The Westside Gazette

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PERMIT NO. 1179

Merry Christmas

“After coming into the house they saw the Child with Mary His mother; and

they fell to the ground and worshiped Him. Then, opening their treasures,

they presented to Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.” – Matthew 2:11

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24 - DECEMBER 30, 2020 VOL. 49 NO. 44 50¢

70 years after their

deaths, slain civil

rights leaders could

get their jobs back

Efforts to Reinstate Civil Rights Leader

Harry And Harriette Moore

Eric Rogers

Florida Today

In 1946, their fight to

better the lives of Black

Americans in the Jim

Crow South cost them

their jobs. Six years

later, it cost them their

lives.

Today, Harry and

Harriette Moore — a

pair of Mims educators

sometimes called the

“first martyrs” of the

modern civil rights

movement — are still

broadly unknown,

even in the county they

called home.

Nearly 70 years after

their deaths, that may

finally change.

The Brevard

Federation of Teachers,

with help from the

Harry T. and Harriette V.

Moore Cultural Complex,

are working with Brevard

Public Schools to incorporate

teaching of the Moores

into the school curriculum,

ensuring their place among

other civil rights heroes

in the minds of Brevard

students.

The union has also

asked the the Brevard

School Board to go a step

further by posthumously

reinstating

Harry

and Harriette Moore

as teachers. It’s a symbolic

gesture they say would help

restore the Moores’ legacy

Continue reading online

at: thewestsidegazette.com

PAGE 2

A young Harry T. and Harriette V. Moore in Mims in the 1940s.

(Harry T. and Harriette V. Moore Cultural Complex)

Anthony Colucci (r), president

of the Brevard Federation of

Teachers, and William Gray

(l), president of the Harry T.

and Harriette V. Moore Cultural

Complex, in the museum at

the Moore Cultural Complex

in Mims. The two groups have

asked the Brevard County

School Board to posthumously

reinstate Harry and Harriette

Moore as teachers and to

include the Moores’ history in

the Brevard curriculum.

(Malcolm Deemark/Florida Today.)

By Stacy M. Brown,

NNPA Newswire Senior

National Correspondent

@StacyBrownMedia

Dr. Anthony Fauci, the

leading infectious disease

doctor and director of the

National Institute of Allergy

and Infectious Diseases,

addressed the African

American community’s

fears of accepting the new

coronavirus vaccine.

“To my African American

brothers and sisters … this

vaccine that you’re gonna

be taking was developed

Black Woman,

Dr. Kizzmekia Corbett,

Developed the Scientific

Approach to the

Coronavirus Vaccine

by an African American

woman. And that is just a

fact,” Dr. Fauci proclaimed

during a recent National

Urban League event.

Dr. Fauci noted that

Dr. Kizzmekia Corbett, a

Black woman, has been at

the forefront of the vaccine

process.

He added that it is vital

to recognize the U.S.’s

history of racism that’s led

to great mistrust from the

Black community.

Dr. Fauci exclaimed that

the vaccine is safe.

“The very vaccine

OneTen, a Coalition of Major Corporations,

Vows to Hire 1 Million

African Americans in

High-Paying Jobs

By Stacy M. Brown,

NNPA Newswire Senior

National Correspondent

@StacyBrownMedia

OneTen, a coalition of

leading executives, said it

would work to hire 1 million

African Americans into

family-sustaining jobs with

advancement opportunities

over the next decade.

The coalition joined

forces to upskill, employ,

and advance the hires as a

method to chip away at the

economic barriers plaguing

African Americans.

“This is a moment in

time for Americans to move

past our divisions to come

together and reach our

full potential as a nation,”

Ken Frazier, the chairman

and CEO of Merck and a

OneTen founder stated.

“Our country’s

workforce of the future will

be an increasingly diverse

one,” Frazier proclaimed.

“Through the creation

of one million jobs for

Black Americans over the

next ten years, OneTen

has the potential to

address persistent inter-

that’s one of the two that has

absolutely exquisite levels – 94

to 95 percent efficacy against

clinical disease and almost

100 percent efficacy against

serious disease that are shown

to be clearly safe – that vaccine

was actually developed in my

institute’s vaccine research

center by a team of scientists led

by Dr. Barney Graham and his

close colleague, Dr. Kizzmekia

Continue reading online at:

thewestsidegazette.com

In January 2021, the organization

will begin working with partner

employers to improve workplace

inclusivity practices and will

connect talent providers to partner

employers shortly after that.

(iStockphoto / NNPA)

generational gaps in opportunity

and wealth,” Frazier remarked

further.

In addition to Frazier,

other OneTen founders include

Ken Chenault, chairman and

managing director of General

Continue reading online at:

thewestsidegazette.com

Leonard Cure Exonerated After More Than 16 Years: Wrongfully Imprisoned

FORT LAUDERDALE, -- On

December 14, 2020, Seventeenth

Judicial Circuit Judge John J. Murphy,

III vacated the armed robbery conviction

and sentence of IPF client Leonard

Cure. The State Attorney’s Office

immediately dropped the charges,

leading to Mr. Cure’s exoneration. The

Seventeenth Judicial

Circuit State Attorney

Michael Satz agreed

to overturn Mr.

Cure’s conviction and

sentence because of

his Conviction Review

Unit (CRU) concluding

its re-investigation

of the case. Head of

the CRU, Assistant

State Attorney Arielle

Demby Berger performed this reinvestigation

and concluded that Mr.

Cure was innocent, recommending his

immediate exoneration.

IPF client Leonard Cure was freed

earlier this year in April through

an agreed order with the CRU that

amended his sentence to time served

and granted him immediate release “in

the best interest of justice.” Alongside

the increased risk

of exposure to

COVID-19 he faced

in prison, strong

evidence of his

innocence had come

to the attention

of the CRU. The

immediate release

at that time

allowed Mr. Cure

to seek refuge from

the growing COVID-19 pandemic,

while allowing the CRU to complete

Leonard Cure with family.

its reinvestigation of his case. Mr. Cure

was released after more than 16 years of

wrongful incarceration.

At the completion of its reinvestigation,

the CRU made its

recommendation of exoneration to their

Independent Review Panel (IRP), which

Continue reading online at:

thewestsidegazette.com

Christmas

Day

60°

43°

A MESSAGE FROM

THE PUBLISHER

Season’s Greetings

from the staff and

family of the

Westside Gazette

“For unto us a Child

is born, Unto us a

Son is given; And the

government will be

upon His shoulder.

And His name will

be called Wonderful,

Counselor, Mighty God,

Everlasting Father,

Prince of Peace.”

Isaiah 9:6 (NKJ)

By Bobby R. Henry, Sr.

When we take all

things into consideration,

we are truly blessed. With

whatever portion of health,

strength and mental ability,

we should accept it as a gift.

The expectation of

Christmas and the joys that

surround the day should

not be taken for granted.

As a matter of fact, no day

should.

With the dawning of

each new day, new blessings

are ushered in. Even though

sometimes we can not

see the wealth associated

with the day because we

are inundated with the

struggles of surviving, we

forget that the Word says:

“If I were hungry I would

not tell you, for the world is

mine, and all that is in it.”

Psalm 50:12 (NIV)

We the staff and family

of the Westside Gazette

would like to remind you

that: “From the fullness

of His grace we have all

received one blessing after

another,” John 1:16 (NIV)

and for that in itself is

blessing enough , worthy to

be grateful and to give Him

praise.

None of us knows what

tomorrow will bring, but

we should know who will

bring tomorrow. May God’s

grace and mercy continue to

clothe you with His riches,

health, family, friends, His

daily Bread, forgiveness and

the comfort of His Will.

Merry Christmas and

God’s Will be accepted by

all!!!

“For there is born to you

this day in the city of David

a Savior, who is Christ the

Lord.”

Christmas Eve

Dec. 24 TH

Scattered T-storms

Sunrise: 7:05am

63°

51°

73°

63°

76°

61°

80°

53°

Sunset: 5:35pm

Sat Sun Mon Tues

76°

64°

The Westside Gazette Newspaper @_WestsideGazett TheWestsideGazetteNewspaper

WESTSIDE GAZETTE IS A MEMBER:

National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA)

Southeastern African-American Publishers Association (SAAPA)

Florida Association of Black Owned Media (FABOM)

PAGE 2 • DECEMBER 17 - DECEMBER 23, 2020

Deeply Rooted

kwanzaa

Begins

Dec. 26th!

www.thewestsidegazette.com

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

The road

ahead

By Layla Davidson

As we reflect

over this year,

we notice that

there were major

changes to our economy and

our lives. In March, COVID-19

became one of the deadliest

viruses, killing millions of people.

We have been social

distancing and wearing masks

from March to now. In short, our

lifestyle has been different.

Throughout this year, many

things have happened that have

united communities and divided

countries. Cases like George Floyd

and Breonna Taylor brought the

Black community together, yet it

divided the United States.

Then, we had the 2020

election, one of the largest

elections to have votes cast

and the outcome was that Joe

Biden and Kamala Harris won

the election.

This united America and

communities of color because

our new vice president is a

woman of color.

Additionally, as we continue

(Photo credit: mhlnews.com)

to see racism committed in

society, there is more attention

being brought towards it.

Although there is still room

for improvement, the world

is getting better. Hopefully,

this new year will bring you

overflowing blessings and

we will see change with new

authority figures in place.

Kwanzaa Creator, Dr. Maulana Karenga,

To Give Virtual Lecture

On Sunday, December 27, 2020,

from 2-4PM Eastern Time, the National

Association of Kawaida Organizations

(NAKO) and The International African

Arts Festival (iaafestival) will present the

54th Kwanzaa Celebration - virtually. The

program will feature Dr. Maulana Karenga,

the creator of

Kwanzaa, Asase Yaa

African American

Dance Theater, as

well as highlights of

other internationally

known artists from

the 49th Annual

International African

Arts Festival.

Dr. Karenga’s 2020 Kwanzaa lecture

is titled: “Kwanzaa and the Well-Being of

the World: Living and Uplifting the Seven

Principles”

In addition to Dr. Maulana Karenga being

the creator of Kwanzaa, the Nguzo Saba

& Kawaida, he is also Professor & Chair,

Department of Africana Studies, CSULB;

Chair of the Organizations Us & The National

Association of Kawaida Organizations

(NAKO); He is the author of several scholarly

books, among them: Introduction to Black

Studies; MAAT: The Moral Ideal in Ancient

Egypt; & Odu Ifa: The Ethical Teachings.

This event is expected to be aired

worldwide, in the

USA, The Caribbean,

Central America, South

America, Europe, South

Africa and West Africa.

The community can

visit the International

African Arts Festival

website at www.

iaafestival.org to

purchase their link to this highly anticipated

event. The fee is $15.

The sponsors are also offering the

IAAFestival vendors the opportunity to

participate in this very special Kwanzaa

celebration. If you are interested in being a

part of this event, please contact us at (646)

291-7254.

For 41 years

Mrs. Clementime Odoms

has worked in the field of

dialysis. She along with

Administrator Christine

Collins broke barriers as

being two of the first

workers in Florida who

began giving dialysis

treatment to patients.

Clem, Chris and the

Dialysis Team of South

Florida and Hallandale

DaVita would like to wish

you a wonderful retirement.

The team will not be the

same without you.

You are our SUPERHERO!

Check out our podcast hosted by

our publisher, Bobby R. Henry, Sr.

Featuring

community leaders,

organizers,

entrepreneurs and

talented youth!

Scan the code with your smartphone to access

our Youtube Channel to view episodes.

By Clayton Gutzmore

Courtesy of Lil Trap House; The Trap (photo by Clayton Gutzmore)

Step into the Bando:

Trap Museum Pop-Up

Arrives in Overtown

Trap music is a branch of Hip Hop that has

barred many fruits that we all enjoy today.

These fruits are award-winning rappers like

Future, Young Jeezy, and the Migos. T. I.,

one of the more influential artists of Trap

Music, wanted to commemorate this genre and

created the Trap Music Museum in Atlanta,

Georgia. The Trap Music Museum gained

enough success to create a traveling pop up

exhibit called the Lil Trap House. The Lil

Trap House has now arrived in Overtown, and

locals of South Florida can step into the visual

representation of the genre, “We wanted to

make sure if we would have been anywhere in

Miami We wanted to be in a place where all

the musical greats have passed through. It

would have been disrespectful if we would have

done it anywhere else” said Krystal Gardner,

manager of the Trap Music Museum.

The Lil Trap House Overtown kicked off its

opening weekend on Friday, December 18. Lil

Trap House Overtown is at 920 NW 2nd Avenue

in Miami. Admission is $20, and the museum

is open on weekends only. The exhibit itself is

a miniature house that is 12 feet in with, 12

feet in height, and 36 feet in length. Inside, the

gallery holds pieces of art inspired by albums

and music artists in Trap music. When you

first step in, on the left is a big blue/ purple

cotton-like display with a sprite bottle at the

bottom. This piece is inspired by Future’s 2015

album Dirty Sprite 2. On the right is a wall of

rubber bands that makes an image of T.I. This

pays homage to his 2004 single Rubber Band

Man. Next to that is a wall of fake packaged

Cocaine, which is inspired by Young Jeezy and

all the influence of the controversial Snowman

logo. Some pieces were made by local artists in

Atlanta, while others are actual

possessions of the rappers that

were loaned to the exhibit. “Our

creative team looks at pieces and

decides which one goes with the

aesthetic of the area. My favorite

piece and the one that nobody has

seen is the “Flewed Out” exhibit

for the City Girls” said Gardner.

A corner of the Lil Trap House

Overtown was designed as an

airplane aisle with two rows of

airplane seats with pictures of

Yung Miami and JT in the window. The City

Girls’ song Flewed out, which was released in

2020 inspired this.

The primary goal of Lil Trap House

Overtown is to create jobs for those in the

area. Gardner and the Lil Trap House team

explained how they want to replicate the

economic impact the Trap Musume has made

in Atlanta. “We hired students from Clark

Atlanta, Spellman, and the AUC. For Miami We

wanted to hire people straight from Overtown,”

said William Sparks, Co-Founder of the Trap

Music Museum. Those interested in becoming

staff for the museum can send their resumes

to info@TrapMusicMuseum.us The Lil Trap

house Overtown partnered with Red Rooster

to become an entertainment corridor so more

people can invest in Overtown. “In Atlanta, we

are working on ensuring the redeveloped area

we are in reflects the community. This area is

going through redevelopment; we want to be

a part of making sure the reflection happens

here” said Gardener.

Lil Trap House Overtown brings part

of the very popular Trap Music Museum to

South Florida. The Pop will remain open until

halfway into 2021. The team behind Lil Trap

House is enforcing CDC guidelines for a safe

and fun experience. Guests will have plenty

of time to observe Art made by trap music

enthusiasts along with personal possessions

of the artist behind the music, “We had people

that did not understand what the Museum was

exactly, but when you come into this space and

see that we are telling the story of the artists

that represents this genre that is running the

world right now, People love it,” said Gardner.

Continue reading online at:

thewestsidegazette.com

www.thewestsidegazette.com

Deeply Rooted

DECEMBER 24 - DECEMBER 30, 2020 • PAGE 3

The Most Important

Factor in Your Family’s

Education is

YOU

Give your family the best chance

for success by supporting their

education at home and at school.

Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, sticking to a schedule,

partnering with teachers and administrators, utilizing

culturally sensitive best practices, and tapping into

local resources are just a few of the ways that you can

support distance learning at home and keep your family

on track for educational success.

LEARN MORE AT

WWW.NNPA.ORG/EDUCATION

PAGE 4 • DECEMBER 24 - DECEMBER 30, 2020

UPCOMING

EVENTS

Wishing you and your family a very

Merry Christmas,

may it bring you Joy, Happiness.

LOCAL HAPPENINGS IN

BROWARD MIAMI-DADE

AND PALM BEACH

COUNITIES

WHEN YOU GO OUTSIDE

WEAR A MASK, SHIELD YOUR EYES,

STAY SAFE.

WHEN ALL ELSE FAILS

STAY HOME!

********************

WESTSIDE GAZETTE

URGES THE COMMUNITY

TO PRACTICE SOCIAL-DISTANCING

******************

-Four Our Elder, Our Children, Yourself and Your Family-

WEAR YOUR MASK IN PUBLIC SPACES

The Westside Gazette Newspaper

Wishes Our

Advertisers, Subscribers, Readers, Supporters

Exhibition

Deeply Rooted

Celebration

Dillard High Class of 1971

presents “A Red & White

Celebration” Holidays Party.

Join the Class for dinner,

dance, and fun ad they celebration

the Holidays Season,

Friday, Dec. 29 from 8 p.m. to

1 a.m., at Out For Life Ballroom,

4501 N.W. 31 Ave., Fort

Lauderdlae, Fla. (on 31 Aveneu

near Commerical Blvd).

For tickets, comtact Janie

at (954) 612-2433 or Class of

Service

Join Judah Worship Word

Ministries International for

a Jubilant New Year’s Eve

Service, Thursday, Dec. 31 at

9:45 p.m., at 4441 W. Sunrise

Blvd., Plantation, Fl, Senior

Pastor, Apostle W.L. Mitchell.

For more info call (954) 791-

2999.

Ceremony

Broward County Supervisor

Of Elections-Elect Joe Scott

Swearing In. Taking the Oath

of Supervisor of Elections,

Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2021 at 11

a.m., at Central Broward

Park & Broward County Stadium,

3700 N.W. 11 Pl., Lauderhill,

Fla.

For more info contact L.

Gema Morejon-White at (954)

712-1980.

Event

www.thewestsidegazette.com

George Floyd Statue Fund

Mellisa Floyd is organizing this fundraiser.

Help up fund the

building of a George

Floyd statue. We want

the people of America

to remember the events

that lead to Mr. Floyds

death.

Mr. Floyd died after

being handcuffed and

pinned to the ground by an officer’s knee in an episode that

was captured on video, touching off nationwide protests.

George Floyd, a 46-year-old African American man,

died on May 25 after being handcuffed and pinned to the

ground by a white police officer’s knee in an encounter that

was captured on video and incited large protests against

police brutality and systemic racism in Minneapolis and in

more than 150 American cities in the weeks and months

that followed.

Edible Food Forest at Snyder Park

Saturday, Dec. 26 from 9 to 11 a.m., at Snyder Park 3299 SW Fouth

Ave., Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33315

(Up to 30 volunteers)

Every Fourth Saturday - 9 to 11 a.m. Imagine walking through a native

forest and bending down and picking basil, bananas and other edible

plants along the way. Volunteers are needed to help work on this urban

farm by planting, weeding, watering, and harvesting. There is plenty of

free parking in the park.

Important Volunteer Information:

• The event is open to all caring neighbors, but minors should be at least

8 years of age and must be accompanied by an adult!

• Proper attire is a t-shirt and pants - things you do not mind getting dirty!

• Due to the outdoor activity, it is recommended all volunteers wear a hat,

sunscreen, and insect repellent, plus bring their own water and snacks

• All tools will be provided. However, for your personal comfort we

request that you bring your own pair of garden gloves!

For more information contact team leader Joan Starr at jstarr@

fortlauderdale.gov

Florida Department of Health

COVID-19 Test Sites in Fort

Lauderdale

The Florida Department of Health is operating free, drive-thru

COVID-19 test sites at Fort Lauderdale’s Holiday Park and Mills

Pond Park. Face masks are required at both sites. No appointment

is necessary. Vehicles must have windows that fully open and close.

Test options:

• A rapid, or antigen, test is processed on-site and results are

usually available the same day.

• A PCR, or molecular, test is processed in a lab and results are

typically available in several days.

Know before you go:

If you need a test for a specific reason, such as to return to work or

for travel, be sure to know in advance which type of test is required.

Holiday Park: Rapid (Antigen) and PCR (Molecular) Test

TESTING SCHEDULE FOR DECEMBER 20 - JANUARY 2

OPEN: 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. | Tuesday, Wednesday, & Saturday

CLOSED: Sunday, Monday, Thursday, & Friday

Please note that due to increased demand for testing, this site has

recently reached capacity by mid-morning. If you do not need a

rapid (antigen) test, consider visiting Mills Pond Park or an alternate

site listed at the bottom of this page.

• LOCATION: Holiday Park

• ADDRESS: 1150 G. Harold Martin Dr. (U.S.1 and N.E. 8 Street,

just south of Sunrise Blvd.)

• HOURS: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.

• DAYS: Tuesday through Saturday (closed Sunday and Monday)

• SERVICES:

o Drive-thru rapid (antigen) test and PCR (molecular) test is

available for all ages.

o Face masks are required.

o No appointment necessary.

o Same-day test results for the rapid (antigen) test.

Mills Pond Park: PCR (Molecular) Test Only

TESTING SCHEDULE FOR DECEMBER 20 - JANUARY 2

OPEN: 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. | Monday, Wednesday, & Saturday

CLOSED: Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday, & Friday

• LOCATION: Mills Pond Park

• ADDRESS: 2201 N.W. 9 Ave.

• HOURS: 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

• DAYS: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday

(closed Thursday and Sunday)

• SERVICES:

o Drive-thru PCR (molecular) test is available for all ages.

o Face masks are required.

o No appointment necessary.

o Rapid (antigen) testing is not available at this site.

Please plan for extended waiting times.

• Make sure you have a full tank of gas.

• Use the restroom before coming to the sites.

• Bring any necessary food, fluids, and medication.

Alternate testing sites:

Please note that you may be tested at any site, regardless of which

county or city you live in. A few sites are listed below, or you may

also visit floridahealthcovid19.gov/testing-sites or floridadisaster.

org/covid19/testing-sites to find a site near you.

• C.B. Smith Park (Open 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., 7 days a week) - 900 N

Flamingo Road, Pembroke Pines, FL 33028

• Hard Rock Stadium (Rapid testing available. Open 9 a.m. - 5

p.m., 7 days a week) - 347 Don Shula Drive, Miami Gardens,

FL 33056

• Miami Beach Convention Center (Rapid (antigen) testing

available. Schedule an appointment at curative.com) - 1700

Convention Center Dr., Miami Beach, FL 33139

More information about testing:

• Contact the Florida Department of Health in Broward County at

954-412-7300.

Stay connected --

www.thewestsidegazette.com

The Porch Is The Tree Is

The Watering Hole, Featuring

works by Black Artists

and designers, the new exhibition

The Porch is the Tree

is the Watering Hole uses

art, architecture, photography,

and poetry to examine

concepts of community and

life in Sistrunk. On view at

the African-American Research

Library and Cultural

Center, 2650 Sistrunk Blvd.,

Fort Lauderdale through May

2021. Free and open to the

public Thursday and Saturdays

from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

will reservations limiting attendance

to no more than 15

guests per hour to maintain

public health safety.

Lauderhill Commissioner

Melissa P. Dunn presents

Lauderhill Shines, Join Online

Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2021,

Jan. 6, 2021 lauderhill-fl.

gov/LauderhillShines

Lauderhill Shines is a FREE

online self-paced course offered

only to new Lauderhill

Businesses. For more info and

question call (954) 777-2041.

www.thewestsidegazette.com

Deeply Rooted

DECEMBER 24 - DECEMBER 30, 2020 • PAGE 5

Department of Elder Affairs Announces Collier County

as New Dementia-Caring Community

TALLAHASSEE, FL

-- Recently, the Florida

Department of Elder Affairs

(DOEA) announced Collier

County has joined the

Dementia Care and Cure

Initiative (DCCI) as the

15th DCCI Task Force and

Dementia-Caring Community

in Florida. DCCI implements

a statewide effort to become

more dementia-caring to

support those living with

dementia, their families, and

their caregivers. Communities

organize task forces to include

professionals, advocates,

and community members

to increase education,

awareness, and sensitivity

regarding the needs of

those living with dementia

throughout their community.

Governor DeSantis has

taken important steps to

ensure individuals living

with Alzheimer’s disease and

related dementias (ADRD)

get the care they deserve.

Since taking office, Governor

DeSantis has challenged local

communities, who have not

already done so, to expand

DCCI in their areas to promote

better care for Floridians

living with dementia and

support research efforts to

find a cure. The DeSantis

administration is committed

to working diligently to

improve the lives of Floridians

living with ADRD.

“I share Governor

DeSantis’ vision for a Florida

where people can live well

even after a diagnosis of

dementia,” said Department

of Elder Affairs Secretary

Richard Prudom. “Being a

dementia-caring community

means there are now services

and supports in place to make

this community hospitable

to someone living with

dementia, their care partners,

and loved ones. We want

those living with dementia

in Collier County to still

play a vital role within their

communities, and we want

each interaction they have

with the public to be a positive

one, created out of respect and

understanding. The efforts

of Collier County will create

stronger communities and a

state that is more livable for

all.”

The Collier County DCCI

Task Force is being led

by executive leadership of

the Naples Senior Center

at the Jewish Family and

Community Services of

Southwest Florida (JFCS).

“With an estimated

580,000 individuals in Florida

living with Alzheimer’s and

Meharry Medical College Announces Collaboration

with University of Memphis and Methodist Le

Bonheur Healthcare for More Doctors of Color

The partnership comes at a critical time in health care,

particularly in the Mid-South where patients face many

health challenges.

By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA

Newswire Senior National

Correspondent

@StacyBrownMedia

Meharry Medical College,

Methodist Le Bonheur

Healthcare, and the University

of Memphis announced a

historic collaboration the

conglomerate said would

diversify health care

(Photo: iStockphoto / NNPA)

and advance health care

education.

“It’s a game-changer,” Dr.

James Hildreth, the president

of Meharry Medical College in

Nashville, said during a Zoom

news conference on Monday,

December 17.

“We will work together

to diversify the healthcare

provider pipeline and advance

health care education,” Dr.

Hildreth proclaimed.

The institutions plan to

create training and research

for medical students of color,

hoping they will grow the

number of primary care

doctors across the state.

Initial plans include

offering rotations for thirdand-fourth-year

students at

Meharry and Church Health

in Memphis.

The institutions will

recruit students of color

to pursue pre-medical

undergraduate degrees at the

University of Memphis.

They would have preferred

access to medical school and

biomedical sciences graduate

programs at Meharry.

Methodist has committed

to providing clinical training

rotations and residencies in

its hospitals.

Besides increasing the

number of physicians of color,

the partnership expects to

create research collaborations

between Meharry, Methodist,

and the University of

Memphis.

A clinical affiliation

with Church Health, which

serves the underinsured in

Memphis, plans to provide

Continue reading online at:

thewestsidegazette.com

Moving People—and Coronavirus—

From Prison to Prison

As COVID-19 infections soar, prisoners and corrections officers

worry that transferring people between

facilities is causing outbreaks.

By Cary Aspinwall And Ed

White

Coverage of The Covid-19

Pandemic, Criminal Justice and

Immigration.

DETROIT — Families

of men incarcerated

at Michigan’s Kinross

Correctional Facility believed

its remote location would

spare it from a deadly

COVID-19 outbreak. For a

while, they seemed to be right.

Kinross, built on the

grounds of a former Air Force

base in the Upper Peninsula,

is closer to Canada than it is to

Detroit. Unlike most prisons

in Michigan, Kinross had

remained almost unscathed

by the coronavirus with only

one case between March and

October.

This article was published

in partnership with The

Associated Press.

But on Oct. 28, corrections

officials transferred nine

prisoners to Kinross from

Marquette Branch Prison,

several hours west, where

COVID-19 was running

rampant. There were 837

confirmed cases by late

October, 350 of which were

active when the men were

transferred.

Roughly three weeks

later, Kinross had its first

major outbreak, corrections

department data showed.

Though agency officials say it

Jennifer Gross holds photos of herself with fiancé Robert

Vermett, who is incarcerated at Michigan’s Kinross Correctional

Facility and recovering from COVID-19.

is not because of the transfers,

more than 1,100 prisoners

have now been infected, at

least seven have died and

more than 100 guards have

fallen ill. The prisoners who

came to Kinross had been

transferred twice, sent first to

Marquette after a riot where

they were held, and then

tested positive for COVID-19

there before leaving for

Kinross, officials said.

In prisons around the

country, COVID-19 outbreaks

have followed transfers of

prisoners or prison workers.

Nearly all the 25 state

prison systems and the

federal Bureau of Prisons

that responded to a survey

conducted by The Marshall

Project and The Associated

Press said they had reduced

or limited the number of

prisoners they moved due to

the pandemic. Eight states

Continue reading online at:

thewestsidegazette.com

the increase in the numbers

of seniors projected through

2040 in Collier County, there

could not be a better time

to focus on individuals and

Continue reading online at:

thewestsidegazette.com

Covid Vaccine Questions Answered

By The Doctor Whose Research

Exposed The Flint Water Crisis

With the coronavirus vaccine distribution process underway,

the doctor whose research exposed the Flint Water Crisis tells

us what we need to know.

Written By Dr. Mona

Hanna-Attisha

(Source NewsOne):

Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha,

a public health pediatrician

whose research exposed the

Flint, Michigan, water crisis,

answers questions about the

vaccine and allergies, and

when kids might be able to

get the vaccine.

If I have allergies, should I

still get the vaccine?

If you have a history of

allergies to food, pets, insects

or other things, the Centers

for Disease Control and

Prevention recommends that

you proceed with vaccination,

with an observation period. If

you have a history of severe

allergic reaction, or what

is called anaphylaxis, to

another vaccine or injectable

people’s health after they

Continue reading online at:

thewestsidegazette.com

Coronavirus Report:

December 21, 2020

By Marsha Mullings,

MPH

USA

17.8 million cases,

317,684 deaths

Florida

1.2 million cases,

59,995 total

hospitalizations,

20,568 deaths

Broward

125,890 cases, 7,217 total

hospitalizations,

1,776 deaths

Stay safe during the

holiday period

The United States is

experiencing another dramatic

upsurge in new COVID-19

infections and related deaths.

On Wednesday, December 16,

we recorded 3,611 COVID-19

deaths in a single day, the

highest since the beginning of

the pandemic. Two days later,

on Friday December 18, we

recorded 251,000 new infections

in a single day. The daily average

of new infections and deaths will

rise as we go through the holiday

periods and the winter season.

Vaccines have arrived but mass

inoculations will begin only after

the spring of 2021. Moreover,

the current vaccines are

designed to prevent the onset

of illness if someone becomes

infected. They will not treat

an already existing COVID-19

infection. Until vaccines are

universally available, disease

mitigation efforts are our best

defense against infection and

illness.

Source: Scott Olson / Getty

therapy, your doctor can

do a risk assessment, defer

your vaccination, or proceed

and then observe you after

vaccination. The only reason

to avoid vaccination is a

severe allergic reaction to any

component of the COVID-19

vaccine. The CDC has specific

recommendations for postvaccine

observation.

The CDC and Food

and Drug Administration

encourage the public to

report possible adverse

events to the Vaccine Adverse

Event Reporting System, or

VAERS. This national system

collects these data to look

for adverse events that are

unexpected, appear to happen

more often than expected

or have unusual patterns of

Hand hygiene is critical –

Good hand hygiene decreases

the chance that we will introduce

viral particles into our mouths,

noses, and eyes. Wash hands

as often as possible, with soap

and warm water, for at least 20

seconds. If soap is not available,

use a hand sanitizer with at

least a 70% alcohol content by

volume.

Maintain at least six feet

of distance from others –

Maintaining social distance

helps to reduce the chance of

inhaling coronavirus particles

from others who may be carrying

the virus. Distancing also

protects others from ourselves

if we are unknowingly carrying a

coronavirus infection.

Avoid crowded indoor

locations - Crowded indoor

locations such as bars and

restaurants increase the

possibility of viral transmission

because there is little or no wind

to disperse viral particles. In

these locations, especially those

that are poorly ventilated, viral

particles become aerosolized

and can form a suspended

cloud that can easily spread to

occurrence. Anyone who has

experienced an adverse event

should report it to the system.

Reporting an adverse event

is a crucial step to ensuring

safety and to help the CDC

monitor the vaccines. Safety

is a top priority, and scientists

and public health officials

need to know about adverse

reactions.

An adverse event is

different in most cases from

a typical vaccine side effect.

Vaccines may cause a side

effect, such as soreness

at the injection site or

redness. Adverse events are

more serious and can

sometimes be life-threatening.

If you are unsure whether you

have experienced a side effect

or adverse event, you can still

report the event.

Participants are given

a fact sheet when they are

vaccinated. Health care

providers who vaccinate

people will be required to

report to VAERS certain

adverse events following

vaccination. In addition,

under the terms of the

emergency use authorization,

health care providers also

must follow any revised safety

reporting requirements that

may arise.

The CDC is also

implementing a new

smartphone-based tool

called v-safe to check in on

people in close proximity. Where

possible, it is advisable to spend

time outdoors and avoid large

indoor gatherings.

Masks protect everyone –

Wearing a mask protects others

from ourselves. Moreover, the

CDC has recently declared that

masks also protect the wearer

from others. Wear a mask to

protect everyone and to reduce

the spread of coronavirus.

In normal times, we

enjoy this holiday season by

celebrating with family and

friends. We are however,

not in normal times. We are

experiencing a deadly pandemic

which has necessitated changes

in the way we live and associate

with each other. For the health

and well-being of everyone

we must continue to abide

by disease control guidelines

and avoid large gatherings

and unnecessary travel. Our

collective welfare depends on a

safe approach to enjoying our

time with loved ones, for this

season and beyond.

For more information

on coronavirus (COVID-19)

prevention, visit www.

FloridaHealth.org; coronavirus.

jhu.edu; cdc.gov

PAGE 6 • DECEMBER 24 - DECEMBER 30, 2020

WESTSIDE

GAZETTE

NEWSPAPER STAFF

Bobby R. Henry, Sr.

PUBLISHER

Pamela D. Henry

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ADMINISTRATIVE ASST.

Arri Henry

CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Eric Sears

IT SPECIALIST

Ron Lyons

PHOTOGRAPHER

Levi Henry, Jr.: PUBLISHER

(Emeritus)

Yvonne Henry: EDITOR

(Emeritus)

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CREDO- The Black Press believes

that America can best lead the

world away from racial and

national antagonisms when it

accords to every person,

regardless of race, color or creed,

full human and legal rights. Hating

no person, fearing no person, the

Black Press strives to help every

person in the firm belief that all

are hurt as long as

anyone is held back.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

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We welcome letters from the

public. Letters must be signed

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be considered for publication. The

Westside Gazette reserves the

right to edit letters.

Letters should be 500 words or less.

Wearing a cross

but violating

basic Christian

values

Rev. Dr. Andrea Ayvazian

Everything that comes out

of the White House today —

the lies, the

false claims

of election

fraud, the

a b s u r d

lawsuits

— makes

me retreat

and recoil.

But I feel

a particular sense of dread

whenever I am watching the

TV news and press secretary

Kayleigh McEnany steps up

to the podium in the White

House briefing room.

Even before Ms. McEnany

says her first word, I cannot

help but notice the gold

cross she wears around her

neck, right at her throat,

highly visible to the camera.

The cross, I believe, is

intentionally obvious and is

deeply upsetting to me. As

if to provide her with some

degree of legitimacy, Ms.

McEnany wears a cross to

Continue reading online at:

www.thewestsidegazette.com

The Gantt Report

of color.

Eighty-five of

them will be

serving their

communities

in public office

next year,

and some of

them will be

helping to lead our nation in

the years ahead.

Here are a few of the 2020

success stories that can give

us all hope for a brighter future.

Baltimore City Council

President Brandon Scott was

elected the city’s youngest

mayor since 1904. He was

first elected to the city

council in 2011 when he was

just 27 years old—and he

had already built a record

of community service work.

Next Up endorsed Scott in

the primary election based

on his record of fighting for

better schools, working to end

gun violence, and improving

opportunities and wages for

working families.

Continue reading online

at: www.thewestsidegazette.

Following is an excerpt from the diary

of outgoing President Donald Trump,

apparently written in early December 2020.

The excerpt has been edited for clarity,

spelling, grammar, and context.

Some of my people want me to say Sleepy

Joe won the election. But I think I’ll keep

holding out. Why the hell should I give him that? He’s weak,

and he’ll get weaker the longer I hold out. Yeah, I know all

the arguments about giving in—showing I’m “presidential,”

being a good sport, all that [expletive]. I’ve never bought that

[expletive] in the past and I’m sure not going to buy it now.

Good sports are losers, like Biden. Besides, what matters now

is not how the election really turned out, but whose side you’re

on. For [expletive]’s sake, look at that [expletive] McConnell,

turning on me just when I’m on a roll.

Never trusted that [expletive], wish I could fire him. He

and the other disloyal [expletive] don’t get it: We have to keep

feeding the chaos, as Steve [Bannon] always says. You can’t

just get off the stage and play nice loser, not when all we’ve

Continue reading online at: www.thewestsidegazette.com

Deeply Rooted

I will choose life

By Lucius Gantt

The measles make you bumpy, mumps will make you lumpy, chicken pox

will make you jump and twitch. The common cold will fool you, influenza

really cools you but Covid 19, Lord, will kill you quick!

Obviously, the above statement is a comedic take on the old Coasters song, “Poison Ivy”.

Seriously, more than a significant number of my friends, and other people of color, are

hesitant to rush to take Covid vaccinations.

However, in my case, I plan to choose life!

Thousands and thousands of Americans die daily in the USA and hundreds of thousands of

people die daily around the globe from the Corona Virus.

A very small number of people who have taken a version of Corona vaccinations have had an

allergic reaction but I’m not aware of any vaccination deaths.

I am not a doctor and The Gantt Report is not a medical journal, but I do have a Masters

Degree in a health related science from a major accredited university so don’t base your

vaccination decision on this column. Vaccinate or don’t vaccinate based on what you think is

best for you and your family.

I get my health information from my health care providers and from scientists and for the

last couple of months I’ve had to see two or three doctors every week including my primary

care physician, cardiologists, neurosurgeons, vascular surgeons, nephrologists, urologists and

others.

My health decisions are not made based on texts, opinion columns, Facebook posts, Twitter

feeds, Tik Tok videos, Instagram posts or Worldstar fight flicks and booty pictures!

I also don’t make health decisions based on Russian, and other foreign nation’s propaganda

videos or conspiracy theories from right wing crack pots.

I do, however, know that racism in health care does exist. I know about what happened years

ago in the Tuskegee Experiment and continues to happen in today’s health care systems.

If most African Americans don’t know, a Black woman from North Carolina

will go down in history for leading the effort to solve the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dr. Kizzmekia Corbett, a research fellow and scientific lead at the National Institute of

Health, is on the frontlines working with a team of scientists, studying Moderna’s vaccine, one

of the two COVID-19 vaccines shown to be effective by more than 90 percent.

The drug has received emergency use authorization by the FDA.

“I want to make it clear that the work that we have been doing for so long I personally stand

by it, essentially with all of my being,” said Corbett.

African American medical schools where many doctors of color are educated and trained

at Tennessee’s Meharry, Atlanta’s Morehouse School of Medicine, Washington’s Howard

University College of Medicine, and Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science in

Los Angeles are all working on varying fronts — from establishing testing sites, providing

medical care to doing research — to fight this Covid 19 disease.

At the end of the day, Lucius Gantt will CHOOSE LIFE!

I will continue to shelter at home, wear masks, wash my hands and social distance as much

as possible for the foreseeable future.

Right now, I have some serious health challenges and various underlying conditions and I’m

very mature, so to speak.

I want to thank my family, friends, business partners and colleagues for any and all spiritual

and financial support you all have for me. God is not through with me or The Gantt Report yet.

A long and healthy life is the best revenge against a devilish, murderous virus.

By the time Covid vaccinations reach most African American communities, the true impact

of vaccinations will be obvious to everyone.

Protect your health and yourself at all times and do it by any means necessary!

The Other Good News from

the 2020 Election

By Ben Jealous

(TriceEdneyWire.com)

- While President Donald

Trump continues to hog media

attention with his dishonest

“stolen election” claims, we

should devote some attention

to the good news that a diverse

group of young progressive

leaders were elected to office

all across the country this

year.

People For the American

Way’s Next Up Victory Fund

supports young progressive

candidates who demonstrate

leadership ability and a commitment

to making positive

change. Since 2017 we have

helped more than 300 promising

and accomplished

young progressives get elected

to state and local office.

This year, some of our

endorsed candidates were

running for office for the first

time. Some were running

for reelection. Some were

stepping up to a position

of greater responsibility. A

majority were women and

more than two-thirds were

Black, Indigenous, or people

Biden . . . Won (Maybe) (satire)

By Mel Gurtov

www.thewestsidegazette.com

The Westside Gazette, under the Management of BI-ADs, Inc., reserves

the right to publish Views and Opinions by Contributing Writers that

may not necessarily reflect those of the Staff and Management of

The Westside Gazette Newspaper and are solely the product of the

responsible individual(s) who submit comments published in this

newspaper.

Trump -

Dangerous

Delusionist

and

Delusionary

Supporters

By John Johnson

Trump,

former president,

attempting

to overturn

his 2020,

presidential

loss to

President

Elect Joe

Biden by

means of a bloodless political

and legislative coup.

Consequently, he is once again

demonstrating signs that he’s

a dangerous delusionist. It

appears that his distortion

of reality has reached a level

that threatens the foundation

of America’s democracy.

This Nation must now

realize that for four years our

Country has been run by a

man far too many believed is

just a serial liar. Trump has

proven to be far more than just

a liar. In fact, to comprehend

the horrific impact of this

delusionist’s behavior on

America, it’s necessary to

compare his behavior to one

of history’s most barbaric

and delusionary leaders,

Hitler. Like Hitler, Trump

too has a base of delusionary

supporters, which includes

Republican Senators and

House members.

Hitler was chosen because

the world is aware of his attempted

genocide of Jews and

his demonic plans to destroy

all of Europe. Sadly, even

to this day, there are even

delusionary American who

pander to Hitler’s ideology

and deny that the Holocaust

ever happen.

Continue reading online at:

www.thewestsidegazette.

Black Voters Should See

Themselves in Congressional Staff

People of color account for nearly 40 percent of the U.S.

population. Yet, Joint Center research found that people

of color account for just 11 percent of Washington, D.C.-

based senior staff in Senate personal offices.

By Dr. LaShonda Brenson

As the new Congress prepares to take office and members

of the U.S. House and Senate make key staff hires, it’s time

for scrutiny of the diversity reflected within the ranks of

congressional staff. This is particularly true following an

election in which Black voters were critical to its outcome.

More than 70 civil rights groups, including African American

Mayors Association, Black Futures Lab, Congressional Black

Caucus Foundation (CBCF), and NAACP Legal Defense and

Educational Fund, Inc. (LDF), have formally called on new

members of Congress to increase the numbers of staff of color

within the mid-level and senior ranks of congressional offices.

Our advocacy is particularly important right now, in the period

between Election Day and the formal start of the new Congress

when most key staff are hired.

While we saw marginal improvement in senior staff

diversity after the election in 2018, the lack of diversity among

senior congressional staff of both parties is longstanding.

The data is sobering, if not surprising.

People of color account for nearly 40 percent of the U.S.

population. Yet, Joint Center research found that people of

color account for just 11 percent of Washington, D.C.-based

senior staff in Senate personal offices. These include positions

like chief of staff, legislative director, and communications

director – the most influential staff positions in Congress.

Unfortunately, our 2018 report also found that the House

was only narrowly more representative with staffers of color

comprising just 13.7 percent of senior roles.

And this inequity remains true for Republicans who

represent large numbers of Black voters and for Democratic

members who often depend on Black voters as a critical

component of their electorate.

There’s not a single Black senior staff member in the personal

offices of the Republican Senators who represent Mississippi

and Louisiana, even though African Americans account for a

third or more of the population in these states.

Similarly, though Black voters made up 37 percent of

Democratic voters in Virginia in 2016, and 47 percent of

Democratic voters in Maryland, there’s not a single Black

person holding a senior staff position within the offices of the

Democratic Senators who represent these states.

Meanwhile, the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) is leading

by example among congressional Democrats, with Black staff

representing just over 53 percent of CBC top staff – compared to

just 2.1 percent of the senior staff of White Democratic members

of the U.S. House. Only 35 percent of African Americans in the

United States live in districts represented by CBC Members,

but 78.5 percent of the Black top staff in the U.S. House are

employed by CBC Members.

This data is particularly troubling at a time when we

desperately need more, not fewer, Black staff who can advise

Members of Congress in better understanding and responding

robustly to structural inequality, racism, and anti-Blackness.

Yet, there is an opportunity for change.

There will soon be at least 60 new members of the U.S.

House and there could be as many as nine new Senators.

With each appointing a chief of staff, legislative director, and

communications director, that amounts to 207 senior positions.

Far more of them should be filled by talented African Americans.

Continued progress will require that congressional

leadership bring real resources to bear. More Congressional

offices should formalize diversity and inclusion plans and

measure progress. And all offices should focus on diversifying

mid-level positions like press secretary and legislative assistant

to further bolster the pool of talent that can eventually step

into top positions.

Without question, some members can rightfully point

to Black staff serving as state or district directors, or to

improvements in the diversity of non-senior staff.

But at a time when the pandemic and economic turmoil has

fallen disproportionally on Black people, robust representation

of Black Americans in senior roles matters now more than ever.

Real progress is possible, but it will require that Members

of Congress choose action over the status quo. And it demands

that we hold them accountable for doing so.

One World: The Wisdom of Wholeness

By Robert C. Koehler

“We won’t be in a position

to make permanent

progressive changes until

the bad governments are

changed permanently into

good governments. And all

governments are bad governments

now and will remain

bad governments until we

have a global humanity.”

The words are those of

Mark Haywood, in an email

to me last week about my

column, “Embracing Ecological

Realism.” I think the

words nail it. And I would add

that “global humanity” includes

a connection to Planet

Earth, to life itself. And my

intention is to put these words

in a political

context that

is free — so

I pray — of

cynicism.

The irony

is that this

is ancient

wisdom. We used to know

this, once upon a time. Then

we got civilized and became

conquerors. We are now at

the end, or nearly so, of this

dark, bloody path. And while

global humanity’s next step is

uncertain — we must plunge

into a new way of being — the

wisdom of our fathers and

mothers can guide us:

Continue reading online

at: www.thewestsidegazette.

www.thewestsidegazette.com

BUSINESS

UNITY IN THE

COMMUNITY DIRECTORY

Deeply Rooted

DECEMBER 24 - DECEMBER 30, 2020 • PAGE 7

Fred Lovell, Lic. Opt.

"Over 30 Years

In Optics"

PAGE 8 • DECEMBER 24 - DECEMBER 30, 2020

CHURCH

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