TheFloridaStar Podcast: Recent Episodes
Clara
The death of actor Matthew Perry has highlighted ketamine, a drug used for surgical anesthesia and pain management. An autopsy determined that Perry, who starred in “Friends,” died from ketamine illegally administered at his home, according to the New York Times. Before his death, Perry was receiving ketamine infusion therapy to treat depression and substance abuse. Five people, including two doctors, were recently charged in connection with Perry’s death. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved ketamine as a surgical anesthesia in 1970, not as a medication to help overcome psychiatric issues and addictions. However, the drug can be...
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The US presidential election is less than 60 days away. President Donald Trump, who lost the 2020 election to Joe Biden, wants to win. His opponent is Kamala Harris, who succeeded Biden at the top. Who'll win? Polling and analysis of 2020 vote-influencing factors may help us predict. The Electoral College, not the public vote, determines the outcome. Trump won the 2016 Electoral College but lost the national popular vote to Hillary Clinton. The constitution's authors balanced populous and less populous states' power in the College. This gives smaller states a say in elections. California and New York,...
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Older adults speak out about aging (Family Features) Older adults in America often face a harsh reality when it comes to health care. While Baby Boomers are living longer than prior generations, they are more likely to struggle to get the care they need due to financial challenges, hard-to-navigate health insurance coverage and widening gaps between who receives high-quality care and who doesn’t. They’re now speaking up about how the health care system isn’t listening to them. Older adults want care that adds life to their years, not just years to their life, according to research from Age Wave and...
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Jacksonville, FL—In a solemn gathering at Kings Road Memorial Park, Mayor Donna Deegan marked the first anniversary of the tragic Dollar General shooting that shook Jacksonville to its core. Standing before a community still grappling with the aftermath of a racially motivated attack, Mayor Deegan delivered a heartfelt speech honoring the victims and calling for unity and action. “It has been one year since the racist mass shooting at the Dollar General just up the road,” Mayor Deegan began. “One year since a tragedy left an indelible mark on our community and on our souls.” The mayor’s words reflected...
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As we remember the 61st anniversary of the iconic I Have a Dream speech, I am grateful for the powerful legacy left by my uncle, Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. If he were here with us today, he would undoubtedly remind us that we are one blood, one human race. He would call upon us to learn to live together as brothers and sisters, rather than perish together as fools. His message of unity, justice, and love is as relevant now as it was when he stood on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in 1963. ...
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In the land of endless sunshine and swaying palm trees, there exists a pressing issue often overlooked: the struggle to afford healthy food. While often associated with lower-income households, a recent study from No Kid Hungry Florida reveals a different narrative. As the cost of living soars, even middle-income families face adversity in securing nutritious meals. According to our recent study, a staggering 72% of Floridians report finding it more difficult to afford groceries compared to just a year ago. This burden isn’t limited to lower-income households; 60% of middle-income families, earning between ,000 to ,000, are also feeling...
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The National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) has learned that Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic presidential candidate, has chosen Minnesota Gov. Tim Waltz as her running mate after much speculation and a whirlwind of last-minute vetting and interviewing candidates. As of Monday, August 4, reports suggested that Harris had narrowed her choices to Walz and Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro. Other considered candidates include Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and Arizona Senator Mark Kelly. Walz provides the ticket with a diverse and extensive background. His career spans over two decades in the Army National Guard, including deployment overseas after the 9/11...
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On a lovely Summer day, June 16, 1943, Karen Patricia Buggs entered this world in Jacksonville, FL, as the fifth child and second daughter born to the union of Deacon Andrew Joseph, Sr. and Mrs. Marie Johnson Buggs. Values of faith in God, hard work, music appreciation and higher education were instilled by her parents. She accepted Christ at an early age and became a member of the family Church. She was very active, sharing her musical talents on the Clarinet. She was married to the love of her Life, Godfrey Leo Jenkins, on April 5, 1965. They...
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By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent The oldest historically Black collegiate fraternity in the United States, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, has announced that it will move its planned 2025 convention from Florida to an alternate location. The decision comes as a response to what the fraternity describes as “harmful, racist, and insensitive” policies implemented by Gov. Ron DeSantis’ administration towards African Americans. The convention, which typically draws between 4,000 and 6,000 attendees and reportedly has an economic impact of .6 million, has been a significant event for the fraternity. However, the recent travel advisory for Florida...
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The country is looking at a court ruling that seems to have given a victory to those looking for an answer to the mass shootings that have take place over the years. The toughest gun law yet has been upheld so far. U.S. District Judge Karin Immergut ruled that banning large capacity magazines and requiring a permit to purchase a gun falls in line with “the nation’s history and tradition of regulating uniquely dangerous features of weapons and firearms to protect public safety,” This ruling changed the test that lower courts had long used for evaluating challenges to firearm...
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Checks and vouchers in the amount of ,000 have been sent this week to eligible residents, a move that backs up the city’s 2019 promise to pay as much as million over the next decade in reparations. By Stacy M. Brown NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent @StacyBrownMedia Reparations have finally arrived for some Black Americans. The city of Evanston, Illinois, began its historic reparations program by providing compensation to its many of its Black residents. Checks and vouchers in the amount of ,000 have been sent this week to eligible residents, a move that backs up the...
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Special By Dr. Juan P. Gray APRIL 29, 2023 The historic challenge facing our City, Duval Democratic Party and all other citizens interested in change is to get out and Vote in the approaching Election for Mayor and other Officials. Early Voting is May 1-14, 2023 and Election Day is May 16, 2023. Jacksonville witnessed a sad and devastating reality where Seventy – five percent of its citizens did not take the time to cast a ballot during our last election. This negative trend must be reversed. We collectively have to motivate our brothers, sisters, cousins,...
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Benjamin McVickers Frazier, Jr. 1950-2023 [Jacksonville, FL] – It is with love and heartfelt sorrow that the family of Benjamin McVickers Frazier, Jr. shares the news of his passing just one day after his 73rd . He was surrounded by family and close friends as he courageously ended his nine-month battle with cancer at 9:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 24, 2023 at Shands Hospital in Jacksonville. The family asks for privacy during this difficult time and will announce memorial information when details become available. Ben was a long-time broadcast journalist who became the first Black anchor of a...
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Special from ResourceScholarsShow.com Duval County School Board Superintendent Dr. Diana Greene has spent close to forty years teaching inside of a stellar career. However, it all ended in an emergency school board meeting to oust her. Dr. Greene has enjoyed major accolades in her long career to include Florida's 2021 superintendent of the year. But Florida is in the middle of a political fight to decrease diverse information in public education institutions. Also, a third-party investigation was launched into the sexual charges against a teacher at Douglas Anderson School of the Arts. The Florida Department of Education put...
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They could be called a dynamic duo. Two women with similar backgrounds are vying for top elected positions in the May 16 runoff elections here in Duval County. Former Channel 12 news anchor Donna Deegan is running for Mayor and former Channel 4 news anchor and current District 1 Councilmember, Joyce Morgan is running for Duval County Property Appraiser. Deegan is a 5th generation Jacksonville resident who has survived three bouts with breast cancer. She was a mainstay on WTLV for 25 years before starting the Donna Foundation to assist people during their darkest days. She wants to...
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In 1968, the same year Dr. King was assassinated, a promise was made for a vote of support. The plan was to make Jacksonville a bigger city, among other things. In order to get that vote, promises of improvements were made to people living in the preconsolidated Jacksonville core areas. Support was given. Those words were never made good, however. As a result, these are the areas today with the highest crime rates, lowest food options, and needing of major infrastructure work. When an area doesn’t get the proper funding, little to no investments are made in...
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The supervisor of Elections Office in Jacksonville current statistics suggest that Black Democrats comprise almost 51 % the voting Democrats in this city. We are approaching a critical and crucial election for the Mayor of Jacksonville in May. The previous primary election in March revealed a stoic and sad reality that revealed only twenty – five percent of those eligible to cast a ballot took the opportunity to vote in the last election. Yes, the devastating reality is the outrageous fact that seventy – five percent of registered voter abrogated and failed to participate in the sacred,...
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Story and Photos by: D'Avril Grant On March 7, 2023, R&B superstar Jill Scott brought her Who is Jill Scott? Words and Sounds Vol. 1 Anniversary Tour to Jacksonville's Times-Union Center's Moran Theater. Fans of all ages eagerly gathered to witness the one-night-only concert, which promised an unforgettable evening of soulful music from one of R&B's most cherished artists. Since her breakout debut album, Who Is Jill Scott? Words and Sounds Vol. 1, released in 2000, Jill Scott has continued to make waves in the music industry, releasing five more successful albums, with her latest being Jilly from Philly....
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Story and Photos by: D'Avril Grant On Sunday, March 19, 2023, Future & Friends: One Big Party Tour made a stop in Jacksonville, FL at the VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena. The night proved to be an unforgettable experience for all of Future's fans in Jacksonville, as they were treated to a night of live music and energy that they will never forget. Fans from across the area had the opportunity to witness their favorite artist perform live on stage on this incredible tour. The show was packed with special guests, state-of-the-art light displays, and a non-stop party...
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By Virginia Van Zandt For rural Ugandans, jackfruit trees are abundant — now farmers are discovering that selling their jackfruits could increase their yearly income by 20 percent. Quresh Fidahusein, the CEO of Zahra Food Industries Ltd, saw a golden opportunity for farmers in the jackfruit-rich country to gain entry into a rising global market: jackfruit as a plant-based meat substitute. The jackfruit is a large fruit with a green rind weighing up to 55 pounds, that when opened has a variety of nutritional elements. The “meat” of the fruit is a fiber-rich food that, when processed, becomes an ideal...
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The family of a double amputee shot and killed by police officers on Jan. 26 has taken the necessary preliminary steps to file a lawsuit against a Southern California city. NBC News reported that the lawyer for Anthony Lowe’s family, Christian Contreras, has asked the city to show all surveillance footage of the incident and name the police officers involved. Contreras called the incident a “straight murder.” “A disabled man, double amputee, murdered by the police department officers, and we’re here making demands. We’re not making requests. We’re making demands,” Contreras said at a news conference on Feb. 2. Viral...
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Seven more Memphis police officers are facing discipline in the aftermath of Tyre Nichols’ death, according to City Attorney Jessica Sink. The officers will be given an internal statement of charges, which will inform them of policy violations. Sink stated that a hearing and written decision will follow. CNN reported that the action is not criminal in nature, but Sink stated that the final round of charges will be filed this week. Next week, the agency will hold administrative hearings. Six officers have already been fired for their roles in the incident, five of whom have been charged criminally with...
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In 2022, the economy proved as volatile as ever, with less disposable income and greater unpredictability. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Consumer Price Index, inflation in the United States peaked at 9.1 percent in July 2022 and dropped to 7.1 percent by November 2022. A new study found that more people are having to spend all their income on necessities, and they are counting on their next salary to meet the costs they’ll incur until then. Researchers discovered that many people of higher socioeconomic status have had their first taste of living paycheck to paycheck this year....
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As 2022 closed, Black Americans saw gains with historic candidates and timely legislation. President Joe Biden signed the Emmett Till Antilynching Act and later, the Respect for Marriage Act, which protected interracial marriages. A slim majority in Congress prevented other significant bills from reaching the president’s desk. As Black History Month begins, there remains key issues that African Americans want to see happen. A December poll of Black voters revealed that African Americans want the government to do more to fight white supremacy. That FBI helped underscore that need when it issued a report noting that hate crimes disproportionately target...
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Probably no two groups of people in the history of popular music have ever had more devoted followers than Michael Jackson and Beyoncé. Fans of the Beatles and Elvis Presley have been known to be a bit fanatical and even a little bit crazy. Like the late King of Pop, though, Beyoncé’s fanbase (the Beyhive) is unrivalled. The two are so revered that even A-list celebrities pay their respects to them. Pop’s undisputed king and queen have devotees who have shown or expressed a willingness to mortgage their homes, max up their credit cards, and even sell body parts just...
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What you don’t know about Miles Jaye is why he continues to promote concert events in Jacksonville at his own expense. Valentine’s Day, Tuesday, February 14th will be his sixth such event. Two at the Times Union, one at the Ritz, one at the former Lexington Hotel and Valentine’s Day will be his second at the WJCT Soundstage. The accurate or exact number of events is not what you’re likely to find most interesting, but what modern marketers call his “Why?”. Why does he continue to present these events in some of Jacksonville’s premier venues to seemingly no actual...
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Almost every city I’ve worked in has been a college town. College students would always call me and inquire about doing internships. I would tell the aspiring journalists, “OK, what can you do?”, and most of the upper-level students would tell me, “I’m in school. I don’t know how to do anything professional.” They didn’t want to volunteer and learn, they wanted to get paid internships. I told them to get a skill and holler back at me. It appears that most journalism students want a “media sugar daddy”, or someone that will put them on the payroll for non-media...
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I can remember my dad saying to me that discretion is the greater part of valor. That line was made famous by Falstaff in King Henry the Fourth, Part one by William Shakespeare. Simply put, it is better to avoid a dangerous situation than to confront it. All of us have been in situations that could have gone wrong had we made the wrong decision. Are we making the right or wrong decision about COVID-19? As far back as grade school, I can recall peer pressure before the term was coined. A few of my friends wanted to do the...
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The Sunshine State is a top global destination for retirees, with over 20% of Florida's 22 million residents aged 65 and above. As the Baby Boomer generation reaches retirement age, there is ongoing discussion about the future of Medicare. Medicare Advantage plans are becoming increasingly popular compared to Medicare Supplement plans (also known as Medigap plans) and advertisements for Advantage plans often feature on evening news programs. The Trouble with Advantage Plans The growth of Medicare Advantage plans in recent years does not guarantee that this trend will continue without challenges. These plans have come under increased scrutiny due to...
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Heinous and horrific are two words that come to mind after watching the video of the police beating of Tyre Nichols. Like you, I viewed this senseless act and wondered, how do you lose your life over a traffic stop? How do you sound the way you do and act the way you do over a traffic stop? Yet 5 police officers in Memphis Tennessee sounded and acted in a way that led them to unleash a terror attack on Tyre Nichols. I watched this tirade feeling numb and sick. The question which we have asked before is why is...
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You can buy all the chocolate and red roses you want, but “whoever does not love, does not know God, says the book of John, chapter 4, verse 8. Because it goes on to say, “GOD IS LOVE.”. Now, to be clear, the Apostle John did not write the part about the chocolate and roses, but he was clear on the matter of refusing or failing to love as evidence of not knowing God. Skip ahead to the New Testament definitions of love that I mentioned in the previous essay where it says, “whoever does not love”, it means, whoever...
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Two proposals aimed at curbing the spread of assault rifles were submitted today by Democratic senators Dianne Feinstein of California, and Richard Blumenthal and Chris Murphy of Connecticut. The Assault Weapons Ban seeks to prohibit the commercialization, distribution, production, and importation of assault rifles and other firearms designed for use in military operations, as well as high-capacity magazines and similar devices. On January 22, a gunman opened fire on a crowd celebrating the Lunar New Year in Monterey Park, California, killing 11 and wounding 9. The Democrats’ proposed Age 21 Act would make it illegal to sell or buy an...
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Nationwide — Travis Scott’s Waymon Webster Scholarship Fund provides financial support to HBCU students in their senior year who are facing financial challenges to ensure they can graduate on schedule. The scholarship is led by the vision of Travis Scott and his family, who has a long history of involvement in HBCUs. Both his parents and his sister attended HBCUs while his brother is currently enrolled also in an HBCU. The scholarship fund is named after his grandfather Waymon Webster, who attended Prairie View A&M Graduate School and served as its dean. Since this initiative is close to his heart,...
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Starting on February 1, 2023, the San Juan Marriott Beach Resort & Stelaris Casino in Puerto Rico will play host to the Midwinter Training Conference of the National Newspaper Publishers Association, the trade association for more than 230 African American-owned newspapers and media companies in the United States. Salsa music and lessons, food, drinks, and a welcome message from NNPA Chair Karen Carter Richards, President & CEO Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis Jr., Convention Chair Terry B. Jones, and several NNPA partners and sponsors kick off the conference, which is appropriately titled “Digital Innovation, Training, and Engagement of the Black Press...
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The Thiokol Memorial Project (TMP) Museum, located at 115 South Lee St. in Kingsland, GA, will host the annual 52nd Thiokol Commemorative Ceremony. This year’s theme is: "Their Spirit illuminates the City on the Hill." Our mission is to "Remember-Honor-Educate. The Ceremony is February 3, 2023, at 10:00 AM at the Camden County PSA Complex, 1050 Wildcat Drive, Kingsland, GA 31548. For more information call TMP at 912.576.1760 or e-mail us at thiokolmemorial020371@gmail.com. Each year we strive our utmost to pay homage to our Patriots and Heroes in a measure worthy of their service, impact, and sacrifice. Our future mission is...
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The National Council of Negro Women, Inc. (NCNW) said that Shavon Arline-Bradley would be the first president and CEO of the organization. After 88 years, the organization said it has changed its governance structure to work more efficiently. Dr. A. Lois Keith, the new board chair of NCNW, said, “We’re excited to have Shavon as our new president and CEO.” “She is an extraordinary communicator, and her expertise in the areas of public health and social justice is impressive.” Keith predicted that Arline-Bradley would do better than expected because “these are the areas in which NCNW would like to continue,...
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Fort Lauderdale, Fl—The 2022 election was a brutal year for Florida Democrats. The devastating losses pushed the state into the red political category. But Rick Hoye, an eighth grade teacher says, “Not so fast.” The 42-year-old chair of Broward’s Democratic Executive Committee says a fresh approach using wining strategies will put the Florida Democratic Party back in the winners circle. “I will be a working chairman. I know how to build campaign mechanisms that work. To win local, legislative, congressional, and statewide we must have a diverse array of strategies tailored to each region.” The Florida Democratic Party took much...
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ATLANTA — Philanthropist and businesswoman Gelila Assefa Puck has joined the newly formed advisory board of the Center for Studies on Africa and Its Diaspora (CSAD) at Georgia State University. Puck is partner and global creative director for the Wolfgang Puck group of companies and oversees overall brand creative direction, including restaurant interior design and aesthetic. She is married to famed chef and global restaurateur Wolfgang Puck. The Pucks have two sons, Oliver and Alexander. She is also founder of the Dream For Future Africa Foundation. She was born in Ethiopia, where her philanthropic and community work has focused on...
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Jacksonville, Fla. — WJCT Public Media, in partnership with VyStar Credit Union, will present its 8th annual TEACH Conference on Saturday, February 25, 2023. This day-long conference for voluntary prekindergarten (VPK) through 5th grade educators will be held at the Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront. TEACH will feature two national keynote speakers, as well as 21 concurrent educational breakout sessions throughout the day. Ralph Smith, managing director of the Campaign for Grade-Level Reading, will deliver the morning keynote address. Since 2010, Smith has forged national consensus around the goal of ensuring children reach the critical developmental milestone of reading on grade level...
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I feel so sorry for the family of the Black man that was fatally injured after he was beaten for three minutes after being pulled over and accused of reckless driving in Memphis by Black law enforcers. “Death by police” is something that everyone in every Black community believes could happen. Similar situations have been happening in America for 400 years. Police misconduct in America was not something that was imagined, designed and perpetrated by brothers and sisters of African descent. It appears that the Blacks in blue may have learned how to treat Black men and women by observing...
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Polluted air causes a variety of health concerns. People who are already unwell are particularly vulnerable. Children and the elderly are particularly hard hit. Air pollution may cause respiratory problems, heart disease, and even lung cancer. The most common illnesses caused by air pollution are chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), ischemic heart disease, stroke, and lung cancer. Lung development is hampered, leading to emphysema, asthma, and other respiratory illnesses. Fine particulate particles may compromise blood vessel function and accelerate artery calcification. Toxic chemicals may cause breast cancer, leukemia, and lung cancer. Air pollution may also disrupt the nervous, reproductive, and...
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Editor’s note: This commentary is provided by the Medical Marijuana Education and Research Initiative (MMERI) of Florida A&M University. Under Florida’s medical marijuana law, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a qualifying condition for treatment as recommended by a qualified medical marijuana physician. But the law gives doctors some flexibility on treating ailments “of the same kind or class as or comparable to the others listed.” So, people struggling with, say, chronic bouts of anxiety, depression, or insomnia — symptoms of PTSD — may be eligible to receive a Medical Marijuana Use Registry identification card. “There's no one pharmacological agent or...
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College football season is over as conference championships and post-season opportunities have all been decided. When you look over the season, HBCU football teams were in the news and a part of everyone’s conversation a regular basis. Fayetteville State University, Tuskegee University, Florida A&M University had stellar seasons. Jackson State University defeated Southern University 43-24 to win the SWAC championship. North Carolina Central University, champions of the MEAC defeated Jackson State University in the Cricket Celebration Bowl. The final score in overtime was 41-34. It was held at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta Georgia on December 17, 2022. Deion Sanders...
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Jacksonville, Fla., - Buffalo Bills defensive back Damar Hamlin’s shocking cardiac arrest during a recent game against the Cincinnati Bengals highlights the importance of CPR when the heart fails and serves as a reminder that quick action and knowing what to do is necessary to saving one’s life. Hamlin’s swift treatment on the field from the medical staff on both NFL teams prior to him being transported to the hospital was critical and likely helped save his life. Unfortunately, when medical emergencies requiring CPR occur within the African American community, a positive outcome is not always achieved. Nationally, there is...
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Now, several federal agencies announced they would collaborate to compile data on discriminatory housing practices. The pressure on the government to do something about rising housing costs has resulted in the Biden administration announcing major new initiatives to safeguard tenants and make renting more affordable. Now, several federal agencies announced they would collaborate to compile data on discriminatory housing practices. A non-binding “Blueprint for a Renters Bill of Rights” is also included to provide clear instructions for tenants to continue living in moderately priced rentals. In addition, the White House is issuing a rallying cry called the “Resident-Centered Housing Challenge,”...
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Apostle Carolyn B. Hughes was born to the late Mrs. Lillie Marie Walker and the late Mr. James Powell on March 17, 1954. Born and raised in Macclenny, Florida, she was united in Holy Matrimony to the late World War II Veteran Edward S. Hughes, Sr.. During the beautiful union three children was born; Edward Jr., Coteza and Lazedra. Apostle Carolyn B. Hughes received her “Heavenly Wings and Golden Halo” on January 9, 2023 in Gainesville, Florida to be with the Lord. Her precious memories will be cherish by children; Edward Jr, Cotzea and Lazedra. Sister; Prophetess Hilda Harrison and...
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Northeast Florida Chapters of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. Held their 2nd Annual Founders Day Luncheon and Worship at The Potter’s House International Ministries, Bishop Vaughn Mclaughlin is Founder and Senior Pastor. Celebrating 103 Years of Service, Scholarship, Sisterhood, Finer-Womanhood. The Northeast Florida of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority would be remiss not to pay homage to the Five Founders who believed in affecting positive change, and who possessed a great deal of modesty, strength of character, and pride in academic achievement. Founders Arizona Cleaver Stemons, Pearl Anna Neal, Myrtle Tyler Faithful, Viola Tyler Goings, and Fannie Pettie Watts, envisioned Zeta...
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JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Miraculous. Incredible. Unprecedented. Those are all words that describe what will go down as the greatest game and comeback in Jaguars history. Doug Pederson, Trevor Lawrence, and their never-say-die bunch fought back from a 27-point deficit and the worst half of football in Lawrence’s life to stun the visiting Los Angeles Chargers 31-30 in their AFC wild card playoff game Saturday. Coming into the 2022 NFL season, there were not too many reasons for optimism concerning the Jacksonville Jaguars. Last year, they finished with only three wins. Owner Shad Khan looked to make a splash on the...
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Hope is the sum total of my desires. Expectations are the expressions of my beliefs. Both are closely embedded in a man named King. My faith, on the other hand, was born of a man named Christ. For some reason, a distinction was made on the subconscious level between faith and hope. There, I concluded hope was the thing on which to hang my faith. At an early age, I related to all that defined the King movement, most importantly, justice. Young and poor, I hoped for better days. I expected life to fulfill promises based on effort and excellence....
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Each Black inhabitant of San Francisco, including those arrested during the racist war on drugs, should receive a one-time, lump-sum payment of million from the African American Reparations Advisory Committee. Assuming the city council approves the proposal, it would be the largest payment of reparations in American history. In a study released this week, members of the San Francisco African American Reparations Advisory Committee noted, “We have ultimately established that the repercussions of numerous programmatic and policy actions by San Francisco’s administration have been generational and overlapping.” Committee members asserted that most prominent period that illustrates how the city...
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Thankfully, I have not lost all of my senses. I’m still not talking with inanimate objects. This last week of watching the Republicans fumble the victory they won in November has been mind-blowing. However, as the old Black preacher used to say, I am still “clothed in my right mind!” That being said, I must admit that ghosts and spirits are still within my purview. From time to time, I “conversate,” kick it and confer with the sages of history. If you follow me, you know Dr. Martin King exchanges ideas with me annually. This interview is the 2023 version...
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Recent Census numbers show that the Biden-Harris administration set a new high for the number of new small businesses created. The U.S. SBA administrator, Isabella Guzman, stated that the rate of new business applications in 2022 was slightly lower than in 2021, but still showed excellent growth under President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris. According to Guzman, “Small business applications hit a high of 10.5 million since the start of this administration, the largest in any two years in our nation’s history.” The report’s authors state, “Steady and consistent growth, as well as unprecedented investments in infrastructure, manufacturing,...
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The U.S. Department of Education announced million in new five-year Full-Service Community Schools (FSCS) grants to support 42 local educational agencies, non-profits, and other public or private organizations and institutions of higher education working to expand existing community schools or to establish new programs in eight new states and territories. Those locations include Alabama, Alaska, Louisiana, Maryland, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Puerto Rico. Additionally, the District of Columbia Public Schools received a 2,000 capacity building and development grant. The Department of Education said it is working to create new programs or expand existing community schools. “Meeting the...
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Proclamations, celebrations and declarations were all part of the activities around the national Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday. We honored and lifted high the name of this great Civil Rights leader. Our America has marched and demonstrated for equal rights over the years. This call for equality has not stopped and will not stop until the shackles of injustice have been taken off. The road to equity and fairness has been littered with potholes and pitfalls. The King Holiday which we honor each year happened because we the people made it happen. Our insistence and persistence served as catalysts...
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I hope The Gantt Report readers enjoyed their day off work by doing something positive on the recent Martin Luther King holiday. I loved Dr. King. My grandmother’s house was only two doors away from the King family home on Atlanta’s famed Auburn Avenue. I also attended the same high school as Dr. King’s daughter, Yolanda. At a very young age, I learned from Dr. King to never fear the enemies of African Americans and the exploiters of Black communities. I stopped going to MLK holiday celebrations decades ago because I didn’t want to march, pray and hold hands with...
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Did we win? Those were the first words written by Damar Hamlin, Buffalo Bills safety after regaining consciousness. The doctors said, “Yes, Damar, you won. You won the game of life.” On Monday Night Football, Hamlin suffered cardiac arrest after making a tackle on Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver, Tee Higgins. Watching this unfold on national prime time television was shocking and unnerving. My immediate reaction was that it was concussion related. If you recall just a few weeks ago, Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa got up after being hit on a play and then fell back to the ground. By...
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I felt sorry for President Joe Biden’s Press secretary when conservative journalists badgered her about government documents found at Biden’s home and his old office. They asked the same or similar questions over and over and it seemed to frustrate the African American press secretary. She’ll never ask me how to handle reporters that try to sensationalize press briefings. She tried to change lanes in the discussion but the reporters would not let up. Hmmm? I would have said two things, “If you keep asking me questions I’ve already answered, the press briefing is over” and “I won’t tell you...
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Former Super Bowl Champion Calvin Muhammad passed last week at the age of 64. The Jacksonville native was drafted with the 17th Pick in the 12th Round by the then “Los Angeles” Raiders of the NFL in 1980 out of Texas Southern University, in Houston Texas. During his professional football career, Muhammad played with four teams over five seasons, including the Raiders (1982-1983) where he played in Super Bowl VXIII, the Washington Commanders (1984-1985) when they were the “Redskins”, the Toronto Argonauts of the (CFL) and the Los Angeles (San Diego) Chargers in 1987. During his career, he played in...
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Ms. Rinetta McLaughlin Fefie and Xavier Paul Fefie, daughter and grandson of Ms. Clara McLaughlin, Owner/Publisher of The Florida Star Newspaper, arrived in Jacksonville, Florida on Saturday, January 7, 2023. Ms. Fefie and son traveled from Texas to Jacksonville, Florida for a short sabbatical. On Sunday morning, January 8, 2023, Ms. Fefie and son Xavier took time out to visit with her mother Clara McLaughlin’s home church, New Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church where Rev. Dr. Marion A. Wise is Senior Pastor and First Lady Nikasha Wise welcomed them heartily with open arms during 11:00 am morning worship service. Ms. Fefie...
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Hey Guys, it’s me! I’m back! I know it’s been a long time since I’ve written… I’ve missed you. See, I gave up on what felt like relevance and decided no one was listening anyway, so why bother? What a horrible feeling… the feeling that you, or your voice, no longer matters. I kept expecting to resume the whole writing thing in a month, then two, then six, and now it’s been a year and I have a huge decision to make-- to write, to speak, to be… or not? Imagine, it took Valentine’s Day to trigger the epiphany that...
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It’s possible that after the bitter campaign for House Speaker ended on January 7th, Americans – especially Black Americans – felt a strong sense of déjà vu. New York Democratic Rep. Hakeem Jeffries provided a masterclass on leadership and served up a clear reminder of what an up-and-coming senator from Illinois named Barack Obama once did during a divided America. “Progress asserted itself tonight, manifested in [Hakeem] Jeffries, even amidst a hostile takeover of the House by neo–fascists,” Jason Randolph of Vote.org commented. Randolph said Jeffries delivered “what’s likely the best political speech not given by Obama in generations.” On...
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A growing number of Black doctors are using social media to reach vaccine-wary members of their communities. Dr. Kristamarie Collman, a family medicine physician in Orlando, is one of them. A TikTok sensation, Dr. Collman has reached more than 500,000 people with trendy videos, in which she pokes holes in common misconceptions about the COVID-19 vaccine. “I felt as though it was my responsibility as a physician to make sure that I was spreading correct information, especially on social media,” Dr. Collman said in a recent interview. “I want people to know that as a Black woman, as a Black...
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In his fourth game starting, rookie quarterback Desmond Ridder threw the first two touchdowns of his career to seal a 30-17 win over Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Sunday in Atlanta. Ridder was able to lead the Falcons in its first victory over Tom Brady who previously was 11-0 against the Falcons. Brady broke his own record for most attempts and completions in a single season during Sunday’s game did not play after the first half. Tyler Allgeier added to Ridder’s showing with a 135-yard rushing performance on 24 carries including a long gain on a 28-yard run...
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JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Week 18 in the NFL is the last week of the regular season, and across the league, division rivals usually meet, in many cases with playoff implications. Saturday’s meeting between the Jacksonville Jaguars and Tennessee Titans was no different. The home-team Jaguars looked to secure their first playoff birth since the 2017 season, in which they advanced to the AFC championship game. Those Jaguars featured head coach Doug Marrone, Calais Campbell, and Blake Bortles. In that game, they led the New England Patriots and Tom Brady with eight minutes remaining in the fourth quarter before the greatest...
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In a filing sent to the U.S. Supreme Court this week, the Department of Justice agreed with President Joe Biden’s plan to forgive student loans. In 2022, the president promised to forgive all outstanding student loan debt for millions of borrowers, up to a maximum of ,000 each. Republicans are leading the way in suing the federal government to stop the plan. The Department of Justice, however, said last week in a court filing that Biden’s actions are perfectly legal. Lawyers from the Department of Justice said that Congress gave the president “clear permission” to go ahead with his plan....
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JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team won their first bowl game under the leadership of first-year head coach Marcus Freeman Friday at the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl in Jacksonville. The Irish started slowly and fell behind by as many as 14 points in the first half before storming back in the second half and imposing their will in the ground game to close their season with a back-and-forth 45-38 victory over the South Carolina Gamecocks. The Irish were balanced offensively, with 294 passing yards and 265 rushing. With no Michael Mayer, their most trusted and dangerous offensive...
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Our New Year 2023 has begun which means leaving the old behind and embracing the new. According to reports the first celebration of the new year happened over 4,000 years ago to the time of ancient Babylon. Of course, we are thankful for what transpired in 2022. Was it all good and perfect? No, it wasn’t as we had our downfalls and pitfalls. Being a long-standing member of the 4th quarter, I paid attention to all health-relaters matters. Throughout last year, COVID-19 was with us, and we were urged by healthcare professionals to get vaccinated. Unfortunately, in the eyes of...
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Polluted air causes a variety of health concerns. People who are already unwell are particularly vulnerable. Children and the elderly are particularly hard hit. Air pollution may cause respiratory problems, heart disease, and even lung cancer. The most common illnesses caused by air pollution are chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), ischemic heart disease, stroke, and lung cancer. Lung development is hampered, leading to emphysema, asthma, and other respiratory illnesses. Fine particulate particles may compromise blood vessel function and accelerate artery calcification. Toxic chemicals may cause breast cancer, leukemia, and lung cancer. Air pollution may also disrupt the nervous, reproductive, and...
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Nationwide — Sharon Lemond, a 77-year-old woman from Houston, Texas, is being recognized for her over five decades of service as a teacher in the Houston Independent School District. Lemond started her teaching career in January 1968 during integration. She first taught at Field Elementary School, an all-Caucasian school where she became one of the first Black teachers in the crossover program. She said things were not easy at that time. “I would walk down the hallways and sometimes people wouldn’t even speak,” Sharon told KHOU. “I would say, ‘Good morning,’ and nobody would say anything.” Over the years, she said a...
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The New Year can often bring goals and expectations that are impossible to keep up with. Instead of focusing on what you’re not getting done, take the time to think about what you really want to achieve. After all, goals represent things you want the most, and the best way to make yourself happy is by making goals that are achievable. The important thing to remember about setting and creating goals for yourself is having a plan of how you’re going to get there. Ask yourself, how am I going to accomplish this goal? Having big resolutions and plans for yourself is...
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The unpaid work of Black women is the foundation of this country's economic and political structures. Despite the significance of our contributions, our work must be more consistently valued and equitably paid. It is a tradition that we must be intentional about how Black women are honored, celebrated, supported, and protected. During Trevor Noah’s sign-off from the Daily Show, on Dec. 8, 2022, after a 7-year sent, he gave a special shout-out to Black women, stating that “If you truly want to learn about America, talk to Black women cause, unlike everybody else, Blackwomen can’t afford to fxck around and...
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It’s an illusion. When actress Naomi Ackie stands with her back to the camera, you stare at her clothes, wigs, physique and mannerisms and get tricked into thinking that’s Whitney Houston. Then she turns around, and it’s not. It’s a recurring mirage. A string of images that give Houston fans something to cling to. Veteran record executive Clive Davis met with screenwriter Anthony McCarten (Queen biopic Bohemian Rhapsody), enlisted the aid of Gary and Pat Houston (Houston’s brother and sister-in-law) and this production evolved. Davis knew the singer’s musical feats; her family understood her personal story and McCarten created a...
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ATLANTA — "It's surreal that we're actually doing it," states Hereafter Farms Co-Founder Farrakhan Ali. Their plan is to create a self-sustaining town where they and over 100 families will grow their own food, teach their own children, build sustainable housing, and develop businesses to create a healthy economic ecosystem that expands far beyond the community itself. "When I started there were only a few of us. It was the height of the pandemic and I think we were all forced to think differently. I thought to myself, if there was ever a time to move towards self-sufficiency, this is...
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The Falcons faced the Baltimore Ravens on the road in a contest they had to win to keep themselves in the running for an NFC South playoff spot. Due to continued issues with offense, the Falcons would come up short losing 17-9 to the Ravens and being eliminated from playoff contention. This would prove to be a low scoring game in the frigid cold and wind chill at M&T Bank Stadium with the Falcons trying to break a losing streak that had been following them in five of their last six games. The Falcons found themselves trying to claw back...
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‘Twas the night before Christmas when all through the house not a creature was stirring not even a mouse. These are lines from the classic Christmas poem by Clement Clarke Moore in 1822. You probably heard this poem a few times recently. I hope you had a Merry Christmas and I wish for you a Happy New Year. The buildup to the Christmas season featured gifts and gift-giving. Sales and discounts were highlighted in newspapers and online shopping was non-stop. Adults participated in Black Friday sales trying to get their purchases at the lowest price possible. So now, we can...
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President Joe Biden said he promised to lower costs for families and ensure that all Americans have access to quality affordable health care. On Tuesday, Dec. 27, the president proclaimed that he’d delivered on that promise. A record number of people – nearly 11.5 million – signed up for insurance on HealthCare.gov – about 1.8 million more and an 18% increase over last year. With enrollment remaining open through Jan. 15, and not counting those who signed up for coverage through their state marketplaces, Biden said gains like those have helped to drive down the uninsured rate to eight percent,...
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We’ve all heard the age-old saying that “hard work pays off.” But, sometimes, working too hard can do more harm than good. “Burnout” is a form of work-related stress in which an individual experiences physical, emotional or mental exhaustion caused by their job’s demands. It can also make workers feel distanced from their jobs and engender negative feelings about them, according to the World Health Organization. Although it cannot be medically diagnosed, burnout can lead people to lose their sense of self and feel as if they are not accomplishing enough. Since the arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic, the American...
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Shaneka Ferrell, a Duval County Public School counselor at Douglas Anderson School for the Arts was recently selected as the winner of the Wolfburg Fellowship for Social Justice in Education. Established in 2020, the Wolfburg Fellowship at the Jacksonville Public Education Fund advances the work of public school teachers committed to social justice in Duval County and provides ,000 for educators to deepen their knowledge around issues related to social justice, diversity and inclusion, and to implement an aligned action research project in partnership with students. Ferrell will use the funding to attend conferences for school counselors to discover best practices in...
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Congresswoman Frederica S. Wilson (D-Fla.) introduced the American Teacher Act to incentivize states to increase the minimum K-12 teacher salary to ,000 and adjust inflation. Wilson, the chair of the Higher Education and Workforce Investment Subcommittee, said the financial incentive supports ongoing state efforts to provide competitive wages for teachers and address the national teacher shortage. “Teachers deserve a raise. Unfortunately, our nation’s teachers have been underpaid, overworked, and deprived of resources for too long,” Wilson stated. “That’s why I’m filing the American Teacher Act, to give our nation’s teachers the raise they have earned and deserve.” Wilson called teachers...
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Dr. Claudine Gay, the dean of Harvard’s Faculty of Arts and Sciences, becomes just the second woman to hold the post as University president in the institution’s history. The university was founded in 1636. Dr. Gay will take office in July 2023. “Claudine is a remarkable leader who is profoundly devoted to sustaining and enhancing Harvard’s academic excellence, to championing both the value and the values of higher education and research, to expanding opportunity, and to strengthening Harvard as a fount of ideas and a force for good in the world,” Penny Pritzker, senior fellow of the Harvard Corporation and...
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You don’t have to be Black to celebrate Kwanzaa. You don’t. Though the celebrations center around African traditions and Black Culture- to honor the principles year-round as a community is the goal. Kwanzaa has nothing to do with specific religions. Celebrations for that day call for people to have faith (Imani). The first principle and day is Umoja (December 26) and we will be saluting Kings and Queens at the Ritz. Filled with small business owners and vendors, the first day is a community tradition. Come shop with local vendors, learn about the holiday, and unify with the community. There...
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The 2022 Cricket Celebration Bowl lived up to its billing, as Jackson State University, champions of the SWAC and North Carolina Central University, champions of the MEAC left the fans in attendance with exciting and sad memories. Before a record crowd at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, the Eagles (10-2) defeated the Tigers (12-1) by the score of 41-34 in first-ever overtime in Celebration Bowl history. Coming into the game, it was the first time in school history that Jackson State ever had an undefeated record (12-0) to complete the SWAC & regular season. NCCU would go on get into...
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In major U.S. cities, officials have either ramped up or dialogued about efforts to reduce homelessness, with New York City Mayor Eric Adams announcing plans to place the unhoused with severe untreated mental illness into hospitals among the strategies employed. Now, the Biden-Harris administration has decided to roll out a national push to reduce homelessness by 25% in two years. Titled “All In: The Federal Strategic Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness,” the initiative, announced on Dec. 19, would mandate federal officials to intervene. Various government agencies would work with states and cities to target unsheltered homelessness. In addition, the...
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Nationwide — Quincy Howard, a sophomore at Georgia Tech in Atlanta, Georgia, made history when he won almost ,000 on Wheel of Fortune after quickly guessing the correct answer in the bonus round. On November 28th, Howard appeared on the show as part of an ongoing college-week series. He had taken the top spot, already winning ,750 as he went on to the bonus round. In the bonus round, Howard had to guess the puzzle from the “People” category within 10 seconds. It didn’t even take long since the timer started when Howard correctly answered “Kids at play.” According to...
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The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) has announced an historic, .6 billion investment over the next five years to electrify its delivery fleet. The USPS investment includes electrifying 75% of its new purpose-built Next Generation Delivery Vehicles (NGDV) and a commitment to acquire 100% electric NGDVs starting in 2026. With the announcement, federal officials said the USPS “demonstrates how it is leading by example for the Federal Government in achieving President Biden’s charge to electrify the U.S. Government’s 650,000 vehicles.” The .6 billion investment – which includes billion in funding from the Inflation Reduction Act – installs modern charging infrastructure...
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Christmas time is approaching, and we are checking the naughty and nice list to see where we are. It is a special season where we especially practice kindness, humility and forgiveness. This year as it comes to a close has been marked and marred by political strife and turmoil. Midterm elections were unpredictable, suspenseful and stressful too, depending upon your candidate and whether they won or lost. The Senate seat in Georgia was won in a runoff by Democratic incumbent, Raphael Warnock as he defeated Republican challenger, Herschel Walker. The Democrats now have solid control of the Senate which helps...
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From self-driving cars that can’t detect folks with darker skin to keep from running them over, to digital assistants like Siri that have trouble understanding non-White accents, technology is biased, and it is hurting Black folks. “A lot of people will look toward technology as the end all, be all solution to a lot of social issues, but often social issues are not solved by technology, and technology often exacerbates these social issues,” said Cierra Robson, associate director of the Ida B. Wells Just Data Lab which brings students, educators, and activists together to develop creative approaches to data conception,...
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I began my media career at 17 years old when I was hired by WSB-TV, Atlanta’s largest and most famous television station. The year was 1968. At that time, I didn’t know I would have a long media career, I just wanted a job. After graduating from high school, my mother told me, “You have two weeks to celebrate, after that, you have to give me a week to stay here.” When WSB hired me, I didn’t have a journalism degree. In fact, there were about 30 employees in the newsroom and only two of them studied journalism. What...
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I will not be silent on the issues of racial hatred, violence, and prejudice. I am speaking out publicly in support of the recent call by billionaire African American business leader and philanthropist, Robert F. Smith, to stand up against the resurgence of racism and antisemitism in America. Blacks and Jews in the United States have had a long history and tradition of working together and sacrificing together for freedom, justice, equality and equity. Lest we forget that we have marched together for over a century. We have shared blood together. And we have died together for the cause of...
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JACKSONVILLE, Fla. –The Jacksonville Jaguars hoped to catch a distracted Dallas Cowboys team looking past them Sunday. Instead, they found what looked like a well-oiled machine readying itself for a playoff run and preparing for a showdown with the best team in football the week after. That apparently meant nothing to the home team. The Cowboys led by as many as 17 points, but the Jaguars refused to roll over. Jacksonville threw for more than 300 yards, rushed for almost 200 yards and pulled off an overtime upset, 40-34 against the favored visitors for their first win against an NFC...
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Valencia Weaver, a doting grandmother who has dedicated herself to nursing, has started a new career as a children’s author, debuting her first Christmas themed book ‘Wynter Skye’s First Christmas With Family’. The book was made available on online platforms like Amazon on December 13, 2022. Like the other books in the Wynter Skye Adventure series illustrated by Guarav Bhatnagar, the lead protagonist is based on Weaver’s own granddaughter. Her target audience is kindergarten and early elementary-aged children and she encourages parents and grandparents to read the books to them as a way to bond. “As the title indicates, ‘Wynter...
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The Falcons debuted their quarterback of the future in rookie Desmond Ridder, drafted in the third round from Cincinnati hoping spark the offense to life with the last few weeks and chances to reach the playoffs as the season winds down. The Saints however, who also are fighting for post season play had other plans and spoiled it for the rookie behind Andy Dalton and Taysom Hill’s three touchdown passes in a 20-18 win Sunday in New Orleans. The Falcons defense which has allowed 313 coming into Sunday’s contest allowed the Saints and early jump and from there it was...
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Jacksonville, Fla. –– The Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens announced today that it has received a [post_excerpt] million capacity-building and strategic planning grant from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. This is the first time that the Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens has received an award from this prestigious foundation, which is the nation’s largest supporter of the arts and humanities. The Mellon Foundation, which does not accept unsolicited grant proposals, invited the Museum to apply for a grant through its Arts and Culture program in March 2022. The grant is categorized by the foundation as a “Visionary Leaders”...
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Ben Frazier the President of the Northside Coalition of Jacksonville was arrested and charged December 14, 2022 with a misdemeanor trespassing and resisting arrest without violence because he refused to leave the podium after his approved 95 seconds of public comment had elapsed. How can the public participate in Jacksonville City Council meeting? Well, the COJ.net – Frequently Asked Questions says “Those wishing to address the Council during the public comments period, are asked to fill out a speaker’s request card (name, date, address, bill number or subject), which are available before and during the Council meeting. Each speaker is...
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In her first act in office, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass will declare a state of emergency against homelessness in an announcement at Los Angeles’ Emergency Operations Center. The new Mayor asserts that the move “will allow her to take aggressive executive actions to confront the homelessness crisis in Los Angeles. The declaration will recognize the severity of Los Angeles’ crisis and break new ground to maximize the ability to urgently move people inside.” On November 16, 2021, during an interview on Black Press USA’s daily morning show Let It Be Known, Bass spoke on homelessness saying it was “a humanitarian crisis,” and added...
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Nationwide — Meet Willie “Bill” Dawson, a World War II veteran from St. Louis, Missouri, who is now 108 years old. He says that his secret to a long life is mainly staying active all the time. When he was young, Dawson fought in World War II as a Buffalo Soldier, a member of the 92nd Infantry Division. He fulfilled overseas duty in Italy for 17 months. In his personal life, he says that he has also been active at church for over 90 years where he has ushered and held multiple official roles. For more than 2 decades, he...
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ESPN has a programming component called “Instant Classics” They are sporting events that we want to watch again because of their excitement. Sports is a part of the American culture. That is how it has always been and will always be. As Jim McKay ABC commentator said years ago, it is the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat. The story of Brittney Griner captured our attention because of her detention and subsequent jailing in a Russian prison. Her release last week created instant happiness for her family, friends and simply all of us. Finally, after 294 days of...
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Man is a social being. We need some interaction with other people to avoid loneliness and have some moments in our life to laugh, play, have fun. When our need for social relationships is not met, we break down mentally and physically. Lack of interaction and lack of connection brings about the emotional discomfort we know as loneliness. Loneliness brings negative emotions and thoughts that play like a soundtrack in our mind. They destroy our health. Despite all this, loneliness cannot be considered abnormal. We all have felt it at some point or the other. According to University of Chicago...
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Several people have asked me why Rev. Rafael Warnock won his reelection campaign. Well, we all know he faced an unqualified opponent that was hand-picked by Donald Trump, the so-called Russian Babayka. What most people didn’t know was Warnock was victorious because he did exactly what The Gantt Report said all candidates should do, Warnock fought hard for votes “in enemy territories”! The preacher even went to his opponent’s hometown in Wrightsville, Georgia and got votes there. In fact, Warnock outperformed and got more votes in Republican districts in Georgia than America’s favorite, Stacey Abrams, and President Joe Biden. I...
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Back in August, I wrote that getting “back-to-school” this year would also mean getting back to fighting far-right attacks on education. The threats included a rising number of efforts to ban books, and the Right’s efforts to take over local school boards. So how did the Right do in this fall’s school board elections? Well, as in Congress, there was no conservative “Red Wave.” However, the Right did score just enough wins to keep coming back. And the groups behind those wins are promising to do just that. According to news reports, about half the candidates endorsed by one national...
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There is a universal message heavily ingrained in our society for people to set aside their feelings for the sake of a peaceful and joyous holiday season with loved ones. Some of the common phrases you might hear are: “forgive and forget,” “be the bigger person,” “swallow your pride,” “they are family/your friend,” or “they might not be around much longer.” While these messages can be well-intentioned with the hope of trying to gather all of your loved ones for holiday gatherings, they can pose serious risks to those experiencing estranged relationships. An estrangement is a separation between loved ones (friends or...
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Florida A&M University Commencement Speaker Attorney John Morgan exhorted fall 2022 graduates with a mixture of humor and wisdom. Addressing approximately 600 graduates from the University’s dozen colleges and schools in the Al Lawson Jr. Multipurpose Center on Friday evening, the founder of Morgan & Morgan shared time-honored aphorisms he hoped graduates would use as they made their way in the world. “There’s a big difference in dreaming and living your dreams. My hope is that you get to live your dreams. Visionaries are a dime a dozen. The vision maker is the rarity; that is the person who lives...
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The African Diaspora in the United States is a source of strength. It encompasses African Americans, including descendants of enslaved Africans, and nearly two million African immigrants who have close familial, social, and economic connections to the continent. The African immigrant community makes significant contributions to America’s growth and prosperity. The African Diaspora – i.e., people of native African origin living outside the continent—has been described as the sixth region of African Union. The African and Diaspora Young Leaders Forum, held on December 13 in Washington, DC as part of the U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit, reflected the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to...
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BROWARD COUNTY, Fla., Dr. Tameka Bradley Hobbs has been named the new Library Regional Manager for the African American Research Library and Cultural Center (AARLCC), 2650 Sistrunk Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33311. Dr. Hobbs' first day at AARLCC was November 28. She has extensive expertise in African American history, public history and antiracism education. Her previous roles include serving as the Director of Projects and Programs for the John G. Riley Center and Museum in Tallahassee, Florida, and Program and Education Coordinator for the Library of Virginia in Richmond. Most recently, she served as Associate Provost for Academic Affairs at...
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Hello, Georgia! Thank you, Georgia! We did it again! Thank you so much for your trust in me and to God be the glory! After a long and hard fought campaign, it is now my honor to utter the four most powerful words in a democracy, “the people have spoken.” I have often said that a vote is a kind of prayer for the world we desire for ourselves and for our children. It is faith put in action. It is the sober recognition that we pray not only with our lips but with our legs. And Georgia, you have...
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Local Jacksonville teen and 2022 Youth of the Year for Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeast Florida Laniya Flowers recently received a surprise life-changing gift of a Nissan Altima for her 19th birthday. On Dec. 1, an unsuspecting Flowers arrived at Greg’s Auto Collision Center in St. Augustine with her mom who had convinced her to stay home longer from her Thanksgiving college break. When her blindfold was removed to reveal a Nissan Altima, Flowers was completely shocked and overwhelmed with emotion. “I was amazed to receive this generous gift. My Boys & Girls Club experience has taught me that...
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Hilton Theodore Meadows died peacefully on November 19, 2022, at his Son’s home in Jacksonville, Florida. Hilton was predeceased by his father Glynn Meadows, his mother Evelyn Harris, his stepmother Eleanor Meadows, his sister Nadine Lutz and grandson Andrew Rivera. Hilton is survived by his brother Terry Meadows, his daughter Cindy and David Mathews, and sons Michael Meadows, Scott Meadows, and Rick Attaway, grandchildren Sydney Meadows, Mark and Gaiya Miller, Brook Mathews, Angela Mathews, Lauren Meadows and Brittany Gontner and their respective families. Hilton was born in Holmes County Florida on May 7, 1933. He attended Bethlehem Schools. After serving...
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The Atlanta Falcons couldn’t get their rushing game off the ground against the Pittsburg Steelers defense Sunday. They were completely stifled to the tune of just 28 rushing yards in the first half. By the time they got the ground game into the next gear it was too late and they’d let another close game slip thru their hands in a 19-16 loss in Atlanta on Sunday. With the injured Kyle Pitts out for the remainder of the season after knee surgery, Drake London continues to be Marcus Mariota’s favorite target. London hauled in 6 catches for 95 yards. The...
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At 18, Jaylen Smith recognizes the need for civic involvement. He believes his small city of Earle, Arkansas, would benefit from improved public safety measures and less blight. Smith will now have the chance to implement those improvements after becoming the youngest Black mayor in America. He earned that distinction by defeating his friend, Nemi Matthews Sr., who works as the city’s street superintendent. “I’m your newly elected mayor, and it’s time to build,” Smith declared following his Dec. 6 election victory. According to the 2020 U.S. Census, Earle is a small city of 2,164 residents just 28 miles west...
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The game to decide the 2022 Class 2M Regional Championship came down to the contest between two of the most storied football programs in Jacksonville. And what better than for Raines (9-3) and Bolles (9-4) to decide who would go on to the FHSAA Final Four. It had been six years since the two programs had played each other, and that game was a one-sided 60-20 win by the Bulldogs. On Friday night, on the “San Jose Boulevard” campus, there was high anticipation of another outstanding game between the two powers. Bolles leads the series 10-6 coming into the game....
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Jacksonville, Fla. — The Arc Jacksonville today announced the launch of a three-year pilot program to aid individuals with intellectual differences who face the challenges of Alzheimer's disease and dementia on the First Coast, as well as their caregivers. Specialized Aging Support –– Dementia Services for People with Intellectual and Developmental Differences has been made possible thanks to a 6,000 federal grant from the Administration for Community Living (ACL). The new program launches in the spring of 2023 and will provide occupational therapy-based support for individuals with intellectual and developmental differences with or at high risk of Alzheimer's disease-related dementia...
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A new lawsuit against the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) alleges that the U.S. government discriminated against Black veterans for decades. On Monday (November 28), the suit was filed by Yale Law School’s Veterans Legal Services Clinic (VLSC) on behalf of Vietnam War veteran Conley Monk Jr, whose applications for education, housing, and disability benefits have been denied since he returned home from the war, per The Hill. According to the suit, discrimination by the VA has left Black veterans without benefits more frequently than their white counterparts. Yale’s VLSC said the lawsuit could “provide a legal pathway for Black...
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Jacksonville, FL - ElderSource, the Area Agency on Aging and Aging & Disability Resource Center for Northeast Florida, honored Jacksonville SHINE Volunteer Yvonne King-Boone for marking a decade of work with local seniors. King-Boone received one of the agency’s Luminary Awards at its annual A Night with the Stars event held Nov. 16 in Jacksonville, Florida. In presenting the award, ElderSource’s CEO Linda Levin cited King-Boone’s work with the SHINE, program which stands for Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elder. The program helps seniors navigate the complex issues around Medicare insurance. “Yvonne has been a dedicated SHINE Volunteer with ElderSource...
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I don’t know Jerry Jones, owner of the Dallas Cowboys. What I do know is that he has a lot of money and is revered among fellow National Football League owners. Jerry Jones graduated from high school in Arkansas, and I graduated from high school in North Carolina. Jerry Jones is White, and I am Black. We both saw segregation and racial unrest. Both Arkansas and North Carolina were hotbeds for the mistreatment of Black people. Signs that signaled racial separation were prominent in my hometown of Winston-Salem NC. Similar signs were in North Little Rock Arkansas. For example, the...
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Though many were aware he’d been battling health issues over the last few years, the death of Richmond Congressman and former State Senator and Delegate Don McEachin is still a big shock. Congressman McEachin was only 61. He was the first African American to be nominated to run as Virginia Attorney General. McEachin was only the third African American to serve in the U.S. Congress from Virginia along with John Mercer Langston and Bobby Scott. McEachin was elected to the House of Delegates in 1995 and ran for Attorney General in 2001. He won a four-way primary with 33.6% of the vote...
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The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced on Monday, Dec. 5, it would extend for two years the REAL ID full enforcement, from May 3, 2023, to May 7, 2025. Officials deemed it important to allow states additional time to ensure residents have driver’s licenses and identification cards that meet the security standards established by the REAL ID Act. As required by the law, following the enforcement deadline, federal agencies, including the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), will be prohibited from accepting driver’s licenses and identification cards that do not meet these federal standards. “DHS continues to work closely with U.S....
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A lot of good news came out of this month’s elections—and enough bad news to remind us that we can never let our guard down when freedom and democracy are at stake. This year, democracy itself was on the ballot, and voters made an important down payment on its future. In 2020, Americans voted not to give President Donald Trump a second term. He wasn’t willing to accept his loss and tried to overturn the election. The anger he fostered with lies about election fraud led to a violent attempt to stop Congress from affirming Joe Biden’s victory. What did...
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In September, lawmakers in Washington rushed through major legislation that would reward massive, legacy media corporations at the expense of smaller community-focused and minority-owned newspapers. While the Journalism Competition Preservation Act (JCPA) is meant to protect publications like those in the National Newspaper Publishers Association, it would ultimately threaten our ability to inform our communities, line the pockets of massive media conglomerates and hedge funds, and lead to the proliferation of harmful misinformation. Good intentions sometimes have negative and counterproductive consequences. The goal to foster quality, local journalism and journalist jobs is well-intentioned. Local news outlets provide Americans with important...
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After 294 days in Russian custody, including the past several weeks in a dreaded and dangerous penal colony, WNBA star Brittney Griner is free. President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris met with Griner’s wife at the White House, where they spoke with the basketball player on the telephone. “She’s safe. She’s on a plane. She is on her way home,” Biden declared. The Biden administration secured Griner’s release after agreeing to a one-for-one prisoner swap that saw the president commute the 25-year sentence of notorious Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout. The White House said it would continue efforts...
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Just days before the Dec. 6 Georgia Senate runoff election, the state’s capital and most populous city surprisingly proved like an old Christmas fable: not much appeared stirring. “It’s almost as if there isn’t a major election coming,” Washington Informer Publisher Denise Rolark Barnes relayed from Atlanta through an internal Slack message. “There are literally no campaign signs anywhere,” Rolark Barnes stated. Throughout her two-day visit to the Peach State, Rolark Barnes noticed only a few pro-Herschel Walker signs and “a sprinkling” of promotional material for Democratic Incumbent Sen. Raphael Warnock. “It’s almost as if there is a law that...
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Johnnie Virginia Dudley-Nelson peacefully entered the sunset of life on Sunday, November 27, 2022. She was born on Saturday, December 4, 1937, to the late Nixon H. Dudley, Sr. and Rosa Lee Carter Dudley in the city of Leary Georgia, Calhoun County. The third born of five three sisters and one brother. Johnnie attended the local schools in Leary Georgia, Calhoun County. Johnnie began her spiritual journey at a young age where she was a member of St. Peter Church, Leary Georgia. After moving to Jacksonville, Florida she joined Gibbs Chapel A.M.E. Church, where she served as a member of...
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Byron Allen’s inaugural TheGrio Awards honored comedian Dave Chappelle with the Cultural Icon Award, Allyson Felix with the Sports Icon Award, and Patti LaBelle with the Music Icon Award. And while trailblazers like Tyler Perry and Jennifer Hudson also received honors, the recently televised awards spotlighted the work of “America’s Black Attorney General.” Ben Crump, the renowned civil rights attorney and freedom fighter, elicited the night’s biggest applause when he accepted the newly minted Justice Icon Award. “It was an honor to accept the Justice Icon trophy in the company of so many Black leaders in our community,” Crump remarked....
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With the inconsistencies and struggles on offense the Atlanta Falcons became dependent on big plays that never came in their 13-19 loss to the Washington Commanders Sunday at FedEx Field. The Falcons are still looking for the right mix to fill in the production value of standout tight end Kyle Pitts while he’s out with an MCL injury. Given the rainy conditions of Sunday’s game, the Falcons went with a mix of pass and rushing which has been a string part of their offense this season. The Falcons running backs ran for a combined 167 yards against the Commanders 10th...
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Democrats in the U.S. House of Representatives have elected New York Rep. Hakeem Jeffries as their party leader. The congressman, who once quoted the late Notorious B.I.G. during one of former President Donald Trump’s impeachment hearings and has maintained a vow to oppose Republican extremism, becomes the first Black American to lead a major political party in Congress. Jeffries said he hopes to find common ground with the G.O.P. where possible. He takes over the reins from long-time Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.). The 52-year-old leads a changing of the guard for Democrats, a party long headed by its most senior...
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Tariq, the 7-year-old boy dubbed the “Corn Kid,” is donating his favorite food for the holidays. According to People, Tariq has teamed up with Green Giant ahead of Thanksgiving as the food company hopes to make corn the “star” of the menu and give back to communities in need, per the brand’s press release. “What is Thanksgiving without corn?” Tariq said. “Thanksgiving is practically a holiday about corn. I mean, every day could be a holiday if you get to eat corn at some point – but this is the one day that we get to stay home with family,...
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We have just celebrated Thanksgiving with our family and friends. It was festive and fun. The food was tasty and was a buffet of delightful dishes. Living in the Crescent City meant for our family that one of the dishes was gumbo. This tradition of Thanksgiving is rich and has been with us for years and is the start of the holiday season. Black Friday sales reserved for the day after Thanksgiving began weeks ago. A historical report says that back in the 1950s, police in Philadelphia used the term to describe the chaos that ensued on the day after...
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Several months ago, I co-wrote an op-ed with my long-term friend and national media colleague, Jim Winston. Our commentary emphasized why “Diversifying American Media Ownership Must Become a National Priority.” Now after the results of the high turnout of communities of color and young voters in the recent Mid-Term Elections across the United States, it is time once again to reiterate the relevance and importance of ensuring an increase in the multiracial diversification of ownership of radio and TV broadcast stations as well as all other media platforms including print and social media. The multimedia publishing and communications industry is...
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America, and the world, needs a new generation of Black elected officials. Too many people of color do not understand the relationship between money, power and political respect. The best-elected officials are the officeholders that work to bring money, resources and jobs to the districts they represent. Comedian Richard Pryor had a highly acclaimed album called “Bicentennial Nigger”. On the album, Pryor said Blacks in America were “happy because they’ve been here for 400 years.” I know politicians of various races, creeds and political persuasions. Almost all American Blacks seem to be good men and women that desire the best...
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As I write this, the final few races are being called in the midterm elections that were held weeks ago. It’s clear that that the House will be closely divided, with Republicans holding a very small majority. History shows that in midterm elections, the party that doesn’t hold the presidency typically gains a lot of seats in Congress – oftentimes in a wipeout of the party in power. Republicans’ gains were comparatively tiny this year – but they probably should have been even tinier. The reason is the far-right Supreme Court, and two rulings that hurt Black voters this cycle....
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JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Trevor Lawrence is finally showing some of what many believed made him the most enticing quarterback prospect out of college since Andrew Luck 10 years ago. In November, Lawrence is leading the NFL in completion percentage and is second in both passer rating and touchdown-to-interception rating. He lived up to those numbers Sunday, leading a late-game drive against the visiting Baltimore Ravens to secure their fourth win and keep hopes of a possible playoff run alive. After a low-scoring game through the first three quarters, the team combined for a 34-point fourth quarter in which the...
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Cleveland, Ohio – “To maximize profits in 2022 (and beyond), beat out your competition, and optimize revenue, retailers have to focus on making a difference in their customers’ lives.” Ruth Farrington, an international best-selling author and a veteran of retail sales and marketing management, is responsible for over 5 billion dollars in sales over her 48-year career https://ruthfarrington.com. Ruth’s business and passion are analyzing retail trends, forecasting market opportunities, and maximizing revenues and profits. Ruth adds, “Going into the holiday season; there are key strategies any retailer can use right now to position themselves to crush their sales targets for...
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JACKSONVILLE, Fla., – I’m A Star Foundation teens are preparing for their milestone 10th Let’s Move Jacksonville, a big field day embracing health, wellness and self-care. The event will take place Saturday, December 3, 2022, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Klutho Park, located at 204 West 3rd Street in downtown Springfield. TV anchors from all three local news stations are joining forces to host the event. Action News Jax’s Tenikka Hughes, First Coast News’ Chris Porter and WJXT River City Live’s Rance Adams will encourage the crowd to enjoy a variety of activities. Each year, STAR teen influencers...
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The game against Riverside in the second round of the FHSAA Class 2M Regional playoff game was somewhat reminiscent of the Raines and Jackson game three weeks before. The difference was the tenacious Raines (10-2) refused to yield any point to Riverside (5-7), blanking the Generals 18-0 at Earl S. Kitchings Stadium. Moving the ball effectively in the opening minutes, junior running back Mark Miller found the endzone on a 15-yard burst at the 8:52 mark of the first quarter. A missed conversion made the game 6-0. On their first possession, Riverside could not put together any offense, and fumbled...
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Nationwide — Known for designing the luxury Africa-shaped bag as a symbol to connect all African descendants, Afro-luxe label Orijin Culture has just released the new United States of Africa Passport Holder to further connect Africa and the Diaspora as “global citizens” of Africa. Archyn Orijin, the brand’s Founder and Executive Creative Director, says the new passport holders were designed with the intention of bridging the gap amongst Africa and the Diaspora by promoting unity, love, identity, and pride. She expresses, “I don’t believe in an African dream without the Diaspora being a part of the Africa Dream.” Aside from...
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JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – In response to the Florida Senate president’s remarks on the most pressing issue Floridians are facing being the cost of housing, Florida State Representative Angie Nixon (D-Jacksonville) issued the following statement: “The Senate President’s remarks today affirm what Democrats in Florida have been advocating for years. From demanding a fully funded affordable housing trust fund to calling for a housing state of emergency, we have been fighting every step of the way to address Florida’s unique and acute housing crisis. Real solutions were needed yesterday and folks can count on us to demand that legislative leaders consider...
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FAMU Dominates First Half for Second Straight Win Looking to win their ninth consecutive game of the year, FAMU (9-2) used tough defense and a critical fourth down fake punt play to ensure the win over Bethune-Cookman (2-9) and win the 25th Florida Classic in Orlando before over 55,000 fans at the Camper World Stadium. Setting the tone from the very outset, the Rattlers built a 13-0 lead in the first quarter. On the sixth play of the game, Rattler cornerback Javan Morgan intercepted the Wildcats quarterback Jalon Jones at the FAMU 35-yard line to stop their opening drive just...
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With Younghoe Koo's 53-yard field goal with 1:47 left to play in the game, the Atlanta Falcons were able to outlast the Chicago Bears 27-24 at home in Sunday in Atlanta. Marcus Mariota was able to maintain consistency for the Falcons completing 13-of-20 passing attempts for 131 yards throwing one touchdown and rushing for a 10-yard touchdown late in the third quarter. Although getting off to a good start scoring touchdown on their first drive, the Falcons stalled out on their next two possessions with a punt and then turned the ball over after a Cordarrelle Patterson fumble on their...
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Proud Sponsor of the 100 Black Men of South Florida’s Annual Event (Black PR Wire) Pembroke Park, FL - On Nov. 19, Florida Power & Light Company (FPL) partnered with 100 Black Men of South Florida to support their annual Thanksgiving food drive. The event took place at the Feeding South Florida facility in Pembroke Pines. The food drive fulfills the need to help and brings the joy of Thanksgiving to economically disadvantaged individuals in South Florida. The Thanksgiving food drive is a collaborative effort among community partners. Publix provides the food and UPS delivers the boxes to convenient locations...
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By William Montgomery At 100, Merah Smith was still kickboxing, line dancing and going to the gym. The great-great-grandmother only stopped, at aged 103, on doctor’s orders — she developed a knee problem. Born on Nov. 9, 1912, the same year the Titanic sunk, she just celebrated her 110th birthday surrounded by friends and family. Even the mayor of Croydon, her U.K. town, showed up. Now, she plans to make it to 115. Smith credits a long life to eating chicken, fruit and vegetables, and practicing her faith. Merah Smith just celebrated her 110th birthday. She exercised faithfully until 103,...
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Today, the U.S. Department of Education announced an extension of the pause on student loan repayment, interest, and collections. The extension will alleviate uncertainty for borrowers as the Biden-Harris Administration asks the Supreme Court to review the lower-court orders that are preventing the Department from providing debt relief for tens of millions of Americans. Payments will resume 60 days after the Department is permitted to implement the program or the litigation is resolved, which will give the Supreme Court an opportunity to resolve the case during its current Term. If the program has not been implemented and the litigation has...
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By JNS Reporter Two of the most powerful members of the House of Representatives announced on Thursday that they would not seek positions in leadership during the next Congress. Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), 82, the first female speaker of the House in U.S. history, made the announcement on the House floor, stating that she would not seek reelection to the Democratic Party’s leadership in the next Congress, even though she plans to continue serving. The decision was made as the House will flip into the control of Republicans in January, despite the Democrats, under Pelosi’s leadership, performing far better than...
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A lot of good news came out of this month’s elections—and enough bad news to remind us that we can never let our guard down when freedom and democracy are at stake. This year, democracy itself was on the ballot, and voters made an important down payment on its future. In 2020, Americans voted not to give President Donald Trump a second term. He wasn’t willing to accept his loss, and tried to overturn the election. The anger he fostered with lies about election fraud let to a violent attempt to stop Congress from affirming Joe Biden’s victory. What did...
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Congratulations to all candidates who accomplished their winning goal in the 2022 midterm elections. Black Americans are super excited about the increase of Black elected officials in local, state and national elections. I urge concerned people in my community to take a rudimentary look back at how Blacks in state governments voted when reapportionment discussions were taking place. A historical look will reveal that in more than a few reapportionment votes, Black state legislators voted with Republicans. Let me explain what usually happens. Republican state legislators will go to Black Democratic legislators and say, “We want to make more winnable...
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The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is the only cabinet-level federal agency fully dedicated to helping the nation’s 32.5 million small businesses start, grow, and scale. This Small Business Saturday, the SBA along with our resource and community partners are encouraging consumers to shop small. It has been an extraordinarily difficult couple of years for many of our small business owners across the country. Florida’s 3 million small businesses need our support now more than ever as they navigate and pivot from the effects of the coronavirus pandemic. Founded by American Express in 2010 and officially cosponsored by SBA since...
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By Thomas Leffler In the wake of Hurricane Nicole’s damage and destruction to the Florida coastline, state Department of Transportation crews once again found themselves in hurricane-repair mode as they acted quickly to haul out massive mounds of sand that washed upon coastal roads during the storm’s considerable surge. Crews from FDOT have been working tirelessly since the devastation of Hurricane Ian in September. They now have had their hands full once more as Nicole shifted the coastline and ripped apart asphalt in locations such as Vilano Beach, about 40 miles southeast of Jacksonville. “What you see going on right...
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Nationwide — Coy Dumas, Jr., a 71-year-old MARTA bus driver in Atlanta, Georgia who is well-loved in the community, is being honored for having served his community for 50 years. Dumas, who is an Adamsville native, first started driving for MARTA in 1972. Since then, he has driven a total of over 2 million miles and safely carried nearly 2.8 million passengers. In all those years, he has never met an accident, except for one minor accident in the late 1970s. He was not at fault when a truck driver hit the side of his bus and no passengers were...
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The Jacksonville City Council President Terrance Freeman has scheduled the swearing-in ceremony for City Council Member Elect – Reggie Gaffney, Jr. to be sworn into office. The swearing-in ceremony is scheduled for Monday, November 21, 2022, at 9:30 am and will be held at City Hall at St. James Building, City Council Chambers, located at 117 West Duval Street, Jacksonville, Fl. City Council Member-Elect Gaffney, Jr. will serve as a representative of City Council District 7 until June 30, 2023. While serving he will be a member of the Neighborhoods, Community Services, Public Health & Safety (NCSPHS) Committee, and the...
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The Falcons got outplayed and were handedly beat on both sides of the ball as they gave up 232 yards on the ground with 130 of those yards and a touchdown by D’Onta Freeman in a 25-15 loss to the Panthers Thursday night in Bank of America Stadium. Foreman’s 31 carry 130-yard performance was a season high for the Panthers in rushing and that in turn, helped to take the pressure off of PJ Walker and the passing game. Marcus Mariota completed 19 of 30 for 186 yards, two touchdowns and an interception. With the Falcons being down early in...
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A new exhibition debuting next spring at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC) will celebrate Chadwick Boseman’s Black Panther hero costume. “Afrofuturism: A History of Black Futures,” opens on March 24, 2023, and feature the late actor’s iconic gear. Black Panther counts as the first superhero of African descent to appear in mainstream American comics, and the film is the first major cinematic production on the character. “Investigating Afrofuturist expression through art, music, activism and more, this exhibition explores and reveals Afrofuturism’s historic and poignant engagement with African American history and popular culture,” Smithsonian officials...
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The title to a Carpenters hit song seems to be fitting during this election season. The name of the song is “We’ve Only Just Begun”. The buildup to this year’s midterm elections was far reaching. At every twist and turn there was some report about this upcoming election. In the eyes of some, it was more like an event than an election. Some folks were hosting parties and giving out memorabilia in anticipation of their candidate winning the race. Those vying for office spent a lot of money trying to capture our votes. Yes, the national elections were important however...
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My people still don’t get it. How long will African Americans continue to be the first to endorse, the first to contribute and the very last to benefit from being the most loyal base of voters in the United States of America’s history. Hmmm? The answer is too long! Stacey Abrams, Val Demings, Mandela Barnes, Cheryl Beasley and Raphael Warnock, for instance, should have all won by landslides but they lost miserably because none of them were strong enough to demand a diverse campaign team. At least two of the candidates mentioned had far more money than their opponents but...
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As Election Night turned slowly into Wednesday morning, the U.S. House and Senate balance of power remained a tossup after tens of millions of votes were counted nationwide. And while crucial races like the Georgia Senate race between Republican Herschel Walker and Democratic Incumbent Sen. Raphael Warnock remained too close to call, the red wave many political watchers and several mainstream media outlets predicted hadn’t developed. In the House, where power is likely to change hands, one Democrat, Virginia Rep. Elaine Luria, lost her seat. However, Ohio GOP Rep. Steve Chabot also lost his House seat. Some House seats that...
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Nationwide — Drs. Michael Obeng and Jude Opoku-Agyeman were born in Ghana and have contributed and continue to their nation of birth through their philanthropy. Both surgeons had very humble beginnings and have been able to reach the top of their professions through hard work and sheer determination. Dr. Obeng is considered a media darling. Dr. Michael Obeng Specialty: Plastic and reconstructive surgery Location: Beverly Hills, California Estimated net worth: million Source of wealth: Plastic surgery, private business Dr. Jude Opoku-Agyeman Specialty: Plastic and reconstructive surgery Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Estimated net worth: million Source of wealth: Plastic...
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(NNPA) – The latest government report shows widespread job gains across various industries, including health care, professional and technical services, and engineering. The report issued on Friday, Nov. 4, revealed that the market remains robust, even more so than what financial experts predicted. More than 261,000 jobs were added by employers in October, while the unemployment rate came in at 3.7 percent. Economists had predicted about 205,000 new jobs. Leading the way, health care realized a gain of 53,000 new jobs, while professional and technical services added 43,000. Additionally, manufacturing saw 32,000 new jobs, while the leisure and hospitality industry...
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I hope everyone went to the polls on election day and voted for the candidates they thought were best. You already know how I feel about the results, in more than a few instances, Black candidates were used and manipulated to generate high Black turnouts and Black votes for non-Blacks on the ballot. I’ll talk about the politics of the 2022 elections after vote totals are tallied. Today, let’s talk about what the ‘hood is talking about. More and more high-profile Black men and women are being chastised, criticized, released and terminated for things they have said. News host Tiffany...
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Russian authorities have transferred Brittney Griner to the country’s dreaded penal colony, a move that, while expected, she and her family had hoped could be avoided. Attorneys for Griner said they don’t expect to know her exact location for a couple of weeks. Russian officials jailed Griner in February when authorities arrested her at a Moscow airport after finding a small amount of cannabis oil in her luggage. A court convicted Griner in August of trying to smuggle narcotics. She received a nine-year sentence, which an appeals court upheld last month. White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said President Biden...
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Our America is going through some difficult times right now. Good times have been replaced by bad times. Politicians on both sides are trying to convince us to follow them. They say what we want to hear yet their talk doesn’t match their walk in many instances. Running for public office has made them say about anything that will make people clap and cheer. They make us feel good for 50 minutes and then like smoke that feeling evaporates. We are left disillusioned and disappointed. The question at the podium is can anything be done to change this feeling of...
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In 1965, Muhammad Aziz and Khalil Islam were wrongfully convicted of killing Malcolm X and spent over 20 years behind bars after being wrongfully convicted. Even though the February 21, 1965 murder of Malcolm X at the Audubon Ballroom in the Washington Heights section of Manhattan was one of the most reported on assassinations of the 1960s, the trial of his assailants was botched because of racism, expediency and political considerations. The documentary Who Killed Malcolm X, which premiered on Netflix in 2020, revealed in detail that there was something wrong with the convictions. The investigative journalism of Washington, D.C....
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While some already are household names like Stacey Abrams in Georgia, Val Demings in Florida, and Anthony Brown in Maryland, others like Natalie James in Arkansas, Will Boyd in Alabama, and Stephanie Thomas in Connecticut, are upstarts. All are among the approximately two dozen Black candidates seeking public office. In some cases, a victory would make the individual the first African American to hold the top elected office in their state. Here’s a breakdown of the candidates and the offices they’re running for in each state. Democrat Natalie James seeks to unseat Republican John Boozman in the U.S. Senate race...
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In-depth new research examining the priorities and concerns of Black voters over the age of 50 offers optimism and concern for Democrats and Republicans alike as America heads to the polls on Nov. 8. Individuals aged 50 and over, which includes millions of Black men and women, comprise the largest voting bloc in America and are considered the nation’s most potent voters. In detailed research conducted shortly before the elections, AARP-sponsored data revealed how older Black voters plan to cast their ballots, their significant concerns, and their likely influence. “Black voters 50-plus are going to be decisive in key elections...
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The continued spate of violence against Hip Hop artists has claimed its latest victim and one of the genre’s biggest names. Takeoff, one-third of the super trio Migos, died early Tuesday after being shot in Houston. TMZ reported that the shooting occurred shortly after 2:30 a.m. with multiple witnesses on scene. “We’re told Takeoff and Quavo were there playing dice when an altercation broke out and that’s when someone opened fire, shooting Takeoff either in the head or near his head. He was pronounced dead on the scene,” TMZ reported. The outlet posted footage from the scene where Quavo and...
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The Falcons relied on kicker Younghoe Koo’s 41-yard field goal to seal the deal in their 37-34 overtime win and also secure a firm hold of first place atop the NFC South Sunday in Atlanta. The Falcons seemed to have the win all but secured but of course it wouldn’t be a Falcons game if they hadn’t offered their opponent a few chances to take it away from them. Marcus Mariota threw three touchdowns and two interceptions, completing 20 of 28 passes for 253 yards and also rushing for 43 yards against the Panthers defense. Caleb Huntley who continues to...
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Vadarel Bruce Gaffney transitioned from this life on October 20, 2022, at the young age of 32. Vadarel was born in Jacksonville, Florida on October 30, 1989, to his parents Keith Mills and Vanetta Pickett. He was an active and inquisitive child, oftentimes being scolded by his great-grandmother “Mother Dear”. The family often joked about how she would always say, “Get way from there Fadarel (her pronunciation of his name)”. Vadarel was baptized at an early age at St. Johns Missionary Baptist Church. He later rededicated his life on June 5, 2016, and was re-baptized at The Grateful Church, under...
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A federal appellate judge on October 21 temporarily blocked the Biden Administration from cancelling student debt in response to a lawsuit filed by six conservative states alleging they could be hurt financially by the plan. The court blocked the plan after the states appealed a lower court’s decision to throw out their suit due to failure to show they would be hurt by it. The court ruling does not prevent the administration from operating the debt forgiveness application or prevent people from applying, the White House said. But no debt can be waived until the court issues a final decision....
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In my hometown of Williamsburg, Virginia, there is a living museum whose stated motto is: "That the future may learn from the past." At a time when America is being plagued by legions of history deniers wanting to hide their true nature by obfuscating who they have been, it is important to learn from the past so we can see the dangers we face in our future. Most people alive today have no personal memories of World War II, but few are unfamiliar with its place in history. The massive destruction and human misery brought about by the rise...
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This column will probably be the last Gantt Report column before the 2022 elections. As usual, no matter how many emails were sent to me, no matter how many bamboozled college students called to persuade me and no matter how many direct mail pieces were sent to my mailbox, I won’t endorse any candidates on any level. Why? Because I treat politicians they same way that too many politicians treat America’s African American citizens. They ignore us, they demean us, they disparage us and they disrespect us. They think we are unqualified, uncouth, unprofessional and politically inferior. Anyway, I want...
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What Is Happening In America? Growing up, I enjoyed going to school because it was fun, and I saw my friends. Of course, learning new things was the biggest part of my school experience. The environment was set up so that we could be social and get an education as well. I don’t ever recall getting up and saying that I didn’t want to go to school. The kids in my Winston-Salem NC neighborhood had good attitudes about school. We didn’t balk or complain about it. Staying home from school was never an option except when we were sick. Schools...
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Edward Waters University named Dr. Ivana Rich as its new Associate Vice President and Director of Intercollegiate Athletics during a press conference on Tuesday afternoon at the Adams-Jenkins Community Sports & Music Complex. The announcement of Dr. Rich as the new AD is a historic one as she becomes the first African-American female to lead the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics in the over 155-year history of the institution. “We engaged our student-athletes, coaches, alumni, athletic administration, as well as our faculty and staff to be a part of listening sessions to help guide us through this process,” remarked EWU President...
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The Falcons were unable to contain or slow down Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals offense Sunday in Paycor Stadium. The Bengals were looking to break the game early and they did just that scoring on their first possession. The Falcons defense gave up the first of five Bengals scores in just four plays in two minutes in Sunday’s 35-17 loss on the road. The Bengals were looking to have early success and came up with the perfect first drive with Joe Burrow connecting with Tyler Boyd for a deep 60-yard score that would set the tone for the rest...
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Researchers have discovered that hair products used predominately by Black women are likely to contain hazardous chemicals with endocrine-disrupting and carcinogenic properties. Armed with that information and research by the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, civil rights attorney Ben Crump joined forces with lawyer Diandra “Fu” Debrosse Zimmermann to file a lawsuit against beauty products giant L’ Oréal USA. Crump and Zimmermann filed the suit on behalf of Jenny Mitchell, a woman with no family history of cancer but who received a uterine cancer diagnosis after years of using L’ Oréal products. The lawyers declared that the defendants also...
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2022 will be remembered as the year European museums began to return stolen and looted artifacts to the African cultures to whom they belonged. But while some physical items are finding their way back home, the stolen histories and legacies of African people remain locked away in the dungeons of white supremacy. The centuries-old practice of European appropriation of African culture and achievement has, not surprisingly, created a keen sense of suspicion within the African diaspora towards European assertions of racial classifications of historical figures. The discovery of the tomb of the pharaoh Tutankhamun in November 1922 precipitated a blizzard...
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This week let’s take a break from politics. If you want to read more about Trump, DeSantis, Demmings or Warnock just pick up a copy of any newspaper published by the imperialist press. It’s time to read and write about The Cat! In October of 2022, the greatest cat fight in history took place across the pond at the O2 Arena in London, England. Twenty thousand people, mostly women, bought tickets to see women fight each other on an all-female boxing card. Headlining the card was the self-proclaimed GWOAT (greatest woman of all time) Claressa Shields versus Savannah Marshall. The...
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Lisa Dianne Gibbons was a caring loving and understanding mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, aunt, pastor, elder, and friend. She left this world after a long hard fight with breast cancer on October 15, 2022, at the age of 61. She was born to Late Roberta West on January 14, 1961, Jacksonville FL She was then gifted to Rev. Roger Willie Gibbons and Grace Gibbons. After graduating from Raines (Go Vikings), she went to FCCJ and obtained a BA in Music. She joined a singing group and was getting ready to go aboard to sing Opera in 1983 when God...
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MEMPHIS, Tenn. – For the first time in its history, the St. Jude Spirit of the Dream event selected women for each of its highest accolades: the St. Jude Spirit of the Dream award and the Legacy Award. The event, held Thursday, Sept. 29 celebrates the achievements of African Americans who embody the lifesaving mission of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and its founder, Danny Thomas who believed that no child, regardless of race should die in the dawn of life. Dr. Patricia Adams-Graves, professor in the hematology/oncology division at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center and a provider...
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Nationwide — Meet Miracle Butler, 14, Keniah Washington, 13, Keyanna Grant, 13, Tyreek Nash, 14, and Kaitlyn Archie-McDonald, 14 (absent from photo). This bright young cohort started as the 1st group of students taking college dual enrollment classes at Icon Preparatory School in Tampa and Jacksonville, Florida. They just finished their first year of college as well as three years of high school at the ages of 13 and 14. The youngest of the group Keniah and Keyanna began taking college courses at 12 years old. con Preparatory School is a private school in the cities of Tampa and Jacksonville,...
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The multi-cultural, multi-ethnic Women Elevating Women (WEW) conference, sponsored by JPMorgan Chase, returned to D.C. this past weekend to bring women business owners and executives together to discuss and share strategies for success and economic empowerment. Launched in 2018, the conference cultivates a community of peer advisors to help more women grow their companies into million-dollar businesses. “We know that barely 2 to 3 percent of all women have gross revenues of a million dollars, but if you break it out by ethnicity, we are a fraction of a fraction of a fraction,” said Betty Hines, founder and CEO and...
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Nationwide — Andrea A. Hayes Dixon, M.D., FACS, FAAP has made history as the first Black woman dean of the Howard University College of Medicine in the institution’s 154-year history. “I am truly honored and humbled to lead the outstanding Howard University College of Medicine,” said Dixon, according to The Dig. “The responsibility of educating the nation’s next generation of leaders in medicine is an enormous responsibility that I take very seriously. I am excited to engender allies and friends to join me in the journey of moving Howard forward.” In 2021, Dixon became the first woman chair of the...
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Jacksonville, Fla., – Junior Achievement of North Florida is one of five local JA operations across the country participating in a partnership with Synovus Bank. A 0,000 contribution from Synovus through its Here Matters Community Fund to Junior Achievement USA will allow both groups to deliver lessons on financial literacy, essential life skills, work and career readiness and entrepreneurship, educating and empowering children throughout their journey toward a bright and successful future. It’s the bank’s first contribution to a nonprofit since establishing the community fund. Through this partnership, JA, alongside their local Synovus Bank, will determine which learning experiences best...
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JACKSONVILLE, FL – Leadership Jacksonville (LJ), an organization that educates, connects, and inspires diverse leaders to build and strengthen their communities, will honor four exemplary leaders at its annual Alumni luncheon on Wednesday, November 9, 2022, at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Jacksonville Riverfront. The event includes recognition of the following: • The 2022 Tillie K. Fowler Distinguished Leadership Award winner, Mike Freed • Honorary Alumni memberships to W.C. Gentry, Dawn Lockhart, and Dr. Charles McIntosh. 2022 Tillie K. Fowler Distinguished Leadership Award Recipient, Mike Freed Mike Freed is a Board-Certified Attorney practicing in business litigation, corporate governance, education, healthcare,...
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If you play word association games, the words crime and guilt go together. Indictment and charges go together too. Additionally, procrastination and delay are words used when people want to put off bad news. If you are bogged down in the criminal justice system, these words have meaning. The former president is drowning in a sea of criminal allegations, and he knows these words quite well. Over time, this mischievous pattern of behavior has been his calling card. He won the White House because America was blindfolded and didn’t see him for what he was. Trouble found him before, and...
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After two long years of social distancing, masks, and virtual celebrations, Atlanta celebrated Pride in person for the first time, October 8th and 9th. After the Pride festival and other festivities, Atlanta ended its 2022 Pride weekend with the celebratory Pride Parade, which brings the entire LGBTQ+ community and allies together to enjoy what pride means to them. Charles Patton, 25, during Pride Weekend, Sunday, Oct. 9, 2022. Photo by Isaiah Singleton/The Atlanta Voice Originally born in Atlanta, Georgia but moved to Charlotte, North Carolina when he was 7 years old, Charles Patton, 25, said this is his third pride...
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After nearly a decade leading the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies, Spencer Overton will step down next spring. The organization announced that Overton, 54, would leave and rejoin the George Washington University Law School faculty. “It has been one of the richest experiences of my life to lead the Joint Center during this critical period in its history,” Overton stated in a news release. “When I started, we faced significant challenges. It is gratifying to have worked together with so many great people to overcome those obstacles and set the Joint Center on a trajectory toward a bright...
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Under perfect football weather conditions, and before a sold-out crown at Earl S. Kitchings’ Stadium, the Trojans and the Vikings added to the lore of this rivalry game. Raines (5-1) was looking to keep the Viking faithful happy with a win, while Ribault (3-4) had thoughts of upset and being spoiler to keep their district hopes alive. Through the first thirteen minutes of play in the first half, not only did it look as if the visitors from Winton Drive were going to be spoilers, they appeared headed to a big upset. On the second play of the first quarter,...
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President Joe Biden has issued a pardon to all prior federal offenses of simple marijuana possession, fulfilling a campaign promise of getting rid of possession convictions and loosening the drug’s federal classification. “Sending people to prison for possessing marijuana has upended too many lives and incarcerated people for conduct that many states no longer prohibit,” Biden said in a statement. “Criminal records for marijuana possession have also imposed needless barriers to employment, housing, and educational opportunities,” the president continued. “And while white and Black and Brown people use marijuana at similar rates, Black and Brown people have been arrested, prosecuted,...
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Vote like life depends on it because it does. In less than a month, Americans will go to the polls to cast ballots in what will likely be one of the most consequential elections in our nation's history. Every election has essential policy questions. But the 2022 midterms quite literally weigh the importance of life. Americans can weigh in on the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade by voting for or against candidates who support or oppose abortion. Political strategists and pollsters say support or opposition to Roe versus Wade could be the deciding factor in elections where...
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Florida A&M University announces the hiring of Tiffani Dawn Sykes as its new Vice President and Director of Intercollegiate Athletics. Sykes is currently the Executive Senior Associate Athletic Director for Varsity Sports and Senior Woman Administrator (SWA) at Dartmouth College in Hanover, New Hampshire. FAMU President Larry Robinson, Ph.D., said, “We are happy to welcome Ms. Tiffani Dawn Sykes into the FAMUly. Her credentials are impeccable and her demonstrated commitment to excellence are what we need to move our program forward.” I am excited about this hire and look forward to working with her to take FAMU to the next...
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This year, the American Cancer Society (ACS) estimates that health professionals will diagnose more than 287,850 new cases of invasive breast cancer and 51,400 new cases of ductal carcinoma in situ/stage 0 breast cancer in women in the United States. While there has been an overall 43 percent decline in breast cancer deaths over the last three decades – thanks to gains in awareness, early diagnosis, and treatment – there remains a persistent mortality gap between Black women and white women. Succinctly, African American women have a 31% breast cancer mortality rate. Earlier this year, BET HER announced four original...
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For the past four years, former Virginia Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax said his accusers had avoided investigations into their sordid claims. It has forced Fairfax, his wife, and his children to live with the indignity of him being labeled a sex offender. With an active FBI investigation into Old Dominion political figures that reportedly have uncovered some nefarious payouts by Fairfax’s rivals to the women, the one-time Lt. Governor and would-be governor believes all of this has finally cleared his name. “There are some real truth-tellers who cut through the political sensationalism and what is the truth,” Fairfax said during...
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JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Jaguars welcomed the Houston Texans (1-3-1) into TIAA Bank Field Sunday, hoping to get back on track after a tough, rain-soaked loss in Philadelphia against the Eagles a week before. No one told the Texans though, and the Jaguars came out on the short end of a hard-fought defensive battle, losing 13-6 to their division rival. Mistakes doomed the Jaguars. Trevor Lawrence threw two interceptions on the day, and a key late-game stop was negated by a penalty against rookie and number one overall pick Travon Walker for roughing the passer. The play was a...
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The absence of Cordarelle Patterson and Kyle Pitts on offense was apparent as the Falcons struggled mightily against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Sunday’s 15-21 loss that saw the Falcons picked things up much too late in falling to another team in their division. The Falcons offense was only able to gain 89 yards in the first half and was unable to complete drives. Mixing in other personnel didn’t produce much of anything until late in the game after it was too late for a successful comeback. Marcus Mariota threw for 147 yards and one touchdown, completing 14-of-25 passing attempts....
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When their 5-year-old son came home from school with a bloody lip and scraped face, Daniel and Jessica discovered it was not just an innocent playground accident. Their child was being bullied. As millions of children head back to school this year, more than one in five of them will have a similar experience, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. And in a national study by the Cyberbullying Research Center, nearly 21% of tweens said they had been a target, aggressor or witness to bullying online or by other electronic means. As parents search for ways to protect...
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Some things are unthinkable—until they happen. For Jamie Raskin, a congressman and father, the first unthinkable thing was the loss of his beloved son Tommy to suicide on New Year’s Eve 2020. As a father myself, my heart breaks when I imagine the grief experienced by Raskin and his family. The second unthinkable thing happened less than a week later. Enraged supporters of the defeated President Donald Trump attacked the U.S. Capitol and hunted for members of Congress to prevent them from affirming the results of the presidential election. Raskin was at the Capitol that day—the day after his son...
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Our land that we call home is unraveling. The sad but factual truth is that we are watching the erosion take place right in front of us. Each day we wake up, we see the wrongdoing that is taking place. Yet the will to intercede seems to be lacking. The problem is that we are using our will instead of His will to fix it. We now have become the suffering states in the minds of many people. We have lost our direction and our focus. Our country has fallen into bad habits and into the hands of the wrong...
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It has been said that I have a way with words. More than a few newspaper publishers have suggested that I write things that may be on the minds of many African Americans that they are reluctant to express. I’m just happy that I don’t have a reputation for lying. I’m also trying my very best to steer away from political commentary with an election less than 30 days away from now. But I can’t. I cannot let the increased racist rhetoric in American politics go unchecked. Conscious and righteous voters in the United States should not be confused by...
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Hurricane Ian caused a one-day delay in Jacksonville Florida, and as a result there was a rare Sunday college football game. Edward Waters University Tigers Vs Morehouse College Maroon Tigers , EWU obtained their first victory of the season knocking off Morehouse 49-20 in an SIAC East Division matchup at Glover Community Field and Stadium. Edward Waters (1-4, 1-3 SIAC) put together four quarters of solid offense and defense for the first time this season. After the first touchdown, EWU never looked back.
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The recent announcement of canceling up to ,000 in student loan debt relief by President Joe Biden has brought cheers from supporters and jeers from those opposed to the move. But the administration and others are concerned about scammers who seek to exploit those who might be confused about what’s needed to gain debt forgiveness. Hoping to help borrowers avoid predators, the White House announced ongoing and expanded efforts across the administration to combat scams and misinformation. Those efforts include educating borrowers about how to protect themselves and how they could accelerate efforts to share scam complaints with states. “One...
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Nationwide — Meet Taijaun Reshard, a 21-year-old entrepreneur from Atlanta, Georgia who has made a staggering 0,000 by the age of 20 all through one app… Instagram! Taijaun started making money from Instagram when he was 17 years old by utilizing something called “Theme pages”, in essence, he would get his product posted on pages with millions of followers and practically go viral overnight! But, it wasn’t always like this – Taijaun said, “Everyone always sees the success, but nobody ever knows the hard work that was put in. I’ve been creating & running my own businesses since I was...
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Former President Donald Trump has spent a lifetime getting away with things. Rich and willing to use an army of lawyers to defend his abuses and bully people he has wronged into submission, Trump is a prime example of the inequities in our justice system. But that could all be changing, thanks to two courageous Black women who are not intimidated by his insults and public bullying. One of them is New York Attorney General Letitia “Tish” James. She has been leading an investigation into a “staggering” amount of financial fraud she charges that Trump has committed over the years....
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I recently attended homegoing services for a great man and good friend, the Rev. Dr. Herman Haynes, who was called to take his final journey to The Land of Plenty. Brother Haynes gave the eulogy for my mother, who was sometimes called “Mama Black” by my activist and radical friends. Herm said, “The apple didn’t fall far from the tree! Mother and son, were never afraid to express themselves.” It is not unusual to see friends and family at funerals and weddings that you haven’t seen in years. I would never show it in public, but words from many...
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JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – WJCT Public Media today announced three new additions to its Board of Trustees. The community-owned and operated public media organization officially confirmed approval for Frank Denton, Lawsikia J. Hodges and Asghar Syed to begin three-year terms at its September 22 annual meeting. Frank Denton is a retired news editor who brings more than 50 years of journalism experience to his new role on the WJCT Public Media Board of Trustees. Prior to his retirement from The Florida Times-Union in 2017, he worked as a reporter for newspapers in Texas, Alabama and Ohio; during his career, he also...
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Nationwide — There are many hidden figures in American history, even in our current day. Al Hall Production and Urban Butterfly Media series, BIPOC In America (BIA Network) highlights modern figures across America making a difference. BIA Network returns with a three-season lineup that includes exclusive stories from Black Indigenous People of Color (BIPOC) individuals. Seasons two, three, and four of BIPOC In America will premiere at the Orlando Marriott located in Lake Mary, Florida. The premier will officially take place on November 5th, 2022. Before the series premiere, audiences will have an opportunity to join the live discussion of...
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Some events in our lives change them forever and sometimes they happen without any warning signs. That is why all of us should know and understand that tomorrow is not promised. Looking back upon my life, I really didn’t think about tomorrow getting here. Hurt, harm or danger weren’t in my cycle of thoughts. I just knew it would come without any fanfare. It would simply be the next day. This is the mindset when you believe you have a certain level of invincibility. Well aging has given me some wisdom that before I didn’t have. This could be the...
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Photo by Tonya Austin JACKSONVILLE, Fla., – I'm A Star Foundation Teen Influencers, Duval County Public Schools, and JaxParks collected 30,161 bottles of water to send to Jackson, MS recently. Jacksonville residents pulled up in their cars and dropped off packs of water at the Mississippi Water Drive at James Weldon Johnson Park steadily from 12-4 p.m. Teen volunteers from I'm A Star Foundation, 5000 Role Models of Excellence, Raines High School Royal Court and Andrew Jackson High School Royal Court worked together collecting cases, passing out thank you cards and keeping a count. Thanks to a generous donation by...
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Midway through the 2022 high school football season in Florida, two Jacksonville high school quarterbacks have earned spots on of the BIP Memorial Trophy watchlist, now in its fifth week. King Johnson, a senior from Andrew Jackson and Colin Hurley from Trinity Christian high schools are ranked 8th and 10th on the list. Johnson leads the Tigers (4-1) with 944 yards and six touchdowns, while Hurley, the lone sophomore in the top 10, leads the Conquerors (5-0) with 851 yards and 22 TD’s. With both teams heading into district play in October, each will be expected to lead their respective...
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The Democratic Party needs the Obamas! The 44th President of the United States, Barack Obama, and his wife Michelle, are the best messengers that the Democratic Party has to generate the necessary votes in the upcoming 2022 elections. The Obamas may be formidable campaigners, but they may not be enough, and I’ll explain why. Barack and Michelle will not run around the country willy nilly trying to help elect Democrats. The Obamas will go where the highly paid conservative Democratic consultants tell them, or order them, to go. History suggests that the Democratic priority will be to try hardest to...
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Daniel Robinson drove his 2017 Jeep Renegade west into the desert terrain on Tuesday, July 20, 2021, and no one has seen the Buckeye, Arizona, man since. Investigators discovered the car, described as blue-grey, about four miles from a worksite in a remote part of the desert where Robinson, 25, worked as a field geologist overseeing sites in the area. At 5’8 inches tall, Robinson is African American, weighs 150 pounds, and has short black hair. He has brown eyes. Police ask anyone with information to contact (623) 349-6400 or the Black and Missing Foundation at (877) 97-BAMFI. On September...
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Coolio, whose signature song “Gangsta’s Paradise” played a vital role in securing hip-hop as the popular music of choice, died at age 59. The artist reportedly died on the bathroom floor of a friend’s house. While paramedics suspect Coolio succumbed to cardiac arrest, the medical examiner hasn’t released an official cause of death. Born on Aug. 1, 1963, in Compton, Coolio’s real name was Artis Leon Ivey, Jr. He enjoyed six top Billboard hits, including 1995’s Gangsta’s Paradise, which reached 1 billion streams on Spotify earlier this year. Spending three weeks atop the Billboard Hot 100 and 11 straight weeks...
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The mighty women of the Agojie were warriors. From the 1600s to1800s in the West African Kingdom of Dahomey this all-female military regiment gallantly fought their empire’s enemies. Film fans first glimpsed the Dahomey Amazon legacy in the Marvel movie Black Panther, where the Dora Milaje special forces in the fictional nation of Wakanda were modeled after those fighters. So, an introduction has already been made. On a visit to Benin in 2015, actress/producer Maria Bello encountered the legend of the Agojie, fathomed a movie and with screenwriter Dana Stevens, crafted a fictionalized story of true-life female combatants. Other corroborators...
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Marcia Griffin, Founder and CEO of Homefree-USA has been on a mission to strengthen people of color, elevate partners, and enhance communities across America. On Monday, September 19, 2022, Homefree USA solidified a monumental partnership with Southern University at New Orleans. CEO, Marcia Griffin and Center for Financial Advancement, Executive Director Gwen Garnett presented ,000 to Dr. James H. Ammons, Chancellor of Southern University at New Orleans. The Center for Financial Advancement (CFA) creates paths to homeownership for students by providing financial education, professional development, as well as career growth opportunities. Homefree-USA, CFA is on a mission to level the...
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When President Theodore Roosevelt invited Booker T. Washington to dine with him at the White House, in 1901, the Southern white press condemned President Roosevelt while many African Americans hailed him as a friend of the “Negro.” But delving into the background of Theodore Roosevelt, it is not difficult to find troubling instances of his belief in white supremacy. One such instance involves the most famous narrative about Teddy Roosevelt. As school children, we were taught that in the Battle of San Juan Hill, the courageous Teddy Roosevelt led his valiant Rough Riders to victory against a larger enemy force during...
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It is exciting to see American women mobilizing to fight for rights that were wrongly taken from them by ultra conservative justices on the United States Supreme Court. Female activism is great for the women’s movement but not necessarily a bonus for the Democratic Party and Democrats. Reports have also surfaced that suggest Democrats are making moves to generate higher turnouts of Black male voters. Well, not so fast my friends! It is not women or Black males that are the greatest problem that Democrats have in their quest to prevail politically in the 2022 elections. Democrat’s biggest political problems...
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A cultural assemblage is set to converge on Kansas City, as the vision of The United Nations Decade of People of African Descent realizes a significant event, Wednesday, September 28th, 2022. “It’s time to say what needs to be said to all African Diaspora and we must have the conversation and resolve our actions and inactions as rulers of our Kingdoms during the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade which is deeply regretted,” as expressed by Nana Obokese Ampah I, Apagyehen of Asebu Kingdom, Ghana, Founder and President of Obokese University of Excellence. Supported by the only UNESCO Creative City of Music in...
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JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Jacksonville Jaguars had not lost to the Indianapolis Colts at TIAA Bank Field since 2014. They opened the 2022 home schedule determined not to break that streak. The Jaguars played inspired defense, and showed nearly perfect balance on offence, throwing 30 times, and running 37 en route to a dominating 24-0 shutout win. “I’m very proud of this group. Just how resilient they are, to bounce back from a loss last weekend to putting things together this weekend against a divisional opponent,” said Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson. “Just very proud of our guys; how they...
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Special to The Florida Star Newspaper The University of North Florida made unprecedented history 50 years ago by offering a first ever of its kind in the state of Florida’s university system, a psychology class on race relations. “Human Conflict: Black and White” was taught by Dr. Peter Kranz from 1972 to 1977. He was an original staff member at UNF in the Psychology Department and the class was his brainchild. Since teaching the race relation class, Dr. Kranz is known as a National Expert on on race relations, receiving numerous awards, local and National recognition and most recently a...
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Jacksonville, FL – Dedicated Senior Medical Center, a senior-focused primary care provider, today celebrated the grand opening of its fifth medical practice in Jacksonville, signaling continued rapid expansion by ChenMed throughout Northeast Florida. The new Dedicated – Cedar Hills center (3614 Blanding Blvd. Jacksonville, FL 32210) is the fifth location providing affordable VIP care that delivers better health to thousands of aging Duval County residents. Today’s festive grand opening celebration featured free food, music, give-away items that included gas cards, and VIP tours of the new facility by more than 100 local seniors and community leaders. The joy-filled, ribbon-cutting ceremony...
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Nationwide… Kescha Wilson, the mom who mentored both FBI agents and members of the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives, and whose talents as a nuclear scientist helped her dismantle meth labs, is now teaching women in high level executive careers to extinguish exhaustion and balance their personal and professional commitments. Wilson details the strategies in her book ‘The Power of Ease: A Blueprint For Women Leaders To Put Yourself First While Managing A Thriving Home Life And A Legacy-Driven Career’. She also creates strategies for individuals wanting to reprioritize their work-life structure. The book and resources were birthed...
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Florida A&M University hosted a delegation from Chevron Corporation to further cement the decades-old collaboration between the University and the global energy giant. The program’s executive sponsors came with a 0,000 check Monday, the latest installment on the company’s [post_excerpt] million commitment to fund scholarships and special programs over five years signed in September 2020. On signing the agreement, Chevron made a 0,000 contribution to fund scholarships and programs in the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering and the School of Business & Industry (SBI) for the 2020-2021 academic year. In accepting the contribution, President Larry Robinson, Ph.D., was thankful for the...
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The current trend of polypharmacy – the simultaneous use of multiple drugs by a single patient for one or more conditions – reflects racism and discrimination in the treatment of Black, Indigenous, and people of color children and teens, according to Dr. Carolyn Coker Ross, an intergenerational trauma expert and eating disorder treatment specialist. “It has been documented in adults that Black patients with mental illness are more likely to receive substance care and more likely to be diagnosed with psychotic disorders than with depression and anxiety,” Dr. Ross stated. “The lack of access and availability of therapeutic options to...
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Most of the news these days is about world and stateside events. News wires are filled with economic news about what is happening in this country and in the world for that matter. If you own stock, you are checking to see if Wall Street had a good day or a bad day. If you are grandparents like we are, you are spending more time with your grandchildren. For example, we know most of the programs on Nick Jr. It could be that you are traveling again to some of your favorite destinations. As we go through these momentum swings,...
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The most famous African American editorial writers are happy to get about 300 internet hits a column. I don’t know how many people read The Gantt Report on a regular basis but this is true, the column “Three the Hard Way” got around 200,000 hits when it ran, “The Cat is Overrated” continues to be talked about in barber shops on the regular, brothers and sisters in prisons inside of prisons love TGR and The Gantt Report page on Facebook, on occasion, gets hundreds of thousands of likes and engagements. TGR is known and read in Africa, the Caribbean and...
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For the fourth time in the past four years. Raines (1-1) and Trinity Christian (2-0) have battled on the gridiron, and each time, the games has favored Trinity Christian. Last Friday night, that looked as if that would change. Raines scored just before the intermission, but a failed PAT left the Conquerors with a one-point advantage, as they would cruise to 41-28 victory. The game was shaping to where the official’s flags were take the headline of the game, and seemed to be the one thing to decide the final outcome. Amassing a combined ??? yards of penalties, the intensity...
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Charlie Crist, candidate for governor of Florida, joined Rep. Tracie Davis, Senator Audrey Gibson, and Senator Tony Hill for a press conference slamming Ron DeSantis for Citizens Insurance rate hikes. As hundreds of thousands of Floridians are getting kicked off their private property insurance coverage, DeSantis raised rates for Citizens Insurance, the last resort for many Floridians. This follows DeSantis taking millions of dollars from the insurance industry and ignoring the storm clouds brewing in the property insurance market. DeSantis’s property insurance crisis has seen average rates doubled and insurers dropping coverage for thousands at the height of hurricane season....
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Following President Joe Biden’s announcement canceling student loan debt of up to ,000 for specific borrowers, the U.S. Department of Education said applications for relief under the plan should be submitted by Nov. 15. Department officials said they’ve made the application process simple, and if borrowers fail to apply by Nov. 15, they’d still have until the end of 2023 to file for forgiveness. However, by waiting until after Nov. 15, borrowers risk having to resume payments after the federal pause in repayment ends on Dec. 31. Biden said it’s vital for the more than 43 million eligible borrowers to...
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Isiah Thomas played basketball with the tenacity not often seen in today’s game. Whenever a team outscored his Detroit Pistons, it only meant a negative mark in the loss column, but never total defeat for Thomas. An NCAA champion at Indiana, and a two-time NBA champ with the Pistons, much like basketball, Thomas has followed up his on-court success with an almost peerless triumph in the business world. He told the National Newspaper Publishers Association’s live morning show, “Let It Be Known,” that his accomplishments as an entrepreneur result from what he learned playing basketball. Thomas said building with the...
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When Charles Diggs, Jr. won election to Congress in Michigan’s 13th District in 1954, he launched nearly seven decades in which the city of Detroit had at least one Black member of Congress. That’s likely to change this year. Because of redistricting, Detroit no longer has majority-Black congressional districts. And in the first primary election with newly drawn district lines, a Black candidate did not win the Democratic contest in the heavily Democratic 13th. That means the city is likely to lack Black representation in Congress for the first time in decades. Redistricting is robbing Black candidates and voters of...
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People tend to form emotional attachments to political leaders based on what a person says and does in public. This is the primary factor that drives people's attention to political leaders. Mikhail Gorbachev will be remembered in many ways around the world. Western European countries and the US will remember him as the liberal politician who ended the Cold War between the US and the Soviet Union and very peacefully ended the process of dismemberment of the vast communist empire. On the other hand, he has been seen by the people of Russia and Eastern European countries, especially the Communist...
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Opening season games are filled with uncertainty and questions. For the 2022 edition of the Raines Vikings, it took all of four quarters to determine the outcome. Hosting the Spartans of Monsignor Pace from Miami Gardens (FL), the Vikings faithful saw a well-coached team play forty-eight minutes of quality football, with the final score being in favor of Raines 17-13. With several new faces in key positions for the Vikings, it would be hard to tell if they would make the necessary plays to lead to a win. This year’s Raines team is inexperience in key positions and will need...
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American Airlines celebrated the 100th anniversary of the first Black woman to earn a pilot’s license – Bessie Coleman accomplished that feat in 1922. With an all-Black female crew, the airlines hosted the Bessie Coleman Aviation All-Stars tour, recognizing how Coleman bravely broke down barriers within the world of aviation and paved the path for many to follow. To help honor Coleman’s legacy, American Airlines hosted Gigi Coleman, Bessie’s great-niece, on a flight from Dallas-Fort Worth to Phoenix. An all-Black female crew – from the pilots and flight attendants to the cargo team members and the aviation maintenance technician –...
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Dr. Dominique Merriweather, a 30-year-old educator who is a Morehouse College graduate, has become the first Black person to be appointed to lead Sutton Middle School in Atlanta, Georgia. He is also now the youngest principal in the entire Atlanta Public School district. Dr. Merriweather graduated from Westlake High School in 2010 and Morehouse College, an HBCU, in 2014. Back then, he had set his goal to become a corporate attorney and not an educator. But after spending time mentoring and reading to inner city students, he decided to change his path. “One day, I went to go read to...
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Orlando, Florida — Former U.S. Rep. Corrine Brown, who recently finished fourth out of a crowded field of 10 Democrats, thanked her supporters and added that she was humbled by the intensity of their backing. Brown was honored to receive strong endorsements from central Florida icons such as Commissioners Mable Butler and Samuel B. Ings, as well as from organizations dedicated to helping people, such as the Neighborhood Assistance Corporation of America (NACA). She added that she intends to continue her political career. “God is good! As you may know, I didn’t win the Democratic primary for the 10th Congressional...
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Jehovah’s Witnesses will resume their trademark door-to-door ministry beginning September 1; the two-and-a-half-year suspension of the work will end just in time for the launch of a global campaign featuring an interactive program for Bible study. The decision to resume their door-to-door ministry marks the complete restoration of all pre-pandemic in-person activities for the nearly 1.3 million Jehovah’s Witnesses in the 12,000 congregations in the United States. Houses of worship (called Kingdom Halls) were reopened on April 1, witnessing in public places resumed on May 31 and in-person conventions are again being planned for 2023. “I was so elated that...
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According to new Sentencing Project research, diverting youth from juvenile court involvement should be a central focus in reducing racial and ethnic disparities. It also should improve outcomes in America’s youth justice systems. The report’s author wrote that getting arrested in adolescence or having a delinquency case filed in juvenile court clearly damages young people’s futures and increases their subsequent involvement in the justice system. “Compared with youth who are diverted, youth who are arrested and formally petitioned in court have a far higher likelihood of subsequent arrests and school failure,” wrote Richard A Mendel, Senior Research Fellow and Youth...
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On Aug. 15 on what would have been his 37th birthday, the late Grammy-nominated rapper, entrepreneur and philanthropist Nipsey Hussle was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. He is the 11th rapper to have a Walk of Fame star. Hussle’s fans, family and friends from the industry attended the ceremony. “I think I speak for the entire city of LA when I say that we’ve known Nip was destined for greatness,” said Lauren London, Hussle’s longtime girlfriend who spoke at the ceremony. “This moment only amplifies that for us. Nip would have been honored by this...
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Recently, I wrote about the importance of understanding the meaning of works of statuary and the iconic messages they convey. Most high school students who take art history learn who Michelangelo was. These students also learn that his statue of Moses holding the tablets inscribed with the Ten Commandments is curious because it depicts Moses with two horns growing from his head. For centuries, Western scholars have puzzled over, and written about, why the famous Italian artist placed horns among Moses’ wavy locks. But it is without question that Michelangelo’s artistic expression relied upon the Latin Vulgate version of the...
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The Gantt Report has been a voice for oppressed, exploited and voiceless people for many, many years. I’m proud of my longevity, proud that I’ve never been accused of editorial lying or misconduct, proud of my worldwide recognition and especially proud that excerpts from The Gantt Report were selected to be included in the Freedom of Speech section of America’s National Freedom Museum, originally in Chicago, but now the museum travels around the country. I want TGR readers to know every road to media success ends somewhere at some time. No, I’m not quitting TGR today. TGR will be...
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Save The Children was a popular song by music legend, Marvin Gaye. It was a big hit in the 1970’s. Now in a strange way, this song rings true today. There is a responsibility that all of us must keep our children safe. Historically, schools, homes and places of worship have been safe places for them. You just don’t equate killings with these places. Going to school was an enlightening experience. We saw our friends and our teachers provided us with instruction. Our parents had no anxiety or fear about sending us there. Isn’t that the way it should be?...
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Black girl magic reigned at the 2022 U.S. Gymnastics Championships in Florida as Jordan Chiles, Shilese Jones, and Konnor McClain won the top three spots in the senior all-around competition. The trio made history as the first three Black female gymnasts to sweep the podium. “It’s so unreal,” said McClain in an interview with NBC Sports. “I’m still in shock a little bit.” This summer, the gymnast returned to competition following two stress fractures, a concussion, the flu, and her father’s death in December. McClain, who lives in Las Vegas, captured the senior women’s all-around title. Her combined eight-rotation 112.750...
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According to an analyst by the Tax Foundation, as many as 13 states will consider President Joe Biden’s student loan forgiveness a taxable event, levying as much as [post_excerpt],100 in taxes to some borrowers who receive a ,000 break. When announcing plans to forgive as much as ,000 in student loans, Biden said provisions in the American Rescue Plan would render the forgiven debt non-taxable. However, the law doesn’t exempt loan forgiveness at the state level. “As a general rule, a discharge of indebtedness counts as income and is taxable,” Jared Walczak wrote for the Tax Foundation. “Under the American...
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Bank of America announced a new zero down payment, zero closing cost mortgage solution for first-time homebuyers, which will be available in designated markets, including certain African American and Hispanic neighborhoods in Charlotte, Dallas, Detroit, Los Angeles, and Miami. According to a news release, the Community Affordable Loan Solution aims to help eligible individuals and families obtain an affordable loan to purchase a home. “The Community Affordable Loan Solution is a Special Purpose Credit Program which uses credit guidelines based on factors such as timely rent, utility bill, phone and auto insurance payments,” officials stated in the release. “It requires...
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Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine has named Sophia George, Ph.D., the inaugural associate director of diversity, equity, and inclusion. In this role, Dr. George will develop the vision and participate in strategic planning of Sylvester’s initiatives that promote diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) as essential elements of its mission. She will oversee the development of the Plan to Enhance Diversity, a National Cancer Institute (NCI) requirement, which includes programs and services to advance the center’s commitment to equity, cultural humility, anti-racism, and anti-discrimination. The Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion will work...
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"Our Favorite Auntie Sarah" Sarah Lee Bossard August 23, 1938 — July 23, 2022 If we had a million hearts, Aunt Sarah, you would be in everyone. Thank you for your quality life of class, character, dignity, warmth, beauty, humbleness, unmatched kindness, and for sticking up for the little ones. What an example you set. You would not believe all of the good we all remember about you. Because of your life, this world is a much better place. We love you to future ages unimaginable. Your life matters deeply to us... — Opio Sokoni Aunt Sarah was preceded in...
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Jacksonville marked First Inaugural R&B Soul Festival at Jacksonville Beach, Florida August 20, 2022. The event featured internationally known Grammy nominated chart topping artists Sunshine Anderson and Adina Howard. Both Artist Achieved certified gold and platinum recording. Sunshine Anderson’s Heard it all before release May 21, 2001 peaked at number 18 on the Billboard hot 100 and number 3 on the R&B charts. Sunshine Anderson released three albums, “Your Woman” (2001), “Sunshine at Midnight” (2007) and “The Sun Shines Again” (2010). Adina Howard released five albums, “Do you want a ride?” (1995), “Welcome to Fantasy Island”(1997), “The...
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Austell, GA – The city of Austell has formally selected Orrin Scott Hamilton as the new Chief of Police. Orrin Hamilton’s career with the Cobb County Police Department spans over two decades, including six years as a Commander. The Cordele, Georgia native holds a Bachelor’s degree in Health and Physical Education, as well as a Master’s degree in Criminal Justice. He began his career as a Police Officer in November 1995, where he quickly recognized his passion for serving. After being promoted to Sergeant on the DUI Task Force, upward mobility became the name of the game. He would go...
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In most circumstances, an entrepreneur should not use a credit card instead of a loan to fund a startup and its expenses because the drawbacks of using a credit card usually outweigh a credit card’s benefits. The major benefit of using a credit card instead of a bank loan is that a credit card makes it easy to obtain about ,000 of credit without having to go through a cumbersome and restrictive bank loan approval process. Another benefit is that the credit card will be widely accepted by suppliers of products and services needed by the entrepreneur. Also the credit...
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Elections are always determined by the issues and concerns of the day. That is how it has always been and that is how it will always be. Life brings us a myriad of challenges and opportunities. How we navigate them is one of the keys to successful living. Many of them become ballot box issues. We look for candidates and organizations that share our views. When we do, we will vote for them, or we will use their services. I have voted for a number of candidates over the years. Some have won, while others have lost. Elections are happening...
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Do you know who your leader is? Think about it. President Joe Biden has been referred to as “the leader of the free world” or could your leader be Vice President Kamala Harris? Could Pastor Creflo Dollar, Reverend T. D. Jakes or Minister Louis Farrakhan be your leader? Perhaps, someone with a bank roll could be your respected and honorable Black leader. Say someone like Dangote, Oprah, Kanye, Beyonce or Byron Allen can lead you to recognizable and permanent progress. If you “Google” "black leader", the internet would suggest that any African American with a title or a political position...
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I am an old school guy. I was taught about what was good and right. I have done my best to live by those tenets each day. Growing up during a time when standards were in place gave us a foundation. Veering away from established norms was problematic and would cause us trouble. We had people that we observed every day who gave us a path to follow. As Black children coming of age, there were certain things that we had to do. There were no excuses or shortcuts. For starters, our parents told us that we represented the household....
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JACKSONVILLE, FLA. – The Jaguars could not stop the invasion of the terrible towels Saturday at TIAA Bank Field as they lost a preseason nail biter to the visiting Pittsburgh Steelers, 16-15. Jacksonville kicker Ryan Santoso finished the night making only two of his four field goal attempts, including a missed would-be game-winner as time ran out. The Jaguars did most of the things necessary to win an NFL game but the kicking woes and an inability to finish drives with touchdowns kept them from closing out a relatively strong performance with a win. Starting quarterback Trevor Lawrence had another...
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In recent years, people have begun to spend more time contemplating the meaning and significance of statuary. Statues of perpetrators of Europe’s colonial expansion and racist legacies began to tumble in the United States and England as descendants of colonized and enslaved people of color brought attention to the human misery afflicted by those who likenesses dotted urban parks and courthouse lawns. As statues of widely recognized racists such as Christopher Columbus were brought down from their pedestals, so too was the artwork venerating lesser-known racists such as the surgeon J. Marion Sims, known as the “father of modern gynecology.”...
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Jacksonville, Fla. – Empowering girls to be strong, smart and bold! The Rotary Club of Deerwood is ensuring Girls Inc. of Jacksonville has funding for its high school initiative program. It gave the organization ,000 in grant funding. The Girls Inc. of Jacksonville High School Initiative offers healthy living, academic achievement and life skills development programming as well as experiential field trip opportunities to 70 - 150 at-risk girls attending Title 1 schools in Duval County. It uses both in-person and hybrid virtual models. The goals of the program are to: 1) ensure girls graduate from high school and make...
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President Joe Biden on Tuesday signed the historic 0 billion Inflation Reduction Act into law, a major accomplishment for the administration and a Democratic Party that’s now looking with more optimism toward November’s crucial midterm elections. The bill represents the most significant climate investment in U.S. history. It includes strengthening critical provisions of the Affordable Care Act, providing Medicare with authority to negotiate certain prescription drug costs, and administration officials anticipate it will create jobs with family-sustaining wages. Additionally, the law will reduce the national deficit. Biden said new taxes would pay for the bill, including a 15% minimum tax...
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JACKSONVILLE, FL – Jacksonville attorney John M. Phillips of the Law Offices of Phillips & Hunt and Ronnie and Janice Fields, parents of Rashaud Fields, will hold a press conference on Wednesday, August 17, 2022, at 10:30 a.m. at the offices of Phillips & Hunt in Jacksonville, Florida. On May 23, 2022, Rashaud Fields (18) was murdered while celebrating his high school graduation with friends. Fields graduated from Raines High School and was planning on attending Keiser University in West Palm Beach with a full scholarship this fall. His family now seeks the public’s help regarding his tragic death which...
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Junior Achievement of North Florida announced today that it has received a gift of 0,000 from philanthropist MacKenzie Scott. It is part of a total of .8 million donated to Junior Achievement USA and JA operations in 26 communities across the country. This is the largest gift from a single donor in the organization’s 103-year history. “We greatly appreciate the incredible generosity of MacKenzie Scott for this amazing gift to our organization,” said Shannon Italia, president of Junior Achievement of North Florida. “We see this investment as a recognition of all the great work taking place in our community because...
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You can apply for Medicare online even if you are not ready to start your retirement benefits. Applying online is quick and easy. There are no forms to sign, and we usually do not require additional documentation. We’ll process your application and contact you if we need more information. Knowing when to apply for Medicare is very important! You must apply during your limited initial enrollment period. If you’re eligible for Medicare at age 65, your initial enrollment period begins three months before your 65th birthday and ends three months after that date. If you miss your initial enrollment period,...
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Janay White, affectionately known as “The GOAT” of entrepreneurship is the chief executive officer of eight successful companies including J White Enterprises. A mother of two from Jacksonville, Fla., Janay cultivates and creates opportunities for individuals to attain financial freedom and become prosperous in generational welfare. Working two jobs a day for a living, Janay is no stranger to financial lack. Being coined as “less fortunate” she was not one born with the proverbial silver spoon. She worked for over nine years as a social worker and fraud investigator for the Florida Department of Children and Families by day and...
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Gloria Jean Jackson was born on July 27, 1949, in Homerville, GA to parents Eddie Wallace Williamson and Murtis (Nellie) Williamson. She lived in GA for 5 years until she moved to FL where her life completely changed. She met her one and only husband and her life of Motherhood began. Gloria was employed with Duval County School Board for 26 years where she loves working in the cafeteria before retiring. Gloria’s last school that she worked was Duncan U. Fletcher where her youngest three children attended which is where she met one of her very good friends, Regina Johnson,...
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Washington DC—The US Senate is considered the world’s elite bastion of power and prestige, but not to Marco Rubio. The second Cuban American elected to the high office; the Miamian was a rising young star in the Republican party. Now he is seen as a malcontent who has missed more votes than nearly 75% of Senators and complains about having to show up in Washington to do his job. On Twitter he recently told the world, "Woke up at 5 am to a 3 am email that my 8:30 am flight was canceled. But they rebooked me on an 8...
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The Biden-Harris administration on Thursday announced it would increase America’s supply of monkeypox vaccine by making an additional 1.8 million doses of Bavarian Nordic’s Jynneos vaccine available for ordering beginning Monday, Aug. 22. According to a White House Fact Sheet, the Department of Health and Human Services has set aside 50,000 doses of vaccine from the Strategic National Stockpile, which enables health departments that host large-scale events could request in addition to their existing allocations and supply. “Since the first case was confirmed in the United States, the Administration has led a whole-of-government response to make tests, vaccines, and treatments...
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There was a game that we played in my neighborhood. It was called hide and seek. You remember hide and seek, don’t you? Simply explained, it was a game where we would hide until someone found you. We had some pretty interesting hiding places. We might be in the bushes or in someone’s backyard. The main goal was not to get caught. Of course, all of us would get caught eventually. For some of us, it simply took longer to get caught. At the beginning of the game, we would boast about how we weren’t going to get caught. We...
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The Light House at Brooklyn Yard among the properties that might be bought. Florida A&M University Board of Trustees on Thursday approved a proposal for the administration to begin negotiations to acquire property near campus to increase student housing options. Under the proposal, the Board authorized President Larry Robinson, Ph.D., to seek the U.S Department of Education approval to enter negotiations to purchase real estate in the area of Eugenia and Conklin streets and Rattler Court north of the campus. The proposal is to acquire 118 beds – 14 duplexes containing 24 beds, 32 apartments containing 52 beds, and 14 condominiums containing 42 beds....
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Mar-a-Lago is a magnificent property in Palm Beach, Florida where former President Donald Trump calls his home. It is also a place where members of the Republican political party can visit the lying, twice impeached, disparaged and losing candidate to get their marching orders, so to speak. After a recent raid on Mar-a-Lago conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigations to retrieve top secret and other documents that were taken from the government after Trump was booted out of office, Republicans quickly lined up to lie about the FBI visit to the beautifully landscaped Mar-a-Lago secret gardens. GOP members couldn’t...
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Florida A&M University President Larry Robinson, Ph.D., earned a 4.48 out of 5.0 or an above-average rating on his annual evaluation from the Board of Trustees. “I must convey my sincere thanks to the FAMU Board of Trustees and commend our administrative and academic leaders, faculty, students, and staff for all of their hard work during the past year. This evaluation reflects the strength of our partnership and shared commitment to student success,” Robinson said. “Our ascension is a direct result of our focus on strategic priorities. We are excited about the future and direction of FAMU as we march...
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The anticipation for the start of the 2022 high school football season on the First Coast looks to provide new directions for many teams. That direction is amplified by the fact there will be 17 black head coaches patrolling the sidelines and calling the plays. Perhaps for the first time in the history of Duval County schools and surrounding First Coast, schools, that this many coaches will be men of color. Of the 17 coaches, eight will be leading the program at their respective high school for the first time, although no coach has led their respective school over four...
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According to a report from The Sentencing Project, current jail-based voter programs that rely on absentee voting often experience various logistical challenges. Increasingly, advocates and officials recognize that establishing a polling location will improve voter access and turnout far better than jail-based absentee voting initiatives. Sentencing Project researchers pointed to when after the Cook County jail in Illinois was turned into a polling location, approximately 2,200 people were able to cast their ballot. “Every year, hundreds of thousands of eligible incarcerated voters are unable to cast their ballot due to misinformation, institutional bureaucracy, and de-prioritization among government officials,” said Durrel...
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Preseason in the NFL is a time to try and establish a culture, set a tone for the coming season, and evaluate players to see what they can contribute to a team. The Jacksonville Jaguars are under new head coach Doug Pederson are attempting to do all of that. What they aren’t doing is winning. The only positive is that these games don’t count against the win/loss record. The Jaguars lost 24-13 to the visiting Cleveland Browns in a sloppy contest featuring multiple turnovers from both teams. They did not show much from their playbook in their preseason home opener....
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The FBI on Monday executed a search warrant on former President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Florida. “My beautiful home, Mar-A-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida, is currently under siege, raided, and occupied by a large group of FBI agents,” Trump said in a statement first sent to CNN. It wasn’t immediately clear what the FBI was looking for and what spurred the raid. However, the Department of Justice recently acknowledged it had launched an investigation into Trump’s actions leading up to Jan. 6. Multiple outlets cited several individuals familiar with the investigation in their reports. The outlets noted...
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More than two years ago, Transformative Justice Coalition President and Founder Barbara Arnwine and Board Chair Daryl Jones put their arms around Ahmaud Arbery’s family. Both lawyers, Arnwine and Jones, didn’t seek to represent the family legally but to offer encouragement and help strengthen the resolve they needed to pursue justice for the 25-year-old coldly and cruelly shot to death in Brunswick, Georgia. “When we first interacted with the family, they were hesitant to get involved,” Jones told NNPA Newswire following the sentencing of Travis McMichael, Greg McMichael, and William Bryan. “They figured they’d do whatever in this case and...
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As we move toward the Midterm elections, and continue to struggle with evictions and rent increases primarily based on greed and not need, it appears a good time to once again make the connection between those who vote and the quality of life, or the lack thereof, for so many. Consider the following fact. Forty-nine percent of the residents of San Diego County and its cities are renters. While new construction continues to grow with more highrise apartments and condos, and the homeless rate continues to increase, the average person will not be able to afford to live in one...
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Lamont Dozier, who counted among the iconic songwriting trio of Holland-Dozier-Holland, has died at the age of 81. Dozier’s family confirmed the death on social media. “R.I.H.P. Dad!!” Lamont Dozier Jr. wrote on Facebook. The post accompanied a photo of his famous father. While teaming with Holland-Dozier-Holland, Dozier helped write some of the most memorable tunes for groups like Martha and the Vandellas, the Four Tops, and the Isley Brothers. He also penned “Baby Love,” and “You Keep Me Hanging On,” by the Supremes. “Another man that sat down and taught me a lot about music is gone. The great...
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Amount is the largest annual award in the ILA Local 1408 Scholarship Fund’s 27-year history JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (July 29, 2022) – The International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) Local 1408 Scholarship Fund will award a record ,500 in scholarships to 21 area high school seniors and college students. The ILA Local 1408 Scholarship Fund is affiliated with labor union ILA Local 1408, which represents many of the longshoremen and dock workers who move cargo through JAXPORT’s terminals. The award is the largest annual amount distributed in the ILA Scholarship Fund’s 27-year history. Six of the recipients are first-generation college students. The...
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Boston Celtics Legend Bill Russell, one of professional basketball’s greatest players and the sport’s most crowned champion, has died at the age of 88. Russell, who won 11 NBA titles as a player and two as a player-coach, died “peacefully” with his wife, Jeannine, at his side, a statement on social media said. Jeannine said funeral arrangements are pending. “But for all the winning, Bill’s understanding of the struggle is what illuminated his life. From boycotting a 1961 exhibition game to unmask too-long-tolerated discrimination, to leading Mississippi’s first integrated basketball camp in the combustible wake of Medgar Evans’ assassination, to decades...
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“Dr. Jones’ knowledge and medical expertise, diverse leadership skills, and his successful track record of collaborating with providers will add tremendous value to our mission of improving the lives and communities we serve,” said Robert Bunch, President, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Georgia. “I have no doubt that he will help us execute our vision to provide access to quality and affordable healthcare to all of our members in Georgia. Dr. Jones brings a wealth of experience to Anthem, most recently serving as senior program director for strategic initiatives at Kaiser Permanente of Georgia. He previously served as...
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Jacksonville, Fla. - The Jacksonville Jaguars opened training camp Monday with new optimism, a new head coach, and new hope for success. Last season began with the hiring of a legendary college coach Urban Meyer, and the drafting of what many saw as a generational talent in quarterback Trevor Lawrence, giving reason to believe that the Jaguars were ascending. Fast forward one year. Meyer’s time is over after being mired in scandal, and Lawrence is heading into his second season under center. New head coach Doug Pederson brings optimism and championship experience to the sidelines. In one of the first...
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Nationwide — Internships have proven to be a game-changer, helping college students, better determine their career path and providing a chance to gain invaluable hands-on experience in their field of interest. In fact, one study found that more than 80 percent of graduates reported that an internship helped shape the direction of their careers. For students of color, research shows that internships are critical – a lifeline – to their professional futures. Across the United States, students who have internships on their resumes are more likely to land full-time jobs after graduation. Yet, on average, only 6.6 percent of Black...
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Every election year, African Americans are told what they want to hear. At election time, candidates from both major political parties visit your schools, visit your churches, stop by your businesses and attend your organization’s meetings to say, “I’m the best candidate for Black people and Black neighborhoods. I’m your friend, your supporter and your benefactor. I love Martin Luther King, Junior, I have a Michael Jackson record and I ride a convertible in the HBCU homecoming parade.” I know the following sentence is not a good example of the king’s English but I’ll write it anyway so all Black...
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Black America lives in a series of deserts. Many of us live in food deserts, financial deserts, employment deserts, and most of us live in information deserts. And just as Black bodies suffer from the lack of proper nourishment in food deserts, Black minds suffer from the lack of accurate history in information deserts. There is a great deal of African history, as well as the history of the African Diaspora, which has a rightful place as a significant element of American history, that has been disregarded and even hidden by the proponents and enablers of white supremacy. The lifetimes...
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There are some issues in America that cause us concern and consternation. They make us take sides on the issue. Usually, there is no middle ground. You are either for or against, yes or no. We debate these problems, and we present compelling information to support our position. Sometimes our position on something is so strong that we can change the minds of other people. There are a few issues that have us pushing each other in different directions. For example, COVID-19 has been with us for a while now. Many of us at the beginning did not pay much...
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LIFE and United Way of Northeast Florida — in partnership with local race equity leaders, advocates and organizations — proudly announce the inaugural Jacksonville Civil Rights Conference. This event is designed to educate and facilitate conversations on civil rights movements in order to provide inspiration and the tools to make Jacksonville a more equitable community. This first-of-its-kind conference will take place Aug. 25-27, 2022, at the Southbank Marriott in Downtown Jacksonville. Coinciding with the 62nd anniversary of Ax Handle Saturday, the conference will feature a dynamic list of national and local speakers, including: Charlie Cobb – journalist, professor, and former...
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Nationwide — Chrishonda Benson, founder and CEO of Pretty Dope Society, has partnered with her 9-year-old daughter, Mariah, to launch a new line of backpacks with a whole lot of Black representation. Chrishonda comments, “Far too often, Black families are left out of the narrative in the designs geared toward children. When you walk into many big department stores around the back-to-school season, it’s rare for Black children to see themselves portrayed in the product designs.” Pretty Dope Society’s new collection was created to give Black children an opportunity that many of their parents didn’t have growing up. As part...
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Two Florida A&M University (FAMU) College of Agriculture and Food Sciences (CAFS) professors were recently named in the National Academy of Inventors (NAI) 2022 Class of Senior Members. Satayanryan Dev, Ph.D., associate professor and program chair of biological systems engineering, and Charles Magee, Ph.D., professor of biological systems engineering, were named as members of the world’s best emerging academic inventors. Senior Members are elected annually on National Inventors’ Day, February 11. The announcement came just days after Magee received his latest patent for various embodiments directed to an anti-icing and ultra-violet reflective apparatus for vehicle windshields and windows. With patent...
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The City of Brunswick invites the community to attend the unveiling of a commemorative street sign that designates Albany Street as Honorary Ahmaud Arbery Street. On February 23, 2020, Ahmaud Arbery, a 25-year-old Black man, was tragically killed during a racially motivated hate crime while jogging in Satilla Shores, a neighborhood near Brunswick in Glynn County, GA. On December 15, 2021, the City of Brunswick Commission unanimously passed resolution 2021-21 to designate and name Albany Street in honor of Ahmaud Arbery to recognize the impact of his death and preserve the memory of his life on the entire Brunswick community....
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With a maternal mortality rate of 55.3 per 100,000, Black women continue to outpace other ethnicities. The rate per 100,000 births for white women stands at 19.1. For Hispanic women, the rate per 100,000 remains at 18.2. While studies routinely examine the health and well-being of women, some suggest providers might ignore an essential symptom of a mother losing a child at, or before, birth. “Mental health conditions, including depression and anxiety, are common during pregnancy and after birth. Twice as many pregnant Black women with low incomes experience these conditions as white women,” said Dr. Huynh-Nhu Le, a professor...
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TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—Continuing the Summer Scams Series, Attorney General Ashley Moody is issuing a Consumer Alert for students looking for a summer job to watch out for employment scams. With so many job opportunities being posted online, it is easier than ever for a scammer to steal victims' personal information by creating a fake job posting and pretending like the applicant was ‘hand-picked’ to receive the job. Landing a job offer is exciting, but Attorney General Moody recommends Floridians do extensive research on the perceived opportunity before answering personal questions. Attorney General Ashley Moody said, “Hunting for a summer job can...
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Over my lifetime, I have had my share of difficult and testy conversations. Some were resolved while others were not. The conversations lingered so we agreed to disagree. People became frustrated and impatient with each other. Have you ever experienced moments like the one I described? When you are involved in limited truth-telling, people will take different routes to avoid it. Out right lying is the most popular choice. That choice is so blatant and outrageous that it defies any reasoning. Another tactic used is just giving partial information when asked a question. A person will give only some of...
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I love blues music, classic blues music. Little Milton and his type are good but I’m talking about Son House, Muddy, John Lee Hooker and the like. Robert Johnson was a master blues musician. He could sing, he could play his guitar and he could definitely put on a show in the streets and on a stage at the neighborhood juke joint or “hole-in-the-wall”. Johnson only recorded two albums but his songs have been covered by every important blues band. One day, according to widespread tales, Johnson traveled to a crossroad where he met the devil and sold his soul...
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Black households are more exposed to inflation fluctuations than their white peers, according to a study published by the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. The differences, while not overwhelming, are not trivial either, the study authors wrote. For example, if prices paid by white households increase by 7 percent over a year, calculations by researchers suggest that one may expect them to increase by 7.5 percent for Black families. “In our research, we examine how this informs the trade-off between inflation and unemployment stabilization for White and Black households,” the study authors explained. “The result implies that when evaluating trade-offs...
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Faithful Utterances” Dear Body of Christ, This isn’t for all of you. I want to commend those of you who step up to the plate daily supplying the support that our communities need. This is for those who are focused on dealing with certain people because it’s easy and comfortable. As I witness you celebrating the overturning of Roe v. Wade, I want to challenge you. I want you to really consider the way you are currently supporting women and children in your congregation. I hope that you will also embrace the young women who are single mothers without...
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Miami Springs, FL--The opening of the Miami-Dade campaign office for Charlie Crist was welcomed with cheers. It‘s been a while since a gubernatorial candidate has opened headquarters anywhere. The Miami Springs office is one of three around the state that was packed with supporters excited about the campaign to beat Governor Ron DeSantis. The former governor lives up to his reputation as a campaign master doing up to five counties or city stops in a few days. It's a sure bet that he will visit a Black business, barbershop, grocery store, organization, or advocacy group at nearly every stop. "He...
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Charlie Will Span Jr., age 69, of Orange Park, Florida. Peacefully transitioned into eternal rest on Monday, July 11, 2022. Charlie was the first child of seven and was born in Albany, Georgia. He was a 1st Class Petty Officer in The United States Navy he retired after serving 21 years of service, as an electrician. He loved spending time with his grandchildren, traveling, and caring for his family. He was a volunteer at church as a Lead Usher and a dedicated servant at Pentecostals of Orange Park Florida. He is preceded in death by his son, Larry E. Hamilton,...
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Florida A&M University (FAMU) announced alumna and former Florida Deputy Health Secretary Shamarial Roberson, Dr.PH., as the summer 2022 commencement speaker. The 6 p.m., Friday, July 29 ceremony at the Lawson Multipurpose Center, 1800 Wahnish Way, is expected to celebrate about 450 graduates from the University’s more than a dozen colleges and schools. A nationally recognized expert in health equity and public health administration, Roberson serves as the president of Health and Human Services at Indelible Business Solutions, one of the nation’s fastest-growing management consulting firms. In her role, Roberson works to address the social determinants of health and advance...
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JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — July 19, 2022 — Jax Federal Credit Union announced today that first-time homebuyers can receive up to ,500 in grant funding to help them purchase a home. Through a partnership with the Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta, eligible first-time homebuyers can use the funds to help with a down payment, closing costs, counseling or rehabilitation assistance in connection with the purchase of an existing home. “Home ownership is an important step to building long-term financial stability,” said Joy Bing, Jax Federal Credit Union’s Senior Vice President of Lending. “We are proud to partner with the Federal...
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According to a new and comprehensive study on gun violence, Black men, women, boys, and girls remain the most impacted victims of homicide in America, yet year after year this shocking and unacceptable toll is allowed to continue. The study published by the Washington, D.C.-based Violence Policy Center, revealed that in 2019, the United States recorded 7,441 Black homicide victims. African Americans represent 14 percent of the U.S. population, but accounted for 52 percent of all homicide victims, the study authors found. The annual study, Black Homicide Victimization in the United States: An Analysis of 2019 Homicide Data, also ranks...
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The term social media is not a back in the day term. It’s a today term. We simply did not have it. Computers, emails and passwords did not exist. Certainly, there was no Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or Tik Tok. So, it begs the question what did we have? How did we get the word out about events and happenings? If you are a member of the 4th quarter trying to get to overtime, you can answer that question. If not, here it is. I know the strategies that we used will sound a bit old-fashioned if you are a part...
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Alice Deloris Smith celebrated her 90th Birthday with over a hundred of her family and close friends at the Mary Singleton Senior Center in downtown Jacksonville, Florida on Saturday, July 16, 2022. The celebration included a dance tribute, poem reading, solo tributes, games and dinner which included baked chicken, fi sh, rice, tossed salad, diner rolls, and iced tea. Also, there was a Birthday cake with chocolate-covered strawberries and pretzels blue popcorn. There was also time for reflections from many people outlining the impact she had on their lives. Some of the family and friends that traveled from miles away...
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If you take a few minutes to examine the history of both major political parties in America, you will discover that the Republican and Democratic parties have both welcomed members, at times, that have been described as racists, nationalists, segregationists, separatists and supremacists. I’m sure you’ve heard of Donald Trump and Ron DeSantis and you might know about Strom Thurmond and Lester Maddox. Believe it or not, Black citizens and voters have occasionally put Democrats and Republicans first and both parties, more often than not, have put the political interests and desires of Black citizens last. Every year, more and...
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There is no question that the United States and its allies around the world are committed to supporting the Ukraine people. We have demonstrated this by the amount of aid and relief already sent, and that which the American people collect and send daily. But while we help our friends and neighbors abroad, we must not neglect the needs here at home. To this end, let this be a reminder to the members of the U.S. Senate and the Congress who voted to send billion dollars to support Ukraine in its fight against Russia. We here in America as...
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Jacksonville Beach, FL – Elderly Housing Management Corporation (EHMC) is a nonprofit management company and the manager of Pablo Towers, Pablo Suites, and Pablo Hamlet, which are owned by nonprofit corporations. EHMC is proud to announce that applications are now open for 50 new Independent Senior Living Apartments at Pablo Hamlet, located at 1600 Shetter Avenue in Jacksonville Beach, FL. Serving the Jacksonville Beaches for more than 20 years, Pablo Hamlet has expanded to meet the needs of the Beaches communities by providing quality, affordable elderly housing in a lovely environment with a compassionate residential apartment atmosphere. The property is...
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Editor’s note: This commentary is provided by the Medical Marijuana Education and Research Initiative (MMERI) of Florida A&M University. What is Delta-8 THC and why is it under intense scrutiny in the regulated marijuana space? You may have seen Delta-8 THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) advertised as infused in edibles, vape inhalers, smokeable joints, and tinctures sold everywhere from online marketplaces to gas stations to smoke shops to convenience stores. Delta-8 can also be found in cannabis-related products carried at Medical Marijuana Treatment Centers throughout the state. Cannabis above 0.3% total THC is still a controlled substance as a Schedule 1 drug, meaning...
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If we do not learn from history, we are doomed to repeat it. On July 30, 1864, more than 16,500 Union soldiers were aligned against only 9,500 Confederate seditionists in Petersburg, Virginia. In addition to its greater numbers, the Union had the element of surprise on its side. For weeks, Union forces had been tunneling under the Confederate line and finally filled the hole with explosives. On the day of the battle, a fuse was lit, and 4 tons of gunpowder exploded, breeching a hole in the Confederate defenses by destroying one of their artillery batteries and obliterating an infantry...
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Mayo, FL—Mayo is a small North Florida town that sits in the crook of the panhandle. Around 1,500 people call the community home. And for all its diversity, charm, and easy living, tourists are few and so are candidates for statewide office. But, Congresswoman Val Demings, who is running for the US Senate showed up for a visit. The former Orlando police chief toured the community with her friend Lafayette County Sheriff Brian N. Lamb, a popular Republican. She knows the unique profile of the neglected rural communities. This is her fifth trip to the region in a few months...
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Florida A&M University (FAMU) will host a research boot camp for 15 women of color science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) scholars from across the state. FAMU serves as the lead institution for the National Science Foundation’s (NSF), Florida Alliances for Graduate Education and the Professoriate (AGEP). The Florida AGEP Pathways Alliance (FLAGEP) proposes to advance a partnership among four universities with the goal of developing, implementing, and studying a model focused on increasing the number of minority women faculty in STEM. The Florida AGEP Alliance will host the 15 women of color in STEM fields at the annual Research...
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America is trying to let the three most publicized shooting incidents of the last month fade away. We can’t afford to let that happen again. Not after Orlando. Las Vegas. Atlanta. Not to mention Christchurch, New Zealand. But of course, we’ve forgotten them all. The supermarket shooting in Buffalo, N.Y., was like an echo of Christchurch, only this time the accused is teenager Payton Gendron. Ten African Americans were shot and killed in a hateful event driven by what President Joe Biden called the “poison” of White Supremacy. The coda to Buffalo was followed the next day by a shooting...
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It appears that we continue to live in Charles Dickens “A Tale of Two Cities”. He wrote these words: “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of light, it was the season of darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair.” Where you fit in between “the best of times” and “the worst of times” really depends on who you are today...
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Numbers give us a perspective. They don’t lie. We use them in almost every facet of our lives. Probably more so today than ever before in our lifetime. There are some that we gladly accept and others we cast an alarming eye. What are numbers telling us about our nation today? Let’s look and see. Numbers-wise, Covid-19 has been with us for over two years. It has taken the lives of many of our family members and friends. According to reports, over one million people have passed away from this deadly illness. Since the vaccines, we have seen a...
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I’ve been looking here and there and searching everywhere for my good friend Matt Carter, a former Deputy Director of the Florida Democratic Party and also a former Florida Public Service Commissioner. I’ve gotten more than a few calls from people asking me about Matt. I realize Matt is probably focusing on some personal and family issues but I pray I can reach him to tell him I love him, appreciate him and I want to reconnect. When I met Matt Carter I was already a so-called “world-class journalist” but Matt taught me the important aspects of being a good...
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After the White House announced a plan to expand access to affordable high-speed internet for millions of Americans, particularly low-income families, it didn’t take long for Comcast to ensure its customers took advantage. The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), created under the historic bipartisan infrastructure bill, has allowed Comcast to offer free and discounted internet service to customers. The program provides per month toward the cost of internet or mobile service to eligible low-income households. Maryland has agreed to provide an additional per month. “The impact means for eligible households, there’s no reason anyone should have to pay for...
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Jacksonville is one of the most dangerous cities in America for pedestrians, says an annual report from nonprofits that aim to make city streets safer. The Jax metro area ranked sixth most deadly from 2016 to 2020, with six other Florida cities’ pedestrian death rates also in the top 20. Daytona Beach was the most dangerous city in the U.S. for people on foot. The report largely attributes pedestrian deaths to car-centric road design — like inadequate pavement markings, crosswalks placed too far apart and intersections too wide to cross quickly. Death rates are up nationally despite a drop in...
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Florida A&M University experienced a spike in demand for on-campus housing for the fall 2022 semester. Increased demand for on-campus housing reflects a larger freshman class as well as a jump in the number of transfer students, University officials said. At the same time, inflation has made off-campus housing options less attractive. University residence halls were 90.5 percent filled this spring semester. “Due to overwhelming interest in attending Florida A&M University, and the desire of new and returning students to reside on campus, we have reached our capacity in housing,” said William E. Hudson, Ph.D., vice president for Student Affairs....
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A reported bout with Covid kept actor Denzel Washington from attending the Presidential Medal of Freedom ceremony at the White House on Thursday, but 16 others, including Olympic Champion Simone Biles, U.S. soccer player Megan Rapinoe, and Khazir Khan, joined President Joe Biden to accept their respective honors. Washington, Khan, Rapinoe, and Sandra Lindsay each received the medals – the country’s highest civilian honor. “The Fourth of July week reminds us of what brought us together long ago and still binds us – binds us at our best, what we strive for,” Biden remarked during the ceremony. “We the people,...
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Professor Devin Robinson, Sr., the CEO and founder of Urban Business Institute, a Black business training center that with its partners has opened over 200 brick and mortar businesses nationally, provided almost million in funding and trained over 2,000 entrepreneurs. Launched in 2012, Urban Business Institute has emerged to help black entrepreneurs battle their way to high revenues, competitiveness, and stability. They provide training classes, funding assistance, industry contacts and resources, consulting, training materials, self-help books, and more. They are what you would call a one-stop shop for black entrepreneurs. No transcripts or high school diploma is required to...
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JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A life of education, service and advocacy will be recognized Sept. 15 as Dr. Johnnetta Betsch Cole receives the Global ATHENA Leadership Award during a ceremony at the Adam W. Herbert University Center on the University of North Florida (UNF) campus. The award is presented to an individual who demonstrates the qualities embodied in the ATHENA Leadership Model, has achieved the highest level of professional excellence, contributes time and energy to improve the quality of life for others in the community and actively assists others, particularly women, in realizing their full leadership potential. Only 40 leaders have...
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The damning testimony and potentially criminal findings by the House Congressional Committee looking into the January 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol isn’t the only matter that could lead former President Donald Trump to prison. But Trump, the promulgator of the Big Lie, could begin feeling the heat for trying to overturn the 2020 election in Georgia. Officials in the Peach State have issued subpoenas to former Trump attorney Rudy Giuliani, South Carolina Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham, and several others whom they believe assisted the desperate attempts to change President Biden’s 2020 victory. Citing court records, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution noted...
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CHATHAM COUNTY, Ga. — Tybee Island is now fining people caught violating a smoking and vaping ban. The city banned smoking and vaping on all Tybee beach areas and beach crossovers in June. A 30-day warning period ended July 1. Violators now face up to a 0 fine for violations. The 0 fine is the same amount as littering, bringing glass or breakable containers to the beach, disturbing dune vegetation or bringing pets on the beach, according to the city’s website.
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The Bethune-Cookman University football program is returning to the River City. The university and the city of Jacksonville announced Tuesday that the Wildcats will face Jackson State University on Oct. 15 at TIAA Bank Field. A kickoff time has not been announced. “For us, to play in a city like Jacksonville, with our great supporting alumni associations, it will be very exciting, and it is still a close enough drive up the road for our regular crowds from Daytona to attend. We are looking forward to the opportunity for our team and for our fans,” Bethune-Cookman football coach Terry Sims...
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Today, Sunday, June 26, 2022, we pause to celebrate the First Year Anniversary as the Servant Leader of Zion Hope Missionary Baptist Church. It has been a wonderful year for me and my family serving God together with each of you. I truly believe that God is using His Word to cause us all to grow spiritually in our love for Him and for one another. That is certainly my desire. It has been a privilege to get to know so many of you so much better over the course of the past year. The kindness the church has shown...
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Associate Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson officially joined the U.S. Supreme Court, marking a historic first for an African American woman. After receiving the required two oaths – Chief Justice John Roberts administered the constitutional oath, and outgoing Justice Stephen Breyer, provided the judicial oath – Jackson joined a court in turmoil. Protests have erupted with the recent overturning of Roe v. Wade, and other controversial decisions by the high court, including expanded gun rights at a time where the nation has witnessed nearly a deadly mass shooting each day. Judge Jackson’s ascent to the bench still provides hope, she remarked....
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If you are an old school man or woman, there were certain things that you did during the summer. All of us slept late at least for the first week of our summer vacation. That was fun but it got old quick. Our parents and love providers ensured that we left the house. We had breakfast, maybe a late one and off we went to conquer the day. Some of us showed up for lunch. Most of us only came back for dinner. We were having way too much fun to come in eat. Lunch usually consisted of something out...
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JACKSONVILLE AND ORANGE PARK, Fla. – Elite DNA Therapy Services, a comprehensive behavioral and mental health care provider, is hosting a Back-to-School Supplies Drive throughout the month of July that will help area students and schools across the state prepare for the start of the new school year. Through Friday, July 29, Elite DNA is collecting school supplies at more than 20 locations statewide and is calling on the community for support through donations of popular classroom items, including notebooks, college and wide-ruled paper, pocket folders, binders, pens, No. 2 and colored pencils, pink erasers, highlighters, pencil boxes, student scissors,...
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Each year, the Georgia Municipal Association’s (GMA) Annual Convention draws leaders from across the state to enjoy training, sessions, and a tradeshow featuring products and services to improve city operations and the lives of citizens. This year’s convention was an in-person event held June 24th – 28th, 2022 at the Savannah Convention Center. Georgia Governor Brian Kemp (R-GA) addressed the crowd on Sunday, June 26th a day ahead of his November Election opponent in the governor’s race, Stacey Abrams (DGA), who spoke on Monday, June 27th. Kemp focused on his current record in the state of Georgia, including the upcoming...
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If you happen to be in Jacksonville (FL) this week, you may notice that a pre-pandemic fixture is back on the sidewalks: smiling faces standing next to colorful carts featuring a positive message and free Bible-based literature. Thousands of these carts will be rolling down the streets of communities like Jacksonville across the world this week as Jehovah’s Witnesses recommence their global public preaching work some 24 months after putting it on pause due to the pandemic. “We are so excited to be able to do our public ministry again,” said Ivan Fernandez, Florida spokesperson for Jehovah’s Witnesses. “During the...
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JACKSONVILLE, Fla., – A discussion between bearded men took root and grew a self-care brand serving the unmet needs for men of color. Pharmacists Dr. Derick McElveen Jr. and Dr. Theron Douglas created Everyday Fresh Club, a line of all-natural products specifically designed to address the deficiencies in hair, skin, and bald care products for men of color worldwide. McElveen, a graduate of Florida A&M University and Douglas, a University of Florida alum, met while working on the same floor of a military hospital for a week in 2017. The two shared their experiences attending pharmacy school at an HBCU...
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All of us from the New Stanton High School Class of 1961 are now much closer to 80 years old than we are to 70. Sixty-one years ago, we were graduating – the girls with hair pressed and curled, and the boys in their suits and shoes spit shined. We all were so happy and looking forward to college – the military – or the world of work. We all have now lived longer than we will live going forward, and it certainly should make us all reflect on what our legacy will be. I called this little talk –...
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Americans no longer have a constitutional right to abortion after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled on Friday, June 24, to overturn the landmark Roe V. Wade, taking away reproductive rights that have been in place since 1973. The decision mirrored a leaked draft opinion circulated earlier this month, with all the conservative justices on the high court approved. Immediately following the initial leak of draft, and continuing over the weeks since, crowds have gathered outside the Supreme Court in Washington to protest. “Stripping away a woman’s right to safe, legal abortion and to make our own health care decisions will...
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Ahead of the all-important 2022 midterm elections, reports show that more than 55 million Americans remain unregistered to vote – and about 10 million are African Americans who are eligible to vote but who are unregistered. Whether the reason is apathy, suppression, or something else, the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) and the Transformative Justice Coalition seek to get to the bottom of why, with so much at stake, voter registration and GOTV mobilization remain lacking notably among Black Americans across the nation. During the national convention marking the 195th-anniversary celebration of the Black Press of America in New Orleans,...
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After two years of cancellations and alternative celebrations, cities across the country are getting ready to bring back fireworks, parades, barbecues and picnics, and other Fourth of July festivities. But with the rise of the BA.2.12.1, BA.4, and BA.5 subvariants of omicron, the U.S. finds itself in a familiar position: the threat of another COVID-19 surge. Earlier this spring the Centers for Disease Controls and Prevention updated its masking guidelines, which has been a key mitigating factor over the course of the pandemic. Masking guidance now correlates with the impact of COVID-19 on local hospitals in a specific county. In...
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If one can buy, then one should buy, if unable to buy, one should attempt to place themselves in a position to buy. Jacksonville, Florida has become one of the hottest markets to investors and the object of their exercise is to buy up the single-family homes to rent them to the community. They can and will control your monthly rent and there will be no equity. Purchasing is an opportunity to build generational wealth. In the last five years, the number of homes built exclusively for rent has increased 30 percent across America, according to the National Association of Home...
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There are many Black candidates running statewide across the U.S. this year in primaries and in general election contests. The year of 2022 will prove to be a major test of the electability of Black statewide candidates as issues around voting rights and justice reform, confront the steady emergence of white supremacy in U.S. politics. With inflation becoming a bigger issue and the aftermath of COVID-19 many candidates will be running against strong headwinds. Florida Congresswoman and former Orlando Police Chief Val Demings, 65, is running for the U.S. Senate against Republican Marco Rubio, 51. In North Carolina, former State...
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He famously sang, “I can believe I can fly,” and many of his devoted fans believed him. But on Wednesday, a federal judge clipped the wings of music superstar R. Kelly sentencing him to 30 years in prison for racketeering and sex trafficking charges that stemmed from years of assaulting numerous young girls in several states. Many of those young girls were fans whom the singer betrayed. Some were featured in two damning documentaries, the 2019 “Surviving R. Kelly” and the 2020 “The Reckoning,” which exposed his crimes. “You left in your wake a trail of broken lives,” Federal Judge...
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Our country is fraying at the seams. Black people and children are being gunned down while some governors, school boards and elected leaders are more focused on banning the truth of our history than protecting us. For Black youth, these bans are a threat to their identities and an affront to their very existence. Educators are left to supplement curricula with fear of retaliation looming, while Black students often feel misunderstood and isolated while trying to discover who they really are. The truth is public education has always been bred in segregation and racial discrimination. Black children have never really...
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Quit playing and pretending that a recent U. S. Supreme Court ruling is only about a woman’s right to choose. Pregnancies will continue to be terminated for good, bad and other reasons in states where health care providers can perform the necessary procedures in clinics and hospitals and terminations will also be done in less desirable places like alleyways, back rooms and unsanitary basements. The court decision is really about states rights. Think about it. Not so very long ago, meetings of Republican legislators in Florida, Georgia and some other southern states could have been held in a phone booth....
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If I had to hazard a guess, I would probably say no. Will these hearings change the minds of some people about what happened on January 6th? My answer to that question would be yes. They will jump off the bandwagon of wrong and jump to the bandwagon of right. The in-your-face truth has a strange effect on people. These hearings now in their third week have made an indelible impression on a lot of us. The culprits and cronies are even more guilty than we originally thought they were. Their denial of the facts is both laughable and pathetic....
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Home tasks and enhancements may be time-consuming and costly at times. You don't have to end up in that situation. A modest improvement to garage door protection can go a long way toward improving the curb appeal of your house. Consider this: "Which garage door should I choose for my home?" There is no such thing as a one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to selecting the greatest garage doors. Consider this as a beginning point for picking out the best entry points that will add value to your property. Take accurate measurements of the garage The first step is to...
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Two top Black Amazon executives, Senior Vice President of Global Customer Fulfillment, Alicia Boler-Davis, and VP of Transportation Services, David Bozeman, are departing the company. CNBC reports the pair were among the tech giant’s few Black executives. Amazon has made progress on its diversity goals in its executive ranks in recent years. However, less than 6% of its senior leaders were Black at the end of 2021. The departures by Boler-Davis and Bozeman come on the heels of several other high-profile moves, including Amazon CEO of Worldwide Consumer Dave Clark announcing he will resign on July 1. CEO Andy Jassy...
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President Joe Biden, on Wednesday, June 22, called on Congress to suspend the federal gas tax through September after taking action to boost oil and gas supply chains, including the release from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve. According to a White House Fact Sheet, Biden has also encouraged oil companies and refiners to boost capacity and output to get more supply on the market. Saying that American consumers have suffered under Russian President Vladimir Putin’s price hike, Biden has called on states to provide relief by suspending their gas taxes or helping in other ways. Gas prices are up nationwide by...
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On June 3, Truist Park hosted the 2022 Minority Baseball Prospects HBCU All-Star Game, headed by the Minority Baseball Prospects organization (MBP). MBP invited 60 players from 57 different HBCUs to compete against one another, but to also have fun. Former MLB Players, college and university coaches, instructors, and fans were all in attendance to support the HBCU players. Before the game everyone was open to answering some questions regarding the MBP organization and minorities in baseball. Baseball coach Roberto Alonso Jr. was in attendance to support one of his own players, Jose Santiago, a pitcher from Savannah State. Coach...
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After shattering all the rules by becoming the first sneaker company ever owned by a woman athlete, Santia Deck, founder and CEO of Atlanta-based TRONUS, is now celebrating a new deal that makes her line of Black-owned shoes and slides available in-store at multiple locations of The Athlete’s Foot shoestore chain across the country. This is thanks to a new partnership that Santia has formed with a Black franchise owner who has a signature program that aims to increase African American representation and ownership within the sneaker industry last year. This partnership marks the first time that TRONUS has landed...
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These leaders, with deep roots in the beaches community, were honored at the Juneteenth Celebration held on June 18 at the Rhoda L. Martin Cultural Heritage Center. A Freedom Walk was held before the celebration, and Mayors Chris Hoffman and Ellen Glasser participated. Pictured front: Coach Marvin “DJ Roach” Robinson for his musical contributions as a former singer and D.J. Standing (left to right): James Graham for his support of the community through James Graham Mortuary Zackary Pratt and his wife for Arts by Zack featuring portraits of iconic African- American leaders Lady C for her contributions as “Queen of...
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In today’s market, cash offers are leading the pack, but offers submitted with a conventional loan pre-approval are their stiff competition. Conventional loans are originated, backed, and serviced by private mortgage lenders like banks, credit unions and other financial institutions. Conventional loans are broken down into conforming and nonconforming loans, depending on whether they conform to guidelines set by the Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae) and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac), the two government-backed mortgage companies that own many mortgages in the U.S. It is possible to get approved for a conforming conventional loan with a...
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In a 6-3 decision that ultimately will lead to more people legally carrying guns in America’s larger cities, the U.S. Supreme Court, on Thursday, June 23, struck down a New York law gun-rights advocates called restrictive. The conservative majority ruled unconstitutional a New York law requiring individuals to demonstrate a need to carry a gun before obtaining a license to carry in public. The justices said the law violated the Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms. “The Constitution protects an individual’s right to carry a handgun for self-defense outside the home,” Justice Clarence Thomas wrote for the majority....
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Meet Nyasha and Ike Chimbandi, a couple from West Palm Beach, Florida who help to provide affordable housing to underserved communities. They decided to start their non-profit organization called We Second Chance after a personal experience about 5 years ago with a homeless man that inspired them to offer him the opportunity to stay at their empty rental unit. That’s when they realized how dire the need is for affordable housing in the country. Since then, they have helped put a roof over the heads of hundreds of individuals and families. During the past 5 years, the duo has also...
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Over 250 Black-Owned Businesses Gather for a Juneteenth Celebration The Melanin Market celebrates its sixth season by hosting its 22nd event in honor of Juneteenth Saturday, June 18, 2022 – The Melanin Market presented a Juneteenth celebration on Saturday, June 18 from 3 – 9 p.m. at A Philip Randolph Business Corridor, 822 A. Philip Randolph Blvd. Jacksonville, Florida. This event commemorates and celebrates the emancipation of enslaved Blacks in the United States, as well as honor the resilience and significance of the contributions of Black People throughout the history of the United States. Visitors walked along A. Philip Randolph...
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Editor’s note: This commentary is provided by the Medical Marijuana Education and Research Initiative (MMERI) of Florida A&M University. Alcohol and cannabis share some common histories and cultural relationships. Both have been around for thousands of years and have been met with societal acceptance and rejection, as well as government prohibitions. Both have also been used for celebration, recreation, and medication. The growing acceptance and availability of legal cannabis raises a user's potential to combine it with alcohol consumption, creating what Amanda Reiman, Ph.D., calls a "synergistic relationship." Dr. Reiman is the vice president of public policy research at New...
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The winner of the 2022-23 Miss Juneteenth Scholarship Pageant Miss Micah Webster-Bass Miss Micah Webster Bass is a rising Junior at Douglas Anderson School of the arts for Musical Theater. She has a strong affinity for the arts including acting, dance, singing, and piano. She hopes to pursue a career in the arts eventually reaching Broadway, Hollywood, and beyond. She would like to give a special thank you to her parents: the Honorable Judge Lester Bass and Dr. Selena Webster Bass. Also, her big brother and sister have constantly reminded her to follow her dreams. The Second Annual Miss Juneteenth...
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Shootings of any kind are bad. They shame us, they embarrass us, and they injure us. Oftentimes, they kill us. Guns have the consequences of life and death. During these days and times, they are causing too many deaths. It seems almost daily someone is being killed because of gun violence. Our society is suffering mightily because of it. Families once whole are now being torn apart because of this cycle of doom and gloom. Using guns and not thoughtful ways of talking has become how we settle disagreements. Plainly stated, we shoot each other instead of talk to each...
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I am so sorry about the federal indictment of Andrew Gillum, the former Mayor of Tallahassee, Florida and a Florida gubernatorial candidate in the Sunshine State. I pray he will prevail in his attempts to clear himself from federal charges of wire fraud and any other political misconduct. I know Andrew Gillum and he knows me. The last time I spoke to Andrew was in Orlando Florida. We were both at a convention of the Democratic Black Caucus of Florida during his run for Governor of Florida. I’m not a prophet or a soothsayer, but I’ve been telling Gantt Report...
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JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Hightower Emerging Leaders Fellowship has added Fellows Cameron Frazier (Class of 2021) and Nicole Hamm (Class of 2021) to its Board of Directors. The fellowship is named for Mike Hightower, who as JAX Chamber Chair in 2009 helped launch the mentoring program for ImpactJAX (now NextUp JAX), the Chamber’s young professional organization. Cameron Frazier, Founder and Principal of Becoming Collegiate Academy, has served as a Founding Fellow of the Freedom Fellows Institute: a leadership pipeline program that prepares leaders of color to found high impact charter schools of innovation. Cameron’s experience in both district and charter...
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Last week Florida Senator Audrey Gibson added her name to the growing list of candidates running to be Jacksonville’s next mayor. Mayor Lenny Curry, who has served as mayor since July 2015, is term-limited and will not be eligible to run again. Gibson was first elected to the Florida State Legislature in 2002 as a house rep and served in that capacity until 2010. In 2011, she was elected to the Florida State Senate, representing Senate District 6 (Duval County), and is still serving in that position — her term is up in 2022. She was the Florida State Senate...
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Tallahassee, Florida – Former U.S. Rep. Corrine Brown returned to the Capital today and promptly announced that she had filed her petition papers marking her official declaration of candidacy for the 10th Congressional District of Florida. The 10th District is currently an open seat as incumbent U.S. Rep. Val Demings is running for the U.S. Senate against incumbent Republican Marco Rubio. Brown recently agreed to a settlement with the U.S. Department of Justice. In the joint agreement, the Government dropped all but one charge against Brown, and she pled to one tax count. This agreement ended all litigation between Brown...
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After an early diagnosis with high blood pressure and diabetes, 59-year-old Jacqueline Glass from Harlem, New York City began her journey toward transformative health. Through diet and exercise, she was able to change her trajectory and reverse her diabetes, eliminate all prescription medication, and ultimately save her life. This led Jacqueline, an ordained minister, to tell her story and inspire others to embark on a healthier way of life. Jacqueline began holding health and wellness conferences and symposiums that were attended by countless women looking for direction and a path forward to improve their mental, emotional, and physical well-being. As...
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While Janita K. Jackson’s journey to owning multiple six-figure businesses, penning books, owning a boutique and creating an award to honor Black fathers may sound like a dream come true to many, for her, success has been bittersweet as the person who pushed her to be her best did not live to see her accomplishments. “My father was a friend, supporter, encourager and I was the ultimate daddy’s girl,” reflects Jackson. “He had a few health issues but was not at that point where we thought he’d be leaving us soon. So when he died, I wasn’t ready and even...
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Encompass Health announces the opening of Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Jacksonville, a 50-bed inpatient rehabilitation hospital located at 11595 Burnt Mill Road. The hospital serves patients recovering from debilitating illnesses and injuries including strokes and other neurological disorders, brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, amputations, and complex orthopedic conditions. In addition to 24-hour nursing care, Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Jacksonville offers physical, occupational and speech therapies to restore functional ability and quality of life. Care is provided by highly specialized nurses, therapists, and physicians. The hospital features all private patient rooms, a spacious therapy gym, an in-house pharmacy, a...
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The D.C.-based research and advocacy nonprofit, The Sentencing Project, has debunked a widespread narrative that youth crime has exploded during the pandemic. In a new report released on Tuesday, June 14, the group said it found scarce evidence of a new youth-led crime wave. The report titled, “Data Reveals Violence Among Youth Under 18 Has Not Spiked in the Pandemic,” revealed that most of the data suggests that rates of violence among people under 18 have been flat or declining. “This report comes at an important moment. Throughout the pandemic, many media outlets and policymakers have perpetuated a narrative that...
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Chicken Little said famously in his folktale that the sky is falling. That is probably what some Republicans are feeling these days. It could be that their mean-spirited world is being exposed and coming to an end. If you are a hard line and unreasonable Republican last Thursday evening was a nightmare for you. You must say again that January 6th was a harmless event. On the other hand, if you are a moderate and reasonable member of the GOP (Grand Old Party), you are just shaking your head and embarrassed. The horror of what happened on that day will...
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According to a White House Fact Sheet, one in three women under the age of 35 in the United States report being sexually harassed online, and over half of LGBTQI+ individuals report being the target of severe online abuse. Further, administration officials stated that individuals may also be disproportionately targeted because of their race, gender and gender identity, ethnicity, religion, age, disability, sexual orientation, or at the intersection of various identifies. On June 16, President Joe Biden announced the signing of a Presidential Memorandum establishing the White House Task Force to Address Online Harassment and Abuse. White House officials said...
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President Joe Biden declared June to be Black Music Appreciation Month, a time to celebrate the powerful influence Black music has had on American culture and heritage. Originally created by former President Jimmy Carter in 1979, the appreciation month is reestablished every year with a presidential proclamation. Time and time again, Black musicians have contributed a soundtrack for people’s lives and a safe expression of emotions. In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, they performed at-home concerts. Kendrick Lamar’s “Alright” and other songs expressed the emotions felt by so many navigating a life-stopping virus in the United States. Music by...
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The second public hearing from the House Select Committee investigating the Jan. 6 insurrection revealed that Donald Trump was perhaps the worst loser in American political history. It also showed how alone he stood among an inner circle that couldn’t convince him he had lost the 2020 election and a team that failed to get him to call off the deadly riot at the U.S. Capitol. The former President declared the election as fraudulent “right out of the box on election night before there was actually any potential of looking at evidence,” former U.S. Attorney William Barr said in a...
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The United States House of Representatives Committee assigned to investigate who plotted, planned and attempted to initiate a government coup has begun public hearings. On January 6, 2021, supporters of Donald Trump, believers in the BIG LIE and various white supremacy and militia groups, attacked the U.S. Capitol. About 20 million people saw all or part of the initial hearing that was broadcast on many national news networks. Fox News declined to air the public hearing live possibly because so many Fox employees were calling, texting and communicating with the political, personal and public office holders that were supporters of...
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On Sunday, June 5, 2022, approximately 150 guests celebrated with former Congresswoman Corrine Brown at Smoke in the City BBQ in Jacksonville, Florida. It took over six years for her to achieve total freedom. The celebration was attended by church and family members, friends, supporters, elected officials, pastors, and ministers from all over. Attendees enjoyed food, drinks, and music, and had the opportunity to greet Congresswoman Brown. The weather was beautiful, and the corresponding spirit in the air crystallized the celebration. Congresswoman Brown gave remarks and closed by telling a story about Congressman Charlie Bennett, a Democratic Member of Congress...
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Florida A&M University alumnus and Sierra Leone Ambassador Waleed Shamsid-Deen visited his alma mater Wednesday to discuss strategic partnership opportunities with FAMU’s College of Agriculture & Food Sciences (CAFS). Shamsid-Deen, a 1994 FAMU graduate, was appointed in December as Sierra Leone’s special envoy and ambassador for foreign direct investment to promote trade and investment in West Africa. His campus visit developed following a meeting with FAMU Trustee Tommy Dortch in Atlanta. The purpose of the meeting was to promote a sister relationship between the University of Sierra Leone, specifically the Eastern Technology University, and FAMU CAFS, Shamsid-Deen said during his...
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The failure of Congress to pass legislation like the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act and the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act have frustrated African Americans. With new voter suppression laws, the leaked Roe V. Wade opinion, and the assault on many other rights, some question whether the voting bloc that allowed Democrats to take the White House and control both houses of Congress will abandon the polls during the midterm election. “Black voters are understandably frustrated with the lack of reform around voter rights, but the lack of success with this is due to actions by Republicans, not...
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For more than 40 years, I’ve been writing about how much money is spent in political campaigns and how nearly 97% of campaign dollars are spent with vendors of one race. In today’s column, I want to try and use an analogy to hopefully get you to understand why low voter turnout results from outdated and ill-advised usage of incompetent and ineffective consultants. On occasion, The Gantt Report has suggested that too many politicians believe white ice is colder than Black ice. Well, the “white ice” and “Black ice” mentions are misnomers. You see, ice is ice! Ice is clear...
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Let’s face it. With all the mass shootings in America today, it is difficult to tease out the various motivations that prompt murderers to unleash their automatic weapons on unsuspecting and innocent individuals they do not even know. This country being awash in guns is certainly a major contributor to the constant carnage. But a theory of “one size fits all” does not apply to these killings. Some shooters suffer from mental illness. Others have a fixation on attacking people because of their sexual orientation or religion. And then there are those who attack people because of their race or...
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Navigating the new normal, especially when it comes to summer celebrations, can be tricky with COVID-19 still circulating and infections on the rise in some communities. Even after two years, attending summer events like family cookouts, visiting amusement parks and enjoying music and cultural festivals, still comes with challenges thanks to what seems like a never-ending pandemic. Last year, President Joe Biden signed a law that officially made Juneteenth Day, celebrated on June 19, a federal holiday. With Juneteenth Day just weeks away, many people are looking forward to celebrating this important holiday to commemorate the emancipation of enslaved African...
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The young man who murdered 10 people in Buffalo, New York on May 14, was out to kill Black people. He chose a grocery store because he wanted to leave the local Black community in fear of going about their daily lives. These evil actions were motivated by a racist ideology known as the Great Replacement Theory. That should cause some serious reflection among Republicans who are trying to build power with their own versions of racist “replacement” rhetoric. Replacement rhetoric is meant to tap into a very old fear: that the survival and dominance of white Americans is threatened...
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Orange Park Resident Reflects on the Impact of A 2002 Historic Supreme Court Ruling as 20th Anniversary Nears While Jehovah’s Witnesses have chosen to temporarily suspend their door-to-door ministry due to the pandemic, their activity was almost permanently banned by one U.S. village in the late 1990s — that is until the United States Supreme Court stepped in with a historic 8-1 decision on June 17, 2002, declaring the local ordinance unconstitutional. As the 20th anniversary of that precedent-setting decision nears, some Orange Park residents wonder what their lives would be like if one of their neighbors had not knocked...
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Although other states such as Pennsylvania, California, Washington and others have had a Hometown Heroes Housing Program, We are happy that Florida has joined in the effort to assist our Hometown Heroes in purchasing a home. Governor DeSantis announced that the program would take effect June 1, 2022, and many lenders have already begun the process of assisting those who qualify. Details of the program are available on the Florida Housing website. The Florida Hometown Heroes Housing Program makes homeownership affordable for eligible frontline community workers such as law enforcement officers, firefighters, educators, healthcare professionals, childcare employees, and active...
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Darkness and despair have us trapped and we have lost our way. Good, once the standard, has turned into bad. We are making bad decisions and they have resulted in bad outcomes. Our once proud America is being looked at with critical eyes. Those living in other countries are wondering what is happening in the United States of America. Cities across this great land of ours are besieged by crime and punishment. Each day has become a day of death for many of our brothers and sisters, both Black and White. We leave our homes with good intentions, yet we...
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The average price for a gallon of gasoline has hit record numbers in Los Angeles and Philadelphia. This week prices rose nationally by four cents, and consumers wondered why the cost is so high. A study of fact sheets provided by the American Petroleum Institute suggests that the complicated answer includes more production in America, which could add more supply. “More U.S. supply means relief for the global market,” Lem Smith, API’s vice president for Federal Relations, wrote in an op-ed. “America has an abundance of resources right under our feet, and policymakers should send a clear message that America is...
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Ascension St. Vincent’s is creating a new inpatient rehabilitation unit at its Southside hospital. Opening in July, the 22-bed, 15,000-square-foot unit will provide patients with comprehensive acute rehabilitation services. Patients in need of this level of care have typically experienced a major neurological, cardiovascular or orthopedic health event. “The inpatient rehabilitation unit will provide patients with the opportunity to have intensive, comprehensive rehabilitation multiple days per week, in conjunction with other acute hospital services should they be required,” said Kristen Gerking, director of clinical operations for the new unit. “The rehabilitation physicians, nurses, case managers, physical, occupational and speech therapists...
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Mayor Lenny Curry on Wednesday announced a partnership between the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office, Duval County Public Schools and city government in hiring a security firm to enhance school safety in response to mass shootings. Curry said the partnership with New York-based Armoured One had been in the works for months, with the announcement coincidentally landing soon after the Uvalde, Texas, school shooting that left dozens dead or wounded. While the mayor didn't offer specifics as to what the partnership would bring, he said the cost of using Armoured One's services would be under 0,000 as part of next fiscal year's...
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Nationwide — Mae Beale, an 82-year-old woman from Maryland, has finally achieved her dream of graduating college as she recently received her Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management from the University of Maryland Global Campus. In the past years, Beale has been working as a licensed practical nurse at different health care and government agencies in Washington, DC. While working at the Department of Health and Human Services’ Centers for Medicare and Medicaid, she discovered her skills in event planning. “My supervisors thought I had something special,” she told WJLA-TV. “When I was working at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services,...
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Juneteenth in Jacksonville is hosted by the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Foundation, a 3 Day event. Saturday, June 18th, 19th, and 20th, 2022. Freedom finally came on June 19, 1865. 250,000 enslaved black people in Galveston Bay, Texas, were free by executive decree. This day came to be known as “Juneteenth” by the newly freed people in Texas. It is the oldest known holiday that commemorates the end of slavery. The three (3) Day Event Outline: June 18th • Juneteenth Freedom Walk Parade - 8th and Davis Street - 10:00 AM. - 11:00AM. • Juneteenth Celebration at the...
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You, like me, have heard different iterations of the time-honored expression, “if your mind can conceive it and your heart can believe it, then you will achieve it”. All of us at some point in our lifetime have actualized this statement. We have done something that started off as a thought in our head. The thought gained some momentum and you started to believe in what some might call possibility thinking. Your heart is telling you, yes you can. When the spirit of belief grabs you, you are then called to act upon it. It’s the fire inside that makes...
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Harvard scholar Henry Louis Gates, Jr. has long examined America’s hatred toward African Americans, recently noting a profound new rendering of the struggle by African Americans for equality after the Civil War and the violent counterrevolution that re-subjugated them, as seen through the prism of the war of images and ideas that have left an enduring stain on the American mind. “The story of the abolition of slavery in the aftermath of the Civil War is familiar, as is the civil rights revolution that transformed the nation after World War II,” Gates wrote in a white paper. “But the century...
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ORLANDO, Fla – Florida A&M University (FAMU) College of Law student Michelle Wanamaker is the 2022 recipient of the prestigious Holland & Knight Scholarship and Internship. As the 2022-2023 Holland & Knight Scholar, Wanamaker will receive full in-state tuition and a summer associate position with the law firm. “It is an honor to be named the Holland & Knight Scholar for 2022,” said Wanamaker, who will work out of the law firm’s Orlando office. “I am extremely grateful for this amazing opportunity.” The Willingboro, New Jersey native is a mother and non-traditional student who is eager to advance in the...
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The Florida A&M University School of Journalism & Graphic Communication (FAMU SJGC) this spring became the first Historically Black College and University (HBCU) to pilot Google’s Shape Co-Lab. The program is designed to educate and inspire more students to pursue careers in user experience (UX) and technology. UX designers help fulfill users’ needs with a product or service that is useful and functional. “Partnering with Google in this way elevates our Graphic Communication program by preparing our students with highly-sought skillsets for a global workforce,” said SJGC Dean Mira Lowe. “The Shape Co-Lab allows us to be a leader in...
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Willie L. Wilson, age 92, died on October 9, 2020 at Memorial Hospital after a month-long battle with COVID-19. Mr Wilson graduated from Old Stanton High School in Jacksonville, Fl in 1946, and was among the last living members of that alumni. After graduating high school, he enlisted into what was then the US Army Air Forces (USAAF) in September, 1946, effectively becoming a founding member of the present-day US Air Force (USAF), and the Tuskegee Airmen. Mr. Wilson was also a founding member of the NORAD Command Band in 1959 and a member of the renowned Singing Sergeants. Mr....
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The pandemic has spurred the Great Resignation phenomenon, and it is still on. Many workers have continued to resign and switch jobs, and the pandemic reportedly has changed what matters to employees and what they want from their jobs – leading to a disconnect between leaders and workers. GenZ and younger Millennials are speaking up about what they want their workplace to look like – and feel like – something that no other generation has done. “Many GenZ workers got their first job during the pandemic, so they expect flexibility and remote work as the standard option. In addition, they...
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It’s 2022 and in every state in the United States voters will be going to the polls in November to select their leaders, their representatives and their public servants. Do you know the politicians that represent you on the federal, state and local levels? I don’t know and I try to keep up with politics. If you don’t know the men and women elected to serve you, you probably don’t know what kind of man or woman they are. Today I’ll give you one way to evaluate a public official. Look at the people that work for your elected official....
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Pain and suffering have become unwelcomed companions to we the citizens in this country. Our beloved nation is tormented and tortured. The shootings in America have overwhelmed us. The disregard for human life and the murders have torn us apart physically and emotionally. Crying our tears has left us drained and distraught. Is there no let up? Is there no relief that we can get? Shootings and killings are now becoming commonplace. They are happening so frequently that we have become almost numb to them. Breaking news about these acts of violence have become everyday news. We are horrified...
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An FHA loan is a type of government-backed mortgage loan that can allow you to buy a home with looser financial requirements. You may qualify for an FHA loan if you have debt or a lower credit score. You might even be able to get an FHA loan with a bankruptcy or other financial issue on your record. FHA loans are backed by the Federal Housing Administration, an agency under the jurisdiction of the Department of Housing and Urban Development. FHA loans are insured by the FHA, which simply means that this organization protects your lender against loss if you default...
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“None of us are immune to disasters,” said North Florida resident Perry Dorch. “We enjoy the good weather when it’s here. But when it’s bad, we’re ready for that too.” Perry and his wife Carolyn leave nothing to chance when it comes to their safety. Two backpacks full of emergency supplies sit ready for action in their home — one “go bag” each. “You have to be able to function and take care of yourself so that you can take care of other people,” said Carolyn. With extreme weather events escalating in frequency and severity in recent years, experts urge...
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For more than a century Sollie Mitchell’s life has been an incredibly amazing journey. From his austere beginning on a farm in Irwin County, Georgia, that he would become an honor student and graduate an honor student and be president of his class from LaVilla Grammar School, Stanton High School and Florida Normal Institute was beyond his imagination. Sollie Mitchell was born in Ocilla, Georgia, June 20, 1918, and orphaned three times by the time he came to Jacksonville in 1931. His quest for an education was powerful, Sollie never gave up from the time he graduated from the LaVilla...
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As a mother of an active-duty military and a disabled veteran son, let me first Thank each member of our military who served and sacrificed for this country. For your sacrifice, We Salute You. For eligible veterans, service members, and surviving spouses you may be eligible for a Veterans Affairs backed loan to purchase a home. Let us see how you may qualify. To qualify for a VA backed loan, you or your spouse must meet the minimum service requirements set by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), have a valid Certificate of Eligibility (COE) and satisfy the lender's credit...
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Racism is a longstanding social illness in the United States of America. Seemingly, there is no cure for it. It has been with us for as long as I can remember. The result of it has created heartache and heartbreak. Lives have been lost and it has left the stain of disgrace on this country. Accomplishments, it could be argued, are sometimes overshadowed by our blatant disregard for some members of our beloved community. I know for sure that racism will be around for as long as I live. It has been a part of my life experiences. Unfortunately, and...
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Never believe a lying fox! Don’t believe a fox in the forest, don’t believe a fox in the zoo, don’t believe the fox in an Uncle Remus story and you certainly can’t believe what you hear on a Fox news network! Long, long ago, the geographical area now called the United States was completely inhabited by people of color. The Fox news anchors are lying when they say people of color, and Jews, are plotting to “replace” white people in America. The media devils know, or should know, that it is their kind that has a history of replacing people...
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The ongoing stress, fear, and uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic has led to many negative mental health impacts among children and adolescents. During the recent virtual town hall titled Mental Wealth: COVID's Impact on Mental Health in the Black Community, a panel of trusted doctors discussed insights into how parents and caregivers can support their children’s mental health during the pandemic and beyond. Identify symptoms of mental illness In children, being mentally healthy means “reaching developmental and emotional milestones and learning healthy social skills and how to cope when there are problems,” according to the Centers for Disease Control and...
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(JACKSONVILLE, FL.)— On Thursday, May 12, 2022, eleven of Jacksonville’s highest-ranking African-American students from Duval County Public Schools were awarded scholarships for academic excellence. This year is Gamma Beta Boule’s 38th Annual High Potential Youth Recognition Awards Program. The much smaller than normal program was hosted at the University of North Florida’s Andrew Robinson Theater with over 120 Students, Parents, Boule’ Members, UNF and DCPS officials in attendance. However, due to Covid-19 restrictions, the more than 1,550 students in 10th thru 12th grades with a GPA of 3.50 or above, who would normally be invited to attend the ceremony were...
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When is the last time that you read a national news story in the so-called mainstream media about a successful Black business in America that has achieved unprecedented excellence and profit in today’s marketplace? I know it has been a long time. On the other hand, when was the last time that you read or heard in the media about allegations of corruption, financial failure and excessive greed by the owners of some Black businesses? In my opinion it, has been an all too frequent and reoccurring false narrative that continues to be cast in the media to undermine and...
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If you think the Republicans are over the top or as they are nick named, “Republican Crazy,” you are not alone. Respected journalist and talk show host John Heilemann points to findings that show Democrats have pulled ahead of Republicans by 4%, in a generic candidate matchup, rebounding from a 8% Republican lead just a few months ago. American voters are paying attention to the extreme agendas offered by the GOP. And apparently, they don’t like it. There’s an irony to other findings in the survey. According to Heilemann, “The Republicans are focused on attacking the issues the Democrats lead...
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So, you’re tired of renting, and want to buy a house, but the lender wants to check your credit score. It’s important to know what the lender sees when they look at your score. Your credit score tells a lender how much risk they will be taking by approving your loan to lend you the funds needed to purchase your home. The higher your credit score, the less risk a lender believes they are taking and the better the interest rate you will receive for your purchase. We’ve all read the advertisements that state, “purchase a home with a 500-credit...
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On Saturday, May 15, 2022, Judy Batson, Retired Educator, Shantel Davis, Corporate Executive, Valerie Green, Retired Pharmaceutical Executive, Kimberly Holloway, IT Executive, Kimberly Morrison, Marketing Executive, Rhonda Peoples-Waters, Judge, Nicole Thomas, Hospital Executive, and Kay Williams, Attorney were inducted into the Bold City (FL) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated. “We are honored to welcome eight dynamic women who are influential change agents in our community. We warmly welcome each of them into our circle of friendship and service,” said Wanda Willis, Chapter President. Individually and collectively committed to service, the women united their passion and purpose and came together to...
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U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Michael S. Regan remains on a journey to justice. He said President Joe Biden’s historic bipartisan infrastructure bill provides an opportunity to finally rid America of poisonous lead pipes and free communities of color of the toxins that have polluted their neighborhoods for centuries. “I’m the first Black man ever to lead this agency, the first to graduate from a historically Black college (North Carolina A&T) leading this agency,” said Regan, who made a special appearance on the National Newspaper Publishers Association’s live daily morning news program, “Let It Be Known.” The program can be...
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Naomi Osaka is a champion on the court having won 4 major championships. She has become a name that is familiar to all of us. Each of her Grand Slam wins has become an instant classic. Naomi Osaka has always been her own person. Some would say that the timeless quote by Henry David Thoreau applies to her. (If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music which he hears, however measured or far away). She does in fact march to her own drumbeat....
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You never know who you’ll fall in love with but you do know who you want to hate. My prayers and condolences go out to the people of Buffalo, New York that were the recent murder victims of a racially motivated killer. Prayers are needed worldwide because racial hatred takes place all over planet earth! No doubt, I sometimes speak about or write about racism, but I am not a racist. Many of my closest male and female friends are Caucasians. I went to school with them, I’ve attended churches and worshipped with them, I’ve traveled with them, I’ve stayed...
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Photos by Blue Franswa Jacksonville, Florida – Today, former U.S. Rep. Corrine Brown agreed to a settlement with the United States Department of Justice. In the joint agreement, the United States Government agreed to drop all but one charge against Congresswoman Brown, and she agreed to plead to one taxcount. As part of the plea deal, Congresswoman Brown will be given credit for time served during the months she spent at FCC Coleman Camp. This plea deal ends all litigation between the Justice Department and Congresswoman Brown. “God is good! God delivered me! I am finally free!” exclaimed Congresswoman Brown....
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How Male Abuse is Minimized In an op-ed by Neffer Kerr titled, “Strong & Silent: Breaking the Stigma of Abuse Because Black Men Are Victims, Too,” by Ebony Magazine, Kerr recalls learning that her male friend, who was over six feet tall and gave off a facade of confidence, was being abused. All of these issues entered the forefront of her mind when Yasmine Elder killed Darius Ellis in 2017, forcing him to drink bleach. Kerr went on to express the dichotomy that male victims face due to how we view Black men, as well as calling for the creation...
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Montgomery, Alabama-For the first time since 2011 and the second time in program history, an HBCU National Championship will reside in Jacksonville, Florida as Edward Waters defeated Kentucky State, 3-2 in the Championship Game of the Tyson Foods Black College World Series at Riverwalk Stadium on Saturday evening. Edward Waters took a two-run lead in the top of the 2nd inning with an RBI single from John Nobles and an RBI triple from Keilin Washington to give them a 2-0 lead. The Thorobreds cracked the scoreboard in the bottom of the 3rd inning with an RBI sacrifice fly to cut...
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Elgin Davis, a former NFL player for the New England Patriots and Pittsburgh Steelers, is now a successful entrepreneur, top sales trainer, speaker, and community leader who seeks to encourage and motivate his community and audience. As the CEO of Gridiron Productions, he has released a new book entitled Why Did it Happen to Me? and a documentary called 44 to 40 about his life story from his rise to fame, pain, and redemption. Elgin grew up on the northside of Jacksonville, Florida, and from an early age, he always dreamed of playing in front of large crowds on Sundays...
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After Actor Will Smith slapped comedian Chris Rock during the Oscars for making a joke about Jada Pinkett Smith’s shaved head, one word was echoed around the world – alopecia. From break rooms to the morning talk shows, people were asking, “what is alopecia?” Even though many people in the nation had no idea what this word meant, according to the National Alopecia Areata Foundation this condition affects both sexes and all ethnic groups can develop alopecia areata. “The definition of alopecia is hair loss from any cause. There are 100 different categories of alopecia,” said Dr. Linda Amerson, PhD,...
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Karine Jean-Pierre, whose long career in Democratic communications led her to the podium last year as the second Black woman to hold a White House daily briefing, will regularly host those news conferences. On Thursday, May 5, President Joe Biden announced that he has selected the Martinique native as his next White House press secretary. “Karine not only brings the experience, talent, and integrity needed for this difficult job, but she will continue to lead the way in communicating about the work of the Biden-Harris Administration on behalf of the American people,” Biden said in a statement. He added that...
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Jacksonville, FL- Former State Senator Anthony “Tony” Hill formally announced his candidacy for the new Florida 4th Congressional District at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, May 10, 2022. Hill was joined by family, friends, and members of the International Longshoremen's Association (ILA) Local 1408. The newly-created Fourth Congressional district includes all of Clay & Nassau counties and part of Duval County. Senator Hill remarked, “For too long, working families in Northeast Florida have gotten the short end of the stick. I believe in the dignity of work, and I will stand up to politicians in Washington in either party who oppose...
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Today, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is providing an update on its work to increase the availability of infant and specialty formula products. On Feb. 17, the agency warned consumers not to use certain powdered infant formula products from Abbott Nutrition’s Sturgis, Michigan facility, and Abbott initiated a voluntary recall of certain products. Since that time, the agency has been working with Abbott and other manufacturers to bring safe products to the U.S. market. “We recognize that many consumers have been unable to access infant formula and critical medical foods they are accustomed to using and are frustrated by...
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Jacksonville, Fla., – Junior Achievement of North Florida welcomed more than 200 guests and supporters for its 2022 Hall of Fame Luncheon at the University of North Florida’s Adam W. Herbert University Center on Tuesday, May 10. The event is the largest annual fundraiser for the organization dedicated to providing programs that inspire and prepare young people for success. KaShaun Bledsoe, a JA alumnus, served as the emcee for the event which began with a presentation of the colors by the Police Explorers Honor Guard and the national anthem performed by Cassidy Kinsman. Then five young students from Girls, Inc....
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Four former Florida A&M track stars were honored in Philadelphia at the 126th running of the University of Pennsylvania Relay Carnival, affectionately known as the Penn Relays, for their exceptional performances from 1966-1968. James Ashcroft, Major Hazelton, Nathaniel James, and Eugene Milton, donning their orange National Rattler “F’ blazers, were the guests of honor at the 2022 Penn Relay as they were enshrined into the elite class of athletes to earn a space on the Penn Relays Wall of Fame. In 1968, the 440-relay team won the race for the third consecutive year. The team won the race with the...
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Aspiring content creators, journalists, and communications experts can find themselves at the forefront of change by covering the exciting and continued transformation from gas to electric vehicles during the Chevrolet and National Newspaper Publishers Association’s (NNPA) expanded 2022 Discover The Unexpected (DTU) Fellowship program. The program offers students from historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) internships to explore various roles in journalism while developing their skills as change agents in their communities. Now in its sixth year, the program will award selected students with 10-week internships starting June 7th and continuing through August 14, 2022. Each fellow will receive a...
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The son of an ordained minister and DCPS school teacher, Dr. William Holt Liptrot, Jr. taught public school from 1981-1986 in Chicago, Illinois and Jacksonville, Florida before entering the United States Army as an Officer. His distinguished military career with the United States Army spanned over two decades. Prior to entry on active duty, I was commissioned as a Chaplain Candidate serving at Brooke Army Medical Center, Fort Sam Houston, Texas; Fort Riley's Disciplinary Barracks, Fort Riley, Kansas; and the 7th Infantry Division (Light), and Fort Ord, California. In addition, I was handpicked by Office of the United States Army,...
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St. Philips Episcopal Church, located 321 W. Union Street in Jacksonville, Florida, will celebrate its 140th Anniversary on Sunday, June 5, 2022, at 10 am. St. Philips has remained in the downtown area at the corners of Pearl and Union Streets where it is now listed on the Historical Registry of Jacksonville Florida. St. Philips has serviced the community by providing numerous outreach programs and annual activities throughout the years. The speaker for the occasion will be Reverend Joslyn Angus, who served as a priest at St. Philips for eighteen years, starting in 1981. Besides the Anniversary Church Service, other...
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Construction work has fed and clothed many families across the world. Good paying jobs can be the element that break a generational curse within a family. Broken homes cause broken communities. Construction jobs allow people who are serious about supporting their loved ones to go to work and make a living wage - now. A person with no skills can go to work at a construction company and ask to be placed in a program to learn a trade. That program could be the ticket to real family wealth. Workers do not have to possess a college degree to make...
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If you, or someone, you care about is considering a run for an elected office, tell them to go hard in the paint! Too many candidates of color believe the best path to victory is to skip down the white brick road like Dorothy skipped in “The Wizard of Oz”! Don’t take my word for it. If you look at the campaign literature of all the candidates running for office in your neighborhood, the fliers, cards and direct mail pieces pretty much look the same. Candidate literature looks the same because candidates are told who to spend money with. The...
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Back in the day, when we wanted to purchase an item from the store, but we did not have all the money, we’d put it on layaway. To have the merchant hold the item for us, we would “put something down on it.” Consider that amount as the earnest money deposit or the good faith deposit. This is the amount that you want to put down on the property to show the seller that you are serious about buying their property. So, you have located a property and would like to submit an offer? The discussion between you and your...
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Sometimes we come to conclusions too quickly. We want things so badly that we think we can just make them to happen. Outlooks look good and they look promising. We immerse ourselves in all that is good and refuse to see the bad. We are all guilty of rushing to judgements. That’s just a part of life, I guess. There are many instances where we use statistics to justify our reasoning. I have learned throughout the years that we can make statistics say anything you want them to say. If you say to people the same thing over time they...
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Benjamin J. Lambert IV, a member of one of the most prominent Black families in Virginia’s public service history, lost his battle to prostate cancer on Monday, June 3, 2019. He was only 52. His father, Virginia Senator Benjamin J. Lambert III, his grandfather, and four uncles also all died of prostate cancer, according to Lambert family members. The Lamberts are just seven examples of the thousands of Black men per year – from every socio-economic walk of life and every part of the U. S. - who are disparately diagnosed with prostate cancer. Not only is the rate of...
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Jacksonville Sheriff’s Officer, Alejandro Carmona, was arrested for online child solicitation in March, and it was verified that he is the same officer involved in the police brutality case that made headlines last year after police broke a black woman’s teeth in May 2020. Alejandro was released on bail in March but was re-arrested on Friday, April 22, after another teen boy came forward with sexual allegations against him. The Clay County Sheriff’s Office announced on March 16, 2022, that 47-year-old Alejandro Carmona is charged with a child sex crime after sending nude images to an underage boy. A...
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Atlanta, GA — Sigma Square Media, in association with JD Harvill, has announced the release of “Pseudo,” an independent film from writer-producer Briana Cole, directed by Herschel Grangent Jr. “Pseudo” had its world premiere in Marietta, Georgia, in August of 2021. Now, following a series of limited screenings, in partnership with Dame Dash Studios and Homestead Entertainment, “Pseudo” is set to make its worldwide streaming release. The film is currently available on Fox Soul and will soon expand to TUBI and other platforms. “Pseudo” tells the story of grieving attorney Malcolm Terrell, who has battled schizoaffective disorder since the loss...
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Jacksonville, Fla., – Junior Achievement of North Florida’s Hall of Fame Luncheon will take place next week at the University of North Florida’s Adam W. Herbert University Center. The organization’s largest annual fundraiser will be held on Tuesday, May 10 starting at noon. The event helps the nonprofit fund its programs which inspire and prepare young people for success. Students from Spring Park Elementary will perform a skit, a young student will be singing the national anthem and the Police Explorers Honor Guard will be presenting the colors. The event will also include the recognition of outstanding individuals and businesses...
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Atlanta, GA - Tyrone Brooks Jr., candidate for Lt. Governor of Georgia, has not missed a beat in statewide visits, appearing at all scheduled events to connect with urban and rural residents, as well as business leaders to discuss his Billion Dollar Economic Plan for the state. The Southwest Atlanta native has a bold and innovative proposal which aims to make Georgia a top 5 economy in the nation. Among his priorities are creating more access and job opportunities for urban and rural Georgians, introducing small business owners to venture capital and angel investors, establishing an Office of Equity that...
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Jacksonville, Fla. – School is almost out for the summer. Do you know a teenager looking to learn and have fun? He/she can sign up now for The Northeast Florida Community Action Agency (NFCAA) Data Busters STEAM Program. It begins June 13 and ends July 22. The six-week program is for low-income students in Baker, Clay, Duval, Flagler, Nassau, Putnam and St. Johns Counties. “Data Busters is our signature youth program for 14-17-year-olds. It has been around for 35 years. We focus on unique learning opportunities that center around science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics. Students will have fun while...
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On Mother’s Day, many moms recall bringing their newborn home. Some of the happiest moments moms experience are the “firsts” — first words, first steps, first birthday. However, this day of celebration can a painful reminder for women struggling with infertility. The stigma attached to infertility takes a toll on mental health. Unfortunately, that stigma is especially damaging for Black women. Dr. Eynav Accortt, clinical psychologist and director of the Reproductive Psychology Program at Cedars Sinai Hospital, wrote an article titled Infertility and Mental Health Studies. The article stated: “Infertile couples experience significant and emotional distress. One study of 200...
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The NBA Playoffs are now in full swing. The remaining teams are battling each other tooth and nail. They aren’t giving an inch as each team wants to win the National Basketball Association Championship. Just a few months ago I coined the expression, “records can be broken but championships can’t”. There are players who have set records but have not won championships. With great respect to other players, they have set records but don’t have a championship. On the other hand, there are players like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, LeBron James and Robert “Big Shot Bob” Horry who have records and championships....
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Happy Mother’s Day to all the mothers around the world and a pleasant, peaceful and stress-free day to the mothers that enjoy reading The Gantt Report sometimes. This column may appear in your publications after the holiday but I want good mothers to know that every day should be mothers day. Nobody loves you like your mother. The first week of May 2022 also commemorates World Press Freedom Day, a day to recognize and celebrate independent journalists that have risked their lives, lost their reputations and jeopardized their careers to be messengers for the people and the truth. Today, I’ll...
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If you are buying a home using a lender, refinancing your existing mortgage or selling your home to anyone other than a cash buyer, an appraisal will be needed for the lender. A qualified appraiser creates a report based on an in-person inspection, using recent sales of comparable properties, current market trends, and aspects of the home (for example, amenities, floor plan, square footage) to determine the property’s appraisal value. In today’s market, the value of homes is increasing because of recent sales of comparable properties above the appraised value. The borrower usually pays the appraisal fee. When the appraisal...
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Southeast Toyota Distributors LLC will move its JAXPORT auto processing operations at Talleyrand into a new million facility at Blount Island Marine Terminal. The Jacksonville Port Authority board voted 7-0 on April 25 to approve a 25-year lease that includes three five-year renewal options with the Toyota distributor’s parent company, JM Family Enterprises Inc. JAXUSA President Aundra Wallace said the partnership between Southeast Toyota and JAXPORT is important for the entire region for many reasons, including jobs. “We do not want to lose, not one job, to any particular region. So, this expansion keeps all 800 jobs. And I’m sure there will...
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As we look to trusted messengers when it comes to taking care of our health in Black America, having a physician who shares not only your skin tone but also your experiences and family background has become even more crucial during this COVID-19 era. Dr. Samira L. Brown, primary care pediatrician at Piedmont Healthcare in Georgia, recently sat down with Kim Jacobs on the Kim Jacobs Show podcast, a program that focuses on topics that are “real, relevant, and relatable,” to discuss National Minority Health Month this April. Jacobs brought up the staggering statistic that Black women physicians make up...
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JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — WJCT Public Media announced the launch of The Independent 89.9 HD4 radio station, replacing Electro Lounge Radio. A music discovery station, The Independent 89.9 HD4 features new music from both emerging and established artists working in a range of genres, including rock and hip-hop, R&B, jazz, electronic, modern global and more. Listeners will also be introduced to music made by Jacksonville artists. The Independent 89.9 HD4 features 24/7 music programming, including: Brand new music at the top of every hour A local song 20 minutes after the hour, every hour, all day Chillout, downtempo, nu jazz and...
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No matter where they are from, who they are, their economic circumstances or educational backgrounds, significant majorities of Black Americans say being Black is extremely or very important to how they think about themselves. A new Pew Research poll revealed that a significant share of Black Americans also says that when something happens to Black people in their local communities, across the nation or around the globe, it affects what happens in their own lives, highlighting a sense of connectedness. “Black Americans say this even as they have diverse experiences and come from an array of backgrounds,” the authors of...
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On April 26, President Biden used his pardon powers as President for the first time. The White House announced three pardons and the commuted sentences of 75 nonviolent drug offenders. The move by President Biden follows calls by justice reform activists to use the pardon power to correct disproportionate justice impacting minorities in the U.S. Biden’s pardon list included Abraham Bolden, Sr., an 86-year-old former U.S. Secret Service agent who was the first African American to serve on a presidential detail. “In 1964, Mr. Bolden was charged with offenses related to attempting to sell a copy of a Secret Service...
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Jacksonville, Fla. – The Mt. Olive A.M.E. Church will host a Mother’s Day Comedy Brunch from 11:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Sunday May 8th at Old St. Andrews in downtown Jacksonville. Comedian Belynda Cleare will host the event. The 0 cost of attendance includes buffet, drinks, and entertainment. Tickets are available on Eventbrite at the following URL: Mother's Day Live Comedy Brunch Tickets, Sun, May 8, 2022 at 11:30 AM | Eventbrite. Funds raised from ticket sales will go towards renovation costs. The fundraising event is made possible through Mt. Olive A.M.E.’s partnership with the Jacksonville Historical Society (JHS)....
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The historical Mt. Moriah Missionary Baptist Church in downtown Ocala (55 SW 3rd Ave) will celebrate its 155th Anniversary on Sunday, May 15th with special worship services at 11:00 am and 3 pm. Established in May of 1867, Mt. Moriah, known as "The Mother Church" for its distinction as the first African-American Baptist Church organized in Ocala Proper, and several other churches later descended from Mt. Moriah during that era. The church has held prominence throughout Ocala and the Marion County community. Other anniversary celebrations will include a Gospel Concert on Saturday, May 7th at 6:00 pm. The concert will...
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Florida A&M University President Larry Robinson, Ph.D., joined the three other presidents from Florida’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) to discuss the challenges and opportunities of higher education at Florida Memorial University (FMU) in Miami Gardens. This is the second HBCU Impact Summit in Florida. The first summit was held at FAMU in 2019. Edward Waters University will host the third summit in 2023. Robinson, along with FMU President Jaffus Hardrick, Ph.D., Edward Waters University (EWU) President A. Zachary Faison, J.D., and Bethune-Cookman University (BCU) Interim President Hiram Powell, Ph.D., presented how HBCUs, particularly the Florida four, helped build...
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In 2012, Vara Allen Jones’ colleagues surprised her by creating the Vara Allen-Jones Scholarship for Academic Excellence to support first-generation students and honor her service to the Anchorage community. Vara is a 2019 retired University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA) tenured faculty member and past Vice Chancellor for Academic and Multicultural Services. She remembered that moment. Today, Vara is striving to make the scholarship a permanently endowed fund. She’s enlisting the help of friends and colleagues she met in her 28 years at UAA, and a nationwide network to help raise her goal of ,000 by this summer to enable the...
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I was trained to fight by my grandmother, Mamie Bland Todd. She would often remind me, “Pessimists are right more often, but optimists win more often.” “In this life you have to decide what’s more important to you." Then she would add, "As for me, I’ll take winning.” My favorite optimist died recently at 105. For our family, she was the last living link to our story of origin in antebellum Southern Virginia. Three of her grandparents were Black and born into slavery. The fourth was white and helped run a plantation. She and my grandfather made the great migration...
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When Viola Davis sported Matturi Fine Jewelry earrings at the premiere of Showtime Television’s hit show “The First Lady,” she paid more than a tribute to designer Satta Matturi. She wore the jaw-dropping pieces, ethically and sustainably sourced natural diamonds from Botswana, for RAD x De Beers Group’s #BlackIsBrilliant campaign. Officials said giving back is the goal of #BlackisBrilliant, a partnership between the De Beers Group and RAD Red Carpet Advocacy to bring together exceptional Black jewelry designers with top celebrity stylists. With #BlackIsBrilliant, De Beers Group provides a platform for Black designers to create one-of-a-kind pieces with natural diamonds from Botswana, emphasizing the...
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In June 2021, Abelino Rivera-Olvera and Daniel Leon-Tomas headed to work like they did many times before. The two carpenters were installing siding on a residential building when a makeshift scaffold on which they stood detached from the building, causing them to fall about 25 feet. The 49-year-old Rivera-Olvera died on site, Leon-Tomas suffered severe injuries and was taken to a hospital. An investigation later found that, had their Bradenton employer ensured required safety precautions were in place, Olvera and Leon-Tomas would have returned home at the end of their workday. Each year, thousands of workers of all ages die...
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It is a tragedy when we lose a loved one. That tragedy is compounded when are unable to visit their final resting place to honor and remember them. Black cemeteries have been under assault by antagonistic forces in this country since the very first Black body was interred in American soil. And that assault continues to this day. The most recent assault comes in the form of a bill being proposed in the U.S. Congress titled the African American Burial Grounds Preservation Act. This bill introduced by Congresswoman Alma Adams (D-NC) and Reps. A. Donald McEachin (D-VA) and Brian Fitzpatrick...
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Gospel singer, Jason Nelson, stopped by DBS Sounds (Riverdale, GA, an Atlanta suburb) for a performance and CD signing of his current album, Close (Jaelyn Song Music/ Tyscot Records / Fair Trade) on April 23, 2022, in celebration of the 14th annual Record Store Day celebration that supports independent record stores and merchandisers around the globe. Nelson’s “Close” project features the Billboard No. 1 hit “Residue,” as well as collaborations with GRAMMY® Award winners, Chrisette Michele and John Patitucci. The anthemic ballad, “All I Need,” is growing in poularity and rising on gospel radio playlists. Aside from a serenade from...
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They say, what can go wrong, will go wrong. But a home inspection can prepare you for some of those issues or concerns. Thereby, the statement, for your protection get a home inspection, is vital. So, your offer has been accepted, earnest money deposit has been paid, and there is an inspection contingency in the contract. Typically, this contingency can be up to 15 days or more depending on the negotiation with the seller. This means that the buyer has that amount of days from the date the contract was accepted, to have the property inspected, receive the inspection report,...
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It just means you are sick and tired, nothing else. I leave my house each day with a mixture of apprehension and caution. There isn’t a panacea you get that rids you of these senseless shootings. Living like this is a bit unnerving to me. We seem to be a society of shootings at times. What happened to the good old days? The good old days are long gone and will never return. Of course, that is my opinion, and you may think otherwise. If you think otherwise, then good for you. I bet you are not a valid senior...
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Black Americans have enjoyed an enduring bond with Africa and their brothers and sisters living on the Continent, with many U.S.-based civil rights agencies, clergy members, and African American organizations taking a keen interest in the welfare of citizens in the 55-nation motherland. While the world watched Russia invade Ukraine on Thursday, February 24, some expressed concern about the tens of thousands of international students studying in Kyiv, Kharkiv, Mariupol, and other cities throughout that Eastern European nation. Many of those students come from Africa. “Many of them do not have paperwork to enter Europe,” wrote Terrell J. Starr, host of...
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Editor’s note: This commentary is provided by the Medical Marijuana Education and Research Initiative (MMERI) of Florida A&M University. You may recognize Malik Yoba from his television and film career spanning 30 years. His first movie role was in the 1993 hit “Cool Runnings,” a comedy based on the Jamaican national bobsleigh team’s debut in the 1988 Winter Olympics. Mr. Yoba has had acting parts in dozens of movies and TV shows, including co-star of “New York Undercover” from 1994-99. His portrayal of Detective Julius Clarence “J.C.” Williams, earned him three consecutive NAACP Image Awards for Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series. But...
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The Florida Department of Education said the state has rejected more than 50 math textbooks ahead of the 2022-2023 school year. The department cited references to critical race theory among reasons for the rejections. Officials said they would not accept about 41 percent of the books – 54 out of 132 – to Florida’s adopted list because the works didn’t adhere to the state’s standards. “Today, Commissioner of Education Richard Corcoran approved Florida’s initial adoption list for mathematics instructional materials properly aligned to Florida’s Benchmarks for Excellent Student Thinking (B.E.S.T.) Standards,” the department wrote in a news release. “The approved...
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U.S. President Joe Biden has described Russian President Valdimir Putin as a “war criminal” after Russia invaded Ukraine and launched missiles, air strikes and cluster bombs into civilian areas that killed more women, children and babies than Ukrainian soldiers. Russian military tactics are nothing new. Tactics used in Ukraine were used in Syria, Afghanistan and other places to divide, decimate and destroy. In America, if you have the right skin color, you can get away with killings too. How many more unarmed Black, Hispanic and other people of color will be executed by racist law enforcers after being pulled over...
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The process to redraw Florida's 28 congressional districts has created some red hot political and legal issues. Governor DeSantis has decided to play personal politics with at least three of the congressional districts. Two of those districts are historically Black districts currently held by Black Democrats, U.S. Reps. Al Lawson of North Florida and Val Demings of Orlando. The third is a special district that houses Disney World - a political enemy of the governor on several social issues. But it's the ending of two of the four Black congressional districts in Florida that has people up in arms. Many...
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Thank You, America. Sometimes in life, the unexpected becomes real and in living color, too. The beauty of the unexpected is the unexplainable joy that it brings. You and I have heard the expression, “wait for it”. It’s a kind of delayed reaction that will eventually hit you and you will get it. When it does hit you, you can honestly and truthfully say it was a defining moment. If you are a card-carrying member of the 4th quarter, you know that firsts really do happen. If you are like me, you are just thankful to see them. I am...
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Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Dwayne Haskins was killed when he was hit by a dump truck while walking on a South Florida highway. Haskins was stranded on the highway and was looking for gas when the incident occurred in the early hours of April 9th. He would have turned 25 on May 3. News of the former Ohio State star quarterback’s death was first reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter who was told by Haskins’ agent of his passing. Haskins was in Florida training and putting in offseason work with several other players for the Steelers. Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin said...
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There is an old saying that Cash Is King! Well in today’s real estate market, it is King and sometimes Queen! But what makes a lower cash offer more attractive than a lender financed higher offer? The answer to that question may allow more homeowners to win their desired offer bid in today’s market without being an investor. 3 Reasons; Appraisal Contingency, Financial Contingency, and Inspection Contingency. First, Investors are waiving the appraisal contingency in the contract since no appraisal is needed for most cash offers. It is a clause that allows home buyers the opportunity to back out of their...
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April 4th flew by and now we are headed into May 2022. On that day in 1968 our "moral leader" was shot but took his place among the great martyrs of civil and human rights. Today we are able to learn from the elders who were there. Some of those who lived it are on social media. They are not shy about using Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok and YouTube to perform their honors and duties as elders. Below is a shared post that keeps Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s life and legacy alive. But, it is also teaching us in...
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So, you’ve found a realtor and you want to search for your forever home, but the realtor asks for your pre-approval? First, what is a pre-approval, you ask? A mortgage pre-approval isn’t a promise that you’ll get a loan for the home you want to buy. A mortgage pre-approval only means a loan officer has looked at your finances—your income, debt, assets, and credit history—and determined how much money you can borrow, how much you could pay per month, and what your interest rate will be. In other words, it’s a quick way to see how much a lender is...
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Nationwide — Jonathan Walker, a teenager from Panama City, Florida, has been accepted to all the 27 universities to which he applied. He also received a total of more than million in scholarships. “It’s so crazy to think about that I applied to all these colleges and I got in,” Walker told ABC7. Walker, who is a senior at Rutherford High School, doesn’t only excel academically. He is a member of the varsity football team as well as the IB program and the science club. Walker also enjoys creating assistive devices. He invented a device that helps people who...
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JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Roslin Simmons, a dietary aide at Life Care Center of Jacksonville, recently received Life Care Centers of America’s quarterly Southeast Division Whatever It Takes Champions Award for her dedication to customer service. Life Care awarded Simmons a 0 cash prize during an awards ceremony at the facility. Simmons was one of only eight associates from Life Care’s more than 200 facilities nationwide to receive the quarterly award. She had won the facility’s monthly Whatever It Takes Champions award for November 2021. Simmons filled in when there was no dietary manager to assist with printing menus, ordering food...
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Each year in the United States, about 700 people die during pregnancy or the year after. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, another 50,000 people each year have unexpected labor and delivery outcomes with serious short- or long-term health consequences. “Every pregnancy-related death is tragic, especially because two in three of them are preventable,” the CDC said as the nation observes Black Maternal Health Week through April 17. For tennis superstar Serena Williams, giving birth to her baby, it turned out, was a test for how loud and how often she would have to call out before...
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The Department of Health and Human Services said its increasing outreach to communities of color to encourage enrollment in free and low-cost health care, and the agency will address the maternal mortality crisis that disproportionately impacts Black and Native families, including by working with states to extend postpartum coverage in Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program. Additionally, the Department of Homeland Security said its working to ensure that underserved communities are treated fairly in airport screenings by improving systems and enhancing training for officers. DHS officials said they’re also engaging with and improving underserved communities’ access to grant programs...
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JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Student leaders and voting rights organizations gathered virtually recently to launch the “Let Duval Vote!” campaign. Campus Vote Project, All Voting is Local, the ACLU of Florida, the NAACP Jacksonville Branch, Florida Rising, and Black Voters Matter teamed up with student activists and leaders from both the University of North Florida (UNF) and Edward Waters University (EWU) campuses to host the event which included workshops designed to educate and empower students. The “Let Duval Vote!” campaign is focused on the need to restore early voting sites on the Edward Waters University’s and University of North Florida’s...
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Jacksonville, Fla., – The inaugural 7 Creeks Fest, an event designed to celebrate and explore the 7 Creeks Recreation Area, took place on Saturday, April 2, and was a great success. A crowd of approximately 1,000 people came to the parks to enjoy the event organized by 7 Creeks Recreation Area partners including the Timucuan Parks Foundation, the City of Jacksonville, Talbot Island State Parks (Florida State Parks), Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve (National Park Service), Visit Jacksonville, and North Florida Land Trust. The event was created to introduce the public to the parks by highlighting the recreational opportunities, raising...
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After nine years marred in recent times by student protests over filthy and unlivable dorm conditions, a threatened faculty strike, and a walkout by hospital workers, Howard University President Wayne A.I. Frederick has announced his retirement. An April 13, 2022, letter addressed to the Howard Community, Dr. Laurence C. Morse, the chair of the Howard University Board of Trustees, said Frederick recently informed officials at the historically Black college of his plans to step down by June 2024. He said he’s committed to remaining in place to ensure a smooth transition. “We appreciate that Dr. Frederick has given us ample...
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COVID-19 is not the only epidemic plaguing America’s Black community today. The respected medical journal, The Lancet, has reported, “The epidemic of amputations among Black communities across the USA is a brutal reminder of the enduring complications of [diabetes] among underserved populations…” Other prestigious publications have characterized this epidemic as an indictment of our health care system. Diabetes is one of the most common causes of amputation because it leads to peripheral artery disease, or PAD. PAD in the legs is the narrowing or blockage of the vessels that carry blood from the heart. With the decrease of blood...
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Some ladies and gentlemen have eyes but can’t see. At the same time, there are men and women who are visionary. A visionary can visualize the future and can describe things that will, or could, take place or happen. When some drivers choose to speed down the highways without a care, a visionary keeps his eyes on the road and can see a state trooper vehicle hiding behind a tree looking for cars to pull over. A visionary can observe things getting dramatic at the club way before things pop off and dancers turn into shooters. And, men and women...
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Some of the tough men who made construction their way of life are passing on their knowledge. Many of them own beautiful homes and have retired comfortably. Some continue to be active - advising companies looking to win bids. Being around means winning major contracts. Retirement also doesn't mean boredom and death. It means enjoying the wealth that was created in one of the most important industries in the United States. President Biden's .8 trillion fiscal 2023 budget included billions of dollars for highway projects - with billion proposed for the National Highway Performance Program. This means funding for...
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While Russia brought almost 200,000 troops against the people of Ukraine, the most impressive thing was not the numbers of the attackers, but the unity of the people who rose up to meet the assault on their culture and their way of life. The Republican Party here in the United States is much like the Russians, attacking a way of life without regard for life or property. The destruction of life and property is much like the assault on our democratic institutions such as the fair election of a President of the United States, according to our own Constitution. Yet,...
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Life is about options and choices; and knowing what our options are puts us in a position to make the best choices. Here are a few options to ponder when purchasing a home. Government Insured Loans – Although the government isn’t a lender, they do play a role in helping Americans become homeowners. This includes FHA loans, backed by the Federal Housing Administration, help make home ownership possible for those with little money saved and a low credit score. FHA loans require two mortgage insurance premiums, one is paid up front and the other annually for the life of the...
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Exploring the theme of “real hope” resonates with many who feel hopeless in the face of relentless bad news and mounting problems. After two years virtual, all congregations of Jehovah’s Witnesses across the world are being encouraged to begin holding in-person meetings during the week of April 1. The move back to in-person meetings coincides with two global events. The first is a special 30-minute program scheduled in most congregations for April 10, 2022, entitled, “Where Can You Find Real Hope?” Additionally, the public is also invited the following week to the annual Memorial observance of Jesus Christ’s death on...
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A good friend of mine who is a long-time supporter of The Gantt Report contacted me and suggested that I refrain, so to speak, from commenting about the Russian military invasion of Ukraine. I know my friend and I understood his feelings on the matter when he described the conflict as “white folk’s business”. I didn’t take his advice personally and I surely didn’t view his concerns to me as a fleer. Obviously, tribal warfare has been experienced by Africans, Native Americans and all other races, creeds, ethnic groups and people of all colors. White people in Europe seeking to...
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On April 4, 1968, an assassin’s bullet ended the dynamic life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at the age of 39. King stood on a balcony of the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee, a site that’s now a museum dedicated to the civil rights champion’s life. James Earl Ray ultimately pleaded guilty to shooting King but later claimed he was a pawn in a more significant crime ring to kill the African American leader. On the 54th anniversary of King’s death, observances took place around the nation, while those not attending specific events took to social media to commemorate...
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PORT ST. LUCIE, FL. – Veteran pro golfer Tim O’Neal calmly dropped a 15-foot birdie putt on the 18th hole to capture the APGA Tour at PGA Golf Club title by a single stroke Sunday, chalking up his second win of the season and taking over the top spot in the Lexus Cup Point Standings. O’Neal’s nine-under 135 edged a strong, eight-under, 136 performance by Michael Bradham of Converse, Texas. O’Neal, the 49-year-old from Savannah, Georgia, triumphed at the APGA Tour’s regular-season opener at TPC Harding Park in February and lost in a playoff at the APGA Tour Farmers Insurance...
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At 2:17 p.m. EST on Thursday, April 7, 2022, Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson entered the history books, becoming the first Black woman elevated to the U.S. Supreme Court. After arduous and volatile hearings last month, the Democratic-controlled Senate confirmed Jackson by a 53-47 vote. “This is a special day for Black communities and for all Americans and marks the start of a new era for the judicial branch of the United States,” said Spencer Overton, the president of the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies. “We are celebrating this joyful moment with Judge Jackson and reflecting on the significant...
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BRUNSWICK, Ga. — Brunswick High School seniors Keon Shaw and Liam Nunn have made a very selective list of 216 recognized seniors statewide. Through the Georgia Scholar program, the Georgia Department of Education identifies and honors high school seniors who have achieved excellence in school and community life. Students eligible for Georgia Scholar recognition are high school seniors who exhibit excellence in all phases of school life, in community activities and in the home. Georgia Scholars are students who have carried exemplary course loads during their four years of high school, performed excellently in all courses, successfully participated in interscholastic...
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Voting in the upcoming elections is a must for the Jacksonville Community so The Florida Star is glad to be a part of providing information on candidates in order to assist the community in the voting process. The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office election is on March 2023 with the race having several candidates. Knowing each candidate can help a person make the best decisions in this very pivotal time when the person running for law enforcement positions can truly make a difference in the community. As expected from a recent survey for the city, Crime is the top issue of concern....
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Rep. Val Demings announced that 1 million will be coming to Florida from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration (FTA). This funding will be split between the Florida Department of Transportation and certain urban areas. In addition to this funding, another million is coming specifically for Orlando. According to the FTA, this funding will be used by “transit agencies to buy new buses and railcars, address their repair backlogs, modernize their fleets, and transition to new technologies.” Additionally, “these upgrades will support the expansion of U.S. manufacturing due to Buy America requirements that apply to steel, iron...
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The Jacksonville Gullah Geechee Nation Community Development Corporation paid tribute to Mr. Robert "Bob" Flowers in a Park Bench Dedication Ceremony at the new "Freedom Park," located at 10946 Fort Caroline Road Jacksonville, Florida 32224, in the historic Cosmo Community. Attending this event were family, friends, educators, clergy, present and former political officials. Setting the event's tone, Bishop Kevin Hardy, Sanctuary of Praise Church of God, blessed the occasion. Mr. Ryan Sinclair (Ancestral African Drummers Rhythms) paid tribute to Mr. Flowers by poetry, "Giving Mr. Flowers His Flowers While He Is Living," followed by African drum beats. Attendees joined the...
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Once upon a time, Black residents of the United States had more than a cozy relationship with Republican politicians. If you find that hard to believe, let me take you back to the time of your ancestors and forefathers. During the first two decades of GOP existence, the Republican Party called for and promoted African American equality when Democrats and Dixiecrats wanted slavery to continue. President Abraham Lincoln, along with so-called radical Republicans led the political battle to end slavery and also led the fight to give Black men full citizenship. Today, to many Black men and women, Republicans are...
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The truth of history is often best found in those traces overlooked by those who seek to bend historical narratives in order to favor their own ends. The city of Paris is a good case in point. We can start with the name “Paris,” which is pronounced “Par-ee” by native French speakers in a way that could be translated to mean “The house of Isis” in the language of the Ancient Egyptians. In the First century B.C.E., Julius Caesar wrote in Chapter 57 of Book 7 of “The Gallic Wars” that one of his generals took four legions “to Lutetia...
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The Southbound ramp to I-95 from the Acosta Bridge will temporarily be closed, continuously beginning Friday, April 1 at 8 p.m. until crews complete bridge repair work on the I-95 collector/distributor ramp. The temporary closure is necessary for crews to safely remove damaged bridge components and replace beams and portions of the bridge deck. In addition, Hendricks Avenue under I-95 will close temporarily Friday, April 1 at 8 p.m. as crews begin demolition and reconstruction of portions of the southbound I-95 overpass. The temporary closure of Hendricks Avenue is expected to be in place until 5 a.m. April 10, weather...
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Savannah State University’s Department of Journalism and Mass Communications will unveil a photography exhibition featuring a collection of photographs captured during the historic Ahmaud Arbery state trial in Brunswick, Georgia at a special event to be held Saturday, April 2. Free and open to the public, the event will take place at 1 p.m. in Whiting Hall on the campus of the university, 3219 College St. The exhibition consists of 32 photographs taken outside the Glynn County Courthouse during the 100 Pastors’ Rally in support of the Arbery family on November 18, 2021. Mass Communications students Kalel Akins, Damien Bryant,...
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With news that the Academy officially launched a formal review of Will Smith’s assault on Chris Rock during Sunday’s ceremony, the Best Actor Oscar winner issued an apology to the comedian. As those in charge of the awards show asserted they would “explore further action and consequences in accordance with our bylaws, standards of conduct and California law,” Smith issued a repentant tone for his role. “Violence in all of its forms is poisonous and destructive. My behavior at last night’s Academy Awards was unacceptable and inexcusable,” Smith wrote on his official Instagram page. “Jokes at my expense are a...
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The Food and Drug Administration has granted permission for a second COVID-19 booster shot – a fourth for those already receiving the additional dose. The authorization is for individuals 50 and older, which health officials said would provide extra protection for the most vulnerable population if infections spike again. The FDA previously approved fourth doses for those 12 and older with severely compromised immune systems. The agency noted that a third booster – or fifth shot – would also be available for that group. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has not yet commented on the FDA’s authorizations. According...
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The attack from within on democracy has never been as clear as the demonstration we witnessed during the Senate Judiciary Committee hearings on the nomination of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson for the U.S. Supreme Court. What we witnessed was half of the democratic process upon which our constitution stands, abandoning its duty to “uphold the laws and to protect this nation from all enemies, foreign and ‘Domestic’”. When we refer to “half” of the democratic process, we mean that the process involves both parties, the Democrats and the Republicans. Historically, the two parties have represented the conservative and liberal policy...
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Jacksonville, FL – Florida’s Senate President & House Speaker issued a joint statement calling for a special session after Governor Ron DeSantis vetoed congressional maps. Representative Angie Nixon (D- Jacksonville) said, “Governor DeSantis calls a special session not to address Florida’s housing crisis, provide immediate gas tax relief, or deal with skyrocketing property insurance rates, but to erase Black representation in Congress. His reckless ambition to run for president has led to banning books and censoring truthful American history in our schools. He’s attacked our freedom to vote and now, if you manage to overcome the barriers and cast your...
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Merrill Pittman Cooper, an African American man from Jefferson County, West Virginia, has earned his high school diploma at 101-years old, finally making his lifelong dream come true. From 1934 to 1938, Cooper was a student at Storer College in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, a school that admits newly freed slaves during the Civil War. He studied Latin, biology, history, english, and mathematics. However, he was forced to drop out during his senior year when his family had to move to Philadelphia due to financial reasons. Over the years, he accomplished a career in the transportation industry. But he still...
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Business & Motivational Speaker Delrish Moore will officially be returning to the stage after a spine injury forced him to cancel his previous speaking tour in 2019. While many experts doubted that he’d be able to make a full recovery from his injuries, Delrish promised his supporters that he would recover to show them that anything was possible. Delrish was able to progress from being unable to walk to making a one hundred percent recovery! These circumstances motivated Delrish to pursue his own dreams. Delrish’s first dream was to own a sports & entertainment company. Within months, Delrish was able...
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President Joe Biden on Tuesday, March 29, signed into law the Emmett Till Antilynching Act of 2022, which makes lynching a federal hate crime. Earlier this month, the bipartisan measure passed both chambers of Congress. Named after Emmett Till, a 14-year-old African American savagely murdered by a group of white men in Mississippi in 1955, the legislation received push back from three Republicans – Andrew Clyde of Georgia, Thomas Massie of Kentucky, and Chip Roy of Texas. Each were the lone votes against the bill. Emmett Till’s murder sparked the civil rights movement which ultimately led to bills like the...
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Jacksonville Florida born now Atlanta based actress and vocalist Chandra Currelley breathes new life into an R&B and jazz classic with the release of her single, Tell Me What I Gotta Do! While many will know Chandra Currelley from her regular role on BET T+ Dramedy Bruh she portrays the over the top Alice. You also probably recognize Chandra as Ms. V. in Tyler Perry’s For Better or For Worse and in the #1 box office movie, Diary Of A Mad Black Woman playing herself in the nightclub, Chandra’s. Also starring as Shirley in Madea's Big Happy Family the stage play. Who can forget her show stopping performance as Loretta in Kandi Burress’s (The Real Housewives of Atlanta) A Mother's Love and the movie Madea’s Big Happy Family as the choir soloist, Sister Laura. The music of Chandra...
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I love Chris Rock! I often refer to him as the Great Philosopher! If you’ve ever watched any of his comedy specials, he always talks about people who enjoy the public limelight—stars. I don’t recall him calling out anyone who has not desired public attention. I also have been a huge fan of Will Smith. I LOVED his acting in Concussion and in King Richard. I blast his song Summertime and enjoyed him on the Fresh Prince of Bel Air. Jada wore a green dress, a very large green dress. People first mention her hair in relation to last night's...
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Here are the questions for the day. Is anyone above the law? Can anyone engage in wrong and think it’s right? The kneejerk reaction to both questions is no. Further, we have laws that we should follow. Over time, these laws have been reviewed and tweaked. And of course, our lawmakers have created new laws for us to follow. The goal has always been to make our country a better place to live. For example, people who look like me and women could not vote. As strange as that may sound, that was the rule in years gone by. Through...
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Life brings about different changes and challenges for each of us individually that can affect us financially, but we must play with the cards we’re dealt, then ask the dealer to hit us with another card. In doing so, we can manifest and then alter our path. Continuing to gather information to move us closer to a win would be one of the cards that the dealer has hit us with. I’m here to hit you with another card. There are a lot of advertisements that offer home loans at 100%, no money down, etc. but does that mean no...
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Reverend Charlie W. Span Sr. was born Thursday, December 20, 1928, passed away peacefully at home Wednesday, March 16, 2022. Reverend Charlie W. Span Sr. was born Thursday, December 20, 1928, in Sylvester, Georgia, to the late Ollie & Mamie Wade Span. He is preceded in death by two sons, Eddie Span and Johnny Span, one daughter Leila Mae Span-Harrell, the oldest of eight, and several sisters and brothers. Reverend Charlie W. Span Sr. peacefully transitioned into eternal rest on Wednesday, March 16, 2022. Reverend Charlie Span Sr. became a minister in the early part of his life, serving &...
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Makenzie Thompson, a high school student from South Fulton, Georgia, has been accepted to nearly 50 colleges. She said she was amazed when she realized she has also been awarded a total of more than [post_excerpt].3 million in scholarships. “Once I hit a million I was like that’s kind of crazy. Like people don’t make a million in their lifetime,” Makenzie excitedly told WSB-TV. Makenzie, who is an honors student at Westlake High School in Atlanta, is also the Senior Class President and co-captain of the dance team. She volunteers at a local veterinarian clinic while doing work-based learning there...
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Editor’s note: This commentary is provided by the Medical Marijuana Education and Research Initiative (MMERI) of Florida A&M University. What some medical marijuana patients in Florida may not realize is that a registry identification card is not a license to openly smoke cannabis. Nor does it allow them to use legal treatments other than those recommended to them by a qualified medical marijuana physician. More importantly, cardholders can run afoul of law enforcement just like anyone else in Florida, if they’re caught with recreational pot, even if they’re using it strictly for medicinal purposes. If all of this comes as...
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There have been more than 1.8 million cases of COVID-19 in Georgia during the pandemic. The Metro Atlanta Chapters of Top Ladies of Distinction, Incorporated, along with Atlanta Councilwoman Andrea Boone and The Fulton County Mobile Vaccine Unit, rolled up their sleeves on Saturday, February 5 to serve metro Atlanta families and contribute to ending racial disparities when it comes to health and vaccine access. The Stay Well Health Fairs, presented by the W. Montague Cobb/NMA Health Institute, have been held across the United States over the last few months. These events make room for Black doctors, mostly female, to...
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Under clear skies and the start of the first preliminary event, the 57th Annual Bob Hayes Invitational Track and Field Meet once again featured some of the top track performers in the state. This year’s meet was conducted with a visible absence of meet director and former Raines track coach James Day, who passed in February at the age of 89. The golf cart that he moved about on during the meet was placed at mid-field with a sign marking the remembrance of the legendary coach. Although the Miami teams won both team titles, the contingency of athletes...
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A wise person once said, “without a plan, you’re planning to fail”. And in today’s real estate market there’s some truth to that old adage. A large majority of our population would be considered renters and have suddenly been hit with a significant rent increase. Now there’s a rush to purchase a home to combat that rise, once their lease agreement expires. Some never thought this day would come and with little preparation to purchase, may have to succumb to the rent increase. In Jacksonville, a 427-unit apartment complex has been approved for the old Adventure Landing location, and a...
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Vice President Kamala Harris on Wednesday unveiled an action plan to stop racial discrimination in the appraisal of home values. The 21-step plan seeks to improve oversight and accountability in the home appraisal business. It includes a legislative proposal to modernize the governance structure of the appraisal industry. “A home appraisal is a critical element of the home buying and lending process, intended to provide an independent, fair, and objective estimate of the market value of a property so that lenders can accurately evaluate risk,” the administration stated in a Fact Sheet. “Homeownership is the primary contributor to wealth building...
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Race: Bubba Wallace is a six-episode docuseries following the life and career of Bubba Wallace, the only full-time black driver in the NASCAR cup series. “RACE” follows Wallace as he competes on Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin’s racing team and uses his platform to speak out about racial injustice. 300 Entertainment, the label home of Megan Thee Stallion launched a content and film division, 300 Studios. 300 Studios is headed by Kevin Liles, who is chairman and CEO of both 300 Entertainment and Elektra Music Group, with former Viacom executives Kelly Griffin as head of creative strategy and Nolan Baynes...
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Born in Prague, Czechia, Albright stood just four feet and ten inches tall. But her legacy is as significant as any political figure. Madeleine Albright, the first female secretary of state who counted as great friends to Colin Powell, the first Black secretary of state, and Condoleezza Rice, the first Black woman secretary of state, has died at 84. Albright’s first notable foray into the U.S. political scene came when President Jimmy Carter tapped her as his national security counselor. Born in Prague, Czechia, Albright stood just four feet and ten inches tall. But her legacy is as significant as...
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With public hearings, the historic – and mostly despicable – confirmation hearings for Supreme Court nominee Ketanji Brown Jackson concluded on Thursday, March 24. And the Republican Party punctuated their four-day-long, racially-charged, and otherwise disrespectful digs at Judge Jackson. In the classic “I’m not racist, I have a Black friend” portion of their shameful and spineless public denigration of the accomplished Harvard Law graduate, the GOP trotted out First Liberty Institute associate counsel Keisha Russell, a Black woman. Russell, a favorite of GOP allies Fox News and other decidedly Republican-leaning networks, spent her testimony discussing critical race theory. “CRT makes...
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GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Florida fined its largest Medicaid payment vendor nearly .1 million over software problems that delayed payments for nearly three months for tens of thousands of health-care claims for the state's sickest and neediest children, the government’s health regulator said Wednesday. In a letter to the CEO of Sunshine State Health Plan Inc. of Tampa, the Agency for Health Care Administration also demanded detailed explanations for how the problems occurred and how the company responded. It also required the company to demonstrate within 30 days that future claims were being paid promptly and asked for weekly updates in...
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Congressman Charlie Crist, (D) Florida, has proposed legislation to step up life-saving research and loan repayment for those joining the fight against Sickle Cell Disease. Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) is the result of genetic mutation that reduces the ability of blood cells to transport oxygen throughout the body. Considered a childhood disease where individuals did not survive until adulthood, patients are now living longer and are at high risk because of the lack of research. There are approximately 100,000 people living with sickle cell disease in the United States, the overwhelming majority of whom are Black Americans. “We have the opportunity...
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Tough times don’t last, but tough people do. We have heard that expression more than one time. However, I will say that even when you are tough, bad things will sometimes happen to good people. I suspect with today’s uncertain times, more of us are a bit more anxious and frazzled. This period of challenge started in my opinion with COVID-19 which then led to the pandemic. It was an unwanted guest that disrupted our lives. Before the Coronavirus, our lives were pretty much ordinary. We worked hard, had some social interactions and were at home. Our routines were set,...
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There are a lot of writers that describe themselves as newspaper columnists. Most of those scribes come and go. It’s hard sometimes to write a column for a month because the best writers do research, conduct interviews, they read and they think. I don’t know an opinion writer that has had more longevity than I have. I’ve lasted for over 40 years because I’m free. I’m not constrained by media devils, community charlatans or the new versions of neo-colonialists. I’m free to write The Gantt Report because of the publishers that enjoy my column and share it with their newspaper...
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Raimore Construction, a Black-owned company based in Portland Oregon, is a prime contractor on the I-5 Rose Quarter Improvement Project. The owner has made it a business mission to build wealth within communities that have been historically left out. Prime contractors on major projects in the construction field can both provide living wage jobs as well as opportunities for self-employed vendors. There are some positive takeaways from this project and its process that may need to be reviewed by other cities and states serious about true diversity and inclusion. There are mega-projects in the Pacific Northwest that are moving toward...
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Wanda J. Willis, M.A. has been selected for the newly-created position of Vice President, Civic Leadership for The Community Foundation for Northeast Florida. Willis has a long, local career in development and community leadership, most recently as Director of Community Engagement and Inclusion for the Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens. Prior to that, she held several leadership positions at Edward Waters College (now University) including Assistant Vice President of Institutional Advancement. She was also the Director of Development for Major Gifts for Florida State College at Jacksonville’s Foundation. When she joins The Community Foundation on April 19, she will...
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Because people can be narrow-minded, insecure, and selfish, people often fear and hate what is different from them or what they don’t understand. Depending on your disability, the level of fear and hate can be mild to extreme. Secondly, because in the social hierarchy, people with disabilities are seen as the weaker ones, disability people have to experience and grow through so much that most people can’t even imagine Some people believe that the disabled are worth less than themselves, and horrid people think this gives them a right to mistreat and abuse disabled people. In addition, instead of learning...
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Equal Pay Day is an opportunity to assess how women fare in the workplace and determine how far into this year women must work to catch up to what men made in the previous year. The pandemic made this year’s Equal Pay Day both more complex, and a critical inflection point. In 2020, full-time, year-round working women were paid 83 percent, on average, of what their male counterparts were paid. The gender wage gap remains more alarming for Black and Hispanic women, who were paid 64 percent and 57 percent, respectively, of what non-Hispanic white men were paid. While overall...
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Two kindergarteners in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, tried their best to pick a fight, throwing feeble punches at an older and much larger boy who insulted one of their mothers. Police, having seen the fight online, couldn’t determine which boys were part of these mundane events but arrested 11 other kids – all were Black and all of them in elementary school – who purportedly were there and watched the fight unfold. According to The Sentencing Project, the children, some of them in handcuffs, were brought to the Rutherford County Juvenile Detention Center. Authorities ran them through an undefined “filter system” that...
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Howard University Bison women’s basketball won their first-ever NCAA tournament game Wednesday night with a 55-51 victory over Incarnate Word (13-17). Led by junior forward Brooklyn Fort-Davis, the Bison fought back from a halftime deficit to get past the Cardinals late in the fourth quarter. In her opening statement to media postgame, HU head coach Ty Grace reiterated her gratitude to the players and the entire Bison community. “I’m just thankful again for this group of young women that they came and made history tonight,” Grace said. “I’m so very proud of them. I want to say thank you to...
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These are murky waters for someone wanting to purchase their first home or to purchase a home for living purposes. On average, potential homeowners are submitting offers for at least 4 properties or more before finally having an offer accepted. So, anyone searching for a home, should brace themselves for a lengthy but educational ride. The time for negotiating the purchase of a home is no more, as the inventory of homes is at an all-time low and one would need buying power to achieve their home-buying goals. Jacksonville has been identified as an attractive market for out-of-town investors and...
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When he arrived on the PGA Tour and captured his first professional victory at the Las Vegas Invitational in 1996, Tiger Woods appeared destined to stand among golf’s immortals. And throughout his record-setting career, no one could ever accuse Woods of being just a mere mortal. At an emotional ceremony to induct Woods into the World Golf Hall of Fame, the usually guarded and composed legend was reduced to tears. His daughter, Sam, issued a heart-warming induction speech. “Dad, I inducted you into the Dad Hall of Fame a long time ago,” the 14-year-old remarked. One year ago, in February...
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Lady Justice is an iconic symbol of the American judicial system. In one hand, she holds scales to represent that both sides will receive a balanced hearing, and, in the other, she holds a sword to represent the power of justice. She also wears a blindfold to indicate that justice is blind and, therefore, fair. However, that fairness is not reflected in the makeup of our courts. In fact, one might say Lady Justice’s blindfold prevents her from seeing the imbalance on current federal benches. March, the month we celebrate women’s history, I believe is an appropriate time to take...
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The Gantt Report Book Club has only one member, me. I thought the club title would have some significance because when Oprah Winfrey talked about books in her book club, many of the writings subsequently became best sellers and made top 10 lists in newspapers like The New York Times. Well, I’m not Oprah and my favorite books won’t make any best seller lists but my books will motivate, inspire and educate my readers. Readers that know me know that I don’t usually read opinions from other columnists. I completed two graduate school programs, one in science and one in...
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My love for basketball started many years ago. Maybe it is because I grew up surrounded by basketball. Basketball was taken seriously in my city of Winston-Salem and in the state of North Carolina. It was a fun time of year and bragging rights were at stake. This was before the moniker “March Madness”. Back in the day, schools like Winston-Salem Teachers College (now State University) and North Carolina A&T (now State University) were simply called Black colleges. The slogan, HBCU had not been popularized. It is recent and is now widely used. Within an 85-mile radius there were other...
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On March 16, 1827, Samuel E. Cornish and John B. Russwurm founded the first Black-owned newspaper in the U.S. They did so because there were no Black voices in the debate over the abolition of slavery. In their first editorial, Cornish and Russwurm wrote: “in short, whatever concerns us as a people, will ever find a ready admission into the Freedom’s Journal.” “One hundred and ninety-five years later, the mission of the Black Press has not changed,” Washington Informer Publisher Denise Rolark Barnes wrote in an editorial. “No matter whether Black Press journalists are invited to a seat at ‘their’...
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Almost everyone of a certain age has memories of watching “Roots,” the television adaption of Alex Haley’s epic novel that first aired in the 1970s. One of the most painful scenes in this drama is when the white plantation overseer demands that the enslaved Kunta Kinte accept the slave-name “Toby,” and has him whipped to the point of near death until he does. The erasure of the identity of the people of Africa and its diaspora is a major contributing factor to the asymmetrical relationship between people of color and the ethnic European benefactors of global colonialism. If you are...
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On February 17th Edward Waters University hosted Dr. Cornel West for the president’s prestigious speaking series, “Stay Woke”. Dr. West graced us with his presence for about 2 hours. The topics ranged from students coming of age and understanding the issues at hand in the community to systemic racism and how it is still felt today. He also touched on the role of the black bourgeoisie. But, there was no bigger topic than understanding that love conquers all in the face of oppression. “Love will sustain us,” said Dr. West. “Never be surprised at evil or paralyzed by despair. You...
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America – and most notably Black America – is back to work, declared President Joe Biden as he announced one of the most robust job reports in modern times. “History has been made here,” the president declared. The economy created 467,000 jobs in January, and the unemployment rate for Black workers fell to 6.9 percent and dropped to 5.8 percent for African American women. The president highlighted the 6.6 million jobs added to the U.S. economy in the year since he took office. “It comes alongside the largest drop in the unemployment rate in a single year on record, the...
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Following a comprehensive internal search, Florida A&M University (FAMU) Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Maurice Edington, Ph.D., has appointed Michael Abazinge, Ph.D., as the next associate provost and dean for the School of Graduate Studies and Research. Abazinge will begin his new position on Friday, April 1. A tenured professor in the University’s School of the Environment, Abazinge joined FAMU as an assistant professor in 1988. He has served in several administrative capacities during his time at FAMU including, technical services manager, interim director and interim dean. “I am quite pleased that we had a number of outstanding...
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Hosted by U.S. Rep. Bennie Thompson, history-making Native American U.S. Secretary of Interior (DOI) Deb Haaland toured crucial civil rights sites of Mississippi, Tuesday, Feb. 15. Appointed by the Biden-Harris Administration, Haaland made history when she became the first Native American to serve as a cabinet secretary. Historically, the U.S. Department of the Interior, created March 3, 1849, is in charge of the Nation’s internal affairs. (https://www.doi.gov/whoweare/history). Also joining Haaland on the tour was White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) Chair Brenda Mallory, also a history-maker. The 12th chair of CEQ, Mallory is the first African American to serve...
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SPRING CREEK, Fla. – A team of Florida A&M University (FAMU) School of the Environment faculty, staff and students boarded a 24-foot Carolina skiff at Spring Creek marina in Wakulla County, on Friday morning. The team was headed out to Apalachee Bay to perform maintenance on the Rattler Moji, a solar-powered water sensing buoy that monitors water quality around the clock. Data from the buoy is beamed around the clock to the School of the Environment’s Core Lab and is accessible to researchers and students on their cell phones in real time. Dean Victor Ibeanusi, Ph.D., said the buoy, which...
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PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Florida – This week, THE PLAYERS Championship welcomes the best professional golfers in the world as they compete for the coveted title of ‘THE PLAYERS Champion.’ On the golf course, only one PGA TOUR player will hoist the Goldman trophy, but beyond the fairways and greens, there are hundreds of new champions being crowned in Northeast Florida hospitals this week, prompting THE PLAYERS to share in this special milestone with them. All babies born in local hospitals during THE PLAYERS (March 7-13) will receive a special bodysuit, “Born a Champion,” along with a birthday card containing the...
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Andrew Wyatt, the longtime spokesman, and crisis manager for entertainer Bill Cosby had a simple word for Montgomery, Pennsylvania Prosecutor Kevin Steele. “Cheating never gets you far in life,” Wyatt insisted after the U.S. Supreme Court announced it would not review Cosby’s case despite the hail-Mary request from Steele. “On behalf of Mr. and Mrs. Cosby and the Cosby family, we would like to offer our sincere gratitude to the justices of the United States Supreme Court for following rules of law and protecting the constitutional rights of all American citizens,” Wyatt remarked. “Mr. Cosby’s constitutional rights were a reprehensible...
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The Texas Christian University (TCU) women’s basketball team honored Fort Worth legend Opal Lee with “Opal Lee Day” at their home game against Baylor University recently. Lee, a 95-year-old, activist, and lifelong Texan, is most widely known for her campaign for years to make June 19 a national holiday. In 2016 at the age of 89, she decided to walk from her home in Fort Worth to Washington, D.C., in an effort to get Juneteenth named a national holiday. Each day Lee would travel two and a half miles each day in recognition of the two and a half years...
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The landscape for Black Women has always been filled with potholes and pitfalls. They have achieved despite these impediments. March is Women’s History Month and I say this respectfully and with pride that African American women have always been trailblazers and difference-makers. From Harriet Tubman in the past to Kamala Harris in the present, Black women have led the charge for respect and renown. Their contributions have been widespread and have touched all corners of the world. They took the can’t out and replaced it with can and took the won’t out and substituted it with will. There are moments...
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Her desire for a second undergraduate degree was cut short after just three days when a mob of racists assaulted her with food, rocks, and other items when she attempted to enter the University of Alabama. Autherine Lucy Foster, who earned a bachelor’s degree in English from historically Black Miles College in 1952, and whose legal battle with the University of Alabama concluded two years after the landmark Brown v. Board of Education decision, has died at 92. A critical, but sometimes overlooked figure in the civil rights movement, Foster’s case became the first to challenge the Brown ruling that...
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At one time during my long media career, I was hired as the news and public affairs director of a radio station in Florida’s capitol city and subsequently hired as the Executive Producer of “Vibrations”, a highly rated television news and talk show that ran for 15 years in Tallahassee. During that time, I trained many men and women that became national network news anchors and correspondents, local news persons and public and private communications and media professionals. In my mind, my most accomplished protegee was Reggie Harris. Harris left Tallahassee to work in Jacksonville, Florida and Dallas, Texas before...
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July 14, 1948 - February 24, 2022 Kenneth Othell Burrough, the last NFL player to wear his legendary number “00”, died at his home in Jacksonville, Florida at the age of 73. Burrough bravely battled several medical issues prior to his passing. Double “0” made his last contribution to society with a profound final play in his decision to donate his body for science care research. A true hero indeed! As the youngest of three children born to Othell and Alice Burrough, he was loved by many and was known as “Kenneth”, “Ken”, “Kenny”, “K.B.”, and “Double O”. Regardless of...
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JACKSONVILLE, Fla., — Florida State College at Jacksonville (FSCJ) has been selected as an education partner for Amazon’s Career Choice program, providing Amazon’s hourly employees access to any Associate in Science or bachelor’s degree program. In addition, Amazon employees can choose to enroll in one of the selected fast-track career certificate or technical certificate programs in industries such as automotive, aviation, health care and information technology, including an Amazon-only cohort Patient Care Technician program. A complete list of programs is available atfscj.edu/amazon. “FSCJ is proud to partner with Amazon in their efforts to support employees’ future successes through education and...
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Florida A&M University (FAMU) is among five Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) that will receive grants from the National Trust’s African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund as a part of its HBCU Cultural Heritage Stewardship Initiative. FAMU will receive 0,000 to develop a campus-wide stewardship plan for its 422-acre Tallahassee campus. The grant is part of more than 0,000 in awards the National Trust’s African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund designated for FAMU, Johnson C. Smith University, Charlotte, N.C., Rust College, Holly Springs, Mississippi, Shaw University, Raleigh, N.C., and Voorhees College, Denmark, S.C. “As Florida A&M University is the third...
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Northside Legend passes at age 73, Ken Burrough was not only a neighborhood legend on Jacksonville’s Northside, but rose to becoming a “superstar” while a student at both Northwestern High, and then at Raines Senior High school back in the mid-60’s. During the time he grew up, it was not a big deal to play multiple sports in high school. This trend was a natural part of being an athlete in those days. Burrough was a three-sport athlete during his high school years at Raines where he was the starting quarterback in football, a dominant forward in basketball, and a...
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More than 6 million Americans are living with dementia such as Alzheimer’s disease with rates expected to reach 13 million by the year 2050. Dementia is an irreversible brain disorder that gradually impairs one’s memory and abilities to accomplish everyday tasks. The University of North Florida needs 1,001 healthy volunteers from the greater Jacksonville area to join our fight against Alzheimer’s disease. The PACT study is recruiting volunteers aged 65 and older with no signs of cognitive impairment or dementia. Please call (904) 620-4263 or see www.pactstudy.org for more information. As the prevalence of dementia such as Alzheimer’s disease continues...
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Jacksonville, Fla., – Members of UF Health recently delivered some more memorabilia to the Brewster Nurses Gallery at the headquarters of North Florida Land Trust. UF Health brought over documents from the former Brewster Hospital including time books, a scrapbook that holds articles dating from 1956 to1960, and a plaque from the Jacksonville Historic Landmarks Commission naming the Old Brewster Hospital a National Register Site. The items had been housed at the UF Health Medical Center and are “on loan indefinitely” to the museum. In addition, they received a brick from the original hospital donated by Marcus Drewa. “We are...
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LAS VEGAS – LEGACY Home Loans, a mortgage banking firm, headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada, continues to make good on its commitment to its mission to Empower African American Communities Throughout the United States with a Focus on Building Sustainable Wealth Through Homeownership and Leaving Family Legacies, by opening two new branch offices in our communities, said Ben Slayton, the president and CEO of LEGACY Home Loans. One of our new branch offices is located, in Jacksonville, Florida and is headed up by Ms. Tamika Peterkin, a native of Jacksonville Florida, and in her 23-years in the mortgage industry, Tamika...
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Forrest Park, GA— Jeremy Tuck, Senior Pastor of Living Faith Tabernacle, Author, and international speaker kicks off his new campaign entitled “The Undercover Blessing”. Jeremy Tuck has developed a massive congregation with four satellite locations, multiple sub ministries and an impressive community outreach. Pastor Tuck has been recognized for growing one of the largest millennial-based churches in the metro Atlanta area. The Undercover Blessings campaign is unique in nature, as Pastor Tuck is committed to gifting 12 fully furnished homes, which will also include paid utilities (for a year). This campaign will hit a diverse population of people. Each month the theme for...
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When President Joe Biden took the podium for the annual State of the Union Address, it marked the first time two women – Vice President Kamala Harris and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi – sat on the dais for the official address. The President began by addressing the elephant in the room – or at least Eastern Europe. He declared that the West had united in tackling Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, noting that America would join a host of nations in banning Russian aircraft from its airspace. “[Russian President] Putin’s war was premeditated and unprovoked. He rejected efforts at diplomacy,” President...
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Oh, Mary don’t you weep. Tell Martha not to mourn! It is easy for Russian President Vladimir Putin to invade Ukraine but if his army does not retreat, the consequences for Russia’s most wealthy individuals and businesses will be devastating. SWIFT is necessary for all of the world’s multi-billionaires. If the Russian government and Russian oligarchs that have money and political power are prohibited from utilizing SWIFT, the Russian economy will be crushed. The journalists that you love can tell you SWIFT is an acronym that stands for Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication. But The Gantt Report can tell...
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Knowing about the history of African Americans has been an important part of my life. It is my cultural obligation to know about my past, present and understand what may happen in the future. I am Black and I am proud. Musical icon, James Brown had a hit song, especially for people who look like me. There are still occasions now when I listen to that song. If you haven’t for a while, go ahead as it will make you feel good about yourself. We recently celebrated Black History Month. February is the designated month. Is one month enough? Of...
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At 2:30 p.m. on Dec. 21, 1855, Celia was hung in Callaway County, Missouri. Her crime: Defending herself against a rapist who had sexually assaulted her for years. There is no documentation of Celia’s birthdate, birthplace or parentage. Her recorded history begins when she was purchased at the age of 14 in 1850 by a man named Robert Newsom. Records show that Newsom purchased Celia in Audrain County, Missouri, but the record is unclear as to whether the first time he raped her was on the return trip to his farm in Callaway County or immediately upon arriving at his...
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Mayo Clinic announces an expansion of the Mayo Clinic hospital in Florida. This investment is occurring because of increasing patient demand for complex care and a commitment by Mayo Clinic to redefine the future of health care. The project includes building five new floors atop the existing hospital tower — resulting in 121 new inpatient beds, including 56 ICU beds — with additional shelled space for future growth. Construction at the hospital in Jacksonville, Florida, is expected to begin later this year and will be completed by the end of 2026. The expansion joins other transformational projects occurring at Mayo...
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Editor’s note: This commentary is provided by the Medical Marijuana Education and Research Initiative (MMERI) of Florida A&M University. As legal cannabis use grows more mainstream, we’re seeing alternatives for realizing the health benefits of the plant itself. Emerging from the medicinal and recreational aspects of cannabis is a trend to consume parts of the raw plant as food ingredients, mixing them into everything from entrees to side dishes to snacks to drinks. Joline Rivera is the founder of Chicago-based culinary cannabis brand KitchenToke.com, as well as a certified food product called Red Belly Honey, which is naturally infused by...
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Governor Kate Brown has appointed Erious Johnson to the Marion County bench. Johnson is an African American with a law degree from an HBCU. He graduated from the historically Black institution Howard University in 2002. This is the same law school where Thurgood Marshall received his law degree. This is an historical appointment for Governor Brown who has taken steps in changing the make-up of the courts. Erious Johnson, a former director of civil rights for the Oregon Department of Justice (ODOJ). Erious Johnson was an attorney in private practice before the appointment which takes place immediately. He has filled the...
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A federal jury found Travis McMichael, Gregory McMichael, and William “Roddie” Bryan guilty on all counts in the murder of Ahmaud Arbery. The verdict came on the eve of the anniversary of Arbery’s murder. The McMichaels and Bryan chased Arbery through their mostly white Georgia neighborhood in their pickup trucks, cornering him before Travis McMichael shot the innocent jogger with a shotgun. The trio was convicted in state court and given life sentences. The federal charges included a hate crime that exposed each of the men’s history of racism. Throughout the one-week trial, defense attorneys tried to sell the...
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Krystal Guerra’s apartment in Miami is cramped, with damaged tiles, warped cupboards, no dishwasher, and little storage. However, Guerra seemed unconcerned by the apartment’s flaws. She rationalized that it was all part of being a 32-year-old graduate student in South Florida, and she was content to stay for a few more years while she got her marketing degree. That was until the property was purchased by a new owner, who informed Guerra that the rent would be raised from [post_excerpt],550 to [post_excerpt],950, a 26% increase that she said would mean her rent would account for the majority of her take-home...
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Nationwide — Clutch, a popular reviews and ratings platform, has named Core Mobile Apps the “Top Black-Owned Mobile App Development Company” on their platform. The award recognizes high-end development firms that maintain exceptional diversity within their agency. “We are absolutely thrilled about this. It’s truly an honor and a privilege to be recognized in a way that has not been traditionally celebrated,” says Will G. Manuel, Founder, President, and CTO of the company. “I’m very grateful for the designation and positive feedback that we have received because of the award.” His company faced stiff competition in the race to be...
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Let’s say with great pride and conviction that the HBCU Legacy Bowl held on Saturday was a rousing success. It was a defining moment in the storied annals of Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Sometimes, if you live long enough, life will give you some unexpected surprises. It will give you something “extra”. In New Orleans, that something extra is called “lagniappe”. If you had asked me some years back about an all-star football game featuring HBCU student-athletes, I probably would have said it’s a great idea, but it probably won’t happen. There would have been multiple reasons for our...
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I recently took a brief vacation but I submitted multiple columns to all the newspaper and digital outlets to use in my absence. I wanted to get away for a longer period but I couldn’t. You see, in my mind, I’m on a mission from God. Since my parents named me “Lucius”, what else could I be if I were not created to use my God given abilities to shine the light on diabolical, despicable, wicked and evil activities that we all can see and we all experience? The journalists and columnists that you love are parroting messages that they...
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Across the country, we are witnessing the continued trend of Republican leaders passing measures that make it harder for Black and poor people to vote. In Georgia’s Spaulding County, two Republican officials created a new law that only applies to the county to elect a fifth member of the Spaulding County Board of Elections. Upon the law’s passage, the legislators privately interviewed candidates, selected a Republican to fill the new vacancy and then the newly constituted group ended Sunday voting, which Black voters disproportionately use. In today’s environment, too many thought leaders are making conversations about voting rights academic, but...
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In a stark reminder of the importance of the Black Press established in the U.S. in 1827 by Sam Cornish and John Russwurm, American papers are beginning to analyze their coverage of African Americans. In at least two instances that historical analysis by the newspapers themselves has been followed by an apology. The papers in the predominantly Black cities of Baltimore, Philadelphia and Kansas City studied and confronted decades of negative news coverage on Black communities. The efforts also highlight the lack of diversity that continues to persist even in newsrooms in cities with large Black populations. The Kansas City...
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(StatePoint) As the country takes steps toward economic recovery amidst an ongoing pandemic, women business owners are reporting increased optimism about the current economic outlook, which may be accredited to their resilience and decisive action, according to a recent survey of women-owned businesses by PNC Bank. Leading the way in employee vaccination. According to the survey, nine in 10 (89%) women business owners have taken action to encourage employee vaccination, compared to 78% of male business owners. In fact, half (49%) are providing assistance or education about the vaccine and nearly half (48%) are requiring their employees to receive vaccinations....
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For the first time in American history, a Black woman has been nominated to serve on the U.S. Supreme Court. By selecting Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson on Feb. 25, President Joe Biden completed his pledge to select a Black woman for the court for the first time in history. A Black woman has never served on the U.S. Supreme Court since it was created in 1789 — over 232 years ago. Since then, only two other Black persons have served on the Supreme Court, Thurgood Marshall, who was appointed by President Lyndon Johnson in 1967, and Clarence Thomas, who was...
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Printella Bankhead, President and Founder of EBS Security, Inc. has been named 2022 overall Small Business Leader of the Year. After working as a security officer at the church she belonged to for seven years, Bankhead launched her own security company in 2002. “When talking to people I say we started the company in 2002, and they say ‘Oh you and your husband?’ No, me and a few faithful employees,” Bankhead said. “It takes each and every employee from the office to the field to get EBS Security Inc. to success. I constantly say ‘we’ when I share the history...
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In celebration of Black History Month, The Melanin Market will kick off its 6th season of quarterly cultural events and its predominantly black-owned business marketplace with support from LIFT JAX and Historic Eastside Community Development Coalition. Jacksonville’s historic eastside neighborhood will host a full day of family-friendly fun on Saturday, Feb. 19. Festivities include the Melanin Market, which features more than 100 black-owned businesses and a parade in honor of Black History Month. “Black History Month is a time when all Americans learn about and celebrate the achievements, resilience and great impacts that Black Americans had on this country,” said Dawn Curling, Co-Founder of Melanin Market. “As a Jacksonville resident, I’m proud...
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Orchestra Partners announces the appointment of Kim Hunter to the Independent Corporate Advisory Board, effective immediately. Hunter brings strategic integrated marketing communications expertise, deep prior experience in growing professional services firm, as well as an entrepreneurial mindset with proven experience with innovation. Following the appointment of Mr. Hunter, the Board will comprise five directors. He will be serving a three-year term, which is subject to shareholder approval. Hunter has extensive corporate board experience as he currently serves on CalPrivate Bank’s Community Advisory Board, a wholly owned subsidiary of Private Bancorp of America, Inc. In addition, he served close to two...
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Kingsland, GA — While the rest of the country was dealing with the perils of the Vietnam War and a dream of man travelling to the moon, one small city and county was selected to help move those efforts forward. The city of Woodbine, Georgia was the elected place, the company was the Woodbine Thiokol Chemical Plant, the Plant successfully built and tested the world’s most powerful rocket engine, it later bided and won the contract to make trip flares for the Army. This year marks the 51st Anniversary of the tragic 1971 explosion at the Woodbine Thiokol Chemical Plant....
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In the National Football League, where players are overwhelmingly Black, Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis Jr., the president and CEO of the National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA), joined a host of other voices arguing that there needs to be more representation in the front office of people who look like the athletes that take the gridiron each Sunday. “Even before Coach Brian Flores filed a class-action lawsuit against the National Football League claiming the league discriminated against Black coaches in their hiring practices, it was pretty clear that professional football has a race issue,” Dr. Chavis wrote in an op-ed at...
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Nemours Children's Health announced today the election of Harold Mills as chair of The Nemours Foundation Board. Mills joined The Nemours Foundation Board in 2021. He succeeds Robert G. "Bob" Riney, who has served as board chair since 2019, and as a Nemours board member for 16 years. "It is with great confidence and enthusiasm that I pass the mantle of leadership to Harold Mills," said Riney. "His unique expertise gained from leading human capital management, technology and service organizations is a tremendous asset to Nemours Children's Health.” Harold Mills is CEO of VMD Ventures and VMD Global Health, focused...
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When President Joe Biden directed federal agencies to increase contracting spending with small, disadvantaged businesses by 50 percent over the next five years, Bibi Hidalgo, the associate administrator of Small Business Administration’s Office of Government Contracting and Business Development, pledged that her office would take steps to ensure that agencies make the President’s contracting goals a reality. In an interview with National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA) President & CEO Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis Jr., Hidalgo noted that current pending legislation would immediately establish 15 percent of federal contracting dollars to small, disadvantaged businesses. In December, after the Biden administration announced...
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While the Super Bowl expectedly received all the attention in the sports world on Sunday, February 13, the Winter Olympics provided a most historical moment. Erin Jackson became the first Black woman to win a speedskating medal when she took home the Gold during the 500 meters speedskating event. Jackson’s time of 37.04 seconds gave the American speedskating program its first medal at the Games in Beijing. It marked the first individual medal by an American in a dozen years. “Hopefully, this has an effect. Hopefully, we’ll see more minorities, especially in the USA, getting out and trying these winter...
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The Organizers of the Youth and Teen Meta Fest 2022 welcomes the global community to celebrating Black History Month with the Black Meta Fest 2022 and Youth and Teen Panel and Youth and Teen Workshop. The Eventbrite has information and free registration for tickets for Black Meta Fest 2022 is available now. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/black-meta-fest-2022-tickets-253457236417 Honoring Black History like never before. This is changing Black History with access to the Metaverse and virtually across other platforms for Black and Brown people. Black Meta Fest 2022 - The Future of Black History is coming Monday, February 21st to Sunday, February 27th, 2022. The...
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U.S. Senators Reverend Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff are working to make internet access more affordable for low-income Georgians. Sens. Rev. Warnock and Ossoff are encouraging Georgians to apply for the new Affordable Connectivity Program, which was created through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. More than three million low-income households in Georgia are eligible to apply to the program. Those who meet the criteria are eligible to receive monthly discounts on internet services and discounts on laptop, tablets, and desktop computers. Over 350,000 Georgians are already enrolled in the program. “My office is standing by to help Georgians access affordable broadband...
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Florida A&M University (FAMU) President Larry Robinson, Ph.D., has been named to two national panels that address key environmental issues in the oceans, coastal areas, Great Lakes and Gulf Coast. President Robinson was approved by the Governing Board of the National Research Council to become a member of the Gulf Research Program’s (GRP) Division Committee. The GRP is a more than 0 million program stemming from the BP oil spill settlement managed by the National Academy of Sciences to develop innovative solutions to energy and associated human and ecological issues in the Gulf of Mexico. The 15-member Gulf Research Program Division Committee...
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Black History was in my neighborhood in Winston-Salem NC. Men and women who looked like me were successful and were role models for us. I suspect that because we saw it every day that we may not have realized its importance. Competent and compassionate people were on my block yet with their success they always had time for us. They gave us inspiration so that we could have aspiration. Being a certified senior citizen, I can recall my elementary school celebrating Black History Week. So, for 5 days, we had guest speakers and read stories about famous Black men and...
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Dr. Carter G. Woodson and the work he left behind certainly makes the case today for the study of Black History. Without his work most of us would not know who we are or how many things we have done to contribute not only to this nation but also to mankind. For 195 years, the Black Press has been a guardian and transmitter of our history. When it was against the law to teach a slave to read and write, the Black Press was already telling our story to those who could read or just listen as others read to...
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It is not news to Americans of color that we live in a social environment that is greatly hostile to our very existence. We do not need to go all the way back to 1619 to find numerous examples of hate-driven obstacles being put in our paths, and then that same hate fueling our demonization for not overcoming those obstacles. The lynchings of yesteryear with rope and torch have given way to state-sanctioned murders by uniformed assassins euphemistically referred to as “law enforcement officers” in the execution of “no-knock” police raids – often into the wrong home of an...
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JACKSONVILLE - On Thursday morning, Dr. Tracye Polson announced an outpouring of statewide support from elected officials across the state of Florida, in recognition of the importance of this election to the lives of people in Duval County, including endorsements from Governor Charlie Crist, Commissioner Nikki Fried, Senator Annette Taddeo, and Congresswoman Val Demmings. Dr. Polson shared, “I am honored to have the support of these hardworking public servants who each have deep histories of service in the state of Florida. This race is crucial to the success of our city and the entire state. Together, we will fight for...
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Wendy Williams has given her stamp of approval on Sherri Shepherd taking over as a “permanent guest host” of Williams’ daytime talk show.TMZ first reported that Shepherd was being considered as the stand-in while Williams, 57, continues on her health-related hiatus. Now, a source has revealed that Williams is ok with the move. “Wendy is grateful to everybody who has guest hosted,” the source, a show insider, told The Hollywood Reporter. Though Shepherd, former co-host of The View, hasn’t officially signed the deal, the source said Wendy is happy with the choice. The former radio host has been on hiatus...
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Did you know that February 13th is Black Love Day? Established in 1993 by Ayo Handy Kendi, Black Love Day’s mission is to preserve the legacy, culture, and tradition within our community. Based on five tenets – love toward the Creator, love for self, love for the family, love within the Black community, and love for Black people – Black Love Day was created to end violence, self-hatred amongst Black people, and racism to increase peace. The 24-hour celebration goes beyond just one day, as the ultimate goal of Black Love Day is to practice each of the five tenets...
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A January 27th article by The New York Times revealed that a Tennessee school board has banned the teaching of “Maus”, a graphic novel that centers around the Holocaust. The Associated Press reported that in Georgia, Republicans have said they will go forward with a proposal that would allow parents to protest books or online material that they feel could harm their children. These are just a few examples of the onslaught of censorship that schools have been dealing with. In Round Rock, Texas, the fight came to a head when a parent complained about a book by Jason Reynold...
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Washington, D.C. - Representative Charlie Crist (D-St. Petersburg) has asked President Joe Biden to award Harry T. and Harriette Moore the coveted Presidential Medal of Freedom. In a letter to the President, Crist said the posthumous award is a long-overdue tribute to the couple’s fearless advocacy of equal rights and the abolition of Jim Crow Florida. “Longtime educators in segregated Brevard County, Florida, the Moore’s organized and spoke out against Jim Crow-era policies during the 1930s and 1940s and founded the Brevard County chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). They paid the ultimate price...
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Mr. Abraham Joseph is a true example of history repeating itself. Following in his ancestors’ footsteps he has become an icon and a pillar in the community. His Great-Grandfather and Grandfathers as well as other family members were and are all entrepreneurs. His maternal Grandfather, Mr. Hammond Roberts operated a general store in the early 1900s located at Harriett’s Bluff Road and I-95 in Camden County, Georgia. His paternal Grandfather, Mr. Joe H. Joseph was an independent farmer, he produced turpentine and other products which he sold to the public. They instilled in him a passion of self-worth and the...
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I was watching a YouTube video of NWA’s groundbreaking 1988 song that put them on the map musically, and in the cross hairs of the FBI. Every time they lyrically yelled “F**k da Police,” I substituted the NFL acronym. Yeah I feel that strongly about it. I stopped watching the NFL years ago when most Black people only lasted 2-3 games in a temporary moment of Black collective support for Colin Kaepernick. Some skinfolk’s loyalty to the cause lasted about as long as it took the chicken wings to cook in the air fryer. Not me. My loyalty is not...
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I am a fan of the NFL. Like you, I watch the games and I cheer for my favorite team. So that you will know, my favorite NFL team is the New Orleans Saints. The Saints didn’t make the playoffs this year. I hope we’ll have better luck next year. Each year in the National Football League, coaches are hired and fired. This is because of the axiom, “the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat”. If you don’t win in the NFL, your tenure might be short. However, that statement is not always true. Tony Dungy, former coach...
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Six Florida A&M University (FAMU) faculty members were honored with Director Awards at the National Symposium on Student Retention Conference 2021. The group received the award for Best Paper that featured a path for Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) student success. The conference is a strategic initiative taken by the Consortium for Student Retention Data Exchange (CSRDE) at the University of Oklahoma. FAMU Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Maurice Edington, Ph.D., served as the principal investigator for the study. The paper titled, “Preparing STEM Scholars for Success (PS3) Program at Florida A&M University,” demonstrates the success the...
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Focus on the history-making contributions of Blacks in America began when Carter G. Woodson and the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History successfully lobbied for the creation of Negro History Week in 1926. They chose a week in February that could embrace the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass. Civil Rights activities on colleges campuses in the 1960s agitated for expanding the week to the entire month of February. President Gerald Ford formalized Black History Month in 1976, and every President since has followed suit. Black history has taken on new meaning in this polarized political era. Education...
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Protest in major US cities continue across the nation against racial injustices. The accusations of systematic racism built into the American system of government appears to keep Black Americans in a constant state of protest and anger with no concrete solutions from national Black leaders. Racism is not a single invisible figure concealed in dark cigar smoke filled rooms with old white men conspiring specifically against Black people. Racism is a horrible condition of the heart by individuals who did use established government and private systems to divide, dominate and increase economic gain by eliminating opportunities for Blacks, Native Americans,...
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The Florida A&M University (FAMU) College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Institute of Public Health (CoPPS, IPH) Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD) Class of 2021 made unprecedented gains in their performance on the North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination® (NAPLEX®) and the Multistate Pharmacy Jurisprudence Examination (MPJE). In 2021, students took the NAPLEX and the MPJE exam between June 1 and December 31 for the first time. On the NAPLEX, the Doctor of Pharmacy class of 2021 earned an 89.9 percent first-time pass rate. This pass rate is an increase of approximately 7 percentage points over the 2020 results. These NAPLEX results...
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Congress has passed the Postal Service Reform Act of 2021, bipartisan legislation lawmakers said would help the U.S. Postal Service save money, balance its budget, and improve service. The measure, which passed by a margin of 342-92, is seen by many as a critical reform that would repeal the pre-funding mandate – a rule passed in 2006 which gutted the Postal Service’s financial independence. Reportedly, decades of falling mail use have turned the Postal Service into a “perpetual financial loser,” and the pre-funding requirement has accounted for 2.8 billion of its 6.4 billion in liabilities. The legislation would clear ...
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Interim FAMU-FSU COE Dean Farrukh Alvi, Ph.D., FAMU President Larry Robinson,Pd.D., FSU President Richard D. McCullough, Ph.D., and Danfoss Turbocor President Ricardo Schneider, celebrate 5-year, 0,000 agreement. Florida A&M University President Larry Robinson, Ph.D., joined Florida State University President Richard D. McCullough, Ph.D., Thursday to announce a 0,000, five-year agreement with Danfoss Turbocor to fund scholarships and provide research opportunities for faculty and students at the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering (COE). “The relationship between the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering and Danfoss Turbocor illustrates the ingenuity of our faculty and staff, and their commitment to provide meaningful impacts on our students...
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More than a dozen historically Black colleges and universities received bomb threats on Tuesday, February 1. The threats, the second such in two days, arrived on the first day of Black History Month. Howard University in Washington, D.C., again found itself the target of such ominous threats. The school issued a shelter-in-place order on Tuesday. “A bomb threat against the university is being investigated,” read a 3:29 a.m. alert from Howard University. “All persons on campus are advised to shelter in place until more information is available.” The school later issued an all-clear. The University of the District of Columbia,...
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Statement by Senator Audrey Gibson Regarding Edward Waters University and other HBCUs Bomb Threats “Bomb threats on our Historically Black Colleges and Universities is reprehensible. The threats to the lives of HBCU students and staff is a throwback to an era I certainly thought had passed. That these threats occurred the day before, and on the first day of Black History Month is no coincidence, and without question, the result of divisive messaging in Florida and other states. The terror of the past on people of color, and those with various religious beliefs has become a present-day vendetta against freedom.”...
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Black women stood on the frontlines to help push President Joe Biden over the top in the 2020 election. As the nation awaits word on whom the President nominates to fill the newly vacant Supreme Court seat, there’s little debate whether an African American woman will be that pick. Among the few remaining questions is whether that individual will deliver progress on a high court that will maintain its 6-3 conservative advantage. “As a longtime advocate for Diversity and Inclusion at the highest levels of leadership in our nation, I am looking forward to the President’s appointment of a highly-qualified...
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On Tuesday, February 1, Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried issued the following statement commemorating February as Black History Month: “Black History Month is a time to celebrate and recognize the contributions of so many Black Americans who strengthen the moral, cultural, intellectual, spiritual, and economic fabric of our society. It’s also a time to reflect on our nation’s long and difficult history of injustice, slavery, and racism. We recognize we still have further to go in fulfilling the promise of America and fixing systemic issues that continue to disproportionately affect people of color — including protecting hard-fought voting rights and righting...
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5-4-3-2-1. The countdown has begun to the premiere of the Lifetime/A&E documentary of the life of pop superstar Janet Jackson. In celebration of the 40th anniversary of Janet Jackson’s eponymous first LP Janet Jackson (1982), the four-hour television event will take place over two days. The fiercely private five-time Grammy award-winner who is part of the Jackson clan, an American musical dynasty, will open up about her rise to superstardom, complicated relationship with her superstar brother Michael, the infamous 2004 Super Bowl incident and subsequent blacklisting by the entertainment industry and becoming a mother at age 50. The internet is buzzing...
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As a lawyer, Cheslie Kryst worked pro bono for low-level drug offenders, founded White Collar Glam, a fashion blog dedicated to helping women dress professionally for office jobs, and modeled for Express’s retail company. Kryst, who won the 2019 Miss USA pageant and worked as a correspondent for the entertainment news television show “Extra,” reportedly committed suicide on January 30. Authorities said the beauty queen, 30, jumped to her death from her 29th floor New York apartment. “In devastation and great sorrow, we share the passing of our beloved Cheslie,” the Kryst family wrote in a statement. “Her great light...
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ATLANTA – In recognition of Black History Month, the Atlanta Hawks have teamed up with the Prostate Cancer Foundation and Emory Healthcare to launch its fourth annual Black History Month Assist Challenge, in which the Hawks Foundation will donate 0 to the Prostate Cancer Foundation (PCF) for every assist registered by the Hawks in February. The challenge also aims to raise awareness of prostate cancer inequities in Black men. One in eight men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in his lifetime, and Black men are about 75 percent more likely to develop prostate cancer than non-Hispanic white men. The...
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Atlanta, GA – A documentary on civil rights champion and politician Tyrone Brooks is set for release in the fall of 2022, detailing the life and career of the lifelong activist who worked closely with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and is responsible for banishing the racist Georgia Confederate flag. Scheduled for October, “Tyrone: The Story of An American Statesman,” will cover Brooks’ journey from the age of 15, when he entered a life of activism as a member of Dr. King’s SCLC organization, to becoming a social justice icon and respected Georgia State Representative. The film, presented by Shoot...
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We are a great country! But it and our leaders never were and never will be perfect. It is not unpatriotic to admit to our failings. Nor is it traitorous to recognize that even our greatest leaders make grievous errors. We can use even the worst acts of the past to address the rise we are experiencing in hatred, intolerance, and bigotry. “The way to right wrongs is to turn the light of truth upon them. To do otherwise is to march back into the darkness.” This very abbreviated list constitutes but a few of the countless atrocities in our...
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If you live long enough, you will see a lot. Things that you thought would never come to fruition. When you are young, events that occur don’t have as much impact upon your psych. Maybe it is because we lack the maturity to understand them. For example, segregation happened when I was a child. In fact, I am a product of it. I went to segregated schools. I can’t honestly say that I understood the ramifications of it. There were reasons why we as children did not feel the sting of segregation. First and foremost, we felt love and had...
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It appears like President Biden will nominate a Black woman to serve on the United States Supreme Court. I say “appears” because for a Black woman to become a Supreme Court Justice, Biden’s nominee must be confirmed by the U.S. Senate. Some Republican senators have wasted no time in describing the proposed presidential nomination as “affirmative action.” I’ve written about the American justice system. I’ve also visited The World Court in The Hague in Holland. Replacement strategy I want Gantt Report readers to know I have no problem with a Black woman joining the Supreme Court. What I want my...
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In the more than two decades I worked in hospitals across this Country, the hardest job I had was to notify families that a loved one had died. To know you’re responsible for a significant life-altering moment with a family was a heavy emotional task. It sounds odd to say that I became proficient at it, but I learned the signs and behaviors to be aware of leading up to and after making the notification. Some folks would pass out on the spot, others would lose control and start thrashing about, while some would take off on a sprint down the...
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Ben Frazier was wrongfully arrested on January 4, 2022. The first appearance was scheduled for January 26. A press conference was held on January 11- State Attorney Melissa Nelson sought recusal and appointment of an alternative prosecutor from the Governor’s office. They declined, citing they were essentially conflicted out from making that appointment because they essentially were the party who had him arrested. State Attorney Nelson then appointed David Smith. He dropped the charges after having the case in less than one week. Three lawyers refused to prosecute. That says something about the nature of the charges. Statement of John...
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The Thiokol Memorial Project (TMP) Museum located at 115 South Lee St. in Kingsland, Georgia will host the 51st Thiokol Commemorative Ceremony. The Ceremony will be held on February 3, 2022, at 10:00 AM. The theme this year: The Birth of “A more perfect Union” will be held at The Kingsland Depot, 200 E. King Avenue, Kingsland, Georgia 31548. For more information e-mail us at thiokolmemorial020371@gmail.com or call TMP at 912.576.1760. Each year we strive our utmost to pay homage to our Patriots and Heroes in a measure worthy of their service, impact, and sacrifice. Thiokol Memorial Project’s mission is to build...
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Nationwide, USA… Jamar ‘The Digital Currency Guy’ James, a strong advocate for financial freedom and independence has built a mastermind community that has helped hundreds of people in the last 12 months break away from corporate America. James lays out a 6 and 7 figure roadmap trading cryptocurrencies, and nurtures an environment where folks are now earning six and seven figures with virtual land, digital art, and gaming NFTS. James says people who do not invest in such arenas are missing out on the future of human evolution. With over 20 years as a technology consultant and prop trader for...
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When President Joe Biden campaigned for office in 2020, one of his most profound pledges included naming a Black woman to the United States Supreme Court. He now has an exceptional opportunity to fulfill that promise. Justice Stephen G. Breyer, the senior liberal wing member, is expected to retire with an announcement planned at the White House on Thursday. The oldest member of the court, Justice Breyer, 83, was appointed in 1994 by President Bill Clinton. Following two appointees by former President Donald Trump, the court spun into conservative control, making President Biden’s upcoming pick more vital. But Democrats must...
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Barry Bonds stands as baseball’s all-time home run king, with 762 bombs over a career that lasted more than two decades. With his fearsome and sweet lefty swing, Bonds also set the single-season home record with 73 in 2001, a year in which he also drew 177 walks. What separated Bonds from sluggers like Babe Ruth and others? he probably had the best hand-eye coordination ever. Bonds drew a mind-boggling 2,558 walks over his career, including 626 intentional free passes. So feared was Bonds; pitchers intentionally walked him with the bases loaded. A league MVP seven times and a gold...
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More than 1 in 5 adults is inactive in all but four states, according to new state maps of adult physical inactivity prevalence released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). For these maps, physical inactivity for adults is defined as not participating in any physical activities outside of work over the last month – activities such as running, walking for exercise, or gardening. State and territory-level estimates of physical inactivity range from 17.7% of people in Colorado to 49.4% in Puerto Rico. In seven states and one territory (Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, West Virginia, and...
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Celeste Headlee paused as she contemplated how Black authors have for decades endured the banning of their books in schools, libraries, on shelves across the country, and even in prisons. In the summer of 2020 and the aftermath of the murder of George Floyd, a major publishing house turned down the opportunity to obtain Headlee’s book “Speaking of Race: Why Everybody Needs to Talk About Racism – and How to Do It.” The reason? “They said they had enough books on race and that this topic is covered for us,” Headlee recounted. “It was very surprising since we were offering...
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In an ongoing effort to promote a diverse culture, JEA announced the hiring of its first director of diversity, equity and inclusion. Paul McFadden assumed this new role on Jan. 3, 2022. JEA created this role as a fundamental building block in growing diversity within the company and cultivating stronger connections with diverse groups in our community. In his new role, McFadden will provide strategic direction in executing JEA’s vision of sustaining an inclusive, respectful, and diverse culture. McFadden has a breadth of experience at JEA in human resources, and most recently, he served as a Human Resources business partner...
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Anyone who does something to feel better, either mentally or physically, or both, is experiencing “self-care.” That term would seem to be self-explanatory, however, it’s open to interpretation. Getting a manicure may be someone’s way of alleviating stress, while going for a long walk may be another’s preferred method for realizing the same benefits. “Essentially, self-care is more of a conscientious decision to prioritize yourself and deal with the things that are really the foundation for a lot of the stress that we feel on the surface. People don't associate this with self-care,” explains Dr. Alishea Rowley, a mental health...
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We live in the United States of America and as citizens, we have rights and privileges. That is how our democracy works. If you are Black like me, these tenets of our Constitution have not always been easy to actualize. At defining moments in our history, we have had to march, even die for our place in everyday America. Some would ask, what exactly is everyday America? It is leaving your house and returning to your house without incident. It is having a fair opportunity at a job based upon your credentials and experiences. It is having your opinions valued...
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Once upon a time, more than a few of America’s political leaders were described as “The Great Satans”. Most residents of the United States looked at the declarations as a meaningless play on words pushed by enemies of Democracy and the American Way. Well, if the Great Satan is a great liar, the American critics may have described the unquestioned leader of this country’s Republican political party. To me, what’s going on is much more than a lie. Too many Americans are victims of an extraordinary plot and scheme to divide and conquer the American people. Can I prove it?...
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I’m so sick of hearing about the “First and Only” in Black achievement. Who does this serve anyway? It's not the badge of honor it’s made out to be, especially coming from lips, as Dr. King said in that Dream speech, “dripping with the words of interposition and nullification…” Are we supposed to be happy that nearly 160 years after the end of inhumane forced servitude, we’re to celebrate being recognized for having the opportunity to show we have the same capacity and ability to excel in all fields just as others who had all the privileges? Miss me with...
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"There’s got to be another way to make a living," said Corey Billings, a Registered Nurse, to his wife, after another grueling day on the COVID floor. She understands the sentiment far too well. Kristi is also a Registered Nurse at the same Jacksonville hospital. When her floor is overstaffed, she sometimes ends up in the same COVID unit where her husband works. Going back to the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, Kristi recalls an extremely uneasy feeling about caring for patients. "It was frightening to some degree, a large degree." Yet, as a nurse with 14-years under...
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PONTE VEDRA BEACH, FLORIDA, AND SAN FRANCISCO – The PGA TOUR and Twitter announced a renewal of their content agreement that supports the TOUR’s creation of exclusive content for Twitter’s new live audio feature, Spaces. As part of the agreement, the PGA TOUR will continue to publish real-time highlights each day of every official PGA TOUR tournament. Additionally, the PGA TOUR will make branded and player-specific highlights and weekly Twitter Moments recapping tournament play available for sponsorship with Twitter Amplify. The PGA TOUR plans to create Spaces throughout the season in 2022 with exclusive coverage featuring current players and industry...
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Despite a record turnout in the 2020 election, and the desire of the vast majority of Americans and marches and protests led by civil rights groups across the country, all 50 GOP Senators and two Democrats formally thwarted attempts to pass legislation to secure voting rights for all citizens. Democrats’ attempt to change filibuster rules to pass a voting bill failed amid opposition from moderate Democratic Sens. Joe Manchin of West Virginia and Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona. The vote was 52-48, with Manchin and Sinema joining all GOP senators. Republicans in the chamber roundly cheered the final vote, which took...
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It’s official, America has entered the Great Resignation. In August, 4.3 million Americans quit their jobs, and the quit rate, measured by the government against total employment, rose to 2.9 percent in August. But that was August. According to the Labor Department’s Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey, November quits hit close to historic highs. The number of workers jumped to 4.5 million above the prior record of 4.4 million reached in September. When broken down, 3 percent of workers voluntarily left their positions, a figure that matched September’s record high. Further, employers posted 10.6 million job openings, down from...
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The recent public meltdown of former Tampa Bucs wide receiver Antonio Brown during a game in New York have many questioning whether the NFL and other professional sports league show enough care and concern for athletes. And many others have expressed disappointment – if not anger – when pointing out that athletes of color especially are mistreated and treated less than human. During a January 2, 2022, game against the New York Jets, Brown removed his shirt, shoulder pads, and gloves and tossed them into the stands at MetLife Stadium. Then, he ran through the end zone, raised his arms...
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CEO, SENIOR CONSULTANT and OWNER THE JOSEPH GROUP Part 1 From Humble beginnings, A lifetime dream fulfilled….. Kingsland, GA -The city of Kingsland welcomes Mr. Abraham Joseph, CEO, Senior Consultant, and owner of The Joseph Group, in the new Joseph Building located in downtown Kingsland, Georgia. As part of the new Frontier, Mr. Abraham Joseph recently made the name “Hometown Hero,” a dream come true. Affectionately known as “Abe” was born and raised in Kingsland, Georgia. His family’s history is an extensive part of Camden County and Kingsland dating back to slavery. His Great Grandfather was born a slave in...
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Marcus Jadotte has joined Crowley as senior vice president of government relations, leading the company’s advocacy activities across all its businesses. Jadotte will spearhead the company's continuing advocacy for laws and regulations that support the domestic maritime industry, while expanding awareness of Crowley’s services among federal, state and local officials. He will be based in Washington, D.C. Jadotte comes to Crowley after a tenure as vice president of federal government relations at Raytheon Technologies. He previously held similar roles at AAR, a worldwide aviation services provider to commercial and government customers, and NASCAR, where he was vice president of public...
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Beloved activist and journalist Mel Reeves passed away on Jan. 6, 2022, after a nearly month-long battle with COVID-19. He was 64 years old. A community viewing for Reeves took place on Wednesday, January 12 from 3 to 7 pm at Estes Funeral Chapel. The Celebration of Life service took place on Thursday, January 13 at 4 pm at Shiloh Temple International Ministries, located at 1201 West Broadway Avenue North in Minneapolis, with a visitation at 3 pm. Shiloh Temple also streamed the service (see above). Reeves described himself as a political and human rights activist, journalist/commentary writer, and organizer....
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JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (January 20, 2022) - Black Men Engaged, an organization that provides vital social programs to address pressing issues affecting African-Americans, urges every community – and particularly the Black community – to take advantage of the Covid-19 testing kits provided for free by the U.S. Government. Order your kit today. “Knowing your Covid-19 status will help us stop the spread of the coronavirus in our community. Tell your neighbors, tell your family, tell your friends they can get testing kits delivered right to their homes. The tests are free, reliable, and easy to use. We are urging all Jacksonville...
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Lani Guinier, a Legal scholar Lani Guinier, once nominated by President Bill Clinton to assistant attorney general and the first woman of color appointed to a tenured professorship at the famed Harvard Law School, has died. Her cousin Sherrie Russell-Brown confirmed that the 71-year-old succumbed to complications of Alzheimer’s disease. Professor Guinier displayed a keen interest in voting rights, and her strong views garnered such opposition that President Clinton withdrew her nomination. But the civil rights advocate never stopped championing her views that included the thought that one person, one vote, was insufficient in a system where those in the...
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There are people in America and around the world that wake up every day and try to find something wicked to do to Blacks, Hispanics, immigrants, Native Americans and poor people. Too many of us have eyes but can’t see. Those friends and neighbors of ours that fail to recognize privilege, bias, unfairness, lack of access to capital, legal injustice, economic exploitation, community degradation via gentrification and other racially constructed roadblocks cannot have a reliable vision for our collective future. So-called radicals, revolutionaries, activists, rabble rousers and troublemakers are mad because they “can’t make a speech, can’t teach, can’t preach,...
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With the election of President Biden and Vice President Harris, they have quickly delivered for the American people, while helping our country recover from a pandemic, and an economic crisis. It is very easy for the Republicans to talk about what the Biden team has done wrong, but with the passing of the American Rescue Plan, and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, their first year in office has been extremely successful. These two pieces of legislation will rebuild the economy and put money in the pockets of hard-working American families. Many businesses received stipends from the government, and many Americans were...
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Maxine McNair, who was the last living parent of the four African American girls murdered in a 1963 Alabama church bombing by the Ku Klux Klan, died on January 2, 2022 at 93. Maxine and Christopher McNair’s daughter, 11-year-old Denise McNair, was murdered along with three other young girls on Sunday, September 15, 1963. Maxine McNair was a schoolteacher. Her husband Christopher died in 2019 at 93 and was one of the first African Americans elected to the Alabama legislature since Reconstruction. Three members of the Ku Klux Klan planted a bomb at the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham,...
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I have a love-hate relationship with Winter. If I had my choice, I would rather live in colder climates, but when you have adult responsibilities it’s not that much fun. I can recall my first introduction to real winter weather as an 18-year-old Military recruit fresh out of Basic Training. My first choice of duty stations was Hawaii, but instead, my Uncle Sam felt I would be better suited to be situated in Omaha, Nebraska. When it was time to ask for another place to hang my Military beret, I selected Japan, but again my Uncle thought Alaska would be...
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Was he the right man at the right time with the right message for America? I believe he was! He was a man who inspired people the world over with the simplicity and profundity of his message of equal rights for all. He taught that the most immediate way to achieve this was through nonviolent civil disobedience. It was a technique perfected by the great Indian leader, Mahatma Gandhi. For nearly two hundred years (1757-1947) India was Great Britain’s money-making machine, cash cow and goose that laid the golden egg. She derived millions of dollars yearly from her management of...
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Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA) Chief Executive Officer Nathaniel P. Ford, Sr. was named 2022 Chair of the Transportation Research Board (TRB) Executive Committee, part of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine. Ford’s term began during the 101st TRB Annual Meeting Jan 12. Shawn Wilson, secretary of the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development, will serve as Vice Chair. Marcia McNutt, president of the National Academies of Science and chair of the National Research Council (NRC), appointed Ford to the position. “I am honored to lead the TRB Executive Committee during this transformative time, as we collectively implement historic...
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Thompson was born on March 6, 1922, in Jacksonville, Florida. Her father, Daniel Webster Perkins, was a prominent attorney in Florida, and her mother, Camilla (Bolton) Perkins, was a Jacksonville elementary school teacher. Camilla Thompson and her two sisters, Lavenia and Dannette, grew up in the LaVilla neighborhood of Jacksonville. Camilla Thompson attended Boylan-Haven School for Girls during her elementary and junior high school years and Stanton High School, where she graduated in 1939. Her husband Capers was also a Stanton graduate and attended Florida A&M University before serving in the U.S. Army in World War II. Camilla received her...
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The Wellness Spot is College Park's brand-new, cutting-edge sanctuary. It is one of a full block of businesses bought and owned by Multi-business mogul, Valaurie Bridges-Lee. She has developed a one-of-a-kind wellness center which caters to clientele with high quality, offers various fitness courses and luxurious spa services. The Wellness Spot has a lovely workout studio on the upper level and an excellent and diverse spa on the lower level. Outside, there's a relaxing urban hideaway with a welcoming deck, beautiful garden, and weather-resistant patio. When you arrive in Atlanta, The Wellness Spot, located near the airport, is the ideal...
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Today we are witnessing an increased spirit of giving to help underserved communities across the United States. The Black Press of America acknowledges and takes public note of both the responsibilities and the opportunities for corporate leaders to be “Thy Sisters and Brothers Keepers.” Good social corporate responsibility matters. This is particularly true in communities of color, which continue to be mired in poverty and insufficient access to transformative economic improvement opportunities. One of the key indicators of economic advancement and sustainability in today’s global marketplace is the extent to which effective community-based organizations have access to equity funding and...
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The Atlanta Falcons long shot of making the playoffs came to an end Sunday with a loss to the Buffalo Bills in New York Sunday. The Falcons would fall behind after starting the second half with a one point 15-14 lead. The second half just hasn’t been very kind to the Falcons all season. It’s been a struggle all season to hold onto leads long enough to be the victors at the end of the game. The Falcons defense had two first half interceptions leading to a touchdown and field goal but allowed the Bills to take back control of...
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The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers increased 0.5 percent in December on a seasonally adjusted basis after rising 0.8 percent in November, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported on Wednesday, January 12. Over the last 12 months, the all items index increased 7.0 percent before seasonal adjustment. Increases in the shelter and used cars and trucks indexes were the most significant contributors to the seasonally adjusted all items increase. The food index also contributed, although it increased less than in recent months, rising 0.5 percent in December, BLS officials stated in a release. In December, the energy...
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Today, Ability Housing announced a 10-year agreement with Bezos Academy to open a tuition-free, Montessori-inspired preschool in Orlando later this year. This is the first Bezos Academy preschool announced in Florida. The Bezos Academy preschool will be in the Village on Mercy apartment community, which is owned by Ability Housing and located at 1766 Mercy Drive in Orlando. The preschool will follow a full-day, year-round schedule, and will be slated to open two classrooms in fall 2022. “Housing is the foundation of our lives. Without stable housing, families struggle. But to truly succeed, families need a network of support to foster their economic resiliency and mobility,” said Shannon Nazworth,...
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Most learned and studious people in the United States have heard about how angry white people gathered in cities like Tulsa, Oklahoma in 1921 and in Rosewood, Florida in 1923 to rob, lynch and attempt to murder Black men, women, children and babies. The Blacks were hated in the two cities because they were prosperous and progressing in business, education and in other aspects of life. Few people, however, know that before Tulsa and Rosewood, in 1906 Black people in Atlanta were attacked by violent and wicked mobs of white racists. In the Capitol City of the Peach State, Blacks...
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The Jaguars closed out, arguably one of the worst seasons to date, with a win! In the final game of the season, the Jaguars came in with a record of 2-14 against the Indianapolis Colts(9-7). A win for the Colts would secure a spot in the NFL playoffs for 2021 season. Fans were given surprising news at the start of game week, as the Owner announced that despite the outcry, he would be keeping Trent Baalke as the GM. It has been alleged that Baalke has been hard to work with and is unskilled in regards to building a team....
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Schools are fundamental to our society. They create building blocks for comprehension and learning. Our students attend schools across America every day. It is a routine that has existed for as long as I can remember. There was never to my knowledge a stoppage of going to school. There is now. We know the pandemic has caused this disruption. Some students are now staying home from school. Can you imagine as a child staying home from school? I can’t. Virtual learning has now taken a front seat in the education marketplace. Students at all levels are spending their days at...
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CEO, SENIOR CONSULTANT, and OWNER THE JOSEPH GROUP Part 1 A lifetime dream fulfilled….. Kingsland, GA - A great leader from humble beginnings with a lineage of strength, courage and determination. Introducing Mr. Abraham Joseph in his own words. “I was born and raised in Kingsland, GA. I attended the local school and graduated from Camden County High School. I enrolled at Morris Brown College, Atlanta, Georgia and received a Bachelor of Science in Accounting. I later received my Master of Science from Troy University and MBA in Accounting and Finance from Keller Graduate School. I hold several professional certifications...
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Nothing seemed to work well for the Falcons in their final game of the season to division rival New Orleans Saints Sunday. Turnovers, tepid play on offense and allowing 5.2 yards a carry to the tune of 195 rushing yards on defense were all factors that proved considerable in a final 30-20 end of season loss. The Falcons weren’t successful at all on offense against the Saints. Offensive issues have been around for most of the season; unable to score points or protect Matt Ryan under center have been common scenarios both on the road and at home. The Saints...
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Famous author and noted civil rights leader Maya Angelou became the first African American woman featured on the 25-cent coin. The U.S. Mint began shipping the quarters on January 10. Reportedly, the Angelou coin is the first in a series designed to celebrate the accomplishments of American women. “Each time we redesign our currency, we have the chance to say something about our country — what we value, and how we’ve progressed as a society,” U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet L. Yellen said in a statement. “I’m very proud that these coins celebrate the contributions of some of America’s most remarkable...
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Teen influencers in I’m A Star Foundation are sharing gift boxes of inspiration to students across Duval County to support their mental health. During the first school board meeting of 2022 Monday, the STARS presented EmpowerMe™ toolkits to Duval County Superintendent Dr. Diana Greene, Board members, Chief of Schools Scott Schneider and Director of Mental Health Katrina Taylor. Middle and High School students who volunteer with nonprofit organization I’m A Star created the kits as part of their EmpowerMe™ initiative. Inner packaging of the box displays a QR code linking to motivational messages from STAR teens. The toolkits also contain...
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I’ve only been in one real fight in my life, and that was over 40 years ago when I was in middle school. I remember it clearly. Little did I know that the premise for my self-defense as a somewhat awkward eighth grader would lead to the basis for so many of my philosophical and integrity-based fights years later as a confident adult. As I was walking to class one Wednesday morning after the first period bell rang, this adolescent version of a redneck in training felt compelled to call me the word every Black kid back in the 70’s...
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By Percy Lovell Crawford The burden that Kenneth Chamberlain Jr. and the Chamberlain family have carried has now hit a decade. Kenneth Chamberlain Sr. was fatally shot by White Plains police officers following an inadvertent Life Alert activation that led to cops being dispatched for a welfare check on him on Nov. 19, 2011. The film, “The Killing Of Kenneth Chamberlain,” produced and directed by David Midell, provides insights into the events that led to Chamberlain’s death. While the award-winning film sheds light on the situation, Chamberlain’s son and namesake continues to push for accountability from the city and the...
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By Abigail Klein Leichman Moovit, the world’s No. 1 mobility app, has begun a partnership with WeWALK enabling blind and partially sighted users to navigate public transportation independently. Introduced in 2012 and acquired by Intel in 2021, the Israeli-developed Moovit app is used by more than one billion users in 3,400 cities across 112 countries in 45 languages. WeWALK is a UK startup that developed an award-winning smart cane for visually impaired people. Moovit’s technology allows WeWALK users to identify and navigate to the correct bus stops and train stations; access real-time arrival information; get live step-by-step guidance for the...
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By Daniel James Graeber Demand for motor fuels in the U.S. economy does not warrant the current price at the pump, though analysts told Zenger they do expect these elevated prices to continue for most of the year. Travel club AAA listed a national average retail price of .30 for a gallon of regular unleaded on Tuesday, unchanged from a month ago. While California’s state average of .65 per gallon distorts the picture, retail gasoline prices nevertheless remain at multiyear years. Patricia Hemsworth, a senior vice president at Paragon Markets, said the elevated price at the pump does not match...
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I miss going to the movies. Covid has stolen that happiness from me. I enjoyed walking into the movie theater and taking time to scan the room filled with comfortable chairs to find that optimal seat. I found excitement in nestling down into the comfortable padded seats with a tub of buttered popcorn in anticipation of the performances on the screen. I even enjoyed going to see live theater too. That love was born from my first time seeing The Wiz on stage as a little wide eyed 8 year old. But what I can’t stomach is the annual theater...
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Happy New Year to you and your family. This ageless expression has been with us for many years. According to reports, the New Year was originally celebrated on March 25th. The Julian Calendar was replaced by the Gregorian Calendar, changing the formula for calculating leap years. As a result, the beginning of the legal New Year was moved from March 25th to January 1st. So here we are in the year 2022 ready to begin new plans and new dreams. Some years back like many of you, I made some resolutions. Things that I would and wouldn’t do. Maybe unlike...
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Jacksonville, Fl.- An elderly Black community activist was arrested following his refusal to leave a press conference Governor Ron DeSantis was going to hold on COVID 19. Ben Frazier, the president of the Northside Coalition of Jacksonville and organization members, maintained that they had the right to attend the event in public building by Florida’s top public official. They are also suing DeSantis on the anti-riot bill HB1. A DeSantis staffer who tried to get the group to leave said security concerns were the reason. The majority of the group was elderly. The episode played out before news cameras as...
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As COVID-19 cases continue to rise in much of the United States, health care and medical professionals are still urging people to get vaccinated—especially pregnant people and parents with eligible children. In a panel discussion during the W Cobb NMA Institute Harry Blake Empowerment Community Health Fair and Vaccine event in Shreveport, Louisiana, several doctors addressed misinformation and answered questions about COVID to encourage vaccinations in the Black community. “We had a lot of pregnant women in the ICU,” said Dr. LaTashia Upton, obstetrician-gynecologist and chief medical officer for Ochsner LSU Health Shreveport – St. Mary Medical Center. “We’ve had...
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Most folks in Black and brown communities have heard of The 1619 Project that was published by the New York Times Magazine in 2019. This important and ambitious project, led by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Nikole Hannah-Jones, pulled back the curtain of euphemistic rhetoric composing American historiography that points only to the good in our history and sweeps under the rug the evil deeds perpetrated against people of color for more than 400 years. The 1619 Project sought only to do one thing – start an honest conversation about how toxic attitudes about race have shaped this nation’s past and made...
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Rev. Al Sharpton, Martin Luther King III, and more than 800 faith leaders from various religions are demanding that President Joe Biden and Senate Democrats immediately push through voting rights legislation. “We cannot be clearer: you must act now to protect every American’s freedom to vote without interference and with confidence that their ballot will be counted and honored,” the faith leaders wrote in the letter released on Thursday, December 23, 2021. “Passing comprehensive voting rights legislation must be the number-one priority of the administration and Congress,” they wrote. In addition to Sharpton and King, those signing the letter included...
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The photos and images from the September 2021 actions of Border Patrol agents against Haitian migrants have forever stained the Biden-Harris administration. Still, those asylum seekers’ physical, mental, and emotional scarring may never disappear. “It was the most humiliating experience of his life,” an attorney for Mirard Joseph wrote in court filings this week. In one photo, an agent twirling a whip attempted to drag Joseph back to the Rio Grande, the separation point of the United States and Mexico. Joseph counts among the migrants suing the Biden-Harris administration for the inhumane treatment at the hands of Border Agents. Advocacy...
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Jobs. Racial justice. Workplace safety. Equity. These issues, front and center in the minds of millions of Americans for years, were deeply intensified by the pandemic of 2020 and 2021. As the pandemic took full effect, devastating job losses hit minority workers and their families especially hard and the critical role of health and safety protections were never more clearly at the forefront of our conversations than during this terrible pandemic. But as 2021 took hold and a new administration began its work, the long overdue fight to improve working conditions and labor rights was set into motion by President...
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In 2021, 440 bills to restrict voting access were introduced in 49 states. Nineteen states passed 34 new laws making it more difficult to vote. There have been no cases cited demonstrating evidence of any widespread voter fraud. But the main focus of Trump Republicans is on unproven claims of fraud as they question the legitimacy of the 2020 elections a year away from congressional midterms. With the clear indication that Senators Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.) are against changing the filibuster rules in the U.S. Senate, a big battle over the passage of the John Lewis Voting...
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One of the most important reasons to vote Donald Trump out of the White House was to stop him from packing our federal courts with even more anti-voting-rights, anti-equality, pro-corporate judges. Stopping the flood of bad Trump judges was a huge accomplishment for every organizer and voter who helped elect Joe Biden as president. And that’s only part of the good news. President Biden is making history with the most diverse set of judicial nominees ever. President Trump’s judicial nominees were overwhelmingly white men, often young and unqualified. They were almost always picked for their commitment to a right-wing judicial ideology that makes...
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After the largest confederate statue in the U.S. came down on September 8, 2021 in Richmond, two time capsules were discovered underneath the structure. Underneath the large statue of confederate General Robert E. Lee on a horse were two time capsules. The first box didn’t contain anything earth shattering, but a second larger time capsule was opened on December 28. The Lee statue was dedicated in Richmond in 1887, 23 years after the end of the Civil War. Activists in Richmond protested in 2020 until local politicians bent to political inevitability. Confederate statues have been coming down across the U.S....
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The year 2021 has been challenging and eventful. Nothing has come close to it in my lifetime. Upon reflection some things took center stage and not always for the good. These events did not warrant a curtain call. They were shameful and shocking. Before the shame and the shock, it is my view that COVID-19 and the variants served as the backdrop for all that went on in 2021. This virus ran roughshod over all of us. We witnessed firsthand the pain and terrible suffering caused by this once in a lifetime illness. All of us were affected in some...
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Until about the age of forty, I was a pretty good athlete. In high school, I was a three year varsity letterman in football and track & field. In the Military, I ran track, winning a medal for our Squadron as the anchor leg of the 4x400 relay team. I was a quick and elusive running back on the Squadron’s flag football team helping win the Base Championship two consecutive years. I returned home from the Military 60 pounds heavier than when I entered, but I could still chase down a racquetball and hold my own in the over 30...
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Long before Nelson Mandela won his freedom from 27 years of imprisonment fighting apartheid in South Africa, Archbishop Desmond Tutu earned the moniker “the nation’s conscience.” White and Black residents of the popular African nation lauded the bishop for his relentless fight to unite races and end the racist system of apartheid. South Africa’s leading advocate for change and reconciliation under a Black majority rule and the 1984 Nobel Peace Prize winner, Bishop Tutu, died in Cape Town on December 26 at the age of 90. South Africa President Cyril Ramaphosa first confirmed the bishop’s passing. “He was a leader...
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There are few seasons that make us more joyful and more thankful than Christmas. It is celebrated like no other. Our attitudes become more positive and our outlook on life is more hopeful. We truly believe better days are ahead. Children love Christmas and all that is associated with it. Family and friends get together. Gifts are exchanged and toys are opened. Everyone is excited about the Christmas season. What can be better? The buildup to Christmas alone will make you move around and get happy. Christmas when I was a boy growing up in North Carolina was filled with...
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When I was a little chitlin’ growing up in the hood, I couldn’t wait for Christmas Day to arrive. I was so blind and consciously unaware during those formative years, it didn’t resonate with me that my daddy worked two jobs, but I celebrated a jolly old white man bringing us all the happiness that morning. I didn’t work two jobs when my kids were little chitlins, but I made sure to give credit to a darker skinned man in the red suit by having pictures of him all throughout our house. I tried not to have beef with any...
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Don’t act surprised! West Virginia Senator Joe Manchin is who you thought he was, a modern day Dixiecrat disguised as a Democrat. I’ve told you over and over but if you are a new Gantt Report reader and don’t know, not so long ago, a group of white segregationists in the Southern states split from the Democratic Party that African Americans love to form the “States’ Rights Democratic Party” to oppose integration and civil rights for Black people. Recently, Sen. Manchin did what Republicans do, he went on Fox News to announce that he would not vote for President Joe...
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Allied Universal, a leading security and facility services company in North America, is seeking to hire 100+ security professionals in Jacksonville. The company is holding an open house hiring event on January 5 from 10 am to 5 pm at the company’s branch offices at 4190 Belford Road, Suite #150 in Jacksonville, Florida. In addition to in-person interviews, Allied Universal’s virtual interview process allows applicants to complete the company’s online application from the comfort of their home through highly advanced video interviewing technology. Applicants can apply online for the hiring event here. “We are recruiting for all shifts for all levels of...
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Don Victor Mooney of Queens, New York was invited to attend Pope Francis General Audience on World AIDS Day. Mooney was joined with his family. After meeting with Pope Francis, Mooney had a second audience with Cardinal Turkson, the Prefect of the Dicastery for the Promotion of Integral Human Development. On a 4th try he completed the row from Maspalomas, Gran Canaria, a part of Spain’s Canary Islands to New York’s Brooklyn Bridge, a first for an African American. His mission was to encourage HIV testing. After crossing the Atlantic Ocean and boat repairs, Mooney rowed thru the ICW in...
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After a lingering illness, Lionel “Billy” Moore made his final transition on November 16, 2021. This is now a time for us to pause and experience peace and personal reflections. His devoted wife of 55 years, Joyce Graham Moore, and his family extends their heartfelt thanks to each one for your prayers and memorable thoughts. Billy Moore has “Lived his dash” for 87 God-given years. He can now rest in peace. After graduating from Stanton Senior High School in Jacksonville, Florida, Billy Moore enrolled at Florida A&M University and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Music and Music Education...
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The racial pay gap has long presented issues for African Americans in Corporate America and other industries. It’s now filtered to social media. MSL U.S., in partnership with The Influencer League, unveiled a first-of-its-kind research study, “Time to Face the Influencer Pay Gap,” uncovering a vast racial divide in influencer marketing. According to the research, the racial pay gap between white and Black, Indigenous & People of Color (BIPOC) stands at 29 percent. When explicitly focused on the gap between white and Black influencers, it widens to 35 percent. It’s a growing issue that Black creators face,” said Howard University...
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Derek Chauvin, the former Minneapolis police officer who killed George Floyd, would rather spend 25 years in federal prison than 15 in a state penitentiary. The disgraced cop who infamously kneeled on Floyd’s neck for more than nine minutes pleaded guilty on Wednesday, December 15, to federal charges of violating the late Floyd’s civil rights. Federal prosecutors reached a deal with Chauvin, who agreed to serve 25 years in federal prison. The sentence will run concurrently with the 22-year sentence Chauvin received after being convicted on state charges of murder. Under the state sentence, Chauvin could have qualified for parole...
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The founders of HBCU Connect have partnered with ServiceNow, a multi-billion-dollar software company known for its cloud computing platform, to launch a 6-week, part-time Virtual Learning Experience + Hackathon. The opportunity is for current Black and Latinx students and recent graduates (all majors, and up to 2 years post-graduation). The one-week, team-based hackathon will challenge students to solve a real-world problem that focuses on global issues like Healthcare, Education, Digital Literacy, and more. Participants will have the chance to compete for a chance to win ,000 as the first-place winner and ,000 as the runner-up. As the largest HBCU Hackathon...
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JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The Jacksonville Jaguars have fired head coach Urban Meyer, ending a tumultuous tenure with the franchise after only 13 games. “After deliberation over many weeks and a thorough analysis of the entirety of Urban’s tenure with our team, I am bitterly disappointed to arrive at the conclusion that an immediate change is imperative for everyone,” owner Shad Khan said in a statement released early Thursday. “I informed Urban of the change this evening. As I stated in October, regaining our trust and respect was essential. Regrettably, it did not happen. “In the spirit of closure and recharging...
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Nassau County Police Department’s Chief of Detectives Keechant Sewell has beat out top candidates from around the country to land New York City’s head law enforcement job. Chief Sewell, the first African American in her current role in Nassau County, has earned selection as the first woman Police Commissioner in the NYPD’s 176-year history. She’s just the third African American appointed as commissioner. Mayor-elect Eric Adams determined that the seasoned veteran and New York native would better serve the needs of the 55,000-person department that includes more than 35,000 officers. “I want to let them know that we are absolutely...
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Florida A&M University students performed a community service event called “Rattler Radiance” at Bond Elementary School just in time for the Christmas season. The eight students presented a box of Black beauty items to 10 female Bond Elementary School students as part of their community holiday kick-off on Thursday, December 9. The event included braiding, nail polishing, making FAMU t-shirts, and an educational discussion about being a student at FAMU, the state’s only public Historically Black College or University. The purpose of community service was to demonstrate to young students how special they are and to show them they have...
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Bryce Young isn’t even eligible for the 2022 NFL Draft, but his gridiron achievements certainly are pro-worthy. The Alabama quarterback became the fifth sophomore to win the Heisman Trophy, college football’s most outstanding player award. Young, 20, also becomes the first Crimson Tide quarterback to win the Heisman, and it marks the second consecutive year an Alabama player has won the award. “I’ve always been labeled as someone who’s not the prototype, being an African-American quarterback and being quote-unquote undersized and not being that prototype, I’ve always been ruled out and counted out,” Young stated during his acceptance speech. The...
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The Falcons were able to pull off a much-needed win in Charlotte Sunday against the Carolina Panthers. Matt Ryan threw for 193 yards and a touchdown while the defense was able to get three turnovers, including a pick-six to lift the Falcons to a 29-21 win on the road to stay alive in the playoff picture. The Falcons helped themselves out greatly by taking the lead in the second quarter after Mykal Walkers 66-yard interception return for a touchdown after undercutting Cam Newton’s pass to Ameer Adullah with 8:47 left to go in the second quarter for a 14-7 lead....
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Washington, D.C. — Over 500 Black State Legislators from across the United States left the National Black Caucus of State Legislators (NBCSL) Annual Legislative Conference last weekend recommitted to addressing voting rights, health care, education, and other important issues that are impacting African American communities. Presently, more than 20 states have passed laws that will make it harder for millions of Americans to vote. President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris prepared recorded remarks that were shown during the Annual Awards Ceremony for the conference attendees. “We have a White House that looks like America,’ said President Biden. In her...
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Florida A&M University (FAMU) College of Law’s Logan Bartholomew is enrolled in the Field Placement program. Bartholomew is working with the Florida Department of Children & Families (DCF) to protect the legal rights and improve the lives of abused, neglected, and abandoned children. In this role, Bartholomew helped draft an appellate brief that led to a favorable ruling for the agency and the children it serves from the 4th District Court of Appeals. Reflecting on the experience, Bartholomew said, “Although I’ve been a DCF paralegal since 2015, I’ve only done work at the trial court level. In addition to teaching me about...
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There seems to be an avalanche of support these days for Historically Black Colleges and Universities. These schools are getting more press than any time before now. There is not a day that goes by that you don’t see a story about an HBCU. If you are a supporter of HBCUs, this is welcomed news. HBCU alumni associations are gaining more leverage and more members, too. People without HBCU ties also want to know about our schools and our traditions. They are asking what is the attraction? What makes these schools so special? Why in past months have we seen...
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You know the old game, two truths and a lie? Here are two truths and a lie about Georgia and Stacey Abrams, who recently announced that she’s running for governor. Let’s start with the lie. The big lie is that Donald Trump lost Georgia in 2020 because of illegal votes. The big truth is that Stacey Abrams helped achieve not one, not two, but three legal statewide victories in Georgia for President Joe Biden and Senators Raphael Warnock and John Ossoff. Another truth is that Brian Kemp was Georgia’s vote suppressor-in-chief long before he became the governor. In every cycle,...
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Once upon a time, there was an American television show called “Have Gun, Will Travel”. It was about a gringo gunslinger named Paladin that went from town to town in the Wild West helping people solve problems that a gunslinger could solve. In my mind, Paladin was more than a gunslinger, he was a Wild West mercenary because Paladin got paid to do the wild thing! Today, we have political Paladins. Too many elected officials consider personal political and financial benefits instead of thinking how they can better serve the country, state or the citizens and district residents that voted...
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St. Paul A.M.E. Church welcomed Reverend Willie N. Barnes, Jr. as it’s new senior pastor. He is poised to follow the 140th Elected and Consecrated Bishop of the A.M.E Church: Bishop Marvin C. Zanders, II. who served as the pastor for over twenty-one years. An anointed preacher, teacher, and motivator, Rev. Barnes is committed to delivering a relevant and contemporary message focused on faith, encouragement, and empowerment to the members of St. Paul A.M.E. Church Jacksonville and the world. Barnes noted his new assignment as an opportunity to continue to build upon the legacy of leadership, discipleship and community impact that...
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Death used to be part of my everyday professional life, but now we’re only casually acquainted. I never think much about death unless I’m forced to, like I was last week. We have a home phone, but no one ever answers it, so I guess I’m donating that money to AT&T every month. It seems like our home phone rings a certain kind of way when someone calls to notify us of a sudden demise. I even say it out loud at those times, “That’s a death call,” especially when it rings in the wee hours of the morning....
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Weekly claims for unemployment benefits dropped to a new multi-decade low last week, the Labor Department reported Thursday. At 184,000 claims, adjusted for seasonal swings, it was the lowest level of initial claims since September 1969, when the figure stood at 182,000. “In the week ending December 4, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 184,000, a decrease of 43,000 from the previous week’s revised level,” the labor department reported. The previous week’s level was revised up by 5,000 from 222,000 to 227,000, the report stated. The 4-week moving average was 218,750, a decrease of 21,250 from the...
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The Falcons started out going toe-to-toe, keeping it close early on against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers but ultimately, the trio of Tom Brady, Chris Godwin and Rob Gronkowski were just to much for the Falcons to keep up in their 30-17 defeat, their seventh straight loss at home in Atlanta on Sunday. The Buccaneers started off with the first possession of the game and made their presence known, with Brady taking the offense the distance of the field with all passes and no run on a 75-yard touchdown drive the ended with a high lob pass to Leonard Fournette for...
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There’s no winner yet in the campaign to fill the late Tommy Hazouri’s council seat. Democrat Tracye Polson received about 37% of the vote for the City Council at-large seat, and Republican Nick Howland got about 36% of the vote, according to unofficial results from the Duval County Supervisor of Elections. The two will face off in a runoff election Feb. 22. The two other candidates in the race, Republican Howland Russell and Demorat James Coach Jacobs, each got about 14% of the vote. Fewer than 81,000 voters cast a ballot in the special election, 12.5% of eligible voters. The...
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Entrepreneur and collection creator, Candice L. Williams, is relaunching an iconic image with a new and exciting collection of t-shirts celebrating natural hair and promoting Black culture. The iconic image of the Lock Into Your Heritage poster was conceptualized by Williams in 1995. The artwork illustrates an African American woman with her back to the camera, uplifting a cascade of beautiful naturally groomed hair and the caption “Lock Into Your Heritage”. This powerful message and visual resonated with the Black community and gained popularity on popular sitcoms, Living Single and Cosby. At the time, the image served as a statement...
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JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A former University of Central Florida football player was fatally shot by his father after an argument about a dog bite, police said. Former UCF Knights running back Otis Anderson Jr., 23, was shot to death Monday night in Jacksonville. His father, Otis Anderson Sr., 52, has been arrested on charges of second-degree murder and attempted second-degree murder, according to a Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office report. The footballer, nicknamed “Juice” by supporters, was rushed to the hospital, but, unfortunately, he succumbed to the gunshot injuries. Police were called to a shooting and found Anderson Jr. suffering from a...
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HCA Healthcare, Inc. (NYSE:HCA), one of the nation’s leading healthcare providers, today announced that it will donate [post_excerpt].5 million to Florida A&M University’s (FAMU) School of Allied Health Sciences to strengthen students’ pathways from undergraduate to graduate to management careers in the healthcare industry. The partnership is part of HCA Healthcare’s broader commitment announced earlier this year to give million over the next three years to Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs) in order to advance diversity in healthcare. “Through Capital Regional Medical Center and HCA Healthcare’s Tallahassee-based North Florida Division, the health system...
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Nicholas Watson from Texarkana, Arkansas, was diagnosed with autism and ADHD, but recently graduated from high school with a record-breaking GPA. He has proven wrong all the people that said and assumed that he would not even be able to read and comprehend math. “Overall, I’m just grateful to have an opportunity to be where I am right now because I wasn’t ever meant to be here,” Watson told ArkLaTex. “Besides autism and ADHD, they said I wasn’t ever going to comprehend, read, math all of that. No matter what circumstance or whoever defines you. You’re the one who defines...
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Meet 16-year old Caleb Smith from P.G. County, Maryland, who according to the FAA has become the youngest Glider pilot in the United States. He is currently a 10th grader at Charles H. Flowers High School in the city of Springdale. According to WUSA-9, Caleb’s dream began when he was just 10-years old during a discovery flight at Bowie Freeway Airport. From this experience, his ambition sparked a sincere interest in aviation. Periodically he would fly with a Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) just to see if the desire was still there. Over the course of time, he began to gradually...
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A Florida A&M University (FAMU) professor has received an Air Force Young Investigator Research Program (YIP) Award. The award to Jamel Ali, Ph.D., marks the first YIP award from the Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR) to a Historically Black College and University (HBCU), the agency announced. An assistant professor of chemical and biomedical engineering in the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering, Ali received the 0,000 three-year grant for his proposal, “Self-assembled Swimmers for Nanoscale Actuation and Sensing,” which is at the intersection of microbiology, fluid mechanics, biophysics, nanotechnology, and robotics. Ali leads the Nanobio Materials and Robotics group, located...
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The American Public Transportation Association (APTA) has selected Jannet Walker-Ford, senior vice president and national transit and rail leader for WSP USA, to serve on its Executive Committee for the 2021-2022 term. APTA is a nonprofit international association representing all modes of public transportation, including bus, paratransit, light rail, commuter rail, subways, waterborne services, and intercity and high-speed passenger rail. More than 90 percent of the people using public transportation in the U.S. and Canada ride APTA member systems. “Throughout her career Jannet has developed successful strategies for public transportation, and that experience will provide the APTA Executive Committee with...
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Symone Sanders, Vice President Kamala Harris’ chief spokesperson and senior advisor, plans to leave the administration later this month. “I’m so grateful to the VP for her vote of confidence from the very beginning and the opportunity to see what can be unburdened by what has been,” Sanders wrote in a letter to Vice President Harris’ staff. “I’m grateful for Tina [Flournoy] and her leadership and confidence as well,” Sanders continued. “Every day, I arrived at the White House complex knowing our work made a tangible difference for Americans. I am immensely grateful and will miss working for her and...
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WHAT: DONNA Marathon Weekend, presenting the only marathon in the United States dedicated to breast cancer research and care, returns to in-person racing Feb. 4-6, 2022. This annual event supports The DONNA Foundation, which provides financial assistance and support to families living with breast cancer, funds groundbreaking breast cancer research, and celebrates survivorship. Now celebrating its 15th year, the theme of the 2022 DONNA Marathon Weekend is “TOGETHER,” celebrating our return to live, in-person events after a challenging year of uncertainty, and how strong we are together. The Foundation is eager to welcome patients, survivors and their supporters back in...
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Individuals who understand strategic confrontation are some of society’s most misunderstood people. This is because cowardice regularly masquerades as “pragmatism.” Cowardice is dogmatic; it seeks feelings of certainty and comfort at the cost of the truth. Cowardly thinking is short-sighted; it looks only one-step ahead: to the easiest, conflict-avoidant option. Florida A&M University’s best presidents, though, have had the courage to execute carefully conceived battle plans for the school’s benefit. The late Walter L. Smith, Sr., Ph.D., exemplified this tradition. Smith, a U.S. Army veteran who engaged in civil rights activism, knew how to devise offensive maneuvers. As FAMU’s seventh...
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Janet Rollé has recently been named the new CEO and Executive Director of the American Ballet Theatre, making her the first Black person to lead the prestigious ballet company in its 65-year history. At the age of 8, Rollé started learning to dance since her mother, who is an immigrant from Jamaica, took her to a dance class. She continued honing her skills and graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Dance from the State University of New York. “Through dance, I learned how to be a professional, the value of discipline and technique, and my love for...
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The Jacksonville Public Education Fund is proud to announce the top five finalists for 2022 VyStar Duval County Teacher of the Year. The finalists were chosen by a community selection committee that reviewed their applications, conducted interviews and watched footage of their instruction in the classroom or online. One of the five finalists will be announced as winner of the county-wide honor live on WJXT/Channel 4 as schools tune in from watch parties around the district. The EDDY Awards: Live from Jacksonville! TV Special airs on January 22, 2022 at 8 PM on WJXT/Channel 4 and streams on news4jax.com and...
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Former U.S. Congresswoman Carrie Meek, who was the first Black person to represent the state of Florida in Congress since Reconstruction, died on November 28. She was 95. Meek served in Congress from 1993 to 2003. She as the granddaughter of slaves and became a Congresswoman at the age of 66 after serving the Florida House and Senate. Meek’s political career began when Florida state representative Gwen Cherry, Florida’s first ever Black woman legislator, was killed in a car crash in 1979. Meek won a special election to succeed Cherry. In 1992, after court-ordered congressional redistricting mandated that there would...
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Meet S. “Michelle” Foye, the founder and CEO of Précis Screening, an Atlanta-based premier drug and alcohol screening company with ancillary offerings of pre-employment services such as background verification and I-9 automation. Michelle was a Corporate Technology Leader who has leveraged her education and experience to become a serial entrepreneur in Health/Beauty & Transportation. She serves as Executive Director of Precis Screening, Sanai Couture Beauty Holdings, LLC, and Co-Owner of Precis Global Logistics, LLC. She has helped over 500 aspiring entrepreneurs and existing business owners learn to enter Drug Testing, Clinical Lab & Transportation Compliance markets by teaching them to...
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Actor Jussie Smollett faces jail time after a jury in Chicago found him guilty of falsely reporting to the police that he had been the victim of a racist and homophobic assault. “Mr. Smollett didn’t want the crime solved,” Daniel K. Webb said during his closing argument to the jury. “He wanted to report it as a hate crime; he wanted media exposure; but he didn’t want the brothers apprehended.” The 12-member panel deliberated for about nine hours before returning the verdict. The jury convicted the “Empire” star on five counts of disorderly conduct related to filing a false police...
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COVID-19 will be here, maybe always. There is not a time at least in the near future that we will be rid of this disease. For almost two years, the world has been fighting with the Coronavirus. It has been a part of our daily existence in the public square. The holiday season is upon us. Black Friday and Cyber Monday have come and gone. Cash and credit cards have been flowing so that everyone gets a gift. Television commercials entice us to spend in stores and online. While we are spending money in a flash, the Coronavirus is creating...
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When Jesus was a pre-teen aged little boy, he and his parents made a trip to Jerusalem. On the family’s way home, they realized Jesus was not with them. About a day or so later, they returned to Jerusalem searching for their child and found Jesus in the temple courts, sitting among the elders listening to their teachings and asking them questions. In African and African American culture, mature senior citizens and respected elders have had positions of honor and status in their communities. Jesus was smart enough to know elders have vast experience, wisdom and knowledge on a variety...
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It is with great sadness that our Warrior Leader and President/CEO and Co-Founder of the National Black Chamber of Commerce (NBCC), Harry C. Alford, transitioned Monday, December 6, in Washington, DC. He was preceded in death by his wife, Kay DeBow, Vice President and Co-Founder of the National Black Chamber five months ago. In 1993, Harry C. Alfred moved the newly established National Black Chamber of Commerce from Indianapolis, Indiana to Washington, DC. The first Board Chairman was the former Assistant Secretary of Labor, Dr. Arthur Fletcher, the “Father of Affirmative Action.” Most of the existing Black Chambers derived from Harry’s...
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Ten months after a horrific crash hospitalized him, with doctors considering amputating one of his legs, Tiger Woods has announced a comeback. The owner of 15 major championships, Woods, 45, said he’d compete with his son, Charlie, in the PNC Championship in Orlando, Florida, on December 18. The tournament marks a stunning return for the legend, whose February 23 car crash in California appeared to end his illustrious career. “Although it’s been a long and challenging year, I am very excited to close it out by competing in the PNC Championship with my son Charlie,” Woods tweeted. “I’m playing as...
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Dr. King asked, “Life's most persistent and urgent question is, what are you doing for others?” Early in 2021, I answered that question and created a nonprofit, The High Road, Inc. Since then, this small group of hustlers and grinders have worked tirelessly to answer it in everything we do. The Mission is “to be an advocate for ALL undervalued and underrepresented people, focusing on ensuring equity, fairness, and equal access.” In simple terms, we want to advocate for those who are either afraid to speak up or don’t understand how to. We want to relieve the anxiety, stress and frustrations of those often ignored,...
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The Falcons found just enough offense to help them get out of Jacksonville with a win Sunday. Falcons receiver Cordarrelle Patterson was very productive, scoring two touchdowns, catching two passes for 27 yards and rushing for 108 yards on 16 carries in the 21-14 victory on the road over the Jaguars in Jacksonville. This victory keeps the Falcons hovering right at the edge of post-season play. Matt Ryan threw for 190 yards, completing 19 of 29 passing attempts with once touchdown and one interception. It was important to play smarter football in this one after not scoring more than three...
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Jacksonville natives, Sylvia Skinner and Warner Singleton have known each other since both were in second grade at the Davis Street School. When Sylvia went to their junior high school prom, Warner escorted her. Warner also carried her to their senior prom. In 1954 Sylvia and Warner were in the first June graduation class from New Stanton Senior High School. After graduation, Sylvia, like her parents Charles B. and Alice Miller Skinner, enrolled at Hampton University in Virginia. There Sylvia majored in art history. Warner enrolled in Florida A & M University where he majored in chemistry. By their junior...
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It has been a month, and Florida Democrats still haven't answered the wake-up call or found a good candidate for Governor. In all honesty, 2022 should see a substantial turnaround in the party. Unfortunately, it will not happen until after the Republican bloodbath in November and Governor Ron DeSantis re-elected for a second term. Yes, sometime between Election night and Thanksgiving 2022, the Democratic powers will finally solidify their Moneyball algorithm to win elections. But they only do this by acknowledging they have lost their most essential investment over the last decade - Voter registration. However, a large contingent of...
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As the U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, a case that may change the constitutional guarantee to legal abortion, Black women rallied outside on First Street to demand Reproductive Justice. “Mississippi’s ban on abortion after 15 weeks is unconstitutional and endangers the lives and restricts the rights of all women and pregnant people. If the high court uses this case to strike down Roe v. Wade, it will make official what’s already in practice in most counties across this country: safe, legal abortion is too often an inaccessible right – most especially for Black...
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Happy Thanksgiving is an age-old holiday and tradition. It gives us an opportunity to gather with family and friends. It is a celebration of recalling memories of old and making new memories. And of course, you cannot forget about the food. We eat as much as we can for as long as we can. This Thanksgiving holiday was a time of relief and release. Some might challenge this statement, but I believe it is true. The health crisis called COVID-19 made Happy Thanksgiving not so happy. Sickness and death kept us at bay. Healthcare experts warned us not too see...
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A great woman and pioneering community-focused lawmaker has passed away. Former U.S. Congresswoman Carrie Pittman Meek, the first Black person to represent Florida in Congress since the post-Civil War Reconstruction and an advocate for South Florida’s Black communities, Haitian immigrants and the working poor, died last Sunday at her home in Miami after a long illness, her family said. She was a beautiful 95 years old. Meek and former Congresswoman Corrine Brown, along with the late Alcee Hastings, all great outspoken servants came in during the 90s. Carrie Meek served as Florida state representative, state senator and later became a...
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In an announcement that has provided a jolt to the 2022 midterm elections, Stacey Abrams said she’s running for governor of the Peach State. The race, which could mean a second dual between Abrams and Republican Gov. Brian Kemp, promises to catapult Democrats into the position of favorites. A Democrat and noted voting rights advocate, Abrams lost to Kemp by just over one percentage point in their controversial 2018 battle. Her activism helped Democrats claim the majority in the U.S. Senate when Georgia Democrats Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff defeated Republicans Kelly Loeffler and David Perdue in the January 2021...
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The Ahmaud Arbery murder trial made me think hard and deep. I’ve never been in trouble with the law, and neither have my three sons. I don’t smoke, drink, and have never put an illegal drug into my body. My middle son admitted to me as a Senior in high school that he experimented once with marijuana, but I can safely say none of them have ever used drugs. I cuss, but the last time I checked, that wasn’t an arrestable offense. I was actually a church acolyte as a kid, but I’m not saying I was Boy Scout material...
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Lee Elder, a golfing pioneer, and the first Black player to compete in the Masters has died at 87. “It’s remarkable to look back on Lee’s life and career and realize the hardships he endured and the sacrifices he made to reach golf’s highest level,” said PGA TOUR Commissioner Jay Monahan. “To have the success he had while paving the way for others to dream big and achieve is a testament to the type of man he was and how much talent he possessed. The TOUR is profoundly grateful for the career of Lee Elder, and we extend our sincere...
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African Americans in the Peach State are now celebrating because their political hero, Stacey Abrams, has stepped up to the political plate and announced her plan to run for Governor in the next gubernatorial election. If you don’t know, Stacey Abrams has run for Governor before but was defeated by incumbent Governor Brian Kemp. Of course, the loss was because of the usual excuses like Kemp cheated, Blacks didn’t turn out in very high percentages or not enough money was raised. Let me tell you the main reasons Black candidates lose elections. African Americans are led to believe they can...
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The California and San Francisco Departments of Public Health have confirmed that a recent case of COVID-19 among an individual in California was caused by the Omicron variant. According to a news release from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the individual was a traveler who returned from South Africa on November 22, 2021. The unnamed person, who was fully vaccinated and had mild symptoms that are improving, is self-quarantining and has been since testing positive, the CDC said. All close contacts have been contacted and have tested negative. Agency officials said genomic sequencing was conducted at the...
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Religion brings out the best in man and the very worst in man. There are those who seek a connection to a higher being for solace, worship, and the possibility of ascension to higher manifestations of themselves. Then there are those who, at every turn, seek to exploit the spiritual disposition of others. Charlatans and false prophets deceive and steal in the name of the Lord. 2 Timothy 3:13 says: “But evil people and charlatans will go from bad to worse, deceiving others and being deceived themselves.” Holidays also bring out the best and very worst in people. There are...
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By Ascend Shaka Allah Chief of Staff New Black Panther Party Jacksonville, FL resident and the man who gained international attention for putting a bounty on the head of George Zimmerman, Mikhail Muhammad, was on the scene in Brunswick. He and the New Black Panthers were outside the courthouse for the verdict in the Amaud Arbery trial. Minister Mikhail Muhammad is the New Black Panther Party’s National Spokesman. On the Scene On November 22, 2021, multiples of Black Revolutionaries drove to Brunswick, Georgia in response to the slaying of Ahmaud Arbery. Being that we know the history and current racial...
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What began as a promising start to a playoff win ended in with heartbreak and disappointment, as Wakulla High (10-2) ended Raines (8-3) hopes for the second time in three years in playoff competition. In 2019, Raines loss by the score of 17-9, but the Vikings were looking for redemption on Friday night, and an extension to the 2021 season, with eyes on playing Baker County in the state semifinals in a week. The opening kickoff put the Vikings in good field position as Ja’Quon King returned the ball 44 yards setting up the first drive at the War Eagles...
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Police in California and the Black and Missing Foundation seek assistance in locating two African American men from Alabama who went missing after they arrived in Sacramento on Friday, November 5. Authorities said LaDexter Pelt, 25, of Greene County, Alabama, and John DuBose Jr., 20, of Tuscaloosa, Alabama, boarded a flight after Pelt celebrated his birthday. Authorities said they know that the men arrived in California, but their whereabouts remain a mystery. Heightening the tension, a hunter found a cell phone that belongs to Dubose, and police said it last pinged in the Sutter Bypass Wildlife Area, an approximately...
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Florida Blue Florida Classic 2021, Florida A&M University Rattlers win over Bethune Cookman University Wildcats 41-26, Saturday, November 20, 2021. Last Saturday, marked the 76 meeting of two of Florida’s top rival colleges, Florida A&M University versus Bethune Cookman University. Fans for both teams filled Camping World Stadium, The attendance this year was 54,198. This year‘s event also marked the first year for both schools leaving the Mideastern athletic conference (MEAC) for the southwestern athletic conference (SWAC). From the opening kick off it seemed to be a low-key business as the usual affair with Bethune Cookman Wildcats scoring once...
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The New England Patriots relied on a stingy defense to smother the Falcons offense and harass Matt Ryan in a 25-0 shutout, Atlanta’s first since 1988 on Thursday night. The Falcon’s who’d only managed to score just three points in their previous loss to the Dallas Cowboys last Sunday faired no better in their second loss in a row to the Patriots who were on a four game winning streak since the loss also to the Cowboys back in week six of the season. The Falcons complete roster or quarterbacks participated in this one, throwing for just 158 yards...
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After nearly two years of pain, suffering, and wondering if the men who killed Ahmaud Arbery would pay for their heinous crime, the 25-year-old’s family finally received justice. A Glynn County, Georgia, convicted Travis McMichael, Gregory McMichael, and William Bryan of felony murder. “Guilty. Guilty. Guilty,” civil rights attorney Benjamin Crump exclaimed. “Nothing will bring back Ahmaud, but his family will have some peace knowing the men who killed him will remain behind bars and can never inflict their brand of evil on another innocent soul,” Crump continued. NAACP President and CEO Derrick Johnson called the verdicts long overdue. “Ahmaud...
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President Joe Biden headed into the holiday weekend with two pieces of economic good news he claimed underscores that recovery has continued at a historic pace. The new jobless claims report released on Wednesday, November 24, indicates that the President has every reason for optimism – the economy is starting to boom. The report revealed just 199,000 workers filed new jobless claims, the lowest mark in nearly 53 years. “Last year, there were 21 million unemployment insurance claims before the Thanksgiving holiday. Today, there were 2.4 million,” President Biden exclaimed. “This is a historic jobs recovery – 5.6 million jobs...
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Florida A&M University (FAMU) students experiencing homelessness received a major boost during Florida Classic week festivities. At the FAMU National Alumni Association (NAA) Distinguished Awards Banquet Friday, event chair Doris L. Hicks presented a ,000 check to assist the more than 300 FAMU students who are homeless or facing homelessness. Hicks said she was inspired to do more to assist financially struggling students after an encounter with a church bus filled with homeless men and women in her hometown, Lakeland. Afterward, Hicks, president of the Polk County Alumni Chapter and FAMU NAA National Scholarship Program chair, inquired and learned that...
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Editor’s note: This commentary is provided by the Medical Marijuana Education and Research Initiative (MMERI) of Florida A&M University. If you were the caregiver of an elderly parent in Florida, you would be able to pick up prescription drugs and administer them to your mother or father as ordered by their physician. You also would be allowed to discuss their medical conditions and treatments with their healthcare providers. But when it comes to overseeing the healthcare of someone being treated with medical marijuana, the State of Florida takes a much stricter approach to the caregiver-patient relationship to ensure responsible use....
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I think about Tamir Rice quite a bit. He would’ve been 19 years old now, but he’s forever 12 to the world. According to his heartbroken and grieving mother, Tamir was a remarkable athlete who excelled in football, basketball, swimming, and soccer. Like I did as a child, he enjoyed going to the local community Rec Center to participate in hands-on arts and crafts activities like sculpting, pottery and crocheting. There’s no limit on what he could’ve accomplished had his Black life mattered. But we will never know. Like so many others who have left us before we were ready,...
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Prepare for Run-Off January 25, 2022 Message From Cynthia: Every election, the people have the opportunity to show up and make their voices heard via the ballot box. It is our chance to exercise our own power and influence over our Government’s systems, institutions, and elected officials. To ensure they are working for us – the people who allow them to be in power. Well in our special election, the people did not disappoint. November 16, not only did we see unexpected turnout in Gainesville but we watched it tip in our favor. With over 13% of registered voters from...
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The COVID-19 pandemic has been a very trying, taxing, and tenuous time for Black Americans who have felt the effects of the virus. For Jacksonville City Council President Samuel Newby, there’s one specific date related to COVID-19 that’s left an indelible mark in his mind. “I was diagnosed on March 11, 2020,” Councilman Newby said. Councilman Newby is a Jacksonville native who has fostered a gratifying 30-year career by serving dual roles both in corporate leadership as well as local community-based organizations. The councilman contracted COVID-19 at a precarious time, well before the Food and Drug Administration’s issuing of...
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A wise man once said that history doesn’t disclose its alternatives; so, we don’t know what would have happened had the three white men who murdered the young black man, Ahmaud Arbery, in their neighborhood in Brunswick Georgia on February 23 2020 been acquitted. But I suspect that had Travis McMichael, his father, Greg McMichael and William Bryan, been acquitted of all the nine counts with which each had been charged, things would not have gone well for Georgia. It would have been a case of ‘Georgia burning.’ A black power group was seen some days ago while the trial...
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As Thanksgiving is a particularly American observance, holiday, and celebration based on the Pilgrim’s interaction with the Wampanoags, I think it is fitting that I offer a special, personal thanks to America. Interestingly, the original holiday, dating back to the early 1600’s, was known as a rejoicing and was observed not by feasting but fasting. It’s worth noting, fasting would do little to feed a modern economy whereas feasting followed by so-called, Black Friday, sets the shopping season off to a fast start. First, I’d like to thank America for so convincingly shaping and repackaging genocide as essential, a necessary...
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There is trouble all over the land. Wrongdoing is at every turn. We cannot escape it. Evil and cynicism have taken centerstage. Bad people and bad things are coming at us non-stop. Our sensibilities have left us. We are in a spin cycle of injustice and ill repute Transgressions are littering our once proud land. Our democracy is in trouble. People in power have been corrupted by their misuse of it. We are suffering and help does not seem to be on the way. Our moral compass has gone awry. It begs the question, how did the world’s greatest country...
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By Alex Kennedy Since the 2013-14 season, the NBA has used player-tracking technology to collect all kinds of interesting data (including a player’s distance traveled, average speed and number of touches). Second Spectrum is the NBA’s “official optical tracking provider” and they’ve installed a player-tracking system in the catwalk of every NBA arena. Using multiple cameras, state-of-the-art machine learning and computer-vision techniques, the software identifies and locates every player and the ball 25 times per second. If something happens on the court, the player-tracking system catches it. Then, the data is uploaded to NBA.com. That’s how we know that last...
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By Jenny Manrique The latest Federal Trade Commission report shows how consumer fraud affects communities of color in the United States. While Latino consumers are frequently victims of imposter scams, African Americans report fraud mainly in debt collection through credit bureaus, while Asian Americans are cheated with fake health products. Across ethnic communities, scams via used-car sales and lending agencies have preyed on people with financial struggles. “Since 2016, we have established 25 law enforcement actions where we could identify conducts specifically targeting or affecting communities of color in a disproportionate way,” said Monica Vaca, acting deputy director of the Federal...
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ALDI worked with the local Big Brother Big Sisters program to help supply families with Thanksgiving staples to ensure that everyone can celebrate the holiday season. Over 5 different ALDI’s participated in the state of Florida and they gifted 600 families non-perishable Thanksgiving sides and ALDI gift cards.
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Although he missed key practices during the week due to injuries, senior quarterback Carleton Butler shook off the rust in the second half, and helped led the Vikings to a playoff victory last Friday night at Earl S. Kitchings Stadium. After the regular season, teams who advance to the playoffs have one thing on their minds, getting through the playoffs and playing for a state title. The senior players know it’s a situation where you either keep playing or your high school football career is over! For the 19 seniors who wear the cardinal red and silver grey, their season...
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I am outraged, disgusted, and sickened by my fiancé’s senseless and wrongful conviction and incarceration. The circumstances behind his incarceration lead to a cover-up, a big secret that needs to be told, covers that need to be pulled, corruption that needs to be and will be exposed. Maurice Jermaine Jackson has been wrongfully convicted and incarcerated for 17 years on the basis of a lie and a cover-up stemming from the Broward County State Attorney’s office. It’s heartbreaking that he has been gone from his family and loved ones this long. Meanwhile, the people responsible for his incarceration go on...
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Cathedral Arts Project (CAP) student N’diyah Bolte has been accepted into the highly competitive Florida All-State Orchestra. N’diyah originally joined a CAP string class in third grade despite having no experience playing an instrument. She went on to become an inaugural member of the CAP String Orchestra in 2019 and is now in seventh grade at LaVilla School of the Arts where she plays viola in both the repertory and chamber orchestras. Each year, Florida orchestra students in grades 7-12 are given the opportunity to audition for the All-State Orchestra. The Florida Music Educators Association (FMEA) selects the audition music,...
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Jonathan Taylor’s 116 yards rushing, defense and a blocked punt on special teams helped the Colts lock in a 23-17 victory over the visiting Jacksonville Jaguars Sunday in Indianapolis. The Jaguars continue to struggle on offense during games from start to finish and its not getting better with the continued dropped passes and poor performance on thirds downs. Lawrence threw for 165 yards completing 16 of 35 attempts and no touchdowns in Sunday’s loss. The Jaguars two touchdowns came from Jamal Agnew who had 79 yards on 3 carries and James Robinson who had 57 yards on 12 carries. The...
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This game got out of hand fast for the Falcons in Dallas against the Cowboys on Sunday. The Falcons defense allowed 265 yards in the first half alone as they were soundly beaten on both side of the ball, getting completely routed in a 43-3 loss on the road. Dak Prescott got the Cowboys off to a good start on their first possession, taking the Cowboys offense downfield against the Falcons on a scoring drive that was sparked from a short pass to CeeDee Lamb, who turned it into 37-yard gain pushing the Cowboys past midfield. Six plays later, Prescott...
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Michael J. Blaylock is an internationally recognized thought leader and senior executive with over 40 years of experience in the transportation industry. Blaylock began his extensive career in 1982, with the Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA), the first expressway authority in Florida and one of only four agencies in the country with responsibilities for building bridges, highways and operating a public transport system. He began his tenure with the JTA as a Grants Administrator and later promoted and served in a host of key leadership positions which led to an appointment as the agency’s sixth CEO in 2002, and the first...
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Jacksonville University and the Jacksonville Port Authority are collaborating on a new initiative called Connected aimed at teaching the public how essential the St. Johns River is to both the environment and the local economy. Details on the new program, which is being funded by JAXPORT, were announced at JU’s Negaard Rowing Center on Monday, Nov. 15. JU’s Marine Science Research Institute will provide scientific expertise and educational resources to local schools and community groups participating in the Connected program. Content will cover a range of topics, including ecosystems and wildlife found in the St. Johns River, hydrology and water...
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Do you feel safe? Do you feel safe when you’re out and about, jogging or driving along highways, city streets or back roads? If you’re African American, do you feel safe driving while Black? Are you safe in your home? Are you safe in church, or at a concert, or at Starbucks? Do you have cause or occasion to worry about your safety or that of your loved ones? What makes one feel unsafe… crime, Covid, the police, the government, Karen? What does it mean to be safe? Perhaps, simply put, to be safe is to be free from...
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Are children able to have diabetes? Certainly, and this is why Type I diabetes has been called juvenile diabetes. A growing number of children are developing Type I (insulin resistant or adult-onset) diabetes. Nov. is also diabetes awareness month. This year marks the 100th anniversary of the life-saving and revolutionary discovery of insulin in Canada. You may wonder if children can be born with diabetes, and it is not possible, and in that case, it might not be possible to have a viable pregnancy. There are sporadic cases where toddlers or infants have Type I diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is...
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Call her Madam President. Vice President Kamala Harris was sworn in on Friday to occupy the role of commander-in-chief while President Joe Biden underwent a colonoscopy. Because the procedure requires anesthesia, the temporary transfer of powers was deemed necessary. White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki remarked that the president underwent the procedure at Walter Reed Medical Center as part of his yearly health checkup. She said the transfer of power isn’t unusual nor unprecedented. “As was the case when President George W. Bush had the same procedure in 2002 and 2007, and following the process set out in the Constitution,...
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A modern-day lynching is what Civil Rights and Freedom Movement leaders are calling the death of Ahmaud Arbery and the trial of three White men accused of his murder. Black pastors, churches, and communities across the United States have been summoned to Brunswick, GA. by Rev. Al Sharpton, Rev. Jamal Bryant, and Benjamin Crump after statements in court made by Attorney Kevin Gough. Gough, a defense lawyer for one of three White men accused of killing the Black jogger, asked the Georgia judge to limit the number of high-profile Black pastors allowed to attend the proceedings. Three men, William “Rody”...
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ORLANDO, Fla – Florida A&M University (FAMU) College of Law is strong, robust and evolving, said Dean Deidré Keller during her first State of the College address Wednesday. Keller, who was appointed dean in July 2020, spoke at events to mark the kickoff of the law school’s 20th anniversary. Highlights included presentations of 5,084 in donations and pledges from key community partners to advance the law school’s mission to educate leaders who advocate for justice in their community for the current academic year. “We are very appreciative of all of the support we received to enhance FAMU Law,” Keller said. “These...
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There are some things that we take for granted. We do them so much that we don’t give them a second thought. Routines and habits form for us over time. Our lives are shaped by the patterns we make. They do not happen suddenly. They take time and repetition. Being aware of my surroundings was not always a sticking point with me. I was not hyper-sensitive about it. As I have matured and gained some traction in my life, I am acutely aware of where I am at all times. You can say that I have my antenna up every...
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I’m not from this planet. I think I’m an alien sent here to observe this species and one day I’ll get the signal to return to my home planet. You ask why I feel this way? Well, I just don’t think like most people on this third planet from the sun. I could travel the entire 3,959 mile radius of this planet and wouldn’t find anyone else who thinks like I do. I was disheartened recently after the local elections in this little slice of hell where I buy groceries every week. Just like I predicted, Black people failed to...
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The Falcons proved that opportunities to win at the very last moment won’t be squandered in their come from behind win late in the fourth quarter to beat their division rivals the New Orleans Saints 27-25 Sunday. Matt Ryan threw for 343 yards and two touchdowns, both caught by receiver Olamide Zaccheaus and a big day from receiver Cordarrelle Patterson who had six catches for 126 yards were key in the Falcons getting the win and Ryan sliding his 41lst comeback under his belt. The Falcons offense continues to push on and find ways to execute without receiver Calvin Ridley...
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