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PRSRT STD

U.S. POSTAGE

PAID

FT. LAUDERDALE, FL 33310

PERMIT NO. 1179

From the Westside

Gazette Newspaper

to our readers &

advertisers

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 19 - DECEMBER 25, 2024

VOL. 53 NO. 46 $1.00

Wisconsin School Shooting Leaves

Three Dead, Several Injured,

Including Critically Wounded Students

A tragic school shooting

at Abundant Life Christian

School in Madison,

Wisconsin, has left three

people dead and several

others injured, including

two students in critical

condition. The shooter,

identified as a 17-year-old

female student, is believed

to have died by suicide.

The victims include

a teacher and a teenage

student, according to

Madison Police Chief Shon

Barnes. Authorities were

alerted to the incident

shortly before 11 a.m. on

Monday. The shooting,

which occurred in a confined

area of the school, has left

the community in shock just

days before the Christmas

(Cont’d on page 12)

A MESSAGE FROM

THE PUBLISHER

EXCLUSIVE Doctors warn of a ‘quaddemic’

this winter as four viral

infections soar and mask mandates

creep back in

By Luke Andrews Senior

Health Reporter For

Dailymail.com And Emily

Joshu Sterne Health

Reporter For Dailymail.com

Doctors have warned

American they could soon

face a “quad-demic’ of viral

illness this winter.

Experts say a combination

of Covid, flu, the cold-like

virus RSV and the stomach

bug norovirus could all hit at

once.

A mixture of people

staying indoors more to beat

the cold and mixing over

the Christmas and New Year

period makes the infections

more common.

And because fewer people

have received the Covid and

flu boosters this year, they

fear more could be hospitalized

— putting extra pressure on

FAMU Graduate Receives

First Degree in Materials

Science and Engineering

Program through FAMU-FSU

College of Engineering

Briona Carswell

FLU OUTBREAK: The above shows flu illnesses in each

state. Only two, Louisiana and Georgia, are currently

experiencing high levels of the disease

the health system.

Dr. Joe Bresee, an infectious diseases expert who spent

two decades at the CDC, including its flu division, said: ‘We

know these viruses are coming, we see them increase every

year.

‘We are in store for increases in circulation in these four

over the next couple of months and that would cause what

we call epidemics [outbreaks].’

Doctors are issuing the warning because vaccination

rates are lower than in previous years, particularly for flu

- rates are almost half the protective level of 70 percent of

people over 18.

Dr Bresee, who is also a member of the nonprofit Task

Force for Global Health, added: ‘We are seeing increases in

(Cont’d on page 3)

PAGE 11

By Jim Saunders

The News Service of Florida

TALLAHASSEE --- Alleging “inhumane

manipulation” of immigrants, plaintiffs’

attorneys last week argued that a classaction

lawsuit should move forward against

Gov. Ron DeSantis and other defendants

over controversial Florida-backed flights of

49 migrants from Texas to Massachusetts in

2022.

The attorneys filed a 101-page brief arguing

that a Massachusetts federal judge should

reject arguments by DeSantis and the other

defendants seeking dismissal of the lawsuit.

“(At) the heart of this case is whether

the laws of the United States and of the

Commonwealth of Massachusetts permit

defendants to lure vulnerable, innocent people

onto a plane with false promises of jobs,

housing, and support, and then dump them

in an unknown place they did not agree to go,

where they were not expected, and without

any of the promised resources,” the brief said.

“And whether the law permits defendants to

thrust these recent immigrants into a highly

contentious, politicized national debate, all for

defendants’ personal and political benefit. The

answer is a resounding no.”

The lawsuit was initially filed in September

2022 by attorneys for three migrants from

Venezuela and the non-profit group Alianza

(Photo courtesy of ISO Republic/ Matthew Henry)

Lawmakers introduce

bipartisan bill to support

families of incarcerated

individuals

U.S. Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove and Sens. Jon Ossoff

and John Kennedy hope to pass legislation that will

ensure families of incarcerated individuals are notified

timely about the well-being of their loved ones.

By Ashlee Banks

Special to the AFRO

In a significant move aimed at protecting the

rights of families with incarcerated loved ones,

Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-Calif.-37) and

Sens. Jon Ossoff (D-Ga.) and John Kennedy (R-La.)

reintroduced the bipartisan Family Notification of

Death, Injury, or Illness in Custody Act on Dec. 11.

The statute seeks to ensure that families are

promptly notified in a compassionate manner if a

(Cont’d on page 12)

Ron DeSantis Inauguration Ceremony

Americas. U.S. District Judge Allison Burroughs in

March 2024 dismissed much of the case, including

claims against DeSantis, his chief of staff, James

Uthmeier, and a public-safety adviser, Lawrence

Keefe, but left open the possibility of the plaintiffs

filing a revised version.

Attorneys for the plaintiffs filed a 104-page

amended complaint in July alleging, among other

Continue reading online at:

thewestsidegazette.com

We Cannot Predict

the Future, But

We Can Create It

“Father, forgive these

people! They don’t know

what they’re doing.”

(Luke 23:34)

By Bobby R. Henry, Sr.

“We cannot predict the future. But

we can create it.” This quote from

Nobel Prize-winning chemist Ilya

Prigogine reminds us that while we

may not know what lies ahead, we

hold the power to shape it. Today,

Black America stands at a crossroads,

facing a cycle of challenges that feel

eerily familiar—from police shootings

of unarmed Black people to the

devastating impact of poor health

care in our communities. These events

echo history, like a relentless loop

reminding us of where we’ve been.

In the face of these injustices, I

recall the words of John 8:7: “He who

is without sin among you, let him

be the first to throw a stone.” These

words urge us to pause, reflect, and

search for forgiveness—not just for

others, but within ourselves. While

Black leadership is under scrutiny,

we must remember that no one is

free from imperfection. Let us not

allow judgment to cloud our capacity

to understand the weight of these

moments or distract us from the

bigger picture: building unity and

striving for justice.

But where is the anger that leads

to action? Where are the voices

rising to confront what is killing

us—both physically and spiritually?

Black America cannot afford to be

disconnected, devoid of the spiritual

bonds that once united us in the

struggle. Today, our anger must

become a force for good, not a path

to destruction. We must remember

that we are at war, and wars require

soldiers willing to stand in the

trenches, ready to fight for truth and

(Cont’d on page 10)

Thursday

Dec 19 TH

Fri

77°

67°

Cloudy

Sunrise: 6:48am

77°

68°

79°

69°

55°

74°

Sunset: 5:28pm

Sat Sun Mon Tues

80°

69°

80°

68°

The Westside Gazette Newspaper

@TheWestsideGazetteNewspaper

WESTSIDE GAZETTE IS A MEMBER:

National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA)

Southeastern African-American Publishers Association (SAAPA)

Florida Association of Black Owned Media (FABOM)


B-CU

PAGE 2 • DECEMBER 12 - DECEMBER 18, 2024

okman University

gnificant day of unity

Thursday, Jan. 18,

l and Libby Johnson

Civic Engagement

momentous occasion

er students, faculty,

, and friends to

the University’s

lishment – securing

position in Home

gious “Retool Your

ition and receiving a

,000 grant dedicated

ancement.

ler temperatures and

the collective spirit

ost 135 participants,

epot Daytona Beach

r Therese Watsonforces

in yesterday’s

By Culture

ort. Their mission

, involving projects

ssembling bookcases

tdoor dining sets to

rcade games, foosball

ball hoops, hockey

tennis their academic tables. dreams. Even

er conditions couldn’t

ication, with the only

concession being the postponement of painting and

stripping the basketball court – a minor hiccup until

more favorable weather prevails.

Dr. William Berry, Provost and Acting President,

expressed excitement and gratitude, stating, “We are

excited about this project and grateful to all those who

Opening Doors to Opportunity:

participated in the vote for B-CU. These enhancements

will help create more vibrant and engaging spaces for

our students to retreat on campus for a brain break or

find inspiration through the downtime.”

Home Depot’s “Retool Your School” program,

established in 2009, has been a beacon for positive change,

providing over $9.25 million in campus improvement

grants to Historically Black Colleges good education. and Universities

(HBCUs). Beyond the competition, the Office of Alumni

For more than 40 years, the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation

(CBCF) has proudly supported talented and deserving students in their pursuit

of higher education. As we continue to build on the legacy of empowering the

next generation of Black leadership, we are excited to announce that our 2025

scholarship applications are now open!

These scholarships offer nine diverse opportunities for incoming freshmen,

current undergraduate students, and master/doctoral candidates to achieve

Scholarships Now Open (since November 25):

By Carla Peay

Continue reading online at: thewestsidegazette.com

· Ally Financial Law Scholars

(Source: The Atlanta Voice )

· CBC Spouses Performing Arts

· CBC Spouses Visual Arts

GREENSBORO – The theme was

· HBCU NREI Biden credited the success The president “A Different Brunch,” outlined a callback the to the

· The Tracking Foundation Multi-Year

popular television show “A Different World,”

· The Tracking of Foundation these Scholars relief efforts to the broader

which

achievements

aired from 1987 to 1993,

of

and

his

showed

· CBCF Reducing

corrective

the Financial Barrier

measures

(need-based)

taken administration a lot of young people in supporting

what life at an HBCU

Scholarships Opening to Soon address (on December broken 9):

could be like – culture, community, and

student students and borrowers,

· CBC Spouses Education

camaraderie – as well as a good education.

· CBC Spouses Essay loan Contest programs. He asserted including Held achieving at the Doubletree the Inn in most Greensboro,

that these fixes have removed significant the event increases was a brunch, followed in Pell by a panel

Apply Early!

of speakers who addressed issues that affect

All CBCF Scholarship

barriers

applications

preventing

close in March

borrowers

2025. Visit

Grants

https:// Black in over voters, a and decade, the issue aimed of engagement

www.cbcfinc.org/programs/scholarships/ from accessing to learn the more relief about they each scholarship among young people.

Continue reading online at:

opportunity including eligibility, application requirements, deadline information, The panel was hosted by Natalie

were entitled to under the law. thewestsidegazette.com

and to apply.

Murdock, a state senator and a local political

director of the Harris/Walz campaign. Her opening question to

the panel was about the oft-discussed topic of young people and

College

how to get them engaged in the political process, especially in

an election so crucial to our future.

quiescent

“We have to be as active and as proactive as we can be,”

said state senator Gladys Robinson. She shared the story of

Prep

her granddaughter, who dropped out of a PWI (Predominantly

White Institution) to attend an HBCU, Bennett College in

Greensboro, NC. “She told me ‘Now I understand what HBCU’s

[ kwee-es-uhnt, kwahy- ]

Continue reading online at: thewestsidegazette.com

iveness after

ated service.

e to 30,000

have been

or at least

ut receiving

ncome-driven

will now see

n.

Explore Our 2025 Scholarships

archetypal

adjective

(adjective)

Word of

the Week

being at rest; inactive or

motionless; quiet; still: a

quiescent mind.

having the important

qualities that make

someone or something

a typical example of a

particular kind of person

or thing

HOW TO USE IN A SENTENCE:

“Birthday gifts can be one of

the more difficult purchases

to make, particularly for the

archetypal woman who has

everything

“A Different Brunch”

highlights HBCU’s for

Harris across the south

The theme was “A Different Brunch,” a

callback to the popular television show “A

Different World,” which aired from 1987

to 1993, and showed a lot of young people

what life at an HBCU could be like – culture,

community, and camaraderie – as well as a

HOW TO USE QUIESCENT IN A

SENTENCE

It’s possible that other volcanoes with

long quiescentperiods may also have

subtle but protracted warning periods

as well.

www.thewestsidegazette.com

The panel was hosted by Natalie Murdock, a state senator and a local

political director of the Harris/Walz campaign.

By Kamar Jackson

DHS 10th Grader

Leia’s Mathematics

Corner

THERE ARE 24 APPLES, AND MRS. GREEN WANTS

TO DIVIDE THEM EQUALLY AMONG 6 BASKETS.

HOW MANY APPLES WILL GO INTO EACH BASKET?

234

+ 19

546

- 45

Created by Leia Palmer 3rd grader!

Word Search

List Compiled

by Kamar

Jackson,

Freshmen

at Dillard

High School


www.thewestsidegazette.com

The horror of

child abuse

in the Black

community

Whether the numbers are skewed by bias or not, any amount of child

abuse is too much, and it exists in Black communities as it exists in others.

(Credit: Adobe Stock.)

By Aswad Walker

(Source: Defender)

Black children compared

to others are most likely to

live in poverty, endure the

least access to healthcare and

experience over-policing. So,

it’s heartbreaking to add that

they are also the most likely to

experience child abuse.

Houston, we have a problem

In 2023, Defender Managing

Editor ReShonda Tate’s article

“Black children experiencing brunt of

child abuse crisis,” she wrote about a

Houston mother beating her 4-monthold

daughter because the baby’s father

no longer wanted a relationship with

her. That article also spotlighted

the 7-year-old boy found dead in a

washing machine where his adoptive

parents reportedly stuffed him after

he was beaten, suffocated and possibly

drowned – all because the boy stole the

father’s snacks.

Tate also mentioned those two

“severely malnourished” teen siblings

who made a daring escape from

their Cypress home after suffering

unimaginable abuse and horror at the

hands of their mother and her younger

boyfriend.

Though National Child Abuse

Awareness Month (April) is months

away, the issue remains. And our

children are paying the price.

The prevalence of abuse

According to the Department of

Health and Human Services, Black

children were three times more likely

to die from abuse or neglect than White

children.

“Child abuse occurs within the

Black community pretty much at

about the same rate that Black people

exist in the population, 13%. But it

is in the death that results from that

child abuse where the numbers are

skewed and Black children are far

overrepresented,” said psychologist Dr.

Norman Fried. “Twenty-five percent of

all child abuse cases in America are of

Black children. And we know that one

in every four Black children by the age

of four will be abused, but one in every

10 white children will be abused at

that same age range.”

Glenn Wayne Smith and Jasmine Ellison were arrested

for injury to a child and serious bodily injury after their

5-month-old was allegedly brain dead after abuse over a

four-day period. Courtesy Harris County Sheriff’s Office.

A whopping 16,000-plus children are

involved in child protective services (CPS)

cases in Houston, and over 1,000 of those

youth were removed from their homes in

an emergency, according to Be A Resource.

The long-lasting impact

Monica Sanders, regional director for

Child Protection Investigations in Harris

County, says these children suffer severe

and often life-altering impacts.

“As a result of their abuse, the abuse they

suffer can have lasting consequences and

impact them physically, psychologically,

Continue reading online at:

thewestsidegazette.com

Deeply Rooted

By Stacy M. Brown

NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent

@StacyBrownMedia

As President Joe Biden’s tenure ends, a

coalition of more than 100 House Democrats has

urged the administration to ratify and publish

the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) as the 28th

amendment to the United States Constitution. The

lawmakers claim that Biden’s actions will advance

gender equality and defend constitutional rights,

particularly as the country prepares for a new

government that is openly hostile to reproductive

freedom and LGBTQIA+ rights.

In a letter led by Representatives Cori Bush,

Ayanna Pressley, and Jennifer McClellan, the

lawmakers urged Biden to direct the Archivist of

the United States to certify the ERA. “Solidifying

your legacy on equal rights with a final action on the

ERA would be a defining moment for the historic

Biden-Harris administration and your presidency,”

the letter stated.

The ERA, which guarantees that “equality of

rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged

by the United States or by any state on account of

sex,” was passed by Congress in 1972 with bipartisan

support. The House approved it with a 354-24 vote,

and the Senate approved it with an 84-8 vote. The

amendment met its ratification threshold in 2020

when Virginia became the 38th state to approve it,

fulfilling the requirement for three-fourths of state

legislatures to ratify it.

Despite meeting the requirements outlined in

Article V of the Constitution, the ERA still needs

to be certified. The National Archives and Records

Administration (NARA), tasked with certifying

and publishing amendments once ratified, has yet

to take action due to a 2020 opinion issued by the

Trump administration’s Office of Legal Counsel

(OLC). The opinion argued that because the ERA

did not meet Congress’s 1982 deadline, it “expired

and is no longer pending before the states.”

DECEMBER 19 - DECEMBER 25, 2024 • PAGE 3

Lawmakers Urge President

Biden to Finalize Equal Rights

Amendment Before Transition

In a letter led by Representatives Cori Bush, Ayanna

Pressley, and Jennifer McClellan, the lawmakers urged

Biden to direct the Archivist of the United States to

certify the ERA.

In 1993, the Florida Supreme Court ruled

it unlawful to charge individuals in cases

where the sheriff’s office made crack

cocaine and undercover deputies sold it

before arrests.

By Daniel Johnson

(Source Black Enterprise)

A Florida prosecutor announced

plans to overturn up to 2,600 convictions

tied to crack cocaine sales orchestrated

by the Broward County Sheriff’s Office

during sting operations from 1988 to

1990. Broward County State Attorney

Harold F. Pryor made the announcement

on Dec. 6.

In 1993, the Florida Supreme Court ruled it unlawful to charge individuals

in cases where the sheriff’s office manufactured the crack cocaine and

undercover deputies sold it before making arrests, according to The Associated

Press.

“It is never too late to do the right thing,” Pryor said in a press release

announcing his intention to clear the records. “The methods used by law

enforcement and society to combat drug dealing in our community have evolved

since that era. These records may be a dim memory

or an unfortunate part of history to many, but they

have had a long-lasting and severe impact on the

Federal law (1 U.S.C.

§ 106b) mandates the

Archivist to certify an

amendment once threefourths

of states have

ratified it. Lawmakers

contend that the

Trump-era opinion

should not obstruct the

certification process

and called on Biden to

issue a proclamation

recognizing the ERA.

“While there are

federal laws that protect

BUSH

against sex discrimination, these protections are

not explicitly enshrined in the Constitution,” the

letter noted. “Adding the ERA to the Constitution

would establish an unambiguous guarantee that

sex-based discrimination is unconstitutional.”

Bush added, “We were hoping to be progressing

forward on gender equality and women’s rights, but

we are going backward. At this point, we have an

avalanche of destruction coming our way.”

The Biden administration has previously

expressed support for the ERA. In his August 23,

2024, proclamation on Women’s Equality Day,

Biden called Congress to recognize the amendment’s

ratification. ERA supporters insist that no further

action from Congress is needed, as the amendment

has already met the constitutional requirements.

Polling indicates broad public support for the

ERA. A 2020 Pew Research Center poll found that

78% of Americans believe the amendment should

be part of the Constitution. Recent state-level votes

further demonstrate this support, with Nevada and

New York enshrining state-level ERAs into their

constitutions by significant margins.

“With a hostile administration on its way to strip

us of our freedoms, we must do everything to address

Continue reading online at:

thewestsidegazette.com

Florida Prosecutor Aims To Clear Records Of Those Charged With

Buying Police-Made Crack In 1980s

Doctors warn of a ‘quad-demic’ from Front Page

three of the main infectious diseases.

‘Right now, RSV is ticking up, but it hasn’t

peaked yet, flu is increasing but still low, we

would expect that to peak around January

to March, and norovirus is increasing, with

infections expected to peak around January.

CDC issues warning over outbreak of

‘cow flu’ in multiple Americans

‘Covid is also starting to increase now but is at

pretty low levels, each year it goes up as well

around January.’

He added: ‘These will go up as people get

back on planes and travel for this holiday

season. Any airplane right now certainly has

people with viruses on board.

‘And we do tend to see big peaks just after

the winter holidays as people have traveled,

got infected, and then gone back to school.’

Latest surveillance shows 3.9 percent of

Covid tests detected the virus in the week

to November 6, the latest available, with

preliminary data for the week to December 7

suggesting this has now risen to 5.4 percent.

Hospitalizations for flu-like illness are

also rising, up 14 percent to 3.3 percent of

patient admissions in the week to December 7

compared to 2.9 percent two weeks beforehand.

RSV surveillance showed 1.2 per 100,000

people were being hospitalized with the disease

in the week to November 30, more than double

the level of 0.5 at the beginning of the month.

And for norovirus, surveillance suggested

that 40 outbreaks were reported in the week

to October 24, the latest available, a rise on

before and above the levels in every year since

2012.

Dr. Bresee and Dr. Bill Schaffner, an

infectious diseases expert in Tennessee, urged

people to get the new flu and Covid vaccines

to boost their body’s immune responses to the

diseases this year.

Only 38.6 percent of adults over 18 years old

had got the flu vaccine by the week to November

30, below the nearly 40 percent who had got

the shot this time last year.

Covid booster uptake was also lagging, with

just 17.9 percent of adults having received the

shot by the week to November 9 — 4.7 percent

below the levels last year.

Adults over 75 years old were also urged to

get the RSV vaccine, which is up to 98 percent

effective at preventing severe illness from the

virus.

But data suggests only 43.1 percent of

adults in the age group have received the onetime

shot.

Dr. Schaffner also urged those who were

older or had underlying immune system

problems to start wearing face masks, saying

these added an ‘extra layer of protection’

against diseases.

Are you concerned about the potential

‘quad-demic’ this winter?

Yes or No

Continue reading online at:

thewestsidegazette.com

lives of the people who were arrested – as well as their families and the

wider community.”

Pryor also wrote a letter to Broward County Sheriff Gregory Tony on

Dec. 5, notifying him of Pryor’s intention to clear the records of people

who never should have been charged or arrested.

According to the press release, there is no indication that those

cases had been formally vacated.

“These matters were well before our tenures. However, I am of the

opinion that the State has an ethical duty and obligation to correct this

injustice before destruction [of old records] is initiated,” Pryor wrote to

Tony.

Sheriff Tony agreed with Pryor’s assessment, and said he is in

support of Pryor’s initiative.

Ed Hoeg, a defense attorney and former public defender for Leon

Williams—whose appeal prompted the Florida Supreme Court to

ban the sting operations—revealed that some arrests took place near

schools, resulting in harsher penalties.

“They were arresting people not for selling, but for purchasing, Hoeg

told the Sun-Sentinel. “They had detention deputies posing as dealers.

They would sell it, and these poor people who were addicts were buying

it. And they were selling it within 1,000 feet of schools, so the penalties

would be greater.”

According to the press release, Pryor’s office anticipates that the

process of reviewing the paper

files will take a considerable

amount of time, and the office will

Continue reading online at:

thewestsidegazette.com


PAGE 4 • DECEMBER 19 - DECEMBER 25, 2024

Westside Gazette

Calendar of Events

SHINE A LIGHT ON COMBATTING HATE

“Shine a Light” is the signature event for the Jewish

Community Relations Council of Broward County/Alcee

L. Hastings Broward Black-Jewish Alliance. Each year,

the organized Jewish community and allies gather at

the David Posnack JCC (5850 S. Pine Island Rd, Davie, FL

33328) to celebrate the holidays and what matters most:

peace.

The free event on December 20 at 1:30 p.m., will

recognize leaders who combat antisemitism and hate in

all forms, including Bobby R. Henry, Sr., publisher of The

Westside Gazette. Other honorees include: Maor Elbaz-

Starinsky, Consul General of Israel in Miami, Anna Fusco,

Broward Teachers Union, Randy Katz, U.S. Attorney’s

Office, Southern District of Florida, Major Renea Peterson,

Broward Sheriff’s Office, Veronica N. Walker, Broward

State Attorney’s Office. Together, they represent the

diversity, strength, and tenacity of our community.

The event will feature music from Black Jewish recording

artist Alexander Star & the Golden People along with

delicious holiday treats.

To register, please visit: https://jewishbroward.org/event/

shine-a-light-2024/

Deeply Rooted

LOCAL HAPPENINGS IN

BROWARD MIAMI-DADE

AND PALM BEACH

COUNTIES

HAVE YOUR COMMUNITY EVENTS

PLACED ON THIS PAGE

email:wgproof@thewestsidegazette.com

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

Celebrate Announcements:

Call -- (954) 525-1489

Happy Birthday * Weddings

* Anniversaries

Retirements * Congratulations

The Urban League of Broward

County is spreading holiday

cheer with our Holiday

Gift Shop! 4

Whether you’re looking for

the perfect gift or a meaningful

way to give back this season,

we’ve got you covered.

Find thoughtful gifts while

supporting a great cause!

Join us in celebrating the holidays

and making an impact

in our community.

Shop now -> https://pxle.me/

8Izt7WmX

www.thewestsidegazette.com

Dillard Center for the Arts Chamber Music Concert

Tis The Season to Enjoy Music!

Join our Amazing students led by Juan Fernandez, Friday,

December 20th at 7 p.m., Main Stage Auditorium Dillard

Center for the Arts, 2501 NW 11th Street, Fort Lauderdale,

FL. Tickets $15.00/adults & $5.00/students dca.ludus.com

STAY

CONNECTED --

www.thewestsidegazette.com

Follow @TheWestsideGazette Newspaper on Social Media

+ WATCH episodes of the 2-Minute Warning via YT or FB


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By Jacqueline Howard

Philephia Tribune

Testing for high-risk

human papillomaviruses

every five years – even with a

self-collected sample – is the

“preferred screening strategy”

for cervical cancer starting at

age 30, according to a new

draft recommendation from

the US Preventive Services

Task Force.

Traditionally, many

women have been screened

Deeply Rooted

aAAA

This Week in Health: Stay Healthy Over the Holidays

Good food, friends, family, lots of goodies at

the office (for those of us still going to the

office regularly). The holiday season is a time

for celebration of all the things that we

cherish – time with family and friends, and all

the fixings! Let’s enjoy without going

overboard.

STAY ACTIVE

Even moderate amounts of exercise can have

a positive health impact. Stay healthy by doing

the following:

• Going holiday shopping? Walk around

the mall a few times before going into

the stores.

• Park farther away from the crowds and

enjoy a long stroll.

• Florida has glorious winter weather. Go

out and enjoy leisurely walks in

beautiful weather.

DECEMBER 19 - DECEMBER 25, 2024 • PAGE 5

HPV testing preferred over Pap for Cervical Cancer screening

starting at age 30, task force’s draft recommendation says

for cervical cancer with

cervical cytology – also known

as Pap tests or Pap smears –

in which cells from the cervix

are collected and checked for

signs of cancer.

But the draft USPSTF

recommendation, released

Tuesday, emphasizes

testing for high-risk human

papillomaviruses, or HPV, as

a primary screening approach

for women ages 30 to 65, as

most cervical cancers are

caused by the virus. The

HPV test involves collecting a

vaginal sample and checking

cells for infection with the

high-risk types of HPV that

can cause cervical cancer.

“We are highlighting

that HPV screening, as the

primary screening for women

ages 30 to 65, is the best

balance between the benefits

and the harms in finding

cervical cancer, and that

should be offered first and

when available,” said task

force member Dr. Esa Davis,

Seven Side Effects of Apple Cider

Vinegar (You Need to Know

SOURCE: BLACK DOCTOR.ORG

Apple Cider Vinegar

Many of us already know

that apple cider vinegar is

great for a number of things.

It can do a lot of good inside

and outside of your body from

your skin to weight loss, etc.

As a matter of fact, a few

studies have suggested that

apple cider vinegar may

promote fullness, which can

decrease calorie intake for

those who suffer from obesity.

In a 2022 analysis that looked

at seven studies, four out of

six short-term studies showed

that apple cider vinegar

REPS. CHERFILUS-MCCORMICK, KELLY

INTRODUCE BIPARTISAN LEGISLATION

TO TACKLE THE OBESITY EPIDEMIC

WASHINGTON, D.C.

- Congresswoman Sheila

Cherfilus-McCormick (FL-

20) and Congressman Mike

Kelly (PA-16) introduced

bipartisan legislation to

address the obesity crisis and

lower out-of-pocket drug costs

for vulnerable Americans.

The Dual Eligible Americans

Living (DEAL) with Obesity

Act would provide coverage

of weight loss drugs under

Medicare Part D for dually

eligible Medicare and

Medicaid beneficiaries

living with obesity.

“For too long, Americans

living with obesity were

unable to access the lifechanging

medications they

needed because of antiquated

and discriminatory policies

in the Medicare Part D

program that considered

obesity to be a purely

cosmetic problem,” said

Congresswoman Sheila

Cherfilus-McCormick. “It

is long overdue that Medicare

recognizes obesity as a chronic

disease so patients can benefit

reduced appetite.

In addition, those shortterm

studies that did show an

appetite-suppressing effect

used vinegar containing at

least 24.6 millimoles per liter

(mmol/L) acetic acid. Even

more evidence suggesting

that apple cider vinegar may

slow the rate at which food

leaves your stomach, which

helps those with obesity.

But some of us take the

healing power of apple cider

vinegar a little too literally

and take too much of it.

from new medical innovation

in the obesity space.”

“Dually

eligible

beneficiaries, some of the

most vulnerable members

of our communities, should

be given every opportunity

to improve their health

and wellbeing. The DEAL

with Obesity Act will lead

to better patient outcomes,

reduce preventable chronic

conditions, and ultimately

save our health care system

billions of dollars spent on

obesity care every year,”

said Congressman Mike

Kelly. “I am proud to co-lead

this bipartisan legislation

alongside Rep. Cherfilus-

McCormick and look forward

to working with my colleagues

to help our fellow Americans.”

“We

applaud

Representative Cherfilus-

McCormick

and

Representative Kelly’s

continued commitment to

tackling the obesity crisis.

The DEAL with Obesity Act

will greatly expand access

to innovative, life-altering

weight loss drugs that have

Remember that age-old saying

that “too much of a good thing

is bad for you”? Well, it’s true

with apple cider vinegar too.

Take a look at what happens

when you have too much of it.

1. It Can Burn Your

Esophagus

Even though researchers in

ACS’ Journal of Agricultural

and Food Chemistry found

preliminary data that the

popular liquid could help

fight ulcerative colitis, an

inflammatory bowel disease,

there is still much to learn.

Even though they found

that vinegar suppressed

inflammation-inducing

proteins while improving the

gut’s bacterial makeup in

mice, too much of it in humans

could have a negative effect.

Because apple cider

vinegar is so acidic, it could

lead to throat irritation.

In an extreme example, it

could even lead to a burn in

the esophagus. One study

outlined what happened when

an apple cider vinegar tablet

got stuck in a woman’s throat

for about half an hour: It led

to pain, trouble swallowing,

and possibly an injury to her

esophagus. The study authors

concluded that apple cider

vinegar could be responsible

for acid burns.

While it’s unclear how

common these episodes are,

many experts, including Dr.

Continue reading online at:

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unfortunately remained out

of reach for so many dual

eligibles, 20% of whom are

Hispanic,” said Dr. Elena

Rios, President of the

National Hispanic Health

Foundation.

“HealthyWomen supports

the DEAL with Obesity Act,

a crucial piece of legislation

aimed at improving access

to innovative treatments

for obesity. The Act will

make GLP-1 agonists and

other medications designed

for obesity treatment

more affordable for dualeligible

beneficiaries,” said

Elizabeth Battaglino, CEO

of HealthyWomen. “By

eliminating the arbitrary

prohibition of coverage for

weight loss drugs under

Medicare Part D, this

legislation ensures that

overweight individuals in

this population can access

the medications they need

without financial barriers.

HealthyWomen stands

behind this effort to promote

equitable healthcare

access and better support

those living with obesity.”

“The National Hispanic

Medical Association (NHMA)

is proud to support the Dual

Eligible Americans Living

(DEAL) with Obesity Act,

which marks an important

Continue reading online at:

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Using a six-inch swab, women can collect their own samples for cervical cancer

screening with a self-collection HPV test.

professor and senior associate

dean for population health

and community medicine at

the University of Maryland in

Baltimore.

And for the first time,

the draft recommendation

statement includes the option

for women to self-collect their

own vaginal samples for HPV

Westside Health Brief

Marsha Mullings, MPH

December 16, 2024

EAT HEALTHY

testing.

“Now we have an

additional screening test that

Continue reading online at:

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Senior Moments: Black Caregivers Face Challenges

Caring For Aging Loved Ones With Dementia

By Genoa Barrow

OBSERVER

Growing older, African

Americans often make a

heartfelt plea to their loved

ones: “Do not put me in

a home.” This sentiment

underscores a deep-rooted

cultural emphasis on familial

caregiving and a desire to

maintain independence and

connection to one’s community

in the later stages of life.

It’s estimated that nearly

7 million people age 65 and

older in the U.S. are living

with Alzheimer’s disease.

That number is expected to

grow to 9 million by 2030. It

is estimated that 65% to 75%

of dementia patients receive

care from family members.

African Americans account

for roughly 1 in 10 of the

15 million family dementia

caregivers nationwide.

The responsibility of

looking after those with

Alzheimer’s and other

dementias falls heavily on

African American families,

For the past seven years, veteran OBSERVER

photographer Robert Maryland has cared for his

84-year-old father, Carl Maryland, who has dementia.

Black families are more likely to be caregivers in athome

settings.

(Louis Bryant III, OBSERVER)

leading to significant

stress and negative health

outcomes for caregivers,

such as cardiovascular

problems, chronic conditions

like diabetes and obesity,

lower immunity, increased

headaches and back pain.

Research suggests they may

face heightened risks, yet

their experiences are often

underrepresented in studies.

Addressing this disparity

is crucial for developing

culturally competent and

effective support systems.

Continue reading online at:

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Good nutrition supports healthy bones,

muscles and strong immunity. Enjoy your

favorite foods in moderation.

• Choose smaller portions of foods that

are high in calories, fats and added

sugars.

• At holiday gatherings, fill up on fruits

and vegetable before moving on to less

healthy options.

• Opt for healthier food items where

possible.

PLAN FEWER FOOD-FOCUSED EVENTS

Good food is the essence of a great gathering

– bringing family and friends together. It is

also important to plan or attend events where

food isn’t the main focus. After all, it’s the

holidays. Bringing cheer to others is just as

important.

Go out and volunteer in your community.

Share the joy of the season with those that

are less fortunate. Have a happy and safe

holiday season!

Source: CDC; https://www.cdc.gov/healthy-

weight-growth/about/healthier-holidays-in-

1-2-3.html


PAGE 6 • DECEMBER 19 - DECEMBER 25, 2024

WESTSIDE

GAZETTE

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beieves that American best

lead the world away from

racial and national

antagonisms when it accords

to every person, regarless of

race, color or creed, full human

and legal rights. Hating no

person, feaing 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

GUIDELINES

We welcome letters from the

public.Letters must be signed

with a clearly legible name

along with a compete address

and phone number.

No unsigned letters will be

considered for publication.

The Westside Gazette reserves

the right to edit letters. Letters

should be 500 words or less.

Justified Anger but

Unacceptable Violence

By William McCormick

Dear Westside Gazette,

The recent shooting of UHC

CEO Brian Thompson has left many

communities in shock and mourning.

While it is critical to acknowledge

the deep-seated frustrations that

exist within our healthcare system,

it is equally important to condemn

the violence that has no place in our

discourse or our society.

Now as interim president of

South Florida’s only Historically

Black College and University

(HBCU), prior to this new role I spent over 30 years in the

pharmaceutical and healthcare industries advocating for

equity among patients and providers. Throughout my career I

know firsthand the experiences that highlight a pressing issue

within our healthcare landscape: the systemic denial of medical

claims by insurance companies, which often leaves vulnerable

populations without the care they desperately need.

Insurance companies frequently deny medical claims

based on vague criteria and algorithms that prioritize cost

over individual needs. Requests for medical necessity, prior

authorizations, and access to appropriate medications are often

subjected to bureaucratic hurdles that disregard the unique

circumstances of each patient. In many cases, the decision to

approve care is derived from an average of benefits rather than

an assessment of individual patient circumstances.

Moreover, the grim reality is that where we live often

dictates the quality of care we receive. Our zip codes can

inadvertently become indicators of our health outcomes, as

socioeconomic factors influence not only access to care but

also the types of benefits that insurance providers are willing

to offer. This systemic inequity breeds justified anger among

those who find themselves caught in a web of denied claims

and inadequate support.

While the anger surrounding these injustices is valid, it

must be channeled towards constructive solutions. We must

advocate for systemic reform that prioritizes patient care,

demands transparency from insurance providers, and ensures

equitable access to necessary treatments. Violence is never

the answer; instead, we should strive to foster dialogue, build

understanding, and work collaboratively towards a healthcare

system that values every individual’s right to receive the care

they need.

In memory of those affected by this tragic incident, let us

unite in our pursuit of meaningful change. It is only through

compassion, advocacy, and a commitment to justice that we

can honor the lives lost and create a future where healthcare

equity is a reality for all.

Democracy’s Pendulum Swings

“Democracy’s pendulum swings either

to the left or right based on a Presidential

candidate’s ability to address the social,

physical, economic, health, and security

needs’ of voters, regardless of their race,

gender, political affiliation, and zip code!

John Johnson II.. 12/19/24

By John Johnson II

The idiom that the “pendulum swings”

has been around for centuries. Galileo

was the first to observe and record

the motion of a swinging pendulum

suspended on a string. The Pendulum

‘swings’ primarily describes the backand-forth

motion of the pendulum as

it moves from its state of equilibrium.

Consequently, the words ‘pendulum

swings’ commonly refer to shifting

ideas, trends, or political positions, thus

giving rise to this topic, ‘Democracy’s

Pendulum Swings.’

For clarity, the idiom, ‘Democracy’s Pendulum Swings,

Democracy represents the equilibrium’s point suspended on an

imaginary string. It hangs between progressivism on the far

right and conservatism on the far left. Voters, by way of their

vote, can push Democracy to the right or left.

In the recent 2024 Presidential election, Donald J. Trump

was elected as the 47 th President. Voters also chose to cast their

ballots for Republicans; thus, giving them control of the House

and Senate. With the Executive Branch controlled by Trump,

the House and Senate won’t hesitate to shift their conservative

agenda to the left.

Polls highlighted voters’ concerns about inflation and the

price of food and gas. However, this wasn’t the main reason

for the Democrats’ loss. President-elect Trump’s having won

the popular vote indicated voters weren’t in favor of electing

America’s first Black female President. Former President

Bill Clinton’s recent book “Challenges” surmises that V.P./

Presidential candidate Harris lost because voters didn’t know

her. They know she’s a Black woman.

Political pundits have criticized Democrats for not

demonstrating more consideration toward voters’ resentment

towards illegal immigration. Democrats casting blame

at Republicans for following Trump’s directive to kill the

immigration bill didn’t’ sit well with voters.

Given voters have leveraged their ballots to force Democracy

towards a more conservative agenda, it’s important to consider

the potential challenges and changes they’re expecting and

prepared to accept. How will voters react if mass deportations

of immigrants cause the costs of fruits and vegetables to

skyrocket and construction projects to halt because of labor

shortages? Being aware and prepared is key in this situation.

Remember, there’s an essential fact about the ‘pendulum

swings.’ Just as voters have forced it to the conservative

left, it can again be forced to swing toward the progressive

right’s agenda. This potential for change in the future should

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Deeply Rooted

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.

What We Should Think

and Do in This Era

SAN DIEGO VOICE AND VIEWPOINT — Our first order

of business during this time must be a return to prayer

rather than party politics. We must remember that it

was collective prayer by those who came before us that

brought us this far. We must learn to act collectively “in

spite of” and not “because of” the obstacles in front of

us. While this is easier said than done, each of us must

start at our own personal level of interaction with those

around us, many of whom we may not like.

Dr. John E. Warren is publisher of San Diego Voice and

Viewpoint Newspaper. (Courtesy photo)

By Dr. John E. Warren / Publisher of the San Diego Voice

and Viewpoint Newspaper

Now that the election is over, a number of people are

experiencing high levels of uncertainty. We should not think

that life as we know it has ended. This is a defeatist attitude.

What we should remember, especially as Black people, is that

if we survived slavery and past Republican presidents, we can

survive four years of Donald Trump. What we must do is reset

our thinking as to what is important and what we must do as a

collective people going forward.

Our first order of business during this time must be a return

to prayer rather than party politics. We must remember that it

was collective prayer by those who came before us that brought

us this far. We must learn to act collectively “in spite of” and

not “because of” the obstacles in front of us. While this is easier

said than done, each of us must start at our own personal level

of interaction with those around us, many of whom we may not

like.

Next, we must adopt an attitude of “no permanent friends,

no permanent enemies, just permanent interest.” This means

that we must re-educate ourselves to how the government

works. We have two years to prepare to take back the House of

Representatives which the Republican Party has won by a very

small number of seats, perhaps less than five.

While we are looking at retaking national parts of

government in terms of what’s in our own best interest, we

must not ignore local and state issues that will be influenced

by the Trump Administration. History has taught us that local

attitudes are influenced by national attitudes and the national

attitudes have shifted to the extreme right based on Trump’s

election.

This is not a time for fear, but a time for planning and faith

in the fact that we can win even under adverse circumstances.

We must restart our local discussion groups. The Black

Press, our most trusted messenger, should play a key role

in providing such forums but in conjunction with other

organizations and groups in our communities.

What do you think?

Party at a crossroads

By Bobby R. Henry, Sr.

The Broward Democratic Party is at a

crossroads, and its recent actions highlight a

troubling lack of focus on inclusivity and unity

in leadership. Rather than embracing diverse

voices and perspectives, the party continues

to undermine its own election results and

alienate key members—behaving more like the

opposition than the champions of democracy

they claim to be.

One glaring example is the treatment of Kim Mohorne,

who was fairly elected as Second Vice Chair. Instead of

celebrating her efforts to build bridges and work across the

aisle with Republican school board members (in non-partisan

roles), Mohorne was attacked and labeled a “bad Democrat.”

This baseless criticism ignored the larger question: Why did

a majority-Democrat board fail to deliver the results Mohorne

sought for her community? Rather than harass a leader for

fostering collaboration, the party should be asking why it

has not done more to support its own members in achieving

meaningful progress.

This divisive approach does not stop with Mohorne.

Longtime loyal Democrat Percy Johnson, who has tirelessly

supported the party, has also faced unwarranted attacks.

Now, with these baseless criticisms falling flat, the party has

shifted to an even more troubling tactic: questioning the voting

patterns of its own members along racial lines.

Specifically, the Broward Democratic Party is scrutinizing

the results of two elections—Rick Hoye’s win as Chair (162-

112) and Grace Carrington’s win as Lead Stateswoman (169-

53). Both victories were decisive, leaving no room for legitimate

doubt about the outcomes. Yet the party is not contesting the

results; instead, they are making inflammatory accusations

that Black voters supported Black candidates. If this is the line

of inquiry, one must ask: Are they also questioning whether

White voters exclusively voted for White candidates?

This dangerous narrative undermines the very principles

of inclusion and equity that the Democratic Party claims to

champion. Instead of wasting time on divisive and baseless

accusations, the party should be focused on building a

leadership structure that reflects the diversity of Broward

County. Supporting leaders like Mohorne, Johnson, Hoye, and

Carrington—who represent the broad spectrum of the party’s

membership—is essential to revitalizing the organization and

preparing for the challenges ahead.

The Broward Democratic Party must refocus its efforts on

rebranding and reinvigorating itself. Prioritizing inclusion,

supporting diverse leaders, and fostering collaboration within

the party are critical steps toward maintaining the trust

and engagement of its base. Failure to do so risks alienating

key constituencies and jeopardizing Broward’s standing as a

Democratic stronghold.

If the party does not course-correct, it is only a matter of

time before Blue Broward turns Red.

The Gantt Report

Pardon Me

By Lucius Gantt

I consider myself to be a

nice, peaceful and lawabiding

man, but I have been

in-carcerated on more than

a few occasions, mostly for

being present, but not exactly

participating, at civil rights

demonstrations and protests.

The last time I was jailed for

trying to kill a policeman, or

as the charges said, “Felony

assault on a law enforcement

officer”.

I wasn’t jailed for long even

though while in custody, I was

handcuffed “torture style”

to jail bars in a holding cell

where other inmates could

have done anything they

wanted to me.

After being jailed for nearly

four hours, the police chief

ordered officers to “unarrest”

me. What in the hell is an

unarrest?

Anyway, I want to be

“pardoned” for wrongful

incarceration. If you don’t

know, certain charges and

arrests can stay on your

record even if you’re innocent.

An example is an arrest for

domestic violence.

President Joe Biden and

President-elect Donald

Trump are both expected to

release or reduce sentences

for thousands of convicted

felons.

Trump said he plans to

pardon and release thousands

of insurrectionists convicted

for crimes committed in

a thwarted attempt to

overthrow or change the 2020

election that Trump lost.

The local jails and state and

federal prisons are inhabited

overwhelmingly by Black,

and other people of color.

Too many African Americans

are placed in jails because

they have been wrongfully

over-profiled, over-charged,

wrongfully prosecuted, and

wrongfully sentenced.

Once, there was a young

Black lady who had a

boyfriend who was cooking up

cocaine and selling crack out

of her house while she was at

work. The lady had no idea

what her “Boo” was doing,

but when she arrived home,

she was arrested and jailed

because police said drug

crimes were committed at her

home.

She should be pardoned and

released along with other

women and men who are in

jail because of something

their partners did to violate

the law.

Pardons can be good if used to

free people who were wrongly

arrested and convicted in

a less-than-perfect judicial

system.

The idea and plan to pardon

people who try to overturn

an election, and damage the

federal government buildings

that are paid for with the

citizens’ tax dollars should be

unacceptable and discredited.

I hope Biden and Trump

will pardon as many people of

color as they plan to pardon

white Americans.

I don’t expect to be pardoned

for my wrongful arrests.

It would be nice but all of

my heroes have been to jail

from Jesus Christ to Nelson

Mandela, Marcus Garvey,

Martin Luther King, Malcolm

X. Rosa Parks, and many,

many other men and women

of color.a


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BUSINESS

UNITY IN THE

COMMUNITY DIRECTORY

Cell: 754-234-4485

Office: 954-733-7700 ext. 111

Fax: 954-731-0333

Kenneth R. Thurston

REALTOR, CPM, CAM

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Lauderdale Lakes, FL 33313

Web: www.acclaimcares.com

DECEMBER 19 - DECEMBER 25, 2024 • PAGE 7

Tackling Inequities: D.C.’s History

and The Need For A MBE Program

Submitted by Alfred D. Swailes

(Source: Black Business Task Force)

Washington, D.C., has long been a cradle for Black-owned businesses that have served

as the backbone of economic empowerment and community resilience. From the era of

segregation to today, these enterprises have broken barriers, fostered economic selfreliance

and created opportunities amid systemic challenges. Institutions like Industrial

Bank and Ben’s Chili Bowl symbolize this legacy, having provided essential services,

employment, and cultural pride. However, this rich history has faced challenges, with

Black-owned businesses navigating obstacles like gentrification and limited access to

resources. As the city moves forward, a renewed focus on equity and inclusion is critical

to safeguarding this legacy and fostering future growth.

The courts have played a pivotal role in shaping policies around minority and womenowned

businesses. Landmark cases like City of Richmond v. J.A. Croson Co. highlighted the

complexities of affirmative action in public contracting. The case arose in the 1980s when the City

of Richmond’s Minority Business Utilization Plan mandated a 30% subcontracting requirement f o r

mino-rity businesses. The Supreme Court ruled the plan unconstitutional, stating that generalized assertions

of past discrimination could not justify rigid racial quotas, even if the intent was to remedy inequities. Similarly, the

O’Donnell Construction v. District of Columbia case brought into question the Minority Contracting Act, ultimately deeming

it unconstitutional for lack of narrowly tailored measures to address specific discrimination. These cases underscore the

challenges of creating effective, legally sound programs to support a minority owned business while adhering to constitutional

principles.

Recent efforts, like the 2021 Disparity Study advocated for by the Black Business Task Force, introduced by Councilmember

Kenyan McDuffie, and commissioned under Mayor Muriel Bowser, have aimed to tackle these challenges head-on. The study

revealed significant underrepresentation of minority and women owned businesses in DC government contracting. While

some Certified Business Enterprises (CBE) secured large contracts, many struggled to access opportunities, highlighting

systemic gaps in procurement processes. The study called for race and gender measures to address these disparities and

proposed strengthening programs like the CBE framework. With initiatives like the Inclusive Innovation Equity Impact

Fund and the Commercial Property Acquisition Fund, the current administration has demonstrated a commitment to

equity, but further actions are required to ensure sustainable growth for minority owned businesses. As demonstrated by

the fact that a non-CBE contractor preformed the project of the Black Lives Matter Plaza in DC. More importantly, the

contractor was not a Black, or women owned business.

To prevent further deterioration of minority and women owned businesses, the Black Business Task Force has called

for decisive action. As recommended by the 2021 Disparity Study, a new study should be conducted in 2026 that includes

detailed data on how funds outsourced is spent. The 2021 study only looked at money that was spent directly in the CBE

programs and did not consider how companies that were awarded contracts subcontracted the work and if the work was

given to minority and women owned businesses. By not considering subcontractors in the 2021 study, we do not have

concrete data on how money was spent on minority and women owned businesses. This is a problem because we need the

data in order to justify implementing an MBE program that supports Black, and women owned businesses.

Building on the legacy of visionary leaders like Mayor Marion Barry, who fervently advocated for economic inclusion,

Washington, D.C., must recommit to fostering a robust, equitable business ecosystem. Transparent procurement processes,

strategic funding initiatives, and comprehensive policy reforms are essential to dismantling systemic inequities and

unlocking the potential of minority and women-owned businesses. Now is the time for decisive action to ensure that the

next chapter of D.C.’s entrepreneurial narrative is one of inclusivity, resilience, and shared prosperity. Let us champion

and empower the businesses that embody the heart and promise of our community.

The Black Business Task Force is a 501(c)(4) organization. Its mission is to spearhead the advancement of equal economic

opportunity and revenue for Black-owned and Black led businesses in the District of Columbia. This organization advocated

for and supported the Disparity Study conducted by DMPED that looked at how government contracts and procurements

are awarded to women and minority owned businesses. Now the organization is working to inform Black owned and Black

led businesses about the results of the Disparity Study and encourage the District of Columbia to improve the contracting

processes based on its findings. Blackbusinesstaskforce.

org

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PAGE 8 • DECEDMBER 19 - DECEMBER 25, 2024

CHURCH DIRECTORY

First Baptist Church Piney Grove, Inc.

4699 West Oakland Park Blvd., Lauderdale Lakes, FL 33313

(954) 735-1500 - Fax (954) 735-1999

CHURCH OFFICE HOURS

Monday - Friday 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Church Website: www.fbcpineygrove.org

Dr. Ezra Tillman, Jr. Senior Pastor

WORSHIP SERVICES

Sunday ..... 8:00 AM & 11:00 AM In Person Virtual

Sunday School.......9:30 AM In Person

Bible Study on Wednesday.......11:30 AM & 7:00 PM In Person & Virtual

"Winning the World for Jesus"

Harris Chapel Church, Inc.

Rev. Stanley Melek, M.Div

e-mail: harrischapelinc@gmail.com

2351 N.W. 26th Street

Oakland Park, Florida 33311

Church Telephone: (954) 731-0520

SERVICES

Sunday Worship........................10:30 AM

Church School................................................9:00 AM

Wednesday (Bible Study).........11:00 AM to 7:00 PM

Living Waters Christian Fellowship

Meeting at Central Charter School Building #5

4515 N. St. Rd. 7 (US 441)

(954) 295-6894

SUNDAY SERVICE: 10 AM

Iwcf2019@gmail.com (Church)

lerrub13@gamil.com (Pastor)

Rev. Anthony & Virgina Burrell

Jesus said, ‘‘let anyone who is thristy come to Me and drink.” (John 7:37)

Mount Hermon A.M.E. Church

Reverend Henry E. Green, III, Pastor

401 N.W. 7th Terrace, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33311

Phone: (954) 463-6309 Fax: (954) 522-4113

Office Hours: Monday - Thursday 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM

Email info@mthermonftl.com

SUNDAY CHURCH SERVICES

Worship Service....................................9:00 AM

In person/www.mounthermonftl.or/YouTube Live/FaceBook

Church School.............................9:30 AM

BIBLE STUDY: Wednesday........................10:00 AM

Bible Study Wednesday ...............7:00 PM via Zoom

Meeting ID: 826 2716 8390 access code 55568988#

Daily Prayer Line.............................6:00 AM

(716) 427-1407 Access Code 296233#

(712) 432-1500 Access Code 296233#

New Mount Olive Baptist Church

Dr. Marcus D. Davidson, Senior Pastor

400 N.W. 9th Avenue Fort Lauderdale, FL 33311

Office (954) 463-5126 - Fax: (954) 525-9454

CHURCH OFFICE HOURS

Monday- Thursday 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM

WORSHIP SERVICES & BIBLE STUDY

Sunday Services: In Person

8:00 AM and 10:45 AM

Virtual..................9:00 AM

Sunday School....................9:30 AM

Wednesday Encountering Truth

Noonday Bible Study...........12:00 PM to 12:30 PM

Where the Kingdom of God is Increased through:

Fellowship, Ledership, Ownership and Worship

As we F.L.O.W. To Greatness!

Mount Nebo Missionary Baptist Church

2551 N.W. 22nd St., Fort Lauderdale, FL 33311

P.O. Box 122256, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312

(954) 733-3285 - Fax: (954) 733-9231

Email: mountnebobaptist@bellsouth.net

Website: www.mountnebobaptist.org

WORSHIP SERVICES & BIBLE STUDY

(In Person)

Sunday..........................10:00 A.M.

Sunday School ....................8:30 A.M.

Tuesday Night Bible Study..............7:00 P.M.

“Reaching Our Wrold One Persons At A Time”

Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church

Dr. James B. Darling, Jr., Pastor/Teacher

1161 NW 29th Terrace; Fort Lauderdale, FL 33311

Fort Lauderdale, FL 33310

(954) 581-0455 - (FAX) 581-4350

mzbc2011@gmail.com - www.mtzionmbc1161.com

CHURCH OFFICE HOURS

Tuesday - Friday 11:00 A.M. - 4:00 P.M.

WORSHIP SERVICES

Sunday Worship...................................................10:15 A.M.

Communion Service (1st Sunday) .........................10:15 A.M.

2nd & 4th Tuesday Night Prayer Workshop/Bible Study................7:00 P.M

Wednesday Night Prayer Service.......................6:30 P.M.

Wednesday Night Church School ............7:00 P.M.

New Birth Baptist Church

Catheral of Faith International

Bishop Victor T. Curry, M. Min., D. Div. Senior Pastor/Teacher

ORDER OF SERVICES

Sunday Worship.............................9:30 AM

Sunday School ..............................8:30 AM

Tuesday Bible Study...................7:00 PM

Wednsday Bible Study..................10:30 AM

(305) 685-3700 (0) * (305) 685-0705 (f)

www.nbbcmiami.org

Deeply Rooted

New Creation Baptist Church In Christ

r.curry7me@gmail.com

Drive-Up Sunday Worship - 10 AM

4001 North Dixie Hwy.

Deerfield Beach, FL 33064

(954) 943-9116

newcreationbcic@gmail.com

Williams Memorial CME Church

644-646 N.W. 13th Terrace

Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33311

Office: (954) 462-8222. Email: inf@wmsfl.org

Reverend Errol Darville, Pastor

E-mail: erroldarville@gmail.com

WORSHIP SERVICES and BIBLE STUDY

In person, Zoom; 646-558-8636 ID: 954-462-8222, Stream: Facebook Live @ WMCMECHURCH

Sunday Church School..................... 9:00 AM

Sunday Worship Service ................10:00 AM

Tuesday Prayer Meeting...............7:00 PM

Tuesday Bibke Study................7:30 PM

"Celebrating over 100 years of SERVICES"

St. Ruth Missionsary Baptist Church

145 NW 5th Avenue

Dania Beach, FL 33004

(954) 922-2529

WORSHIP SERVICES

Wednesday (NOON DAY PRAYER.......................12- 1 PM

Sunday Worship Service ...................................10:00 AM

Website: www.struthmbc.org

"Celebrating 115 Years of Service"

Victory Baptist Church Independent

Pastor Keith Cunningham

2241 Davie Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312

Church: (954) 284-9413

Sunday School .................................................9:45 AM

Worship Service Sunday Morning..................................11:00 AM

Sunday Evening Service.........................................6:00 PM

Bible Study...................................................7:30 PM

Wednesday Evening Bible Study & Prayer ........................7:00 PM

Saturday Morning Soul Winning/Visitation..............10:00 AM

Men’s Fellowship (Every 2nd & last Tuesdays)................6:00 PM

Ladies Fellowship (the last Saturday of each month)..........................5:00 PM

Youth Fellowship (Every Friday)...............6:30 PM

Discover GOD Let Us Help You Find The Way To Jesus Christ

We STRIVE to PROVIDER Ministries that matter Today to Whole Body of Christ,

not only the Believers, but also for those stranded on the “Jericho Road”!

“Celebrating over 85 Years of FAITH and FAVOR!

Come to the WILL.....We’ll show You the WAY: Jesus the Christ”

Shaw Temple A.M.E. Zion Church

Rev. Dr. William Calvin Haralson, Pastor

522 N.W. 9th Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33311

Church: (954) 647-8254

Email: AMEZ522@Yahoo.com

SERVICES

Sunday School.................................................10:15 AM

Sunday Morning Worship.................................11:00 AM

Bible Study.....................................................7:30 PM

“Reaching beyond the four walls touching lives, touching communities”.

Jesus Christ Ministry Of Faith, Inc.

Jesus Loves You

Join Us Sundays

at 9 AM

477 NW 27 Avenue

Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312

JCMOFINC@gmail.com

The New Beginning

Embassy of Praise

The Most Reverend

John H. Taylor, Bishop, Sr. Pastor

Dr. ML Taylor, Executive Pastor

4035 SW 18th Street, West Park, FL 33023

Sunday Worship Service - 11:00 a.m.

Conference Line - 848-220-3300 ID: 33023

Bible Study - Tuesdays - 7:30 p.m.

Noonday Prayer - Wednesdays- 12:00 noon

Come Worship With Us For Your New Begnning!

Pastor David Deal, Jr.

www.thewestsidegazette.com

Every Christian's Church

SUNDAY @11:00 am

Phone (313) 209-8800 Conference ID 1948-1949

Bible Trivia

‘Test Your Bible Knowledge'

How well do you know your old fashioned Hymnals? Name that

hymn:

1) We should never be discouraged- Take it to the Lord in prayer.

2) When the darkness appears and the night draws near, and the day

is past and gone…..

3) From the waters lifted me- Now safe am I.

4) Jesus loves me! Loves me still, Tho’ I’m very weak and ill.

5) Work thru the morning hours; Work while the dew is sparkling,

work mid springing flow’rs.

6) And then one day I’ll cross the river; I’ll fight life’s final war with

pain.

7) Purer are the joys up yonder than the halls of mirth, grander are the

songs eternal than the songs of earth.

8) Through this world of toils and snares, If I falter Lord who cares.

** Biblical Note*** American Negro Spirituals are folk songs created

by enslaved Africans after their arrival in North America between

1619 and 1860. The songs created and sung by enslaved women, men

and children were born in North America and recant with dignity, resolve

and sometimes joy, their stories of life, death, faith, hope, escape

and survival. “National Association Of Teachers of Singing”.

Answers: 1) What a friend we have in Jesus; 2) Take My Hand Precious

Lord; 3) Love Lifted Me; 4) Jesus Loves Me; 5) Work, For the

night Is Coming; 6) Because He Lives; 7) Angels, Get my Mansion

Ready; 8) Just a Closer Walk With Thee.

POOR KENYAN PASTORS

AND CHURCHES ARE

SHOWING MORE

INTEGRITY THAN RICH

AMERICAN PASTORS AND

CHURCHES, BOTH

DEMOCRAT AND

REPUBLICAN, BY

REJECTING JUDAS’ 30

MILLION PIECES OF SILVER

FROM POLITICIANS.

Catholic Archbishop Martin Kivuva Musonde of Mombasa,

at podium, is joined by a variety of Kenyan religious

leaders during a news conference in Nairobi, Dec.

3, 2024. (Photo by Fredrick Nzwili)

(Source: blackchristiannews)

Daniel Whyte Iii, President Of Gospel Light Society

International, Says Rich American Black And White Republican

And Democrat Pastors Such As The Following Ought To Lead

All Pastors And Churches To “Go And Do Thou Likewise” As

The Poor Kenyan Pastors Are Doing:

Rev. Al Sharpton, Rev. Franklin Graham, Rev. Raphael

Warnock, Rev. Greg Laurie, Rev. Jamal Bryant, Rev. Jack

Graham, Rev. Freddie Haynes, Rev. Robert Jeffress, Cogic

Bishop Rev. J. Drew Sheard, Rev. Bobby Hilton, Rev. Donnie

Swaggart, Rev. Anthony

George, Rev. Kevin Johnson,

Rev. Dwight Mckissic And

Rev. Jentzen Franklin, Who

All Should Repent Of Getting

Involved In Politics In The

First Place. Whether They

Took Judas’ 30 Million Pieces

Of Silver Or Not, Lending

Their Names To These

Presidential Candidates And

Political Parties Is Far More

Damaging Than Taking The

30 Million Pieces Of Silver

And Doing The Same Thing

As Rev. Al Sharpton Did,

And That Is Having The

Money Or Future Money To

Go To Their Churches Or

Non-Profit Organizations.

Whyte Believes That Rev. Al

Sharpton Is Not The Only

Preacher Who Directly Or

Indirectly Got Paid Judas’ 30

Million Pieces Of Silver. As

Dr. Anthony Evans And The

Black Church Initiatives Said,

“The Payment To Sharpton’s

Group Puts A Moral Stain On

The Integrity Of The Black

Cont'd on Page 9


www.thewestsidegazette.com

Poor Kenyan Pastors And Churches are showing cont'd from Page 8

White Church Have A “Moral Stain” On Them For Many Pastors And Churches On Both Sides

Have Become Judas-Jezebel-Laodicean Churches That Have Forsaken The Lord Or Have Been

Spewed Out Of The Lord’s Mouth.

In a growing split between church leaders and Kenya’s government, two prominent churches

have rejected President William Ruto’s personal donations, saying the cash challenges their

independence and undermines the public’s view of their integrity.

On Nov. 18, Catholic Archbishop Philip Subira Anyolo of Nairobi ordered the city’s Saints

Joachim and Ann Church to decline 5 million Kenyan shillings ($40,000) that Ruto had offered

the previous day. A week later, the Anglican Church turned down a 5 million shilling contribution

the president had given to Crispinus Anglican Church in Bungoma.

The refusals of the cash threaten to unravel a historical church-state relationship characterized

by such donations. But even as rattled state officials protested, church leaders ​have cheered, as

has the public.

“I think returning the money is good. It is a way of making a statement and teaching the people

the right way of giving,” the Rev. Emily Onyango, assistant bishop of Bondo, in western Kenya,

told media in an interview.

The denominations, which traditionally use the money for church development, mission work

and humanitarian activities, say the funds are greatly needed, but according to the Rev. Peter

Kinyanjui, a minister of the Presbyterian Church of East Africa, the current government is

attempting to capitalize politically on its church giving.

“When someone gives 5 million and announces it in church when there are about 700 people

who have slept hungry, then why is he giving it?” said Kinyanjui in his Dec. 8 sermon at Mwiki

Presbyterian Church in Nairobi’s Kasarani neighborhood. “We would rather ​do without it. If he

had brought maize​flour, we could cook it.”

But in a statement, Anyolo, the Catholic archbishop, explained that the donations also violated

the church’s directives — and the country’s laws — on fundraising. He also highlighted ethical

concerns and the need to safeguard the church from being used for political purposes.

Ruto initially gave 2.6

million shillings for the

construction of a parish house

for Saints Joachim and Ann,

a church in Soweto Slums, in

Nairobi’s Embakasi area, and

as a gift to the church’s choir. ​

He had promised to deliver

the remaining amount, plus

a bus for the parish later,

only to meet resistance from

Anyolo.

Anglican Archbishop Jackson

Sapit said the money offer

to the Anglican Church in

Bungoma was made after the

Catholic church’s rejection to

test whether the Anglicans

would follow suit. “What

happened in Bungoma was

unfortunate because it was

like a display of trying to see

what the Anglican Church

would do following the recent

decision by the Catholics,” Sapit told local Kenya media.

Continue reading online at:

thewestsidegazette.com

Kenyan President William Ruto, center, reviews the

honor guard after arriving to give the state of the nation

address at Parliament in Nairobi, Kenya, Nov. 21, 2024.

(AP Photo/Brian Inganga)

Other Protestant churches have encouraged their congregations to reject contributions by

political leaders and their appointees. According to their leaders, most of the money coming from

politicians had been stolen from tax revenues.

“We must stop celebrating whenever the president, members of Parliament, governors, members

of county assemblies and other political actors donate money whose sources are not clear,” said

the Rev. Elias Otieno Agola, chairman of the National Council of Churches of Kenya, at a Dec.3

news conference.

Government officials were giving while at the same time disrespecting human rights and the

rule of law, some Protestant leaders have pointed out, saying that human rights defenders in

Kenya live in fear of being abducted.

“Lies and falsehood have been elevated to the point where no one knows what to believe

anymore,” said Agola, a Presbyterian Church of East Africa minister.

In another issue that has

surprised government

officials, Kenyan church

leaders have united in

opposition to a mass

vaccination of livestock

that the government plans

to roll out next month.

The government says the

vaccinations would prevent

disease, boost the animals’

health and make livestock

products acceptable in

international markets, and

it is targeting 22 million

cows, 50 million goats and

an unspecified number of

camels and sheep in the mass

inoculation.

But church leaders and

some politicians caution that

the vaccines could be laced

with harmful genetically

modified substances, which

they say would alter genetic

composition of local breeds

and affect livelihoods.

Kenyans keep the animals for

meat, milk and as a source of

income.

“We also urge you to

strongly reject the proposed

vaccination of animals being

driven by international

bodies. Make it clear to your

members of Parliament and

members of county assemblies

that we do not want Kenya to

be a surrogate of international

bodies. Especially, make it

clear that as Kenyans we have

rejected genetically modified

organisms,” said Agola.

For his part, Ruto has vowed

to continue giving, saying the

contributions stem from his

personal faith and experience.

Speaking days after the

Catholic Church rejected his

donation, the president said

he had built 30 churches in 30

years.

Fredrick Nzwili is

a journalist based in

Nairobi, Kenya, and

contributor to Religion

News Service.

https://julieroys.com/

breaking-tradition-kenyanchurch-leaders-refusepoliticians-cash-donations/

Daniel Whyte Iii Was

Honored By Being Named

A farmer looks after his cattle in eastern Kenya. The

government plans to vaccinate 22 million cattle, but

churches are resisting the mass drive. (Photo by Fredrick

Nzwili)

Deeply Rooted

VIEW OBITUARIES ONLINE AT

www.thewestsidegazette.com

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

Acknowledgments/ Announcements:

In Memoriam * Death Notices * Happy Birthdays

Card of Thanks* Remembrances

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

HAVE YOUR CHURCH ANNOUNCEMENTS PLACED ON THIS PAGE (954) 525-1489

Obituaries

Death and Funeral Notices

James C. Boyd

Funeral Home Services

James Earl

Burnett, Jr. – 79

Funeral

Service

was held

December 14th

at James C.

Boyd’s Memorial

Chapel with Rev.

Joyce Wright officiating.

Charles

Edward Duff –

62

Funeral Service

was held

December 14th

at James C.

Boyd’s Memorial

Chapel with Min.

Corey L. Glover officiating.

Kesha Deanne Ferguson – 47.

Ricki Jerome

Gardener – 69

Funeral Service

was held

December 14th

at James C.

Boyd’s Memorial

Chapel with Rev.

James Darling

officiating.

Larry G. “The

Carpet Man”

Williams, Sr. - 70

Funeral Service

was held

December 13th

at Mt. Olivet

Seventh-Day

Adventist Church

with Pastor

Lester A. Parkinson officiating.

A Family

That Prays

Together,Stays

Together

DECEMBER 19 - DECEMBER 25, 2024 • PAGE 9

McWhite’s Funeral

Home Services

Mattie G. Beals

Funeral

Service

was held

December 12th

at New Mount

Olive Baptist

Church.

Leona Mae

Brown

Funeral Service

was held

December 14th

at Church of Jesus

Christ of Latter

Day Saints.

Vernetia

Curry

Funeral

Service

was held

December

14th at Danis

Church Of

God.

James E. Green

Funeral Service

was held

December 14th

at McWhite’s

Funeral

Home

Chapel.

Ruther Mae

Lester Green

Funeral Service

was held

December 14th

at New Birth

House Of Prayer.

Anthony B. Reese

Funeral

Service

was held

December 14th

MEC

Ministries.

Richard

Calvin

Russell

Funeral

Service

was held

December

14th at Mt.

Hermon AME

Church.

Sophia Gail

Smith - 53

Funeral

Service

was held

December 14th

at The Faith

Center

Roy Mizell & Kurtz

Funeral Home Services

U.L. Byrd – 97

Funeral

Service

was held

December 14th.

Marvine

Cartledge

Calloway.

James Charles

Crawford, Jr.

– 79

Newton Allen

Diggs – 71.

Rosa Mae

Rosemary

Bond-Jackson

-66

Funeral

Service

was held December

14th

at First Zion Missionary Baptist

Church.

"Praise the

LORD, all

nations!

Extol him, all

people! For

great is his

steadfast love

toward us, and

the faithfulness

of the LORD

endures forever.

Praise the

LORD!"

Psalm 117


PAGE 10 • DECCEMBER 19 - DECEMBER 25, 2024

Deeply Rooted

www.thewestsidegazette.com

Hamilton Multimedia Honored At Gala

International Photographer Everett Hamilton

By Jeffery Jones. Esq.

Everett Hamilton of

Hamilton Multimedia was

honored at center stage and

presented the first John

Herman Williams Award

By Hazel Trice Edney

PART ONE OF A 2 PART

SERIES

(TriceEdneyWire.com)

- Pamela Lynne Fredericks

and Jonathan Weaver were

college students when they

first met briefly at a business

conference in New York City.

She was an economics student

at Morgan State University.

And he was a first year MBA

student at the Harvard School

of Business.

He thought that maybe;

just maybe he would see

her again. Sure enough, a

few months later, they met

again at a different business

conference in Atlanta. Her

being from Baltimore and him

from Rockville, Maryland,

their first date was dinner

at a Waterfront restaurant

in Washington, DC. The love

story had begun.

Now married 43 years

with two daughters, four

grandchildren and a great

grandchild, Pamela and

Jonathan are living through a

season that no one could have

anticipated. Following her

successful career as a media

specialist for 25 years in

the Prince George’s County,

Maryland School system and

amidst his exemplary career

as a pastor, humanitarian, and

businessman extraordinaire,

she has been diagnosed with

Alzheimer’s Disease, the most

common form of dementia,

characterized by progressive

memory loss and cognitive

decline.

With all of his other titles

for outstanding work in

multimedia at the Black-Tie

Awards and Dinner Gala

held on December 1, 2024 at

Benvenuto Banquet Facility,

Boynton Beach, FL. The

event was hosted by the

historic Lambda Alpha Alpha

(“LAA”) and Sigma Delta

Delta (“SDD”) Chapters of

Omega Psi Phi Fraternity,

Inc.

Everett Hamilton is an

international photographer

who has worked in the safari

of Kenya, the markets of

Nigeria, the coastal waters

of Benin and South Africa

along with India, Mexico,

and Guyana. His work has

appeared in global magazines

and has entered the homes

of thousands in Palm Beach

County, FL and the DMV.

LAA and SDD rendered

the John Herman Williams

Award to honor the first

Official Photographer for

Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.

After serving 33 years in this

position, Mr. Williams was

named Omega’s International

Photographer Emeritus.

This award honors those in

the multimedia field who

provide extraordinary service

and record so many important

events in life such as galas,

graduations, inaugurations,

Husband with Extraordinary Career

Adds ‘Caregiver’ to His Repertoire

Jonathan and Pamela Weaver

Love helps Dr. Jonathan Weaver to get it all done

and responsibilities in tow, he

has assumed yet a new role

– caregiver. It is a position

and responsibility that has

given many others pause. But

despite the trying moments,

he is pressing into it with love

for his Pamela.

“I’m my wife’s husband.

And I’m doing what my heart

and my mind tell me to do,”

he says in an interview.

Continue reading online

at: thewestsidegazette.

Ordinarily, that is what a

spouse would be expected

to say. But nothing about

Jonathan Weaver’s life is

ordinary.

Currently, the Rev. Dr.

Jonathan Weaver, former

pastor for 35 years at Greater

Mount Nebo AME Church,

oversees 40 congregations

as a presiding elder in the

African Methodist Episcopal

A MESSAGE FROM THE PUBLISHER from Front Page

justice.

Ezekiel described a wheel within a wheel—complex and interconnected, just as our

struggles are. The political landscape in this country has become a chaotic, divided battlefield.

Instead of focusing on solutions, we see Black communities torn apart by infighting and a

lack of trust. Political debates once meant to inform have become orchestrated performances,

with candidates prepped and polished while fairness gets lost in the noise. Our businesses,

our voices, monies and our unity are dismissed by the very systems we fight to change.

At the same time, politicians—“politrickians,” as I call them—ignore Black-owned

businesses, refusing to invest in the communities they claim to serve. Campaign ads and

events do not include us, Black candidates are undermined, and loyalty is bought through

manipulation. But we must ask ourselves: What comes after injustices? What comes after

the next election cycle? Are we prepared to build a future shaped by our own hands, or will

we remain victims of systems designed to divide and exploit us?

It is time for a reckoning. Time to confront the self-genocide in our streets, the greed in

our politics, and the spiritual disconnect keeping us from recognizing our shared humanity.

We cannot wait for solutions to fall from the sky. We must create the future ourselves, with

clarity, purpose, and a fierce determination to rise above the noise.

May we seek forgiveness for our missteps, clarity for our vision, and the strength to

unite. Let us breathe fresh air again—not in isolation, but together, standing shoulder to

shoulder, building a future where justice and unity prevail.

“Dear Lord, grant us the wisdom to heal our divisions, the courage to fight for what is

right, and the love to lift one another up. Let us shape a future that we can be proud of.

Amen.”

Members of Lambda Alpha Alpha Chapter

Overtown - Part 2

The Harlem of The South Couple by

Purvis Young’s Everyday Life Mural

By Don Valentine

Purvis Young is a

celebrated artist and Miami

native. His art is in museums

and the private homes of

celebrities like Jane Fonda,

Damon Wayans and Dan

Aykroyd. After learning of the

“Freedom Walls” in Detroit

and Chicago, Purvis decided in

1972 to create his own public

mural at the intersection of

Northwest Third Avenue and

14 Street in Overtown.

In the ‘40s and ‘50s hip

venues such as the Knight

Beat Club at the Lord

Calvert Hotel, the Harlem

Square Club, and the Lyric

Theater ensured that Second

Avenue lived up to the “Little

Broadway” moniker. Through

the years, Overtown jammed

to the sounds of Cab Calloway,

Count Basie, Louis “Satchmo”

Armstrong, Nat “King” Cole,

Sammy Davis Jr., and many

others. From Josephine Baker

and Ella Fitzgerald to Lena

Horne and Aretha Franklin

– all found a welcoming

audience in Overtown. Black

intellectuals from Dr. King,

Langston Hughes, Malcolm

X and Zora Neale Hurston

found a therapeutic break

here.

The good times came to

an end, when I-95 and I-395

paved over “Harlem of the

South.” Black Archives.

org estimates Overtown’s

population dropped from

about 40,000 to about 10,000.

The obliteration of the

“Central Negro District (the

city’s official designation for

Overtown) started in 1965.

The razing of a vibrant

community was exacerbated

when Metrorail was routed

directly through the

community causing further

dislocation. Housing issues.

com. analyzed the decimation

and concluded, “These

same forces that destroyed

or altered the physical

structures also weakened

Continue reading online

at: thewestsidegazette.

A Simple Goodbye to Nikki Giovanni

By Victoria Floyd

Poet and activist Nikki

Giovanni transitioned on Dec.

9, and left a legacy of brilliant

literary works and poems

that will remain etched

in American Literature

greatness.

I had the pleasure of seeing

Giovanni during a lecture

series at North Carolina State

University while attending

St. Augustine’s College in

Raleigh. Professor Diane

Cherry asked a classmate

and I if we were interested in

seeing her, and of course, it

was a resounding yes. After

all, we had studied Giovanni’s

most prominent poems and

reviewed a few of her books

in our American Literature

class.

We loved her use of

metaphors and the ability

to pack so much knowledge

in a simple poem, and there

wasn’t a rhyme in sight.

We listened to Giovanni’s

soft delivery as she delved

into Knoxville, Tennessee,

Ego Tripping, and my

favorite, Beautiful Black

Men. She mastered the art

of storytelling with short

deliberate phrases that

packed a punch to the psyche,

forcing you to dissect the

intent of the poem and digest

the message. On this cold and

crisp evening, we sat in awe

as this poetess told story after

story with ease and boldness.

She was simply superb.

I’ve always said Giovanni

was the Zora Neale Hurston

of the modern era as her

poems mirrored the Civil

Rights Movement in the “60s,

with reflection of what should

be in segregated America.

Although there was no visible

anger, it was a subtle but

impactful scolding of what

Blacks were facing while

fighting for equality. She

was unapologetically Black,

outspoken, and remained true

to the cause.

While her poems were

always well received,

Giovanni also wrote children’s

literature and recorded some

works as well. She was a

dynamic force in the literary

world, and her voice will be

missed.

Giovanni will join Phyllis

Wheatley, Margaret Walker,

Gwendolyn Brooks, Maya

Angelou and all of the great

Black poets and writers from

the Harlem Renaissance in

Continue reading online

at: thewestsidegazette.


www.thewestsidegazette.com

By Amari Apple

(Source: Rollout)

Market overview

November’s labor market

data reveals a troubling shift

in employment equity, with

Black women facing a sharp

increase in unemployment

rates. While the U.S.

unemployment rate overall

saw a slight rise from 4.1%

to 4.2%, deeper analysis by

demographic highlights a

widening gap, pointing to the

need for targeted policy and

support.

Critical statistics

The unemployment rate

for Black women surged from

Deeply Rooted

Unemployment spike hits Black women as labor market cools

4.9% to 6% in November,

a significant spike that

outpaces other demographic

groups. This sharp rise is

particularly concerning as it

contrasts with white women’s

unemployment, which

increased only marginally

from 3.3% to 3.4%. Such

disparities underscore

FAMU Graduate Receives First Degree in

Materials Science and Engineering Program

through FAMU-FSU College of Engineering

November data reveals growing racial and gender

disparities in employment. (Photo credit: Shutterstock.com/

voronaman)

persistent inequalities in

employment opportunities

that have broader social and

economic implications.

The recent numbers

suggest that this isn’t just

DECEMBER 19 - DECEMBER 25, 2024 • PAGE 11

a temporary setback but

part of an ongoing trend

affecting Black women more

acutely than other groups.

This increase is stark when

considering that the overall

unemployment rate, though

inching upward, does not

reflect the same level of strain

experienced by Black women.

Broader demographic

patterns

The issues faced by Black

women reflect a broader

trend impacting the Black

workforce as a whole. The

overall unemployment rate

for Black workers rose to

6.4% in November from 5.7%

the previous month, signaling

deeper challenges. Black

men continued to face a 6%

unemployment rate, a figure

that has remained relatively

stagnant, while white men

saw a steady 3.5% rate. The

persistent racial disparities

Continue reading online at:

thewestsidegazette.com

Toni Rose elected Secretary of NBCSL

Briona Carswell poses with an on-screen microscopic image of her polymers as well as some samples in the

Alamo Lab at FAMU-FSU College of Engineering in Tallahassee, Florida on October 25, 2024. Carswell is the first

FAMU graduate student in the new Materials Science & Engineering department.

Submitted by FAMU Public Relations

Second Lieutenant Briona Carswell stands

at the intersection of military service and

environmental innovation. Preparing to return

to active duty, she’s making history as the first

Florida A&M University (FAMU) graduate

from the Materials Science and Engineering

Program at the FAMU-FSU College of

Engineering.

The decision to pursue graduate studies at

FAMU aligned with both family tradition and

professional goals.

“FAMU’s stellar reputation in engineering

[through the joint college], especially in

materials science, made it the perfect fit for

my aspirations as a developmental engineer in

the Air Force,” Carswell explained.

Carswell conducts groundbreaking

research on the solidification and

crystallization of biodegradable polyesters to

address environmental challenges, under the

guidance of Professor Rufina Alamo, Ph.D.,

Simon Ostrach Professor of Engineering &

Distinguished Research Professor of Chemical

& Biomedical Engineering at the joint college.

“Not only does Briona’s graduation mark

the beginning of a new cohort of graduate

students in materials science engineering

at FAMU, but her excellent working habits

and determination to complete her degree

in a record time make her a role model for

graduate students at the FAMU-FSU College

of Engineering,” said Alamo, “She studied the

properties of blends of sustainable polymers,

those that we may find in our recycle bins in

the near future.”

This research addresses how plastics, due

to their non-biodegradable nature, create a

significant environmental impact.

“We’re investigating polyethylene-like

materials that can degrade through a circular

economy,” Carswell said. “Understanding

material behavior under various heating and

cooling conditions is crucial for developing

sustainable options to combat global pollution.”

The Phoenix native’s path to engineering

excellence began at the U.S. Air Force

Continue reading online at:

thewestsidegazette.com

Sleep Out raises Awareness about

Florida’s Homeless Youth

By Texas Metro News

Texas State Representative

Toni Rose (D-110), was

recently elected Secretary

of the National Black

Caucus of State Legislators

(NBCSL) during their annual

legislative conference held in

Washington, D.C.

An organization consisting

Doing gets it done

The Bank of Doing ® supports

housing affordability,

sustainability, small businesses,

and financial health programs

to help communities thrive.

Rep. Toni Rose, second from the left

of more than 700 legislators

from across the country,

NBCSL’s membership

represents dynamic and

resolute leaders who serve

as a catalyst for public policy

innovation and information

exchange among African

American state legislators.

As Secretary, Rep. Rose

will serve as an essential

member of the executive

committee and vote on

measures that enhance the

operations of NBCSL, as they

work tirelessly to champion

collaborative action on key

issues impacting African

Americans and other

marginalized communities.

Continue reading online at:

thewestsidegazette.com

Learn more at

wellsfargo.com/impact

Submitted by Kadi Tarlecky

FORT LAUDERDALE,

FL -– On November 21st,

Covenant House Florida

(CHF) hosted their 12th

Annual Sleep Out to shine

a light on the crisis of youth

homelessness. Supporters

gathered at the safe haven

in Fort Lauderdale for an

evening of inspiring youth

stories and meaningful

conversations with experts.

After a symbolic candlelight

vigil to show solidarity

with young people who face

homelessness, the group slept

just outside the safe haven.

The mission of Covenant

House Florida is to provide

youth ages 18-24 the

relentless support, absolute

respect, and unconditional

love they need to gain

sustainable independence.

Young people receive access

to shelter, daily necessities,

medical services, mental

health care, and educational

and career resources – at

no cost to them. CHF relies

greatly on private donations to

make this possible. This year,

Sleep Out raised $377,800,

and continues to receive new

donations.

The evening began with

a short program attended by

volunteers and supporters

Continue reading online at:

thewestsidegazette.com

© 2024 Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.


PAGE 12 • DECCEMBER 19 - DECEMBER 25, 2024

Deeply Rooted

www.thewestsidegazette.com

Black Project 2025: A Plan to Counter Project 2025 Trends on TikTok

Black Project 2025 Goes Viral To Combat Plans For

Trump’s Second Term. (Credit: @mediabuyingbestie TikTok)

By Amaka Watson

(Source: The Defender)

Black Americans are mobilizing in response to the potential

dangers of Project 2025, a conservative plan by The Heritage

Foundation. This blueprint, which aims to dismantle key

programs like the Department of Education and Medicaid,

could severely impact Black communities if fully implemented.

Federal officials

cautioned that the

rise of “gamified job

scams”—which lure

victims with repetitive

tasks like interacting

with social media posts

or rating businesses—

has further amplified

the threat.

DID YOU

KNOW?

Marijuana can cause permanent IQ

loss of as much as 8 points when

people start using it at a young age.

These IQ points do not come back,

even after quitting marijuana.

Source: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services

Administration, US Department of Health & Human Services

Test your knowledge

about medical marijuana at

Connect with us @MMERIFAMURadio

mmeri.famu.edu/educate

In reaction, a grassroots movement called Black Project

2025 is taking off on TikTok, driven by the idea of economic

empowerment and self-reliance. What started as a social media

suggestion has become a full-scale initiative to build a future

where Black communities are self-sufficient and thriving.

The idea for Black Project 2025 was introduced by TikTok

creator @mediabuyingbestie, who encouraged Black people to

stop supporting corporations that don’t serve their interests

and instead focus on building Black-owned businesses. The

vision is a self-sustaining Black economy where goods and

services are bought exclusively from Black businesses, from

groceries to clothing to healthcare.

“Everything we use and consume on a daily basis, it is no

longer purchased from these large corporations. It is purchased

from one another,” said @mediabuyingbestie in her viral post,

which sparked excitement across social media.

With Trump’s re-election looming and fears of policy

FTC data reveals surge in online job scams, with

losses exceeding $220M in 2024

By Stacy M. Brown

NNPA Newswire Senior

Correspondent

(NNPA Newswire) – New

complaint data from the

Federal Trade Commission

(FTC) shows a staggering

rise in online job scams,

particularly schemes known

as “task scams,” which now

account for nearly 40 percent

of job scam reports in 2024.

The sharp increase in these

fraudulent activities has

driven overall losses to job

scams to more than $220

million in just the first six

months of this year.

According to the FTC’s latest

data spotlight, reports of

task scams have skyrocketed

from zero in 2020 to 5,000 in

2023, before quadrupling to

20,000 in the first half of 2024

alone. These scams typically

begin with unsolicited texts

or WhatsApp messages

offering vague online work

opportunities. Consumers

who respond are told they will

be completing tasks like “app

optimization” or “product

boosting.”

The Federal Trade

Commission warns consumers

that one glaring red flag of

a job scam is if it requires

an outlay of funds. Never

pay to get paid, the agency

warns; any request for money

upfront in exchange for future

earnings is a clear sign of a

scam. (Image courtesy NNPA

Newswire)

Victims may receive small

payouts early on to build

confidence in the job’s

legitimacy. The scheme then

escalates, requiring victims

to invest their money to

complete subsequent tasks,

promising more significant

payouts. However, once the

money is sent, it is lost for

good.

“The supposed ‘job’ is to

complete tasks in an app or

online platform for which

you’ll ‘earn money’ from a

‘commission’ on each click,”

The Federal Trade Commission

warns consumers that one glaring

red flag of a job scam is if it requires

an outlay of funds. Never pay to get

paid, the agency warns; any reuerst

for money upfront in exchange for

future earnings is a clear sign of a

scam. (Image courtesy NNPA Newswire)

the FTC warned in a consumer

alert. “But those promises

are fake: there aren’t any

commissions, and nobody

but the scammers make any

money.”

Cryptocurrency is the

Continue reading online at:

thewestsidegazette.com

Lawmakers introduce bipartisan bill from Front Page

“Parents, children, and

siblings deserve to know

a loved one in custody suffers a serious

illness, injury or death. The bill comes at a

crucial time when issues surrounding the

treatment of inmates and their families have

garnered increased attention, particularly in

marginalized communities.

In a statement obtained by the AFRO,

Kamlager-Dove said that families deserve

to know the status of their relatives who are

behind bars.

about the well-being of their

family members,” she said.

“However, our current prison

system does not require

correctional facilities to notify

the families of incarcerated

people if their loved ones

are seriously ill, injured, or

deceased.”

The Democratic lawmaker

highlighted the profound

emotional impact that the

absence of communication

can have on families.

Under the proposed

legislation, the U.S.

Department of Justice would

be tasked with establishing

best practices for family

notification, providing

centralized guidance to the

Federal Bureau of Prisons,

as well as state and local

correctional facilities.

The need for such a bill

is underscored by tragic

incidents, such as the case

of Wakiesha Wilson, a

Black woman who died in

custody in 2016 without her

Continue reading online at:

thewestsidegazette.com

TikToker @mediabuyingbestie introduces the Black

Project 2025 initiative on social media. (Credit: TikTok)

rollbacks affecting the Black community, Black Project 2025

offers a proactive strategy. Rather than waiting to see what

happens, supporters of the movement are building their

economic infrastructure, ensuring that Black communities can

withstand the impact of harmful political shifts.

I PRAY I can manage some of the vetting for access. I would

require all kinds of information from people! I’d weed out all of

the Judas types, the con and scam types and anyone with their

own agenda.#BlackProject2025 #BP2025 #BlackConversations

pic.twitter.com/t70Sw10PeP

— Unapologetically Black, Positive & Unbothered (@

KimWrites4U) November 12, 2024

Even after the election, Black Project 2025 remains focused

on a long-term vision of independence. The movement aims to

recreate a modern Black Wall Street—an economic ecosystem

centered on Black ownership of banks, grocery stores, and

essential businesses that uplift the community.

Wisconsin School Shooting

from Front Page

holiday.

Shooter’s Motive Under Investigation

The 17-year-old shooter reportedly used a handgun in the

attack. Investigators are working to determine the motive

behind the violence and whether the recovered weapon was

the one used. Initial reports indicate the shooter may have

targeted specific individuals.

Chief Barnes stated that police did not discharge their

weapons upon entering the school. Instead, officers discovered

the shooter deceased at the scene, along with the two victims.

Witnesses and Survivors

Students and staff scrambled to safety as the shooter opened

fire. Survivors were transported by bus to a reunification center,

where they met with loved ones. Law enforcement, including

the FBI, is on-site to assist in the investigation.

Chief Barnes emphasized the long-term impact on everyone

involved: “Every child, every person in that building is a victim

and will be a victim forever. We need to piece together what

exactly happened.”

Witness John Diaz De Leon, who attends the neighboring

City Church, described the overwhelming police response: “I

didn’t know there were that many squad cars in Madison. We

saw a few guys with long guns going into the school with a dog.

Later, I saw groups of kids coming out of the school into the

church sanctuary.”

Community and Government Response

Madison’s roads were blocked off as local and federal agents

worked to secure the area. Wisconsin Representative Mark

Pocan condemned the lack of action on gun control, tweeting:

“Thoughts and prayers without action mean more school

shootings, more dead kids. More action is needed by our elected

officials and more backbone to stand up to gun manufacturers.

This is uniquely a United States problem that doesn’t have to

happen.”

Continue reading online at: thewestsidegazette.com

Teens Vaping Marijuana Run

Risk of Harming Their Health

Editor’s note: This

commentary is provided

by the Medical Marijuana

Education and Research

Initiative (MMERI) of Florida

A&M University.

Since the early 2000s,

e-cigarettes have gained

popularity

among

adolescents, raising concerns

about the health risks of

vaping. Professionals like

LaDarius Gammage and Dr.

Shamarial Roberson are working to raise awareness about the dangers, particularly the

potential for nicotine addiction and the progression to vaping marijuana.

Mr. Gammage is the former program manager for Students Working Against Tobacco

(SWAT), a Florida Department of Health (DOH) initiative. He says teens are often drawn to

vaping by the “nick buzz” from nicotine, which can mimic the sensation of being high. Some

teens, he says, eventually move on to vaping marijuana for a stronger thrill.

Dr. Roberson, who served as Florida’s deputy secretary for health, is concerned about the

harmful effects of vaping on teen health.

“The Florida Youth Substance Abuse Survey found that 5.5% of middle and high school

students vape marijuana, which is alarming,” she said. “Of those, 64% also vape nicotine,

both highly addictive substances.”

Both experts are also concerned about the dangers of vaping illegally obtained marijuana,

which may be laced with harmful chemicals. Dr. Roberson also warns about vaping-related

lung injuries (VAPI), which can cause severe illness or even death. Symptoms include cough,

chest pain, and shortness of breath.

Parents are urged to watch for signs that their children may be vaping, such as discarded

USB drives that might actually be e-cigarette cartridges. Hoodies and water bottles can also

conceal vaping devices.


www.thewestsidegazette.com

Deeply Rooted

DECEMBER 19 - DECEMBER 25, 2024 • PAGE 13

Haiti – Pastor Arrested in DR

on Ammunition Smuggling

Submitted by

nycaribnews

A Haitian pastor who

was wanted for smuggling

weapons was arrested in

the neighboring Dominican

Republic earlier this week

and handed over to the local

police.

The arrest of Pastor Dieune

Day follows an incident in

2022 in which customs officers

searched duty-free containers

and found weapons.

The containers arrived

in Haiti under the cover of

the franchise held by the

Episcopal Church of Haiti.

The day was the subject

of a wanted notice from

the Central Directorate of

the Judicial Police (DCPJ)

for tax evasion, smuggling,

breach of trust, and criminal

association.

He is currently in police

custody pending legal

proceedings. CMC

T&T –

Minister of

Government

and Two

Children

Died in

House Fire

(Source: nycaribnews)

The twin-island Republic’s police have reported that on

the morning of December 16, 2024, Lisa Morris-Julian, the

D’Abadie/O’Meara MP, and two of her children died in a fire

at their home in Farfan Street, Arima.

Morris-Julian’s spouse and two other family members

were also hurt in the incident, officials said to reporters.

The extent of their injuries is unknown at this time;

however, they are undergoing care at the hospital.

Education Minister Nyan Gadsby-Dolly, Camille Robinson-

Regis, Pennelope Beckles, Stuart Young, Foster Cummings,

and Fitzgerald Hinds were among the Cabinet members

that attended the scene, along with Trinidad and Tobago

Prime Minister Dr. Keith Rowley.

Gadsby-Dolly and Robinson-Regis were distraught.

The cause of the fire is still being investigated by officials.

Initial reports state that Morris-Julian and two family

members perished in the fire at Farfan Street in Arima after

being trapped there.

Morris-Julian, who served as the National Women’s

League’s first lady vice-chair, was adored by many and a

vibrant community leader.

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Happy Kwanzaa

From The Westside Gazette

Management and Staff

NNPA

HOROSCOPE

DECEMBER 19, 2024

NUMBERS

(2-DAY

RESULTS)

Send Self

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ARIES-You’ll enjoy a special rapport with a loved

one this week, so use the vibe to deepen the level

of intimacy. Your creativity allows you to say exactly

the right thing at the right moment. I give my brain

full power this week. 7, 31, 39

TAURUS-This is a wonderful week to give up

a negative routine, guy! If you’ve been biting

your nails or sneaking a cigarette, this week your

emotions are centered on life-affirming habits. Let

your natural inclination toward perfect health lead

you on your way. My needs will be met if I just ask.

12, 26, 27

GEMINI- You are very popular at work this week.

Part of your rise in the employee polls is due to

your can-do attitude. Another part is the smile

on your face as you consider your wonderful life.

Believing it is being it! It’s bad only if I see it that

way. 10, 27, 33

CANCER-An unexpected errand may lead to an

encounter with a person who will have an influence

on your future. Keep your bright eyes alert to

unusual possibilities and you may find yourself

pleasantly surprised at the end of the week. I enjoy

the love that others have for me. 11, 18, 45

LEO-A cozy week is yours for the asking. Relax

and spend some time unwinding from your busy

week. Family or close friends will want to join you

in your relaxation. Your place is the natural spot for

gathering people together. I smile as I think about

far away paces. 34, 37, 40

VIRGO-There is a vibration this week that urges

people to reveal secrets. Your usually strong loyalty

to a friend or co-worker may be weakened if you

engage in any idle chatter. Stick to the facts this

week and you’ll be fine! I let the outer world and

inner world change places this week. 18, 20, 24

LIBRA-Stop sometime this week and take a quick

inventory of how right your instincts have been

recently. If you are like most. The count is probably

high! This is an excellent week to simply smile when

people offer advice. You know what’s best for you,

so trust your instincts and do that. This week is the

week the Lord has made. I rejoice in it. 42, 46, 55

SCORPIO-One of your gifts is that you have an

ability to think big! Picture your future on a canvas

as big as the sky. Take some small measure this

week toward that future, and rejoice. Make sure

that positive vibrations surround you during the

week. Slow and steady is an enjoyable way to go.

13, 40, 50

SAGITTARIUS--If you brought your work home with

you this weekend, you’ll have trouble relaxing. A

moment of quiet time with yourself will bring you

back to your center. Your work really can wait! Rest

is important to a busy one like yourself. I open

myself up for a glad surprise! 15, 25, 44

CAPRICORN-Everyone needs appreciation in his or

her life. Take some time out this week to seek those

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what they mean to you. Appreciate yourself, while

you’re at it! admit what I really want out of life this

week. 38, 39, 45

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short trip isn’t possible, spend some time exploring

a subject that interests you so that you feel as if

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restlessness. The deed is done. I must wait for the

results to unfold. 7, 19, 28

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enjoy it! The vibes are perfect for a long lunch

with a friend, for a long walk in the park, or just for

watching the sunrise. Be aware of the beauty that

surrounds you this week. I work hard to combat

envy this week. 16, 21, 27

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PAGE 14 • DECEMBER 19 - DECEMBER 25, 2024

Deeply Rooted

www.thewestsidegazette.com

For the Week oF December 17 - 23, 2024

THE

KINGS

ARE

CROWNED

BCSP Photo

BASKING IN VICTORY: Jackson

State head coach T. C. Taylor

hoists the Celebration Bowl

championship trophy after his

team's 28-7 win over SC State.

JACKSON STATE PREVAILS IN CELEBRATION

BOWL, JOINS VIRGINIA UNION AS 2024 TOP TEAMS

2 0 2 4 F I N A L B C S P D I V . I F C S T O P F I V E

1. JACKSON STATE(12-2) - Head coach T. C. Taylor's SWAC champion

Tigers are the 2024 BCSP Div. I national champions after defeating MEAC

champion South Carolina State 28-7 Saturday in the season-ending Cricket

Celebration Bowl in Atlanta. JSU ran the table in the SWAC (9-0) and had its

only losses to FBS member Louisiana-Monroe (30-14) to open the season

and a 41-20 designated non-conference game loss to Grambling State (41-

20). After that loss, the Tigers ran off 10 straight wins. Senior RB Irv Mulligan

was the SWAC's only 1,000-yard rusher and offensive player of the year.

Eleven JSU players were named all-MEAC.

2. South Carolina State (9-3) - The Bulldogs retooled under first-year head

TAYLOR: With the Celebration

Bowl trophy.

coach Chennis Berry, who came from two-time SIAC champion Benedict and brought several stars

from that team to Orangeburg. They ran the table in the MEAC (5-0) outscoring conference foes by

a 47-19 margin only losing to Florida A&M (22-18) to open the season and to FBC member Georgia

Southern (42-14). MEAC Offensive POY QB Eric Phoenix and Offensive Lineman of the Year Nick

Taiste led 12 Bulldogs on the all-MEAC teams.

3. Tennessee State (9-4) - Eddie Geoge's Tigers won their last three games including knocking off

nationally-ranked SE Missouri in the final regular season game to earn a four-way tie for the OVC/

Big South title. TSU was granted a berth in the FCS playoffs where it fell 41-27 at Montana in the first

round. George was named Coach of the Year with LB Sanders Ellis winning Freshman of the Year.

TSU also lost at N. Dakota State (52-3), Tennessee Tech (24-14) and at home to UT-Martin (28-21).

4. North Carolina Central (8-3) - Trei Oliver's Eagles finished behind SC State in the MEAC only

losing to the Bulldogs, 24-21. Other losses were at home to Elon (41-19) and on the road at UNC (45-

10). Junior RB J'Mari Taylor ran for 1,126 yards and 15 TDs to lead the MEAC.

5. Southern (8-5) - The Jaguars, under first-year head coach Terrence Graves, fought their way to

the SWAC West title with a 7-1 mark, only losing to Florida A&M (24-6). SU also lost to Jackson State

(33-15) in the regular season and also had losses to McNeese State (21-7), Nicholls (51-7) and in the

SWAC Championship Game to Jackson State (41-13).

2 0 2 4 F I N A L B C S P D I V . I I / N A I A T O P F I V E

1. VIRGINIA UNION (10-4) - The Panthers of seventh-year head coach Dr.

Alvin Parker Jr., lost early in the season to Hampton (33-21) and Johnson

C. Smith (21-16) and at season's end to Virginia State (35-28) before

vanquishing VSU a week later in the CIAA title game (17-13) to win their

second straight league title. They went on to win their first games in NCAA

Div. II playoff history after ten tries with road wins at Wingate (34-31, in OT)

and Lenoir-Rhyne (44-12) before falling in the Super Region II final to D2

top-ranked Valdosta State (49-14). Career rushing leader Jada Byers topped

off his career with bests of 2,061 rushing yards and 27 TDs to lead all black

college players in rushing, scoring and all-purpose yards.

PARKER: CIAA title and

two D2 playoff wins.

2. Miles (10-3) - In his third season, head coach Sam Shade led the Golden Bears to the SIAC

title with an unblemished 8-0 record defeating Clark Atlanta for the second time this season in the

league championship game (53-25). They went on to get a first Div. II playoff win beating Carson-

Newman 14-13 in a first round Super Region II game before losing to top-ranked Valdosta State 33-17

in the second round. Miles opened the season with losses at West Alabama (16-15) and at Alabama

State (24-3) before winning ten straight. Freshman defensive back Lashon Young led Div. II with eight

interceptions and was named SIAC Defensive POY. Shade was SIAC coach of the year.

3. Virginia State (7-4) - Dr. Henry Frazier III's Trojans won the CIAA regular season title with a 35-28

win at season's end over Virginia Union but lost in the league's championship game to VUU, 17-13.

VSU also lost at Norfolk State (28-23), at home to Winston-Salem State (15-14) and at J. C. Smith (21-

17). Trojans had the top defensive rookie (LB Marquis Edmond) and O-lineman (Bruno Onwuazor).

4. Clark Atlanta (7-3-1) - Teddy Keaton brought in some of his former players from Allen who helped

get the Panthers to the SIAC title game (a 53-25 loss to Miles) after the team finished 0-10 in 2023.

CAU also lost in the regular season to Miles (49-28) and to Savannah State (35-28). All-SIAC QB and

POY David Wright III was the catalyst as he threw for 3,271 yards and 31 TDs.

5. J. C. Smith (8-2) - Won eight straight to start the season under CIAA COY Maurice Flowers, beating

VSU and VUU, before losing final two games to Fayetteville State (27-0) and Livingstone (15-10).

UNDER THE BANNER

WHAT'S GOING ON IN AND ArOUND bLAcK cOLLeGe SPOrTS

BURGESS WINS AENEAS WILLIAMS AWARD:

Alabama State senior defensive back James

Burgess has been named the winner

of the 2024 Aeneas Williams

Award given to the top defensive

back in black college football.

Burgess, a 6-3, 185-pound native of

Burgess

BCSP Photo

SWAC HALL OF FAMERS: (L. to r.) Former Alcorn State QB and head coach

Fred McNair, former 17-year Southern head coach Pete Richardson and

veteran black college play-by-play man Charlie Neal were inducted into the

SWAC Hall of Fame Saturday in Atlanta along with Arkansas-Pine Bluff track

legend Earl Goldman and Grambling pitching legend Hillary Matthew Bossier.

Center Point, Alabama received the honor

on behalf of the Oklahoma Sports Hall of

Fame and presenting sponsor the Chickasaw Nation. The

award is given based on performance on the field, athletic

ability and character.

Burgess is the third recipient of the Aeneas Williams

Award, established in 2022, and the first recipient from

Alabama State and the SWAC. He posted an incredible

senior season for the Hornets, ultimately being named as

a 2024 BOXTOROW First Team All-American and 2024

First Team All-SWAC defensive back.

Burgess posted 53 tackles, 34 solos, with 4.0 tackles

for loss, four interceptions and ten passes defended. He

tied for first in interceptions in the SWAC and third in pass

break-ups. Burgess was targeted 37 times with only nine

making catches in man coverage.

Burgess will represent Alabama State as a 2025

selection to the Allstate HBCU Legacy Bowl and was

named as a watch list player for the 2024 Deacon Jones

Trophy Black College Football Player of the Year.

The Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame and the Chickasaw

Nation will honor Burgess as the 3rd Annual Aeneas

Williams Award Winner at the 39th Anniversary of the

Paycom Jim Thorpe Award Banquet in Oklahoma City on

Feb. 4, 2025.

Also this weekend, former Jackson State defensive

back/wide receiver Travis Hunter was named the 2024

recipient of the Heisman Trophy, given to the top player in

college football. Hunter, a two-way star, started his career

at JSU under head coach Deion Sanders before moving

with Sanders two years ago to Colorado.

Jackson State dominant in Celebration Bowl

LUT WILLIAMS

BCSP Editor

ATLANTA, GA – Jackson State secondyear

head coach T. C. Taylor accomplished

something Saturday that celebrated former JSU

head coach Deion “Coach Prime” Sanders

never did, i.e., win a Celebration Bowl.

Taylor’s SWAC champion JSU Tigers (12-

2) shutdown and stifled MEAC champion South

Carolina State (9-3) in a dominant 28-7 win

here Saturday at Celebration Bowl IX before a

crowd of 36,823. Sanders, now the head coach at

Colorado, failed in two attempts leading JSU into

this season-ending game including a 31-10 loss

to SC State in the 2021 game.

"The thing going into this game is we got

tired of hearing about them," Taylor said in the

postgame press conference regarding SC State

and the physical brand of ball played in the

MEAC. "If you look at it today, they were the

more finesse team. They tried to throw the ball

and we ran the football."

JSU ran for 152 grind-it-out yards on

51 carries and got two short 2-yard rushing

touchdowns from senior star running back Irv

Mulligan (25 carries, 71 yards) in the second and

fourth quarters.

The Tigers' passing offense was just as

effective. Junior quarterback Jacobian Morgan

was an efficient 15 of 21 thru the air for 233 yards

with two scoring passes to star wideout Joanes

Fortilien (6 catches, 43 yards).

The Tiger defense meanwhile limited SC

State to 30 rushing yards on 19 carries (1.6 yards

per carry) and held prolific SCSU passer Eric

Phoenix to 13 completions in 31 attempts for

143 yards with one interception. Phoenix, in fact,

led Bulldog rushers with just 17 yards on eight

carries.

SCSU was 2 of 13 on third-down conversions

while JSU converted 9 of 16. JSU won the time

of possession battle 37 minutes to 23 minutes.

JSU outgained SC State 385 yards to 178.

"I told the team before the game that we're

going to win this thing in the trenches," Taylor

said. "The O-line, the D-line, we had to win this

game in the trenches and show everybody we're

the best in the country. That's what they went out

there and did."

The win gives Jackson the Div. 1 black

college national championship and gives the

SWAC its second straight win in the seasonending

matchup of black college conference

champions. The MEAC's lead in the bowl game is

BCSP Photo

MVPS: Jackson State defensive lineman

Jeremiah Williams (l.) and quarterback Jacobian

Morgan (r.) proudly display the defensive and

offensive MVP trophies after the Tigers' 28-7

thrashing of South Carolina State at Celebration

Bowl IX.

now cut to 6-3.

"First and foremost, we didn't get it done,"

SC State first-year head coach Chennis Berry

said. "We didn't play the way we're capable of

playing. We played very uncharacteristically

today."

JSU had a lot to do with that.

The first stamp of JSU's domination came

on its second possession after stopping SCSU

early and forcing two punts. The Tigers went

on a Celebration Bowl-record 19-play drive that

covered 78 yards, and cashed in on a 4-yard fade

pass from QB Morgan to Fortilien in the left

corner of the end zone. The drive took 9 minutes

and 39 seconds – also a Celebration Bowl record

– and carried into the second quarter giving JSU a

7-0 lead with 11:26 left in the period.

JSU forced a punt and stopped the Bulldogs

on fourth down to get the ball back at their own

34 with just over six minutes left in the half. On

first down from there, Morgan hit wideout Isaiah

Spencer behind the Bulldogs' secondary for a 65-

yard reception before he was tackled by Jarod

Washington at the SCSU 1. On the next play,

Mulligan went over for the first of his two scores.

After two more stops of SCSU, JSU went

into the break with the 14-0 lead. The Bulldogs

made just one first down in the half, were held

to 10 rushing yards on six carries and 17 passing

yards. JSU had outgained SCSU 153 yards to 27

yards thru two quarters.

Morgan was picked off by SCSU defensive

back Diego Addison on the second play of the

third quarter setting up the Bulldogs at the JSU

33. Ryan Stubblefield replaced Phoenix hoping

to spark the SCSU offense. Instead, the back-up

fumbled on first down and was sacked by LB

Ashton Taylor on 3rd-and-2 from the JSU 25

forcing a punt.

In the final drive of the period that ended two

snaps into the fourth quarter, JSU took possession

at its own 36 and drove 64 yards in ten plays to

score on Mulligan's short TD run and a 21-0 lead

at the 14:48 mark.

SC State finally got on the scoreboard in

the ensuing possession. Phoenix returned and

hit sophomore wideout Nigel Johnson on a

64-yard run and catch down to the JSU 18. The

gain was two more yards than the 62 yards the

Bulldogs had mustered thru three quarters. After

completing an 8-yard pass to Caden High on

4th-and-7 at the JSU 15, the Bulldogs scored two

plays later when Phoenix went over on a 3-yard

keeper to cut the lead to 21-7 with 11:13 to play.

JSU came right back to run off 11 plays –

eight on runs – that covered 56 yards and took

5:36 off the clock before placekicker Gerardo

Baeza was wide right on a 35-yard field goal.

Three plays into the following SC State

possession, Phoenix was picked off by JSU LB

Shemar Hawkins who returned the interception

to the Bulldogs' 14. On first down from there,

Morgan lofted another fade pass into the left

endzone that Fortilien hauled in for his second

TD and the 28-7 Tigers' lead.

SC State drove 43 yards in 10 plays to

the JSU 8 on its final possession before it was

stopped on downs with 1:34 to play.

Morgan was named the game's offensive

MVP. Six-two, 285-pound redshirt senior

defensive lineman Jeremiah Williams was

a disruptive force in the interior and was the

defensive MVP. Williams had three solo tackles,

two for losses of 7 yards, and one of three sacks

of Phoenix for -6 yards in the fourth quarter.

Hawkins led the JSU defense with six stops, all

solos and had the interception. Taylor had two

solo stops including a sack.

"I was locked in the whole game," Williams

said. "My coach told me from the get-go, 'own

your gap.' I owned my gap all game."

SC State was led by all-MEAC linebacker

Aaron Smith who had 17 total tackles, 12 solos.

Washington had 10 stops while Addison had nine

tackles and the interception. Sophomore lineman

Josh Barker had 7 tackles, three for losses, and

a strip sack of Morgan.

THE STAT CORNER

WHO ARE THE BEST PERFORMERS IN BLACK COLLEGE SPORTS

CELEBRATION BOWL HISTORY

CELEBRATION BOWL IX - 2024

Jackson State 28, Soutn Carolina State 7

MEAC 6, SWAC 3

CELEBRATION BOWL VIII - 2023

Florida A&M 30, Howard 26

Mercedes-Benz Stadium – Atlanta, GA

MEAC 6, SWAC 2

CELBRATION BOWL VII - 2022

North Carolina Central 41, Jackson State 34

Mercedes-Benz Stadium – Atlanta, GA

MEAC 6, SWAC 1

CELBRATION BOWL VI - 2021

South Carolina State 31, Jackson State 10

Mercedes-Benz Stadium – Atlanta, GA

MEAC 5, SWAC 1

CELEBRATION BOWL V - 2019

North Carolina A&T 64, Alcorn State 44

Mercedes-Benz Stadium – Atlanta, GA

MEAC 4, SWAC 1

CELEBRATION BOWL IV - 2018

North Carolina A&T 24, Alcorn State 22

Mercedes-Benz Stadium – Atlanta, GA

MEAC 3, SWAC 1

CELEBRATION BOWL III - 2017

North Carolina A&T 21, Grambling State 14

Mercedes-Benz Stadium – Atlanta, GA

MEAC 2, SWAC 1

CELEBRATION BOWL II - 2016

Grambling State 10, North Carolina Central 9

Georgia Dome – Atlanta, GA

SWAC 1, MEAC 1

CELEBRATION BOWL I - 2015

North Carolina A&T 41, Alcorn State 34

Georgia Dome – Atlanta, GA

MEAC 1, SWAC 0

© AZEEZ Communications, Inc. Vol. XXXI, No. 20

BOO YOW!! Atlanta special teams' ace KHADAREL HODGE (#12,

PRAIRIE VIEW A&M) blocks a punt by Las Vegas punter A. J. Cole

(#6) in the third quarter of the Falcons' 15-9 win Monday night over

the Raiders. The block led to an Atlanta field goal. (falcons.com photo)

ACROBATIC PICK!! Kansas City safety BRYAN COOK (#6, HOWARD /

Cincinnati) goes high to pick off Cleveland QB Jameis Winson in the end

zone during the Chiefs' 21-7 win over the Browns Sunday. (chiefs.com photo)

DEFENSE

– #6 BRYAN COOK, S, Kansas City (3rd season,

HOWARD / CINCINNATI) - In Kansas City’s 21-7

win over Carolina, Cook started at strong safety

and finished with three total tackles, all solos, with

an interception, one tackle for loss and one pass

defended. Cook played 39 defensive snaps (63%) and 16 on special

teams (62).

– #2 JOSHUA WILLIAMS, DB, Kansas City (3rd

season, FAYETTEVILLE STATE) - In Kansas City’s

21-7 win over Carolina, Williams started at cornerback

and tied for the team lead with five total tackles,

three solos, and was credited with defending one

pass. Willams played 44 defensive snaps (71%) and

six on special teams (23%).

– #53 CLAUDIN CHERELUS, LB, Carolina (2nd

season, ALCORN STATE) - In Carolina’s 30-14 loss

in to Dallas, Cherelus started at inside linebacker

and was second on the team with nine total tackles,

five solos. He played 53 defensive snaps (73%) and

nine on special teams (36%).

OFFENSE

#71 TYTUS HOWARD, OL, Houston (6th season,

ALABAMA STATE) - In Houston’s 20-12 win over

Miami, Howard started at right offensive tackle as

the Texans rushed for 77 yards on 20 carries and

passed for 131 yards and two touchdowns while the

Texans’ line gave up four sacks (-27 yards). Howard was in on all 50

offensive plays (100%) and four on special teams (16%).

teams (32%).

BCSP NFL PLAYERS OF THE WEEK

For NFL games of December 12 - 16, 2024

SPECIAL TEAMS

– #12 KHADAREL HODGE, WR, Atlanta (6th season,

PRAIRIE VIEW A&M) - In Atlanta’s 15-9 win over

Las Vegas, Hodge blocked a third-quarter Raiders’

punt that led to a Falcons’ field goal. Hodge was in

for five offensive snaps 9%) and eight on special


www.thewestsidegazette.com

SPORTS

Nunnie on the Sideline

By Nunnie Robinson, Westside Gazette Sports Editor

The Heisman voters got it right, although

reticence and trepidation

couldn’t be avoided until the winner was

publicly announced.Colorado’s Travis

Hunter was undoubtedly the best college

football player in 2024, excelling as

a receiver and defensive back, displaying

rare skills comparable to Bo Jackson,

Shohei Ohtani, Charles Woodson

and his coach and mentor, Deion Sanders.

Hunter won with 2,231 total points,

as compared to Boise State’s Ashton

Jeanty, who finished with 2,017 points.

The 214-point difference was the smallest

margin of victory since Alabama running back Mark Ingram

beat out Stanford RB Toby Gerhart in 2009. It shouldn’t have

been that close though Jeanty had a tremendous year rushing

the ball for nearly 2,000 yards. During the season, Travis after

a great play scoring a touchdown or making an impactful

interception, consistently displayed or mimicked the Heisman

pose first introduced by Michigan's Desmond Howard. I believe

his actions were viewed negatively by many voters, seeing it

as presumptuous, arrogant and self-serving. Voting your prejudices

or personal feelings is certainly not unprecedented,

particularly in today’s political climate. Then as Coach Prime

rightfully promoted Travis as the overwhelming favorite, those

voters displeased with Deion’s persona as a player and coach,

could easily expressed those sentiments via their vote. With

the Jim Thorpe Award, given to the best defensive back, there

was opposition against Travis winning the award based on an

insufficient number of tackles. Even Stevie Wonder can see

how ridiculous that argument is. A lot of tackles indicates that

the player allowed many receptions leading to tackles after

catch. The voters got it right!

Congrats to Coach T.C. Taylor, his Tiger football team and

coaches and the Jackson State University community for winning

the 2024 Celebration Bowl, symbolic of the HBCU National

Championship.

The College Football Playoffs begin in earnest this week,

starting Friday night, featuring Indiana against Notre Dame

in South Bend and Saturday with SMU facing Penn State in

Happy Valley. Something to consider: the CFP has a problem

created by the transfer portal which allows players to enter before

the season ends. Penn St. backup quarterback, Beau Pribula,

has entered the transfer portal, leaving PSU scrambling

for answers as they prepare for the most important game of

the year. Rules allowing players to enter portal or transfer at

will, whether of their own volition or not, is detrimental to the

game. This will not be the last time you hear about this.

Shawn Gibbs was recently hired as the head football coach at

North Carolina A & T University. Some of you may be wondering

why I bring this up. Two years ago, Gibbs, then the head

coach at Division II Ft. Valley State in Georgia, led his team to

victory against Johnson C. Smith in the inaugural Ft. Lauderdale

based Florida Beach Bowl. Later that year, then FAMU

athletic director Tiffany Sykes wanted to hire Coach Gibbs as

the Rattlers’ head coach. However, the powers that be nixed

that decisions, which eventually led to her dismissal as AD.

Apparently, Ms. Sykes was on to something. He has a sterling

record as an assistant and head coach at several stops including

A& T, Grambling State, and his alma mater, North Carolina

Central. Based on last year’s one win season, a total rebuild

is in order. My fraternity brother, Feirmon Johnson, an A&T

alum, and I will be chronicling the Aggies’ progress.

North Carolina A & T competed in the Big South Conference

in the 2022 season before moving to the CAA, aka the Colonial

Athletic Association in 2023.

This one Jackson State play ‘woke up’ the Celebration

Bowl and stunned South Carolina State

By HBCU Sports

(Source: HBCU)

Jackson State pulled off a second-quarter play in the

Celebration Bowl that woke up Mercedes-Benz Stadium and

dealt South Carolina State an early knockout blow.

Already leading 7-0 following a 19-play, 9-minute touchdown

drive that spanned two quarters, the Tigers dialed up what

Continue reading online at: thewestsidegazette.com

Former NFL Player Randy Moss

Reveals His Cancer Diagnosis, Surgery

(Source: BlackNews.com)

NATIONWIDE --Pro Football Hall of

Famer Randy Moss has revealed that he

has been battling cancer. The Minnesota

Vikings legend shared the news in

an Instagram post, saying he spent six

days in the hospital for surgery.

Moss, 47, appeared in the video using

a cane to move but remained upbeat,

wearing a “Team Moss” shirt with the

message “Let’s Moss Cancer.” In the video,

Moss said doctors discovered a cancerous mass in Moss’s bile

duct, located between his pancreas and liver, after he noticed

changes in his urine.

Continue reading online at: thewestsidegazette.com

Photo: Jackson State Football/X

By Vaughn Wilson

Deeply Rooted

A case for diversity rests

in popular Madden

Football Game

John Madden was one of the most beloved

figures in all of football on any level. His

genuine and transparent personality endeared

him to fans across the globe. When he was

selected as the face of Electronic Arts’ (EA)

groundbreaking football game in 1988, it was

the start of a multi-billion dollar franchise

that is solid to this day.

Initially made for PCs and Apple

computers, the original version of Madden

Football was quirky, but as processing power evolved, the

game is now three-dimensional with a massive playing base. It

now employs the latest in technologies in graphics, sound, and

features.

For the first four years of Madden Football, starting in

1988, all the players were the same color. At the time over

75-percent of the players in the NFL were black. However in

oversight all the players were represented as Caucasian. No

one at EA Sports took a moment to consider that this was a

false representation of the NFL.

Amazon Prime has a current documentary on the Madden

game titled “It’s in the Game.” It details the rise of the superpopular

game and its nuances. In 1992, EA Sports hired a

humble and talented creator in Gordon Bellamy. Bellamy, who

was black, was charged with bringing more reality to the game.

He realized that there were different abilities to change the

colors of the uniforms, but not ability to change the color of the

players, which he found was inaccurate.

With his urging, EA Sports put the different hues in the

game and began making the players look more and more like

the way they actually appeared. This was a very important

element in the thinking of the uber-successful EA Sports and

fostered their push for more reality into the platform.

With all the brilliant people at EA Sports, the resources

they had, the drive to put reality into the game, it is a case

study in why diversity and inclusion are important at some

junctures. Without Bellamy in the room and with authority,

we may have seen many more years of grey players and not

representing the true nature of the NFL players that were

represented in the game.

While the U.S. is on a path to totally dismantle each and

every diversity, equity , and inclusion effort that is currently in

place, there will be more instances of disregard for others who

won’t be in the rooms when decisions are made.

Interestingly, Bellamy cites the success of the first black

quarterback to win a Super Bowl as one of his motivations in

adding the proper skin tones to the players. In 1988, Doug

Williams led the Washington Redskins to a Super Bowl victory

and became the first Black quarterback to start the Super Bowl

and the first to win Super Bowl MVP.

Continue reading online at: thewestsidegazette.com

Travis Hunter’s Heisman

victory as a testament of faith

There is a VERY deep lesson in Travis Hunter's three

year climb from being the top high school football player

in America (according to Rivals, ESPN, 24/7 Sports and

other media outlets that provide such rankings), to winning

the Heisman Trophy—an award given annually to

the top player in the collegiate game. Simply stated, that

lesson is that we all must have unwavering faith in the

vision that has been placed in our hearts for our own

lives—be it professional, personal, or a combination of

the two!

Travis Hunter, the 2024 Heisman winner…

By Chuck Hobbs from Hobbservation Point

As a person of faith, I have always believed that visions for my

own life, those "gut feelings"if I will, are the Holy Spirit speaking

to me. However, I also know that many of my non-Christian

friends and followers also make decisions in their own

lives based upon that "little voice" that pops up anytime they

face the proverbial "fork in the road" and must decide whether

to go left, right, or turn completely around.

Three years ago, Travis Hunter—then only 18 years old—

committed to play football at Florida State University in Tallahassee.

Over the preceding four decades, FSU had risen to

become one of major college football's "Blue Blood" programs

after winning three national championships and having three

players, Charlie Ward, Chris Weinke, and Jameis Winston,

win the coveted Heisman Trophy.

But on national signing day in December of 2021, Hunter

shocked the world by spurning FSU not for a fellow major college

Blue Blood like Georgia, Alabama, or Ohio State, but for

Jackson State University, where he committed to playing for

its new coach—none other than former FSU and NFL Hall of

Famer Deion "Primetime" Sanders!

Mentor and Mentee: Coach Deion “Prime” Sanders, and

Heisman winner Travis Hunter

From a purely football standpoint, Hunter's selection made

perfect sense; as a cornerback, wide receiver, and kick returner,

who on Earth could be BETTER to learn from than Sanders,

arguably the best cornerback of all time who also played wide

receiver and returned kicks in the NFL? And yet, when Hunter

chose Coach Prime and Jackson State, his decision was BLAST-

ED by many of the same media members who had praised him

as the "Second Coming" of Sanders who would dominate the

same field at Doak Campbell Stadium that “Prime” used to

dominate in the 1980's.

Much of Hunter's rebuke, both in the mainstream and on so-

Continue reading online at: thewestsidegazette.com

DECEMBER 19 - DECEMBER 25, 2024 • PAGE 15

WG

Dolphins’ Defeat Ends

Playoff Hopes

By Nunnie Robinson, Westside Gazette Sports Editor

Reality smacked the Dolphins square in the face on Sunday

in Houston as the Texans ended any Miami Dolphins playoff

hopes, suffering a 20-12 loss to the playoff bound Texans. The

cold facts indicate that the Fins are still very much a work

in progress, highlighted by a weak running game, an average

offensive line, and a gifted but limited quarterback in today’s

game of phenomenal, duel-threat athletes playing the position

such as Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson, Pat Mahomes, Kyler

Murray, Bo Nix, Jordan Love, et al.

The defense, under first year coordinator Anthony Weaver, has

improved steadily and shows promise led by underrated Zach

Sieler, first round draft pick Chop Robinson and cornerback

Jalen Ramsey.

The Dolphins remain in the NFL middle of the pack, unable

to beat more talented or up and coming teams like the Houston

Texans, a replay of last year’s unceremonious playoff dismissal

by the Buffalo Bills. Don’t want to nor should we lay all the

blame on Tua, but it’s obvious that when he doesn’t perform

up to expectations, the Dolphins aren’t the same team.

We witnessed an inspired road performance versus Buffalo

and needed basically to win out. Another tough road loss to

Green Bay left no room for error. The simple fact is that we

consistently failed to compete or defeat the best teams in the

NFL. The road victory over the L A Rams was an anomaly.

Additionally, teams have virtually eliminated the deep threat

posed by Tyreek Hill and the gifted cadre of receivers. The

question begs: What will the management/ hierarchy do to

improve an obviously flawed team.

The Dolphins lost the game because of turnovers ( 3 Tua picks)

and injuries to 3 offensive linemen. The Texans pressured Tua

consistently, forcing him to make throws while scrambling,

placing him in untenable situations. This is especially

undesirable and difficult for an offense based on timing and

execution.

The one thing that offers some consolation is the effort and

professionalism of the team, which I’m certain will be on display

in the remaining 3 ball games. There are better days ahead.

Please to report that wide receiver Grant Dubose, injured

on a vicious blow to the head while attempting to catch a pass

over the middle by a Texan defender, has full movement in

all extremities and as of this writing, remains in a Houston

hospital.

The Florida Panthers are enjoying an excellent season,

currently sitting in first place in the Atlantic Division of

the Eastern Conference, a half game in front of the Toronto

Maple Leafs after defeating the team they played in the finals

to win last year’s Stanley Cup, the Edmonton Oilers 6-5. A

group of hockey experts have them ranked 6th at this point

in the season. Their next game is away versus poll setter, the

Minnesota Wild. Go Panthers.

The Miami Heat, still trying to find their identity, presently

sit in 6th place in perhaps the most competitive conference in

the NBA behind the Cleveland Cavaliers, Boston Celtics, New

York Knicks, Orlando Majic and Milwaukee Bucks, the team

playing in NBA Cup final versus the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Players on the winning team each receive an additional

$500,000 bonus unrelated to their regular salaries. The Heat

with a 13-11 won/lost record still have time to right the ship

and compete for the NBA title, a constant goal for the proud

franchise and their leadership! Let’s Go Heat.

It was a matter of time for

Simmons to rise to

FBS head coach

By Vaughn Wilson

Florida International University (FIU)

has hired former FAMU head coach Willie

Simmons as its new head coach. ESPN

reports that Simmons was offered a four-year

deal, making him just the fourth HBCU coach

to take over an FBS program.

Willie Jeffries was the first to make the leap as the former

South Carolina State coach was hired by Wichita State. Former

Jackson State head coach Deion Sanders is now the head coach

at the University of Colorado. Former NCCU head coach Jerry

Mack now leads Kennesaw State.

Simmons left FAMU officially on New Year’s Day. It was

two weeks after hoisting the trophy in Atlanta by winning the

HBCU national championship with a 30-26 win over Howard

University in the Cricket Celebration bowl. The Rattler nation

was not ready for such an abrupt departure.

Throughout his time at FAMU, Simmons was a hot

commodity. The University of South Carolina put in a push to

bring him as a position coach and other schools offered but were

not taken seriously by Simmons. During this time, Simmons

felt he had the support of FAMU VP/AD Kortne Gosha and he

was getting the resources he needed to continue to build.

With descension between former FAMU Director of

Athletics Tiffani-Dawn Sykes and Simmons and his agent, it

was no surprise that Simmons bolted for Duke to be running

backs coach for his former coaching mate Manny Diaz. They

had worked together at Middle Tennessee State and it was a

safe place to grow.

It was no secret that Simmons was not Sykes’ choice. While

she celebrated the national championship, behind closed doors

she was not supporting him. That was uncovered in employee

accounts and several individuals who had been in contact with

her. A tense situation developed between Sykes and Simmons’

agent that made the relations irreparable. Simmons agent

then began working on the next move for his client.

While FAMU was certainly not the place where Simmons

wanted to end his career, he was not ready to abruptly leave

the institution. His respect for the university, its history, and

the people of the university was too great for that.

Even after all that has transpired, social media has been

abuzz with well wishes for Simmons. He will always remain a

fiber in the FAMUly. He and wife Shaia and their children are

great representatives of our great institution. The outpouring

of support of those who earlier this year were trying everything

in their will to keep Simmons, has turned into a chorus of

support for one of the most talented young coaches in the

NCAA.


PAGE 16 • DECCEMBER 19 - DECEMBER 25, 2024

Deeply Rooted

www.thewestsidegazette.com

My Head Start Story:

A Lifetime Connection

NNPA NEWSWIRE — When it was time to move

on from Head Start, my literacy and numeracy

skills were advanced. Because Head Start taught

my mother how to advocate for what was in my

best interest educationally

By Maryom McCloud

My story is a series of events and opportunities that

likely would not have happened if not for Head Start.

We lived in the George Legare housing development in

North Charleston, South Carolina. My mom had me

while she was in high school. My grandmother became

my primary caregiver as my mom continued her

education by going to college. My grandmother enrolled

me in the Mamie G. Fields Head Start, which centered

me in a safe and caring environment. I loved going

to school. I loved that I had a book bag just like my

mom. Little did I know, while she worked to fulfill her

dreams, Head Start would initiate a journey leading to

my dreams, too.

It’s hard sometimes to remember last week, let alone

decades ago, but I have vivid memories from my time at

Head Start. I remember things like eating lunch with

classmates and the school’s immaculate facilities, with

different areas for toys and activities. And the books!

Head Start gave me my first set of books, and I fell

in love with reading. One cemented memory is when

I had to get dressed up and take pictures for a special

ceremony that included “really important people” from

the town who didn’t look like me, my family, or anyone

in my neighborhood. That’s how my young mind

understood what I would later learn to be the vestiges

of racial segregation.

When it was time to move on from Head Start, my

literacy and numeracy skills were advanced. Because

Head Start taught my mother how to advocate for what

was in my best interest educationally, she requested

a meeting with the elementary school principal to

discuss my beginning kindergarten, even though

my birthday was after the registration cut-off. That

meeting resulted in two additional opportunities.

First, I started kindergarten at four years old.

Second, the school principal offered my mother a job

as a substitute teacher, which was her first job with

benefits. This opportunity was a significant boost for

our family that could not have happened had she been

unable to attend and finish her studies. Throughout

my school years, I excelled. I graduated high school at

16 and started college at 17, intending to pursue an

electrical and chemical engineering degree. Additional

encounters and opportunities along the way helped

me identify a career path in accounting instead. I’ve

always been skilled with numbers and learned that

finance suits me well.

Not long after launching my career, I merged my

aptitude for numbers with my core belief in serving

others by working in the public service, governmental,

and nonprofit sectors. Now, as a result, my work is

challenging and fulfilling. My first job was as a director

of Finance and Human Resources for a Community

Action Agency, which served Head Start children and

families. I have had a successful career at various

governmental and nonprofit programs with Head Start

in multiple regions and states for over 16 years. And,

in 2020, I joined Lutheran Family Services Florida as

the director of Finance–yet another opportunity to give

back to Head Start. When I look at my path and my

family’s, I firmly believe that Head Start had a central

role in where we are today. Head Start is a catalyst

for changing mindsets, leading to opportunities that

change lives.

Maryom McCloud is director of finance for Lutheran

Family Services Florida.

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