Blogging Black Miami

Black History Month Calendar of Events

2012-02-05T06:49:29-05:00

Thursday, February 9 – Sunday, February 12

Virginia Key Beach GrassRoots Festival of Music & Dance

Featuring Chaka Khan, Arrested Development, Fishbone and more than 50 bands!

The Historic Virginia Key Beach Park

4020 Virginia Beach Drive

Miami, FL 33149

For tickets and information, go to www.virginiakeygrassroots.com.

Friday, February 10

Solo Exhibition: Prince Emmanuel Abiodun Aderele’s “Sacred Art and Drums”

Presented by Fundacion Artistas Unidos and the Intercontinental Doral Miami

6:00 p.m.

Intercontinental Hotel Doral/Miami

2505 NW 87th Avenue

Miami, FL 33122

For more information, call (800) 593-5447.

Saturday, February 11

Family Fun Day: Ritmos Cubanos: ¡Azúcar!

Noon - 5:00 p.m.

Join master drummer Ezequiel Torres and other artists for an afternoon of Afro-Cuban culture. Participate in interactive drumming and dance demonstrations, and make your own shaker instrument.

HistoryMiami

101 West Flagler Street

Miami, FL 33130

Free and open to the public

For more information, call (305) 375-1492 or e-mail folklife@historymiami.org.

Saturday, February 18

Fun-Raiser sponsored by Black Heritage Planning Committee

6:00 p.m. - Midnight

Seminole Hard Rock Hotel

1 Seminole Way

Hollywood, FL 33314

For tickets and information, call (305) 375-4606.

Sunday, February 19

Gospel Explosion

Concert featuring recording Johnny Sanders & Francine Murphy Ealey and more!

Co-sponsored by Commissioner Lynda Bell and Commissioner Dennis C. Moss

3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

South Miami-Dade Cultural Arts Center

10950 SW 211 Street

Cutler Bay, FL 33189

Free and open to the public

For more information, call (305) 375-4606.

Thursday, February 23

8th Annual Black History Month Celebration

Presented by the South Miami-Dade Cultural Arts Center and delancyhill Law Firm

The Langston Hughes Project featuring The Ron McCurdy Quartet and celebrity spoken word

artist Malcolm Jamal-Warner

10950 SW 211 Street

Cutler Bay, FL 33189

For tickets and information, call (786) 573-5300 or www.smdcac.org.

Friday, February 24

Annual Black History Extravaganza

Sponsored by the Black Heritage Committee

4:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Joseph Caleb Auditorium

5400 NW 22nd Avenue

Miami, FL 33142

For more information, call (305) 375-4606.

Saturday, February 25

Black Aviation in Miami

HistoryMiami (HM) and the Black Affairs Advisory Board program on the history of blacks in aviation; a private tour of HM’s “Aviation in Miami: The First 100 Years,” recognition of students from Florida Memorial University’s Aviation Department; and presentation and book signing by Von Hardesty, author or “Black Wings: Courageous Stories of African Americans in Aviation and Space History.”

2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

HistoryMiami

101 West Flagler Street

Miami, FL 33130

Cost: HM Miami Members Free; Non-Members $8.00 per person

For more information, call (305) 375-1492.

Miami-Dade Dems Delegate Plan Workshop and Discussion

2012-02-04T22:24:26-05:00

As the 2012 election cycle continues to heat up the Miami-Dade Democrats will meet 7p.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, February 7, 2012 at IAM Hall, 4349 NW 36th Street, Miami Springs, FL.

State committeeman Bret Berlin is slated to discuss the Delegate Selection Process. If you are a registered Democrat and are interested in becoming a Delegate to the State Convention in Tampa or the National Convention in Charlotte, NC, you should attend.

RSVP on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/events/242705185809735/.

Meeting to focus on redevelopment of 441 corridor

2012-02-01T07:01:32-05:00

A special meeting of the NW 79^th Street Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) and the NW 7^th Avenue CRA is scheduled for Monday, February 6^th, 2012, 6:00 P.M. at the Arcola Lakes Library located at 8240 NW 7^th Avenue Miami, FL 33150. A presentation on future development of the 441 corridor is the main topic of the meeting.

Miami Workers Center celebrates Office closing

2012-02-01T05:17:58-05:00

The iconic Miami Workers Center (MWC) office is scheduled to close this Friday. The organization’s staff will continue its work with the Belafonte TACOLCY Center as its temporary headquarters.

Regardless of where its office is located, MWC remains vigilant in its efforts to hold Carlisle Development Corporation accountable for creating economic opportunities for local residents and entrepreneurs as the Liberty City Transit village is constructed.

A Closing Ceremony is scheduled for Friday, February 3, 2012, 4 p.m. - 6 p.m., 6127 NW 7 Avenue, Miami.

FAMU cancels Summer Band Camp and suspends membership intake for student organizations

2012-02-01T00:05:22-05:00

Florida A&M University President Dr. James Ammons announced the cancellation of the 2012 Summer Band Camp and temporary suspension of membership intake for all student organizations, fraternities and sororities until Fall 2012.

These measures have been taken in light of the hazing death of FAMU drum major Robert Champion and the hazing incidents in the media since that November 2011 tragedy.

Dr. Ammons’ announcement also included clarification that the University’s music program has not been terminated. There is also a review process for academic based organizations which will remove them from suspended status.

FAMU Alumni Call for National Day of Prayer, 1/28

2012-01-22T13:30:51-05:00

The Miami-Dade Chapter of the Florida A&M University National Alumni Association is spearheading a national day of prayer on Saturday, January 28, 2012 from the Betty Ferguson Center in Miami Gardens. This is a community event but all FAMU alumni and supporters are asked to gather at 2 p.m. to reflect, remember, reunite and commit to assure the continuance of the legacy of excellence of the University.

The black community and the higher education community have been aware of Florida A&M University and its history of accomplishments through the years. It seems the hazing death of Robert Champion made FAMU a household word, and not in a good way, across all demographic groups in all communities throughout the United States.

After the Champion death, other FAMU hazing incidents and the FAMU administration’s actions taken regarding hazing captured national news attention for several weeks. Local FAMU alumni decided to host a call for prayer for their alma mater. This activity is designed to unite FAMU alums, to re-focus on the University’s rich history, and as a call to action for alumni to commit to assure the University maintains its autonomy.

Hopefully this activity does not become an opportunity to attempt to defend the indefensible. While it is disingenuous to frame hazing as a problem unique to HBCUs, this spotlight, as negative as it is, is an opportunity for an honest conversation and development of corrective action regarding the dangerous activities our college and high school students are involved in.

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If you go:

FAMU Alumni National Day of Prayer
Saturday・January 28, 2012・2:00 PM
Betty Ferguson Recreation Complex
3000 NW 199th Street
Miami Gardens, FL 33056

NAACP Meeting Mon. 1/23

2012-01-21T23:45:07-05:00

The Miami-Dade Branch of the NAACP will meet 7pm, Monday, January 23, 2012 at New Birth East, 13230 NW 7th Avenue, Miami.

Special guest is Desmond Meade, President of the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition. He will speak on the new voting laws relative to ex-felons and efforts to restore their voting rights.

Please share this meeting notice with someone who can benefit from this information.

MDC’s School of Education Names its State-of-the-Art Pre-School Lab

2012-01-18T23:13:58-05:00

The nationally accredited Exploration Station is one of the only science, technology, engineering, and mathematics focused institutions of its kind in Miami-Dade County

At a naming ceremony hosted by Miami Dade College’s (MDC) InterAmerican Campus today, the School of Education officially named its pre-school lab, Exploration Station: The Pre-School at Miami Dade College.

“The name was chosen based on one of the principles of pre-school education, which is teaching children to explore the world around them,” said Dr. Susan Neimand, MDC’s director of the School of Education. “We wanted the name to reflect our commitment to a child-centered environment where children learn based on their interests, and in a safe and nurturing environment that encourages this type of learning.”

Students from the pre-school flash letters to spell out the school’s new name.

Hundreds attend AKAs Youth Symposium

2012-01-18T15:25:46-05:00

On Sunday, January 15, 2012 the local graduate chapters of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority - Gamma Zeta Omega and Pi Delta Omega hosted America’s Sunday Supper Youth symposium at New Way Fellowship Praise and Worship Center in Miami Gardens. The event was an opportunity for a multi-generational conversation on civil rights achievements and expectations for the future, there was also a salute to the nation’s military.

It was a wonderful experience to have Tuskegee Airman Eldridge Williams present as a real-life hero of that group of men to be documented again in the upcoming film, “Red Tails”. There were also U.S. service members present from the United States Southern Command.

Civil Rights Heroes and Heroines recognized were: Marjorie Young, Alpha Kappa Alpha member and civil rights activist; Earl Davis, survivor of the Birmingham church bombing; A.D. Moore, Sr., civil rights activist; Garth Reeves, Publisher Emeritus, The Miami Times; and Dr. Enid Pinkney, preservationist and community activist.

Civil Right Torch Bearers: Alpha Kappa Alpha member Adora Obi Nweze, President of the Florida NAACP; Col. (Ret.) Brodes Hartley, President and CEO of CHI of South Florida, and civil rights activist.

The Future - Servant Leaders included: Karen Andre, attorney; community activist and Florida Deputy Political Director for the Obama Campaign; Ebony Jackson, NAACP and civil rights activist; Brandon Okpalobi, Founder of Dibia Athletic Development; Amber Walker, Catalyst Miami; and Rolonda Shands, SGA President at Miami-Dade College.

More than 250 were present and included several youth groups: EYL (Emerging Young Leaders); Ivy Rosettes; Pearl Essence; Lamplighters; and the Girl Scouts. State Rep. Barbara Watson; Dr. Dorothy Jenkins Fields of the Black Archives; and Jermaine D. Chambers, President of Voting Rocks were also present.

See more photos on Facebook.

West Perrine MLK Parade 2012

2012-01-18T12:31:11-05:00

It was a beautiful day for the Dr. Martin Luther King Parade in West Perrine on the morning of Saturday, January 14, 2012 in West Perrine. I always love that parade because it’s organized, spacious and the spectators are polite. There were rumors that the Parade had been cancelled this year so I was extra curious as to how it would turn out.

Mr. Ed Hanna and the parade organizers should be proud. There were not as many spectators as usual but it was a nice, ethnically diverse crowd, representative of Dr. King’s fight for the civil rights of mankind. I’m always curious if the folks who attend or participate in the parade really understand why we celebrate with a national holiday.

Anyway, the parents and other family members enjoy watching their children in the parade. The marching bands and auxiliary units looked exceptionally nice. Since my Dad was raised in the Perrine area, he gets a kick out of talking to childhood friends and neighbors.

The King events also included a breakfast and a Battle of the Bands. My schedule didn’t allow me to attend this year but they are usually great events. It’s amazing how theses events are pulled off each year. It takes dedicated, committed people to make these events happen. I appreciate each and every person who played a part because the community needs events like these.

See more photos of the West Perrine MLK Parade on Facebook. Be sure to “Like” our Facebook page.

King of Clubs Black Tie Affair

2012-01-17T21:48:56-05:00

On Friday, January 13, 2012, the King of Clubs of Greater Miami held their annual Black Tie Affair at the Doubletree Hotel off Biscayne Bay near downtown Miami. The event is the highlight of the organization’s Winter activities and a precursor to their scholarship luncheon held in the Spring.

Since my Dad, Dr. Art Woodard, has been a member of the organization for many years, I’ve attended several of these events over the years. This year’s event was particularly lively. Dad’s table guests this year were: Mr. & Mrs. W.B. Koon; Dr. Carrie Keys; Romania Wilson; Naha Nixon; Dorothy McCormick; Ronnie Wilson; Mr. and Mrs. James Farrington and moi.

Some of the other guests included Dr. Dorothy Bendross Mindingall; Sam Jackson; Dr. Herman Dorsett; Dr. Rosa Simmons; Bonita North; Mr. & Mrs. Franklin Clark & Family; Agenoria Spearman Paschal; Mr. & Mrs. Fletcher Paschal III; Henry Mingo; bride-to-be T. Eileen Martin-Major and fiancé, Rev. Gregory Robinson; Mrs. & Mrs. Arthur Simms and Mrs. & Mrs. Woodard Vaught.

The event was chaired by James and Marge Fayson. Dr. Richard Strachan is the president of the organization. A good time was had by all. Kudos to the King of Clubs.

Check out more pictures on our Facebook page. Be sure to “Like” our page also.

Miami-Dade County Sample Ballot

2012-01-17T04:48:00-05:00

Here is the Official Sample Ballot for the upcoming election. By the time Florida voters cast ballots, the Republican presidential candidate field may be narrowed down to two or three. As of this post, five candidate remain: Newt Gingrinch; Ron Paul; Rick Perry; Mitt Romney and Rick Santorum.

The first charter amendment question makes it easier for citizens to mount a petition drive and have the question placed on the ballot on the next scheduled General election rather than require costly Special elections.

The second ballot question, which really should have been two separate questions, center on County Commissioners. Basically, it raises the commissioners salary from $6,000 to approximately $92,097 and imposes limits of two consecutive four-year terms. Unless someone influential like Norman Braman says different, most voters will likely vote NO because of the salary increase; those voters who want a change in the composition of the Board will vote YES. Don't let someone else decide for you, get out and vote.