Blogging Black Miami

Honey Shine Gives Thanks for 10 Great Years

2012-05-12T21:01:10-04:00

10^th Annual “Hats Off” Luncheon Highlights the Accomplishments of

Young Girls and Supporters of the Honey Shine Mentoring Program

Alonzo and Tracy Wilson Mourning

Miami, FL - Happiness, love, and good fortune, was at the heart of the themed 10th Annual “Hats Off” Luncheon held Tuesday, May 8, 2012, at Jungle Island, to benefit the Honey Shine Mentoring Program, founded by Tracy Wilson Mourning, wife of NBA Champion Alonzo Mourning.

For the past 10 years, Honey Shine has mentored hundreds of girls in the community, 15 of which have successfully graduated and gone on to higher education with funds raised through Hats Off. “The luncheon was amazing. Our Honey Bugs were glowing and the community support was stellar”, said Tracy.

Honey Shine Members and Co-chairs Cathy Blank and Monisha Melwani helped lead the effort, resulting in a successful silent auction and Camp Honey Shine appeal. Between the Membership program, ticket sales, auction, and appeal, $250,000 was raised for the program. Special recognition was given to Steering Committee Member of the Year, Ayana Rodriguez, and Honey Bug of the Year, Jasmine Thompson, who was selected for her overall achievements in the program. To add, two outstanding role models, Tahiese Beckford and Jonaura Wisdom, were honored with the Mentor of the Year Award.

Additional funding for Camp Honey Shine is still needed. $50 can sponsor a day of camp for one Honey Bugs or $250 for a week of camp. For additional programming information or to make a donation, visit www.HONEYSHINE.org.

^{Neki Mohan, WPLG Local 10 anchor, and Jailyn Anderson}

Guests arriving in the silent auction area

Photographer: Jo Winstead

ABOUT THE HONEY SHINE MENTORING PROGRAM

The Honey Shine Mentoring Program works to empower young girls to shine as women through bi-weekly workshops and summer camp that help encourage the balance of mind, body, and soul in girls and women by providing nurturing experiences that enlighten their paths and empower their future.

Overtown Music Project's 2nd Annual Gospel Brunch, Saturday, May 19th

2012-05-12T20:51:00-04:00

Don't miss "One Miami, United," Overtown Music Project's 2nd Annual Gospel Brunch on Saturday, May 19th from 11:15 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Join old and new friends for a non-denominational community service with soul-stirring music and some serious soul food (i.e. Miss Vivian's homemade sweet potato pie and Yardbird's Mama’s Chicken Biscuits).

Miami's civic and community heroes will come together to commemorate one of Miami's oldest communities. The event takes place at the historic Bethel A.M.E. Church in Overtown and welcomes the community from within and outside of Overtown.

Tickets are $25 and you can purchase them here: http://www.eventbrite.com/event/2275602388

(Tickets are gratis for members of the Overtown community.)

Archbishop Curley Notre Dame Freshmen to Compete at National Forensic League’s National Speech and Debate Tournament

2012-05-12T17:42:00-04:00

Miami, FL _ Keyanna Francois and Carmen Pierre, both freshmen at Archbishop Curley Notre Dame 6 to 12 Prep, have qualified for the 2012 Lincoln Financial Group/National Forensic League’s (NFL) National Speech and Debate Tournament to be held in Indianapolis, Indiana in June.

The National Forensic League has run the National Speech & Debate Tournament continuously since 1931. This year students from across the country and as far away as China will compete for more than $200,000 in college scholarships in one of eleven main events – Policy Debate, Public Forum Debate, Lincoln-Douglas Debate, Congressional Debate-House, Congressional Debate-Senate, Original Oratory, United States Extemporaneous Speaking, International Extemporaneous Speaking, Humorous Interpretation, Dramatic Interpretation, and Duo Interpretation.

Francois and Pierre hope to find sponsors to help offset the cost of their trip. Anyone wishing to donate should contact Mr. David Monaco at dmonaco@acnd.net or 305.751.8367 * 58.

Francois

Pierre

For 51 years, Archbishop Curley Notre Dame has celebrated many achievements including State Champions in Original Oratory and Humorous Interpretation, and National Champion in Humorous Interpretation. On Memorial Day weekend, team captain Taylor Altidor, will compete at the National Catholic Forensic League Grand National Tournament in Baltimore. For more information about school teams and other programs, visit www.acnd.net.

Miami-Dade Schools get high rankings

2012-05-12T17:32:29-04:00

Congratulations to the twenty-five Miami-Dade County Public Schools that ranked in the Top 100 in Florida by U.S. News & World Report. The #1 school, DASH, ranked #16 in the nation and the #2 school, Young Women’s Prep, ranked #26 in the nation. That’s awesome!

Here is the complete list of Miami-Dade County Public Schools that ranked in the Top 100.

#1	Design & Architecture Senior High School (DASH)
#2	Young Women's Preparatory Academy
#7	International Studies Charter High School
#11	MAST Academy
#15	Coral Reef Senior High School
#16	Doral Performing Arts & Entertainment Academy
#17	New World School of the Arts
#28	Miami Beach Senior High School
#43	Mater Academy East Charter High School
#47	Doral Academy Charter High School
#51	Southwest Miami High School
#52	South Miami Senior High School
#53	Dr. Michael M. Krop Senior High
#56	Coral Gables Senior High School
#58	Felix Varela Senior High School
#61	John A. Ferguson Senior High School
#64	Robert Morgan Educational Center
#68	Ronald W. Reagan/Doral Senior High School
#69	Miami Sunset Senior High School
#72	Miami Coral Park Senior High
#73	Miami Lakes Educational Center
#76	Barbara Goleman Senior High School
#77	G. Holmes Braddock Senior High
#79	Miami Springs Senior High School
#85	William H. Turner Technical Arts High School

Click here for complete report on Miami-Dade County Public Schools.

Say it Ain't So: Gun range targets that look like Trayvon Martin!

2012-05-12T14:49:19-04:00

Profiting from FEAR and HATE

On this Mother's Day weekend, I am sending up a special prayer for Sybrina Fulton the mother of slain Miami Gardens teen Trayvon Martin and his father, Tracy Martin. It seems some folks just won't allow their son to rest in peace.

In the past couple of days, news sources have reported the Hiller Armament Company of Virginia has been selling gun targets that look like Trayvon Martin, complete with a hoodie, Skittles, and iced tea.

It's not just vile, it's possibly illegal: Virginia law says that no one can profit off of the likeness of any person without his consent -- even if that person has been killed. But as soon as reporters started asking questions, the Hiller Armament Company shut down its website and disconnected its phone.

Tahir Duckett lives in Virginia, and he wants Virginia's Attorney General, Ken Cuccinelli, to investigate the Hiller Armament Company and punish them if they have broken the law.

Click here to sign Tahir's petition demanding that Attorney General Cuccinelli investigate the Hiller Armament Company for selling gun targets made to look like Trayvon Martin.

BLOGGING BLACK MIAMI'S CALL TO ACTION:

(1) Sign the petition at Change.org.

(2) Spread the word about this petition to everyone you know.

Thank you!

NAACP Meeting on Education 5/21

2012-05-12T14:39:00-04:00

Because of the Memorial Day holiday, the monthly branch meeting of the Greater Miami NAACP is scheduled for 7PM, Monday, May 21, 2012 at the New Birth Baptist Church - East Campus, 13230 NW 7 Avenue, Miami, FL.

The hot topic this month is Education and there will be follow up on other issues. Representatives from Miami-Dade County Public Schools will be present.

Longtime FAMU Band Director Retires

2012-05-12T12:18:38-04:00

Well, as predicted, long-time Florida A&M University marching band director Dr. Julian White announced his retirement. The Orlando Sentinel investigative reporting team on the hazing death of FAMU drum major Robert Champion has unceasingly posted articles that indicate the University lacks institutional control. The news coverage from the Orlando Sentinel and other media outlets has been so damaging that many feel FAMU President Dr. James Ammons will not survive much longer.

Dr. White said he has been used as a scapegoat. His decision to retire after fighting so vehemently for reinstatement was due to the toll this situation is taking on his family. He plans to spend more time with his eight year-old son; write a book on band pageantry and do some consulting among other things.

It hurts to see people you know and think highly of involved in this tragedy but it is what it is and we must separate our personal feelings from the responsibility of doing what is decent and in order.

Here are just a few expressions of appreciation from musicians and former band members that Dr. White received via Facebook. It’s just so sad for him to retire under this cloud but we wish him all the best.

HEALTHY START COALITION OF MIAMI-DADE HOSTS FREE SEMINARS TRAINING HEALTH PROFESSIONALS ON PERINATAL BEREAVEMENT

2012-05-12T12:17:00-04:00

Continuing their commitment to improving neonatal health care, the Healthy Start Coalition of Miami-Dade (HSCMD) will host four days of Perinatal Loss Professional Development Seminars. Sessions will provide physicians, nurses, social workers, counselors and hospital chaplains working in the field of maternal and infant health with tools to help families bereaving the death of a baby. The free classes will take place May 16-19, 2012, at Homewood Suites: 5500 Blue Lagoon Drive (N.W. 11 Street), second floor, Miami, FL 33126. In addition to earning Continuing Education Units (CEUs) and Continuing Medical Education (CME) credits, required for medical professionals by Florida health care oversight boards, attendees will gain skills in talking to parents, starting support groups and meeting the needs of caregivers working with grieving families.

The seminars will be conducted by staff from Share Pregnancy and Infant Loss Support, Inc. (Share). Share is a national organization serving those whose lives are touched by the death of a baby through pregnancy loss, stillbirth or in the first few months of life.

The Compassionate Caregiving seminar will be Wednesday, May 16, 9 a.m. – noon, and focus on developing health care staff skills. The three-day Sharing and Caring: A Perinatal Loss Seminar will focus on effectively starting family support groups, and be held Wednesday, May 16, 1 – 4:30 p.m., and Thursday and Friday, May 17 and 18, from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on both days. The final seminar, Perinatal Loss: Strategies for Health Care Professionals, will be Saturday, May 19, 10 a.m. – noon, and explore grief models to help physicians care for families experiencing a loss.

All workshops are free, but seating is limited and registration is mandatory. For more information and to register, visit hscmd.org, call (305) 541-0210 or email training@hscmd.org.

President Obama Affirms Marriage Equality

2012-05-12T09:20:40-04:00

Unless you’ve been living under a rock lately, you know President Barack Obama recently publicly affirmed support of marriage equality for gay and lesbian couples. It was a bold move on his part as it is a highly controversial issue, especially during an election year. Furthermore, black people, no matter where we are from, tend to be the most intolerant group when it comes to homosexuality.

Here’s a comment on the President’s decision from CJ Ortuno, executive director of SAVE Dade:

"The President has made a gutsy decision in the face of a major election to stand on the right side of history. Ultimately the president evolved to a place of understanding that we all have when it comes to marriage - that it is not about politics, but about love, commitment, and being responsible for the person you care most about."

What say YOU about the President's decision?

King of Clubs Presents Scholarships and Community Service Awards

2012-05-10T09:07:19-04:00

On Sunday, May 6, 2012, the King of Clubs of Greater Miami, one of the oldest organizations for black men in Miami, presented it’s twenty-sixth annual scholarship/awards banquet. In the presence of approximately 150 guests at the Doubletree Grand Hotel Biscayne Bay, local graduating seniors were recognized for their academic and civic accomplishments as were two adults for their contributions towards the uplift of the community.

Here is a list of this year’s scholarship recipients:

Dr. Tee S. Greer Scholarship

Britney Alabre
Khristlyn Bellamy
Shirley Pierre

Drs. Richard and Lorraine Strachan Scholarship

Camry Brown
Austin Harrison

Rozalyn Hester Paschal, MD Presidential Scholarship

Cameron Rutledge

Fletcher Paschal, Jr. Memorial Scholarship

Phillip Wells

Community service awards were presented to Ms. Jackie Bell and Mr. Shedrick Glibert.

Dr. Richard Strachan is the president of the organization.

FAMU Hazing Death Update: From Bad to Worse?

2012-05-10T07:34:56-04:00

Since my last post on the FAMU hazing death of drum major Robert Champion, the two band members accused of misdemeanors were identified and allegations of a lack of control over the marching band have been reported.

It has also been disclosed that drum major Keon Hollis and Lissette Sanchez have been identified as victims in the hazing ritual that occurred on “Bus C” on November 19. 2011.

FAMU drum major Jarrod Deas of South Carolina and Jamon Green of Orlando are the two defendants on misdemeanor charges as their participation in the hazing ritual was not deemed significant enough to have caused bodily injury or death. They could face a year of incarceration.

To make matters worse, the Orlando Sentinel reported that two of the people charged with felony hazing in the death of Robert Champion were not FAMU students. They also were not students in nearby Florida State University or Tallahassee Community College and had not registered for the required band class in order to be eligible to participate in the marching band.

That may seem bad enough but the newspaper goes on to report that nearly 100 other band members that were allowed to travel to the Florida Classic football game also may have been ineligible.

Eligibility for participation in the Marching 100 is not a new issue at FAMU. Eligibility and the size of the band was a hot topic during the FAMU interim presidency of Dr. Castell Bryant. She was roundly criticized by FAMU alumni and students for enforcing policies regarding academic criteria and dwindling the size of the band from about 400 to about 250. That will likely be raised during litigation and it will not bode well for University administration.

Gov. Rick Scott has previously called for the resignation of FAMU president Dr. James Ammons and at this rate he may get it. Former FAMU band director Dr. Julian White who was fired by Ammons shortly after Champion’s death and then later reinstated to the staff but not as director of bands and music department chair, may be forced to abandon plans for full reinstatement.

After the results of the financial investigation surrounding the Marching 100 are made public, Robert Champion’s mother just may get what she has called for — a clean house at FAMU.

Gov. Rick Scott and the Future of FAMU

2012-05-08T06:20:26-04:00

There is an interesting and ominous article in today's Sunshine State News on how Gov. Rick Scott is biding his time with Florida A&M University. The Governor has learned his lesson from the last uproar from FAMU students and alumni when he called for the removal of FAMU President James Ammons so he's bascially in chill mode and waiting to make his move.

Make no mistake, Gov. Scott and the powers that be are playing chess while FAMUans are playing checkers. It's no secret that there is an investigation into the financial records regarding the Marching 100. Consequently, the University's records and processes will fall under the scope of that investigation whose results have yet to be disclosed.

Gov. Scott can make sweeping changes on the FAMU Board of Trustees and influence trustee appointments made by the Board of Governors. However, he will likely not make any moves that will get blacks fired up and voting in the upcoming Presidential election.

Expect FAMU to be trashed in the media over the next few months. Make no mistake that some of the wounds will be self-inflicted. While there are disagreements about when and if the Marching 100 returns, connect the dots and be mindful of the big picture.