The Westside Gazette

THURSDAY, JUNE 27 - JULY 3, 2024 

PRSRT STD 

U.S. POSTAGE 

PAID 

FT. LAUDERDALE, FL 33310 

PERMIT NO. 1179 

Extreme Heat Killed a 

Black Maryland Couple 

During a Trip to Mecca. 

Now Their Children 

Are Struggling to Find 

Their Bodies PAGE 3 

NFL Legend Michael Irvin Reveals 

Wife Sandy Has BeenLiving with 

Early-Onset Alzheimer’s for Years 

PAGE 5 

VOL. 53 NO. 21 $1.00 

FLORIDA PANTHERS MAKE HISTORY, WIN 1 ST STANLEY CUP in 30 years 

POLITICAL 

Biden-Harris 

Campaign Trolls 

Trump Ahead of First 

Presidential Debate 

SPORTS PAGE 16 

NAACP President Derrick Johnson called Biden’s 

selection of Sen. Harris a “defining moment,” 

declaring, “Sen. Kamala Harris, as the first vicepresidential 

candidate of a major political party, 

breaks down one of these barriers in historic 

proportions.” (PHOTO: JoeBiden.com) 

The Biden-Harris team has taken 

particular delight in pointing out the 

irony of the attacks on 81-year-old 

President Biden’s cognitive health, 

given Trump’s own incoherent 

remarks. At 78, Trump made several 

statements that left many people 

scratching their heads. 

By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire 

Senior National Correspondent 

As the first presidential debate of the 

2024 election season approaches in Atlanta 

this week, the Biden-Harris campaign 

has ramped up its strategy of trolling 

the presumptive Republican nominee, 

Donald Trump. The campaign’s social 

media team has been using Trump’s own 

words to highlight his often bizarre and 

controversial statements, casting doubt 

on his cognitive abilities and countering 

criticism about President Biden’s age. 

The Biden-Harris team has taken 

particular delight in pointing out the irony 

of the attacks on 81-year-old President 

Biden’s cognitive health, given Trump’s 

own incoherent remarks. At 78, Trump 

made several statements that left many 

people scratching their heads. A recent 

tweet from the official Biden-Harris rapid 

response page quoted Trump saying, 

“Washing machines to wash your clothes. 

They want no water.” This comment was 

part of a larger, disjointed diatribe about 

water regulations, prompting even Trump 

ally Fox News to cut away during his 

Continue reading online at: 

thewestsidegazette.com 

The event is scheduled 

to take place Saturday 

night. (Photo: Scott 

Olson/Getty Images) 

The School Board of Broward County, Florida has made 

a significant decision to honor two esteemed individuals 

by renaming two facilities at Blanche Ely High School. 

Building 15 will now be known as the Ms. Earnestine Price Leadership Center, while FISH 

#401 will be renamed the Ms. Lillian Greaves Health & Wellness Room. This decision reflects 

the board’s appreciation for the contributions and impact of these two individuals on the 

community. 

Florida Memorial University 

Appoints 

New Interim 

President 

Florida Memorial 

University (FMU), HARDRICK 

South Florida’s only historically Black college and 

university, has announced the appointment of Jaffus 

Hardrick as its new interim president. Hardrick, a 

seasoned higher education professional with 20 years 

of experience, will assume his new role on July 16, 

succeeding Castell V. Bryant. 

Hardrick comes to FMU from Florida International 

University (FIU), where he served as vice provost 

for student access and success and vice president 

for human resources. He is credited with promoting 

student success, developing strategic community 

relations, and providing innovative leadership. 

FMU Board Chair JoLinda L. Herring praised 

Hardrick’s appointment, stating, “Dr. Hardrick is a 

visionary and transformational leader with a strong 

community presence and involvement. We look 

forward to his service to our students, faculty, staff, 

and community.” 

Hardrick’s goals for FMU include transforming 

the university into a premier HBCU focused on 

student success, academic quality, financial solvency, 

relationship development, and operational excellence. 

He plans to achieve this through the use of data and 

technology. 

Founded in 1879, FMU is a private, historically 

Black institution offering undergraduate and graduate 

degree programs to a diverse student body. Current 

Continue reading online at: thewestsidegazette.com 

NNPA 2024 Convention 

in Baltimore Breaks 

New Ground 

NNPA Chair Bobby Henry, NNPA Fund Chair Karen Carter 

Richards, and NNPA President & CEO Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis 

Jr., present the St. Louis American with one of 12 awards the 

newspaper captured at the 2024 NNPAF Messenger Awards in 

Baltimore (Photo credit: Mark Mahoney) 

By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Senior 

National Correspondent 

The National Newspaper Publishers Association 

(NNPA) concluded its 2024 annual summer 

convention on Saturday, June 22, leaving its mark 

on Baltimore and making history as the first trade 

association with a presidential campaign as an event 

sponsor. The Biden-Harris campaign also announced a 

groundbreaking 7-figure advertising and sponsorship 

deal with the NNPA, which represents 250 Blackowned 

newspapers and media companies comprising 

the Black Press of America. 

(Cont’d on page 11) 

Trump Came For Black Voters in Philadelphia, But They 

Didn’t Let Him Get Away With It 

By Phenix S. Halley and Candace McDuffie 

Philadelphia is known as a time-tested stomping 

ground for the Democratic Party — along with 

having the highest concentration of Black folks in 

Pennsylvania. Donald Trump held a rally at Philly’s 

Temple University Saturday night in an attempt to 

change the former. 

Can Donald Trump Serve As President From 

Prison? Here’s What You May Not Know 

But that’s probably not happening: Trump has 

a shaky past with Philadelphia. He didn’t win the 

popular vote in the 2016 or 2020 elections. 

In 2018, he uninvited the city’s NFL team, 

the Philadelphia Eagles, to the White House 

after many of the Super Bowl champions 

declined Trump’s invitation. The former 

president has also insinuated that “bad 

things” happen in the mostly Black city. 

Also, the Democratic National Committee 

is not taking Trump’s attempts to sway Black 

voters lightly. Posters and billboards were 

placed all around Philly identifyiing how 

another Trump term would be detrimental 

for Black folks. 

(Cont’d on page 13) 

Democrat secures 

key primary 

endorsement 

in race for 

U.S. Senator 

Rick Scott’s seat 



Thursday 

June 27 th 

Fri 

89° 

82° 

Rain 

By Mark Harper, 

Daytona Beach 

News-Journal 

Other than former 

congress-woman Debbie 

Mucarsel-Powell, Democrats 

running for U.S. Senate 

against Rick Scott have been 

relatively low-key in a race 

to be determined in less than 

two months. 

One of Mucarsel-Powell’s 

opponents, though, hopes 

that will change with his 

announcement of a key 

endorsement. 

Stanley Campbell, a 

Palm City businessman, has 

landed the state AFL-CIO’s 

endorsement. 

Rich Templin, director of 

politics and public policy at 

the AFL-CIO Florida, said 

the endorsement required a 

two-thirds vote by members 

at an endorsement conference 

over the weekend. 

“This was a reflection 

of members wanting to do 

something new, something 

different,” Templin said. 

“(Campbell’s) answers showed 

a deep understanding of what 

our issues are in Washington, 

D.C.” 

They liked Campbell’s 

background as a tech 

entrepreneur and former 

Navy pilot who “laid out a 

good plan for the election.” 

The Florida Future Labor 

Leaders, a group affiliated 

with the AFL-CIO, also posted 

about the endorsement on 

Facebook Sunday, stating the 

group “is proud to announce 

Sunrise: 7:08am 

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Sunset: 7:39pm 

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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 27 - JULY 3, 2024 

www.thewestsidegazette.com 

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

Florida Governor Ron 

DeSantis has officially 

concluded his presidential 

campaign and announced 

his endorsement of former 

President Donald Trump. In 

a strategic move, DeSantis 

decided to support Trump, 

a significant player in 

Republican politics. This 

alliance could shape the 

dynamics of the upcoming 

presidential race, leveraging 

T r u m p ’ s 

influence and 

DeSantis’ 

r i s i n g 

political prominence. The move signals a unified front within the party, 

emphasizing key conservative values. As the 2024 election landscape 

Zeta takes Chi shape, Ques DeSantis’ Awards decision to step back 19 from Scholarships 

his own presidential 

aspirations in favor of backing Trump adds a noteworthy chapter to 

Congratulations the to the evolving 19 graduating narrative high of school Republican seniors who politics. each received a $1,000 scholarship from the 

Zeta Chi Ques. I am so grateful to the significant number of my riders who bought tickets from me to support 

our Mardi Gras event Submitted that raised by most Layla of the Davidson money for these - Photo scholarships. credit: I cnn.com promise you all that l’ d update 

you on the work we are able to do because of your support. This is my public thanks to each of you! 

Garrie Harris 

Kendra Dionne 

Dionne Gammage 

Don Reed 

Nicky Rey 

Driony Dorsett 

Kimberly Davis 

Kelvin Thompkins 

Antonio Burgess MEd 

Kim Cox 

Will Preston 

Ella Phillips 

T.C. Middleton 

Sonya Hickman 

Harry Harrell 

Londyn Cato 

Leia’s Mathematics 

Corner 

Shenetria Moore 

Biden Mike Olbel Unveils New 

Kirk Brown 

Sweeping Brenda Bee Student Loan 

Carlton Williams 

Debt Andrea Relief JohnBaptisteMeasures, 

LaShonda Thomas 

Tiffany Hines 

Surpassing 3.7 Million 

Bryan Cunningham 

Rashad Troutman 

Beneficiaries 

Sheri Brown 

Grosvenor 

Ann Marie Sorrell 

Bacardi Jackson 

Mark Howard 

Fabiola Fleuranvil 

dedication and look forward to seeing the impact they 

B-CU will make Celebrates in their chosen field. Day The future of Service is bright, and 

with 

the sky is indeed the limit for these talented individuals! 

Home Depot’s #FloridaMemorialUniversity 

“Retool Your School” # 

Submitted by B-CU 

Bethune-Cookman University 

celebrated a significant day of unity 

CassondraBrazzell-Rhettand service on Thursday, Jan. 18, 

Natashia Humble at the Michael and Libby Johnson 

Matthew Bradford Center for Civic Engagement 

Chris D Weathers (CCE). This momentous occasion 

Herman Dorsett brought together students, faculty, 

Shakimah Williams 

staff, alumni, and friends to 

Kiamesha Wilson 

commemorate the University’s 

Allison Steer 

Whitney Rawls 

recent accomplishment – securing 

Myisha Ragin the fourth position in Home 

Linda Julien Depot’s prestigious “Retool Your 

Rasheda Jackson School” competition and receiving a 

substantial $60,000 grant dedicated 

“Florida Memorial University of Miami Florida is proud to 

announce that its 2024 Construction Trade students have 

successfully completed their program! This achievement 

marks a significant milestone in their academic and 

professional journey. We celebrate their hard work and 

concession being the postponement of painting 

stripping the basketball court – a minor hiccup 

more favorable weather prevails. 

Dr. William Berry, Provost and Acting Pres 

expressed excitement and gratitude, stating, “W 

excited about this project and grateful to all those 

You all are directly responsible to for campus enhancement. 

a large part of this success story! Despite cooler temperatures and 

- BYLINE overcast skies, the collective spirit 

prevailed as almost 135 participants, 

FAMU Announces 

led by Home Depot Daytona Beach 

Store Manager 

Miami’s 

Therese 

own Danielle 

Watson- 

Geathers has been selected to attend the 

Cateatra Mallard 

Murray, prestigious joined forces Congressional in yesterday’s Black participated Caucus Bootcamp! in the vote Danielle for B-CU. Geathers These enhancem 

NNPA NEWSWIRE — debt crisis, announcing the loan repayment structure 

successful from effort. Miami Their to the Congressional mission will help Black create Caucus more Bootcamp! vibrant and Danielle engaging is space 

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

was ambitious, a shining involving star from projects the 305, our making students history retreat as the first on campus Black student for a brain bre 

announced the accelerated for an additional 74,000 support to students and their 

ranging from assembling bookcases find inspiration through the downtime.” 

implementation Activities Director 

to be elected President of the Student Government Association at MIT. 

of a student loan borrowers. The families. 

and indoor-outdoor We’re thrilled dining to have sets her to on board!” Home This Depot’s impressive “Retool achievement Your School” is prog 

crucial By Andrew provision Skerritt under the latest action contributes to “Today, my administration 

constructing a testament arcade games, to her foosball dedication established and leadership in 2009, skills, has been which a beacon have for made positive ch 

Student Aid for Voluntary the record-breaking relief the approved debt cancellation 

tables, her basketball a standout hoops, in her hockey community. providing Danielle over $9.25 has already million made in campus history improve 

Education Florida (SAVE) A&M University plan, (FAMU) administration has provided for another 74,000 student 

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

which the administration to more than 3.7 million loan borrowers across the 

as the first Black student to be elected as President of the Student 

announced Cateatra D. Mallard as 

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

said the has new helped Student 3.6 Activities million director. Americans. Earlier this country, bringing the total 

Government Association at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology 

deter their dedication, with the only 

Americans Over the by last canceling decade, Mallard, month, Biden announced the number of people who have 

(MIT). Her accomplishments are Continue a source reading of pride online for the at: city thewestsidegazette 

of Miami, 

their a student two-time debt. graduate of Hampton accelerated implementation had their debt canceled under 

earning her the title “the pride of the 305!” 

University, has worked with students of a crucial provision under my administration Cateatra to over Mallard 3.7 have earned forgiveness after Biden credited the success The president outlined 

at Virginia State University, Radford 

By Stacy M. Brown the Student Aid for Voluntary million Americans through a decade of dedicated service. of these relief efforts to the broader achievements o 

University, Syracuse University, and most a large impact on HBCU culture, and I am excited 

NNPA Newswire Senior Education (SAVE) plan, various actions,” Biden said Additionally, 

and 

close to 30,000 corrective measures taken administration in suppo 

recently, Jackson State University. 

committed to sustaining the standard of FAMU through With our youth ahead of us 

National Correspondent which the administration in a statement on Jan. 19. individuals who have been to address broken student students and borro 

Her experience includes direct oversight student engagement while upholding the university’s motto: 

@StacyBrownMedia said has helped 3.6 million The beneficiaries of the latest in repayment for at least loan programs. He asserted including achieving the 

for weeks of welcome, fraternity & sorority Excellence with Caring.“ 

and the ancestors beside us, 

life, student government association, Americans campus by Mallard canceling succeeds round Andre of relief Green include who served nearly in the 20 role years without receiving that these fixes have removed significant increases in 

President activities Biden board, continues royal court, their leadership student until debt. his Biden death in 44,000 2023. teachers, nurses, relief through income-driven there’s nothing barriers preventing we borrowers can’t Grants do! in over a decade, a 

to make programming, significant fundraising strides in and said other the areas plan of aims The to create Washington, firefighters, D.C., native, and other completed public a bachelor’s repayment plans will now see from accessing the relief they Continue reading onlin 

alleviating student activities. the student loan a more affordable Continue student reading service online professionals at: thewestsidegazette.com 

who their debts forgiven. 

were entitled to under the law. thewestsidegazette.co 

“I am elated to continue my higher 

education professional career at the #1 Public 

HBCU, where I can continue to do the work 

for which I have a great passion. To know 

that I am joining an institution that is known 

for its culture, tradition, and rich legacy, that 

has a global impact, gives me an immense 

sense of pride as an HBCU alumna,” Mallard 

said. “Understanding that students and their 

experiences are a pillar and at the core of 

student activities, I look forward to working 

with my new colleagues and campus partners 

as well as bringing innovative campus 

initiatives that cultivate and enhance the 

student experience. The University has such 

“The Urban League of Broward County’s 

Summer Enrichment Camp is wrapping 

up the week on a high note! Our students are 

beaming with joy, surrounded by sunshine and 

limitless possibilities. We extend our heartfelt 

gratitude to the Children’s Services Council for 

their support in making this camp a reality. 

Additionally, we appreciate our partnership with 

the Florida Lottery, who have been dedicated 

to helping students achieve their dreams since 

1988. Together, we’re inspiring and empowering 

the next generation to reach for the stars!” 

College 

Prep 

Word of 

the Week 

noun - anxiety or fear that something 

quiescent 

apprehension 

[ kwee-es-uhnt, kwahy- ] 

adjective bad or unpleasance will happen. HOW TO USE QUIESCENT IN 

SENTENCE 

HOW TO USE IN A SENTENCE: 

being at rest; inactive or 

She felt some apprehension at the thought It’s of possible seeing him that again. other volcanoes 

motionless; quiet; still: a long quiescentperiods may also h 

quiescent mind. 

subtle but protracted warning per 

as well. 

WORDS OF WORDS 

625 

+24 

—— 

125 

x 2 

——— 

365 

- 20 

——— 

Created by Leia Palmer 3rd grader! 

List compiled 

by Kamar 

Jackson, 

Dillard High 

Sophomore 

Word Sea 

List Comp 

by Kam 

Jackso 

Freshm 

at Dilla 

High Sch


By Angela Johnson 

A family is mourning 

the death of a couple from 

Maryland who died during a 

trip of a lifetime – and now 

they are pleading with the 

government of Saudi Arabia 

to help them find where 

their loved ones are buried. 

Saida Wurie’s parents, 

Alieu Dausy Wurie and 

Isatu Tejan Wurie, had been 

saving their entire lives to 

make their pilgrimage to the 

holy city of Mecca in Saudi 

Arabia for Hajj, a religious 

rite of passage required of all 

Muslims who are physically 

and financially capable. 

Deeply Rooted 

Extreme Heat Killed a Black Maryland Couple During a Trip to Mecca. Now Their 

Children Are Struggling to Find Their Bodies 

The Wuries died traveling to Mecca. Now their family wants 

the government’s help finding where they are buried 

But although the Wuries 

paid for an all-inclusive 

package with a Marylandbased 

travel company, their 

daughter says they were not 

given adequate food, supplies 

and resources to complete 

their journey in extreme 

temperatures that have 

claimed the lives of hundreds 

of travelers this year. 

Wurie told CNN that she’d 

been in touch with her parents 

during their trip through a 

family group chat. But their 

last conversation took place 

on June 15 when they told her 

they had been waiting hours 

to be transported to Mount 

Arafat where they planned to 

pray. Without transportation, 

the couple decided to walk, a 

trip they told their daughter 

took over two hours. 

According to CNN, 

this year’s Hajj has been 

impacted by above-average 

temperatures reaching well 

over 100 degrees which have 

led to almost 500 deaths. 

“Along the way home, I 

saw many pilgrims who died. 

Almost every few hundred 

meters, there was a body 

lying and covered with an 

ihrom [white fabric] cloth,” 

one Indonesian tourist told 

CNN. 

Wurie says the U.S. 

Embassy told her that her 

parents died of natural causes 

on June 15, but according 

to The Consulate General’s 

JUNE 27 - JULY 3, 2024 • PAGE 3 

(Photo credit: Wurie Family Photo/Youtube) 



Supreme Court to Rule on Trans Treatment Bans 

By Dara Kam 

©2024 The News Service of Florida. All 

rights reserved; see terms. 

TALLAHASSEE — The U.S. Supreme 

Court on Monday agreed to decide whether 

a Tennessee law restricting puberty blockers 

and hormone therapy for transgender children 

is unconstitutional, in a closely watched case 

that is almost certain to affect similar laws in 

Florida and more than a dozen other states. 

Justices will hear the case in the fall, with 

a decision likely coming in June or July 2025. 

The Biden administration in November 

filed a petition asking the court to consider 

whether the Tennessee law, which blocks 

doctors from ordering puberty blockers and 

hormone therapy for minors with gender 

dysphoria, violates equal-protection rights 

and is sex-based discrimination because the 

treatments are available for other purposes. 

The “court’s intervention is urgently 

needed because Tennessee’s law is part of a 

wave of similar bans preventing transgender 

adolescents from obtaining medical care that 

they, their parents, and their doctors have all 

concluded is necessary,” U.S. Department of 

Justice lawyers wrote in the petition. 

Monday’s decision to take up the case, 

known as United States v. Skrmetti, comes 

amid conflicting lower-court decisions over 

similar restrictions enacted in Republican-led 

states, including Florida. 

U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkle this 

month ruled that a 2023 Florida law and 

regulations prohibiting the use of puberty 

blockers and hormone therapy to treat 

children for gender dysphoria and making 



Christian Cooper: From Racist Central Park Encounter 

with a ‘Karen’ to Emmy-Winning Birdwatcher 

Writer, birder and show host Christian 

Cooper bands a herring gull with NYC 

Bird Alliance scientists atop the Javits 

network of green roofs as National 

Geographic documents it for an episode 

on Christian’s Extraordinary Birder 

show. (Courtesy of NYC Bird Alliance) 

By Stacy M. Brown 

(Source The Washington Informer): 

Four years after a racist encounter with a 

so-called “Karen,” Christian Cooper has earned 

the ultimate payback: a Daytime Emmy Award 

for his passionate love of birdwatching. The 

racially charged incident, which took place 

in 2020, not only spotlighted systemic racial 

issues but also paved the way for Cooper’s 

extraordinary success. 

It was a sunny day when Cooper, an avid 

birdwatcher, found himself in the Ramble, a 

secluded area of Central Park known for its rich 

bird population. As he enjoyed the tranquility 

of the natural habitat, he noticed a dog running 

off-leash, violating park rules designed to 

protect his beloved birds. Concerned, Cooper 

approached the dog’s owner, Amy Cooper (no 

relation), requesting that she leash her dog. 



Why Diddy’s 

Billionaire 

Status 

Might Be 

Coming 

to an End 

Soon 

A coveted position since the 90’s, Billionaire Diddy may no longer be a title he can hold 

By Shanelle Genai 

(The Root) 

Though it’s taken years 

for Diddy to accumulate 

enough wealth to qualify 

him as a billionaire, it 

“We are most proud of the 

transformation that our 

teams will experience as they 

shift from being employees to 

owners of the business they 

are helping to build. Black 

culture is global culture, and 

REVOLT’s superpower is 

being the home for creators 

that move culture globally, 

allowing us to build the most 

powerful storytelling engine 

for Black voices,” said Revolt 

CEO Detavio Samuels at the 

time. 

With the Diageo 

partnership, looming federal 

investigation, numerous 

sexual assault suits (most 

seeking some monetary 

compensation), and the 

selling of Revolt—analysts 

Sean Combs attends the ‘Killing Them Softly’ Premiere during 65th Annual Cannes Film Festival at 

Palais des Festivals on May 22, 2012, in Cannes, France. (Photo: Gareth Cattermole /Getty Images) 

now estimate that the hip-hop 

mogul may actually only have 

$200 million in cash with the 

rest of his assets being linked 

to his jet, art collection, 20- 

car fleet, and whatever music 

royalties he still has ( even 

though he sold back most of 

them to the artists who were 

on his Bad Boy label back in 

Sep. 2023.) 

It was just two years ago 

that the mogul had become 

a billionaire. Now, there’s no 

telling just how fast his many 

millions will go away. 

only taken one moment 

in time—and a myriad of 

lawsuits—to see it potentially 

all fade away. 

“We are most proud of 

the transformation that our 

teams will experience as they 

shift from being employees to 

owners of the business they 

are helping to build. Black 

culture is global culture, and 

REVOLT’s superpower is 

being the home for creators 

that move culture globally, 

allowing us to build the most 

powerful storytelling engine 

for Black voices,” said Revolt 

CEO Detavio Samuels at the 

time. 

With the Diageo 

partnership, looming federal 

investigation, numerous 

sexual assault suits (most 

seeking some monetary 

compensation), and the 

selling of Revolt—analysts 

now estimate that the hip-hop 

mogul may actually only have 

$200 million in cash with the 

rest of his assets being linked 

to his jet, art collection, 20- 

car fleet, and whatever music 

royalties he still has ( even 

though he sold back most of 

them to the artists who were 

on his Bad Boy label back in 

Sep. 2023.) 

It was just two years ago 

that the mogul had become 

a billionaire. Now, there’s no 

telling just how fast his many 

millions will go away. 

Our blood should boil when a white man likens the 

prosecution of 34-time felon Donald Trump to the 

injustices experienced by Black people under Jim Crow 

Written By Zack Linly 

(Source: Newsone) 

Black people should 

be furious at the way 

Republicans and white 

conservatives keep mocking 

us to our faces. 

It should make our blood 

boil when members of the 

GOP liken the prosecution of 

34-time felon Donald Trump 

to the injustices experienced 

by Black people under Jim 

Crow. Black people all 

over the diaspora should 

be enraged every time 

Trump compares himself 

to Nelson Mandela. Black 

Americans, in particular, 

should get beyond heated 

when they trot out 

their fictional version of 

Martin Luther King Jr. in 

order to lecture Black people 

about how to behave, or when 

they compare themselves 

to Rosa Parks every time 

they’re held accountable for 

something. 

And we should all be 

enraged beyond measure 

about Newsmax host Greg 

Kelly for having the 

unfathomable causality 

and the most vulgar kind 

of dishonesty to compare 

Trump being found guilty 

by a jury of his peers to the 

brutal murder of Emmett 

Till. 

Yes, you read that right. 

Kelly’s display of 

unconscionable anti-Black / 

pro-white hate gaslighting 

began with the ridiculous 

argument that Trump 

can’t be judged by a “jury 

of his peers” because he 

has no peers because he 

was the president. That’s 

just another variation of 

Trump’s own argument that 

the sitting president should 

have absolute immunity 

against prosecution of all 

crimes, which is a sentiment 

not a single Republican 

would have even uttered 

while Barack Obama (or 

any recent Democrat for 

that matter) was in office. In 

any case, he’s not the sitting 

president and wasn’t sitting 

when he was convicted. 

“You see, a jury did it. A 

jury, a jury, a jury. That’s 

a jury of [Trump’s] peers,” 

Kelly said. “Number one, 

he doesn’t have any peers. 

He’s a former president. 

It is a unique position. 

Constitutionally, we really 

do have impeachment for 

EMMETT TILL AND MOM, MAMIE TILL 

offenses by him, that was an 

appropriate forum. They did it 

often enough, right? But not this. 

But you notice, like, you know, a 

jury of his peers, a jury did it, a 

jury did it. I’ve heard that excuse 

before.” 

Now, Kelly could’ve just 

stopped there—then he would 

have only been guilty of the 

same garden-variety fact less 

reporting that is to be expected 

from discount Fox News 

networks like Newsmax. It would 

have only needed to be pointed 

out to Kelly that a presidential 

impeachment does not hold a 

president criminally responsible 

for criminal acts. But KK- 

Kelly needed to take it further— 

he needed to pretend that one 

of the most cruel, merciless, 

depraved and monstrously 

racist acts of violence ever to 

be committed against a child is 

comparable to a wealthy white 

man who served in the USA’s 

highest office being found guilty 

of falsifying business records in 

order to cover up hush money 

payments to a prostitute. 

“Emmett Till, young man, beaten 

to death all the way back in the 

1950s,” Kelly continued. “What did he 

do? He said hello to a white woman, 

something like that. And an all-white 

mob beat him to death and three 

people, I believe, were arrested. And 

the jury said, ‘we don’t see no problem 

here’ and let him go, right? A jury of 

the accusers’ peers found nothing to 

see here. So jury, I’m told, gets it wrong 

sometimes. Seems to be a lot of people 

who think that a lot of murderers were 

let free that day. All right, so we’ve 

seen this before.” 

So, first—just because I’m annoyed 

by it—let’s start with the inaccuracies 

that indicate Kelly didn’t even bother 

learning Emmett’s story before 

making this absurd, irresponsible 

and racist AF comparison. Only two 

men, not three, were arrested after 

taking part in the torture and killing 


thewestsidegazette.com

PAGE 4 • JUNE 27 - JULY 3, 2024 

Westside Gazette Calendar 

of Events 

Deeply Rooted 

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Department of State Introduces 

Online Passport Renewal Option 

6 months - 17 yrs of age 

Lauderdale Manors Park- 1400 NW 14th Ct 

Fort Lauderdale, FL 33311 

Monday & Wednesday 3 pm - 4:30 pm 

Bass Park 2750 NW 19th St. Fort Lauderdale, FL 33311 

Monday- Thursday 9 am - 11:00 am 

By Sharon Aron Baron 

(Source Coral Springs Talk) 

In a move aimed at streamlining the passport renewal 

process, the Department of State has announced a new 

option for U.S. citizens to renew their expired passports 

online. 

This update comes as part of a beta release of an 

enhanced online passport renewal system. 

Eligible U.S. citizens can now take advantage of this 

digital renewal method, which provides a convenient 

alternative to traditional mail-in renewals. However, the 

system will initially be available during a limited midday 

Eastern Time window each day and will close once the 

daily application limit is reached. 

This limitation is designed to allow the Department to 

monitor the system’s performance in real time and address 

any potential issues that arise during this beta phase. 

Those unable to start their application on a particular 

day are encouraged to try again on another day, stated 

the Department of State in their press release. For those 

who do not want to wait or do not qualify to renew online, 

the option to renew by mail remains available. 

The Department emphasized that this beta release, with 

its controlled application limits, is a crucial and standard 

part of the software development process. This approach 

ensures that any system bugs or performance issues can 

be identified and resolved before the full launch. 

The department added, “We appreciate your patience 

while we test our system and prepare for the full launch of 

the updated online passport renewal system.” 

The new online renewal option is expected to 

significantly reduce the processing time for passport 

renewals, making the experience more efficient and userfriendly 

for U.S. citizens. As the system undergoes further 

testing and improvements, a full launch is anticipated in 

the coming months. 

For those interested in utilizing the online renewal 

system, the Department of State has provided a sign-up 

link via secure.login.gov. 

Starting Friday July 1st 

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Deeply Rooted 

NFL Hall-of-Famer and 

Colorado Football coach 

Deion Sanders didn’t hesitate 

to shock both the show’s hosts 

and viewers by displaying 

his dismembered foot, an 

action that left Good Morning 

America’s Michael Strahan 

visibly startled. 

During the segment, 

Strahan expressed the 

collective sentiment of 

the morning audience, 

exclaiming, “Oh, let’s not do 

that! This is morning TV! 

People are eating breakfast, 

Deion, you can’t do that!” 

Sanders, however, seemed 

unfazed by the timing or the 

setting, cheekily responding, 

“You mean this, with eight 

toes?” as he rolled up his 

pants to reveal his amputated 

foot. 

Sanders’ casual and 

confident demeanor 

This Week in Health: Cataract Eye Disease 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

June 24, 2024 

JUNE 27 - JULY 3, 2024 • PAGE 5 

New Study Reveals Heightened Fear and Mistrust of Health 

System in Black Community 

Written by Shannon Dawson 

By Brenton Blanchet 

(People.com) 

Michael Irvin and his wife 

Sandy Harrell photographed 

in 2019 in Atlanta. PHOTO: 

Dallas Cowboys legend 

Michael Irvin says his 

wife Sandy has been dealing 

A recent Pew Research Center 

study, based on responses 

from over 4,700 Black adults 

in September, highlighted 

widespread beliefs about 

medical mistrust within the 

community. Over half of the 

respondents believe that the 

healthcare system was designed 

to hinder the health 

and success of Black people 

living in the U.S. The findings 

underscore how this mistrust 

acts as a significant barrier 

to addressing current racial 

health disparities in the United 

States and the persistent 

concerns about the historical 

mistreatment of Black patients 

by the medical community, 

alongside ongoing experiences 

of discrimination. 

According to the study, 51% 

of Black adults feel the healthcare 

system was designed to 

hold back Black people largely 

or to some extent. This sentiment 

was more pronounced 

among Black women (58%) as 

compared to Black men (44%), 

particularly among younger 

women. Additionally, 78% of 

Black adults believe the notion 

that medical researchers 

experiment on Black people 

without their knowledge or 

consent, with 55% believing 

such experiments occur today. 

“Trust is hard to gain and 

easy to lose,” said Dr. Georges 

Benjamin, executive director 

of the American Public Health 

Association, a researcher behind 

the study. “While there’s 

been enormous progress in 

putting in systems to make 

sure people are treated fairly, 

as well as prevent inappropriate 

research on people without 

their consent, people still 

are distrustful, and they’re 

distrustful because of the way 

the system continues to treat 

people in disparate ways.” 

Medical mistrust runs deep 

in the Black community and 

is rooted in a painful history 

of exploitation and betrayal. 

One stark example is James 

Marion Sims, known as the 

“father of modern gynecology,” 

who conducted agonizing 

experiments on enslaved 

Black women in the 1800s 

without anesthesia. Their 

suffering was used to develop 

NFL Legend Michael Irvin Reveals 

Wife Sandy Has Been Living with 

Early-Onset Alzheimer’s for Years 

The former Dallas Cowboys player and 

his wife have been married since 1990 

Michael Irvin and his wife Sandy Harrell photographed 

in 2019 in Atlanta. 

(Photo: DIA DIPASUPIL/GETTY) 

with early-onset Alzheimer’s 

for multiple years. 

The former wide receiver 

and Pro Football Hall of Famer, 

58, shared the personal news 

with the Fort Worth Star- 

Telegram, revealing that his 

58-year-old wife has had the 

disease for 5 or 6 years. (He 

Florida Medicaid spending on 

undocumented immigrants’ 

plummets after new law 

Florida Gov. Ron 

DeSantis signed a 

law last year directing 

hospitals that accept 

Medicaid to ask 

patients about their 

immigration status 

when they seek 

treatment. 

(Phil Spears/AP) 

Two staffers of the Coalition of Immokalee 

Workers hang a sign advocating for the 

Covid-19 vaccine at a clinic held by 

Healthcare Network on April 10, 2021, in 

Immokalee, Florida. (Lynne Sladky/AP) 

A POLITICO analysis found 

that Medicaid expenditures 

for undocumented immigrants 

in Florida has 

dropped dramatically since 

Gov. Ron DeSantis signed 

a law directing hospitals 

to ask patients about their 

immigration status. 

By Arek Sarkissian 

(Politico:) 

TALLAHASSEE, FL — The 

amount of money that Florida’s 

Medicaid program spends to provide emergency 

health care to undocumented migrants has dropped 

significantly after Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis 

launched a multi-pronged crackdown on illegal 

immigration amid his unsuccessful primary bid for 

president. 

DeSantis signed a law last year directing hospitals 

that accept Medicaid to ask patients about their 

immigration status when they seek treatment. While 

the law does not force patients to provide hospitals with 

an answer, immigrant rights groups feared the mandate 

would scare migrants away from seeking urgent 

medical attention. The DeSantis administration and 

other Florida Republicans say any marked decreases 

in spending are signs his immigration crackdown is 

and Sandy have been married 

since 1990.) 

The outlet reported this 

week that Michael — who has 

been retired from professional 

football since 2000 and has 

since worked as an NFL 

analyst — first told patrons at 

his Playmakers88 sports bar 

in The Colony, Texas, about 

his wife’s diagnosis. 

As he reportedly 

explained, Sandy has trouble 

walking, speaking and 

requires around-the-clock 

care with a live-in caretaker. 

Michael reportedly also asked 

for prayers for his family. 

“If anyone has earned the 

right to stay in her house, 

MY WIFE HAS!!!,” Irvin told 

the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 

via text, when sharing that he 

has no intention of having her 

placed in a home. 

“That I shall honor. No 



working. 

Florida’s Emergency Medical 

Assistance program for undocumented 

immigrants has seen a 54 percent drop 

in expenditures billed to Medicaid this 

year — with less than two months 

remaining in the fiscal year — since 

the state immigration law took effect, 

according to a POLITICO analysis. 

Thomas Kennedy of the Florida 

Immigrant Coalition said while there 

is no concrete evidence that the drop 

in Medicaid spending is a result of the 

law, which took effect in July 2023. 

there have been other signs of fallout. 

“Obviously, there’s been somewhat 

of an exodus of migrants in Florida,” 

Kennedy said. “When this was all going 

through — we had warned about the 

exacerbated work[force] shortages and 

the distressed industries — we said 

this would be a bad idea.” 

Federal law bars undocumented 

immigrants from Medicaid eligibility, 

even if they meet other requirements. 

But federal law also requires that states 

authorize limited Medicaid coverage for 

migrants facing a medical emergency, 

including dialysis, a pregnant woman 

delivering a baby or trauma. 

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed 

a law last year directing hospitals that 

accept Medicaid to ask patients about 

their immigration status when they 

seek treatment. | Phil Spears/AP 

Data provided to POLITICO by 

the Florida Agency for Health 

Care Administration and the U.S. 

Department of Health and Human 

Services show $148.4 million in 

state and federal Medicaid dollars 

went toward emergency coverage for 

immigrants in Florida in the year 

before the state’s new immigration law 

took effect. As of May 3, $67 million 

has gone toward emergency coverage 

this year. With two months left in the 

fiscal year that number will rise, but 

the state is still on track for a dramatic 



Over half of the respondents believe that the 

healthcare system was designed to hinder the health 

and success of Black people living in the U.S. 

tools and surgical techniques 

for women’s reproductive 

health. 

Henrietta Lacks, another 

poignant case, had her cells 

taken without consent during 

a medical procedure in 1951. 

These cells, known as HeLa 

cells, revolutionized medical 

research by being the first 

human cells to be indefinitely 

cultured in a laboratory, contributing 

to breakthroughs 

like the polio vaccine and cancer 

research. 

The infamous Tuskegee 

Experiment inflicted lasting 

wounds on the community, 



Deion Sanders’ Update on His 

Amputation: “I’m Fighting Back!” 

Westside Health Brief 

Marsha Mullings, MPH 

 

 

• 

• 

• You can’t see well at night 

• 

 

• 

• 

• 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Source: Prostock-Studio/Getty) 

(Photo by Tom Cooper/Getty Images for Prime Video) 

underscored his pride 

and resilience. “I’m proud 

of my amputation,” he 

declared, emphasizing his 

determination to fight back 

against his health challenges. 

Sanders’ journey, filled with 

numerous surgeries and 

significant physical setbacks, 

showcases his spirit and 

relentless drive. “I’m not shy 

about what transpired. I’m 

back. I’m fighting back, baby,” 

he continued. 

“I’m getting better,” 

Sanders said. “My health 



PAGE 6 • JUNE 27 - JULY 3, 2024 

WESTSIDE 

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IT SPECIALIST 

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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR 

GUIDELINES 

We welcome letters from 

the 

public. Letters must be 

signed with a clearly 

Presidential Debate 

or Slugfest 

“One who allows political affiliations, antidemocratic 

beliefs, and a white supremacy ideology to determine 

their choice for the presidency is neither wise nor worthy 

of the freedoms others have died to protect.” 

John Johnson II, 06/27/24 

By John Johnson II 

America’s 2024 presidential election 

features two debates between President 

Joe Biden and former President Donald J. 

Trump. Biden’s height of 6ft. and 174 pounds 

classifies him as a light heavyweight. When 

booked at Fulton County Jail, Trump’s 

height measured 6ft.- 3 and 215 pounds, 

classifying him as a middle heavyweight. 

Despite his age of 81 and occasional 

mispronunciations, Biden has shown 

remarkable stamina and focus throughout his campaign. His 

quick wit and ability to respond to sharp verbal jabs from voters 

and Congresspersons, such as Senator Majorie Taylor Greene, 

revealed outstanding defensive skills. As demonstrated in his 

State of the Union speech, he instilled confidence in navigating 

the upcoming debate. 

Trump, at 78, is slightly younger than Biden, but his weight 

and age suggest potential challenges. His weak points may be 

his tendency to ramble and lose focus during long rallies and 

his reputation as a less skilled debater. However, his potential 

use of bombastic rhetoric to unsettle Biden should provide a 

slight advantage. 

It’s speculated that Trump will attempt to deliver a decisive 

verbal attack against Biden at the beginning of the debate. His 

potential to mock and belittle opponents, even if they’re meek, 

indicates Biden won’t receive an ounce of mercy. This potential 

high-stakes confrontation adds an intriguing element to the 

debate. 

Biden’s cognitive, perceptional, and critical thinking skills 

gave him a commanding edge on the pundits’ scorecard. Trump, 

on the other hand, received an edge because of his adeptness 

in avoiding answering tough questions directly. They predicted 

he’d use outlandish misinformation or critical statements to 

counter-punch Biden throughout the debate. 

It’s a given that Biden won’t float like a butterfly and 

sting like a bee. Nor will he have to resort to the rope-a-dope 

approach, allowing Trump to land repeated verbal blows. Yet 

pundits predict that Biden will use facts, figures, and Trump’s 

past mistakes to unsettle him. 

Trump’s emotional responses are well-documented, often 

leading him to deviate from his prepared remarks. Recently, 

he reacted strongly to comments made by his wife, Melania, 

about his mental state, leading him to make a candid and 

unexpected statement. According to a satirical piece in the 

Borowitz Report, Trump quipped, “I may be 78, but I have the 

mind of a two-year-old.” This statement is his first ever live 

truthful confession! Also, this level of unpredictability adds a 

layer of excitement to the upcoming debates. 

After learning of Trump’s description of his mental age 

as that of a two-year-old, pundits will find it difficult to call 

this event a debate or a slugfest. They’ll call it a “Story Hour” 

between two senior citizens: one who stutters occasionally but 

is mentally sharp and possesses integrity and one with the 

mind of a two-year-old. 

This analysis seeks to understand each candidate’s strengths, 

weaknesses, and Potential strategies, thus paving the way for 

a robust and entertaining debate or slugfest. 

YOU BE THE JUDGE! 

If You Have a Problem, Kill It 

By Robert C. Koehler 

The term is “banal militarism” – that 

is to say, violence and the preparation for 

violence so utterly commonplace that most 

people don’t even notice. Banal militarism 

is as American as apple pie. It’s also global 

in scope. 

As Richard Rubenstein writes: 

“Part of the reason for the relative 

immunity of militarism to criticism is the 

extraordinary cultural power in American 

society of pro-military institutions and ways of thought. What 

some analysts call ‘banal militarism’ is omnipresent, so much 

so that it becomes virtually invisible, part of the air that one 

breathes.” 

That is to say, banal militarism manifests itself in the 

stories we tell, the symbols we revere, the movies we watch. 

Even the metaphors we use! The war on drugs . . . the war on 

(my God!) cancer . . . on and on. Once the nation even went to 


Straw Men and Strange Bedfellows 

By Bob Topper 

In my college days I was a Goldwater 

Republican. My roommate and I saw eye-toeye. 

Today he is a conservative Republican, 

and I am a progressive Democrat. We remain 

close friends, but this divide troubled me. 

I asked him to help me understand why the 

right harbors so much animosity towards the 

left. He responded with a link to a lecture 

given in 2020 by Tom Klingenstein of the 

Claremont Institute, a conservative think 

tank. I now understand the anger. If Klingenstein’s arguments 

were honest and factual, I would be angry too. 

Klingenstein’s lecture is a collection of straw man fallacies, 

by which one misrepresents or exaggerates an opponent’s 

position so that it can be easily attacked. In effect, one rebuts an 

argument that is never made. His portrayal of the Democrat’s 


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 

How We Can Progress 

By Lucius Gantt 

Where do we go from here? Most African 

Americans and Africans are happy. We 

want to sing and dance. We want to laugh 

and smile. 

We are content. 

Well, I’m not. I don’t enjoy suffering and 

smiling. I’d rather stand up and speak out than bow down and 

idolize wicked and deceitful people. 

So, how can all of us with African ancestry progress? 

First, we must understand what The Gantt Report is based 

on, economics and politics. 

You see, money and politics are on parallel paths. Wherever 

there is money, you’ll find politicians seeking to tax the money, 

regulate the money, and sometimes steal the money and the 

resources that generate money. 

The people in power want you to be ignorant about the 

importance of money. They want to encourage you to believe no 

matter how exploited you are, how oppressed you are, and how 

poor you are you will be rewarded with pearly gates and streets 

of gold when you die. 

In my humble opinion, too many rich people get their riches 

from the ghettos and barrios. 

The impacts that colonialism and slavery perpetrated have 

caused us to believe that our “master plan” for progress must 

be based on the plans that are acceptable to our oppressors. 

For the most part, we Africans and African Americans do 

what we are told to do. We work how and where we are told 

to work, we worship and pray how we are told to worship and 

pray, we protest how we are told to protest, we vote how we are 

told to vote, and we live how we are told to live! 

Every day, people of color around the world are suffering and 

smiling. 

But we don’t have to. African Americans and Africans are 

smart enough to succeed on earth like other races and ethnic 

groups if we listen to the progressive progress plans and ideas 

articulated by true Black thinkers. 

Just give our brothers and sisters opportunities to share their 

progress knowledge and ideas. 

We should stop letting people with devilish intentions tell us 

who our leaders are, tell us what our path to progress should 

be, and tell us how to manage the money and politics in our 

communities! 

American Jews will drive past 10 or 15 soul food restaurants, 

Chinese restaurants, Mexican restaurants and, Muslims 

selling bean pies on the corner to get to “Goldbergs”, or a Jewish 

restaurant or diner. 

We need to spend our dollars with each other as much as 

possible. 

Blacks in politics have always tended to solicit campaign 

contributions from Black donors but they are very reluctant 

to purchase political resources and products from vendors who 

look like them, who live near them, and who have the same 

issues and conditions as they do. 

We are not inferior. Anything that others can do, we can do 

if we get the opportunity. 

As far as money, Oprah Winfrey is not the richest Black 

person in the world and not even the richest Black woman in 

the world. 

The richest Blacks on the globe have products to sell like 

cement, like oil, and other commodities. Even the music queen 

from Barbados, Rihanna, sells fragrances and other products 

and generates billions of dollars. 

You can too. 

I could go on and on, but I won’t. I try to keep The Gantt 

Report short and sweet. 

I want to end this column by saying the people we mostly 

admire are rich, but they are not wealthy. 

Black millionaires buy million-dollar stuff like jewelry, 

houses, and cars with their dollars, but billionaires do billion 

dollar deals and don’t take a penny out of their bank accounts. 

Only the smart Black men and women know if you want to 

buy a hundred million barrels of oil, you don’t take a billion 

dollars to Exxon, Shell, Aramco or Texaco, billion-dollar deals 

are done with a piece of paper. 

While you are striving, you bankers, accountants, and 

financial professionals are thriving while you get 2% interest, 

at best, on your savings accounts, wealthy money traders can 

make 100% interest on some financial investments. 

We can progress and do better in the world once we realize 

our people have our answers. 

The people who have been designated as our Black community 

leaders and experts probably couldn’t lead flies to an outhouse! 

We can progress, make money and win elections if we give 

each other opportunities to show us how and if we stop others 

from misleading us. 

Donald Sutherland: 

Remembering a Peacemaker 

By Chris Houston 

The world just lost a great actor 

and a notable peace advocate. Donald 

Sutherland died on June 20, 2024, aged 

88. Known globally for his compelling 

roles in films like Kelly’s Heroes, MASH, 

and The Hunger Games, Sutherland was 

much more than an accomplished actor. 

He was a relentless advocate for peace 

and social causes. 

Sutherland’s advocacy for peace was evident throughout his 

career, but it was during the Vietnam War that his commitment 

was most prominently displayed. His vocal opposition to the 

war led him to support the Indochina Peace Campaign, an 

initiative aimed at ending U.S. aggression in Vietnam and 

promoting peace in the region, and to co-organize the FTA 

(officially Free the Army, often written with a different F-word) 

tour alongside Jane Fonda. 

This series of anti-war shows was performed around the 

world for American troops, providing a counter-narrative 

to the pro-war USO (United Service Organizations) tours. 

Sutherland’s support of Vietnam Veterans Against the War 

and his participation in these performances was a courageous 

act of defiance against an unpopular and devastating conflict. 

With Jane Fonda, Sutherland produced a documentary 


The Scorching 

Truth: Extreme 

Heat is a 

Wake-Up 

Call to Act on 

Climate Change 

By Ben Jealous 

Are you 

one of the 

more than 

100 million 

Americans 

who live 

somewhere 

that was (or 

still is) under 

a heat advisory? 

As I write these words, 

the mercury is soaring. The 

world is reeling from the 

deadly impact of extreme heat 

and weather events. This 

is climate change in action. 

We are living it. And the 

thermometer-busting temperatures 

are just the tip of 

the (melting) iceberg. 

Jocelyn Richards of 

Manassas, Virginia is currently 

staying in Maine to 

escape the summer heat in 

the South. She suffers from 

Chronic Inflammatory Response 

Syndrome (CIRS) 

from past exposure to mold. 

Heat is a major trigger for her 

due to Mast Cell Activation 

Syndrome (MCAS), a common 

component of CIRS. 

Richards says, “Not only is 

the heat itself a major trigger, 

but heat releases VOCs [volatile 

organic compounds] 

from asphalt. It becomes 

unbearable to even take a 

walk outside or run errands 

because it’s so difficult to 

breathe from the VOCs in the 

air. Along with other MCAS 

symptoms triggered by the 

heat like tachycardia, high 



Minding the 

Debate: What’s 

Happening to 

Our Brains 

During Election 

Season 

By Melinda Burrell 

S o m e 

of us are 

convening 

watch parties 

and others 

deliberately 

will not tune 

in. 

Either 

way, the June 27 presidential 

debate is the real start of 

the election season, when 

more Americans start to pay 

attention. It’s when partisan 

rhetoric runs hot and 

emotions run high. 

It’s also a chance for us, 

as members of a democratic 

republic. How? By setting 

expectations for ourselves 

and our leaders. A peek at 

our neurobiology can help us 

make this debate something 

we learn from rather than 

something that divides us 

further. 

As humans, we’re wired 

to pay close attention to what 

others say and do, because we 

want to know how well we fit 

into our group. But it’s mostly 

our subconscious that does 

the listening. We’re rarely 

consciously aware of what 

we’re absorbing. 

We can change that a bit 

by learning how we’re primed 

to hear the “other side,” and 

then challenge ourselves 

to understand the election 

rationally rather than only 

emotionally. 

We’re so susceptible to 

priming that even someone 

else’s word choice can 




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 

Employee 

Compensation: 

Reporting All Of It 

Submitted Anthony Brunson, P.A. 

The majority of — if not all — 

employers understand that they 

must report the salary, overtime 

pay and bonuses that their 

employees receive as compensation 

for the jobs they perform. But 

did you know that the IRS also 

wants to know about other forms of 

taxable compensation? 

What are examples of taxable 

compensation? 

In the eyes of the IRS, other forms 

of taxable compensation beyond the 

obvious include commissions, stock 

options, equity awards, company 

property — like cars — for personal use, and 

various rewards, like gift cards or travel perks. 

Do you need to report these forms of compensation? 

Yes, you must report these forms of compensation as 

part of your payroll. According to the IRS, you are required 

to withhold federal income, state income, Social Security and 

Medicare taxes on even the smallest of gifts or awards granted 

to an employee. If you fail to do so, you run the risk of facing 

tax filing penalties not only for your company but for your 

employees, too. 

Where to find more information 

To read more about the tax treatment of these other forms 

of employee compensation, refer to the draft of Publication 15- 

B, Employer’s Tax Guide to Fringe Benefits for 2024. Located 

on the official IRS website, this draft summarizes the different 

ways that fringe benefits are treated in the context of federal 

income tax withholding, Social Security, Medicare (FICA), and 

federal unemployment tax (FUTA) purposes. 

The rules governing taxable fringe benefits contain discrepancies 

and idiosyncrasies that can seem counterintuitive, but this 

draft outlines the specifics for you. For instance, payments 

from an employer’s adoption assistance plan are not affected 

by federal income tax withholding rules. However, they are 

taxable under FICA and FUTA regulations. 

Exceptions and limits to keep in mind 

In most cases, benefits pertaining to employee commutes 

and transportation are excluded from taxation, though this is 

not always the case. For example, for tax purposes, commuting 

expenses when the mode of transportation is bicycling will be 


JUNE 27 - JULY 3, 2024 • PAGE 7 

State of the Nation’s Housing 2024: 

The Cost of the American Dream 

Jumped 47 percent since 2020 

Only 1 in 7 renters can afford homeownership, 

homelessness at an all-time high 

By Charlene Crowell 

Regardless of race, income, or geography, every family 

needs and deserves a place to call home. It’s a place not only for 

shelter from life’s many storms; but also, where families come 

after school or work, celebrate birthdays or holidays – and all 

the activities that together turn a house into a home. But in 

recent years, the ability to have a home – as a renter or as a 

home owner – has been an increasing financial strain. 

In the worst circumstances are those who no longer have a 

place to call home. In 2023, a record 653,100 people experienced 

homelessness on a single night in January, up 70,600 people in 

a single year, according to The State of the Nation’s Housing 

2024, an annual report just published by Harvard’s Joint 

Center on Housing Studies (JCHS). This figure includes an 

additional 22,800 people living outside or staying in places 

not intended for human habitation, pushing the unsheltered 

population to an all-time high. 

The report also documents that of the 22.4 million renters 

who pay over 30 percent of household income for housing, 12.1 

million of these consumers pay more than half of their income 

on housing and utilities. And nationwide, renters with the 

lowest incomes have just $310 left over each month to cover all 

their non-housing needs. 

“Rents have been rising faster than incomes for decades,” 


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PAGE 8 • JUNE 27 - JULY 3, 2024 

CHURCH DIRECTORY 

First Baptist Church Piney Grove, Inc. 

4699 West Oakland Park Blvd., Lauderdale Lakes, FL 33313 

(954) 735-1500 - Fax (954) 735-1999 

CHURCH OFFICE HOURS 

Monday - Friday 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM 

Church Website: www.fbcpineygrove.org 

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' 

When Joshua guided Israel across the Jordan River 12 stones 

were set as a memorial for generations to remember the history 

of Israel crossing on dry land. Listed are the history of 

some of our community churches when created and the first 

pastor: 

(1 Mt. Hermon A. M. E. Church – 1906 – Reverend J. H. Haines 

(2) First Baptist Church Piney Grove – 1904 – Reverend B.F. 

Goodwin 

(3) Mt. Calvary Missionary Baptist – 1902 – 5 Clergy started 

the church - Reverends L.J. Ely, BJ Goodwin, NB Williams, BF 

James, and AJ Thomas 

(4) New Mt Olive Baptist Church – 1918, followed by the 

name change – 1923 – Reverend HP Bragdon 

(5) St. John United Methodist Church – 1904 – Reverend L. J 

Little 

(6) Hopewell Missionary Baptist Church – 1946 – Reverend 

DD Miller 

(7) St. Christopher Episcopal Church – 1930’s – Father Q.E. 

Primo 

(8) Ascension Peace Presbyterian Church – 1950’s – Reverend 

Scipio 

In Next week’s edition we will explore other community 

churches beginnings and 1st pastors. 

*** Biblical Facts*** The use of a pulpit dates back to the Old 

Testament times. Nehemiah 8:4 reads,” And Ezra the scribe 

stood upon a pulpit of wood, which they had made for the 

purpose..” 

My favorite is Luke 5:1-11, speaks about, as the multitude 

followed Jesus, Peter’s boat was used as a (pulpit) for Jesus 

to preach the gospel. If you search the scriptures you will find 

other examples where pulpits were used.” Amen! 

A MESSAGE FROM THE FAMILY 

Per Family's Request: Please Wear Bright/Vibrant 

Colors, No Mournful Colors (Black and White). 

OBITUARY 

Ernestine Augusta Ray 

FEBRUARY 13, 1952 – MAY 18, 2024 

IN THE CARE OF 

Star of David Memorial Gardens 

Cemetery & Funeral Chapel 

“Bold, Brilliant, and Beautiful” are words that rightfully 

describe the personality and life journey of Ernestine 

Ma’at Ray. Fueled by her intrigue about her African roots 

and childhood labels that she fought to dispel, Ernestine 

traveled to multiple countries on the continent of Africa, 

44 countries globally, and worked in 33. “I was understanding 

who I was and where I came from. I felt like I was 

reborn,” she stated in an article written about her work in 

the Sun Sentinel. 

Ernestine, an innovative and creative educator, has 

over 30 years of experience in her field. She served as 

the superintendent of the American School System for 

the U.S. State Department in Ghana and worked in an 

educational capacity for domestic-based organizations 

as well. After returning from Ghana, Ernestine converted 

the historic colored school of Fort Lauderdale into the renowned 

Old Dillard Museum as the Curator and Director. 

In this role, she was responsible for curating multiple exhibitions 

centered on the richness of the various cultures 

and communities that make up the African diaspora. Ernestine 

also founded Ancestral Rays and Ancestral Legacies, 

two cultural and educational organizations in Fort 

Lauderdale. “Not enough people realize that the cultural 

arts are a great way to reach children when other methods 

have failed,” Ernestine has said. Throughout her life, 

Ernestine has served as a curator of many “spaces” and 

“places” that she converted into vibrant “classrooms” 

and her contribution to educating the local and global 

community is undeniable and profound. 

As Ernestine’s family, we know the valuable role she 

has played in the lives of her 

Cont'd on Page 9


‘He was the greatest ever to play’ 

Willie Mays remembered for his achievements 

on and off the baseball field. 

Stacy M. Brown | NNPA 

Newswire 

Willie Mays, the iconic 

Hall of Famer often hailed as 

the greatest player in baseball 

history, has died at 93. The 

news broke on Tuesday, 

June 18, during a Mets and 

Rangers game in Arlington, 

Virginia, evoking emotional 

tributes from the baseball 

community. 

“He was the greatest I had 

ever seen on the field,” said 

Keith Hernandez, a New York 

Mets and St. Louis Cardinals 

legend, tearfully during the 

broadcast. 

Hernandez, who now 

serves as a color commentator 

for the Mets, reflected on 

Mays’ remarkable skills. 

“Willie would play a shallow 

centerfield, making it all the 

more amazing how he’d catch 

fly balls against the wall,” 

added Mets broadcaster Gary 

Cohen. “He was the greatest 

ever to play.” 

Just a day prior, it was 

announced that Mays would 

not attend a special game 

honoring him and the Negro 

Leagues. 

Scheduled for Thursday, 

June 20, at Rickwood Field, 

the game featured the San 

Francisco Giants and the St. 

Louis Cardinals. 

Mays, who began his 

career with the Birmingham 

Black Barons of the Negro 

Leagues, had shared his 

plans to enjoy the event from 

home. “I’m not able to get to 

Birmingham this year but 

will follow the game back 

here in the Bay Area,” he told 

the San Francisco Chronicle 

earlier in the week. 

“My heart will be with all 

of you who are honoring the 

Negro League ballplayers, 

who should always be 

remembered, including all 

my teammates on the Black 

Barons.” 

660 home runs 

Mays’ career spanned 

from 1951 to 1972 with the 

Giants, where he won a World 

Series in 1954, was a 24-time 

All-Star, and was a two-time 

National League MVP. Among 

many other accomplishments, 

his 660 home runs and 12 

Gold Gloves highlight his 

legendary status. 

The home run total came 

despite having taken a twoyear 

hiatus from baseball 

to serve in the military and 

having played in the three 

toughest stadiums to hit home 

runs — The Polo Grounds, 

Candlestick Park, and Shea 

Stadium. 

Major League Baseball, 

the city of Birmingham, 

and the Friends of Rickwood 

nonprofit group have 

Baseball legend Willie Mays died on June 18 at age 

93. He played for the San Francisco Giants from 1951 

to 1972. 

collaborated to renovate 

Rickwood Field, the oldest 

professional ballpark in the 

United States, to honor Mays 

and the Negro Leagues. 

Despite his absence, Mays 

will be celebrated throughout 

the week’s festivities. 

“My father has passed 

away peacefully and among 

loved ones,” Mays’ son, 

Michael Mays, announced. “I 

want to thank you all from 

the bottom of my broken 

heart for the unwavering love 

you have shown him over the 

years. You have been his life’s 

blood.” 

Presidential Medal of 

Freedom honoree 

Mays was not only a 

baseball legend but also 

a cherished figure in San 

Francisco. 

His 9-foot bronze statue 

stands proudly at Oracle 

Park’s 24 Willie Mays Plaza. 

He was eager to see MLB’s 

tribute at Rickwood Field, 

where he began his career. 

Known for his exceptional 

five-tool abilities—hitting, 

power hitting, fielding, 

throwing, and baserunning— 

Mays also possessed an 

unmatched strategic acumen. 

In 2015, he received 

the Presidential Medal of 

Freedom from President 

Obama, who acknowledged 

Mays’ impact on sports and 

society. 

“It’s because of giants 

like Willie that someone like 

me could even think about 

running for president,” 

Ernestine Augusta Ray cont'd from Page 8 

students, mentees, colleagues, friends, and communities 

throughout the world. 

After a hard fight, our Ernestine passed away on Saturday, 

May 18, 2024. Currently, the family is making arrangements 

for her home-going celebration at the African-American 

Research Library and Cultural Center in 

Fort Lauderdale on Sunday, June 30th from 1-3pm with 

the repast to follow. We welcome and appreciate your 

contributions and prayers. 

https://www.gofundme.com/f/kp3aze-rays-of-hope 

Please feel free to forward this to mutual friends and acquaintances 

in Ernestine's network/community. You may 

contact Ernestine Ray's niece, Makeda S. Crane for any 

additional information by using the go-fund me messaging 

Contact button under the Organizer section underneath 

this message. There is usually a delay in the receipt 

of messages but it will be returned as soon as possible. 

Thank you. 

Wishing you blessings and abundance in 2024! 

Appreciatively, 

The Family of Ernestine Ray 

Services 

SUNDAY,JUNE 30, 2024 

Memorial Service 

1:00 pm - 3:00 pm 

AFRICAN-AMERICAN RESEARCH 

LIBRARY AND CULTURAL CENTER 

2650 Sistrunk Blvd 


Deeply Rooted 

Obama remarked. 

Mays was dedicated to 

helping others throughout 

his life, notably through his 

Say Hey Foundation, which 

supports underprivileged 

youth. 

“I do what I can for people, 

man,” Mays said in a 2021 

interview. “When the kids 

ask me for something, I give 

it to them. Let them have it 

because they’re going to be 

here after I’m gone, and I 

want the kids to enjoy what 

they can enjoy.” 

A career batting average 

of.302, 3,283 hits, and 

numerous honors define Mays’ 

legacy. He was inducted into 

the Baseball Hall of Fame 

in 1979, cementing his place 

as one of the sport’s all-time 

greats. 

McWhite’s Funeral 

Home Services 

JUNE 27 - JULY 3, 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 

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 

Patrick 

Keith 

Campbell – 

59 

Funeral 

Service 

was held 

June 22 nd at 

First Baptist 

Church Piney Grove with 

Rev. Dr. Ezra L. Tillman, Jr. 

officiating. 

Rolean 

“Coop” 

Conaway – 

84 

Funeral 

Service 

was held 

June 22 nd 

at James C. Boyd’s Memorial 

Chapel with Tony D. Mitchell 

officiating. 

Magie 

Keepler – 60 

Funeral 

Service 

was held June 

22 nd at James 

C. Boyd’s 

Memorial 

Chapel. 

Osmond S. 

West Sr. – 

77 F 

Funeral 

Service 

was held 

at New Hope 

SDA Church 

with Pastor 

Kingsley Palmer officiating. 

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. 

Brother 

Larry Lee 

Wright – 

60 

Funeral 

Service 

was held 

June 22 nd 

at James C. 

Boyd’s Memorial Chapel with 

Rev. Joyce Wright officiating. 

Albertha 

Higgs 

Funeral 

Service 

was held 

June 22 nd at 

Mt Hermon 

AME 

Church. 

Daniel 

L. Lewis 

Funeral 

service 

was held June 

22 nd 

at McWhite’s 

Funeral Home 

Chapel. 

Berris B. 

McGann 

Funeral 

Service 

was held 

June 23 rd at 

McWhite’s 

Funeral 

Home Chapel. 

Patrick 

F. McKay 

Funeral 

Service 

was held 

June 22 nd at 

McWhite’s 

Funeral 

Home 

Chapel. 

A Family That 

Prays Together, 

Stays Together 

Roy Mizell & Kurtz 

Funeral Home Services 

Beysey 

Johnson – 

96 

Funeral 

Service 

was held 

June 22 nd at 

Roy Mizell 

and Kurtz Worship Center. 

Ethel Mae 

Monroe 

Funeral 

Service 

was held 

June 14 th at 

Mount Nebo 

Missionary 

Baptist Church with Deacon 

Samuel Morgan officiating. 

"If we live, 

we live for 

the Lord, 

and if 

we die, 

we die for 

the Lord. 

Therefore, 

whether we 

live or die 

we belong to 

God." 

Romans 14:8 

woman's day

PAGE 10 • JUNE 27 - JULY 3, 2024 

Deeply Rooted 


Baltimore Times’ Joy 

Bramble Honored as 

Publisher of the Year 

at NNPA Convention 

Joy Bramble’s tireless efforts have not only transformed 

The Baltimore Times from a monthly publication into 

an indispensable newspaper for its readers but have also 

inspired a new generation of community leaders. 

Bobby R. Henry, Sr., Chairmen of the NNPA & Publisher of The Westside 

Gazette Newspaper in Fort Lauderdale; Joy Bramble, founder of the 

Baltimore Times; and Karen Carter Richards, NNPA Fund Chair. 

By Stacy M. Brown, 

NNPA Newswire Senior 

National Correspondent 

Joy Bramble, founder of 

The Baltimore Times, was 

awarded the prestigious 

Publisher of the Year 

Award at the National 

Newspaper Publishers 

Association (NNPA) annual 

convention, held from June 

19–22, at the Four Seasons 

in Baltimore. Bramble 

began her newspaper at her 

kitchen table on Madison 

Avenue in November 1986. 

She has been recognized for 

her unwavering commitment 

to community involvement, 

empowering Black Baltimore, 

and engaging younger readers 

and writers. 

Bramble’s unwavering 

dedication to her work, which 

includes various programs 

and projects that have 

significantly strengthened 

the local community, was a 

key factor in her receiving 

the honor. Her tireless efforts 

have not only transformed 

The Baltimore Times from 

a monthly publication into 

an indispensable newspaper 

for its readers but have also 

inspired a new generation of 

community leaders. 

The convention also saw 

The St. Louis American 

leading the pack with a dozen 

awards, including first place 

in the Armstrong Ellington 

Entertainment category and 

the Robert L. Vann Layout 

& Design Award. Real 

Times Media publications, 

the Michigan Chronicle, 

and the New Pittsburgh 



From Enslavement to Freedom, Black Music 

Has Been a Constant Comforter and Guide 

By Hazel Trice Edney 

(1 of 4 Series) 

(TriceEdneyWire.com) - 

Every Sunday, millions of 

African American people 

across the nation make their 

way to church anticipating 

relief from lives of financial 

woes, pressures at work, 

health concerns, family 

matters, race discrimination 

and inequities among other 

stressful issues of everyday 

life. 

By the time they return 

home, they have usually 

received some form of hope. 

Whether from an inspiring 

sermon from the preacher, 

comforting scriptures, or 

glorious songs - gospel music 

and spirituals – songs that 

soothed their souls, causing 

them to rock with joy and clap 

their hands despite what they 

may face in the days, weeks 

and years ahead. 

If the music of the Black 

church is seen as medicine 

now – post the civil rights 

movement - one can only 

imagine the hope that it 

must have given to enslaved 

Black people who were not 

only owned by other human 

beings, but often whipped, 

MIAMI, Fla. – 

Miami-Dade County 

Commissioner (District 9) 

Kionne L. McGhee proudly 

hosted the second annual 

District 9 Senior Prom: A Night 

to Remember, celebrating the 

vibrant senior community in 

Miami-Dade County. Held at 

Joe and Ingrid Demps Park 

in Goulds, Florida, the soldout 

event welcomed over 400 

enthusiastic participants, 

offering them an evening of 

networking, dancing, and fine 

dining. 

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Broward County 

Awards $434K in Scholarships 

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Broward County scholarsahip recipients 

Big Brothers Big Sisters 

of Broward County awarded 

$434,000 in scholarships to 

71 high school graduates 

who are participants in the 

Big Brothers Big Sisters of 

Broward County mentoring 

program at its second annual 

BIG Futures Scholars 

Celebration. 

BIG Futures is a college 

and career readiness initiative 

designed to equip youth 

for post-secondary success 

through career mentoring, 

education and access to key 

opportunities. 

Seniors who participated 

in Big Brothers Big Sisters 

of Broward County’s schoolbased, 

school-to-work and 

community-based programs 

also received special honor 

cords to celebrate their efforts 

at the BIG Futures Scholars 

Celebration. Approximately 

300 guests, comprised of 

scholars and their families 

and friends, along with donors 

and board members were 

in attendance at the event 

hosted at the Southwest Focal 

Point Center in Pembroke 

Pines. 

“Big Futures initiates 

successful trajectories for our 

young people by providing 

them with the opportunity to 

achieve their dreams through 

higher education,” said 

Malena Mendez, President 

and CEO of Big Brothers Big 

Sisters of Broward County. 

“We are exceptionally proud 

of our participants as they 

begin this new journey 

to college or trade school. 

Additionally, we are deeply 

grateful to the generous 

funding organizations and 

individual donors who have 

provided the crucial support 

to ignite the potential and 

promise of youth through our 

Big Futures program.” 

Scholarships contributors 

included: 

Florida Prepaid Path to 

Prosperity Program Powered 

by Florida Power & Light, 

$217,620 for thirty-one 2-year 

scholarships 

Coke Florida Refreshing 

Minds Scholarships, $71,280 

for three 4-year scholarships 

Ana G. Mendez 

University President’s Circle 

Scholarship, $47,400 for one 

4-year scholarship 

Women on the Verge 

Big Futures Scholarships, 

$41,000 for twenty-one 

Abolitionist Harriet Tubman sang ‘Go Down Moses,’ 

and, ‘Bound for the Promised Land’ while operating 

her rescue missions, according to the National Park 

Service. 

(Photo: Library of Congress) 

tortured, hanged, and their 

loved ones sold away in a 

life in which they constantly 

faced threats of death for the 

slightest rebellion. 

During this Black Music 

Month of June, millions of 

people across the nation are 

revisiting the legacy of these 

spirituals and celebrating 

their contribution to freedom. 

“The Negro spirituals were 

so important to the enslaved 

African, who, as scripture 

would foretell, were brought 

into this ‘strange land’ having 

been asked to sing a new song. 

We understand that many of 

these enslaved Africans came 

to the Americas with different 

dialects, different languages 

that they spoke,” explains 

composer and Wayne State 

University music instructor 



Commissioner Kionne L. McGhee 

Hosts Impactful and Powerful 

Second Annual District 9 Senior 

Prom: A Night to Remember 

scholarships 

Dan Baker Skilled Trades 

Scholarship, $5,000 for one 

scholarship 


of America Youth Equity & 

Empowerment funded by the 

Deloitte Foundation, $38,554 

for eight scholarships 

Charles Greenlee 

Scholarship, $6,000 for four 

scholarships 

Traci Miller and Try 

McHatton Swing for Kids’ 

Sake Scholarship, $5,000 for 

one scholarship 

Victor Sola Excellence 

Scholarship 

from 

Consolidated credit, $2,300 

for two scholarships 


of Broward County has made 

a lasting impact on the lives 

of youth in the Broward 

County community for more 

than 50 years. Mentoring 

relationships created by the 

organization builds selfconfidence 

and emotional 

well-being, empowers young 

people on a path to graduation 

and higher education, and 

helps them establish a plan 

for a successful future. The 

mission of Big Brothers 

Big Sisters of Broward is to 

create and support one-toone 

mentoring relationships 

that ignite the power and 

promise of youth. For more 

information, visit www. 

bbbsbroward.org. 

This memorable night 

highlighted the importance 

of socialization for the aging 

population. Studies have 

shown that social engagement 

can significantly improve 

mental and physical health 

among seniors, reducing 

the risk of depression and 

cognitive decline by up to 50% 

(National Institute on Aging). 

Events like the District 9 

Senior Prom provide a vital 

platform for seniors to stay 

active, connected, and joyful. 

A heartwarming highlight 

of the evening was the 

recognition of Prom King 

Jackie Warren 71 years old 

and Prom Queen Corrine 

Thompson, 91 years old. Their 

radiant smiles and spirited 

participation exemplified the 

night’s motto, “celebrating life 

and community at every age.” 

Local small business 

vendors played a crucial role 

in the success of the event, 

showcasing the community’s 

entrepreneurial spirit. The 

event was made possible by 

the support of key partners, 

including the Miami-Dade 

Police Department, Miami- 

Dade Parks and Recreation, 

Chuckiee Boy Party Express 

as well as vendors Ten’s 

Kitchen, Harmony Party 

Rental, Diva Cakes Sweets and 

Treats, Omara Productions, 

Mia’s Trees, Moe’s Party 

Rentals, Excellent Flowers, 

Devine Diamond Productions, 

DJ Al, and Brother Sister 

Band. 

Mrs. Parks, a delighted 

attendee, shared, “This 

event brought so much joy 

and excitement to my life. 

It’s wonderful to see our 

community come together and 

celebrate in such a beautiful 

way.” 

Mr. Dowdell echoed her 

sentiments, saying, “I haven’t 

danced like this in years. 

The energy and love in the 

room were palpable. Thank 

you, Commissioner McGhee, 

for giving us a night to 

remember.” 

Commissioner McGhee 

expressed his gratitude, 

stating, “Our senior citizens 

are the foundation of our 

community. Hosting this 

prom is a small way to show 

our appreciation and respect 

for their contributions and to 

ensure they feel valued and 

celebrated.” 

The District 9 Senior 

Prom: A Night to Remember, 

exemplifies the power 

of community and the 

importance of honoring our 

senior residents. We look 

forward to many more years 

of celebrating together. 

For more information, 

please contact the office of 

Commissioner Kionne L. 

McGhee at (305) 555-1234 

or visit our website at www. 

district9seniorprom.com.


The school district plans on changing the name 

of elementary schools named after Christopher 

Columbus and two other white men. 

By Noah A. McGee 

There’s a long list 

of schools, colleges, and 

universities across the 

country that are named 

after racist and controversial 

figures. Thankfully, some 

institutions have started to 

right those wrongs over the 

years and change the names 

of those schools and buildings. 

Chicago Public Schools 

(CPS) is next in line, having 

recently announced it’s 

changing the names of 

three elementary schools 

named after three white 

men — U.S. President James 

Monroe, Supreme Court 

Justice Melville Fuller and 

Christopher Columbus — 

according to the Chicago Sun- 

Times. 

Monroe was the fifth 

president of the United 

States, serving from 1817 

to 1825, and he owned more 

than 200 enslaved Africans 

during his life, according to 

Deeply Rooted 

the White House Historical 

Association. James Monroe 

Elementary School was built 

in his honor. 

Fuller was a Supreme 

Court Justice who assisted 

in upholding segregation in 

this country with the 1896 

ruling Plessy vs. Ferguson. 

Melville Fuller Elementary 

was named after him. 

Columbus, who is falsely 

known for being the “founder” 

of the Americas, is also 

one of the worst villains in 

Miami’s Eviction Prevention 

Program Faces Funding Cut 

A program designed to help 

Miami-Dade residents facing 

eviction due to rising rental 

rates is at risk after Governor 

Ron DeSantis vetoed $1.35 

million in funding from the 

state budget. The program, 

launched in 2021, provides 

legal assistance and support 

to families on the brink 

of eviction. Despite the 

Legislature approving the 

funding, DeSantis cut it from 

the budget, which now stands 

at $116.5 billion for the 2024- 

2025 fiscal year. 

The program is crucial 

in addressing the ongoing 

housing crisis in Miami-Dade, 

where over 5,115 evictions 

have been filed between 2020 

and 2023. Currently, there are 

over 9,000 pending evictions 

in Miami-Dade, Broward, and 

Palm Beach counties. The 

county has spent 80% of its 

allocation, exceeding federal 

requirements, and will seek 

additional funding to address 

the skyrocketing rental rates. 

While DeSantis approved 

$500 million for statewide 

housing assistance programs, 

the county will rely on its own 

funding and outside support 

to continue the Eviction 

Prevention Program. The 

program assists individuals 

and families with rent, 

mortgage, security deposits, 

utility bills, and food, and 

plays a vital role in keeping 

families housed. Miami- 

Dade is also working to build 

more affordable housing 

with federal funding and 

partnerships with developers. 

this country’s history, as 

he also practiced slavery 

nearly a century before the 

Atlantic slave trade started. 

Christopher Columbus 

Elementary School was 

named after him. 

While CPS is taking the 

initiative to remove the names 

of these three men from their 

elementary schools, a lot of 

work still needs to be done. 

More from the Chicago Sun- 

Times: 

They make nine schools 

that have been renamed 

since a Chicago Sun-Times 

investigation in 2020 found 

30 schools were named for 

slaveholders, and schools 

named after white people — 

mostly men — outnumbered 

JUNE 27 - JULY 3, 2024 • PAGE 11 

Chicago Public Schools Finally Dropping Names of Racist 

White Men from Its Buildings 

NNPA 2024 Convention in Baltimore 

Breaks New Ground from Front Page 

“In August of last year, our campaign 

announced the earliest and largest investment 

into Black media for any reelection campaign 

in history,” said Jasmine Harris, the director 

of national Black media for Biden-Harris 

2024. “This partnership with the NNPA 

is a continuation of those efforts and will 

strengthen our work in meeting Black voters 

where they are, to underscore the stakes of this 

election for Black America. President Biden 

and Vice President Harris are responsible for 

creating millions of new jobs for Black workers 

and record low Black unemployment. Black 

America has far too much to lose this election.” 

In a letter to publishers, Vice President 

Harris asserted that the NNPA has remained 

steadfast in its commitment to supporting 

Black publishers. “Your work helps ensure 

that communities gain critical knowledge and 

have access to accurate information on the 

pertinent issues impacting our country,” Harris 

asserted. “As you know, the freedom of the 

press is essential to our democracy. I commend 

the efforts of the NNPA as you continue to be 

trusted voices of your communities and tell 

stories that too often go untold.” 

NNPA Chairman Bobby R. Henry Sr., 

emphasized that “it is extremely important to 

show support of the business side of the Black 

Press owned by Black business leaders. Verbal 

support is good, but financial support is better.” 

The 2024 convention began with the 

unveiling the “Marylanders Cry Freedom, Civil 

Rights at Home and Abroad” at Baltimore City 

Hall, which celebrated the 40th anniversary 

of Maryland’s divestment from South Africa’s 

apartheid regime in 1984. 

The unveiling featured remarks from 

Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott, Democratic 

Maryland Rep. Kweisi Mfume, Dr. Chavis, 

Henry, AFRO Publisher Dr. Toni Draper, 

and other dignitaries. Distinguished guests 

included U.S. Black Chambers President Ron 

Busby and Dr. Camille Ragin of Fox Chase 

Cancer Center. 

The convention offered a series of insightful 

panels and discussions. A GenZ panel on voter 

issues featured Journalist Ashleigh Fields, 

University of Maryland Student Journalist 

Savannah Grooms, North Carolina A&T Student 

Journalist Melvin Harris Jr., Huffington Post 

Journalist Phillip Lewis, Community Organizer 

Brielle Morton, and Elijah Pittman, an anticolonial 

Afro-diasporic-centered journalist 

from Howard University. Additional panels, 

hosted by Wells Fargo, Google News Initiative, 

General Motors, Pfizer, and Reynolds, aligned 

with the convention’s theme, “Empowering the 

Black Press, Communities, Families, and Voter 

Turnout.” 

During the NNPA Fund’s Merit Awards, 

Baltimore Times Publisher Joy Bramble 

was honored as Publisher of the Year. The 

St. Louis American led with twelve awards, 

including first place in the Armstrong Ellington 

Entertainment category and the Robert L. Vann 

Layout & Design Award. Real Times Media 

publications, the Michigan Chronicle, and the 

New Pittsburgh Courier collectively garnered 

eight awards. The Michigan Chronicle won 

five awards, while the New Pittsburgh Courier 

earned three. 

The Atlanta Voice received six awards for 

journalistic excellence, including the Emory O. 

Jackson Award for health coverage and the Ada 

S. Franklin Award for fashion. The Sacramento 

Observer, whose publisher Larry Lee won the 

2023 Publisher of the Year award, also secured 

six awards. Other recognized publications 

included The Washington Informer, Texas 

Metro News, Houston Forward Times, 

Houston Defender, Insight News, Minneapolis 

Spokesman-Recorder, Los Angeles Sentinel, 

New York Amsterdam News, and Seattle 

Medium. 

The NNPA’s daily digital show, “Let It Be 

Known,” was celebrated with the Black Press of 

America’s “Black Excellence in Media” award. 

The NNPA National Legacy Awards, always 

among the convention highlights, honored 

Maryland Democratic U.S. Rep. Kweisi Mfume. 

Erica P. Loewe, a White House Office of Public 

Engagement assistant to the president and chief 

of staff, and photographer Mel D. Cole received 

the inaugural “Future Goes Viral” award from 

Let It Be Known under the direction of Greer 

Marshall for their bravery and unwavering 

resolve during and after the Jan. 6, 2021, attack 

on the U.S. Capitol. 

Philadelphia Tribune Publisher Robert 



Photo: Scott Olson (Getty Images) 

those named for African 

Americans by 4-1, Latinos 9-1 

and Indigenous people 120-1. 

Those are numbers that 

can’t be denied, especially 

when more than 82 percent 

of students attending schools 

in CPS are either Black or 

Latino. 

It was a signal of honor to place the Honorable 

Commissioner Yvette Colbourne of Miramar 

into the Congressional Record as she assumes 

the position of Chair of the Broward County 

Metropolitan Planning Organization. 

Join #RogerFortson’s mother, Chantemekki Fortson, 

for an Okaloosa County NAACP-sponsored town hall meeting on June 29 at 11 a.m., 

to engage in a constructive dialogue surrounding the needless shooting of her son, 

a USAF Senior Airman. Help be a part of the solution!

PAGE 12 • JUNE 27 - JULY 3, 2024 

Deeply Rooted 


(Black PR Wire) St. 

Augustine, FL -- Myrtis 

Louise Hall Mason, a devoted 

wife, beloved mother, 

cherished grandmother, 

revered educator, and 

community leader, peacefully 

embraced the sunset of her 

life on June 3, 2024. She was 

95. 

Born in Palatka, Florida 

and raised in St. Augustine’s 

Lincolnville neighborhood, 

Myrtis Louise Hall Mason 

is highly regarded as the 

consummate educator. Mrs. 

Mason dedicated her life to 

her family, education and 

community service. 

Myrtis Louise Hall Mason 

was married to the love of her 

life, her beloved husband, Dr. 

Otis Mason, for 73 years. They 

both attended Florida A&M 

University in Tallahassee, 

Florida, and were married 

during her junior year in 

college. Mrs. Mason graduated 

with her class in 1952 with 

a well-deserved degree in 

Elementary Education. 

The union of Myrtis and 

Otis blessed them with two 

beautiful daughters, Pamela 

and Deidre. 

Myrtis Louise Hall 

Mason was a dedicated and 

committed teacher who 

started her teaching career 

in Armstrong, Florida (also 

in St. Johns County). She 

then moved to Excelsior 

Competitors shown are subject to change. © 2024 Feld Motor Sports, Inc. 

Celebrating the Life of Myrtis Louise Hall Mason 

Elementary in St. Augustine 

to teach, along with her 

husband, Otis, in the same 

classroom where she was once 

a student. Ironically enough, 

she taught just down the hall 

from her then mother-inlaw, 

who was still working. 

She loved teaching students 

By Dr. Glenn Altschuler 

(Source Florida Courier): 

BOOK REVIEW 

“Night Flyer: Harriet 

Tubman and the Faith 

Dreams of a Free People,” 

by Tiya Miles. Penguin 

Press, 336 pp. $30. 

Araminta Green-Ross’s 

first memories involved 

lying in a wooden cradle, 

probably carved by her father. 

According to Tiya Miles, 

it may well have been the 

only space of physical safety 

and emotional security the 

enslaved child would know 

until she was a young adult. 

As a toddler, “Minty” was 

no longer watched, comforted, 

or instructed by her parents, 

who worked from dawn until 

well past dusk and slept 

elsewhere on plantations on 

Maryland’s Eastern Shore. At 

age six, Minty was leased out 

to a different white family. 

When two of her sisters 

were sold and carried away on 

a chain gang, she witnessed 

the grief of her mother and 

despair of her father and 

AMERANT BANK ARENA AUG 10 – 11 

in first and second grades, 

where she could see their 

progress from the first day of 

school to the last. To this day, 

many former students credit 

her with patiently guiding 

their hands while learning to 

write their names. 

A strong community 

supporter, Mrs. Mason was 

committed to giving back to 

the community where she 

grew up. Her passion for 

education and her love for 

the community extended into 

community service. 

Excelsior School is now 

the Lincolnville Museum and 

Cultural Center, of which both 

Myrtis and Otis were original 

founders. This building, still 

open to the general public 

after so many years, holds 

many wonderful memories for 

their families. 



Harriet Tubman’s story told through lens of her faith, spirituality 

began to ask, “Why should 

such things be?” 

When she married John 

Tubman, Minty called 

herself Harriet, her mother’s 

first name. She escaped to 

Philadelphia, returned to 

the South to rescue at least 

70 people, including family 

and friends, resettled many 

of them in Canada, and 

subsequently served as a 

scout and spy for the Union 

Army during the Civil War. 

Celebrated these days as 

the most famous Black woman 

in U.S. history, Tubman will 

soon replace Andrew Jackson 

on the $20 bill. 

In “Night Flyer: Harriet 

Tubman and the Faith 

Dreams of a Free People,” Tiya 

Miles—a professor of history 

at Harvard University and 

MacArthur Fellowship 

recipient—draws on a 

plethora of sources, such as 

newspaper accounts, dictated 

letters and the experiences of 

enslaved women in an elegant, 

evocative, and empathetic 



Danny J. Bakewell Sr.: 

Eternal voice for 

Black Los Angeles 

By Sandy Banks 

It was the tail end of the 

Great Migration when Danny 

J. Bakewell Sr. left New 

Orleans for Los Angeles in 

1967. He was 21, a college 

dropout with a wife and a 

baby, in an era of dismal 

prospects for Black people. 

He would have taken 

any job here that paid the 

bills. What Bakewell didn’t 

envision was that the one 

he got — a community 

organizing gig — would set 

him on a path to power, as a 

civil rights leader, a property 

developer, a business tycoon 

and publisher of the Los 

Angeles Sentinel, the city’s 

legendary Black newspaper. 

Discover 

the 

changemakers who are 

shaping every cultural corner 

of Los Angeles. This week we 

bring you The Civic Center, 

a collection that includes a 

groundbreaking mayor, a 

housing advocate, a giver of 

food and others who are the 

backbone of Los Angeles. 

Come back each Sunday for 

another installment. 

After the segregation 

of the South, it didn’t take 

Bakewell long to realize that 

the City of Angels had its 

own racial hierarchy — one 

that stranded Black people 

in dilapidated enclaves with 

poorly-resourced schools and 

brutal policing. 

Bakewell’s mantra was 

self-determination, and he 

began rallying residents 

around that ideal in the late 

1960s. “We did not want 

anybody to give us anything,” 

he said. “We were willing 

to work for it, and we were 

willing to rely on each other 

for our future.” 

A few years later, he was 

hired to lead the Brotherhood 

Crusade, a grassroots 

organization that refused 

to take government money 

and financed its self-help 

programs with voluntary 

payroll deductions from Black 

folks’ paychecks. 

‘I am for Black people for 

sure. That’s who I come to the 

table to serve.’ — Danny J. 

Bakewell Sr. 

That high-profile role 

raised Bakewell’s visibility 

citywide, giving him a license 

to operate from the halls 

of power to the city’s most 

troubled blocks. 

He has the ear of 

politicians — including Mayor 

Karen Bass — and the respect 

of communities he won’t allow 

to be overlooked. 

“Danny is always asking, 

‘What can we do, brothers 

and sisters, to help out?’” said 

Khalid Shah, head of the Stop 

the Violence, Increase the 

Peace foundation. 

Bakewell, 77, helped 

legitimize a movement that 

turned gang members into 

peacekeepers who helped 

tamp down violent crime. 

He brought commercial 

development to Compton’s 

sagging downtown. And for 

18 years, he has hosted the 

biggest family-friendly food 

and music festival on the 

West Coast, Crenshaw’s 

“Taste of Soul.” 

Still, Bakewell’s climb up 

the civic ladder didn’t come 

easy. His single-minded 

focus on Black issues and 




By Jason Roberts 

NNPA NEWSWIRE — 

This partnership with the 

NNPA continues those efforts 

and will strengthen our work 

in meeting Black voters 

where they are, to underscore 

the stakes of this election for 

Black America. 

Biden-Harris Campaign 

Sponsors the National 

Newspaper Publishers 

Association (NNPA) 2024 

Annual National Convention 

in Baltimore 

Baltimore, MD, June 22, 

2024: The Biden-Harris 

Campaign announced an 

immediate commitment to a 

Tuition and Fee Waivers Eyed 

©2024 The News Service 

of Florida. All rights 

reserved; see terms. 

State university system 

officials could soon replace 

physics on a list of degree 

programs whose courses 

are eligible for tuition and 

fee waivers. The waivers 

essentially function as buyone-get-one 

tuition and 

fee breaks for students in 

12-degree programs that the 

university system’s Board 

of Governors describes as 

Deeply Rooted 

potential degree programs 

that could replace physics: 

“environmental/health” 

engineering, mechanical 

engineering and biology. 

Board of Governors staff 

members analyzed the three 

programs and gave them 

scores based on factors such as 

workforce needs and student 

enrollment. Mechanical 

engineering received the 

highest score, with staff 

members recommending it to 

replace physics on the tuition 

and fee waiver list. Such a 

decision ultimately would 

need approval from the full 

Board of Governors during a 

meeting Friday. To be eligible 

for waivers, students must be 

Florida residents and earn at 

least 60 credit hours within 

two academic years after 

initially enrolling. 

JUNE 27 - JULY 3, 2024 • PAGE 13 

PRESS ROOM: Biden-Harris Campaign 2024 Commits $1.5 

Million Advertising Buy with the Black Press of America 

$1.5 Million advertising-buy 

with the National Newspaper 

Publishers Association 

(NNPA) representing the 

Black Press of America across 

the United States. The Biden- 

Harris Campaign also helped 

to sponsor the NNPA’s 2024 

Annual National Convention 

in Baltimore, Maryland, June 

19-22, 2024. 

Jasmine Harris, Director 

of National Black Media 

for Biden-Harris 2024, 

announced the advertising 

buy with the Black Press at the 

NNPA convention. “In August 

of last year, our campaign 

announced the earliest and 

largest investment into Black 

aligning with “economic 

and workforce needs” of 

the state. The waivers only 

apply to upper-level courses 

in the programs. Physics has 

been among eight science, 

technology, engineering and 

mathematics-related degrees 

that have been part of the list. 

But in November, the Board 

of Governors made revisions, 

omitting physics. 

The Board of Governors’ 

Strategic Planning Committee 

is slated Thursday to discuss 

the issue. It will consider three 

media for any reelection 

campaign in history. This 

partnership with the NNPA 

continues those efforts and 

will strengthen our work in 

meeting Black voters where 

they are, to underscore the 

stakes of this election for 

Black America. President 

Biden and Vice President 

Harris are responsible for 

creating millions of new jobs 

for Black workers and recordlow 

Black unemployment. 

Black America has far too 

much to lose this election.” 

Bobby R. Henry Sr., 

Chairman of the NNPA 

emphasized, “It is extremely 

important to show support 

(BPRW) Jessie Trice Community 

Health System Introduced New CEO 

and President, Ryan R. Hawkins, 

to the South Florida Community 

Jasmine Harris, Director of Black Media 

of the business side of the 

Black Press owned by Black 

business leaders. Verbal 

support is good, but financial 

support is better.” 

This year marks the 

197th Anniversary of the 

Black Press of America. Dr. 

Trump Came For Black Voters from Front Page 

A billboard set up near the Temple campus 

reminded people that Trump “was a disaster 

for Black Americans” and that “If Trump 

wins, Black families lose.” It also read that 

Trump “left [office] with nearly 10% Black 

unemployment” and will “sabotage Obamacare, 

[pass] tax breaks for the rich, and slash Social 

Security, Medicare and Medicaid.” 

Trump denied all of those claims during 

the rally, saying “the people of our country are 

looking for hope, whether they’re white, brown, 

Black or anything else,” which he claims to 

represent. 

Dave McCormick — the Pennsylvania 

Republican nominee for Senate looking to 

unseat Democratic Sen. Bob Casey — joined 

Trump for the rally. In true Trump fashion, he 

gave a special shout out to local Philly rapper 

OT7 Quanny during his speech. Quanny, who 

has been seen rocking a MAGA hat, hung out 

with the former president before and after the 

rally. 

Temple’s president, Richard M. Englert, 

stated that the Liacouras Center — the college 

venue where Trump’s event took place — is 

“managed and operated by a third-party firm.” 

In that same statement, he also explained that 

Temple didn’t cover any costs from the rally. 

“The presence of any speaker on campus is 

not an endorsement from Temple University, 

Benjamin F. Chavis, Jr, 

NNPA President and CEO, 

concluded, “The Biden- 

Harris Campaign is being 

responsive to the interests 

of Black America through 

the campaign’s advertising 

initiatives with the National 

Newspapers Publishers 

Association. The Black vote 

throughout the United States 

will be a key determinative 

factor in the outcome of the 

2024 national elections. We 

profoundly thank the Biden- 

Harris 2024 Campaign.” 

just as the views expressed by any speaker do 

not necessarily reflect those of the university’s 

administration, faculty, staff, or students,” 

Englert said. “Temple will continue to be a 

space for open dialogue and the exchange of 

ideas integral to the election process.” 

Pennsylvania is a key battleground state for 

Biden and Trump during this year’s election. 

In 2020, Biden won the Commonwealth — 

Kentucky, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, 

and Virginia — which helped him secure the 

presidency. 

This latest stunt to win Black voters comes 

on the heels of an attempt to do the same thing 

at a church in Detroit last week, where Trump 

launched his “Black Voter Coalition Group” 

aiming to rally Black support, according to 

NBC. 

In addition to the group’s formation, 

Trump is hitting the road to garner support 

in historically Black cities, including 

Philadelphia. His attempts make sense 

considering Black people were key to Biden’s 

win in 2020. Only 12 percent of the Black vote 

going to Trump then, according to the Roper 

Center. 

Trump’s rally comes less than a week before he 

is set to face Biden in their first Presidential 

debate Tuesday (June 27.) 

YOU AND A GUEST ARE INVITED 

TO A SPECIAL ADVANCE SCREENING OF 

Ryan R. Hawkins (far right), president and CEO of JTCHS, was joined 

by esteemed friends and colleagues at a recent Welcome Reception 

in his honor at the JTCHS Barbara J. Jordan Community Health and 

Wellness Center. 

(Photo Credit: Ricardo Reyes, Sonshine Communication) 

(Black PR Wire) Miami, 

FL – It’s a new era for Jessie 

Trice Community Health 

System (JTCHS)! In a vibrant 

atmosphere filled with energy 

and excitement, JTCHS 

introduced its new President 

and CEO, Ryan R. Hawkins, to 

the South Florida community. 

The event took place on June 

11 at the JTCHS Barbara J. 

Jordan Community Health 

and Wellness Center. 

The celebration brought 

together JTCHS board 

members, staff, state and 

local government 

representatives, healthcare 

and community leaders, 

members of the media, and 

other stakeholders, all eager 

to meet the man set to lead 

JTCHS into a promising 

future. 

“Having the opportunity 

to lead an organization as 

JTCHS is a tremendous 

honor,” said Hawkins, 

president and CEO of JTCHS. 

“I am deeply committed to 

continuing JTCHS’s legacy 

of providing exceptional 

healthcare to the community. 

Together, we will build on 

our strengths, embrace new 

opportunities, and ensure 

that every person in our 

community has access to the 

quality care they deserve.” 

No stranger to South 

Florida, Mr. Hawkins is 

a well-respected health 

system administrator and 

government executive with 

over 16 years of experience 

in the field. Prior to joining 

JTCHS, Hawkins spent the 

last eight years as an executive 

with Jackson Health System, 

serving two years as the Chief 

of Staff to the Chief Operating 

Officer and the last six as the 

Chief Operating Officer of 

Jackson North Medical. 

“With Hawkins at the 

helm, we are entering a new 

era at JTCHS,” said Irene 

Taylor-Wooten, JTCHS 

Board Chair. “His leadership, 

expertise, and commitment 

to excellence will propel 

us forward, ensuring we 

continue to meet the evolving 

healthcare needs of our 

community.” 

Mr. Hawkins’ leadership 

journey through roles in 

the Miami-Dade County 

Commission, Florida Senate, 

and community advocacy 

positions him well to guide 

JTCHS to new heights. 

MONDAY, JULY 1 • 7:00 PM • AMC SUNSET PLACE 24 

For your chance to win a complimentary admit-two pass 

to the advance screening, email us at 

ttaylor@thewestsidegazette.com or wgaccts@thewestsidegazette.com 

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Passes will be emailed to winners. You must have a pass to attend. Passes are available on a first-come, first-served basis. 

Supplies limited. Employees of all promotional partners and their agencies are not eligible. Void where prohibited. SEATING IS LIMITED, SO ARRIVE EARLY. 

PASS DOES NOT GUARANTEE A SEAT AT THE SCREENING. 

IN THEATERS JULY 3 

www.despicable.me 

Minions 

@Minions 

@Minions 

#DM4 

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6/6/24 2:03 PM

PAGE 14 • JUNE 27 - JULY 3, 2024 

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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 

June 13, 20, 27, July 4, 2024 

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Deeply Rooted 

39th Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards 

(Source HOT 105): 

Central City Productions 

recently announced 

the nominees in 

36 categories for the 39th 

Annual Stellar Gospel 

Music Awards taping on 

Saturday, July 20th, returning 

to Las Vegas at 

the Orleans Arena. Hosted 

by Emmy Award-winning 

TV personality and comedian 

Loni Love, alongside 

Marconi Award-winning 

radio/TV personality and 

comedian Rickey Smiley, 

the evening will bring 

together gospel music’s 

brightest stars for a celebration 

billed as “The 

Greatest Night in Gospel 

Music.” The 39th Annual 

Stellar Gospel Music 

Awards will premiere on 

the Stellar Network on 

Saturday, August 3rd at 

8PM and 10PM EST and 

in broadcast syndication 

from August 10, 2024 - 

September 8, 2024. 

Don Jackson, 

Founder of the Stellar 

Awards and Chairman of 

Central City Productions, 

Inc. commented, “The 

Stellar Awards has always 

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inspiration, celebrating 

the very best in gospel 

music. We are thrilled to 

have Loni Love and Rickey 

Smiley as our hosts this 

year, and we know they 

will bring a special touch 

of joy and excitement to 

the evening.” 

Celebrated artist 

Kim Burrell is set to receive 

the Aretha Franklin 

Icon Award; and GRAM- 

MY Award and multiple 

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of gospel music history 

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Stellar Awards taping 

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Additional announcements 

regarding ancillary 

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and follow @thestellars on 

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Deeply Rooted 

JUNE 27 - JULY 3, 2024 • PAGE 15 

For the Week oF June 25 - July 1, 2024 

 

OLYMPIC 

TRIALS 

NBC Track Photo 

DYLAN BEARD: Howard 

product runs 13.19 seconds to 

advance to Thursday's semifinal 

of the 110-meter hurdles at U. 

S. Olympic Trials. 

TWO HBCU PRODUCTS MAKE OLYMPIC TRIAL 

FINALS; NSU'S COLE OUT; TROUBLE AT FAMU 

UNDER THE BANNER 

WHAT'S GOInG On In AnD AROunD BlACK COlleGe SPORTS 

PARKER NAMED 2023 BCFHOF TOP COACH: 

Virginia Union University's head football coach, Dr. 

Alvin Parker, was named the 2023 

Black College Football Hall of Fame 

National Coach of the Year, by the 

Black College Football Hall earlier 

this month. 

Parker completed his sixth year 

leading his alma mater and turned 

Parker 

© AZEEZ Communications, Inc. Vol. XXX, No. 48 

in one of the best seasons in school 

history. Virginia Union went 10-2, 

won the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association 

(CIAA) title and appeared in the NCAA Division II 

playoffs. 

A former running back for the Panthers, Parker 

began his coaching career at VUU in 1999 as an offensive 

assistant. He coached running backs for two years, then 

became the offensive coordinator for the 2003 season. 

In January of 2024, Parker was named to the Board of 

Trustees of the American Football Coaches Association 

(AFCA). He then was co-head coach for the 2024 Allstate 

HBCU Legacy Bowl. 

"Thank you to the Black College Football Hall of 

Fame for this extremely prestigious award," said Parker. 

"It is all made possible by having the best administration, 

the best Staff, and of course the best student-athletes. To 

be mentioned with some of the greats who have won this 

award is truly a blessing. As I always say I'm Just Doing 

my part for #PLAY411." 

VUU will kick off the 2024 football season when the 

Panthers travel to Frankfort, Ky., to face Kentucky State 

at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 31. 

SWAC MEDIA DAY ATHLETES ANNOUNCED: 

BIRMINGHAM, Ala.- The Southwestern Athletic 

Conference has announced the student-athletes set to 

participate in the league's annual SWAC Football Media 

Day on Tuesday, July 16 at 10:00 am CST at the Sheraton- 

Birmingham. 

All twelve SWAC head football coaches will also be 

in attendance to address media about the upcoming 2024 

football season. The athletes are: 

ALABAMA A&M - RB Donovan Eaglin; DB Emari Pait ALABAMA STATE 

- QB Andrew Body; DB James Burgess ALCORN STATE - TE Tavarious 

Griffin; DL Malachi Bailey BETHUNE-COOKMAN - DB Raymond Woodie III; 

OL Trevaris Hammond FLORIDA A&M - DB Kendall Bohler; RB Kelvin Dean 

Jr. GRAMBLING STATE - QB Myles Crawley; DB Quintin Talley JACKSON 

STATE - DB Esaias Guthrie; OL Evan Henry MISSISSIPPI VALLEY STATE - 

WR Kerrick Ross; DL Jordan Bussey PRAIRIE VIEW A&M - DE CJ Pressley; 

WR Shemar Savage SOUTHERN - WR Chandler Whitfield; DE Ckelby Givens 

TEXAS SOUTHERN - LB Jacob Williams; OL Mehdi Torrence ARKANSAS- 

PINE BLUFF - DE Elijah Jenkins; WR Daemon Dawkins 

THE STAT CORNER 

WHO ARe THe BeST PeRFORMeRS In BlACK COlleGe SPORTS 

2024 U. S. OLYMPIC TEAM TRIALS 

HBCU TRACK & FIELD RESULTS 

June 21-30, Eugene, Oregon 

MEN 

100 METERS 

Brandon Hicklin, LSU, NC A&T 

Round 1, Heat 3 - 10.18, 1st - Advanced 

Semifinal - Heat 3 - 9.95, 2nd - Advanced 

Final - 7th - 10.03 

110 METER HURDLES 

Dylan Beard, unattached, Howard 

Round 1, Heat 4 - 2nd - 13.19 - Advanced 

Semifinal - Thursday, 5:01 p.m. 

Final - Friday, 7:50 p.m. 

Michael Dickson, More Sports MG, NC A&T 

Round 1, Heat 4 - 4th - 13.36 - DNA 

WOMEN 

400 METERS 

Quanera Hayes, NIKE, Livingstone 

Round 1 - Heat 5 - 50.94, 2nd - Advanced 

Semifinal - Heat 2 - 50.46, 3rd - Advanced on Time 

Final - 5th - 50.55 

100 METERS 

Cambrea Sturgis, adidas, NC A&T 

Round 1, Heat 4 - 11.34, 6th - Advanced on Time 

Semifinal, Heat 1 - 11.35, 8th - DNA 

400 METERS 

Jessica Wright, Howard 

Round 1, Heat 1 - 52.76, 8th - DNA 

Current and former HBCU athletes perform 

well at U. S. Olympic Team Track & Field Trials 

LUT WILLIAMS 

BCSP Editor 

EUGENE, OR - Athletes with HBCU roots 

at the U. S. Olympic Track & Field Trials made 

game efforts but came up short this past week in 

making the team for this summer's Paris Olympics. 

Former Livingstone and CIAA standout 

Quanera Hayes and former North Carolina 

A&T sprinter/long jumper Brandon Hicklin 

impressively advanced to the finals in their respective 

events. 

Hayes, 32, the senior member of the HBCU 

contingent made the 400 meter finals and finished 

fifth in 50.55 seconds behind winner Kendall 

Ellis (49.46). 

Hayes was second (50.94) in her first round 

heat and finished third (50.46) in her semifinal 

heat to advance to the finals on time. 

She was the 400 meter champion in 49.78 

at the 2021 Olympic Trials. She finished seventh 

in the event at the Tokyo Olympics. The 2017 

U.S. 400 meter champion, had her second child 

after the Tokyo Olympics. 

Hicklin, who won MEAC and CAA long 

jump titles before transferring to LSU and focusing 

on sprints, made the finals of the 100 

meters and finished seventh in 10.03 seconds. 

World champion Noah Lyles won the event in 

9.83 seconds. 

Hicklin entered the Trials with the fifth best 

100 meters time of 9.94 seconds. He ran 10.18 

seconds to win his heat in round one and was 

second in 9.95 to Christian Coleman's 9.86 in 

the his semifinal heat. 

Based on their finishes, both Hayes and 

Hicklin have shots at making U. S. relay teams – 

Hayes for the women's 4x400 meter relay squad 

and Hicklin for the men's 4x100 meter relay 

team 

Former NC A&T sprinter and two-time 

NCAA sprint champion Cambrea Sturgis made 

it through to the semifinal round of the women's 

100 meters. She finished sixth in 11.34 seconds 

in the fourth heat of round one behind SheCarri 

Richardson (10.88) to advance on time to the 

semifinal round. Sturgis was again paired with 

Richardson (10.86) in the first heat of the semis 

but finished eighth in 11.35 seconds to miss the 

finals. 

Richardson ran 10.71 seconds to win the 

event. 

One HBCU athlete has advanced while other 

have not started their competition. 

Dylan Beard, who finished his collegiate 

career running for David Oliver at Howard 

after stints at Hampton and Wagner, ran 13.19 

seconds in his 110-meter hurdles opening round 

to finish second behind Trey Cunningham 

(13.12) and advance to Thursday's 5:01 p.m. 

semifinals. 

Beard, who appeared recently on NBC's Today 

Show, currently works at a WalMart deli in 

the Raleigh/Durham, N. C. area and is unsponsored 

as a professional. 

BCSP Notes 

MEAC announces 2024 Football 

Schedule on ESPN Platforms 

NORFOLK, Va., June 18, 2024 – The 

Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) 

announced last week its football schedule for the 

2024 season across ESPN platforms, including 

games on linear networks (ABC and ESPNU) 

and ESPN+, the leading sports streaming 

service. 

The schedule is highlighted by a bookend 

of non-conference matchups in Atlanta on 

ABC – Cricket MEAC/SWAC Challenge 

(Saturday, Aug. 24) and the postseason Cricket 

Celebration Bowl (Saturday, Dec. 14). 

Of the conference’s 55 regular season 

games, MEAC teams are slated to make 45 

appearances in televised/streamed games – 81.8 

percent of the schedule. Additional broadcast 

dates and times will be announced at a later 

time. 

MEAC teams will be featured in seven 

nationally televised games on ESPNU. In 

addition, all conference matchups will be 

streamed live on ESPN+. 

The MEAC ESPNU “Game of the Week” 

begins on Saturday, Oct. 26, as a part of a 

wildcard matchup to be announced in early 

October. A series of televised wildcard matchups 

continues each Saturday and concludes with the 

conference’s regular-season schedule on Nov. 

23. All matchups will be announced at least 12 

days ahead of the game. 

A pair of conference games to be aired on 

ESPNU on Thursday and Friday night. The 

first is set for 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 31 

when North Carolina Central travels to South 

Carolina State, while the second features 

Howard and North Carolina Central at 8:00 

p.m. on Friday, Nov. 15 in Durham, N.C. 

The Cricket MEAC/SWAC Challenge 

kickoff is scheduled for Week 0’s opener 

between Norfolk State and Florida A&M on 

Saturday, August 24. The game will air for the 

first time on ABC, beginning at 7:30 PM ET. 

For more information on MEAC football, 

visit MEACSports.com. 

Former NC A&T hurdler Michael Dickson 

(13.36) was nipped for third place by Devion 

Wilson (13.34) in the same heat as Beard and 

did not advance. 

The 110-meter final is Friday at 7:50 p.m. 

The men's high jump with SWAC champion 

and Arkansas-Pine Bluff product Caleb 

Snowden in the field gets started with the qualifying 

round Thursday at 5 p.m. The high jump 

final is Sunday at 3:30 p.m. 

Snowden enters with the sixth best jump at 

2.26 meters (7.0 feet, 4.98 inches). 

SWAC 100- and 200-meter sprint champion 

Jamarion Stubbs of Alabama State begins 

his quest to make the Olympic team Thursday 

(5:51 p.m.) in round one of the men's 200 meters. 

The semis follow Friday at 7:28 p.m. with 

the finals on Saturday at 6:49 p.m. 

Three HBCU products are in the competition 

for the women's 400-meters hurdles competition 

that begins Thursday at 6:49 p.m. 

Sydni Townsend, who has collegiate 

stints at NC A&T and Howard, will be joined 

in the competition by Howard products Jessica 

Wright and Simone Watkins chasing world 

champion and world record holder Sydney 

List of 2024 MEAC games on 

ESPN Football Schedule 

SATURDAY, AUG. 24 

Florida A&M vs. Norfolk State, ABC, 7:30 p.m. 

Delaware at Hawaii, CBS, TBD 

THURSDAY, AUG. 29 

Howard at Rutgers, Big Ten Network, 6:00 p.m. 

SATURDAY, AUG. 31 

Morgan State at Hampton, FloFootball, 6:00 p.m. 

Norfolk State at East Carolina, ESPN+, 6:00 p.m. 

SUNDAY, SEPT. 1 

NCCU vs. Alabama State, ESPN, 3:00 p.m. 

SEPTEMBER 7 

Mercyhurst at Howard, ESPN+, TBD 

South Carolina State at The Citadel, ESPN+, 12:00 p.m. 

Virginia State at Norfolk State, ESPN+, 2:00 p.m. 

Elon at North Carolina Central, ESPN+, 6:00 p.m. 

SEPTEMBER 14 

Hampton at Norfolk State, ESPN+, 2:00 p.m. 

Wagner at Delaware State, ESPN+, 3:00 p.m. 

Morehouse Coll. vs Howard, CNBC, 3:00 p.m. 

Morgan State at Ohio Univ., ESPN+, 3:30 p.m. 

NC Central at UNC-Chapel Hill, ESPN+/ACC Network, 6:00 p.m. 

South Carolina State at Georgia Southern, ESPN+, 6:00 p.m. 

SEPTEMBER 21 

Hampton at Howard, ESPN+, TBD 

Virginia Univ. of Lynchburg at Morgan State, ESPN+, TBD 

Richmond at Delaware State, ESPN+, 6:00 p.m. 

North Carolina A&T at North Carolina Central, ESPNU, 7:00 p.m. 

SEPTEMBER 28 

North Carolina Central at Norfolk State *, ESPNU, 3:00 p.m. 

North Carolina A&T at South Carolina State, ESPN+, 6:00 p.m. 

OCTOBER 5 

Saint Francis at Delaware State, ESPN+, 1:00 p.m. 

Lincoln Univ. (Pa.) at Morgan State, ESPN+, 1:00 p.m. 

OCTOBER 12 

Sacred Heart at Howard, ESPN+, TBD 

Merrimack at Morgan State, ESPN+, TBD 

Towson at Norfolk State, ESPN+, 2:00 p.m. 

Virginia-Lynchburg at NC Central, ESPN+, 2:00 p.m. 

OCTOBER 19 

Tennessee State at Howard, ESPN+, TBD 

Fort Valley at South Carolina State, ESPN+, 2:00 p.m. 

OCTOBER 26 (ESPNU wild-card matchup to be announced) 

Delaware State at SC State *, ESPN Platforms, 1:30 p.m. 

Howard at Norfolk State *, ESPN Platforms, 2:00 p.m. 

Morgan State at NC Central *, ESPN Platforms, 3:00 p.m. 

OCTOBER 31 

NC Central at South Carolina State *, ESPNU, 7:00 p.m. 

NOVEMBER 2 

Delaware State at Howard *, ESPN+, TBD 

Norfolk State at Morgan State *, ESPN+, TBD 

NOVEMBER 9 (ESPNU wild-card matchup to be announced) 

Morgan State at Delaware State *, ESPN Platforms, 1:00 p.m. 

South Carolina State at Howard *, ESPN Platforms, 3:30 p.m. 

NOVEMBER 15 

Howard at North Carolina Central *, ESPNU, 8:00 p.m. 

NBC Track Photo 

IMPRESSIVE PERFOMANCES: Livingstone 

product Quanera Hayes (top. l.) finished fifth in 

the 400 meter finals and former NC A&T sprinter 

Brandon Hicklin (top r.) was seventh in the 100 

meters final at the US Olympic Trials in Eugene, 

Oregon. 

McLaughlin Legrone. 

The 400 hurdles semis are set for 5:41 Saturday 

with the finals scheduled for 5:29 p.m. on 

Sunday's final day of the Trials. 

Wright was also in the field for the women's 

400 meters but did not advance as she finished 

seventh in 52.76 in the first heat or round one. 

Non-USATF sanctioned MEAC track 

title costs NSU's Cole shot at Olympics 

NORFOLK, Va. — Norfolk State sprinter 

Kai Cole won the MEAC 

Outdoor 100 meters in a 

time that qualified him for 

the 2024 U. S. Olympic 

Trials over the past week 

in Eugene, Oregon. But 

that opportunity was taken 

Cole 

away from him due to the 

conference's championship 

not behind sanctioned by the governing body of 

USA Track & Field. 

Cole, who was also the MEAC's outdoor 

200-meter and indoor 60-meter champion, 

ran a Olympic Trials qualifying time of 10.05 

seconds in winning the MEAC Outdoor 100 

title. The MEAC championships however are 

not a USATF-sanctioned event meaning that his 

time did not meet the USATF requirements. 

The USATF, in response to a request from 

HBCUSports.com, released the following 

statement: 

"Beginning with the 2023 USATF Outdoor 

Championships, USATF implemented qualifying 

criteria by which athletes now must achieve a 

legal mark in a USATF-sanctioned meet and/ 

or an event which appears on the WA Global 

Calendar to qualify for USATF Championships 

and Olympic Trials," the statement said. "This 

updated requirement has been posted under 

Qualifying Information on the event pages for 

the 2023 USATF Outdoor Championships, 

2024 USATF Indoor Championships, and 2024 

US Olympic Team Trials. 

"This change was in line with the 

implementation of the World Athletics Global 

Calendar, which was implemented in 2023 

to ensure fair and equitable competition 

worldwide. USATF is committed to ensuring 

fair competition for all athletes at the USATF 

Championships and Olympic Trials and this 

means athletes must qualify at meets operating 

under USATF/World Athletics Rules." 

The MEAC issued the following statement 

on their website: 

"The MEAC was recently informed that our 

multiple appeals submitted last week to have Kai 

Cole approved to compete at this year's USATF 

Olympic Trials were denied by USATF, despite his 

posting an automatic qualifying time at the MEAC 

Outdoor Track & Field Championship. Although 

the MEAC Outdoor Track and Field Championship 

remains an official NCAA Division-I championship 

event, USATF policy changes implemented this year 

resulted in the event not being officially sanctioned 

by USATF, making all competition results ineligible 

for Olympic Trial qualification. We understand 

Kai’s frustration and took all available steps to 

rectify the situation so he could compete in the 

Olympic Trials - an opportunity he clearly deserves. 

The MEAC fully supports our member institutions 

and student-athletes as they pursue their dreams 

and strive for excellence. We are disappointed by 

the decision from USATF and are working to ensure 

our track and field championships are sanctioned 

USATF events moving forward." 

NOVEMBER 16 (ESPNU wild-card matchup to be announced) 

Delaware State at Norfolk State *, ESPN Platforms, 2:00 p.m. 

South Carolina State at Morgan State *, ESPN Platforms, TBD 

NOVEMBER 23 

Howard at Morgan State *, ESPN+, TBD 

North Carolina Central at Delaware State *, ESPN+, 1:00 p.m. 

Norfolk State at South Carolina State *, ESPN+, 1:30 p.m. 

DECEMBER 14 

Celebration Bowl (MEAC Champ vs SWAC Champ), ABC, 12:00 p.m. 

Florida A&M tables approval 

of contract for new hoops coach 

The Board of Trustees at Florida A&M 

has tabled approval of 

a $450,000 three-year 

contract for new men's 

basketball coach Patrick 

Crarey II. 

The move was taken 

this week when it came 

Crarey II 

to light that Crarey has 

dismissed all 16 players 

that were on the Rattlers' squad in the 2023- 

24 season. The BOT tabled a decision on the 

contract until its retreat in August or earlier. 

The Tallahassee Democrat obtained a 

letter Sunday from Rev. Dr. Julius McAllister 

to FAMU President Dr. Larry Robinson 

expressing his discontent that 16 players, 

including his son, Colin, were dismissed from 

the team by Crarey by telephone on April 27 

"without allowing them to compete for a spot 

(on the team)," as promised by FAMU AD 

Tiffani-Dawn Sykes. 

That decision was made just two days 

before the transfer portal closed (on May 1, 

2024). McAllister said Sykes and Crarey should 

both answer questions about the timing of such 

a decision and if the allegations are confirmed, 

they should both be terminated. 

"At this point, given where we are and the 

concerns we all have about the process and the 

need for additional information, I move that we 

table this discussion until further notice from 

the chair of the appropriate date, and that can 

be as soon as our upcoming August retreat or 

before," FAMU trustee Kelvin Lawson said.

PAGE 16 • JUNE 27 - JULY 3, 2024 

SPORTS 

Nunnie on the Sideline 

Ice Cats Win! Ice Cats Win 

STANLEY CUP!!! 

By Nunnie Robinson,Westside Gazette Sports Editor 

The Florida Panthers defeated the Edmonton Oilers 2-1 

to win the franchise’s first NHL championship in its 30-year 

history. After blowing a 3-game lead, losing decidedly on the 

road, the Cats got back to their roots, great goal keeping, 

tenacious defense and timely shot making. Though the Conn 

Smythe Trophy, given to the series MVP, was awarded to Connor 

McDavid of the losing Oilers, I thought Panther goalkeeper 

Sergei Bobrovsky was equally deserving. The Stanley Cup, 

traditionally known as the most difficult professional sports 

trophy to win, was first handed to Alexander Barkov in honor 

of his consistent play throughout the series. 

Despite losing 3 consecutive games to the Edmonton Oilers, 

the advantage remained with the Ice Cats. Why might you ask? 

Because they won 3 in a row, prior to the losing streak, giving 

them a decided edge which they took full advantage of. Monday 

night they righted the ship. 

The Florida Panthers won the Stanley Cup, joining the 

Toronto Maple Leafs as the second team in league history to 

blow a 3-game lead only to win game 7 and subsequently the 

championship. Doing so at Amerant Bank Arena allowed them 

to match the 1945 Stanley Cup champion Toronto Maple Leafs 

who lost 3 consecutive games to the same Detroit club before 

denying the valiant Red Wings the Stanley Cup by winning 

game seven, ironically by the same 2-1. 

Interest in pro hockey among minorities would increase if 

there were more players of African descent obviously, but also 

if ownership would do more outreach such as sponsoring clinics 

to not only teach the game but also the rules of the game. Go 

Ice Cats. 

Willie Mays’ death at 93 years old penetrated the hearts of 

myriad sports fans, particularly baseball. One of the greatest to 

ever play the game, the Hall of Famer had a remarkable MLB 

career. What perhaps he didn’t realize was the impact he had 

on so many young impressionable boys like me who watched 

him and rooted for him with tremendous interest, intensity 

and expectation because the racial climate demanded greatness 

from our heroes. And yes, he was my hero. I emulated his walk, 

the way he ran and his famous basket catch with the palm/ 

glub opened. I actually became pretty proficient at it. He did 

everything expertly: hit, hit for power, run, steal basis, play 

defense, and he had the personality that endeared fans to him. 

We all remember the over the shoulder catch in Candlestick 

Park, stopping almost instantly, whirling around and throwing 

ball back into the infield, preventing runners from advancing. 

Then I watched him hit 4 home runs in a single game and can 

anyone forget the old home run derby show. If he played today 

he’d be making more than Shohei Othani. Just thankful that 

I had the opportunity to witness greatness: Mr. Say Hey Kid 

himself- Willie Mays. 

Finally, the brewing rivalry between rookie sensations 

Caitlin Clark and Angela Reese focused on play on the court 

instead of harsh fouls and negative rhetoric. It’s about the 

game people…… 

Photo: Today Show 

HBCU sprinter Quanera Hayes 

advances to US Olympic trials final 

By Jarrett Hoffman 

(Source HBCU): 

With a little over a month before the start of the 2024 Paris 

Olympics, the top American track and field athletes are looking 

to earn an opportunity to compete for gold. 

One of them is former Livingstone sprinter Quanera Hayes, 

who came one step closer to claiming a spot on the Olympic 

team on Saturday. 

Hayes advanced to the finals of the 400-meter dash, 

qualifying on time after running a 50.46 second time, finishing 

third in her heat. 

The former three-time NCAA champion 400-meter sprinter 

is looking to clinch a spot in her second-ever Olympics, having 

qualified for the 2021 games. 

She will compete in a loaded field that includes former Olympic 

gold medalists Kendall Ellis and Lynna, as well as reigning 


Deeply Rooted 

High school athletes to 

profit from their brand with 

NIL approval 

Florida becomes the 30th state to approve NIL rights for 

high school athletes. 

(Mark Stallworth for The Miami Times) 

By Mark Stallworth 

(Source Miami Times Contributor): 

In a groundbreaking move, the Florida High School Athletic 

Association (FHSAA) recently approved Name, Image, and 

Likeness (NIL) rights for high school athletes, allowing them 

to profit from their brand. 

This decision aligns with similar trends in collegiate sports, 

where NIL opportunities have become a significant aspect of 

the athletic landscape. The implications of this decision are 

profound, particularly in areas with rich athletic traditions 

like Miami-Dade County. 

THE LOCAL LANDSCAPE 

Miami-Dade County is a hotbed for high school sports 

talent, producing numerous athletes who go on to succeed in 

college and professional leagues. 

The county’s schools are renowned for their competitive 

programs in football, basketball, baseball, track and field, and 

more. 

With the approval of NIL rights, Miami-Dade’s high school 

athletes stand on the brink of unprecedented opportunities. 

They can now monetize their social media presence, sign 

endorsement deals, and participate in commercial activities. 

However, this new reality comes with its own set of challenges 

and considerations. 

OPPORTUNITIES AND BENEFITS 

Economic empowerment is one benefit from the move. Local 

high school athletes can now earn money to support their 

families and invest in their futures. 

“This is great for the kids,” said Norland High School 

supporter LeRoy Jennings. “This allows them to continue to 

do what they enjoy (playing sports) without having to defer 

athletics for employment to put food on the table if they have 

to be the breadwinner of the family.” 

This economic empowerment can be especially significant in 

underserved communities where financial opportunities are 

limited. 

Additionally, professional development can come from this 

as well. Early exposure to business dealings, contracts, and 

brand management can equip young athletes with valuable 

skills. 

Navigating NIL deals requires a level of professionalism 

that can also benefit athletes long after their sports careers are 

over. 

Athletes who understand and manage NIL opportunities in 

high school are likely to be better prepared for the complexities 

of collegiate athletics, where NIL deals have become an integral 

part of the experience. 

CHALLENGES AND CONCERNS 

Challenges that can arise from this include regulation and 


Bastardo, Fontenot, 

Granger, and Jackson 

are headed to the 2024 

HBCU Swingman Classic 

(Source famuathletics): 

TALLAHASSEE, FL -- Florida A&M’s Janmikell 

Bastardo, True Fontenot, Caleb Granger, and Ty Jackson are 

headed to Arlington, Texas, for MLB All-Star Weekend to 

participate in the 2nd annual HBCU Swingman Classic. 

Bastardo and Jackson make their second appearance 

after participating in the inaugural game last year in Seattle, 

Washington. The game takes place on Friday, July 12, at 8 

p.m. Eastern at Globe Life Field, home of the Texas Rangers. 

Bastardo led the team with 68 hits, 55 runs scored, and 

eight triples. Bastardo also drove in 37 runs and had a .313 

batting average, a .521 slugging percentage, and a .378 on-base 

percentage. Bastardo’s eight triples were fourth in the nation. 

Bastardo was named to the All-SWAC Second Team. 

Fontenot had a .347 batting average, a .466 slugging 

percentage, a .417 on-base percentage, 61 hits, 47 RBIs, 42 

runs scored, and five home runs. Fontenot also had 16 multihit 

games, including a perfect 5-5 game vs. Southern. Fontenot 

also had 12 multi-RBI games, including six four-RBI games. 

Fontenot was named to the All-SWAC Second Team. 

Granger was one of the top pitchers in the nation, finishing 

with a 9-2 record and a 2.87 ERA with 73 strikeouts and a .269 

opponent batting average. In SWAC play, Granger had a 7-1 

record with a 2.72 ERA and 51 strikeouts. Granger also led 

the SWAC with a 1.27 WHIP. Granger was named the SWAC 

Pitcher of the Year, All-SWAC First Team, and named to the 

ABCA/Rawlings NCAA Division I South All-Region Second 

Team. 

Jackson was one of the top hitters for the Rattlers this season 

with a .387 batting average, .643 slugging percentage, .509 onbase 

percentage, 1.152 OPS, 65 hits, 47 runs, and 41 

RBIs. Jackson had 20 multi-hit games and two multi-homerun 

games. Jackson also had a 1.000 fielding percentage. Jackson 

was named to the All-SWAC Second Team and the SWAC All- 

Tournament Team. 

Jeff Eisenberg Senior writer 

(Source Y!sports): 


Sha’Carri 

Richardson reacts 

after winning 

the women’s 

100-meter dash 

final at the U.S. 

Olympic track 

and field trials 

on Saturday in 

Eugene, Oregon. 

(Photo by Patrick 

Smith/Getty 

Images) 

U.S. Track & Field Trials: 

Sha’Carri Richardson heads to 

Paris as women’s 100 

gold-medal favorite 

Ever since she dominated her signature race at the 2021 

U.S. Olympic trials, only to have her breakthrough victory 

wiped out because of a positive marijuana test, Sha’Carri 

Richardson had worked toward this moment. 

America’s best-known sprinting star knelt in the starting 

blocks, a look of determination etched across her face. The 

second chance that she had craved for three long years was 

finally here. Redemption was just a single 100-meter sprint 

away. 

When the starter’s pistol fired, Richardson seized the 

moment and secured her spot at next month’s Paris Olympics. 

She blew past the rest of the women’s 100 meters field at the 

U.S. Olympic track and field trials, easing across the finish line 

in first place in a world-leading 10.71 seconds. 

Joining Richardson in a bear hug after she crossed the finish 

line were two of her training partners under coach Dennis 

Mitchell. Melissa Jefferson clinched her place in Paris by 

taking second place in 10.80 seconds, as did Twanisha Terry, 

who held on for third in 10.89. 

“Every chapter I’ve been through in my life was designed 

to prepare me for this moment,” Richardson told NBC’s Lewis 

Johnson. “I cannot wait to go to Paris and represent.” 

In the first two rounds of women’s 100 qualifying, Richardson 

didn’t come close to executing her start how she wanted. She 

wobbled out of the blocks with her right shoe untied on Friday, 

but still rallied from last place to win her preliminary heat in 

10.88 seconds. Her semifinal start was also sluggish, but she 

reeled in the rest of the field again to win in 10.86 seconds. 

“That tells me I’m prepared,” she told NBC in a post-race 

interview. “I just need to put it all together.” 

Will Florida A&M run 

through the SWAC again? 

We predict the Rattlers 

2024 football record 

By Jarrett Hoffman 

(Source HBCU): 

The reigning Celebration 

Bowl champion Florida A&M 

Rattlers enter the 2024 season 

with a completely different 

team roster from the previous 

year. 

For the first time since 

2017, the Rattlers will not 

have Willie Simmons roaming 

the sidelines. He has now 

moved on to the ACC as an 

assistant at Duke. 

In his place is FAMU 

assistant James Colzie III, 

who is entering his first head 

coaching job at the Division I 

level. 

Colzie will be working 

with a team that is moving 

on from the reigning SWAC 

Offensive Player of the Year, 

Jeremy Moussa, and SWAC 

Defensive Player of the Year, 

Isaiah Major, among other 

changes the Rattlers went 

through in the offseason. 

Here is the game-by-game 

prediction for Florida A&M’s 

2024 football season. 

8/24 vs Norfolk State- W 

Last Meeting: Florida 

A&M 30-28 

Florida A&M begins its 

season in the MEAC/SWAC 

Challenge, facing off against 

the Norfolk State Spartans. 

This will make the Rattlers the 

first team to have represented 

the MEAC and SWAC in the 

MEAC/SWAC Challenge. 

Since snapping a five-game 

losing streak in this series in 

2017, the SWAC has been on 

Photo: Mandela Jones/ 

HBCU Sports 

a roll, winning four of the last 

six matchups, including wins 

in the previous two MEAC/ 

SWAC Challenges. Florida 

A&M is looking to give the 

SWAC three straight wins for 

the first time in the game’s 

existence. 

Record: 1-0 

8/31 vs South Carolina 

State- W 

Last Meeting: Florida 

A&M 20-14, 2022 

Florida A&M will enter 

Bragg Stadium with another 

matchup against the MEAC, 

playing its home opener 

against South Carolina 

State. This will be the first 

game for South Carolina 

in the Chennis Berry era 

going against a FAMU team 

they nearly knocked off in 

their most recent matchup. 

After leading 20-0 through 

three quarters, the Rattlers 

were able to hang on for the 

win after surrendering two 

consecutive fourth-quarter 

touchdowns. This will be an 

excellent test for two teams 

ushering in new rosters and 

could potentially be a preview 

of this year’s Celebration 

Bowl. 

Record: 2-0 

9/7 at Miami- L 

Last Meeting: Miami 70-3, 

2016 

The Rattlers will get away 

from the MEAC in their third 

game of the season, taking

The Westside Gazette

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