

Willie B. Brown 

Funeral 

Service 

was held 

June 15 th at 

McWhite’s 

Funeral Home 

Chapel. 

Estella 

Holmes – 78 

Funeral 

Service 

was held 

June 14 th at 

Mount Nebo 

Missionary 

Baptist Church with Deacon 

Samuel Morgan officiating. 

Carrietta 

Jacobs 

Shingles – 

69 

Funeral 

Service 

was held 

June 15 th 

Roy Mizell & 

Kurtz Worship Center. 

"Before 

dust 

returns 

to the 

earth 

as it 

was 

before 

and 

the 

life-breath 

returns 

to 

God 

who 

gave 

it." 

Ecclesiastes 12:7 

Woman Day

PAGE 10 • JUNE 20 - JUNE 26, 2024 

Deeply Rooted 


Lighthouse of Broward to Host Literacy Event for Families 

Nyla with her grandmother, Angela. 

Submitted by Cindy Schutt 

The Lighthouse of Broward 

hosted a Family Literacy 

Event sponsored by the 

Florida Panther Foundation 

to help parents and their 

children with low vision build 

literacy skills in Braille. 

The literacy workshop 

provided information for 

parents on emergent literacy 

Low-income Floridians with 

sickle cell disease 

will have access to new gene therapies 

from Front Page 

in the country are Black. In fact, 63 percent of Florida 

Medicaid recipients with the disease are Black, according to 

the AHCA report. 

‘It gives us so much hope’ 

For Gosier, finding out the FDA had approved the gene 

therapies late last year felt unreal, she told Florida Phoenix 

in a video interview. She hoped AHCA would approve both 

therapies so families and their doctors could determine which 

one suited them best. 

“There was a sense of, ‘My goodness, finally,’ because 

sickle cell has been documented since 1910,” Gosier said. 

“And even though it’s been documented that long, we only 

have four treatments as far as drug therapies, so the fact that 

we now have an actual curative treatment is unprecedented. 

It gives us so much hope and inspiration, especially for our 

younger children that are coming up.” 

A 12-year-old boy in Washington, D.C., received the first 

treatment in May, according to The New York Times. 

Despite the high cost, Deepakbabu Chellapandian, 

director of the bone marrow transplant unit at Johns Hopkins 

All Children’s Hospital in St. Petersburg, told AHCA officials 

during a Thursday meeting that Medicaid coverage of the 

therapies could result in overall savings. 

“The initial cost of the gene therapy may be prohibitively 

high, but it is a one-time treatment compared to the ongoing 

lifelong medical care required for managing sickle cell 

symptoms. By potentially curing the disease, gene therapy 

can reduce the overall financial burden on the health care 

system, insurance providers, and patients,” he said. 

In the meantime, a new federal program will make the 

life-changing treatments available to Medicaid patients 

starting next year. 

Here’s how the therapies work 

Vertex Pharmaceuticals and CRISPR Therapeutics 

developed Casgevy and Bluebird Bio developed Lyfgenia. 

Both work by removing blood stem cells from the bone 

marrow and sending them to the manufacturers to edit the 

cells, which are infused back into the body. Manufacturing 

the cells can take between 10 weeks and six months and the 

process requires the use of other drugs to condition the body 

for the procedure. 


Young Isaac practices on the braille machine as his 

mother, Joanna, looks on. 

trends including integrating 

braille into their child’s 

environment and building 

fine motor skills. Devices 

such as magnifiers, reading 

stands, and CCTVs also were 

showcased 

“This Family Literacy 

Event truly is a gamechanger 

for parents and their children 

who are blind or visually 

impaired,” said Lighthouse of 

Broward CEO Ellyn Drotzer, 

MSW, LCSW. “Thanks to 

the consistent support of the 

Florida Panther Foundation, 

our parents are equipped 

with resources to assist their 

vigilance and participation in our 

democratic process. 

If we fail to vote, if we allow 

ourselves to be deceived into thinking 

that Donald Trump is the answer, we 

are complicit in our own oppression. 

We are worse off than we imagined. 

Voting is not just a right but a powerful 

weapon against those who seek to 

undermine our progress and silence 

our voices. Our forebears fought and 

died for the right to vote; to neglect this 

duty is to dishonor their legacy. 

For those who remain apathetic or 

disillusioned, consider the perspective 

of our brothers and sisters who are 

incarcerated, disenfranchised by a 

system designed to suppress their 

influence. Ask them how they would 

vote if they could. Their voices, often 

silenced, carry a profound weight 

of experience and understanding of 

the stakes involved. Vote not just for 

yourself but for those who are rendered 

voiceless by a system that fears their 

power. 

The time for complacency is over. 

The threat posed by Donald Trump 

is real and present. He represents 

a danger not only to our democracy 

but to the hard-won rights of Black 

and Brown Americans. We must rise 

children, and the kids are 

encouraged to learn and 

grow, despite their vision 

issues. We are so grateful to 

Foundation for always being 

there for our kids in support 

of our mission.” 

The Florida Panther 

Foundation is committed 

to supporting health and 

education initiatives for 

children like the Lighthouse 

of Broward’s Family Literacy 

Event. It also is dedicated to 

building the game of hockey 

for children and youth, 

including youth who are blind 

or visually impaired. Each 

Miyail, from the TeenLIFE program reads to Chriszander, 

from the KIDS program. 

summer, the Foundation 

invites Lighthouse youth 

to participate in a hockey 

clinic. The young people, 

typically 7 to 17 years old, use 

their hearing to shoot balls 

equipped with bells into nets. 

The Lighthouse of Broward 

provides free specialized 

A MESSAGE FROM THE PUBLISHER from Front Page 

above the lies, the propaganda, and the 

fearmongering. Our vote is our voice, 

our power, and our shield against 

tyranny. 

Let us stand together, unwavering, 

and resolute, to protect our communities 

and our democracy. Vote as if our future 

depends on it—because it does. 

As the United States stands on 

the edge of a precipice, staring down 

the barrel of potential civil strife, it 

is crucial to reflect on the state of our 

democracy and the peril it faces. At 

the center of this storm is a former 

president who has been convicted 

of 34 felonies, accused of rape, and 

alleged to have incited an insurrection. 

His actions have sown division and 

fear, conspiring with our adversaries 

and seeking to disenfranchise Black 

and Brown communities. The sheer 

audacity of this man, who, instead 

of seeking forgiveness, continues to 

spread lies and propaganda, even in 

sacred spaces like Black churches, is 

an affront to the very essence of our 

nation’s values. 

For Black Americans, the stakes 

could not be higher. The erosion of 

our rights and the persistent threat 

of bigotry hang over us like a dark 

cloud. The former president’s visit to 

rehabilitation, life skills 

training, and employment 

opportunities to enhance the 

independence, productivity 

and dignity of children and 

adults who are blind or 

visually impaired. For more 

information, visit www.lhob. 

org or call (954) 463-4217. 

a Black church, not to reconcile but 

to perpetuate falsehoods, is a stark 

reminder of the contempt with which 

he regards our communities. It is a 

call to action, a plea for vigilance and 

participation in our democratic process. 

Moreover, this moment calls for 

solidarity not only within the Black 

community but also with our LGBTQ+ 

siblings and all who cherish freedom 

and justice for all. The assault on our 

collective rights is an assault on the 

very fabric of American democracy. 

LGBTQ+ individuals face ongoing 

discrimination and violence, their 

lives, and rights constantly under 

threat from the same forces that seek 

to disenfranchise people of color. We 

must recognize that our struggles are 

interconnected, and that unity is our 

strength. 

If we fail to vote, if we allow 

ourselves to be deceived into thinking 

that Donald Trump is the answer, we 

are complicit in our own oppression. 

We are worse off than we imagined. 

Voting is not just a right but a powerful 

weapon against those who seek to 

undermine our progress and silence 



Enjoy The Benefits of 

Homeownership 

If you see yourself staying in the same place for a while, consider becoming a 

homeowner. A few benefits to consider: 

• Building Equity – Monthly mortgage payments build ownership interest 

• Tax Benefits – Deduct mortgage interest and property taxes (up to $10,000)1 

• Predictable Payments - Fixed-rate mortgage keeps monthly payments stable 

• Personal Freedom - Decorate and update as you wish without landlord approval 

• Community Stability – Build strong community ties and provide children with 

educational and social continuity 

Our mortgage bankers are here to walk you through the homebuying process. 

Give us a call to determine the best mortgage option for you! 

866.229.5628 • Mortgage@SouthStateBank.com 

SouthStateBank.com/WestsideGazette 

All loans are subject to credit approval and program guidelines. SouthState Bank N.A. NMLS ID #403455. Member FDIC. 

Equal Housing Lender. 1. Consult your tax advisor.


Deeply Rooted 

Pop Quiz on Hurricane! Test Your Knowledge as we enter Hurricane Season 

Hurricane season is officially here. To help raise awareness on hurricane hazards and the scientific resources 

available to at-risk communities, the U.S. Geological Survey created a short quiz on coastal storms. 

In which direction do 

hurricanes spin? 

USGS scientist Robert 

Bales attaches a pressure 

sensor to a post in the 

Sandwich Marsh tidal 

creek in Massachusetts to 

measure water level during 

Hurricane Lee. Photograph 

Credit: Chris Sherwood, 

USGS. 

The correct answer: 

C. Both clockwise and 

counterclockwise. North of 

the equator, hurricanes spin 

counterclockwise, which is 

north to west. South of the 

equator, hurricanes spin 

clockwise, which is south 

to east. This information 

helps USGS scientists 

forecast potential impacts 

to coastlines such as where 

storm surge, erosion and 

inundation could occur. 

True or false? The eye 

(center) of a hurricane is the 

calmest part. 

A. True 

B. False 

The correct answer: A. True. 

The eye, which is the center 

of a hurricane, is typically 

the calmest part, with strong 

wind and precipitation 

occurring outside of the eye. 

During significant rainfall, 

the USGS nationwide 

network of permanent 

streamgages is particularly 

valuable. Those gauges 

are in rivers and streams 

and provide data on water 

levels, with most collecting 

data on streamflow too. 

Streamgages give insight 

on current and potential 

floods as well as drought 

conditions. Data from these 

and other instruments 

can be seen on the USGS 

National Water Dashboard 

and USGS Flood Event 

Viewer. The public can sign 

up to receive updates about 

water conditions through the 

USGS WaterAlert system. 

How many named storms 

are forecast by the National 

Oceanic and Atmospheric 

Association for the 2024 

Atlantic hurricane season? 

A. 1 to 9 

B. 8 to 16 

C. 17 to 25 

D. 26 to 34 

Three people inside a plane 

wearing flight suites and 

helmets, two are seated, one 

is standing looking at them 

The USGS participates in 

a collaborative effort with 

partners to deploy 11 buoys 

from a U.S. Navy aircraft in 

preparation for Hurricane 

Lee. The correct answer: 

C. 17 to 25. A range of 17 

to 25 total named storms 

JUNE 20 - JUNE 26, 2024 • PAGE 11 

Lidar point cloud image of Cedar Key, Florida, an area that experienced severe 

impacts from Hurricane Idalia in August 2023. The lowest elevations are shaded 

in blue, while the highest elevations (the tops of trees and buildings) range from 

orange to red. 

(Image Credit: Jason Stoker, USGS) 

are forecast for the 2024 

Atlantic hurricane season 

by NOAA. The forecast for 

named storms, hurricanes 

and major hurricanes is 

the highest NOAA has ever 

issued for their outlook, 

which is released in May. 

For advice on how to build 

an emergency kit or prepare 

for a range of disasters 

and emergencies such as 

hurricanes, people can visit 

ready.gov or listo.gov. 

Was the 2023 Atlantic 

hurricane season above 

average, average or below 

average? 

A. Above average 

B. Average 

C. Below average 

The correct answer is a) 

Above average. There were 

20 named storms in the 

Atlantic basin in 2023, and 

an average season has 14. 

When a storm intensifies, 

3D topographic data 

from the USGS can help 

communities prepare for 

and assess impacts. The 

USGS collects data and 

produces high-resolution 

images using a technology 

called Light Detection 

and Ranging. Lidar data 

are collected by aircraft 

using pulses of light that 

reflect off the ground’s 

surface, vegetation and 

buildings. Elevation data 

can help identify areas, 

particularly in low-lying 



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Storm Ready 

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PAGE 12 • JUNE 20 - JUNE 26, 2024 

Deeply Rooted 


Method Man is the Fixer in Bad Shabbos; 

He is the 2024 Tribeca Film Festival Audience Winner 

By Dwight Brown, 

Film Critic for 

DwightBrownInk.com 

and NNPA News Wire 

When the 2024 Tribeca 

Film Festival ended June 

16th, the audience had 

Method Man in Bad Shabbos 

(Photo courtesy of Tribeca Fim Festival) 

CITY OF FORT LAUDERDALE 

ANNUAL WATER QUALITY REPORT 

NOW AVAILABLE! 

The City of Fort Lauderdale’s 2023 Water Quality Report is 

now available online at www.fortlauderdale.gov/wqr. This 

annual report contains important information about the 

City’s water source, treatment process, test results, and 

overall drinking water quality. 

In an effort to maximize sustainability, the City is 

distributing the report electronically. However, the City 

will provide a paper copy of the report to those who 

prefer one, or to those who may not have access to 

the electronic version. To request a paper copy, please 

contact the Customer Service Center at (954) 828-8000 or 

online at www.fortlauderdale.gov/wqr. 

spoken. It named the zany, 

dark comedy Bad Shabbos its 

Audience Award Narrative 

winner. And this movie can 

thank a breakout performance 

by the 53-year-old rapper 

Method Man (Wu-Tang Clan) 

for pulling it across the finish 

line. 

Shabbos is the day of rest 

The City of Fort Lauderdale routinely monitors for drinking water contaminants according to 

federal and state laws, rules, and regulations. 

FOR MORE INFORMATION OR QUESTIONS, PLEASE CALL (954) 828-8000. 

for Jewish culture. Seventh 

day of the week, and it falls on 

Saturday, though traditional 

Shabbat meals generally 

happen on a Friday evening. 

That’s the day of the week this 

family gathers as it welcomes 

a non-Jewish person into their 

Upper West Side apartment. 

Meg (Meghan Leathers), from 

Wisconsin, is joining them 

because her fiancé Dave (Jon 

Bass) is the eldest son. The 

meal will also include the 

introduction of her gentile 

parents (Catherine Curtin, 

John Bedford Lloyd) to the 

new in-laws. She doesn’t 

know it, but Meg is walking 

into a hell storm. 

Dave’s Dad Richard 

(David Paymer, Mr. Saturday 

Night) is a tad flakey. His 

over-controlling mom Ellen 

(Kyra Sedgwick) can’t 

hide her disappointment 

that her son is marrying 

outside their culture. Abby 

(Milana Vayntrub), Dave’s 

sister, is in attendance with 

her sadistic, unfaithful 

boyfriend Benjamin (Ashely 

Zuckerman), who’s in finance. 

That bastard loves needling 

the baby of the family, the 

teen boy/man Adam (Theo 

Taplitz), who can’t keep a 

job to save this life and has 

mental-emotional problems 

so vast he masks them with 

prescription pills. What could 

go wrong? Everything! 

The very clever and 

sardonic script by writer/ 

director Daniel Robbins and 

cowriter Zack Weiner takes 

Social Media, Gun Laws Await High Court Rulings 

By Jim Saunders 

©2024 The News Service of 

Florida. All rights reserved; 

see terms. 

TALLAHASSEE — With 

the U.S. Supreme Court 

nearing its annual recess, 

justices are expected to rule 

in cases about social-media 

platforms and guns that could 

have major implications for 

Florida. 

The social-media ruling 

likely will decide whether 

Florida can carry out a 

2021 state law that placed 

restrictions on platforms such 

as Facebook and X. The gun 

ruling in a Texas case could 

help determine the fate of a 

2018 Florida law that barred 

people under age 21 from 

buying rifles and shotguns. 

Justices have heard 

arguments in the socialmedia 

and gun cases and 

typically go into recess in 

late June or early July. That 

means rulings could come 

in the next two weeks, with 

the next expected release of 

opinions Thursday. 

— Gov. Ron DeSantis and 

the Republican-controlled 

Legislature passed the socialmedia 

restrictions after 

Facebook and X, then known 

as Twitter, blocked former 

President Donald Trump from 

their platforms after Trump 

supporters stormed the U.S. 

Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. 

The law, in part, would 

prevent large platforms from 

banning political candidates 

from their sites and require 

companies to publish --- 

and apply consistently --- 



viewers inside a Jewish New 

York City home. The footage 

starts with what should be 

a normal occasion, which 

turns it into a hysterical train 

wreck of events in about ten 

minutes. As the members of 

the clan badger each other, 

some audience members will 

relate that dynamic to their 

own family’s issues. While 

By Rick Burke, Navy Office 

of Community Outreach 

The cast of Bad Shabbos 

(Photo courtesy of Tribeca Film Festival) 

others will be happy just to 

smirk, laugh and observe. The 

introduction of the outsider 

and her parents is similar to a 

white women introducing her 

parents to her Black fiancé’s 

kinfolk at a meal in their home, 

on their territory. There’s 

a natural awkwardness as 

they iron out details, learn 

customs, innocently offend, 

Boca Raton native serves 

alongside the next generation of 

U.S. Naval Aviation Warfighters 

Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Anna-Liesa Hussey 

apologize and try to build a 

new relationship. 

That’s about where any 

normalcy ends, and the 

crazy stuff begins. There’s an 

accident and a crime coverup 

that leads to scheming, 

planning and unsuccessful 

maneuvering. All staged by 



Submitted by MC2 (SW/ 

AW) Isaiah M. Williams 

CORPUS CHRISTI, 

TX --- First Lt. Elizabeth 

Ososkie, a native of Boca 

Raton, Florida, is serving 

in the U.S. Marine Corps 

alongside the U.S. Navy 

assigned to Training 

Squadron (VT) 28 where 

naval aviators learn the 

skills they need to fly 

missions around the world. 

Ososkie, a 2016 graduate 

of Olympics Heights High 

School, joined the Marine 

Corps two and a half years 

ago. Ososkie also earned 

a bachelor’s degree in civil 

engineering from Purdue 

University in 2021. 

Pembroke Pines Native serves with the next 

Generation of U.S. Naval Aviation Warfighters 

Ms. Robinson’s 12-Year Summary of Accomplishments from Front Page 

Academics 

• Played a crucial role in adding grades 6-8 to the 

school. 

• Led Dillard High School to achieve its first and 

only “A” grade in the school’s history. 

• Named Principal of the Year for the state of Florida 

by Florida TaxWatch 

• Received the Leonard Miller Principal Leadership 

Award and a $10,000 cash prize from the Council for 

Educational Change, Florida’s Educational Think 

Tank 

• Implemented the Cambridge Program, a rigorous 

course of study that can lead to an AICE Diploma 

and a Fulbright, tuition-free scholarship to any state 

college in Florida. 

• Increased industry certifications at Dillard High 

School from 21 to over 300 each year since her arrival. 

At the June 2024 Leadership Training Conference for 

administrators, senior leaders recognized the school 

as the only one in the district to improve in 7 statetested 

categories. 

Technology 

• Added the Digital Entrepreneurship Magnet 

Program for 6-8 grade students. 

• Purchased 1000 computers and other advanced 

technology units to be added to the school’s inventory 

for students and staff use. 

• Established hundreds of business and community 

partnerships including but not limited to The Panther 

100, Amazon, Publix, Motorola, Junior Achievement, 

Rotary Club, National Association of Black Women 

in Construction, The Links, AKAdemic Foundation, 

Steve Wasserman and Associates, and more. 

• Established a Sports Management Program as 

well as an award-winning Entrepreneurship program. 

• Revived the Sigma C@ts Robotics Program. 

• Have had the highest AP scores in the country in 

digital arts with straight 5s, the highest score possible. 

In April 2024, with Mrs. Robinson’s guidance and 

backing, the Sigma C@ts Robotics Team participated 

in the World Robotics Competition. Dillard High 

School was the sole school in Florida to receive an 

award at the event. 

Art 

• Personally secured a $450,000 grant to improve 

the performing and visual arts programs. 

• Supported the Jazz Band in winning the 

Essentially Ellington Jazz Competition in New York 

three times. 

• Actively participated, assisted, and promoted 

the school’s Broadway productions, concerts, 

performances, and exhibits. 

Under Mrs. Robinson’s leadership, every band and 

chorus program has consistently achieved the highest 

possible ratings at district and state competitions. 

Athletics 

• Has over five state basketball championships 

under her belt and a proven track record in athletics. 

• Renovated the weight room and outdoor track and 

regularly improved the gymnasium. 

• Hired and worked alongside many successful 

coaches, including Pinder, Burrows, Gill, Frasier, and 

more. 

• Named the track in honor of Mr. Robert Green, a 

long-time employee and Panther 100 founder. 

Some additional accomplishments include 

working with district staff to install an all-turf field 

and painting the entire campus during the summer 

of 2024. Additionally, a new Mental Health Center 

will open in August 2024. Plans are also to partner 

with Broward Health to provide on-campus medical 

assistance facility to students and eventually to their 

families, with the facility also slated to open in August 

2024. 

Under Mrs. Robinson’s high expectations and 

exceptional leadership, Dillard High School has 

fostered a legacy of academic achievements, innovative 

projects, and numerous other accomplishments. Her 

transformative leadership has been instrumental in 



KINGSVILLE, TEXAS 

-- Lt. j.g. Brandon Frantz, a 

native of Pembroke Pines, 

Florida, is serving in the U.S. 

Navy assigned to Training 

Squadron (VT) 21 where 

naval aviators learn the skills 

they need to fly missions 

around the world. 

Frantz joined the Navy 

three years ago and earned a 

bachelor’s degree in political 

science from the U.S. Naval 

Academy in 2021. 

“I always wanted to join the 

Navy even as a child because 

I was infatuated with naval 

aviation,” said Frantz. “I 

always knew I wanted to fly 

but wasn’t sure how I would 

be able to. Growing up in Fort 

Lauderdale on the beach, I 

just knew in one way, shape, 

or form, that I eventually 

would because I always 

wanted to be an aviator. I 

set up an appointment with 

the Navy and started on my 

journey.” 

Skills and values learned in 

the Navy are similar to those 

found in Pembroke Pines. 

“My parents instilled in 

me that your name and 

reputation leave a lasting 

impression on everyone that 

you meet,” said Frantz. “You 

need to treat people the way 

that you want to be treated. 

I grew up in South Florida 

the property. 

around diversity and people 

from all walks of life. It’s 

helped me with camaraderie 

and respecting everyone. I 

also learned to never give up. 

I went to a high school with 

reduced lunches. Knowing 

that people in high school 

had never made it to the U.S. 

Naval Academy helped me 

become a better person and 

strive for more.” 

Presently, Frantz serves as 

a student pilot assigned to 

VT 21, a U.S. Navy strike jet 

training squadron located at 

Naval Air Station Kingsville, 

Texas. 

“I enjoy being surrounded by 

a lot of “Type A” personalities 

who are never complacent 

and try to be better than they 



Broward County Housing Authority 

BROWARD COUNTY HOUSING AUTHORITY 

NOTICE OF INTENT TO OPEN THE WAITING LIST FOR 

THE HILLSBORO CROSSING PROJECT-BASED VOUCHER (PBV) 

PROGRAM FOR 2-BEDROOM UNITS ONLY 

NOTICE OF INTENT TO OPEN THE WAITING LIST FOR THE HILLSBORO CROSSING PROJECT- 

BASED VOUCHER (PBV) PROGRAM FOR 2-BEDROOM UNITS ONLY 

BROWARD COUNTY HOUSING AUTHORITY (BCHA) will accept pre-applications for 2-BEDROOM UNITS 

ONLY in the Hillsboro Crossing Project-Based Voucher (PBV) Program for seniors age 62+. Online pre-applications 

will be accepted beginning Monday, June 24, 2024, at 8:00 AM and will close on Thursday, June 27, 2024, at 4:00 PM. 

Corrections: The date in the June 13-15 Edition of The 

Westside Gazette was incorrect. The correct dates are: 

A computer lottery process will randomly select 300 pre-applications for placement on the wait list. Ranking 

method of the list will be based on the date and time of application. 

Revised/corrected date: 4:00 PM June 27, 2024 

Be prepared to provide identity and income information for yourself and each person that you intend to live with you at 

PRE-APPLICATION INFORMATION (Please read carefully): 

Pre-applications will ONLY be Revised/corrected available for completion date: 4:00 PM online nan at dat the 27 Jen following 2024 website: 

(https://bchafl.myhousing.com/). If you do not have access to a computer, you may go to a public library or any other 

place where computers are available to access the website to complete the pre-application. 

IMPORTANT NOTICE: If you need help in filling out your pre-application because of a disability that limits your


Deeply Rooted 

JUNE 20 - JUNE 26, 2024 • PAGE 13 

This 18-Year-Old Becomes One of The Youngest Black Men to Graduate 

from NC State: ‘It’s Been One Heck of A Journey’ 

By Danteé Ramos 

(Source: Blavity: News) 

This 18-Year-Old Becomes 

One of The Youngest Black 

Men to Graduate from NC 

State: 

Messiah Williams is one 

of the youngest Black men 

in North Carolina State 

University’s history 

to graduate. He graduated 

at the age of 18. He also 

received a Certificate in 

Operating Systems and 

(Photo: skodonnell via Getty Images) 

Network Foundation. At 

just 12, he graduated from a 

traditional public school and 

entered Johnston Community 

College, where he studied 

computer science and 

engineering. 

“It’s been one heck 

of a journey,” Williams 

told WTVD. 

After graduating from 

community college at 14, 

Williams received full 

Historic Ali Cultural Center 

Courtyard Renamed to Honor 

Hazel K. Armbrister 

Portrait Bust of Pompano Beach 

Trailblazer to be Unveiled at Event 

Kay Renz Public Relations 

Pompano Beach Arts is proud to announce the renaming of 

The Historic Ali Cultural Center Courtyard as a tribute to Hazel 

K. Armbrister. A portrait bust of the esteemed teacher, activist, 

and historian will be unveiled during a special event organized 

by Reverend Marguerite Kelley Luster, Armbrister’s sister, and 

the dedicated team at Rock Road Restoration Historical Group. 

Featuring music, dance, and remarks by Mayor Rex Hardin, 

the courtyard dedication and bust presentation will take place 

on July 10, 2024, from 6-8pm at the Ali Cultural Arts Center. 

The event is free and open to the public. Learn more at www. 

pompanobeacharts.org 

“Mrs. Armbrister exemplified a steadfast dedication to 

her community throughout her lifetime,” said Ty Tabing, 

Director of the Cultural Affairs Department. “Without her 

advocacy, The Historic Ali Cultural Arts Center would not 

have been preserved and transformed into the vibrant cultural 

hub it is today. We honor her commitment to preserving our 

community’s history with this renaming and the unveiling 

of a beautiful portrait bust of her likeness created by Bordin 

Studios. With this tribute, future visitors will always learn 

about the remarkable woman who accomplished so much for 


academic scholarship offers 

from over 60 colleges and 

universities. Although he had 

an impressive selection of 

scholarships to choose from, 

his ultimate decision was 

determined by the personal 

relationships and support he 

received during his NC State 

campus tour. Additionally, 

NC’s TRIO program piqued 

his interest. 

“NC State, it made you 

feel like you were family. You 

had people that you 

could trust, like you could 

call on someone if you ever 

felt like you were down and 

maybe you were unsure about 

something,” Williams said. 

By ALANIS THAMES, 

AP Sports Writer 

(Source abcNews): 

MIAMI -- Amari Cooper’s 

football jersey hangs in the 

Coconut Grove Sports Hall of 

Fame. So does Frank Gore’s, 

alongside tributes to Negro 

League baseball player Jim 

Colzie and football coach Traz 

Powell, whose name adorns 

perhaps the most revered 

high school football stadium 

in talent-rich South Florida. 

They represent West 

Coconut Grove when it 

was a vital majority-Black 

neighborhood hidden among 

some of the most affluent 

areas in Miami that boomed 

with family businesses, local 

hangouts and sporting events. 

Some call it West Grove, Black 

Grove or Little Bahamas in a 

nod to its roots. Most just 

call it The Grove — a place 

steeped in cultural history 

transformed by the decades. 

“When you talk about 

what is The Grove, you’re 

talking about true history of 

Programs like TRIO assist 

students like Williams in 

overcoming class, social and 

cultural barriers to higher 

education. 

“I am very grateful to 

the TRIO team and want to 

give back in helping other 

students like myself to be 

successful in achieving 

their academic endeavors, 

especially after I finish getting 

my master’s,” Williams 

told CALS News. “It’s really 

been a great opportunity that 

they’ve provided me with 

over these last three years.” 

He hopes to serve as a role 

model for other young Black 

male students. 

“I hope to share this journey 

to inspire others who might 

find themselves in similar 

situations,” Williams said. 

“Whether through speaking 

engagements, mentoring or 

Messiah Williams 

writing, my story could offer 

valuable insights into the 

importance of support systems 

for young college students, 

especially those who start at 

an unusually young age.” 

Historically Black Coconut Grove in Miami nurtured 

young athletes. Now that legacy is under threat 

National headlines from ABC News Catch up on the developing stories making 

headlines. 

(The Associated Press) 

South Florida,” said Charles 

Gibson, grandson of one of 

the first Black members of 

the Miami City Commission, 

Theodore Gibson. 

Sports was its heartbeat. 

It nurtured the early careers 

of Olympic gold medalists 

and football stars like 

Cooper, national champions 

and future football Hall 

of Famers like Gore, all of 

whom trace their first sports 

memories to this close-knit 

community. 

Today, few remnants of 

that proud Black heritage 

exist. Years of economic 

neglect followed by recent 

gentrification have wiped out 

much of the neighborhood’s 

cultural backbone. Robust 

youth leagues and sports 

programs have dwindled. 

Now, the community that once 

created an environment for 

young athletes to succeed — 

a trusted neighbor watching 

out for a young football player 

on his walk to practice, a 

respected coach instilling 

discipline and persistence in a 

future track star — is at risk 

of extinction. 

“I think in two or three 

years, if something’s not 

done, Black Grove is going 

to be totally eradicated,” said 

Anthony Witherspoon, a West 

Grove native and founder of 

the Coconut Grove Sports 

Hall of Fame. 

Witherspoon, known as 

“Spoon” by everyone in town, 

is a former college basketball 

player and coach who returned 

to West Grove in 2015 after 

nearly 30 years in Atlanta 

and found a neighborhood far 

different from the one that 

raised him. 

Witherspoon recalled the late 

1970s, when he would walk 

down the aptly named Grand 

Avenue — once the economic 

epicenter of West Grove — 

after a Friday night high 

school football game, grab 

dinner at a local mom-andpop 

place and hang out at the 

popular Tikki Club. 

The neighborhood’s earlier 

generations died, many 

of their families moved 

Historically Black 

West Coconut Grove 

is a majority Black 

neighborhood 

hidden among some 

of the most affluent 

areas in Miami 

that once boomed 

with sports and 

economics 

elsewhere and disinvestment 

led to poverty and neglect. 

Then redevelopment moved 

in, replacing longtime locals 

with non-Black newcomers. 

The mom-and-pops are 

largely gone. So is the Tikki 

Club, now an empty building, 

its last bit of vibrancy the 

Bahamian-inspired colors 

lingering on its walls. 

“I was here. I lived in the 

community. I felt the impact 

of sports,” Witherspoon said. 

“I came back from Atlanta, 

Georgia, and I ran into the 

gentrification. And this was in 

the back of my mind: We still 

need to preserve this history.” 

Witherspoon founded the 

Hall of Fame as a way to 

keep that legacy alive. A time 

capsule of about 90 athletes 

and coaches from the area, it 

starts with figures like Colzie, 

a World War II veteran 

who played baseball for the 

Indianapolis Clowns of the 

Negro Leagues, and continues 

with the former pro running 

back Gore and Cooper, a 

receiver with the Cleveland 

Browns. 

“Coconut Grove is the nesting 

place for all of us athletes 

from this neighborhood,” said 

Gerald Tinker, a West Grove 

native who won a gold medal 

at the 1972 Olympics as a 

member of the U.S. 4x100 

meter relay team. “They would 



PAGE 14 • JUNE 20 - JUNE 26, 2024 

Deeply Rooted 


Florida pot Doctors warn about Potential Chaos after Recreational Marijuana Legalization 

Some Doctors say the new Amendment 

could Imperil Access for the State’s 882,000 

Active Medical Marijuana Patients. 

By Arek Sarkissian 

TALLAHASSEE, FL -- 

Florida’s ballot initiative to 

legalize recreational pot has 

divided the state’s growing 

medical marijuana industry. 

The state’s largest medical 

marijuana company has 

bankrolled Amendment 

3, which would legalize 

recreational marijuana for 

adults 21 and older. But some 

of the roughly 2,000 doctors 

who are state-certified to 

recommend pot as medicine 

are warning patients about 

the consequences that could 

jeopardize access to the drug 

for medicinal purposes. 

They say the new 

amendment could imperil 

WASHINGTON -- FEMA 

announced that federal 

disaster assistance is available 

to the state of Florida to 

supplement recovery efforts 

in the areas affected by the 

severe storms, straight-line 

winds and tornadoes on May 

10, 2024. 

The President’s action 

makes federal funding 

available to affected 

individuals in Leon County. 

Assistance can include grants 

for temporary housing and 

home repairs, low-cost loans 

to cover uninsured property 

access for the state’s 882,000 

active medical marijuana 

patients. The anticipated flood 

of customers visiting medical 

marijuana dispensaries to 

buy recreational marijuana 

could leave patients without 

the specific plant strains or 

products they use to treat 

medical conditions like 

chronic pain or a serious 

illness. And the passage of 

Amendment 3 could kick off 

a regulatory overhaul that 

they say would place future 

regulation in the hands of a 

GOP-led Legislature that has 

already been trying to tighten 

controls for years. 

Pensacola marijuana doctor 

Michelle Beasley said she 

should be telling her patients 

President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. 

Approves Major Disaster 

Declaration for Florida 

losses and other programs to 

help individuals and business 

owners recover from the 

effects of the disaster. 

Federal funding is also 

available to state, tribal and 

eligible local governments 

and certain private nonprofit 

organizations on a costsharing 

basis for emergency 

work and the repair or 

replacement of facilities 

damaged by the severe storms, 

straight-line winds and 

tornadoes in Baker, Gadsden, 

Hamilton, Lafayette, Leon, 

Liberty, Madison, Suwannee, 

Taylor and Wakulla counties. 

DRUG Testing 

FOR Marijuana 

Why Some Employers 

and Industries are Concerned 

Watch a Conversations on Cannabis 

virtual forum to learn why some 

employers and drug testing experts 

are concerned about the federal 

push to reclassify marijuana as a 

less dangerous drug. 

Follow ‘Conversations on Cannabis’ on 

@MMERIForumRadio 

to support Amendment 3. 

But she cannot forget about 

language in the medical 

marijuana law that some 

people call a “poison pill,” 

which directs the law to 

expire if voters adopt another 

cannabis-related amendment 

for the constitution. 

The Legislature approved 

the 2017 medical pot law 

regulating the industry 

after voters overwhelmingly 

approved an amendment 

legalizing use for medicinal 

purposes in 2016. There’s 

a sunset provision in the 

footnotes of the 2017 law, 

saying it would expire six 

months after any future 

constitutional amendment 

related to marijuana or 

Federal funding is also 

available on a cost-sharing 

basis for hazard mitigation 

measures statewide. John 

E. Brogan has been named 

the Federal Coordinating 

Officer for federal recovery 

operations in the affected 

areas. Additional designations 

may be made at a later date 

if warranted by the results of 

damage assessments. 

Individuals and business 

owners who sustained losses 

in the designated areas can 

begin applying for assistance 

by registering online at www. 

DisasterAssistance.gov, by 

calling 1-800-621-3362 or by 

using the FEMA App. If you 

use a relay service, such as 

video relay service (VRS), 

captioned telephone service 

or others, give FEMA the 

number for that service. 

Watch Now 

Florida voters will decide on if they want to legalize 

recreational marijuana in November, and some 

medical marijuana doctors are warning that it could 

hurt patients. 

(Joe Raedle/Getty Images) 

Moving Cannabis to Schedule 3 Could 

Have Wide-Ranging Impact 

Editor’s note: 

This commentary is 

provided by the Medical 

Marijuana Education and 

Research Initiative 

(MMERI) of Florida A&M 

University 

The Biden Administration 

is considering reclassifying 

marijuana from Schedule 

1 to Schedule 3, aligning it 

with substances like Tylenol 

with codeine, known for 

“moderate to low potential 

for physical and psychological 

dependence.” Currently 

grouped with LSD and heroin, 

this adjustment wouldn’t 

federally decriminalize 

marijuana, though it’s seen 

by some as a potential step in 

that direction. 

Sha’Ron James, a 

regulatory lawyer and 

public policy strategist, 

notes potential regulatory 

and research impacts, 

“Interestingly, in order to do 

research related to marijuana, 

the specific marijuana that 

you’re studying can only be 

received through one entity.” 

This shift could expand 


Forum featuring attorney Sha’Ron James and drug 

testing expert Michelle Foye discussing the major 

changes and plans to reclassify marijuana in the U.S. 

research into how various 

marijuana strains affect 

conditions like chronic pain. 

Michelle Foye, CEO 

(Chief Executive Officer) 

of Precis Screening, warns 

[commercial] truck drivers 

might no longer be tested 

for marijuana, “If the 

rule change goes through, 

DOT [U.S. Department of 

Transportation] would have 

the tough job of evaluating its 

drug testing policy to continue 

screening safety-sensitive 

occupations it regulates 

for marijuana use.” Nonregulated 

workplaces might 

still test employees despite 

cannabis is adopted. 

“You’d think we’d want 

Amendment 3 because we should 

all be supporting legalization, 

and I really do, but I still haven’t 

gotten around what that part 

of the law keeps saying to me,” 

Beasley said. “My gut feeling is 

that won’t happen, and those 

lines will be stricken, but there 

are just no guarantees right 

now, and we don’t know where 

to go for answers.” 

The language in the 2017 law 

was inserted at the time in the 

interest of creating one unified 

regulatory structure. But the 

language also gives the GOP- 



The Democratic Black Caucus Convention: 

A Call to Action Inspired by “We the People” 

By Guenet Gittens-Roberts 

At the recent Democratic Black 

Caucus Convention, two powerful 

speakers, Stanley Campbell and 

Justin Pearson, used their platforms 

to remind attendees of the enduring 

significance of the Preamble to the 

United States Constitution. Both men, 

though different in their approaches, 

underscored the foundational 

principle of “We the People” as a 

rallying cry for civic engagement and 

voter participation. 

Stanley Campbell: A Senate 

Candidate’s Urgent Reminder 

Stanley Campbell, a Senate 

candidate, utilized his three minutes 

to evoke the timeless words of the 

Preamble. His concise but impactful 

message focused on the core idea that 

the people hold the ultimate power in a 

democracy. “We the People,” Campbell 

reminded the audience, signifies that 

the government derives its authority 

from the consent of the governed. This 

foundational principle is a powerful 

reminder that citizens are not passive 

subjects but active participants in 

Stanley Campbell being endorsed by I.U.P.A. Union shaping their government and, by 

extension, their destiny. 

Campbell’s message has always been clear and straightforward: “Vote your interests, but get 

out and vote.” That night, by invoking the Preamble, Campbell highlighted the responsibility 

and power of each individual vote. He emphasized that “Democracy will not die on our watch,” 

the theme of the weekend. It was a clear reminder that voting is not just a right but a crucial 

tool for ensuring that the government remains a true reflection of the people’s will. His call to 

action underscored that in a democracy, change begins with the ballot box. 

Justin Pearson: A Keynote Speaker’s Inspirational Call 

Later in the program, keynote speaker Justin Pearson took the stage and wove the Preamble 

into an inspirational call to action. Pearson used “We the People” to highlight the collective 

power and potential of the audience. He framed “We the People” as a declaration that the 

individuals in the room were the agents of change they had been waiting for. 

Pearson’s speech resonated deeply with the audience, emphasizing that the power to shape 

the future lies within their hands. He inspired attendees to recognize their agency and potential 

to drive meaningful change. “We, the people we have been waiting for,” Pearson declared, 

transforming the Preamble from a historical document into a living, breathing manifesto for 

contemporary activism and empowerment. 

marijuana’s reclassification. 

Ms. Foye sees 

opportunities for proactive 

workplace policies and 

education. “Employers might 

want to call a company like 

ours to say, ‘Hey, how can we 

be proactive in educating our 

employees? Can you check out 

our drug and alcohol policy 

and program?’” 

Public comments can be 

submitted online at www. 

regulations.gov until July 22, 

2024. 

Visit bit.ly/MMERIMAY2024 

to watch MMERI’s 

Conversations on Cannabis 

Virtual


Deeply Rooted 

Groundbreaking Ceremony for The Victory Building, 

Florida’s Only African American Owned Distillery 

Submitted by Ilona Wolpin 

CLASSIFIED 

ADVERTISE: 

*LEGAL NOTICES 

*FOR RENT 

*FOR SALE 

*HELP WANTED 

Westside Gazette 

Newspaper 

Recognize 

That June Is 

Black Music Month 

JUNE 20 - JUNE 26, 2024 • PAGE 15 

Justices Turn Down Sports 

Betting Challenge 


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. 

June 6,13, 20, 27, 2024 

IN THE CIRCUIT 

COURT OF THE 

SEVENTEENTH 

JUDICIAL 

CIRCUIT IN AND FOR 

BROWARD COUNTY, 

FLORIDA 

FAMILY DIVISION 

CASE NO.: FMCE 

24-005978 

JUDGE: KANNER 

IN RE: THE MARRIAGE OF 

BIBI HUSSAIN, 

Petitioner/Former Wife 

and 

SIDDIQUE ALLI JAIPAL, 

Respondent/Former Husband 

NOTICE OF ACTION 

FOR DISSOLUTION 

OF MARRIAGE 

(NO CHILD OR 

FINANCIAL SUPPORT) 

TO: SIDDIQUE ALLI JAIPAL 

ADDRESS UNKNOWN 

YOU ARE NOTIFIED that an action for 

DISSOLUTION OF MARRIAGE has 

been filed against you and that you are required 

to serve a copy of your written defenses, 

if any, to the Attotnry of the Petitioner, 

Edward A. Lopez, Esq., whose address is 3440 

Hollywood Blvd., Suite 415, Hollywood, FL 

33021 on or before JULY 22, 2024 and file 

the original with the clerk of this Court at 

201 Southeast Sixth Street, Fort Lauderdale, 

Florida 33301. If you fail to do so, a default 

may be entered against you for the relief demanded 

in the petition. 

Copies of all court documents in the case, 

including orders, are available at the Clerk of 

the Circuit Court’s office. You may review 

these documents upon request. 

You must keep the Clerk of the Circuit 

Court’s office notified of your current address. 

(You may file Notice of Current Address, 

Florida Supreme Court Approved 

Family Law Form 12.915.) Future papers in 

this lawsuit will be mailed to the address on 

record at the clerk’s office. 

WARNING: Rule 12.285, Florida Family 

Law Rules of Procedure, requires certain 

automatic disclosure of documents and information. 

Failure to comply can result in 

sanctions, including dismissal or striking of 

pleadings. 

Dated June 7, 2024 

Clerk of the Circuit Court 

Deborah A. Lewis, Deputy Clerk 

Amscot provides a wide variety of smart financial solutions for our customers 

including check cashing, electronic bill payment, free money orders, and cash 

advances. In addition, customers may also obtain and load an Azulos Prepaid 

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FORT LAUDERDALE, 

FL) --Victor G. Harvey, the 

owner of Black-owned Victor 

George Spirits will be holding 

a groundbreaking ceremony 

on Tuesday, June 25 starting 

at 11:30 am. This new 

building will be named The 

Victory Building after the 

historic Victory Theatre once 

located on historic Sistrunk 

Blvd. The 15,000 square foot 

facility will house a distillery, 

restaurant, cigar bar, whiskey 

lounge, event space and a 

rooftop bar and lounge located 

at 1017 Sistrunk Boulevard. 

Harvey will be joined by city 

and county officials for this 

event that is open to the 

public. 

The project is the vision 

of Harvey through his 

development company, 

Northeast 6th Development 

and will use the forgivable 

loan provided by the Fort 

Lauderdale Community 

Redevelopment Agency 

(CRA) alongside his own 

investment to help transform 

a once vibrant area back 

to a destination where 

neighborhood residents, out of 

town visitors and other locals 

can dine, drink, and tour the 

distillery, tasting new and 

unique craft spirits. The CRA 

is providing $2,450,000 to 

help fund construction cost. 

“We started working 

on this project in 2019 and 

after encountering several 

challenges including the 

pandemic we were able to 

stay the course and see it 

through,” said Victor Harvey. 

“This building will provide 

the community and our city 

along with those that visit 

the best and most vibrant 

experiences to enjoy along 

with creating several jobs, 

most of which will come from 

the community.” 

The original Victory 

Theater was the only one in 

Broward County Black people 

could attend up until the end 

of segregation in 1962. This is 

what helped pave the way for 

an entertainment district on 

historic Sistrunk Blvd. 

Brands in the VGS 

portfolio include gold medal 

award winning Fort Mose’ 

1738 Bourbon, Victor George 

Vodka, Victor George Caramel 

Vodka and Fort Mose’ 1738 

Rye Whiskey. Most major 

retailers carry VGS portfolio 

across the U.S. such as Total 

Wine, Kroger, Meijer, Trader 

Joe’s and more. Victor George 

Vodka and caramel vodka 

both retail price is $19.99 for 

750ml and $28.99 for 1.75L. 

Fort Mose’ Bourbon retails 

for $49.99 and Fort Mose Rye 

Whiskey retails for $79.99. 

For more information about 

Victor George Vodka, visit 

www.victorgeorgevodka.com 

or follow us on Instagram @ 

NNPA 

HOROSCOPE 

JUNE 20, 

00 

NUMBERS 

(2-DAY 

RESULTS) 

Send Self 

Addressed 

Envelope and 

$10.00 to: 

C.L.HENRY or 

S.H. ROBINSON 

P.O.BOX 5304 

FORT 

LAUDERDALE, 

FL 33310 

For Entertainment 

Purpose Only! 

ARIES-Things speed up again this week 

and you are in a highly creative mood. An 

outspoken female in your circle may illuminate 

a thorny question for you. You’ll be surprised 

and pleased by what you hear. Take her aside and 

thank her. I keep myself free of all resentment. 

3, 40, 51 

TAURUS-Hello home life. After a busy next few 

weeks all you want to do is savor the feelings 

of domesticity at home. Or go shopping to 

spruce up your living space. Whatever you 

decide to do it with a close friend. You’ll 

both enjoy the week more if you are together. 

11, 14, 17 

GEMINI-One of your most unique gifts is the power 

to change your mind. You know how to change the 

way you think, and it gives you great versatility. This 

week you may be called upon to change the way you 

think about someone you love. Be kind!32, 36, 45 

CANCER-Focus intently on the personal this 

week. Others may seem scattered or impersonal, but 

that’s not for you. Keep your thoughts and feelings 

to yourself until others are more receptive to your 

steady vibrations. 20, 30, 50 

LEO-A personal decision is made, and you are 

happy for the person who makes it. This person 

may be younger than you, but you’ve got a karmic 

bond between you. Enjoy the excitement of shared 

moments. Use your imagination to create a better 

world for both of you. 9, 44, 52 

VIRGO-A relationship may be heating up this week. 

Make sure you know what you want, then go ahead. 

Minor challenges on the home front are easily dealt 

with if you keep your sense of humor. Secrets are 

important. Keep them. 3, 30, 31 

LIBRA-You may feel an extra burst of energy this 

week. This is an enjoyable time for you wrap up any 

miscellaneous details on a project on which you’ve 

been working. Your vibrations are very conducive 

towards generosity and general well-being that 

you’ll want to extend to friends and family. 5, 7, 10 

SCORPIO-Start setting goals. Do a periodic 

cleaning of your home and get rid of the junk that has 

been cluttering your life! Start saving your money 

for a big vacation that you and that special someone 

have been planning! Do something extravagant. 2, 

39, 45 

SAGITTARIUS-Flexibility is needed to deal with a 

work issue. You’re sure you’re right but compromise 

will be necessary to overcome someone’s objections. 

Don’t think they are being spiteful. They simply 

see things differently than you do. Your insights 

this week are special and specialized. Don’t expect 

agreement. 7, 8, 10 

CAPRICORN-If you need a good week to put 

away the memorabilia of a past love, this week’s that 

week. Tuck away his or her photograph. If it’s over 

and now it’s time to move on, don’t stall your love 

life dwelling on what was. Get ready for what can 

be. 1, 26, 33 

AQUARIUS-Your harmony with your business or 

domestic partner should improve as you take steps 

to strengthen communication. Slow down and give 

everyone a chance to get on the same page. Plan well 

before you act. Enjoy hanging loose. 2, 39, 40 

PISCES-A little child will lead them is certainly 

something you should keep in mind this week. 

Wisdom from a little person, a son, daughter, 

younger brother, or sister can be extremely helpful 

to you. Lighten up on yourself. Self-criticism is not 

a clever idea this week. Soul Affirmation: 24, 25, 26 

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PAGE 16 • JUNE 20 - JUNE 26, 2024 

Deeply Rooted 


MAKIN' 

MOVES 

For the Week oF June 18 - 24, 2024 

 

U. S. Track Photo 

DYLAN BEARD: Well-travelled 

HBCU hurdler among the 

favorites at U. S. Olympic Trials 

this week in Eugene, Oregon. 

NINE HBCU PRODUCTS AT OLYMPIC TRIALS; MACK 

MAKES RUN AT U.S. OPEN; FOOTBALL CHANGES 

UNDER THE BANNER 

WHAT'S GOInG On In AnD AROunD BLACK COLLeGe SPORTS 

MACK III MAKES RUN AT U. S. OPEN CUT: 

Veteran former Bethune-Cookman golfer Willie 

Mack III, playing in his first U. S. 

Open last week, had a better first round 

score than 15-time major winner Tiger 

Woods, but he and Woods both missed 

Friday's cut. 

Teeing it up at Pinehurst No. 2 

Golf Resort in the 124th U. S. Open, 

Mack III 

Mack opened with an excellent score 

of 1-over par 71 in Thursday's first round. That score 

matched the first round score of world No. 1 Scottie 

Scheffler. It also was three strokes better than Woods' 

opening round 74 and only trailed first round leaders Rory 

McIlroy and Patrick Cantlay's 65 by six shots. 

Mack looked in great position to make the cut thru 

the first half of Friday's second round. He carded just three 

bogeys to shoot 38 and sat at 4-over par as he made the 

turn towards the round's final nine holes. 

But his game and score fell apart on the back nine. 

He carded five bogeys and one double-bogey on the tough 

Pinehurst layout to shoot 7-over 42 and finish with a 

second round score of 80. His 11-over 151 total was well 

off the 5-over, 145 cut line. 

Woods shot a second round 3-over 73 and also missed 

the cut with a 7-over 147 total. 

The 35-year old Mack, who won 11 times during his 

B-CU career (2008-11) and 65 times while grinding thru 

various professional mini-tours, earned his way into the U. 

S. Open field by winning a three-man playoff in a USGA 

qualifier in Daytona Beach, Fla. It was his eighth official 

PGA Tour event of his career. He's made two cuts in those 

eight events and won $28,343. 

SWAC ANNOUNCES 2024 

ESPN FOOTBALL SCHEDULE: 

BIRMINGHAM, Ala.- The Southwestern Athletic 

Conference announced its 2024 Football schedule on 

ESPN highlighted by several highly anticipated games on 

ESPN's linear and digital platforms (see list of games). 

Defending SWAC champion Florida A&M will kick 

off league coverage during Week 0 on Saturday, August 

24th when the Rattlers travel to Atlanta to face Norfolk 

State in the 2024 Cricket MEAC/SWAC Challenge Kickoff, 

live on ABC at 7:30 p.m. EST. 

The schedule of SWAC games is highlighted by 

several Classic match-ups, including the Labor Day Classic 

(Texas Southern at Prairie View A&M), the State Fair 

Classic (Prairie View A&M vs. Grambling State), the 

Magic City Classic (Alabama State vs. Alabama A&M), 

the Boombox Classic (Southern at Jackson State) and the 

Florida Classic (Florida A&M vs. Bethune-Cookman). 

The 2024 Pepsi SWAC Football Championship Game 

will air live on ESPN2 on Saturday, December 7th at 2:00 

p.m. EST. 

THE STAT CORNER 

WHO ARe THe BeST PeRFORMeRS In BLACK COLLeGe SPORTS 

2024 U. S. OLYMPIC TEAM TRIALS 

HBCU TRACK & FIELD QUALIFIERS 

June 21-30, Eugene, Oregon 

MEN 

110 METER HURDLES 

4th - Dylan Beard, unattached, Howard - 13.10 

13th - Michael Dickson, More Sports MG, NC A&T - 13.26 

100 METERS 

4th - Brandon Hicklin, LSU, NC A&T - 9.94 

200 METERS 

7th - Jamarion Stubbs, Alabama State - 19.95 

HIGH JUMP 

T6th - Caleb Snowden, Arkansas-Pine Bluff - 2.26m 

WOMEN 

400 METERS 

10th - Quanera Hayes, NIKE, Livingstone - 50.44 

400 METER HURDLES 

8th - Sydni Townsend, Houston, Howard, NC A&T - 55.00 

16th - Jessica Wright, adidas/Bailey Track Club, Howard - 55.78 

17th - Simone Watkins, Texas Tech, Howard - 55.92 

© AZEEZ Communications, Inc. Vol. XXX, No. 47 

BCSP Notes 

Shift up in Celebration Bowl 

date causing concern 

ESPN Events, a division of ESPN, unveiled 

last week its schedule of 17 owned and operated 

bowl games for the 2024-25 college football 

season and its Celebration Bowl was moved up 

one week. 

The game that pits the MEAC champion 

vs. the SWAC champion in the de facto black 

college (HBCU) national championship game 

has kicked off bowl season for the last eight 

years on the third Saturday of December. The 

2024 schedule has pushed the game back to the 

second week, on Dec. 14 rather than Dec. 21. 

That development was apparently triggered 

by the expansion of the College Football Playoff 

field from four to 12 teams. Those games will 

now begin on Dec. 21. 

The move has brought about major 

pushback from some entities. Dan LeBatard, 

sports commentator and host of the Dan 

LeBatard Show, says the Dec. 14 date takes 

away from the "isolated" Army-Navy game 

which was the sole game on that date. 

"College football does not care about our 

military. They don't care about our troops . . . 

That is a disgrace," LeBatard said. ". . . name 

any team who has played in the last 10 of any 

of those bowls (Celebration Bowl or Camellia 

Bowl also scheduled for that date). The answer 

is you can't," LeBatard said. 

Maybe his listeners can't, but LeBatard 

obviously disregards the legion of black college 

sports fans that can. 

Also showing concern was the SWAC 

who issued a statement saying the date change 

presents "additional challenges" for the 

conference and its representative. The league 

said it was looking to see how it could address 

the date change and how "it can make our 

representative have the best opportunity to be 

successful on the new date and time." 

The Dec. 14 date is just one week after the 

SWAC championship game that is scheduled 

for Dec. 7 of this year. Prior to the change, the 

SWAC champion had two weeks to prepare for 

the MEAC champ. The MEAC champion is 

decided in the next-to-last week of November 

previously giving its representative a full month 

to rest and prepare for the SWAC titlist. 

The difference in prep time has been cited 

as a reason the MEAC holds a 6-2 edge in the 

bowl game. 

Former MEAC member Florida A&M, 

now in the SWAC, gave the SWAC just its 

second Celebration Bowl win defeating MEAC 

champ Howard in this year's game, 30-26. 

CIAA Football Championship 

returning to Durham, NC in 2025 

CHARLOTTE, NC – After seven years in 

Salem, Va., the Central Intercollegiate Athletic 

Association (CIAA) Board of Directors voted 

last week to approve Durham, NC as the site 

of the CIAA Football Championship starting in 

2025 through 2027. 

The championship will be hosted by the 

Durham County Sports Commission, with 

Durham County Memorial Stadium (DCMS) as 

the event's selected venue. 

Bids were also submitted by the cities 

of Charlotte, NC and Salem, VA. The Board 

reviewed several factors in its decision to move 

to Durham, including facility use and staffing, 

team support, opportunities for community 

engagement, and involvement of the local 

business community. 

The football championship has been held at 

DCMS previously from 2008-2012 and 2014- 

2015, pulling in crowds of over 10,000 fans. The 

CIAA Outdoor Track & Field Championship 

is already hosted by the Durham Sports 

Commission at the same venue in accordance 

with a three-year agreement that commenced in 

2023 and will run through 2025. CIAA-member 

Shaw University currently hosts its home 

football and soccer games at the venue. 

"The CIAA looks forward to returning to 

Durham County Memorial Stadium,” explained 

Commissioner Jacqie McWilliams. "Our 

recent media rights partnership with HBCU Go 

gives us the opportunity to showcase our top 

teams in a centralized location, again where the 

football championship has thrived in the past. 

The CIAA will have an opportunity to engage in 

the community beyond the game in a way that 

supports the mission of the conference." 

Salem has been the home of the CIAA 

football championship since 2017 and it is 

commended for its expertise and a job well 

done for not only CIAA championships for the 

past seven years, but its celebration in 2023 for 

hosting over 100 NCAA events. 

The 2024 CIAA Football Championship 

will be held at Salem Stadium in Salem, Va. on 

Saturday, November 26. 

Other decisions from the Board Meeting 

include: 

CIAA Basketball Tournament 

2027 and Beyond 

– The Board agreed to initiate the CIAA Men's 

and Women's basketball tournament bidding process 

in January of 2025 for the 2027 tournament and 

beyond. The conference will announce the selected 

site before the 2026 tournament, in keeping with its 

standard practice. Baltimore has positioned itself as 

BCSP Spring Round-Up 

Current and former HBCU athletes at this week's 

2024 U. S. Olympic Team Track & Field Trials 

EUGENE, OR - Former Hampton and Howard hurdler Dylan Beard 

and former North Carolina A&T sprinter Brandon Hicklin are the top 

qualifiers among current and former HBCU athletes as the U. S. Olympic 

Track & Field Team Trials get started here Friday. The top three finishers 

in their respective events will advance to the Paris Olympics (July 26- Aug. 

11, 2024) 

Beard comes in with the highest ranking. He ran a time of 13.10 seconds 

in winning the men's 110 meter hurdles at the Last Chance Qualifying 

Meet in Powder Springs, Ga. on June 8. It is the fourth-best time entering 

the Trials trailing only world champion and adidas athlete Grant Holloway 

(12.96), and Daniel Roberts (13.03) and Cordell Tinch (13.04) who both 

run for NIKE. Before that best effort, Beard had run five sub 13.4-second 

times this outdoor season. 

Beard has traversed a quite circuitous route to the Trials. The Baltimore 

native spent three years competing at Wagner before transferring first 

to Hampton where his 2021-22 season was halted by COVID-19. He then 

moved to Howard for his senior season of 2022-23 where he ran for and 

trained under former world champion hurdler David Oliver, the Bison's 

head coach. 

He does not currently have a pro sponsor and works full time at a deli 

counter at a WalMart in the Raleigh/Durham N. C. area. His breakthrough 

came in February at the prestigious indoor 2024 Millrose Games in New 

York where he beat a world class field that included athletes with major 

sponsorships for the 60 meter hurdles title. Both Roberts and Tinch were in 

that field. In April, WalMart surprised him with a $20,000 check that was 

presented to him during an interview on The Today Show on NBC. 

Also in the 110-meter hurdles field along with Beard is former NC 

A&T hurdler Michael Dickson. He won indoor 60-meter, outdoor 110-meter 

and outdoor 4x100 relay titles for the Aggies under head coach Duane 

Ross before turning pro in 2019. He ran his best time of 13.26 seconds in 

June in a meet in Kingston, Jamaica. 

Hicklin enters this week's 100 meters competition with the fifth best 

100 meters time of 9.94 seconds. He ran the time at 

the LSU Invitational in Baton Rouge (La.) in April and 

matched the time at a meet this month at the Josef Oklozil 

Stadium in Prague, Czechoslovakia. Hicklin also 

does not currently have pro sponsorship. 

Hicklin began his career at NC A&T under Ross 

Hicklin 

where he competed primarily in the long jump. He won 

the 2021 MEAC long jump title and the 2022 Big South 

long jump title for the Aggies. He transferred to LSU for his senior season 

(2022-23) and focused on the sprints for the Bengal Tigers. He was a member 

of LSU's NCAA and SEC champion 4x400 meter outdoor relay team in 

2023. 

SWAC 100- and 200-meter champion, senior Jamarion Stubbs of 

Alabama State and SWAC high jump champ Arkansas-Pine Bluff senior 

high jumper Caleb Snowden are both coming off competing at the NCAA 

a strong tournament host, as indicated by the upward 

trajectory of its economic impact during tournament 

week. The economic impact over the past three years 

currently stands at $81.7 million. 

BCHOF Legacy Bowl (CIAA vs. SIAC) 

– The Board agreed in collaboration with the 

Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference 

(SIAC) that the CIAA/SIAC football champions will 

be invited to play in the NFL/BCHOF game annually 

beginning in 2025 as part of the partnership. This will 

take place in lieu of the previously proposed 0-week 

game between CIAA/SIAC. 

Women's Flag Football HBCU League 

– The conference will explore Women's Flag 

football as a sponsored championship. The Board 

supports the growth of flag football and agreed that 

each institution interested should work directly with 

the conference regarding its interest and ability 

to secure funds through the NFL/RCX/NCAA to 

support their participation. The conference will 

poll membership for interest. The conference will 

continue to evaluate other sports interests, such as 

soccer, for consideration. 

Football Conference Realignment 

– The Board agreed that the CIAA will rank 

football teams from 1-12, with the two top teams 

advancing to the conference football championships, 

effective in 2024. There will no longer be Northern 

and Southern Division winners. 

List of SWAC games on 

ESPN Football Schedule 

Sat, 8/24 - 7:30 p.m. Florida A&M vs. Norfolk State ABC 

Sat, 8/31 - 6 p.m. SC State at Florida A&M *ESPN+ 

Sat, 8/31 - 7 p.m. Texas Southern at Pr. View A&M ESPN+ 

Sun, 9/1 - 3 p.m. NC Central vs. Alabama State ESPN 

Sat, 9/7 - 6 p.m. Miles at Alabama State ESPN+ 

Sat, 9/14 - 2 p.m. Southern at Jackson State ESPN+ 

Sat, 9/21 - 7 p.m. Southern at Prairie View A&M ESPN+ 

Sat, 9/21 - 7 p.m. Jackson State at Grambling ESPN+ 

Sat, 9/28 - 6 p.m. Alabama A&M at Florida A&M ESPN+ 

Sat, 9/28 - 7 p.m. Jackson State at Texas Southern ESPN+ 

Sat, 9/28 - 7 p.m. Prairie View A&M vs. Grambling ESPN+ 

Sat, 10/5 - 3 p.m. Florida A&M at Alabama State ESPN+ 

Sat, 10/5 - 5 p.m. Alabama A&M vs. Jackson State ESPN+ 

Fri, 10/11 - 9:15 p.m. Prairie View A&M at Ark.-Pine Bluff ESPNU 

Sat, 10/12 - 3 p.m. Alcorn State at Grambling ESPN+ 

Sat, 10/19 - 3:30 p.m. Florida A&M at Jackson State TBD 

Sat, 10/19 - 7 p.m. Alcorn State at Southern TBD 

Sat, 10/26 - 3 p.m. Texas A&M Comm. at Prairie View A&M ESPN+ 

Sat, 10/26 - 3:30 p.m. Alabama State vs. Alabama A&M TBD 

Sat, 10/26 - 7 p.m. Southern at Florida A&M TBD 

Sat, 11/2 - 3 p.m. Ark.-Pine Bluff at Jackson State ESPN+ 

Sat, 11/2 - 4 p.m. Texas Southern at Florida A&M ESPN+ 

Sat, 11/2 - 5 p.m. Alabama State vs. Alcorn State ESPN+ 

Sat, 11/9 - 3 p.m. Alabama State at Grambling ESPN+ 

Sat, 11/9 - 3 p.m. Florida A&M at Prairie View A&M ESPN+ 

Thu, 11/14 - 8:00 p.m. Grambling at Alabama A&M ESPNU 

Sat, 11/16 - 3 p.m. Jackson State at Alabama State ESPN+ 

Sat, 11/16 - 3 p.m. Alcorn State at Prairie View A&M ESPN+ 

Sat, 11/23 - 3 p.m. Pr. View A&M at Alabama State ESPN+ 

Sat, 11/23 - 3 p.m. Jackson State at Alcorn State ESPN+ 

Sat, 11/23 3:30 p.m. Florida A&M vs. Bethune-Cookman TBD 

Thu, 11/28 - 2 p.m. Tuskegee at Alabama State ESPNU 

Sat, 12/7 - 2 p.m. Pepsi SWAC Football Championship ESPN2 

Sat, 12/14 - 12 p.m. Cricket Celebration Bowl ABC 

HARD AT WORK: u. S. 110-meter hurdles championship qualifier Dylan 

Beard at WalMart (l.) and on the track for Howard (r.). 

Div. I Outdoor Championships in Heyward two weeks ago. Snowden finished 

third in the high jump while Stubbs was seventh in the 200 meters. 

Snowden is tied for sixth in the high jump field with a best leap of 

2.26 meters (7.0 feet, 4.98 inches) that he cleared in March at the Texas 

Relays. 

Stubbs is in with the seventh best 200 time of 19.95 seconds that he 

ran in the first round of the NCAA East Regional in Lexington, Ky. in 

May. 

The best qualifier among the women with HBCU roots is Sydni 

Townsend who ran the 400 meter hurdles for two years at Pittsburgh 

before moving to Howard and NC A&T and ending her collegiate career 

at Houston. She qualified two times for the NCAA East Preliminaries at 

A&T. 

Townsend enters the Trials competition with the eight best time of 

55.00 flat that she ran while finishing second for Houston at the Big 12 

Outdoor Championships last month (May). She finished fifth in 55.01 at 

the NCAA Championships earlier this month. 

Also in the 400 hurdles field along with Townsend are Howard products 

Jessica Wright and Simone Watkins. 

Wright has the 16th best time in the competition (55.78) while Watkins 

is right behind her at 55.92. Wright completed her career at Howard 

in the 2023 outdoor season and now runs for the adidas Bailey Track 

Club. She posted her best time at the Drake Relays in April. Watkins, a 

Texas Tech transfer, ran her best time for the Bison while winning a first 

round heat in the NCAA East Regionals in May. 

The senior member of the HBCU contingent is former Livingstone 

(2012-15) and CIAA standout runner and 400 meter specialist Quanera 

Hayes. Hayes's time of 50.44 seconds run at the Royal City Track & 

Field Festival earlier this month at Alumni Stadium in Guelph, Ontario 

Canada is tenth best entering the competition. Hayes is a former U.S. 400 

meter champion from 2017 and the 400 meter champion at the Olympic 

Trials in 2021. She was also a member of the second-place U. S. 4x400 

relay team a the World Indoor Championships in Glasgow, UK this year.


SPORTS 

Nunnie on the Sideline 

By “Nunnie” Robinson, Westside Gazette Sports, Editor 

The referees got the call right! In a 

WNBA game between the Chicago Sky 

and the Indiana Fever, a flagrant foul 

was called against Angel Reese whose 

erstwhile attempted block of a layup by 

rival rookie sensation Caitlin Clark of the 

Indiana Fever has again created animus 

and controversy. Coming on the heels of 

a flagrant one non-call away from play by 

Chenndra Carter against Caitlin Clark 

is indicative of a lingering problem for 

the league. Blocking a shot of an elevated 

ball by simply raising your arms with feet 

remaining on floor is poor technique when attempting to deflect 

a ball skyrocketing toward a 10 foot high goal, then egregiously 

raking your arm against the opponent’s head. It is a feeble shot 

block attempt and certainly poor technique. However, it did 

occur during a play on ball and rightfully called a flagrant one: 

2 free throws and possession of ball. The onus is on the officials 

to get the call right. The players and coaches will adjust and 

the underlying racial undertones will dissipate. Just play ball 

the old fashioned way- hard but fair. 

Another strange phenomena has emerged during NBA 

and NHL playoffs. The Celtics and Panthers both suffered 

devastating losses after dominating the series, winning the first 

3 games. Some speculate that the leagues want to see the series 

extended for television/financial reasons, while purists believe 

the teams simply suffer a mental letdown, unable to sustain 

the caliber of play needed to sweep the series. Additionally, 

the prideful, talented opponents refuse to be swept at home 

in front of their rabid fans. Last night the Celtics quelled any 

assumption that the Mavericks could possibly make a series 

of it if they could win game 5. Didn’t happen! The Celtics, led 

by MVP Jalen Brown and Perennial all-star Jason Tatum, 

dominated the Mavericks 106-86, clinching their 18th NBA 

championship while simultaneously breaking the tie with the 

Lakers for the most NBA titles 18-17. The Western Conference 

may have more really great teams, but the Eastern Conference 

Celtics are the best in 2024. Let’s hope the Florida Panthers 

rebound from their 8-1 4th game blowout delivered by the 

Edmonton Oilers. That game has an 8:00pm start time Tuesday 

in Sunrise. Go Cats! 

Coco Gauff, 20, needs to win a major tournament soon if she 

is to reach the next level in her career. A doubles victory simply 

won’t suffice. I failed in last week’s column to acknowledge the 

loss of the great Jerry West, the NBA champion both as a player 

and executive with the Los Angeles Lakers. The West Virginia 

native, whose silhouette symbolizes the NBA’s image, died 

peacefully at his California residence surrounded by family. 

Finally, the Celtics’ Peyton Pritchard 

beyond the half court moon shot, as tantalizing as it was, 

should have been nullified because of traveling, but who cares? 

Theus and coaching staff 

hosting Nike Basketball Camp 

Deeply Rooted 

Miami Dolphins agree to 

sign safety Marcus Maye 

New Orleans Saints’ starting safety Marcus 

Maye is rumored to be joining the Miami 

Dolphins. (neworleanssaints.com) 

By Alanis Thames, The Associated Press 

(Source HBCUSports): 

The Miami Dolphins agreed to sign safety Marcus Maye on 

Monday, a person with knowledge of the negotiations told The 

Associated Press. 

The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity 

because the deal had not been announced. 

Maye was released by New Orleans in a money-saving move 

in March after two seasons with the Saints. He had 97 tackles, 

one sack, one forced fumble and two interceptions for New 

Orleans. 

Maye, the New York Jets’ second-round pick out of Florida 

in 2017, had established himself as one of the most consistent 

performers at his position in his first five NFL seasons with the 

Jets. He has eight career interceptions, five forced fumbles and 

4 1/2 sacks. 

He had the longest interception return of the 2018 season 

when he picked off then-Denver quarterback Case Keenum’s 

pass in the end zone on the final play of the game and returned 

it 104 yards before being caught and tackled at the 1-yard line. 

Maye missed three games last season while serving a 

suspension for violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy, 

stemming from his 2021 arrest in Florida on charges of driving 

under the influence of alcohol after his involvement in a car 

crash in Fort Lauderdale. 

Maye is not the only safety piece the Dolphins have added 

this offseason. Miami signed former Bills safety Jordan Poyer to 

a one-year deal at the start of free agency in March. 

JUNE 20 - JUNE 26, 2024 • PAGE 17 

Division II Florida HBCU to play 

several national TV games in 2024 

By HBCU Gameday Newswire 

(Source HBCU Gameday): 

Edward Waters University is a private Christianbased 

HBCU in Jacksonville, Florida, founded in 1866 by 

African Methodist Episcopal Church (AME Church) members 

as a school to educate the newly freed black people and their 

children. In 2019, the university was invited to join the SIAC, a 

historic Division II HBCU athletic conference. The 2024 season 

will see Edward Waters become full members of the SIAC and 

NCAA Division II after their three-year mandated transitional 

period after moving from the NAIA. Below is a press release 

with information on the Florida HBCU’s televised football 

games in 2024. 

COURTESY OF EDWARD WATERS ATHLETICS 

Jacksonville, The country will be well acquainted with 

Edward Waters football during the 2024 campaign as head 

coach Toriano Morgan and the Tigers will be featured on various 

broadcasting networks. Thanks to the SIAC’s broadcasting 

agreement with both ESPN and HBCUGO, five of the Tigers’ 

10 contests will be shown on network television. 

The Tiger’s first contest of the season on August 31st on the 

road in Atlanta against Morehouse will be shown on ESPN+. 

EWU’s lone Thursday night contest on the road against 

defending SIAC champion Benedict will be on ESPNU on 

September 19th. The highly anticipated home rematch against 

Tuskegee on September 28th will be aired on the new HBCUGO 

Network, while both EWU’s October 5th home contest against 

Fort Valley State and the November 9th Homecoming/AME 

Football Classic matchup against rival Allen will both be aired 

on ESPN+. 


Blake Bolden Broke Barriers As The 

First Black Woman To Play Professional 

Ice Hockey. Now She’s Working To 

Diversify The Sport. 

Coined the Jackie Robinson of Women’s hockey, 

Blake Bolden has shattered the “ice ceiling” 

throughout her professional career. 

A Nike Basketball Camp with B-CU Coach Reggie Theus 

will be held June 17-20. ROMEO T. GUZMAN/B-CU 

ATHLETICS 

Bethune-Cookman University’s Head Basketball Coach Reggie 

Theus and his coaching staff are hosting a Nike Basketball 

Camp at B-CU in the Moore Gymnasium on Monday, June 17 

through June 20. 

The camp is designed to be an immersive, 360-degree 

basketball experience. Each day, campers will go through an 

intense schedule focused on refining essential skills like ball 

handling, shooting technique, footwork, conditioning, offensive 

moves, and team defensive concepts through drills, stations, 

lectures and scrimmages. 

Experienced coaches provide personal evaluation for each 

camper, with additional position-specific training for guards, 

wings and post players. 

Highlights of the camp at Bethune-Cookman include the 

following: 

Daily emphasis on fundamental development, positionspecific 

work, full-court drills and scrimmages 

In-depth offensive and defensive instruction from accomplished 

college coaches 

Intense conditioning and footwork training to maximize speed, 

agility and explosiveness 

Video review and personal evaluation for individualized areas 

of improvement 

Ability-based coaching assignments to ensure the perfect 

degree of challenge 

Camper amenities including a Nike camp T-shirt and prizes 

for competition winners 

The camp is open to any and all boys of all skill levels ranging 

from ages 7 to 15, with the camp running daily from 9 a.m. to 

4 p.m. Campers are asked to bring lunch each day, in addition 

to athletic clothing, athletic shoes, a water bottle and a small 

gym bag or backpack. 

Spots are limited and expected to fill quickly. Parents are 

encouraged to register their child immediately by visiting Nike 

Basketball Camp with Reggie Theus (ussportscamps.com) to 

reserve a place. 

U.S. Open run draws HBCU grad 

Willie Mack III’s new support 

Willie Mack III’s U.S. Open run at 

Pinehurst No.2 ended with a 10-over-par 

80, but he gained widespread support 

and recognition. 

By Vaughn Wilson 

(Source HBCU Gameday): 

HBCU product Willie Mack III had a run dreamt of by anyone 

who has ever picked up a golf club in the U.S. Open Championship. 

He had an opportunity to play for the U.S. National 

Championship, coupled with being played on historic Pinehurst 

No.2 in North Carolina. 

Mack played himself into contention to make the 36-hole 

elimination cut. As with many professionals, the pin placement 

and lightning fast greens on cut day left no room for error resulting 

in Mack being eliminated from contention. 

He would end his run with a 10-over-par 80 in the second 

round of the 2022 U.S. Open. Mack was just unable to get 

things going in the right direction, and with the holes’ challenges, 

mistakes ended up compounding before things got better. 

After qualifying for the tournament in the play-in, Mack became 

a fan favorite as the story of his irregular journey to even 

pursue a career in golf became public. While the B-CU alum 

was honored with the opportunity to play in the U.S. Open, 

with his experiences on the APGA Tour, Korn Ferry Tour, and 

PGA Tour, he is far beyond taking symbolic victories and is 

working to secure the ability to compete on the PGA Tour on a 

regular basis. 

Not since Jackson State’s Tim O’Neil qualified for the U.S. 

Open in 2015 had an HBCU alum made their way to the competition. 

At that time, JSU had one of the best golf programs in 

the country under coach Eddie Payton. 

The front nine was a challenge within itself on Friday. Willie 

Mack III would card three birdies and six pars on the front en 

route to a 3-over-par score of 38. The back nine is where things 

fell apart. Mack simply wouldn’t be able to keep things going 

as he carded a 42, which in itself was 7-over-par. He would tally 

an 11-over-par total for the tournament after hanging within 

the cut line for the entire front nine. 

Willie Mack, an HBCU graduate who competed at 

Bethune-Cookman, had a strong showing at the U.S. Open. 

The U.S. Open is made to be a tournament that challenges golfers 

to make par. This year’s tournament challenged most of 

the field to do just that. Several big names like Tiger Woods, 

Phil Mickelson, Dustin Johnson, and Rickie Fowler also failed 

to make the cut. Mack bested most of their scores until the 

final nine holes simply took his momentum. 

Support for Mack’s run was rampant on social media. A Facebook 

group called Black Golf Alliance had several posts sup- 


Photo Credit: Arthuro Holmes/Getty Images 

By Rayna Reid Rayford 

When it comes to hockey, Blake Bolden is no stranger to 

shattering “ice ceilings.” Coined the Jackie Robinson of 

Women’s hockey, Bolden became the first Black woman to play 

in the now-defunct National Women’s Hockey League (NWHL) 

in 2015, and five years later, in 2020, the first Black woman 

to become a scout for professional ice hockey team the Los 

Angeles Kings. 

In addition to being a pro scout for the Kings, Bolden is also 

the team’s Growth & Inclusion Specialist and member of the 

NHL’s Player Inclusion Coalition. Committed to diversifying 

the sport of hockey, Bolden is working hard to ensure that 

young people in marginalized communities have an opportunity 

for access and exposure. 

When the two-time world champion was introduced to Kendal 

Troutman, they immediately clicked. As Troutman, whose 

daughter is a figure skater, told ESSENCE, “we realized we had 

an opportunity to make a massive impact on the sport. I have 

a diversity figure skating and hockey program in partnership 

with Toyota Sports Performance Center and the LA Kings. 

Blake and I have been serving young people through those and 

the Kings Care Foundation and my organization 24 Degrees of 

Color, since we met.” 

According to its website, 24 Degrees of Color’s “goal is to 

diversify ice skating and ice hockey in LA County by making 

these sports more accessible financially, ensuring diverse 

representation at the rink, introducing young people to 

recreational ice sports, and providing resources for them to 

compete competitively, if interested.” 

Last month, with support from the NHL Player’s Inclusion 

Coalition, Bolden and Troutman helped more than 75 young 

players of color from Cleveland, Los Angeles and Detroit 

convene in the Motor City for a weekend of cultural exchange, 

community building, sports clinics, and scrimmages. 

“That’s why Kendall and I mesh so well—our missions 

and values are in such an alignment,” shared Bolden, as she 

recalled her experience growing up playing youth hockey in 

Cleveland. “It was very challenging. Financially, I think it’s 

darn near impossible, especially if you’re just entering into the 

game and you have no blueprint.” 

“What I am passionate about is creating a blueprint and 

creating resources to support families that don’t necessarily 

Continue reading online at: thewestsidegazette.com

PAGE 18 • JUNE 20 - JUNE 26, 2024 

Deeply Rooted 


Juneteenth 

By 

join in the celebrations 

By Bobby R. Henry, Sr. 

It’s mid-June and the recordbreaking 

sweltering heat of this 

summer’s sun, in small towns and 

large cities across the country sets 

the backdrop to what the conditions 

might’ve been like for enslaved 

people in this country. It’s not too 

hard to imagine that in this country 

so rich in history would deny people 

their freedom after it was granted. 

The annual Juneteenth 

celebration, a universal story of 

recognizing freedom that came later 

to some and not soon enough for all. 

This year marked the 158th 

Juneteenth anniversary. As the 

festivities bring transformations 

places come alive with parades, 

festivals, and pop-up tents are 

havens of delight, in addition to 

the alluring scents of barbecued, 

hot fried fish and freshly baked 

treats that fill the air. Laughter of 

children mingled with the 

soulful tunes of live music, 

in a symphony of joy coming 

from the trunk of cars, 

backyards and scents paint 

a vivid tapestry of culture 

and history. 

Families gathered 

on blankets, elders shared 

wisdom under sprawling 

trees, and the community 

reveled in pride for their 

shared heritage. The 

activities are symbolic 

murals, portraying the 

journey from oppression 

to liberation, testaments 

to resilience and hope, 

touching the hearts of all 

who are a part of it. 

Amidst the celebration, leaders 

engage audiences from stages, 

emphasizing the significance of 

Juneteenth as a day of remembrance 

and a call to progress towards 

equality and justice. Their words 

echo the collective experiences 

of challenges bravely faced and 

triumphs joyously shared. 

Performances of different talents 

and all ages showcased the rich 

cultural tapestry, transcending 

boundaries, and uniting hearts. 

From poignant poetry to captivating 

dances, each act speaks to the 

universal themes of struggle, 

perseverance, and the power of 

unity. 

As a natural blanket begins to 

cover the day. the cities and festivals 

crank up just a little bit more as 

reflections and remembrance take 

on a different expression of freedom. 

Under the night skies unwanted 

Alcee L. Hastings Broward Black-Jewish 

Alliance Powers Juneteenth Film Festival 

Evan Goldman 

Executive Director 

Jewish Community Relations Council of Broward 

County 

In celebration of Juneteenth, the Alcee L. Hastings 

Broward Black-Jewish Alliance, Jewish Community 

Relations Council of Broward County (JCRC), and The 

Westside Gazette, proudly present the Juneteenth 

Mini Film Festival as a tribute to the spirit of hope and 

resilience of the African American community. Often 

referred to as our country’s “Second Independence Day,” 

Juneteenth commemorates the date in 1865 when more 

than 250,000 enslaved Black people in Texas were free 

by executive decree. 

In every way, our support of the Juneteenth Mini 

Film Festival is an embrace of Jews of Color who 

comprise 12-15% of all Jews in the United States. I have 

a multiracial Jewish family, as does Denise Lettau, who 

chairs both the Alliance and JCRC. Make no mistake, 

the Jewish community is as diverse as Broward itself. 

It is also an opportunity to honor the late Congressman 

Hastings, who saw zero daylight between anti-Black 

racism and anti-Jewish hate. In his memory, we are 

setting the stage for a new grand alliance between 

the Black and Jewish communities with Greater Fort 

Lauderdale as the epicenter of it all. 

The Film Festival is free and a project of FLIFF (Fort 

Lauderdale International Film Festival). It kicks off with 

MISS VIRGINIA on Tuesday, June 18. Based on a true 

story, Miss Virginia stars Emmy-winner Uzo Aduba as a 

struggling, single mother who is losing her teenaged son 

to the rough streets of Washington, DC. Unwilling to see 

things can happen. It’s now that 

we call on the ancestors to bring a 

peaceful end to a joyous time. It is 

here where the communities should 

pay tribute to those who’ve paid 

the path to freedom and equality, 

honoring their sacrifices with lit 

candles and solemn reverence. 

Dazzling firework displays 

should paint the heavens with a 

kaleidoscope alive with vibrant colors 

of power. Symbolic of the enduring 

spirit of resilience, unity, and hope 

for a better tomorrow. Juneteenth 

should transcend our local roots, to 

reach for our universal connections 

of shared struggles, dreams, and the 

indomitable human spirit of those 

who bleed, sacrifice and die so that 

we may live free. 

Q: Where can you learn more 

about the history and significance of 

him drop out and deal drugs, she puts him in a private 

school. But when she can’t afford tuition, she launches a 

movement to change the system that is destroying him 

and thousands like him. Attacked and threatened by 

those who don’t want change – from corrupt politicians 

to a local drug lord – Virginia discovers the depths of 

her own inner strength. Brushstrokes for History, an 

initiative led by Yana Danzig to promote community 

connection between artists and history, particularly in 

the Sistrunk corridor, will display art from students at 


Juneteenth celebrations? 

A: To delve deeper into the history 

and significance of Juneteenth 

celebrations, you can explore various 

resources and sources that provide 

comprehensive insights into this 

important holiday. Here are some 

avenues you can consider learning 

more about Juneteenth:

The Westside Gazette

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