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PRSRT STD

U.S. POSTAGE

PAID

FT. LAUDERDALE, FL 33310

PERMIT NO. 1179

get 2 free

special

advance

screening passes

PAGE 10

HBCU Band invited to perform

at Donald Trump Inauguration

PAGE 12

THURSDAY, JANUARY 9 - JANUARY 15, 2025

VOL. 53 NO. 49 $1.00

Vice President Harris Announces

Final Rule to Remove

Medical Debt

from Credit

Reports

Federal courts won’t

refer Supreme Court

Justice Clarence

Thomas to attorney

general over ethics

A MESSAGE FROM

THE PUBLISHER

The Biden-Harris Administration has

also implemented broader reforms

to address the root causes of

medical debt, including enforcing

requirements for tax-exempt

hospitals to provide financial

assistance, simplifying debt

forgiveness processes for veterans,

and protecting consumers from

surprise medical bills.

By Stacy M. Brown

NNPA Newswire Senior

National Correspondent

@StacyBrownMedia

Vice President Kamala Harris has

announced a new Consumer Financial

Protection Bureau (CFPB) rule to

eliminate medical debt from consumer

credit reports. The White House

explained in a release that the action

would remove $49 billion in unpaid

medical bills, benefiting 15 million

Americans by raising credit scores and

improving access to home loans, cars,

and small businesses.

Administration officials further noted

that states and localities have already

leveraged funds from the American

Rescue Plan (ARP) to eliminate over $1

billion in medical debt for more than

700,000 Americans. These efforts are part

of a broader push to reduce the financial

strain caused by medical emergencies,

with jurisdictions projected to eliminate

roughly $15 billion in medical debt for up

to six million individuals.

“No one should be denied economic

opportunity because they got sick or

experienced a medical emergency. That

is why we have worked to cancel more

than $1 billion in medical debt with

support from the American Rescue

Plan,” Harris remarked during the

(Cont’d on page 5)

Developing Story: State Attorney

Monique Worrell In Court

Submitted by

Rhetta People

(Source: Florida Sun)

Orange/Osceola elected

State Attorney

Monique Worrell

was in court in Polk

County as a Grand

Jury convened. Right

now it is unclear why

she was in court.

Duly elected State Attorney Monique Worrell

Worrell was elected

at a rally after she was suspended by Governor

in 2020 as the State

Ron DeSantis in 2023. (Photo credit: Oscar L. Peoples)

Attorney for Orange

and Osceola Counties. Although voters elected her to the role,

Worrell was removed from office by Governor Ron DeSantis and

replaced with Andrew Bain. Shortly after the 2024 election, Bain’s

administration has made

comments about refusing to

leave office against the will of

the voters.

This is a developing story.

Two major themes, “unity”

and “resilience,” have been

recognized by Barbados’ Prime

Minister Mia Mottley, the

incoming Chair of the Caribbean

Community (CARICOM), as

necessary preconditions to

propel the organization toward

a future influenced by current

The Westside Gazette Newspaper

PAGE 12

CARICOM – Unity and Resilience Key to Future Says Chairman PM Mottley

By Nycaribnews.com

events like the COVID-19 epidemic and

climate change.

In the January 1st announcement,

Mottley stated, “Today, we stand at

the crossroads of immense challenges

and extraordinary opportunities. How

we act, united as a people, and as

nations will define not only this year,

2025, but the legacy of our generation.

The Caribbean is far more than a

geographic space. We know it. It is

a living testament to the power of

courage, creativity, and our collective

strength.”

The Bajan Prime Minister

Justice Clarence Thomas won’t be referred to the Department of Justice for his

continuing unreported private gifts. (Earl MacDonald/Wikimedia Commons)

By Lindsay Whitehurst, The Associated Press

(Source: Miami Times)

The federal courts will not refer allegations that Supreme Court

Justice Clarence Thomas may have violated ethics laws to the Justice

Department, the judiciary’s policymaking body said Thursday.

Thomas has agreed to follow updated requirements on reporting

trips and gifts, including clearer guidelines on hospitality from

friends, the U.S. Judicial Conference wrote to Democratic senators

who had called for an investigation into undisclosed acceptance of

luxury trips.

Thomas has previously said he wasn’t required to disclose the

many trips he and his wife took that (Cont’d on page 12)

January 6 Committee Leaders Cheney and

Thompson Receive Presidential Citizens Medal

continued, “Ours is a history marked by

resilience, a word that we will have to

embrace more and more in our future.

Time and again we have faced storms

most natural and manmade and risen

stronger, more determined than ever,

united in shaping our destiny; especially

in this year as we saw the ravages of

Hurricane Beryl make history not just

for the history books, but regrettably,

in the lives of too many families across

our region… “

Barbados’ prime minister was

adamant that the reinstatement of

the CARICOM Single Market and

Economy (CSME) was crucial to the

region’s objective of fostering prosperity

and togetherness. According to CSME

Mottley, “is not merely an economic

agenda,” but “a vision of unity and

opportunity for small states who know

that we can achieve so much more

together than we do so individually.

Full realization of the CSME, including

above all else, yes, the free movement of

our nationals is essential for unlocking

the true potential of our people and our

economies. So is the necessity for us to

Continue reading online at:

thewestsidegazette.com

@TheWestsideGazetteNewspaper

No Matter

How Dark,

Light Will

Come

8

Do not gloat over me, my

enemy! Though I have fallen,

I will rise. Though I sit in

darkness, the LORD will be my

light. Micah 7:8

By Bobby R. Henry, Sr.

No matter how deep the

darkness may seem, the

light will come. As James

1:17 reminds us, “Every good

thing given and every perfect

gift is from above, coming

down from the Father of

lights, with whom there is no

variation or shifting shadow.”

This truth offers a foundation

of hope even in the bleakest of

times.

Darkness often masks

itself as adversity, whether

self-inflicted or beyond our

control. If you don’t pay your

light bill, the darkness comes

because of your actions.

Yet, when a storm knocks

out your lights, you have no

say in the matter. In both

cases, the result is the same:

darkness. What makes the

difference is knowing who is

with you in that darkness,

providing security, clarity,

and guidance.

The challenges of being

Black, Brown, LBGQT+,

Jewish or nonwhite we’ve

faced, have cast a shadow

over the entire world. This

darkness has diverted

our attention, allowing

longstanding issues like

inequity and political

trickery to persist. It is as if

the darkness seeks to cover

truths that have long existed

in the light. But as the saying

goes, “What happens in the

dark comes to light.”

Though the darkness

(Cont’d on page 10)

Thursday

Jan 9 TH

Partly Cloudy

Sunrise: 6:48am

Fri

71°

49°

77°

61°

70°

54°

70°

54°

66°

47°

Sunset: 5:28pm

Sat Sun Mon Tues

WESTSIDE GAZETTE IS A MEMBER:

National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA)

Southeastern African-American Publishers Association (SAAPA)

Florida Association of Black Owned Media (FABOM)

73°

53°


and Libby Johnson

Civic Engagement

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PAGE 2 • JANUARY 9 - JANUARY 15, 2025

veness after

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have been

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t receiving

(PHOTO CREDIT: COTTONBRO STUDIO)

Submitted by Central Florida Public Media

(Source Florida Courier)

come-driven

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excited about this project and grateful to all those who

What to know about state’s new

social media law?

Florida’s social media law took effect on Jan. 1. Here’s what to know.

Under the new law, kids younger than 14 won’t be allowed to have their

own social media accounts in Florida.

Fourteen- and 15-year-olds will only be able

to open or keep a social media account with a

parent or guardian’s permission.

And social media sites have 90 days to delete

social media accounts for anyone under the age

of 14, and 14- and 15-year-olds who don’t get a

parent or guardian’s permission.

Once these accounts are deleted, social media

sites must permanently delete all personal

information shared on them.

But despite the law taking effect on Jan. 1,

the state won’t legally enforce it until February.

The law is currently being challenged in court by

two separate lawsuits.

The first suit filed by tech industry groups

NetChoice and the Computer & Communications

Industry Association in October claims the law

infringes on First Amendment rights.

A preliminary injunction hearing about

whether the law should be blocked will be held

on Feb. 28. Chief U.S. District Judge Mark

Walker will preside.

The law also blocks anyone under the age of

18 from accessing “materials harmful to minors”

which could include porn sites.

Sites must verify a person’s age using an

anonymous or standard age verification method,

and if anonymous age verification is used, it must

be conducted by a third party not associated with

the government.

All information used to verify a person’s age

must be deleted.

The second lawsuit filed by adult

entertainment group Free Speech Coalition in

December, claims this age verification hurts

adults as well as minors and is keeping young

people from sexed materials online.

Regardless of how these two lawsuits play

out, it’s still unclear which social media sites the

law applies to.

The law defines a social media site as any

that does the following:

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 and Universities

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

Continue reading online at: thewestsidegazette.com

Biden credited the success

of these relief efforts to the

corrective measures taken

to address broken student

loan programs. He asserted

that these fixes have removed

barriers preventing borrowers

from accessing the relief they

were entitled to under the law.

The president outlined the

broader achievements of his

administration in supporting

students and borrowers,

Allows users to upload content or view the

including achieving the most

significant increases in Pell

Grants in over a decade, aimed

Continue reading online at:

thewestsidegazette.com

www.thewestsidegazette.com

content or activity of other users

Allows users to upload content or Ten

percent or more of the daily active users who

are younger than 16 years of age spend on

average 2 hours per day or longer on the

online forum, website, or application on the

days when using the online forum, website,

or application

Allows users to upload content or

Employs algorithms that analyze user data

or information on users to select content for

users

Allows users to upload content or Has

any of the following addictive features:

infinite scrolling, push notifications or

alerts, personal interactive metrics, autoplay

capabilities, or live-streaming

And says the following sites are exempt

from the law:

An online service, website, or application

where the exclusive function is mail or direct

messaging consisting of text, photographs,

pictures, images, or videos shared only

between the sender and the recipients,

without displaying or posting publicly or to

other users not specifically identified as the

recipients by the sender

If the law becomes enforceable, social

media companies could be subject to

penalties under the Florida Deceptive and

Unfair Trade Practices Act for not complying

with it.

Penalties would include a $50,000 fine

per violation of the law, attorney fees and

court costs.

The law passed with bipartisan support.

Republican lawmakers including Governor

Ron DeSantis claim the law is needed to

protect minors from agein -appropriate

content and the detrimental mental health

effects of social media use in young people.

At least 12 states including Florida, have

passed legislation limiting social media

access for minors.

Words compiled by KamarJackson,

Sophomore at Dillard High School

College

Prep

approbation

adjective

(noun)

Word of

the Week

being at rest; inactive or

motionless; getting a nod quiet; in a big still: way a

quiescent HOW TO USE IN A SENTENCE: mind.

formal word for approval or praise;

His ambition for approbation sets bounds

and limits to his ambition, so to speak.

quiescent

[ kwee-es-uhnt, kwahy- ]

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.

Leia’s Mathematics

Corner

NYOMI HAS 4 BOXES OF BOOKS EACH

BOX HAS 6 BOOKS. HOW MANY BOOKS

DOES NYOMI HAVE IN TOTAL?

521

+ 12

134

- 56

Created by Leia Palmer 3rd grader!

Word Search

List Compiled

by Kamar

Jackson,

Freshmen

at Dillard

High School


www.thewestsidegazette.com

Congressional Black

Caucus Ushers in New Era

with Record Membership

and Historic Firsts

This week’s arrests and sentences of more alleged

offenders show effort by the Department of Justice

hasn’t stopped as they continue to attempt to hold

those involved accountable for the violence that

disrupted American democracy.

JANUARY 9 - JANUARY 15, 2025 • PAGE 3

Federal Judges Sound Alarm as Jan. 6 Arrests, Sentences

Continue While Trump’s Pardons Loom

Among them were groundbreaking figures, including

two Black women Senators and two Black U.S. House

members from Alabama serving simultaneously for the

first time.

By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Senior National

Correspondent, @StacyBrownMedia

The Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) celebrated a

historic milestone with its largest membership ever, as 62

Black lawmakers were sworn in ahead of the 119th United

States Congress. Among them were groundbreaking figures,

including two Black women Senators and two Black U.S.

House members from Alabama serving simultaneously for the

first time.

Democrats Angela Alsobrooks of Maryland and Lisa Blunt

Rochester of Delaware made history as the first two Black

women to serve together in the U.S. Senate. Their elections

were met with enthusiasm and optimism, signaling progress in

representation. “I am honored to serve the people of Maryland

and am ready to get to work,” Alsobrooks shared, while Blunt

Rochester expressed her excitement, saying, “Let’s get to work.”

Both Senators took their oaths of office from Vice President

Kamala Harris.

The CBC also celebrated the historic election of Shomari

Figures, who joins incumbent Rep. Terri Sewell as Alabama’s

two Black U.S. House members. Figures represent Alabama’s

newly created 2nd Congressional District, which emerged

following a landmark 2022 federal court ruling mandating

a second “opportunity district” for Black voters. The U.S.

Supreme Court upheld the decision in 2023, paving the way for

Continue reading online at: thewestsidegazette.com

By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Senior

National Correspondent, @StacyBrownMedia

Federal judges are expressing concern over the future

of justice for January 6 defendants as Donald Trump

prepares to retake office and considers pardoning the

participants in the Capitol attack. This week’s arrests

and sentences of more alleged offenders show effort by the

Department of Justice hasn’t stopped as they continue to

attempt to hold those involved accountable for the violence

that disrupted American democracy.

On December 18, a Texas man and a Virginia man

were arrested for allegedly assaulting law enforcement

during the January 6, 2021, breach of the U.S. Capitol.

Authorities said their actions contributed to the chaos

By Kate Payne, The Associated Press

Report for America

(Sourc:e Black News & Views)

Hundreds of people who say they

suffered physical or sexual abuse at two

state-run reform schools in Florida are in

line to receive tens of thousands of dollars

in restitution from the state, after Florida

lawmakers formally apologized for the

horrors they endured as children more

than 50 years ago.

At its peak in the Jim Crow 1960s, 500

boys were housed at what is now known as

the Arthur G. Dozier School for Boys, most

of them for minor offenses such as petty

theft, truancy or running away from home.

By Stacy M. Brown

NNPA Newswire Senior National

Correspondent

@StacyBrownMedia

Federal authorities released new video

footage and details on Thursday in the ongoing

investigation of a suspect who placed pipe bombs

near the headquarters of the Republican and

Democratic National Committees the night

before the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot.

The newly disclosed video depicts the suspect

sitting on a bench near the Democratic National

Committee (DNC) building, removing what law

that interrupted the certification of Joe Biden’s 2020 presidential

victory. Earlier in the month, a South Carolina man was sentenced

to prison for four misdemeanors related to the attack. On the same

day, a judge sentenced a Georgia man to prison after his conviction

for assaulting police officers during the riot.

The ongoing arrests and sentences come nearly three years

Continue reading online at: thewestsidegazette.com

Hundreds apply for restitution for abuse

suffered at Florida reform schools

Orphaned and abandoned children were

also sent to the school, which was open

for more than a century.

The buildings that housed the Arthur

G. Dozier School for Boys in Marianna,

Florida, are seen on July 13, 2011.

Photo credit: Brendan Farrington, The

Associated Press

In recent years, hundreds of men

have come forward to recount brutal

beatings, sexual assaults, deaths, and

disappearances at the notorious school

in the panhandle town of Marianna.

Nearly 100 boys died between 1900

and 1973 at Dozier, some of them from

gunshot wounds or blunt force trauma.

Some of the boys’ bodies were shipped

back home. Others were buried in

unmarked graves that researchers only

recently uncovered.

Ahead of a Dec. 31 deadline, the

state of Florida received more than 800

applications for restitution from people

FBI Renews Push for Tips in Capitol Hill Pipe Bomb Case

Media Personality

Dr. Willie Jolley Receives

“Titans of Public Speaking” Award

The newly disclosed video depicts the suspect sitting on a bench near the Democratic National

Committee (DNC) building, removing what law enforcement officials identified as a pipe bomb

from their bag and placing it outside the facility.

Marcus Garvey (Photo: A&E Television

Networks / Wikimedia Commons)

enforcement officials identified as a pipe bomb

from their bag and placing it outside the facility.

Officials also revealed the suspect’s estimated

height as 5 feet 7 inches.

The investigation, now entering its fourth

year, has stymied federal and local investigators

despite extensive efforts. Authorities have

conducted about 1,000 interviews, examined

39,000 video files, and vetted 600 tips without

identifying the individual responsible. David

Sundberg, assistant director of the FBI

Washington Field Office, said releasing new

details aims to prompt someone to come forward

with information.

Congresswoman Yvette Clarke

Leads Push for

Marcus Garvey’s

Exoneration

Rioters assaulted approximately 140 police officers in the attack, including

about 80 U.S. Capitol Police and 60 from the Metropolitan Police Department.

held at the Dozier school and its sister

school in Okeechobee, Florida, attesting

to the mental, physical and sexual abuse

they endured at the hands of school

personnel. Last year, state lawmakers

allocated $20 million to be equally

divided among the schools’ surviving

victims.

Bryant Middleton was among those

who spoke publicly in 2017, when

lawmakers formally acknowledged the

abuse. Middleton recalled being beaten

six times for infractions that included

eating Blackberries off a fence and

mispronouncing a teacher’s name after

being sent to Dozier between 1959 and

1961.

“I’ve seen a lot in my lifetime. A lot of

brutality, a lot of horror, a lot of death,”

said Middleton, who served more than

20 years in the Army, including combat

Continue reading online at:

thewestsidegazette.com

“The tips have been very helpful, but

they have not allowed us to identify a

suspect yet,” Sundberg said. “So, we are

releasing some subsequent information

in order to hopefully jog someone’s

memory or convince them that they have

information that maybe they thought was

not particularly important — but could

actually be important.”

Sundberg acknowledged that the

timing and circumstances of the incident

have complicated the investigation. “The

suspect was wearing a hood, a mask,

gloves—entirely covered. And that is

exacerbated by what was going on in the

world and the time of year,” Sundberg

said. “It was January during the

pandemic, so wearing lots of clothes and

a mask would not have been abnormal

to anyone passing this person on the

sidewalk.”

The pipe bombs were placed near

the Republican National Committee

(RNC) and DNC headquarters between

7:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. on January 5,

2021, in a Capitol Hill neighborhood just

blocks from the U.S. Capitol. Although

the bombs did not detonate, authorities

said the devices were viable and could

have caused serious injury or death.

Continue reading online at:

thewestsidegazette.com

Dr. Willie Jolley with Dr. George C. Fraser and Les Brown

NNPA NEWSWIRE — Dr.Willie Jolley, Les Brown,

and Dr. George C. Fraser. In a memorable ceremony,

the trio was honored with the prestigious “Titans of

Public Speaking” award.’

By John Hope Bryant Honors “Titans of Public

Speaking” at Hope Global Forum

ATLANTA – PRLog — At this year’s Hope Global

Forum annual conference in Atlanta, GA, Operation

Hope Founder and CEO, John Hope Bryant,

presented a special award recognizing the profound

contributions of three legendary thought leaders

and speakers: Dr.Willie Jolley, Les Brown, and Dr.

George C. Fraser. In a memorable ceremony, the trio

was honored with the prestigious “Titans of Public

Speaking” award.

John Hope Bryant expressed his desire to spotlight

these distinguished individuals for their decades-long

impact on economic growth, personal empowerment,

and leadership. He praised Dr. Jolley, Les Brown,

and Dr. Fraser as icons who have inspired and

empowered millions worldwide to improve their lives,

Continue reading online at: thewestsidegazette.com

In a letter to the president, the

lawmakers described the case as

rooted in prosecutorial misconduct

designed to discredit Garvey and

undermine his work for racial justice

and empowerment.

By Stacy M. Brown

NNPA Newswire Senior

National Correspondent

@StacyBrownMedia

Congresswoman Yvette Clarke

(D-NY) and 20 of her colleagues

are urging President Joe Biden to

exonerate Marcus Mosiah Garvey,

the Pan-Africanist leader whose 1923

conviction for mail fraud has long

been viewed as politically motivated.

In a letter to the president, the

lawmakers described the case as

rooted in prosecutorial misconduct

designed to discredit Garvey and

undermine his work for racial justice

and empowerment.

Continue reading online at:

thewestsidegazette.com

BlueYear

Resolution

$125 Toilet

Rebate

Check eligibility and apply at

Call 8002709794 for additional details.


PAGE 4 • JANUARY 9 - JANUARY 15, 2025

Westside Gazette

Calendar of Events

Upcoming Events - Save the Dates

Executive Board Meeting - 6:00 PM (Virtual)

January 24, 2025 - Friends of AARLCC

Membership Mixer - 6:00 PM AARLCC

January 30, 2025 - Friends of AARLCC

Membership Meeting - 6:00 PM AARLCC

February 1, 2025 - VIP Reception - Reveal the Beauty

Harlem Renaissance Exhibit - 6:00 PM AARLCC

President: Albert Coleman

Vice President: Willie Robinson

Sr. Business Agent: Bobby Neely

Sr. Trustee: Jessie Johnson

Deeply Rooted

LOCAL HAPPENINGS IN

BROWARD MIAMI-DADE

AND PALM BEACH

COUNTIES

HAVE YOUR COMMUNITY EVENTS

PLACED ON THIS PAGE

email:wgproof@thewestsidegazette.com

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Email: wgazette@thewestsidegazette.com

Art Prevails Project Awarded a Residency

at AARLCC

AARLCC has established a

residency for the Art Prevails

Project (APP), a South Florida-based

nonprofit dedicated

to strengthening underserved

communities through

literary and performing arts.

This dynamic residency will

feature a series of engaging

programs designed to inspire

creativity and self-expression

among participants of all ages.

Attendees can look forward to improv classes that encourage

spontaneity and collaboration, as well as creative

writing workshops aimed at honing literary skills and

fostering a love for storytelling. Young poets will have the

opportunity to showcase their talents in a youth poetry

competition, providing a platform for emerging voices to

be heard and celebrated. The residency also includes

APP's annual event, "Our Voices: Festival of Words," a vibrant

celebration of spoken word, poetry, and storytelling

that brings together diverse voices from the community.

Established in 2015 by founder and artistic director Darius

V. Daughtry, the Art Prevails Project has a rich history of

facilitating creative arts workshops, staging original theater

productions, and partnering with impactful organizations

to bring the arts to various communities. Their vision is a

world where everyone can see themselves in the creative

arts and harness its healing powers to strengthen themselves

and their communities.

Write On! Creative Writing Workshop, Wednesday, Jan 8

from 6 to 7:30 p.m.

Improv with Art Prevails Project, Wednesday, Jan. 29 from

6 to 7:30 p.m.

Deadline for Black History Month Art and Essay Contest is

January 31

Broward County students in

grades 9-12 are invited to participate

in the Black History Month Essay

and Art Contest. Participants

are asked to reflect on the Association

for the Study of African

American Life and History's 2025

theme for Black History Month, "African

Americans and Labor." In their essays or art submissions,

students are asked to explore how labor and workplaces

have shaped the experiences of African Americans

throughout history.

The deadline for entries is January 31, 2025. Winners will

be honored during a program on Wednesday, February

19, 2025.

AARLCC's Black History Month Art and Essay Contest

Deadline for Submissions: January 31, 2025

AARLCC's Award Winning Black History Saturday School

Series Continues

Join us for an engaging family

workshop where participants will

explore the importance of storytelling,

read stories by diverse

authors, and create their own

stories, songs, or skits, celebrating

African American culture and

history.

This monthly program is perfect for families who love to

learn together. Registration is required.

This program is sponsored by the Friends of the African

American Research Library and Cultural and presented in

partnership with Link Up & Build, Inc.

Black History Saturday School Series, Saturday, Jan. 11

from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

In the News: "Florida students are giving up Saturdays to

learn Black history lessons their schools don’t teach"

AARLCC and its award-winning Black History Saturday

School Series is referenced in this article by Kate Payne at

AP News.

New Exhibition: "Year Long Summers" by Bri Mason

"Year Long Summers" is an ongoing photo project that

captures the vibrant spirit and diverse creativity

thriving in South Florida. Starting in 2021 and

officially named in 2023, this project draws inspiration

from the sun-soaked days, beachside

breezes, and the relentless heat that define

the Miami landscape and its unique cultural

fabric.

The project focuses on creatives from all

walks of life, including musical artists, models,

Continue reading online at: thewestsidegazette.com

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2025 Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebrations

SOULFUL SUNDAYS & POETRY MLK

EDITION

Sunday, Jan. 12 at 6 pm at Ali

Cultural Arts Center | $10/person

Come on out and experience an

unforgettable evening of music

and poetry that enriches the soul

as we celebrate and Recapture

the Dream of Dr. Martin Luther

King Jr.

MLK MOVIE NIGHT & FISH FRY

Friday, Jan. 17 at 6 pm at E. Pat

Larkins Center. FREE

Join the MLK Committee and the City of Pompano Beach

staff as we unite the community together to watch the

monthly movie | Sound Of Hope: The Story Of Possum Trot

and enjoy some fresh fried fish. Under 18 require supervision.

MLK GOLF CHAMPIONSHIP

Friday, Jan. 17 at 8 am at Pompano Beach Golf Club

The tournament will feature 4-person teams playing a

scramble format with a 8:30 am shot-gun start on the

Palms Course. The cost per team is $300.00, which includes

18-holes of golf, complimentary food and drinks on the

course, a post round luncheon, and trophy presentation

at Galuppi’s.

MLK PARADE & CELEBRATION

Monday, Jan. 20 from 9 am to 5:30 p.m., at Mitchell Moore

Park FREE

Come out and enjoy the 9 am parade with the route ending

at Mitchell Moore Park for a festive, fun filled day of

live entertainment, music, a kids zone and so much more.

Food trucks and merchandise vendors will be available for

individual purchase. For more info call (954) 786-4111.


www.thewestsidegazette.com

JANUARY 9 - JANUARY 15, 2025 • PAGE 5

A Beacon of Hope: How One Woman’s Love

and Determination Uplifted a Family in Tragedy

By Staff Writer

In July 2024, Hurricane Beryl left Jamaica grappling with

devastation. By July 6, only 62% of the island had electricity

restored, leaving nearly half of the population in darkness.

Many families were forced to rely on kerosene lamps for

light—a dangerous substitute. Kerosene, a highly flammable

liquid fuel, has long been a source of house fires in Jamaica,

prompting government vows to eliminate its use.

Tragedy struck in rural Jamaica in late August when a

kerosene lamp ignited a fire that claimed the lives of three

members of the Stillwell family as they slept. The Stillwells,

a family of nine who survive through farming, were already

struggling with poverty. Without a car and often unable to

President Biden signs Bipartisan

HEARTS Act into Law

The American Heart Association says bill will save lives in schools nationwide

WASHINGTON, D.C.

-- President Biden earlier

this week signed into law the

bipartisan Cardiomyopathy

Health Education, Awareness,

Research and Training in

Schools (HEARTS) Act, which

will help ensure students and

staff in schools nationwide

are prepared to respond

to a cardiac emergency.

The bipartisan legislation

unanimously passed the U.S.

House of Representatives

in September and the U.S.

Senate earlier this month.

The American Heart

Association, which is

celebrating 100 years of

lifesaving service as the

world’s leading voluntary

organization focused on heart

and brain health, strongly

supports this legislation as

part of its goal to double

the survival rates from

cardiac arrest nationwide by

2030 through its Nation of

help to protect kids, and I’m

grateful to the lawmakers

and partners who have made

it a priority.”

The HEARTS Act includes

key provisions of the Access

to AEDs Act, which was

introduced in March 2023

with the support of the

American Heart Association,

Hamlin, the National Football

League and others.

Only 40% of people who

experience a cardiac arrest

get the immediate help

they need before emergency

responders arrive. But there

is growing momentum across

the country to turn bystanders

into lifesavers, with more

people than ever saying they

are willing to perform CPR in

the event of an emergency. As

a result of efforts by the NFL’s

Smart Heart Sports Coalition,

of which the Association

is a founding member,

state legislatures across

Surgeon General calls for new label on drinks

to warn Americans of alcohol’s cancer risk

Surgeon General Vivek Murthy speaks during a panel

discussion, Oct. 10, 2023, in New York.

(AP Photo/Ted Shaffrey, File)

Submitted by Amanda Seitz

(Philadelphia Tribune)

WASHINGTON —

Alcohol is a leading cause of

cancer, a risk that should

be clearly labeled on drinks

Americans consume, U.S.

Surgeon General Vivek

Murthy proposed on Friday.

Murthy’s advisory comes as

research and evidence mounts

about the bad effects that

alcohol has on human health.

Americans should be

better informed about the

link between alcohol and

cancer, in particular, Murthy

argues in his advisory, noting

alcohol consumption is to

blame for nearly one million

preventable cancer cases

in the U.S. over the last

decade. About 20,000 people

die every year from those

alcohol-related cancer cases,

“This final rule ensures that medical debt

will no longer be included in credit scores,

transforming the financial futures of millions.”

Medical debt remains the largest source

of debt in collections, surpassing credit

card, utility, and auto loan debt combined.

The CFPB has reported that medical bills

are often riddled with errors and inflated

charges, making them a poor indicator of an

individual’s creditworthiness. Officials added

that the rule would remove medical debt from

credit reports, building on earlier changes by

major credit agencies that excluded specific

categories of medical debt.

According to administration data,

jurisdictions including Cook County, Illinois;

Cleveland, Ohio; and New Jersey have

relieved hundreds of millions in medical debt

for residents. For example, Cook County

emergency response plans,

CPR training and AEDs,

critical resources will be

available to students, staff

and visitors that can mean

the difference between life

and death during a cardiac

emergency.”

“In January of 2023, I

experienced cardiac arrest and

was blessed to be surrounded

by a team of medical

professionals that saved my

life,” said Damar Hamlin,

Buffalo Bills safety, member

of the National Football

League’s Smart Heart Sports

Coalition and National

Ambassador for the American

Heart Association’s Nation of

Lifesavers movement. “Every

year, as many as 23,000 kids

experience cardiac arrest in

our country, and I believe that

every one of them deserves

the same access to lifesaving

care that I had. From schools

to ball fields, this bill will

according to his advisory.

Bottles of beer, wine and

liquor already carry warning

labels about the risk of birth

defects when a pregnant

woman consumes alcohol.

But Murthy’s proposed label

would go even further, raising

awareness about the risk for

cancer, too.

Consuming alcohol raises

the risk of developing at least

seven types of cancer diseases,

including liver, breast and

throat cancer, research has

found. His advisory also notes

that as a person’s alcohol

consumption goes up, so does

the risk for developing those

illnesses.

“For individuals, be aware

that cancer risk increases

as you drink more alcohol,”

Murthy wrote Friday on the

social media platform X. “As

you consider whether or how

much to drink, keep in mind

that less is better when it

comes to cancer risk.”

Jim Beam, Knob Creek and other alcohol bottles are

pictured at a bar in Eagle, Colo., Dec. 25, 2018.

(AP Photo/Jenny Kane, File)

Vice President Harris Announces Final Rule to Remove Medical

Debt from Credit Reports from Front Page

eliminated $382 million in debt for over

210,000 individuals. North Carolina recently

launched an initiative to forgive up to $4

billion in medical debt for nearly two million

residents, ensuring hospitals adopt policies

that reduce the risk of future debt while

improving financial assistance systems.

The Biden-Harris Administration has also

implemented broader reforms to address the

root causes of medical debt, including enforcing

requirements for tax-exempt hospitals to

provide financial assistance, simplifying

debt forgiveness processes for veterans, and

protecting consumers from surprise medical

bills.

“This unprecedented rule reflects our

commitment to lowering costs and creating

pathways to financial stability for families

across the nation,” Harris stated.

the country have passed

policies to ensure schools are

prepared to respond to cardiac

emergencies.

The HEARTS Act will

bolster these state efforts

by creating a new grant

program to provide schools

with additional resources

for CPR and AED training,

the purchase of AEDs and

related equipment and the

development of cardiac

emergency response plans.

These plans can more than

double survival rates from

cardiac arrest by empowering

people nearby to take action

and call 911, start CPR

and use an AED. In schools

with AEDs, children who

experience cardiac arrest

are seven times as likely to

survive as children in schools

without AEDs.

“Every second counts when

someone experiences a cardiac

arrest, and now schools will

have the resources they need

to save lives,” Brown said.

“We are so appreciative of

the bill’s many champions in

Congress, including Majority

Leader Chuck Schumer,

Sens. Cory Booker and Susan

Collins and Reps. Frank

Pallone, Sheila Cherfilus-

McCormick and Bill Posey,

for their persistence and

commitment over the past

two years to make schools

Continue reading online at:

thewestsidegazette.com

aAAA

This Week in Health: Advice for a Healthy 2025

We hope that you’ve

“Exercise; don’t smoke; drink alcohol in

“Take

pay their phone bill, they found themselves grappling with

homelessness and food insecurity after the fire. The cost of

burying their loved ones—a staggering 280,000 Jamaican

dollars (approximately $1,790 USD) per person—seemed

insurmountable.

Amid their despair, hope came in the form of a distant

relative by marriage, Ms. Teeka Hamilton. Though she lived

far away, Teeka sprang into action as soon as she heard of

their plight. Leveraging the power of community and social

media, she recorded a heartfelt video explaining the Stillwells’

circumstances and shared it widely. She went live on Instagram

and Facebook, reaching out to friends, family, and church

communities for support.

Although Jamaica lies 710 miles from Florida, the love and

compassion of Broward County residents bridged that gap.

Responding to Teeka’s call for help, they came together to

wrap the grieving family in support. Over three months, Teeka

raised enough funds to bury each of the victims, one by one. Her

efforts didn’t stop there—she also facilitated travel for family

members from Haiti and the Dominican Republic to attend the

funerals, ensuring the Stillwells could grieve surrounded by

loved ones.

Teeka’s actions are even more remarkable given her

personal challenges. Legally blind and having undergone

multiple heart surgeries by the age of 39, she has still become

a pillar of strength for both the elderly and youth in her

community. Her impeccable reputation reassured donors

that their contributions were in trustworthy hands, inspiring

confidence and generosity.

At a time when trust is scarce and love often feels elusive,

Teeka’s selflessness reminds us that compassion still thrives.

Her story serves as a powerful testament to the boundless reach

of love, showing us that even in the face of personal struggles,

we can make a profound difference in the lives of others.

Thank you, Teeka, for reminding us of the beauty that

exists in our world—and for proving that the arms of love can

stretch far beyond our limitations.

Westside Health Brief

Marsha Mullings, MPH

January 6, 2025

“Eat a

“To have a healthy 2025,

“Make time for rest. This means unplugging

“Practice gratitude. Even brief moments of


PAGE 6 • JANUARY 9 - JANUARY 15, 2025

WESTSIDE

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public.Letters must be signed

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No unsigned letters will be

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Sheriff Tony Joins Efforts

to Combat Human

Trafficking in January,

National Human Trafficking

Prevention Month

By Guest Contributer

A Message from Sheriff Gregory Tony:

January marks National Human Trafficking Prevention

Month—a month set aside to raise awareness about a pervasive

crime that often occurs in plain sight within our communities.

While many envision victims as children or women sold into

slavery or the sex trade, the reality is far more complex. Human

trafficking transcends age, gender and race, encompassing

both forced labor and sexual exploitation.

The Broward Sheriff’s Office (BSO) Internet Crimes Against

Children/Human Trafficking Unit (HTU) is dedicated to

identifying instances of human trafficking, rescuing victims and

empowering communities to join the fight against this heinous

crime. The HTU investigates intricate cases of exploitation,

often rooted in emotional and financial manipulation, working

relentlessly to bring perpetrators to justice and provide support

to those affected.

A notable example of HTU’s work is Operation Suite 16,

a two-day anti-trafficking operation in partnership with local

and state agencies. During the operation, HTU identified and

assisted adult trafficking victims, connecting them to critical

resources such as shelter, medical care and counseling to help

them rebuild their lives. The operation also led to the arrests

of individuals who targeted these vulnerable young women,

exploiting their struggles with homelessness and addiction

and coercing them into commercial sex acts, drug sales and

fraudulent activities. This effort highlights the value of multiagency

operations and the meticulous work required to uncover

and dismantle these operations.

Strong community partnerships are also critical to

solving human trafficking cases. Through initiatives like

the Stop Abuse, Fight Exploitation (S.A.F.E.) Initiative,

the HTU collaborates with prosecutors, code enforcement,

local governments, regulatory agencies, homeowners and

community leaders. Together, they work to identify, investigate

and shut down sexually illicit businesses while preventing the

recruitment of future victims.

The coordinated efforts of these operations and partnerships

underscore the critical importance of interagency collaboration

and community education. In addition to enforcement efforts,

raising public awareness remains one of the most powerful tools

in combating human trafficking. The HTU actively engages

with neighborhoods, schools and organizations to educate the

public on recognizing the warning signs of human trafficking,

including isolation, poor physical health or lack of financial

control, and who to call for help.

The BSO HTU remains steadfast in its mission to combat

this crime, support survivors and protect the vulnerable.

Through enforcement, education and collaboration, we can

make a meaningful difference and put an end to human

trafficking in our communities. Let us commit to being vigilant,

compassionate and proactive in this crucial fight.

To learn more about human trafficking and how you can help

prevent it, visit www.sheriff.org/humantrafficking.

*If you suspect someone is a victim of trafficking, reach

out immediately to the National Human Trafficking Hotline

at 1-888-373-7888. Callers can remain anonymous, and all

reports are confidential. In an emergency, call 911.

Sheriff Dr. Gregory Tony

Service Equals Reward

In Its Final Days, the Biden

Administration Delivers Big Time for

America’s Coastal Communities

By Ben Jealous

It may be the dead of winter, but when we

think about our beaches none of us want to

picture them covered in oil. That is true for those

of us who live along the water and those who live

hundreds of miles from any ocean. Regardless of

our generation, we can all picture what it looks

like. For some, it is the 1969 oil spill in Santa

Barbara, California.

For others, the Deepwater Horizon oil spill by BP in the

Gulf of Mexico. No matter what disaster comes to mind, we

can all agree on one thing: we must protect our waters and

our coastal communities. President Biden not only agrees,

he just took decisive action to prevent future disasters from

happening.

This week, in the waning days of his administration,

President Biden announced he would use his authority under

Section 12(a) of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act to

permanently withdraw 625 million acres from leasing for oil

and gas drilling and exploration off our nation’s coasts. The

protected waters include the entire eastern Atlantic coast, the

eastern Gulf of Mexico, the Pacific coast of California, Oregon,

and Washington, and portions of the Northern Bering Sea in

Alaska.

Continue reading online at: thewestsidegazette.com

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.

Killing of the United Healthcare

CEO Sparked Long Overdue

Conversation About Greed

By Sarena Neyman

Call him a misguided hero or villain, but

the man who killed the United Healthcare

CEO struck a nerve, exposing a deep rage

shared by many Americans across the

political spectrum — anger at an industry

that earns obscene profits from the

suffering of others. His chilling act shifted

the national conversation from immigration

to corporate greed. Finally.

For too long, Americans have hesitated

to criticize the super-rich. Chalk it up to our

tribalist nature that has so many convinced

that our financial struggles are caused not by wealth hoarding

but by those we view as outside our clan.

History offers many examples. In Nazi Germany, Jews were

blamed for a financial depression triggered by the American

stock market crash. My parents and grandmother barely

escaped; many in my family did not.

Decades later, Ronald Reagan handed the wealthy the largest

tax cuts in US history while vilifying the “Welfare Queen” who

leached from the feeding trough of “Big Government.”

This racist caricature was meant to distract from policies

that began a 40-year transfer of wealth from the 90 percent to

the one percent, producing the largest wealth gap in a century.

It’s a story about the undeserving poor vs. the deserving rich.

Today, we face a similar narrative. Immigrants are blamed

both for stealing jobs and freeloading despite their essential

role in propping up our economy given our shrinking workforce.

After being fed a steady anti-immigration media diet, it’s not

surprising that nearly four out of five Republicans support

placing undocumented immigrants in internment camps.

Continue reading online at: thewestsidegazette.com

Federal Budget: America’s Golden Eggs

“Those driven by greed to rob the Federal Budget

are as senseless and cruel as the farmer who

killed “The Goose That Laid Golden Eggs.”

John Johnson II… 01/08/25

By Jonn Johnson II

There’s an age-old fable entitled “The

Goose That Laid The Golden Eggs.” The

story goes that a farmer had a goose

that laid a golden egg each day, making

the farmer very wealthy. However, the

farmer’s greed for more golden eggs led

him to kill the Goose, hoping to capture

all the golden eggs inside. Sadly, he

discovered that only organs were inside.

Now, the farmer’s source of wealth was

gone.

This fable serves as a stark warning, a call to action. It reminds

us that the Federal Budget is symbolic of the “Goose That

Laid The Golden Eggs.” It also revealed that new characters

with cynical flaws are worse than the greedy farmer. They’re

fraudsters, wasteful spenders, inefficient accountants, and

traffickers of illicit contracts. They’ve mastered the art of

gutting the Federal Budget of its revenues, its “Golden Eggs.”

With America’s 2024 GDP (total goods & services Produced)

at a staggering $29.1 trillion, the largest in the world. The

2024 Federal Budget expenditures of $6.75 trillion exceeded

the revenue collected by $4.919 trillion. America now faces

a deficit of $1.833 trillion. This means the government spent

more money (“Golden Eggs”) than revenue collected. This

situation demands immediate attention.

Anyone with a basic understanding of Economic 101 would

quickly say, “This is a terrible way to run any business.” Yes, it

is! Nevertheless, the government avoids declaring bankruptcy

by adding the deficit to its staggering debt crisis. Imagine if

working people could overspend their credit card limit, increase

the spending limit, and never worry about the interest debt.

Amazingly, the Federal Government regulates banks but does

a terrible job regulating itself. It reported that Medicare loses

an estimated $60 billion each year; over ten years, this totals

$600 billion.

Senator Rand Paul’s 2023 AND 2024 Festivus Reports

revealed that the Federal Government wasted $900,000,000 and

Continue reading online at: thewestsidegazette.com

The People’s List of Trump’s Worst

(Part 2)

By Mel Gurtov

[Note to Readers: In Part 1, I wrote about the big-time donors

and loyalists who will populate Trump’s cabinet, inner circle,

and ambassadorships. Elon Musk naturally stands out in that

grouping, and now the New York Times has introduced us to

Musk’s inner and outer circle. Three things stand out for me

from that profile: venture capitalists and others with extreme

wealth dominate Musk’s close relationships; virtually no

women other than wives and his mother are influencers; and

Musk is using his insider role to push people from his former

days at PayPal and his current space programs to obtain

positions in the defense department. The conflicts of interest

Musk is creating are legendary.]

The Family

The third group is the extended family that Trump will

rely on, notably in formulating Middle East policy. Son-in-law

Jared Kushner is once again knee-deep in corruption, this time

being clever enough to stay out of an official position in the

incoming administration.

Writing in the online journal Popular Information, Judd

Legum and Noel Sims trace Kushner’s exploitation of his Saudi

connections to make millions of dollars offering investment

advice. Kushner’s private equity fund, Alliance Partners, relies

mainly on funds from Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund,

which is subject to final decisions by the notorious Mohamed

bin Salman, Kushner’s buddy.

Continue reading online at: thewestsidegazette.com

The Gantt Report

MAGAs and

Musketeers

By Lucius Gantt

M A G A

Republicans,

MAGA Democrats,

and

Musketeers

are all super

joyous these

days. They

now control

the House, the

Senate, the Presidency, the

Supreme Court, and federal

courts in the United States.

They fully intend to

implement their wicked and

imperialist policies outlined

in their 2025 project.

But it won’t be easy.

African Americans and

people of African descent

around the world, dry your

eyes. No amount of weeping

and wailing will change how

governments look at us or

how governments treat us.

Our struggles continue!

To improve our conditions,

our lives, and our relations,

we must change our ways.

We have an American

history of being misled,

mishandled, misrepresented,

and misused!

Every election year we are

led to believe our votes will

result in Black progress and

every election year in which

I have cast a ballot, I’ve felt

my life situation has not

improved.

The MAGAs and Musketeers

have zero concern

about Black progress. The

first thing done after the 2024

election was to signal an end

to all government programs

that Black Americans

favored. Affirmative action is

gone, Diversity, Equity, and

Inclusion plans were scuttled,

Critical Race Theories were

eliminated from college

classrooms, and books, like

my own, face bans at schools

and libraries from coast to

coast.

Network news pundits talk

endlessly about what can be

done to get the United States

government on the right

track. They say, things will be

better if Democrats talk more

about abortions, Medicare,

Medicaid, and other benefits

for the poor, elderly, and

disabled Americans.

Well, Democratic candidates

discussed all of those issues

in 2024 and still lost their

election races.

If you didn’t know, the

United States is quickly

becoming a nation of color.

Soon there will be more nonwhites

in America than there

are white people.

Network news reporters will

never suggest that people of

color can do a much better

job of reaching, motivating,

and inspiring their kind than

white people can.

No problem. Now more than

ever, I should be clear, our

progress and our survival are

dependent on us.

I know many Gantt Report

readers don’t like for me to

write the way I do, but our

so-called Black leaders have

failed our people.

Our best ideas, our best

plans, our best thinkers, and

our best soldiers, come from

the streets!

All of us, men and women,

have roles to play in our fight

for progress. A herd of Black

sheep led by a lion can defeat

a group of lions led by a white,

or colored, mouse!

We need a new generation of

Black leaders who can reach

and teach a new generation

of young freedom fighters and

soldiers.

Turn any anger you have

into more self-respect, and

more love for your family and

your community.

God has sent Blacks, and

other people of color, a

modern-day Moses to all

Black communities who have

the visions, the plans, and

Continue reading online at:

thewestsidegazette.com


www.thewestsidegazette.com

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

4360 W. Oakland Park Blvd Email: ken@acclaimcares.com

Lauderdale Lakes, FL 33313

Web: www.acclaimcares.com

Founder of Black

Woman-Owned Tax Firm

Makes History, Opens Her

First Physical Office

(Source: Black Business)

Blu Jean Louis, the

founder and CEO of Empire

Tax Services, a Black-owned

(Source: Black Business)

financial services company,

is expanding her reach and

impact with the opening

of her company’s first

physical office in downtown

Black Woman Developer Makes

History, Raises $310 Million for

Affordable Housing Projects

Gina Merritt, an African American woman affordable

housing developer from Washington, DC, is shaking up the

real estate industry while already having raised $310 million

since 2021. Her firm, NREUV, leads innovative projects across

the U.S., creating 1,200 housing units with amenities and a

focus on community needs.

Merritt, a former single mother who grew up in affordable

housing in the Bronx, struggled early in her career to secure

funding for her projects. For 20 years, she built projects for

white-run companies until a breakthrough came after George

Floyd’s murder in 2020. Since then, NREUV has raised $310M,

including $124M in 2024 alone, with plans to secure $114M

more for 2025.

Currently, Merritt’s firm has 17 buildings in the works

across Ohio, Maryland, and Washington, D.C., with 1,200

affordable housing units in progress. These projects focus

on community needs, with added amenities like workforce

Continue reading online at: thewestsidegazette.com

JANUARY 9 - JANUARY 15, 2025 • PAGE 7

Kokomo, Indiana. Located

at 106 W. Mulberry Street,

this milestone marks the

company’s evolution from

a virtual business to a

community-focused hub

offering essential financial

services and support. Despite

this exciting new chapter,

her company will continue

to accept virtual clients

nationwide, maintaining the

accessibility and flexibility

that have been key to its

success.

Blu, a Florida native with

a passion for community

empowerment, initially

operated virtually from 2022

to 2023, serving clients across

the country with professional

and reliable financial services.

She then recognized the

growing need for a physical

presence in Kokomo, a city rich

in community spirit, where

her expertise could make a

direct impact. After exploring

opportunities in larger cities,

Blu chose Kokomo because it

felt like home a place where

she could truly connect with

the community and help

individuals and businesses

thrive.

She comments, “Kokomo

stood out to us because of

the people. It’s a city full

of hardworking families,

entrepreneurs, and dreamers

who deserve a trusted partner

in achieving financial success.

Opening our first office here

allows us to be that partner.”

Continue reading online at:

thewestsidegazette.com

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PAGE 8 • JANUARY 9 - JANUARY 15, 2025

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

Have Your Church Announcement Placed

In Our Church Directory

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

Mrs. Avis Boyd-Gaines,

Owner, Funeral Director

& Embalmer

Mr. Bon M. Boyd,

Chief Executive Officer

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!

Mrs. Alexis Gaines-Sullivan,

Funeral Director,

Insurance Agent

& Preneed Counselor

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'

1) What is the only unpardonable sin in scripture?

2) Is there a difference between the ‘gifts of the spirit’ and the

‘fruit of the spirit’?

3) What does it mean to “crucify oneself “?

4) Why was Abel offering to God better than his brother Cain?

5) Do you have to be baptized by water to receive the Holy

Spirit?

6) What were the names of Job’s three friends?

7) What does it mean when a preacher is skilled in exegesis?

8) If I’m preaching an entire chapter in the Bible ‘verse by

verse’ what style of preaching is this?

**Biblical fact** The Dead Sea Scrolls were written on sheets

made from the papyrus reed.

Answers – 1) Mt 12:31-32; 2) 1st Corinthians 12: 8-10 & Galatians

5:22-23; 3) Galatians 5:24; 4) Genesis 4:4-5 & Hebrews

11:4; 5) Acts 10:44-48; 6) Job 2:11; 7) His ability to interpret

scripture; 8) Expository preaching

Magic Johnson

awarded nation’s

highest civilian honor

President Joe Biden, right, presents the Presidential

Medal of Freedom, the Nation’s highest civilian honor,

to Earvin “Magic” Johnson in the East Room of the

White House, Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025, in Washington. (AP

Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)AP

By Matt Wenzel | mwenzel2@mlive.com

EAST LANSING – Magic Johnson may be the most famous

among the more than 500,000 living Michigan State alumni

worldwide.

The legendary basketball player turned billionaire

businessman added the nation’s highest civilian honor to his

resume on Saturday when President Joe Biden awarded him

with the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

“I think that’s great for everybody but I think it’s great for

our university and for Michigan State to have one of our former

guys get such a prestigious honor,” Michigan State coach Tom

Izzo said on Monday. “As I read through why he got the award,

you realize how many things he did.”

Johnson, a Lansing native who starred at Everett High

School, led Michigan State to the 1979 national championship

before going on to win five NBA titles and three MVP awards

with the Lakers. He was one of 19 individuals awarded with

the medal on Saturday, joining Hillary Clinton, actors Denzel

Washington and Michael J. Fox and the late George Romney,

former governor of Michigan, among others.

“I am so humbled and overwhelmed with emotion right

now,” Johnson wrote in part of a message on social media. “It

is an absolute honor and privilege that President Joe Biden

selected me for the esteemed Presidential Medal of Freedom

award. Never in my wildest dreams would I have imagined

that this kid from Lansing, MI would one day grow up and

Continue reading online at: thewestsidegazette.com


www.thewestsidegazette.com

Actress Vanessa Williams’ Mom,

Helen Louise Williams, Sadly Dies at 85

(Source: Blacknews.com)

NATIONWIDE --

Vanessa Williams’ mother,

Helen Louise Williams,

sadly passed away on

December 28th at the age of

85. She died peacefully in

London from complications of

acute liver failure following a

sudden health decline.

Helen, a music teacher for

over 40 years, was in London

to celebrate her 85th birthday

with family and friends and

attend the opening of The

Devil Wears Prada musical on

the West End, where Vanessa

plays Miranda Priestly.

During the trip, Helen’s

health deteriorated, leading

to her death, according

to People.

Vanessa shared a

heartfelt tribute on

Instagram, writing, “On

December 28th, the world

lost a powerhouse, dynamo,

and force of nature packed

into a 5ft frame. Our mom,

Helen Williams, aka Gaga

to many, took her final bow

in London 20 days after

celebrating her 85th birthday

surrounded by family and

friends.

“It’s impossible to describe

all she meant to everyone

because each person saw a

different facet of her — loyal

friend to many, icy stares to

a chosen few. We will miss

it all. We want to offer some

reflections on her remarkable

life.”

Helen, born in Buffalo,

N.Y., on December 8, 1939, had

a long career teaching in the

Ossining and Manhattanville

School Districts and at

Manhattanville College. She

also taught private piano

lessons and performed at

various events. Even after

her retirement in 1996,

she continued coordinating

concerts and directing choirs.

Helen’s influence went

beyond music. In 2012, she

co-authored the memoir You

Have No Idea with Vanessa.

She also established the Helen

Tinch Williams Scholarship

at SUNY and volunteered at

Bedford Women’s Correction

Facility.

Following her mother’s

passing, Vanessa is taking a

temporary break from her role

in The Devil Wears Prada.

She will return to the stage

on January 16, with Debbie

Kurup stepping in during her

absence.

Helen is survived by

her brother, her children

Vanessa and Chris, four

grandchildren, and extended

family members.

Vanessa Williams’ and her mother Helen Louise

Celebrating the Life of

Gracie Lenchaper Mitchell

Sunrise- January 28, 1957 - Sunset- January 6, 2024

With a heart deeply rooted

in faith and an unwavering love

for her family, Gracie Mitchell’s

journey began in Hollywood,

FL, on January 28, 1957. Born to

Willie and Martha Ray Mitchell,

she was the youngest among

five cherished siblings.

Guided by the teachings of

her parents and her mother’s

pastoral influence, Gracie’s

christian foundation was visible.

She believed, was baptized in

Jesus’ Name, and filled with the

Holy Spirit. Her commitment to Christ shined brightly through

her embodiment of His Spirit in every facet of her life.

After graduating from Piper High School in Fort Lauderdale

with the Class of 1974, Gracie embarked on a remarkable

39-year career at AT&T, where her dedication and passion

resonated until retirement.

The Family was the cornerstone of Gracie’s joy. She

cherished time with loved ones, especially during visits to

North and South Carolina.

She eagerly anticipated relocating to North Carolina to

begin the next chapter of her life alongside her cherished

family and beloved sister, Jimmie.

Gracie’s spirit was one of guidance and celebration. She

was a beacon of wisdom, always willing to share insights

and uplift others. Her genuine excitement for the success of

those around her was palpable! Gracie’s nurturing nature,

coupled with her no-nonsense, authentic personality,

inspired strength in everyone she encountered.

Gracie reunites now in eternity with her beloved parents

and her eldest sister, Levilea Williams. Her enduring legacy

lives on in the hearts of her siblings: Sisters, Apostle Willett L.

Mitchell of Fort Lauderdale, Florida; and Jimmie Mitchell-

Majors of Charlotte, NC; and Brother, Bishop Dr. Micheal R.

Mitchell, Sr. (Cynthia) of Charlotte, NC and one brother-inlaw,

Bishop Levester Williams, Sr. Included amongst those

cherishing her memory are esteemed friends of AT&T, along

with numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, special relatives,

and host of friends.

Gracie’s life epitomized Proverbs 31:10: “Who can find a

virtuous woman?” Her unwavering faith, nurturing spirit, and

genuine love have left an indelible mark on all who were

fortunate to know her. Gracie’s legacy of strength, love,

and wisdom will continue to guide and inspire generations

to come.

Richard Parsons, prominent Black executive who led

Time Warner and Citigroup, dies at 76

Deeply Rooted

in a statement on behalf of

the Lauder family.

David Zaslav, the CEO

of Time Warner successor

Warner Bros. Discovery,

hailed Parsons as a “great

Continue reading online at:

thewestsidegazette.com

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

Casey Myers

Love And Grace

Funeral And

Cremation Service

Joycelyn Hall

- 93

Funeral

Service will be

held January

11 th at Judah

Worship Word

Ministries

International.

Johnny

“Ropeman”

Woodard – 55.

James C. Boyd

Funeral Home Services

Morey McDyle

Clemmons – 39

Funeral Service

was held

January 4th

at Church of

the Lord Jesus

Christ of the

Apostolic Faith with Willie

Charles Clemmons III

officiating.

Eddie B.

Washington –

78

Funeral Service

was held

January 4th at

James C. Boyd’s

Memorial

Chapel with Pastor Davis

Washington, Jr. officiating.

JANUARY 9 - JANUARY 15, 2025 • PAGE 9

McWhite’s Funeral

Home Services

Emma Jean

Ferguson

Funeral

Service

was held

January 4th

at Praise

Tabernacle.

Miracle

Fruster

Funeral

Service

was held

January 4th

at McWhite’s Funeral Home

Chapel

Una Trotman

Funeral

Service

was held

January 4th

at McWhite’s

Funeral Home

Chapel.

Ulysses “ Junior”

Turner, Jr. – 78

Funeral Service

was held January

4th at Lighthouse

Worship Center

Church

Roy Mizell & Kurtz

Funeral Home Services

Jalen Moore-22

Funeral

Service

was held

January 4th

at The

House

of God Church.

The LORD

has done

GREAT

things for

Us,

and we are

filled with Joy.

Psalm 126:3

Richard Parsons, a former top executive at Time Warner

and Citigroup, passed away at his Manhattan home.

(Billboard)

By Anick Jesdanun and

Michael R. Sisak, The

Associated Press

(Source:

The Miami Times)

Richard Parsons, one of

corporate America’s most

prominent Black executives

who held top posts at Time

Warner and Citigroup, died

Thursday. He was 76.

Parsons, who died at his

Manhattan home, was

diagnosed with multiple

myeloma in 2015 and

cited “unanticipated complications”

from the disease

for cutting back on work a few

years later.

The financial services

company Lazard, where

Parsons was a longtime board

member, confirmed his death.

Parsons’ friend Ronald

Lauder told The New York

Times that the cause of death

was cancer.

Parsons stepped down Dec.

3 from the boards of Lazard

and Lauder’s company, Estée

Lauder, citing health reasons.

He had been on Estée Lauder’s

board for 25 years.

“Dick was an American

original, a colossus bestriding

the worlds of business, media,

culture, philanthropy, and

beyond,” Ronald Lauder said


PAGE 10 • JANUARY 9 - JANUARY 15, 2025

Deeply Rooted

www.thewestsidegazette.com

Chef Lena Richard First Black Cooking T.V. Show

By Don Valentine

Meet Black America’s

“Unknown Celebrity Chef”,

Lena Richard, a gift to Cajun

cuisine foodies everywhere. In

1892, just 27 years after the

Civil War, this phenomenal

chef was born in New Roads,

Louisiana. In a Smithsonian

Magazine interview, Marie

Rhodes, Richard’s daughter

and sous chef: “Her reputation

was very fine...Everybody

used to call her Mama Lena.”

Lena Richard was born in

New Orleans during the early

20th century and learned how

to cook as a domestic worker.

Mama Lena began her cooking

at the age of 14, helping her

mother as a part-time domestic

worker for the Vairins, a

wealthy New Orleans family.

Noticing her natural talent

and curiosity for cooking, Mrs.

Vairin set aside a day each

week for her to experiment

with unique dishes. Mrs.

Varin generously paid for her

to attend Boston’s prestigious

Farmer cooking school.

Mama Lena’s gift for

cooking quickly out shined

the other students. In an

interview for the Smithsonian

she humbly said, “When I got ‘way

up there, I found out in a hurry they

can’t teach me much more than I

know. When it comes to cooking

meats, stews, soups, sauces and

such dishes we Southern cooks have

Northern cooks beat by a mile.”

Her classmates began taking

copious notes on the unique way

Mama Lena cooked her Creole

gumbo, chicken vol-au-vent, and

other classics. That inspired her

in 1939 to write her own 300

recipe cookbook Lena Richard’s

Cook Book.

Her book was very well

received and is regarded as

Fort Lauderdale native

launches a fighter jet

off the flight deck

aboard USS Carl Vinson

Lacy’s Celebration of Love was

everything she had hoped for. She

shared, “It will stay with me in me heart

for the rest of my life! We are so grateful

to you, as it would not have been

possible without your love and support.

Forever Grateful, Lacy & Cheri.

YOU AND A GUEST ARE INVITED

TO A SPECIAL ADVANCE SCREENING OF

Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Equipment) 3rd Class

Amari Mullings, (right) (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication

Specialist 3rd Class Nate Jordan)

Submitted by Ashley B. Craig

SOUTH CHINA SEA

– Aviation Boatswain’s

Mate (Equipment) 2nd

Class Jayden Whitehead,

left, of Beaufort, S.C., and

Aviation Boatswain’s Mate

(Equipment) 3rd Class Amari

Mullings, of Fort Lauderdale,

Fla., launch an F/A-18F

Super Hornet assigned to the

“Bounty Hunters” of Strike

Fighter Squadron (VFA) 2 off

the flight deck of the Nimitzclass

aircraft carrier USS

Carl Vinson (CVN 70), Dec.

26, 2024. Vinson, the flagship

of Carrier Strike Group ONE,

is underway conducting

routine operations in the U.S.

7th Fleet area of operations.

the first Creole cookbook

written by a Black person. The

chef’s career began a meteoric

rise in the “Nola” area. In

the late 1930s, she opened

a cooking school. The 1940s

saw her open Lena’s Eatery

and Lena Richard’s Gumbo

House. In 1946, she started

her own frozen-food business,

where she sold fully cooked

packaged dinners that were

shipped across the country.

Mama Lena made history

by becoming the first Black

woman to host a cooking show.

Her show Lena Richard’s New

Orleans Cookbook would air

on Tuesdays and Thursdays

on New Orleans local NBC

station.

She overcame all the racial

roadblocks. Jim Crow may

have cast a long shadow, but

Mama Lena’s kitchen always

had a light on. She was the

original Martha Stewart, with

a cooking show, a cookbook

and multiple restaurants.

A MESSAGE FROM THE PUBLISHER

from Front Page

of this pandemic affects us all, it does not discriminate,

blanketing the just and unjust alike. Yet, even as it exposes

the fragility of leadership and the inequities in society,

there is reassurance in knowing that day always follows

night. When the light comes, it will illuminate everything,

and nothing will remain hidden.

During this time, we must be mindful of our actions while

we still have the light to guide us. As scripture reminds us,

“No man can work when the night comes.” But even when

lost in the darkness, we must cling to the hope that we are

never alone.

I recall an experience in Dayton, Ohio, while working at a juvenile residential treatment

home. A reward for the students was an outdoor adventure in the wilderness—a place so vast

and beautiful that it was easy to lose one’s way. One evening, as the sun set, we realized we

were lost. Anxiety took over, and tensions rose as we struggled to navigate back.

In that moment, leadership and preparation became critical. Although I was in charge,

being lost felt like no one was in control. By working together and relying on the skills we had

learned, we found our way back. The lesson was clear: even during uncertainty, unity and

trust in the process can guide us home.

Today, the world feels much like that wilderness—chaotic, uncertain, and overwhelming.

Leadership seems lost, and the stakes are unimaginably high. Yet, I have come to understand

that some things are beyond our control. The burden is lighter when we entrust it to the true

Burden Bearer.

If we know someone is lost—whether physically, mentally, or spiritually—and we

fail to offer direction, we risk becoming lost ourselves. This includes even, the incoming

President(POTUS), his Cabinet, both the House and Senate to include most of the Supreme

Court. Let us remember the words of Luke 15:4: “What man of you, having a hundred sheep,

if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the

one that is lost, until he finds it?”

We are all in this together, and together, we will find the light. For no matter how dark it

gets, light will always come.

“Dear God. In the name of Jesus. We come seeking Your marvelous Light to shine our way

out of this darkness that is guiding us blindly into a world of confusion created by man. Dark

now, though it may be, we are not “lending to our own understanding” but, forever trusting

in You the Creator of all good and perfect things. In Jesus name please hear our prayers.”

OUT OF THE DARKNESS INTO THE MARVELOUS LIGHT

TUESDAY, JANUARY 14 • 7:00 PM • AMC AVENTURA

For your chance to win a complimentary admit-two pass

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Supplies limited. Employees of all promotional partners and their agencies are not eligible. Void where prohibited. SEATING IS LIMITED, SO ARRIVE EARLY.

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The State of Black Family Health Launches

MLK Weekend in Tampa by Black Nurses

(Source: BlackNews.com)

NATIONWIDE -- This

MLK Weekend in January

2025, The Color of Wellness

is proud to launch The State

of Black Family Health, a

powerful event series designed

to advocate for health equity,

amplify underrepresented

voices, and create lasting

change in Black communities

across the country. Kicking

off in Tampa in January

2025, the series will also

make stops in Detroit (April

2025), Columbia, SC (August

2025), and Gainesville, FL

(November 2025).

Sponsored by Chase Bank

and Keriton, this initiative

empowers individuals

with the tools, resources,

and connections needed to

tackle healthcare disparities

head-on. The event will

offer attendees access to

invaluable leadership skills,

health education tailored to

the unique needs of Black

families, and opportunities

for systemic change.

“This isn’t about one-time

inspiration,” says Michelle

Continue reading online at:

thewestsidegazette.com

The Atlanta Voice Honored to Attend White House Holiday

Reception

On December 21, 2024,

Donnell Suggs, the Editor-in-

Chief of The Atlanta Voice,

and his wife, Chia Suggs,

who holds the dual roles of

Advertising Administrator

and Executive Assistant

to the Publisher, had the

honor of attending the White

House holiday reception. This

exclusive event gathered an

eclectic mix of guests from the

realms of print, digital, and

radio media, illustrating the

vital role that diverse voices

play in shaping the nation’s

public discourse.

For Donnell, receiving an

invitation represented not just

a personal achievement, but a

significant acknowledgment of

The Atlanta Voice’s relentless

commitment to amplifying

the stories of individuals

who are often overlooked by

President Joe Biden, Chia Suggs (wife), Donnell Suggs Editorin-Chief

of The Atlanta Voice and Dr Jill Biden.

mainstream media. As Editorin-Chief,

he has passionately

dedicated himself to ensuring

that the publication remains

a cornerstone for news

coverage, cultural insights,

and community engagement.

The Atlanta Voice has a

mission to help shape the

narrative about the African

American diaspora by

producing and distributing

compelling informative and

educational content across

multiple platforms that will

focus the world’s attention

on what it truly means to be

Black in America.

JANUARY 9 - JANUARY 15, 2025 • PAGE 11

Resilience and Triumph: Reflecting

on 2024 and Honoring Our Journey

By Ramon Robinson, Westside

Gazette Contributor

As we close out 2024, I

reflect on a year filled with

challenges, growth, and

monumental achievements.

Our community has faced

immense struggles but also

celebrated historic milestones,

reminding us of the resilience

and brilliance that defines us.

We cannot discuss this

year without acknowledging

the tragedy of Robert

Brooks, a 43-year-old father,

murdered by correctional

officers. His death leaves

a young son fatherless and

casts a long shadow of grief

over our community. Stories

like Robert’s are reminders

of the systemic injustices we

continue to fight against,

but they also highlight the

importance of unity and

action in the face of adversity.

Yet, amidst the sorrow,

2024 brought moments of

triumph that inspire hope for

a brighter future.

Black Excellence in 2024

This year, members of our

community shattered barriers

and reached new heights in

various fields:

LeBron and Bronny James

made history as the first

father-and-son duo to play

in the NBA, a testament to

legacy and perseverance.

Damola Adamolekun,

the youngest CEO in Red

Lobster’s history, guided the

company out of bankruptcy,

proving the transformative

power of Black leadership in

corporate America.

Kristian Hobbs, a

trailblazer in sports, became

the first female JV head coach

for boys’ basketball at Fort

Pierce Westwood Academy.

Her historic appointment

serves as a beacon of

inspiration for young athletes

and future leaders.

Victor Glover, a

distinguished NASA

astronaut, became the first

Black man to be selected for

a lunar mission, marking

a significant milestone

in space exploration and

representation.

Essence

Professor Mashudu

Tshifularo, a pioneering

South African surgeon,

performed the world’s first

middle ear transplant using

3D-printed bones, offering a

groundbreaking solution to

conductive hearing loss.

University of Pretoria

These achievements

remind us that even in

challenging times, we rise

and thrive.

Honoring the Past, Building

the Future

While we celebrate these

successes, we must remain

steadfast in our pursuit of

justice and equality. Robert

Brooks’ tragic death is a stark

reminder of the work still

needed to dismantle systems

of oppression. His story, and

others like it, compel us to

advocate for change and

ensure that his legacy fuels

the fight for accountability.

At the same time, we

must continue to uplift and

honor the stories of resilience

and progress that define

our community. By sharing

these narratives, we not

only inspire others but also

strengthen the foundation for

future generations to build

Continue reading online at:

thewestsidegazette.com

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PAGE 12 • JANUARY 9 - JANUARY 15, 2025

Deeply Rooted

www.thewestsidegazette.com

HBCU Band invited to perform at Donald Trump Presidential Inauguration

The “Mean Green Marching Machine” has started GoFundMe effort

to raise money for the trip.

(Courtesy: MVSU)

(Courtesy: MVSU)

By HBCU Sports

The celebrated “Mean

Green Marching Machine”

HBCU marching band from

Mississippi Valley State

University has received an

invitation to participate

in the 60th Presidential

Inauguration Parade in

Washington, D.C., on January

20, 2025.

This invitation continues

MVSU’s tradition of national

President Richard Nixon’s

inaugural parade on Jan. 20,

1969. These milestones reflect

the band’s enduring legacy

as cultural ambassadors for

Mississippi and the HBCU

community.

The total cost of this

historic trip, including travel,

accommodations, meals, and

equipment, is approximately

$350,000, the school said.

“This is not just a moment

of pride for our university

but for the entire state of

Mississippi,” said Dr. Jerryl

Briggs, MVSU President.

“It is an opportunity to

showcase our legacy,

celebrate our culture, and

invest in the future leaders

of our community.” This

participation allows students

to engage in the peaceful

transition of power and

gain global exposure while

celebrating the university’s

75th anniversary,” Briggs

added.

Preliminary design emerges for a new 500-bed FAMU

residence hall on the site of the former Paddyfoote Complex

ame

lack

sity

the

ade.

ena

in

A Year in Review >>>

Marijuana

in Florida.

Watch a Conversation on Cannabis

virtual forum to learn why marijuana was

one of the most talked about subjects in

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coming year.

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@MMERIForumRadio

Watch Now

(Courtesy: MVSU)

Submitted by Da Rattler

Preliminary designs for a

new 500-bed residence hall at

FAMU, to be constructed on the

site of the former Paddyfoote

housing complex, have been

revealed. The design, crafted

by Washington, DC-based

architect David M. Schwarz,

draws inspiration from

FAMU’s historic buildings

and features a traditional

Georgian style commonly

found on many American

campuses.

The new facility will not only

provide housing for students

but will also include faculty

offices and retail spaces.

The design preserves the

site’s heritage live oak trees

and incorporates classical

elements, ensuring a blend

of modern functionality and

aesthetic appeal.

Schwarz, the architect

behind the project, is

currently refining key aspects

of the design. This includes

Clarence Thomas from FP

paid for by wealthy benefactors like

Republican megadonor Harlan Crow

because they are close personal friends.

The court didn’t immediately respond

to a request for comment Thursday.

The Supreme Court adopted its

first code of ethics in 2023 in the face

of sustained criticism, though the new

code still lacks a means of enforcement.

It’s unclear whether the law allows

the U.S. Judicial Conference to make a

criminal referral regarding a Supreme

Court justice, U.S. District Judge

Robert Conrad wrote. He serves as

secretary for the conference, which sets

policy for the federal court system and

is led by Chief Justice John Roberts.

A referral in this case isn’t

necessary, Conrad said, because two

Democratic senators called on Attorney

General Merrick Garland to appoint a

special counsel over the summer. No

such appointment has been publicly

made.

Democratic Sen. Sheldon

Whitehouse said that the judiciary

appears to be “shirking its statutory

duty to hold a Supreme Court justice

accountable for ethics violations.”

Conrad also sent a similar

response to a separate complaint

from a conservative legal group,

the Center for Renewing America,

in regard to Justice Ketanji Brown

Jackson’s reports on the source of her

husband’s consulting income. Jackson

has since amended her disclosures

and also agreed to updated reporting

requirements, Conrad wrote.

A spokesperson for the group,

Rachel Cauley, said it was a “sad

commentary” that the liberal justice’s

omission would not have been noticed

and corrected without their complaint.

the Main Lobby’s white oak

decorative elements and

custom terrazzo flooring. The

team is also meticulously

selecting materials for the

interior, lighting solutions,

and restroom designs to

ensure both functionality and

aesthetic appeal.

In 2023, FAMU had

announced plans to construct

a new $60 million dorm on

the site as a part of its plan

to construct 2,000 beds of new

campus housing, including

the 700 bed dorm currently

under construction.

Building Spree

FAMU broke ground in

April of this year on a new 700

bed residence hall currently

named Venom Landing

located on the corner of Martin

Luther King Jr. Boulevard

and Osceola Street. The dorm

is expected to open this fall.

Venom Landing mirrors

the current FAMU Towers

complex but will feature a

faux red brick facade whereas

the towers is tan.

FAMU has been actively

addressing its housing

needs in recent years. Since

2017, the university has

demolished six residence

halls: Gibbs (2023), Diamond,

McGuinn, Cropper, Wheatley,

Truth, and Paddyfote (2021).

Additionally, the Palmetto

North Apartment complex

met the wrecking ball in 2023.

In a bid to enhance its

housing capacity, FAMU

purchased a 116-bed

apartment complex in March

2023 for $12.7 million, now

named Rattler Pointe East.

The university also acquired

a 118-bed apartment complex

in October 2022 for $12.6

million, now named Rattler

Pointe West.

The new residence hall is

expected to be a significant

addition to FAMU’s campus,

providing modern living

spaces for students while

preserving the historical and

natural elements of the site.

January 6 Committee Leaders

Cheney and Thompson Receive

Presidential Citizens Medal

By Stacy M. Brown

NNPA Newswire Senior National

Correspondent @StacyBrownMedia

President Joe Biden announced that he would

honor 20 Americans with the Presidential Citizens

Medal during a ceremony at the White House. Among

the recipients were Mississippi Congressman Bennie

Thompson and former Wyoming Congresswoman Liz

Cheney, who co-led Congress’ investigation into the

January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol.

The bipartisan committee, formed after the

Capitol riot, investigated the attempt by Donald

Trump supporters to disrupt the certification of

Biden’s victory in the 2020 presidential election.

Their work included public hearings and a final

report in December 2022 that accused Trump of

engaging in a “multi-part conspiracy” to overturn the

election results.

Thompson, a veteran civil rights advocate, grew

up in segregated Mississippi and was inspired by

the movement for racial justice. His career in public

service began with grassroots organizing and voter

registration efforts. Elected to Congress in 1993,

he became the longest-serving African American

lawmaker in Mississippi history. As chair of the

January 6 Committee, Thompson was pivotal in

investigating the insurrection and holding Trump

accountable.

Cheney, a conservative Republican and the

daughter of former Vice President Dick Cheney spent

two decades in public service, including her tenure

as a member of Congress representing Wyoming.

Known for her sharp criticism of Trump, Cheney lost

her House seat in 2022 after standing against him

and advocating for the investigation into the Capitol

Continue reading online at:

thewestsidegazette.com


www.thewestsidegazette.com

Fabville: A Christmas Village Built

on Love and Magic, Inspired by a

Childhood Dream

By Natasha Dowdy Gordon

Nestled in the heart of the rolling

hills, where snowflakes dance in

the winter breeze and twinkling

lights illuminate every corner lies

the enchanting town of Fabville.

This quaint Christmas village isn’t

like any other holiday destination;

it’s a place born from a dream, a

dream that began when its creator,

Sharonshesofabulous, was just a

child. “I can remember being a little

girl who was in awe of a tiny village

that sat on the coffee table of one of

the older ladies in my neighborhood.

I remember promising myself that

one day I would have a Christmas

village just like it one day.”, Sharon

said.

A Dream Takes Root

Sharon is a YouTube creator who has wowed 107,000 and counting subscribers for years

with her flare for home decorating, makeup and hair tips, and everything else in between.

Everyone knows how creative and imaginative Sharon is, but no one was expecting Fabville. “I

remember the first time I imagined Fabville,” Sharon says, her voice beaming with nostalgia and

excitement. “I was no older than seven, sitting there with nothing more than my imagination. I

imagined myself sipping hot cocoa, as I visualized magical places where people could experience

Christmas all year long. I wanted to create a place like that. A place filled with love, joy, and a

touch of magic.”, Sharon said.

That simple childhood wish would eventually grow into something far greater than Sharon

could have ever dreamed.

Sharon She So Fabulous, now a woman of many talents and a heart brimming with holiday

spirit, recalls how she spent years imagining a village where the magic of Christmas could come

to life every day. But it wasn’t until a decade ago, after years of hard work and perseverance,

that her dream took shape—literally.

From Vision to Reality

Fabville isn’t just a town; it’s an experience, a living testament to Sharon’s childhood

imagination. Each corner of the village radiates warmth, festivity, and a sense of wonder. It is

also a representation of the warmth and kindness of those who follow Sharon She So Fabulous,

as Fabville was literally built for the people and by the people. Fabville is truly a family affair

as Sharon’s better half Ron serves as the Alderman of the town alongside Sharon who serves as

the town’s Mayor. Sharon’s children also use their talents to help maintain Fabville.

The town’s main street is lined with cozy, snow-covered cottages, their windows adorned

with sparkling garlands and wreaths. The scent of freshly baked gingerbread cookies wafts

through the air as the sound of carolers fills the streets, creating a soundtrack of joy. And

everywhere you look, there’s magic—a playful elf peeking out from behind a lamppost, twinkling

fairy lights in every tree, and a town square dominated by a

majestic Christmas tree that reaches toward the sky, and there

is even an elusive pig, that residents have the time of their

lives seeking.

But what sets Fabville apart from other holiday-themed

villages isn’t just its picturesque beauty. It’s the way it makes

people feel, and the level of dedication and ownership people

around the world have taken in the town. People from all over

Continue reading online at: thewestsidegazette.com

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ARIES-Finding a way to do it better than

others is not going to be hard this week.

Share your wisdom with other seekers. All

who receive your word will benefit this week.

Happiness rules. 36, 38, 55

TAURUS-Strong vibrations bring a series of

dramatic interactions with others this week.

Practice your charm. Let it come from the

heart, and let your energy carry you upwards

to your best, highest self. Keep emotions

calm, 12, 29, 34

GEMINI-You’ll be energizing and inspiring

others this week as you speak what’s on

your mind regarding spiritual matters and

masters. 20, 27, 31

CANCER-Rev up your engines. This is a fine

week for making progress with projects that

you’ve got in the works. 52, 26, 39

LEO-Educate those around you in the area

of personal growth. Their improvement

will bring benefits to you. Humor in

communication is the key. 16, 30, 39

VIRGO-This week romance is begins to

percolate. Enjoy your feelings and let your

brain relax. Suspend all judgments of others.

Being stern won’t work for you this week. 34,

6, 19

LIBRA-Romance will find you this week.

Don’t be looking the other way. Your “rap”

is especially strong. Make as many of those

important phone calls as possible. People will

respond. 11, 13, 20

SCORPIO-This week should bring an

opportunity to further your education, don’t

pass it up. Pay special attention to details at

work. A friend needs your support. 26, 35, 43

SAGITTARIUS-You and your mate should

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Future plans should be spotlighted. 10, 30,

50

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week, the time is not right for a flight into

the unknown. A newfound harmony is in

store for you and your mate. Your mate will

understand your fears.

6, 48, 51

AQUARIUS-The air can be cleared easily.

Admit your need for help. Seek understanding.

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JANUARY 9 - JANUARY 15, 2025 • PAGE 13

Zoe Saldaña Wins First Golden Globe, Only

Black Winner Of The Night

By Jovonne Ledet

(Source: Black

Information Network)

Zoe Saldaña nabbed her first

win at the Golden Globes.

On Sunday (January 5), the

82nd annual Golden Globes,

hosted by comedian Nikki

Glaser, recognized the best in

film and television at the Beverly

Hilton in Los Angeles.

Several Black stars were

nominated for awards ahead

of the ceremony, including

Wicked star Cynthia Erivo

and Gladiator II's Denzel

Washington. Zendaya, Ayo

Edebiri, Jamie Foxx, Quinta

Brunson, Donald Glover, Colman

Domingo, Quinta Brunson

also earned nods from the

Golden Globes. Viola Davis

received the Cecil B. DeMille

Award at a separate gala prior

to the ceremony.

However, Saldaña was the

only Black actor to take home

67

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an award on Sunday. The

Emilia Pérez star won her

first Golden Globe for her supporting

role in the film.

"Oh my God,” Saldaña said

as she took the stage to accept

her award. "I'm filled with

adrenaline, but my heart is

full of gratitude."

In Emilia Pérez, the

most-nominated film at this

year's Golden Globes, Saldaña

portrayed a lawyer who

helped a Mexican drug lord

fake their death and undergo

gender-affirming surgery.

Saldaña beat out other stars

in her category including her

Emilia Pérez costar Selena

Gomez, Wicked's Ariana

Grande, Felicity Jones of The

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Margaret Qualley, and Conclave

star Isabella Rossellini.

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PAGE 14 • JANUARY 9 - JANUARY 15, 2025

Deeply Rooted

www.thewestsidegazette.com

For the Week oF January 7-13, 2024

2 0 2 4 - 2 5 B L A C K C O L L E G E B A S K E T B A L L (Men's Standings and Weekly Honors)

CIAA

CENTRAL INTERCOLLEGIATE

ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION

MEAC

MID EASTERN

ATHLETIC CONFERENCE SIAC

SOUTHERN INTERCOLLEGIATE

ATHLETIC CONFERENCE

SWAC

SOUTHWESTERN

ATHLETIC CONFERENCE

INDEPENDENTS

NEW

BEGINNINGS

Spring Hill Sports Photo

HOT SHOT: Spring Hill's 6-4

senior guard Walter Peggs Jr.'s

26.1 points per game tops the

SIAC and is second nationally

in Div. II basketball.

NEW FOOTBALL COACHES AT MILES, ECSU; EARLY

HOOPS LEADERS IN CIAA, SIAC, MEAC & SWAC

CONF

ALL

NORTH DIVISION W L W L

Virginia State 4 0 9 4

Lincoln (PA) 4 0 9 5

Bluefield State 2 2 8 5

Elizabeth City State 2 3 8 5

Virginia Union 1 2 7 8

Bowie State 1 3 8 7

SOUTH DIVISION W L W L

Fayetteville State 2 2 9 5

Claflin 3 3 9 7

Johnson C. Smith 2 2 6 5

Shaw 2 2 7 7

Livingstone 1 4 8 6

Winston-Salem State 0 1 2 9

PLAYERS OF THE WEEK

Caleb Simmons, Sr., G, FSU - Had 27 points

and 12 rebounds in two wins including 19 points

and 13 rebounds vs. Bowie State.

DEFENSIVE PLAYER

Dericko Williams, Gr., F, ECSU - Averaged 14.5

points, 13.0 rebounds in two games.

ROOKIE

Jahmire Brewer, Fr., F, LINCP - Had 3 points, 2

rebounds in win over Shaw.

CONF

ALL

W L W L

Norfolk State 2 0 11 7

S. C. State 2 0 8 9

Howard 1 0 6 9

Coppin State 1 1 2 14

N. C. Central 0 1 7 11

Morgan State 0 1 6 11

Md. E-Shore 0 1 4 13

Delaware State 0 2 7 9

OFFENSIVE PLAYER & ROOKIE OF THE WEEK

Blake Harper, 6-2, Fr., G, HOW - Tied careerhigh

34 points on 10 of 12 shooting, 3 of 4

from long range and 11 of 11 FTs in win Saturday

over DelState.

DEFENSIVE POW

Brian Moore Jr., 6-2, Gr., FG, NSU - 22

points, 7 rebounds, 4 blocks, 3 steals in win

vs. UMES and 18 points, 5 rebounds in loss to

No. 1 Tennessee.

CONF ALL

EAST W L W L

Clark Atlanta 6 0 9 4

Morehouse 5 1 7 6

Edward Waters 5 2 9 5

Albany State 5 2 8 6

Savannah State 3 4 5 6

Benedict 3 4 3 10

Fort Valley State 2 4 3 10

Allen 1 6 3 8

WEST

Miles 6 1 9 3

Tuskegee 4 3 6 7

Kentucky State 5 4 8 6

Central State 3 5 6 8

Spring Hill 3 5 5 8

Lane 2 6 2 11

LeMoyne-Owen 1 7 1 13

PLAYER Shakur Poteat, 6-1, Jr., G, ALB

- Averaged 27.0 points in two wins with 27

points, 6 assists, 3 rebounds and a steal in

2OT win vs. Lane, 27 points, 4 rebounds in

win vs. LOC.

DEFENSE Blaise Wallace, 6-7, So., F,

ALB - Averaged double-double of 21.0

points, 13.5 rebounds in two wins with 26

points, 14 rebounds vs. Lane, 16 points, 13

rebounds vs. LOC.

CONF

ALL

W L W L

Southern 2 0 7 8

Alabama A&M 2 0 6 9

Alabama State 2 0 6 9

Bethune-Cookman 1 0 4 10

Jackson State 1 0 1 13

Texas Southern 1 1 4 11

Prairie View A&M 1 1 2 13

Florida A&M 0 1 3 9

Arkansas-Pine Bluff 0 2 3 12

Grambling State 0 2 3 12

Miss. Valley State 0 2 2 13

Alcorn State 0 1 0 14

PLAYERS OF THE WEEK

Tanahj Pettaway, 6-2, Gr., PG, PVA&M - 22

points vs. Oklahoma.

Daeshun Ruffin, 5-11, Jr., G, JSU - 20

points in win vs. Cal Baptist.

NEWCOMER

Dorian McMillan, 6-3, Fr., G, JSU - 20

points vs. Cal Baptist

CONF

ALL

W L W L

Langston 12 2 8 2

Florida Memorial 9 4 2 2

West Virginia State 5 6 3 3

Lincoln (Mo.) 10 3 2 3

Hampton 8 7 1 2

Tennessee State 5 10 1 3

NC A&T 4 12 0 3

PLAYERS OF THE WEEK

Travis Harper II, 6-6, R-Jr., G, TSU - Tallied

20 points with four 3-pointers in win over

Little Rock.

DEFENSE

Latavious Mitchell, 6-8, Sr., F, LANG - 11

points, 11 rebounds, 6 assists in win over

Ave Maria.

UNDER THE BANNER

WHaT'S GOInG On In anD arOunD BLaCK COLLEGE SPOrTS

CHRIS GOODE TO LEAD MILES FOOTBALL:

On Friday, Miles College named Chris Goode as its

new head football coach.

Goode, who played at the

University of Alabama and in the

NFL, replaces Sam Shade, another

Alabama product who took the

Alabama A&M head coaching job.

Goode was formally introduced at a

Goode press conference on Tues., Jan. 7.

"We are excited for the future of Miles College

football under the direction of Coach Chris Goode and

are confident that Coach Goode's leadership will bring

continued success to Miles College football," said Fred

Watson, Miles' Director of Athletics.

This will be Goode’s first head coaching stint on the

collegiate level. After his playing career concluded, he

served as the defensive coordinator for the Birmingham

Steeldogs of the Arena Football League. He has stayed

connected with young athletes through his own Goode

Elite Prep, a post-graduate academy for student-athletes.

With his extensive local, statewide, and national

connections, Goode is "uniquely positioned to recruit

talent and drive fundraising efforts for the Miles football

program while continuing to raise the institution's profile,”

the school said in a news release.

Goode was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts in

the 10th round of the 1987 NFL Draft after a standout

collegiate career at Alabama. He played his entire sevenyear

career for the Colts, finishing with seven interceptions,

six fumble recoveries, two sacks, and a touchdown in 96

regular-season contests. Since his retirement, he has had

multiple business and sports-related ventures, including

serving as the president of the National Football League

Player Association Birmingham Chapter.

Under Goode, the Golden Bears look to remain one

of the top football programs in Division II. Last season in

their third year under Shade, they went 10-3, winning the

Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC)

title and advancing to the second round of the NCAA

Division II playoffs while finishing the season nationally

ranked for the first time.

JONES OUT AT SHAW, IN AT ELIZ. CITY STATE:

Adrian Jones, just let go after the 2024 season after

eight years at Shaw, was announced

Friday as the 15th head football

coach at Elizabeth City State.

"Sometimes God takes something

from you to give you something

better," Jones said at his introductory

press conference. "I'm a living

Jones

witness that God works in mysterious

ways."

Jones posted a 33-35 overall record in the CIAA at

Shaw including a 6-4 record this past season. He replaces

Marcus Hilliard, a former Vikings football player, who

resigned after three seasons running the program.

"Elizabeth City is a gold mine; there are a lot of good

football players here," said Jones who played in the CIAA

at N. C. Central. "I really think we can flourish here. I will

not let you down.

"We don’t want to just win football games; we want to

win championships. That’s why I’m here."

Black college hoops takes center stage

LUT WILLIAMS

BCSP Editor

The preliminaries, i.e., the predominantly non-conference part of the

2024-25 black college basketball schedule, is all but done.

Now that the new year is here, intraconference head-to-head match ups

across the four black college conferences and the HBCUs in non-HBCU

conferences will dominate the schedules.

While the NCAA Div. II HBCU conferences – the CIAA and SIAC –

are well into intraconference play, the Div. I conferences – the MEAC and

SWAC – got underway after 2025 kicked in.

Here's an early look at how the men are doing.

CIAA

For the CIAA men, defending tournament champion Lincoln (Pa.) and

Virginia State are off to 4-0 starts in league play.

Lincoln, who won last year's tournament title over Fayetteville State

while being led by former head coach Jason Armstrong, is now being guided

by former NC State two-time All-American and first round NBA draftee

Julius Hodge.

The Lions, who return all five starters from a year ago, have won two of

their CIAA games by 12 and 14 points and two by single-digits including a

one-point, 64-63 win at Livingstone. They are 9-5 overall with losses to three

schools from the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC).

Lincoln has four players scoring in double-digits led by 6-5 all-CIAA

senior guard Bakir Cleveland's 13.1 points per game. The Lions' balanced

attack has two others averaging right at 9.0 ppg.

Head coach Lonnie Blow's Trojans of Virginia State are also 4-0 in

CIAA play though they did split two games with Shaw, losing at home 66-62

before beating the Bears on the road 74-60. Junior point guard Jacob Cooper

(14.8 ppg.) and 6-3 grad guard Clint Wright Jr. (11.8 ppg.) lead VSU.

Six-four senior guard Jordan Hinds of Bluefield State (8-5, 2-2), who

led the CIAA in scoring last season at 19.0 ppg., is the current leader this

season at 22.2 ppg.

SIAC

Clark Atlanta (6-0) in the East and Miles (6-1) in the West, the two

preseason favorites, are setting the pace early in the SIAC race. The two

division leaders met on Tuesday night in Atlanta before press time.

CAU (9-4 overall) has three players scoring in double digits led by 6-5

senior guard Jalen Williams at 13.6 points per game. The Panthers lead the

league in rebounding buoyed by 6-9 senior center Shemani Fuller's 5.8

caroms per game and 4.8 by 6-7 senior forward Martez Jones. Head coach

Alfred Jordan's troops are on a seven-game win streak, six of the wins in

conference play, four by single digits.

The only SIAC loss for Fred Watson's Golden Bears of Miles (9-3

overall) is a 77-75 overtime decision at Morehouse Saturday in Atlanta.

Watson's troops had won eight of nine before that loss with the only blemish

during that stretch a 60-57 loss at Auburn-Montgomery. The Morehouse

Maroon Tigers (7-6) are second in the East at 5-1.

Five-eleven senior guard Alvin Miles, the SIAC preseason player of the

year, leads Miles scoring at 14.8 points per game. He was held to just nine

points in the loss at Morehouse.

Edward Waters and Albany State are at 5-2 behind CAU and Morehouse

in the East. Tuskegee (4-3) is second behind Miles in the West.

Six-four senior guard Walter Peggs Jr. of Spring Hill, a 2023-24 first

teamer and preseason 2024-45 first teamer, is the runaway scoring leader in

the conference at 26.1 ppg., currently second in the nation in Div. II basketball.

Peggs had a season-high 40 points in a win at home over West Florida on Nov.

21 and 34 in close 96-92 loss to Edward Waters on Dec. 21. He is shooting

.495 from the field and .423 from 3-point range.

MEAC

Norfolk State (2-0), South Carolina State (2-0) and Howard (1-0) are

the early MEAC leaders.

Kenny Blakeney's Howard squad, the two-time defending tournament

champs, opened league play with a win Saturday over Delaware State 100-

94 before its date Monday vs. Maryland-Eastern Shore was cancelled by a

mini-blizzard in Washington, D.C. The Bison's 6-9 overall start has been led

by the remarkable play of freshman left-hander Blake Harper. The 6-8 guard

out of local Gonzaga HS had back-to-back 34-point games vs. Hampton and

DelState. He's currently third in the conference averaging 18.3 ppg. and leads

the league averaging 6.6 rebounds per game. He's also fourth in field goal

percentage (.463) and free throw percentage (.823).

Head coach Robert Jones' Norfolk State (11-7) team has been led by

6-2 Murray State transfer guard Brian Moore Jr.'s 18.7 ppg. (2nd in MEAC).

Moore leads three Spartans scoring in double-digits. NSU took down UMES

Hodge Hinds Harper Peggs Anderson

(81-59, Sat.) and DelState (73-64, Mon.).

SC State is likely the surprise early leader under second-year head man

Erik Martin. Six-eleven sophomore forward Drayton Jones is scoring 13.1

ppg. and pulling down 5.4 rpg. to lead the Bulldogs in both categories.

SWAC

No SWAC team emerged from the non-conference schedule with an

above .500 record but five have gotten thru the first weekend of the conference

schedule unblemished. Defending tournament champion Grambling State

(3-12, 0-2) was not one of them.

Southern, Alabama State and Alabama A&M are at 2-0 with Bethune-

Cookman and Jackson State at 1-0.

Southern got narrow wins over Texas Southern (67-58) and Prairie

View (84-80). Alabama State downed Miss. Valley State (84-55) while

Alabama A&M beat the Delta Devils (79-67). ASU slipped by UAPB 93-91

while A&M downed the Golden Lions 89-79.

Prairie View's 6-5 junior shooting guard Nick Anderson leads league

scorers at 18.9 ppg. followed by Bethune-Cookman 6-2 senior guard Brayon

Freeman at 16.2 ppg.

On Saturday Alabama State is at Jackson State while Alabama A&M

is at Alcorn State. On Monday, the Alabama schools switch Mississippi

opponents. Southern hosts Florida A&M Saturday and B-CU Monday.

packers.com photo

SETTING SAIL!!

Green Bay running back EMANUEL WILSON (#31, FORT VALLEY STATE)

gets started on his 21-yard TD run in the Packers' game vs. Chicago. Wilson

had his highest rushing total of the year with 73 yards on 14 carries (5.2 ypc.).

BCSP NFL PLAYERS OF THE WEEK

For NFL games of January 2-5, 2024

OFFENSE

– #31 EMANUEL WILSON, RB, Green Bay (3rd season, FORT

VALLEY STATE) – In the Packers’ 24-22 loss to Chicago, Wilson had

14 carries for 73 yards (5.2-yards per carry average) with a long run

of 21 yards, a 21-yard TD run. He also had one catch for -2 yards. He

was in for 27 offensive plays (42%).

DEFENSE

– #90 GROVER STEWART, DT, Indianapolis (7th season, ALBANY

STATE) - In Indy’s 26-23 win over Jacksonville, Stewart started

at nose tackle and had seven total tackles, one solo with one tackle

for loss. He played 43 defensive snaps (62%) and 13 on special teams

(37%).

SPECIAL TEAMS

– #29 BRANDON CODRINGTON, DB/KR, Buffalo (1st season,

NORTH CAROLINA CENTRAL) - In Buffalo’s 23-16 loss to New

England, Codrington had two kickoff returns for 62 yards (31.0-

yard average) with a long return of 32 yards. He also had four total

tackles on defense, three solos. He played on 27 defensive snaps

(42%) and nine on special teams (36%).

THE STAT CORNER

WHO ARE THE BEST PERFORMERS IN BLACK COLLEGE SPORTS

CIAA

2 0 2 4 - 2 5 B L A C K C O L L E G E B A S K E T B A L L (Women's Standings and Weekly Honors)

CENTRAL INTERCOLLEGIATE

ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION

MEAC

MID EASTERN

ATHLETIC CONFERENCE SIAC

SOUTHERN INTERCOLLEGIATE

ATHLETIC CONFERENCE

SWAC

SOUTHWESTERN

ATHLETIC CONFERENCE

INDEPENDENTS

BLACK COLLEGE FOOTBALL

HEAD COACHING CHANGES

OUT

IN (Previous)

NORFOLK STATE Dawson Odums Michael Vick (NFL)

N. CAROLINA A&T Vincent Brown Shawn Gibbs (Fort Valley State)

PRAIRIE VIEW A&M Bubba McDowell Tremaine Jackson (Valdosta State)

DELAWARE STATE Lee Hull DeSean Jackson (NFL)

ALABAMA A&M Connell Maynor Sam Shade (Miles)

MISS. VALLEY STATE Kendrick Wade

Kyle Williams, Interim (Def. Coord.)

ELIZ. CITY STATE Marcus Hilliard Adrian Jones (Shaw)

FORT VALLEY STATE Shawn Gibbs

Kenny Ray, Interim (Assoc. HC)

MILES Sam Shade Chris Goode (NFL)

LANE Vyron Brown Tommy Lewis Jr, Interim (Asst. HC)

SHAW Adrian Jones Greg Ruffin - Declined health reasons

OTHERS WITH BLACK COLLEGE TIES

KENNESAW STATE Mike MacIntyre Jerry Mack (former NC Central HC)

FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL

Willie Simmons (former Florida A&M HC)

CONF

ALL

NORTH DIVISION W L W L

Virginia Union 4 0 10 3

Bowie State 4 1 10 7

Virginia State 3 1 9 3

Lincoln (PA) 3 2 6 8

Elizabeth City State 2 2 5 7

Bluefield State 0 4 6 8

SOUTH DIVISION W L W L

Fayetteville State 3 1 7 5

Claflin 3 3 7 5

Shaw 2 2 5 8

Livingstone 2 2 4 9

Johnson C. Smith 0 4 3 8

Winston-Salem State 0 4 3 9

PLAYERS OF THE WEEK

Ciani Montgomery, Sr., G, LINCP - 27 points, 5

rebounds,, 7 assists in win vs. Shaw.

DEFENSIVE PLAYER

Carmen Kweti, Jr., F, VSU - 17 rebounds, 3

blocks in win vs. JC Smith.

ROOKIE

Hunter Conway, Jr., F, LINCP - 10 points, 4 rebounds,

3 assists in win over Shaw.

CONF

ALL

W L W L

Norfolk State 2 0 14 4

Coppin State 2 0 11 7

Howard 1 0 8 8

Morgan State 1 0 8 8'

Md. E-Shore 0 1 5 11

N. C. Central 0 1 2 13

Delaware State 0 2 3 12

S. C. State 0 2 1 17

OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Diamond Johnson, Gr., G, NSU - Averaged

24.5 points, 4.5 assists, 6.0 rebounds and 5.5

steals in two wins with 28 points, six assists, 5

rebounds, 8 steals Monday in win over DSU,

21 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 steals

in win over UMES.

NEWCOMER

Zinnia Thomas, 6-2, Jr., F, HOW - Kentucky

transfer had 12 points, 11 rebounds in win

over DelState.

DEFENSIVE

Angel Jones, 5-4, Jr., G, CSU - Averaged

17.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, 5.0 assists in two

wins with 16 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists in

win vs. SCSU Mon., 19 points, 8 rebounds, 7

assists in win Sat. over NCCU.

CONF ALL

EAST W L W L

Edward Waters 5 2 8 3

Clark Atlanta 5 2 10 4

Allen 4 3 8 5

Benedict 3 4 5 7

Albany State 2 4 5 6

Savannah State 2 5 6 7

Fort Valley State 2 5 4 8

WEST

Central State 6 1 7 5

Miles 5 2 7 3

Lane 4 3 8 5

Spring Hill 4 3 5 8

Kentucky State 3 4 4 9

Tuskegee 2 4 5 8

LeMoyne-Owen 1 6 3 11

PLAYERS OF THE WEEK

Taliah Wesley, 5-9, Sr., G, ALL - In 1-1

week averaged 19.0 points, 8.0 rebounds

with 16 points, 6 rebounds, 5 steals in loss

to CSU, 22 points, 10 rebounds, 2 steals in

win over KSU.

DEFENSIVE

Imani Harris, 6-3, Sr., C, EWU - 13 points,

10 rebounds in win over Tuskegee.

CONF

ALL

W L W L

Alabama A&M 2 0 9 5

Alabama State 2 0 4 10

Texas Southern 2 0 3 10

Florida A&M 1 0 4 8

Grambling State 1 1 4 9

Southern 1 1 3 12

Bethune-Cookman 0 1 3 10

Alcorn State 0 1 2 10

Jackson State 1 0 3 9

Prairie View A&M 0 2 3 8

Arkansas-Pine Bliuff 0 2 2 10

Miss. Valley State 0 2 1 12

PLAYERS OF THE WEEK

Cordasia Harris, 6-1, Gr., F, ALS - Avgd.

23.5 points, 14.5 boards in two wins with 28

pts., 16 rebs, 5 steals vs. MVSU, 19 pts., 13

boards vs. UAPB.

DEFENSE

Alisha Wilson, 6-0, Sr., G, ALA&M - Double-double

of 13.0 ppg., 14.0 rpg, in two

wins with 13 points, 14 rebounds vs. UAPB,

13 pts., 14 rebs., vs. MVSU.

NEWCOMER

NA

CONF

ALL

W L W L

Florida Memorial 11 1 4 0

NC A&T 6 7 2 0

Langston 13 1 9 1

Hampton 4 9 0 2

West Virginia State 5 5 2 4

Tennessee State 4 10 0 4

Lincoln (Mo.) 1 10 0 5

PLAYERS OF THE WEEK

Jordan Dorsey, 5-9, Sr., G, NC A&T - In

two wins averaged 18.5 points, 7.5 rebounds,

5.0 assists with 18 points, 7 rebounds,

4 assists and 3 steals vs. Hampton

19 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists vs. Elon.

DEFENSE

Chaniya Clark, 6-4, R-Jr., C, NC A&T - In

two wins averaged double-double of 1.0

points, 10.0 rebounds and added 5 blocks

per game with 8 points, 10 rebounds, 5

blocks vs. Elon, 12 points, 10 rebounds, 5

blocks vs. Hampton.

© AZEEZ Communications, Inc. Vol. XXXI, No. 23


www.thewestsidegazette.com

SPORTS

Nunnie on the Sideline

By Nunnie Robinson, Westside Gazette Sports Editor

As a follow up to last week’s NOTS,

former Alabama star Sam Shade, who

led Miles College to 2 outstanding

seasons, 1 undefeated regular season

and a deep run in the Division II playoffs

in ‘24, was recently hired as the football

coach at Alabama A&M, a member of

the Southwest Athletic Conference.

Despite having an overall winning

record at A&M and an alum, the

athletic administration was apparently

dissatisfied with the program’s progress

under recently dismissed coach Connell

Maynor. Former Alabama great and

NFL defensive back Chris Goode replaced Shade at Miles

continuing the HBCU trend of hiring former NFL players.

Here is the present and foreseeable future of college football

on the higher levels. Former MVSU receiver Nate Rembert,

who caught 7 passes in helping the Delta Devils defeat

FAMU in Tallahassee, entered the portal and signed with

rival Jackson State. After starting his career with Division II

Edward Waters, JSU will constitute his third team in 3 years,

which I find disturbing and disappointing. Entering the portal

gives the players carte Blanche to sign with any team, usually

the highest bidder, creating a one and done dynamic in what

was previously known as amateur athletics. It is occurring all

over the country and will continue until revisions are made

and common sense prevails. Please know that I am not opposed

to college players being adequately, appropriately and fairly

compensated, but extremism shouldn’t be the order of the day.

Since 45’s re-election my confidence in America has

diminished significantly while my attention to matters of

race and social justice have exponentially increased. There

will be a minority coach in the CFP finals, either Penn St’s

James Franklin or Notre Dame’s Marcus Freeman. The other

semifinalists are Ohio State and Texas, representative of red

states as are Indiana and Pennsylvania, distinguished only by

their penchant for electing a convicted felon as president.

The New England Patriots fired Jerod Mayo after only

1 season, after compiling a 4-13 record with an unsettled

quarterback situation and a poor, still developing team. Who

does that? Fan disaffection, locker room dissension, and a

poor performance are credited as reasons for dismissal. The

owner, caught in a South Florida brothel scandal, blames

himself for placing Coach Mayo in an untenable situation. I ask

rhetorically: Wouldn’t he be a better coach in his second year

based on experience and knowledge gained?However, those

reasons could apply to several teams with losing records, not

playoff bound. I’m certain race played a part in his dismissal

though no one will admit it. This is the same area of the country

that discriminated against Bill Russell when he attempted to

purchase a home in a white area. And the busing bebacle in

the 70s was painfully revealing. Other coaches with inferior

records but given more time to fail or succeed remain employed.

Only in America.

The Dolphins supposedly passed on Mike Tomlin because

either he was too young or too hip hop. We Dolfans have seen

and lived with that philosophical idiocy.

Though changes will be exacted, the CFP is evolving as

scripted. It is my desire that the first historic CFP champion is

led by a minority!

Mississippi Valley State band

faces backlash over Trump

inauguration performance

The Mississippi Valley State University marching

band faces backlash after accepting an invitation to

perform at Donald Trump’s inauguration.

By Kiya Wimbush-Robinson

(Source Clutch Points)

Last month the Mississippi Valley State University “Mean

Green Marching Machine” band was invited to perform at

the 60th Presidential Inauguration in Washington D.C. on

January 20, 2025, for president-elect Donald Trump. Since the

announcement, both the band and university have received

major backlash, especially from the HBCU community.

The university is seeking help to raise $350,000 for the trip

to Washington. The money will help cover expenses for the

band, including travel, accommodations, meals, and equipment

transportation. Mississippi Valley State president Dr. Jerryl

Briggs spoke on the occasion in a statement released by the

university.

“This is not just a moment of pride for our university but for

the entire state of Mississippi. It is an opportunity to showcase

our legacy, celebrate our culture, and invest in the future

leaders of our community.”

Mississippi Valley is not the first HBCU band to perform

at Donald Trump’s presidential inauguration. The Talladega

College “Great Tornado Marching Band” performed at Trump’s

first inauguration back in 2017. Like Mississippi Valley,

Talladega College needed outside help to make the trip happen.

The band raised a total of $667,000, surpassing their initial

$75,000 goal.

Many people took to social media to share their disapproval

of the HBCU band accepting Trump’s invitation to perform.

“Will someone tell Mississippi Valley State University that

this is not the time to accept an invitation to march in the

Continue reading online at: thewestsidegazette.com

By Ramon Robinson

Deeply Rooted

Kristian Hobbs has made history as the first female JV head

coach of the boys’ basketball team at Fort Pierce Westwood

Academy in Fort Pierce, Florida. A former standout player from

Martin County, Hobbs enters her first season as head coach

with a mission to inspire and lead her team toward success on

and off the court.

Building a Strong Team

Coach Hobbs is preparing for an exciting season with a

talented group of returning players, including Chester McCoy,

Marquez Burgees, and Angelo Cyrius. Under her guidance,

the team is focused on developing both their skills and their

chemistry as a cohesive unit. Hobbs is supported by assistant

coach Rich Merillen and skills/training coach Kai Turner, who

bring their expertise to help the team reach its full potential.

Beyond Basketball: A Commitment to the Community

Hobbs’ impact extends well beyond the basketball court. She

is known for her dedication to empowering youth in St. Lucie

County through mentorship and community involvement. As

a staff member at the Boys & Girls Club of St. Lucie County,

Hobbs has had the unique opportunity to connect with her

players outside of basketball, instilling values like teamwork,

perseverance, and discipline.

A Role Model for Aspiring Leaders

Kristian Hobbs’ groundbreaking appointment as the first

female JV head coach for boys’ basketball at Fort Pierce

Westwood Academy is a testament to her leadership and

passion. She serves as an inspiration to young athletes and

aspiring female leaders, proving that barriers can be broken

with determination and hard work.

Looking Ahead

As Coach Hobbs leads her team into this historic season,

her vision and dedication promise to leave a lasting impact.

With a strong support system from her coaching staff, players,

and the community, she is paving the way for a season filled

with growth, achievement, and inspiration.

Thank you, Coach Hobbs, for breaking barriers and showing

us what true leadership looks like!

Michael Vick lands first transfer

portal commit after monumental

Norfolk State football hire

Michael Vick has landed his first commit in

the transfer portal after taking over as the

Norfolk State football head coach.

Photo: Nick Booker-Brown in Norfolk State football jersey

By Quinn Allen

(Source Clutch Points)

Norfolk State football made a major splash recently, hiring

ex-NFL quarterback Michael Vick as their next head coach.

Just 10 days since it was announced, Vick has landed his

first player in the transfer portal — former UTSA defensive

tackle Nick Booker-Brown.

Via LightOnSports:

Norfolk State has landed a commitment from former UTSA

DL Nick Booker-Brown. He recorded 45 tackles, 12.5 tfl, 5.5

sacks, 5 pbus, and 1 forced fumble during his time with the

Roadrunners.”

Booker-Brown was mostly a reserve at UTSA after

transferring from NC State. He should likely start with Norfolk

State football, though. The Spartans went just 4-8 in the 2024

season and decided to part ways with Dawson Odums after

four years, paving the way for Vick’s hiring.

The legendary NFL signal-caller had the chance for the

Sacramento State job but decided on Norfolk State instead. Vick

of course starred in Virginia during his college career, playing

for Virginia Tech before taking his talents to the professional

level.

After Norfolk State football hired him, Vick expressed

confidence in turning this program around:

“A prestigious HBCU with a rich athletics history, NSU

provides a tremendous environment for students to reach

their full potential on the field and just as importantly, in the

classroom,” Vick said. “I am honored to join the Norfolk State

family.”

The addition of Vick will certainly change things for the

Spartans. Just like we saw when Deion Sanders went to

Jackson State before taking over at Colorado, Vick should also

Continue reading online at: thewestsidegazette.com

JANUARY 9 - JANUARY 15, 2025 • PAGE 15

WG

Dolphins Loss to Jets Eliminates

them from Playoffs

Photo Credit: The Palm Beach

De'Von Achane rushes for 61 of his season high 121 yards

against the New York Jets, a game that ended in a 32-20

loss, closing out the Dolphins' season.

By Nunnie Robinson, Westside Gazette Sports Editor

Sports truly is a microcosm of life. I obviously don’t know

either Jimmy Butler or Tyreek Hill, but as a former athlete

void of the innate skills, talents and abilities God blessed them

with, they both appear to be selfish, spoiled, rich professionals

determined to get their way. It appears that walking away from

an untenable disappointing situation is easier than seeing

it through. If I have learned nothing else in life, l’ve learned

this: No one is irreplaceable or indispensable, no matter how

talented or great. Life is evolutionary and this too shall pass.

The Dolphins’ season came to a screeching halt even before late

afternoon loss to the New York Jets. You see, any opportunity

the Fins had of making the playoffs was predicated on the

outcome of the Denver Broncos/Kansas City Chiefs game and

the results were never in doubt. That’s what happens when

your destiny is in another’s control. Denver’s decisive victory

over the Chiefs eliminated both the Dolphins and the Bengals

from the playoffs, though Cincinnati’s 19-17 victory over

Pittsburgh kept their playoff hopes alive. The Dolphins’ defeat

reflects their middle of the road NFL status. A good draft, a

foray into free agency, a trade or two and possibly working

something out with Tyreek will elevate the Fins.

Regarding the game, the Dolphins started well, scoring the

first 6 points via field goals by Jason Sanders of 26 and 28

yards. Miami’s first score was ignited by LB Tyrel Dodson’s

interception of an Aaron Rodgers deflected pass by Jevon

Holland. It was Dodson’s third turnover of the year. Starting

at their own 14-yard line, Miami ended the first quarter by

driving 76 yards, culminating in a 28 field goal highlighted by

De’Von Achane’s 61 yard run.

The Jets rebounded in the second quarter by virtue of 2

touchdown passes by Aaron Rodgers on drives of 79 and 39

yards, staking the Jets to a 15-6 lead. Following a Miami

fumble, the Jets widened their lead to 18-6 with a 20-yard field

goal by kicker Greg Joseph to end a 10-play, 47-yard drive.

The Dolphins responded with a 14-play, 78-yard timeconsuming

scoring drive of 7:23 seconds. Tua’s replacement,

Tyler Huntley, completed 5-of-7 passes for 53 yards on the drive

and Achane finished with 11 carries for 121 yards (11.0 avg.)

including a 15-yard rushing touchdown to bring the Dolphins

within five of the Jets’ lead with 14:12 remaining in the fourth

quarter.

The Jets, playing one of their best offensive games, scored

a subsequent touchdown, However, the unrelenting Fins

answered with a 4 yard Huntley touchdown pass to tight end

Jonnu Smith, 5:21 remaining in the fourth. The TD reception

established a record (8) for Dolphin tight ends, giving Smith

his eighth receiving touchdown of the season. He now holds the

single-season franchise record for receptions, receiving yards

and touchdowns by a tight end.

Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers threw his 500th touchdown

pass in the Dolphins defeat. His status with the team as well

as the Jets next coach is up in the air at this time. A final Jets

score extended their lead to 32-20, concluding the scoring.

Huntley, who completed 25-of-41 passes for 227 yards (61.0

pct.), one touchdown and two interceptions, spread the wealth

as several receivers had multiple catches: Jonnu Smith - 9

receptions for 56 yards and 6.2 average; Malik Washington-

4 receptions for 48 yards and 12.0 average; Jaylen Waddle- 4

receptions for 44 yards and 11.0 average; and River Cracraft- 4

receptions for 38 yard yards and 9.5 average.

Could the above statistics have contributed to Tyreek Hill’s

frustration and desire to play elsewhere post game. He is a

gifted receiver who can both catch and run. I certainly hope

that he stays with the Dolphins.

Though the defense didn’t play as well as expected, the

improvement overall is something to build on. Zach Sieler is

a consistent, productive defensive player, who, along Calais

Campbell, Jalen Ramsey, Jordyn Brooks, Chop Robinson and

Jevon Hollander, form the nucleus for a great defense next.

The Dolphins won six of their last nine games of the year,

finishing the season with an 8-9 record after a 2-6 start.

HBCU Student-Athletes:

Join the Fight for Justice Against

the NCAA’s Discriminatory Policies

Continue reading online at: thewestsidegazette.com


PAGE 16 • JANUARY 9 - JANUARY 15, 2025

Deeply Rooted

www.thewestsidegazette.com

6 TH Annual Boating & Beach Bash for People with

Disabilities Welcomes Back Families for Fun

Nation’s largest, FREE, one-day event for people with disabilities--both seen and unseen-- returns to Boca Raton on March 15, 2025

in 2009 as an event hosted

by the City of Boca Raton

Advisory Board for People

with Disabilities. The City

relinquished the Bash in 2011

to the management of the

late Bash Executive Director

Jay Van Vechten and his

wife, Lowell. Since then,

through community support

and donations, the couple

and the Bash’s planning

committee have pushed the

event’s growth beyond wildest

expectations. The Bash grew

to become the largest, free,

wholly disability-friendly

event in the country with a full

schedule of entertainment,

recreation, boat rides, beach

access, vendors, exhibitions,

workshops and food in the

nation. The event has grown

from a community gathering

to a beacon of inclusion and

joy that draws attendees

from across the nation. It has

also become a Spring Break

destination event in South

Florida. Learn more at www.

boatingbeachbash.com

Continue reading online at:

thewestsidegazette.com

BOCA RATON, FL --

The 16th Annual Boating &

Beach Bash for People with

Disabilities – the nation’s

largest, free, one-day event

for people with disabilities,

both seen and unseen – will

again welcome back families

who love the beach, boat

rides and fun! Presented by

the American Disabilities

Foundation (ADF), the Bash

returns to Boca Raton’s

Spanish River Park, which is

conveniently located between

the Atlantic Ocean and the

Intracoastal Waterway to

give guests easy access to the

beach and free boat rides.

Always a highlight are the

free boat rides, safely held by

volunteer boat captains who

donate their vessels for a day

of fun. On the other side of

the park, special Mobi-Mats

are rolled out on the sand,

making the beach accessible

to guests in wheelchairs.

YMCA’s water safety team

and physical therapists will

be on-hand to give everyone

access to the water and other

recreational activities on the

beach.

The 16th Annual Boating

& Beach Bash for People with

Disabilities will be held from

10 a.m.-3 p.m., Saturday,

March 15, 2025, at Spanish

River Park, 3001 North Ocean

Blvd. (A1A), Boca Raton, FL

33431.

The committee is currently

accepting applications

for volunteers, sponsors

and vendors at www.

BoatingBeachBash.com.

Designed as a Spring

Break vacation for all people

with disabilities, their family

members and supportive

caregivers, the Bash has

welcomed guests from around

the world. It is the only

event of its kind, offering

complimentary, scheduled

boat rides, special access to

the beach and ocean with

Mobi-Mats, a Kids Fun Zone,

therapy workshops led by

trained specialists, wheelchair

yoga, music, costumed dance

parties, therapy ponies and

dogs, a BBQ lunch, and more.

Everything is free and geared

toward the guests’ special

needs.

The 16th Annual Boating

& Beach Bash for People with

Disabilities is generously

supported by The City of

Boca Raton, celebrating 100

years of rich history and

vibrant culture in 2025;

Rotary Club Downtown Boca

Raton; Coldwell Banker

Realty Cxsares Foundation;

Collective Impact Group; and

Soroptimist International of

Boca Raton.

ABOUT THE BOATING &

BEACH BASH FOR PEOPLE

WITH DISABILITIES:

The Bash was started

Mufasa: The Lion King

By Dwight Brown Film Critic

for DwightBrownInk.com and

NNPA News Wire

(***)

“Every being has a place

in the circle of life,” and “No

more kings, we are all one.”

Those lines of dialogue sum

up the two major themes of

this entertaining prequel/

sequel. It’s the successor

to 2019’s photorealistic/

animated The Lion King

($1.6B international box

office), which was the liveaction

version of the 1994

traditionally animated The

Lion King ($981M).

Anyone guessing what this

chapter’s box office receipts

will be, needs to consider the

heavy competition during

the holiday season. Sonic

the Hedgehog 3, Wicked and

Moana 2 are soaking up all

the oxygen in the room. That

said, Mufasa: The Lion King

will definitely charm families

and sell a lot of tickets. That’s

due to its captivating, lifelike

photoreal computergenerated

imagery and a

narrative that’s compelling

for its entirety (1h 58m).

Director Barry Jenkins

(Moonlight) and screenwriter

Jeff Nathanson (2019’s The

Lion King) have created a

storyline that champions

all the values good parents

would want to bestow on

their children: Finding ways

to survive and thrive in the

darkest moments, cherishing

friendships and family no

matter who they may be and

standing up to bullies. All

are good messages, in times

like these. Values that need

constant reinforcement.

Rafiki (John Kani), an

older griot-like mandrill,

schools the lion cub Kiara

(Blue Ivy Carter) on her

ancestors and heritage. His

recollections are witnessed

by a fidgety audience of two:

Pumbaa (Seth Rogan) the

warthog and Timon (Billy

Eichner) the meerkat. Rafiki:

“It’s time. I will tell you a

story…”

Mufasa (Braelyn

Rankins), a small lion cub, is

separated from his parents

during a natural disaster. He

washes up on a riverbank and

is saved by another cub, Taka

(Theo Somolu). His rescuer,

a prince, brings him back to

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thewestsidegazette.com

JANUARY 2025

SERVICE CHANGES

EFFECTIVE SUNDAY, JANUARY 19, 2025

CHANGES TO ROUTES

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EXPRESS ROUTES

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Excellence in Service

“The Broward Sheriff ’s

Office honors the legacy of

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

by providing excellence in

service to our community and

upholding the principles of

justice, equality and peace.”

For new schedules: Broward.org/BCT/Schedules • Wi-Fi available

Call Customer Service at 954-357-8400 • TTY 954-357-8302, Florida Relay: 711

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