Blogging Black Miami

The Best Man sequel coming to movie theaters this Fall [VIDEO]

2013-05-17T16:30:00-04:00

The Best Man sequel premieres November 15!

Looking forward to watching the sequel to the 1999 hit movie, The Best Man, starring Taye Diggs; Morris Chestnut; Nia Long; Sanaa Lathan; Terrence Howard; Monica Calhoun; Harold Perrineau; Melissa De Sousa and Regina Hall. It’s official title is The Best Man Holiday but some folks are calling it The Best Man 2. It will premiere on November 15 and show get great box office vibes based on the internet buzz alone.

All of the main characters return. This time around, Nia Long’s character, Jordan, appears to have moved on to a nice career at MSNBC judging from the PoliticsNation and The Rachel Maddow Show posters on the wall in her office. Joining the cast as her love interest is Eddie Cibrian (Brian McDonald).

Although this film is a comedy, I’ve read there is drama and a few tears will likely be shed. Since my birthday is Veteran’s Day, November 11, I’ve already planned to celebrate by seeing The Best Man Holiday on opening night with friends. You’re welcome to join us. Stay tuned for more info. Let the countdown begin, family… Smooches…

-vb

Today is Election Day in North Miami!

2013-05-14T11:39:00-04:00

Today is Election Day in the City of North Miami. If you live in that city and are a registered voter, exercise your right to vote for the candidates you feel are best for your community.

Voters will elect a mayor to succeed the term-limited Andre Pierre and a councilman for District 2 and District 3. During this cycle, election controversy and drama have run the gamut of ethnic polarization; attacks using voodoo; fist fighting and the latest, an endorsement by God.

Mayoral Candidates

Gwendolyn V. Boyd
Kevin Burns
Modira Escarment
Smith Joseph
Jean Rodrique Marcellus
Michael McDearmaid
Anna L. Pierre
Lucie M. Tondreau

Council Candidates District 2

Michael Blynn
Mary C. Irvin
Joseph Haber
Carol Keys

Council Candidates District 3

Philippe Bien-Aime
Michael A. Etienne
Hans Mardy
Jacques Despinosse
Katiusquie Pierre

Django Unchained
Peace From Broken Pieces: How to Get Through What You're Going Through
Kenya Moore: Booty Boot Camp

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture speaks to Tuskegee University graduates, opens new building

2013-05-14T05:45:00-04:00

TUSKEGEE, AL — Tuskegee University said farewell to the Class of 2013 during its 128^th Spring Commencement Exercises Saturday in the Gen. Daniel “Chappie” James Center for Aerospace Science and Health Education. The class of 400 jubilant graduates and their families were addressed by Tuskegee University President Gilbert L. Rochon and Thomas Vilsack, the secretary of the United States Department of Agriculture.

In introductory remarks, Rochon told the audience that the university’s past is deeply rooted in agricultural studies. He also said agriculture still remains very much relevant in the New Millennium.

“By 2050, the world’s population is expected to surpass nine billion. In order to prepare for this growth, we must be dedicated to environmental sustainability, food security and innovative research,” Rochon said. “We are determined that Tuskegee graduates will be prepared to be on the frontlines of those issues.”

Vilsack: “Seek common ground.”

In his keynote address, Vilsack said America and the world have numerous issues in need of resolutions such as climate change food security. In order to address those issues, Vilsack urged the graduates not to cling to rigid positions, but to always try to see the perspective of the “murky middle.”

“The future problem solvers, and that is what you have been trained to be, seek common ground and common purpose,” Vilsack said.

He went on to explain that he and everyone assembled wanted all of the graduates to be successful, but urged them to be mindful of those who contributed to their success. As they move forward, Vilsack said graduates must also remember that there are problems ahead.

“I want you to accept the challenge of your time,” Vilsack said. “Don’t be afraid to seek compromise, embrace the middle, and embrace the compromise.”

After the keynote address, Rochon conferred upon Vilsack an honorary Doctor of Laws degree, honoris causa. Rochon was assisted by Luther S. Williams, provost and executive vice president and retired Maj. Gen. Charles E. Williams, chair of the Tuskegee University Board of Trustees.

New science building opened

Thursday evening, Vilsack helped to open the first new science building on the university’s campus in 80 years. Vilsack, Rochon. Marc H. Morial, president and CEO of the National Urban League, and several representatives from the university community cut the ribbon for James Henry Meriwether Henderson Hall. The new facility will house state-of-the-art classrooms and laboratories to support science and agricultural education programs.

James H.M. Henderson was a Tuskegee professor and administrator who spent more than 50 years at the university. He came to Tuskegee in 1945 and taught botany and plant physiology. He also served as head of the biology department, chair of the Division of Natural Sciences and director of the Carver Research Foundation.

“This building speaks to a man who made a commitment to education,” Vilsack said at the ribbon cutting ceremony. “There is no greater gift.”

HEAT move closer to Conference championship with third win over Bulls

2013-05-14T05:14:56-04:00

After another beat down of the Chicago Bulls last night, the Miami HEAT are one game away from ending this series and moving to the NBA Eastern Conference Finals.

The Heat play the Bulls in Miami on Wednesday night.

Urban League president urges Tuskegee graduates to make the right decisions about futures

2013-05-12T18:05:10-04:00

TUSKEGEE, Ala. — As they prepare to face their futures, Tuskegee University graduates were encouraged to be mindful of their choices. Friday, in his keynote address, Marc Morial, president and CEO of the National Urban League, told the Class of 2013 that they are architects of their future and that their choices are a part of crafting their destinies.

After an introduction by Tuskegee University President Gilbert L. Rochon that outlined the links between the university and the National Urban League, Morial addressed the graduates.

“None of us can choose what happens to us or how people treat us all of the time,” Morial said to the audience in the Gen. Daniel “Chappie” James Center for Aerospace Science and Health Education. “But we do have power in how we respond and in what we do.”

Morial also said the graduates need to make the choice about how they live their lives and what their purposes will be- to lead or to follow. As they climb the career ladder, Morial told the graduates to never forget their backgrounds or those who have not been able to attain the same successes.

“We all want nice things and to live comfortably, but on our way up – and certainly once we get there – we cannot forget those among us who are broken and poor,” Morial said.

After the keynote address, Rochon conferred upon Morial an honorary Doctor of Laws degree, honoris causa.

Following the baccalaureate service, graduates and their families were treated to a special reception at Grey Columns, the Tuskegee University presidential residence. The event was hosted by Rochon and his wife, Tuskegee University First Lady Patricia S. Rochon.

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Florida Memorial University celebrates 134 years

2013-05-12T13:46:30-04:00

Old stories, history, awards and legacies filled the day

Florida Memorial University Acting President Mary A. O'Banner

MIAMI GARDENS, FL. – The historic bell pealed in the crisp morning air, the sound of drums drifted across the campus and a sea of orange-and-blue set the scene for the Florida Memorial University (FMU) Founders’ Day. A processional of hundreds draped in academic regalia, history and pageantry moved across campus toward the chapel with a purpose that seemed to colorfully illustrate the theme: “Moving Forward . . . The Legacy Continues.”

South Florida’s only historically black university recently celebrated 134 years since its founding in 1879. It was also the 45^th anniversary of the university’s move to Miami. Bishop Billy Baskin, class of 1971 and pastor of New Way Fellowship Praise & Worship Center, delivered a message of history and hope.

”The Founders’ Day Convocation is the most important activity held on the campus,” said Acting President Mary A. O’Banner, after she addressed an overflow crowd at the university’s Susie C. Holley Religious Center. “I believe that our founders would be proud to know that we are continuing the legacy on the 134^th anniversary of this institution.”

The convocation featured several alumni who attended the school just after it was relocated from St. Augustine, including a local minister and a current student whose FMU legacy dates back for at least four generations.

Priscilla Dobbs, class of 1972, is a retired elementary school teacher who worked for 34 years with the Dade County Public Schools. Dobbs, who now works with the School of Education at FMU, was on program to speak about the university’s history.

“I remember when the university moved here from St. Augustine,” Dobbs said. “It was a very good year because the average family income was $ 7,850, the cost of gas was 34 cents and a movie ticket was $1.50. The big movies were ‘The Graduate‘ and ‘Guess Who's Coming Dinner.’ ”

Dobbs, who grew up in Miami, said: “I decided that I would attend Florida Memorial because of the way they embraced our community and made the community feel a part of it . . . a number of local students decided to attend.”

She deftly entertained the audience with her tales of yesterday. She said she wanted to tell the history her way: “You don’t let anyone tell your history,” she said. “You tell your own history.”

Shaconna Derico, a fourth-generation, junior broadcast major from Pompano Beach, told the appreciative audience that more than 20 members of her family have attended – and graduated from the university that will soon become her alma mater, as well. Additionally, a cousin is on his way to join the Fall Freshman class.

“Every year, I’ve been learning more and more about this part of our family history,” she said after the program. “There’s a long list of about 20 people who are FMU alumni. I believe there are a few marriages that have come out of here. . . There are a lot of pastors on this list, as well.”

She remembered the first time she set foot on the Florida Memorial campus and how that solidified one portion of her life’s journey : “ I came to the Baptist Youth Camp when I was in middle school. That’s when I met a lot of other family members, toured the campus and just thought ‘This must be a great place.’ I just felt like I was at home. I fell in love with it.”

“When you see the blessings come down like this through generations,” Derico said, “it’s real.”

The convocation closed with a moving candlelight tribute to the five founders and with awards presentations to three community leaders who have been strong supporters of educating youth in the Miami area. The following honors were given:

The Humanitarian Award

This award, which recognizes individuals who have given outstanding service to their community, was presented to The Rev. Canon Richard L. Marquess-Barry, Rector and Pastor/Retired, of the historic St. Agnes Episcopal Church. When his congregation asked what they could do upon his retirement, he asked them to help him raise $50,000 for scholarships. He has contributed $12,500 to Florida Memorial, along with $12,500 each to his alma mater, St. Augustine College; Bethune Cookman University (Daytona Beach, Fla.) and Edward Waters College (Jacksonville, Fla.)

Sarah Blocker Meritorious Service Award

Barbara Wright, president of the Senior Women’s Auxiliary of the Progressive M&E Baptist State Convention of Florida, was the recipient of the highest honor the university can bestow upon a woman, the Sarah Blocker Meritorious Service Award. Wright, of Tampa, was noted for scholarship funds provided by the Convention totaling more than $300,000.

The Nathan B. Collier Meritorious Service Award

The Nathan B. Collier Meritorious Service Award, the highest award the university bestows upon a man, went to William “Bill McCormick, class of 1987. McCormick, president and chief executive office of Medivance, was recognized for his continuous financial gifts for scholarships.

In the end, alumni told stories of yesterday, awards were presented and the FMU history was recounted. . . As the recessional began, one young man in an orange-and-blue bow tie was overheard saying, almost to himself: “The legacy continues.”

Florida Memorial University's Founders' Day Service

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Happy Mother's Day

2013-05-12T12:33:09-04:00

Remembering my mother, Mary Woodard, on Mother's Day and everyday. Love you always. Sleep in Peace.

Happy Mother's Day to all mothers everywhere. If you can give your mother a hug or talk to her on the telephone, understand that you are blessed. If your mother is no longer with you in the natural, understand that you are blessed because she is always with you. Most of all, understand that you don't need a 'special' day to show love to your mother or anyone else.

If you feel so inclined, give a shout out in our comments section to your mother, grandmother, aunt, sister, godmother or any woman who nurtured you and helped you become the person you are today. Peace.

💋Smooches...

Va-Va

FAMU Department of Music Schedules Recruitment and Outreach Tour

2013-05-09T03:26:07-04:00

TALLAHASSEE, FL – Florida A&M University’s (FAMU) Department of Music will host a recruitment and outreach tour titled 'Working Together to Stop Hazing' beginning May 19 through May 21 in South Florida for high school students. The tour will feature some of FAMU’s music ensembles performing such tunes as “Do I Do,” “Ain’t No Mountain,” “Sweet Love,” “There Goes My Baby, “Pusher Love Girl,” “Breaking My Heart,” “Before I Let Go” and “SOS.”
Each tour is free and open to the general public unless noted otherwise. The tour schedule is as follows:

Saturday, May 18
4 p.m.
Bonaventure Resort & Spa
250 Racquet Club Road
Weston, FL 33326

To attend this event, individuals must have a ticket from the National Alumni Association (NAA) Convention President’s Luncheon or be registered for the NAA Convention.

Sunday, May 19
6:30 p.m.
Bonaventure Resort & Spa
250 Racquet Club Road
Weston, FL 33326

Monday, May 20
6:30 p.m.
Joseph Caleb Center
5400 N.W. 22nd Ave.
Miami, FL 33142

Tuesday, May 21
6 p.m.
Palm Beach Lakes Community High School
3505 Shiloh Drive
West Palm Beach, FL 33407

Individuals will have an opportunity to audition after the music ensembles for a music scholarship. Presidential scholarships will also be awarded to qualified students. High school students are encouraged to apply for admission before the event.

For more information, contact FAMU’s Department of Music at (850) 599-3024.

School for Advanced Studies Ranked as No. 6 Best High School in Nation

2013-05-09T01:09:15-04:00

Newsweek magazine listed the Schools for Advanced Studies (SAS) as the No. 6 Best High School in the nation and No. 2 in the state. SAS, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, was listed as 12th last year.

The magazine has been ranking the top U.S. high schools for over a decade. It assessed 5,000 public high schools across the nation and the best 2,000 were the ones that proved to be the most effective in turning out college-ready grads.

Joining SAS were 20 additional Miami-Dade high schools. A total of 115 Florida schools made the prestigious list, which was released this week. Leading the list in ranking order for Miami-Dade's high schools:

* School for Advanced Studies
* Archimedean Upper Conservatory
* MAST Academy
* Coral Reef
* Young Women's Preparatory Academy
* Design & Architecture Senior High (DASH)
* International Studies Charter
* New World School of the Arts
* Miami Palmetto Senior High
* Doral Academy Performing Arts and Entertainment
* Dr. Michael M. Krop Senior High
* Doral Academy Preparatory
* Robert Morgan Educational Center
* G. Holmes Braddock Senior High
* Mater Lakes Academy High
* Southwest Miami High
* Coral Gables Senior High
* Westland Hialeah Senior High
* American Senior High
* Hialeah Gardens Senior High
* City of Hialeah Educational Academy

Congratulations are extended to the administrators and staffs of these schools.

Click here for a complete list of Newsweek's Best schools.

National Urban League president and CEO to deliver Tuskegee University baccalaureate address

2013-05-06T09:56:35-04:00

Marc Morial

TUSKEGEE, Ala. — Marc Morial, president and CEO of the National Urban League, will speak at Tuskegee University’s baccalaureate ceremony May 10 at 6:30 p.m. CST in Gen. Daniel “Chappie” James Center. As head of the National Urban League since 2003, he has been the primary catalyst for an era of change for the nation’s largest historic civil rights and urban advocacy organization. The league’s agenda seeks to redefine civil rights in the 21st century with a renewed emphasis on closing the economic gaps between whites and blacks as well as rich and poor Americans.

“Tuskegee University has been at the epicenter of so many pivotal moments in the Black American experience. From its founding by Booker T. Washington to being the home of the Tuskegee Airmen, this university is a cherished part of our nation’s history and a vibrant part of our future as it helps to produce our next great leaders,” Morial said.

Morial, an entrepreneur, lawyer and former university professor, also served as a Louisiana state senator and mayor of New Orleans. As mayor of New Orleans, Morial was a popular chief executive with a broad multi-racial coalition who led New Orleans’ 1990’s renaissance and left office with a 70 percent approval rating. During his tenure, the city’s violent crime and murder rates dropped by 60 percent, the unemployment rate was cut in half, and the poverty rate fell according to the 2000 Census.

Under his stewardship, the Urban League has had record fundraising success towards a $250 million fundraising goal over five years. Also, Morial created the National Urban League Empowerment Fund, which has pumped almost $200 million into urban impact businesses including minority business through both debt and equity investments.

A graduate of University of Pennsylvania with a degree in economics and African American studies, he also holds a law degree from Georgetown University Law Center in Washington, D.C., as well as honorary degrees from Xavier University, Wilberforce University, and the University of South Carolina Upstate.

He has been recognized as one of the 100 most influential black Americans by Ebony Magazine, as well as one of the Top 50 Nonprofit Executives by the Nonprofit Times.

Award-Winning Journalist Soledad O’Brien to Serve as Keynote Speaker at #IamCHANGE Youth Town Hall

2013-05-05T23:26:53-04:00

A Candid Conversation on Education and Youth Violence in South Florida

Miami, FL_ L.E.A.D Nation (Leaders By Empowerment, Activists By Development) in partnership with Broward College and WEDR 99 Jamz will co-host the #IamCHANGE Youth TownHall on Friday, May 17th, 2013 from 7pm-9pm at Broward College – Judson A. Samuels Campus at 7200 Pines Blvd, Pembroke Pines, FL.
A precursor to the annual South Florida Youth Summit this fall, the purpose of this town hall style meeting is to provide a platform for youth to organize and discuss issues that plague their communities. The Think Tank-like environment will help set the stage for this year’s progressive agenda, inspiring students to create real solutions to real issues. Miss Kimmy and Shelby Rushin, popular radio personalities from 99 Jamz will MC the evening and Soledad O’Brien will deliver the keynote address. This event is free and open to the public.
The primary objective of this series is to empower Generation Y to create solutions that directly address South Florida's epidemic of youth violence, education challenges, and increased childhood obesity. L.E.A.D Nation events are held in Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach Counties for students in grades 6-12. The 2nd Annual South Florida Youth Summit is scheduled for October 16-19, 2013.

THE ARSHT CENTER AND THE PETER LONDON GLOBAL DANCE COMPANY PRESENT SPRING NIGHTS

2013-05-05T19:11:23-04:00

PLGDC Dancer Anasthasia Grand-Pierre

MIAMI, FL – The Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County and The Peter London Global Dance Company, Inc. (PLGDC), Miami’s newest multicultural dance troupe, are proud to present Spring Nights at the Arsht Center in the intimate Carnival Studio Theater on May 24-25, 2013 at 7:30 pm. Peter London serves as the Company’s founder and artistic director, who will produce the two-night stint featuring a choreographic sampler of new works.

Dance visionary and Miami-Dade College / New World School of the Arts dance professor Peter London founded the Peter London Global Dance Company, Inc. to establish a world-class contemporary dance organization that promotes South Florida’s vibrant arts heritage and a professional outlet for gifted, locally-trained dancers. London’s vision was given an invaluable boost when his company received the 2011 Knight Arts Challenge grant award from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation. “I cannot begin to express how grateful I am to the Arsht Center staff for inviting my company to become a 2013 Arts Partner,” said London. “The dancers are excited about this tremendous opportunity to perform in the heart of Miami at one of the most prestigious performing arts centers in the world. The hard work and steadfastness of the PLGDC dancers take us to new heights and we feel blessed to showcase our talent to new audiences each time,” he continued.

For tickets and information, call the Adrienne Arsht Center box office at (305) 949-6722 or visit www.arshtcenter.org. For more information about VIP ticket sales or Spring Nights at the Arsht Center, visit www.peterlondonglobaldance.org.