The Westside Gazette

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4 - DECEMBER 10, 2025

PRSRT STD

U.S. POSTAGE

PAID

FT. LAUDERDALE, FL 33310

PERMIT NO. 1179

10 Steps

to Live Longer with

HIV/AIDS

PAGE 5

PAGE 7

Tax Refunds Expected to Rise

by About $1,000 Next Year

VOL. 53 NO. 44 $1.00

Latest update , as of

December 2, 2025,

on the National

Guard shooting

in Washington, D.C.

A MESSAGE FROM

THE PUBLISHER

Andrew Wolfe and Sarah Beckstrom

National Guardsmen

What Happened

• The shooting occurred on

November 26, 2025, around 2:15

p.m. near the Farragut West Metro

Station (17th & I Street NW), just

a few blocks from the White House.

The victims were two members of

the West Virginia National Guard

on “high-visibility patrol.”

• The suspect, identified

as 29-year-old Rahmanullah

Lakanwal an Afghan national who

entered the U.S. in 2021 under the

resettlement program for evacuees

from Afghanistan — was taken into

custody after being wounded.

Victims, Charges & Legal Status

• One of the National Guard

members, 20-year-old Sarah

Beckstrom, died from her injuries.

• The other, 24-year-old Andrew

Wolfe, remained hospitalized in

critical condition but in the last 24

hours, state officials have confirmed

he has “woken up from an induced

coma” and begun to show signs of

improvement.

• The suspect, Lakanwal, was

formally charged with first-degree

murder, assault with intent to kill

while armed, firearms offences

and other related charges. He pled

not guilty during a remote court

appearance from his hospital bed

and was ordered held without bond.

Broader Fallout: Policy,

Security, and Immigration

• The shooting has triggered

sweeping policy changes: the

current administration paused

asylum decisions, suspended visa

issuance for Afghan nationals,

and re-examined green-card

applications for people from

“countries of concern.”

(Cont’d on page 3)

ON THE WEB

In Major Win for

Rep. Al Green, Texas

Maps Blocked by

Federal Judge

Reading online at:

thewestsidegazette.com

Cory Booker Gavin Newsom Kamala Harris Pete Buttigieg Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez

Who’s the Next U.S.

President?

From Buttigieg to Harris, a new poll trending across social media reveals how

voters are sizing up the top Democratic hopefuls for the 2028 presidential race.

By Asheea Smith

America may still be reeling from the chaos of the

current administration, but whether it’s curiosity —

or pure restlessness — voters are already looking past

President Donald Trump and eyeing the next wave of

potential Democratic presidential contenders. A newly

released poll trending across social media is weighing out

the Democratic hopefuls, and the results might just leave

you scratching your head.

From Buttigieg to Harris, the poll offers an early

snapshot of how Democrats could potentially shape the

2028 race. Let’s break down how folks voted — who’s

rising, who’s surprising, and who’s inspiring confidence

in a post-Trump future.

Pete Buttigieg, the former mayor of South Bend and

current U.S. Transportation Secretary, tops the poll with

a commanding 19% lead, showing voters still view him as

a fresh, future-forward voice in the Democratic field.

Gavin Newsom, the governor of California and one of

the party’s most visible national figures, comes in at 15%,

solidifying his place as a top-tier contender. It seems his

high-profile leadership style and readiness to spar with

Republicans — including Trump — continues to appeal

to voters.

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, the New York

congresswoman and progressive powerhouse, lands at

14%, reflecting her strong pull among younger voters

and the party’s left flank. Her unapologetic advocacy


U.S. ends TPS for Haitians, telling hundreds of

thousands to leave by February

Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem at

a Nashville press conference on July 18, 2025, to discuss

arrests of immigrants during recent Immigration and

Customs Enforcement sweeps. (Photo by John Partipilo/

Tennessee Lookout)

Trump’s bullying of women

reporters won’t stop journalists

from asking tough questions

By Jenice Armstrong

It has long been established that some of President

Donald Trump’s most frequently used rhetorical

weapons have been misogynistic insults. It is just as well

known that the president seldom hides his contempt for

journalists.

So it’s hardly surprising when Trump degrades female

Continue reading online at: thewestsidegazette.com

By Jesse Scheckner, Florida Politics

(Source: The Miami Times)

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS)

has announced that it is formally terminating

Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitian

nationals, ordering hundreds of thousands of people

legally living and working in the U.S. to prepare to

leave early next year.

TPS for Haiti will end Feb. 3, 2026. DHS instructs

beneficiaries to depart if they cannot secure another

lawful basis to remain stateside.

“After consulting with interagency partners,

Secretary (Kristi) Noem concluded that Haiti no

longer meets the statutory requirements for TPS,”

the announcement said. “This decision was based

on a review conducted by U.S. Citizenship and

Immigration Services, input from relevant U.S.

government agencies, and an analysis indicating that

allowing Haitian nationals to remain temporarily in

the United States is inconsistent with U.S. national

interests.”

As of March 31, there were 330,735 Haitian


Left: In September, President Trump ordered NBC’s Yamiche

Alcindor to be quiet and listen, and told her she was secondrate.

Right: President Trump referred to Bloomberg News

reporter Catherine Lucey as “Piggy’’ last week.

When your

wallet says,

“I Give!”

“Giving Tuesday:

When Even Your

Toaster Might Ask

You for a Donation”

Bobby R. Henry, Sr. and the R

stands for; I just got ROBBED

Welcome to Giving

Tuesday, that special time of

year when every organization,

every acquaintance, and

possibly even your old high

school gym teacher pops

out of retirement to remind

you that your wallet hasn’t

suffered enough.

I opened my phone this

morning and was greeted by

a digital avalanche:

62 emails, 19 texts, 14

Instagram DMs, four TikToks,

and one push notification from

an app I thought I deleted.

All of them shouting

the same thing: “GIVE

NOW!” “GIVE TODAY!”

“GIVE BEFORE WE SEND

ANOTHER EMAIL!”

At this point, I’m convinced

that if I breathe too close to

my microwave, it, too, will

light up and say, “Hey friend,

for just $5 a month, you can

help heat leftovers around

the world…”

And these causes? Lord

have mercy.

There are more causes

than letters in the Khmer

(Cambodian) alphabet, which

fun fact has so many letters it

looks like someone nodded out

on a keyboard and decided to

call it a language. Meanwhile,

every organization insists

that THEIRS is the only cause

standing between civilization

Continue reading online at:


Thursday

Dec 4 th

Partly Cloudy

Sunrise: 6:43am

Fri

73°

56°

72°

57°

76°

67°

78°

71°

85°

77°

Sunset: 5:29pm

Sat Sun Mon Tues

80°

73°

The Westside Gazette Newspaper

@TheWestsideGazetteNewspaper

WESTSIDE GAZETTE IS A MEMBER:

National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA)

Southeastern African-American Publishers Association (SAAPA)

Florida Association of Black Owned Media (FABOM)

ontinues

trides in

ent loan

their student debt. Biden

said the plan aims to create

a more affordable student

PAGE 2 • DECEMBER 4 - DECEMBER 10, 2025

44,000 teachers, nurses,

firefighters, and other public

service professionals who

relief through income-driven

repayment plans will now see

their debts forgiven.

barriers preventing borrowers

from accessing the relief they

were entitled to under the law.

www.thewestsidegazette.com

Counting Coins,

Chasing Dreams:

New Children’s Book Turns

Saving Money into an Adventure

Gracie and Areo’s Wallet

CORAL SPRINGS, Fla., Dec. 1, 2025 — Just in time for the holidays,

accountant Rachel Gregory is helping kids make sense of cents. Her new picture

book, Gracie and Aero’s Wallet: Business Venture, shows children ages 4-12 how

saving, planning and creativity can open doors to endless opportunity.

“In a world that’s more exposed than ever, it’s essential to build strong

foundations from an early age,” Gregory said. “Gracie and Aero’s Wallet: Business

Venture is the perfect resource to teach kids not only about responsibility and

confidence but also about entrepreneurship and money management in a fun and

age-appropriate way.”

Gracie and Aero’s Wallet: Business Venture is the second book in Gregory’s

engaging three-part series that introduces kids to simple, practical money skills.

After learning the value of saving and hard work in Book One, Gracie and Aero’s

Wallet, the two siblings are ready for their next challenge: turning their beloved

telescope into a small business! With big dreams and clever ideas, Gracie and Aero

discover that running a business takes teamwork, creativity and a whole lot of

heart.

But the lessons go far beyond dollars and cents. “This series is about planting

seeds,” Gregory said. “It’s about nurturing curiosity, confidence and the belief that

every child can build their own bright future.”

“The greatest gift we can give our children is preparation for life,” she added.

“Let’s empower the next generation to dream big, work smart and make it happen.”

The third book in the series, Gracie and Aero’s Wallet: Investment Time, is

scheduled for publication in April 2026.

Gracie and Aero’s Wallet: Business Venture Publisher: Halo Publishing

Parkway Middle

School Hosts Annual

Thanksgiving Feast Drive,

Serving Over 200 Families

Submitted by Veronne McMain

LAUDERHILL, FL -- Parkway Middle School

continued its tradition of unity and community

support with this year’s Thanksgiving Feast,

bringing families together for food baskets,

fellowship, and celebration. Over 200 families

participated in the event, marking more than 15

years of consistent community impact.

This year’s feast drive was made possible

through the partnership between Parkway

Middle School with Principal Eric D O’Neal and

Warm Hearts Mentorship Services, led by Director

Veronne McMain. Their collaboration ensured that

families were welcomed with warmth, organization,

and a joyful holiday experience.

“Our goal has always been to show families that

they’re not alone,” said Veronne McMain, Director

College

Prep

insurgent

adjective (noun)

definition: one who rebels

Word of

the Week

HOW TO USE IN A SENTENCE:

being The insurgent at snuck rest; into and inactive defaced a different or

classroom

motionless; quiet; still: a

agreed

each to night meet until his the demands.

administration

quiescent mind.

of Warm Hearts Mentorship Services. “Seeing our

community come together year after year reminds

us why this work matters.”

More photos and event highlights online at:


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It’s p

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TECH: Friend, Foe, or Frenemy?

List compiled by Kamar Jackson,a junior at Dillard High School

By Odari Gervais

Technology has changed the way school works,

and honestly, it’s not all bad. In many ways, it has

made life easier, especially when resources aren’t

always guaranteed. Instead of having to carry heavy

textbooks or hoping a teacher remembers to print

extra worksheets, students can access everything

from laptops, Chromebooks, or even phones if that’s

all that’s available. Platforms like Canvas, Clever,

and Microsoft Teams help keep grades, assignments,

and announcements in one place… well, most of the

time.

There are real advantages. Parents can check

grades without waiting for report cards to hopefully

make it home. The teachers can give quicker

feedback on assignments, and students can turn in

work even if they can’t make it to school that day.

Tech is giving everyone access to make research

easier and more accurate with the options of using

informational videos, and online discussions that

make learning more engaging and sometimes even

kind of fun. No matter the family dynamics tech

has allowed more chances to stay connected, catch

up, or get extra help without needing expensive

supplies.

But let’s be real: it’s not always smooth.

Having constant access to grades can feel like

having a scoreboard following you around. One

missing assignment and suddenly it feels like the

whole world is ending. Jumping between three

or four different apps just to find homework

can be confusing, and the notifications never

stop. There are reminders, messages, alerts,

updates. It can feel more like running a

tech support desk than being a student.

Then let be honest about the challenges of the

Wi-Fi issues that happen at the worst times

possible. When we lose the signal during a test or

the computer decides to update, the frustration

hits everyone. Schools in under-resourced areas

often deal with older devices, slow networks, or

not enough equipment for everyone, making the

digital learning world feel more like a challenge

than a convenience.

All this screen time also makes school feel

a little less personal. At times it can be easy to

miss important announcements with all the

notifications, and it is harder to stay

motivated when everything happens

behind a screen. Even though technology

is supposed to make things easier,

sometimes it ends up making school feel

overwhelming and mentally draining.

The truth is, technology has both big

wins and real challenges. When used

well, it helps students learn faster, stay

organized, and prepare for the future.

But without balance and without equal

access, it can cause stress, confusion, and

burnout.

Technology can be a powerful tool. It

just needs the right support, the right

resources, and a reminder that behind

every screen, there’s a student trying

their best to learn, grow, and keep up in a

digital world that moves fast.

Leia’s Mathematics

Corner

Each box of holiday lights has 30 bulbs.

James buys 3 boxes.

How many bulbs does he have?

12

x 2

37

- 25

Created by Leia P.

4th grader!


Ain’t That A VHIT

Putting the

Happy

Back Into

the Holidays

DECEMBER 4 - DECEMBER 10, 2025• PAGE 3

Comcast Expands Low-Cost Internet Program Eligibility

BLACKPRESSUSA NEWS-

WIRE — Comcast said

Wednesday it is expanding

eligibility for its Internet Essentials

program to households earning up

to 200% of the federal poverty level,

making a family of four with an

annual income of $64,300 or less

eligible for the service.

The expansion broadens access

to the broadband adoption program,

which launched in 2011 to provide

affordable internet access to lowerincome

households.

The service costs $14.95 per

month and includes free WiFi

equipment, unlimited data, access

to more than 23 million Xfinity

WiFi hotspots, discounted laptops

and free digital skills training.

The company said the program

has adapted over the years to

meet changing user needs and

continues to offer affordable

options to millions of customers.

Additional details about the

eligibility expansion are available

at https://corporate.comcast.

com/stories/internet-essentialsexpands-eligibility-to-even-morehouseholds.

By Von C. Howard

I’ll be honest, the holidays hit

differently in your forties. When I

was younger, the season was full

of laughter, noise, and the familiar

rhythm of family, someone always

cooking in the kitchen, kids running

through the house, and old-school

music playing in the background.

Back then, joy came easy. It felt

natural.

But as time passes, things

change. People you love are no

longer here. Traditions that once

brought comfort now come with

a quiet sadness. Even when the

room is full, it can still feel a little

empty. The holidays can become a

bittersweet mix of gratitude and

grief, thankful for what is, but

missing what was.

There have also been times

when the heaviness came not from

loss, but from pressure, the need

to make everything perfect, to

show up strong, to please everyone

else while quietly running on

empty. Somewhere along the way,

I realized I was chasing the idea

of happiness instead of allowing

myself to experience the real thing.

These past few years, I’ve been

learning, slowly and intentionally,

how to put the happy back into the

holidays. It starts with giving myself

permission to feel. I’ve stopped

pretending that everything is fine

all the time. Missing people doesn’t

mean I’m weak; it means I loved

them deeply. Some days that looks

like tears, other days it’s laughter.

Either way, both are healing.

I’ve learned to slow down, too,

to let go of the pressure to do it

all. Sometimes peace looks like

staying home, enjoying something

simple, or just sitting still with a

cup of coffee while thanking God for

another day. When I do that, I start

to notice the small joys again, the

warmth of a hug, the sound of good

music, the beauty of simply being

present.

Most of all, I’ve learned to live

with gratitude, to appreciate what’s

still here: faith, family, growth,

and grace. Those small moments

of thankfulness have a way of

softening the ache.

And as I keep working on these

lessons, each moment, each day,

each year, I’ve also learned to look

beyond myself. Because while

I’m navigating my own feelings,

somebody else nearby may be doing

the same. Not everyone around us

is okay just because they smile.

So, this season, let’s be sensitive

to those quietly coping, offering a

kind word, an extra hug, or simply

your presence. Sometimes that’s

all it takes to remind someone that

they’re not alone.

The joy may look different now,

but it’s still there, steady, quiet, and

real. You just must make space to

let it back in.

As I grow older, I’m learning that

joy isn’t found in perfect moments,

but in the people, memories, and

peace we choose to hold on to, even

when the holidays feel heavy.

Who’s the Next U.S.

President?

ability to shape national conversations make her a compelling choice for

those craving transformative leadership.

Kamala Harris comes in at 11%, showing that while she remains a

recognizable national figure, her appeal is more modest compared with

some of the rising Democratic contenders. That said, the beloved candidate

has left the possibility of a 2028 presidential run on the table, and folks are

definitely keeping their eyes peeled.

Senator Bernie Sanders, the longtime progressive champion from

Vermont, clocks in at 8%, maintaining his loyal base of supporters who

admire his consistent fight for economic and social reform. Even as newer

voices gain traction, Sanders’ commitment to reshaping the Democratic

agenda certainly keeps him relevant in the conversation.

Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker comes in at 6%, showing modest support

as he looks to expand his national profile. And after the politician and

businessman defended a viral video saying Trump can “F*** all the way

off,” per NBC, it seems viewers — and potential voters — couldn’t get

enough.

Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear comes in at 3%, reflecting a smaller

but steady base of support among Democrats. And according to the Wall

Street Journal, the public servant already has his eyes set on the 2028

election.

Senator Amy Klobuchar, the Minnesota lawmaker known for her

pragmatic, centrist approach, comes in at 3%. Her steady record and

focus on bipartisan solutions continue to appeal to voters seeking a calm,

experienced hand in a crowded Democratic field.

Senator Mark Kelly, the former astronaut and Arizona lawmaker,

comes in at 3%. Known for his career as a U.S. Navy combat pilot Kelly —

who poked that Trump and Hegseth were “not serious people,” per NBC

— is an experienced Democrat with a reputation for steady, bipartisan

leadership.

Surprisingly, Senator Cory Booker — the New Jersey lawmaker and

former mayor of Newark — sits low on the list despite his popularity,

coming in at just 2%. Known for his charismatic speaking style, Booker

appears to be struggling to gain traction in an increasingly crowded

Democratic field, according to the poll.

Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro comes in at 2%, reflecting modest

support in the Democratic primary compared to his peers. Despite this,

he shows strong approval in other areas, with a Quinnipiac University

poll reporting a 60% job approval rating and him leading Republicans in

hypothetical 2028 matchups.

Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer comes in at 1%, the only other

woman on the list besides former VP Kamala Harris. Known for her

advocacy on healthcare and infrastructure, she remains a recognizable

figure but faces stiff competition from higher-polling contenders.

Lesser Known, Emerging Democrats

The “Other” category came in at 3%, capturing support for a mix of

lesser-known or emerging Democratic figures. While no single candidate

dominated this group, it shows that a small portion of voters are still

exploring alternatives outside the top-tier contenders.

Democrats Who Received 0%

• In response to concerns over troop safety and

rising tensions, the Pentagon confirmed that

all National Guard troops deployed in D.C. are

now armed. The number of troops in the capital

has also increased, with about 500 additional

guards ordered in after the attack raising the

total to roughly 2,375.

• Local law enforcement in Washington, D.C.

has begun joint patrols between the Guard and

the city police shifting the deployment from a

purely federal security mission to a shared

policing operation.

What Remains Unclear / Under

Investigation

• Motive: Official investigators have not

yet confirmed a motive for the attack. While

detectives are examining mental-health records

and possible radicalization, no definitive

conclusion has been announced.

from the Front Page

These candidates — including Wes Moore, Ro Khanna, Rahm Emanuel,

Stephen A. Smith, Gina Raimondo, and Josh Green — all came in at 0%,

showing that voters weren’t particularly enthusiastic about their chances.

Womp.

National Guard shooting from Front Page

RAHMANULLAH

LAKANWA

• Extent of networking or accomplices: As of now, authorities say the

suspect acted alone, but searches are ongoing. Devices seized from his

home computers, phones, electronic media are under forensic review.

• Long-term impact on D.C. policing and civil liberties: The expansion

of armed troop deployment, joint patrols, and heightened immigration

crackdowns have sparked concerns among civil-rights groups and local

residents debates about balance between security and personal freedoms

are heating up.

Why It Matters

This is more than just a criminal case — it has become a flashpoint in

national discussions about: immigration policy, resettlement of refugees,

militarization of U.S. cities, public-safety strategy, and civil-liberties

protections. The fallout will likely be felt not only in Washington, D.C., but

across states and communities absorbing refugees, policemen/gun-control

policy debates, and the future of federal troop deployments in major cities.

Meet Roxanne Brown, The First African

American And The First Woman

President Of The United Steelworkers

In a significant moment for the labor movement, Roxanne Brown, set to

become the first African American woman elected as President of the United

Steelworkers (USW), North America’s largest industrial union, joins Make

It Plain with Rev. Mark Thompson. With the official transition happening

in March, Brown’s ascent is more than just a personal achievement;

it represents a shift in the labor movement’s leadership reflecting the

demographics of today’s workforce.

Born in Kingston, Jamaica, she moved to New York at the age of two and

was raised by what she affectionately refers to as “the Amazons”—a family

of strong, single women who were deeply involved in healthcare and unions.

Her first exposure to the labor movement came through the nurses union

and AFSCME’s CSEA in New York. This early influence clearly set the stage

for what would be a lifelong commitment to labor rights and leadership.

Reflecting on her path to this esteemed position, Brown shared, “I cut

my teeth in our policy shop, and I had to learn about our core issues and

our core values. I literally spent my entire career fighting on behalf of our

members across so many sectors.”

The USW under Brown’s leadership will be setting the tone with what

she believes is a much-needed representation change. Brown emphasized,

“We are the most diverse union in North America…we’re cradle to grave

and have everything in between.”

With a membership boasting varied backgrounds, Brown’s leadership is

a reflection of this diversity, as the board she is set to lead will be its most

diverse in the union’s history.

U.S. ends TPS for Haitians from Front Page

nationals who received TPS approval to live in the U.S. — the second-most

of any country, following Venezuela, according to a Congressional Research

Service report. Nearly a third of America’s 1.3 million TPS holders live in

Florida.

DHS is directing Haitians to report self-departures using the CBP

Home mobile app, a program marked as a “secure and convenient” selfdeportation

process that includes a free plane ticket, a $1,000 “exit bonus”

and the promise of possible future eligibility for legal status.

The announcement is the latest escalation in President Donald

Trump’s aggressive rollback of humanitarian protections and work

authorization programs. Since retaking office in January 2025, the

administration has moved to terminate TPS or humanitarian parole

for nationals of Haiti, Venezuela, Nicaragua, Syria, Somalia, Burma,

Cameroon, Afghanistan and others, while encouraging people losing status

to self-deport using CBP Home.

The announcement, issued Wednesday, comes as Haiti faces dire

humanitarian and security crises.

Immigrant rights advocates and legal experts say DHS is ignoring

catastrophic conditions in Haiti. The Miami Herald reports that 5.7 million

Haitians—more than half the population—face acute hunger. Some 1.4

million are internally displaced, and as many as one in four of the island

nation’s 12 million people live in gang-controlled neighborhoods.

Criminal organizations now control roughly 90% of Port-au-Prince and

all major roads in and out of the capital, while kidnappings, rapes and

killings number in the thousands this year. Hurricane Melissa recently

deepened shortages, killing dozens and severing already-fragile supply

routes.

The termination also follows a surge in xenophobic rhetoric targeting

Haitians during last year’s presidential campaign, when Trump, Vice

President JD Vance falsely claimed Haitian immigrants in Springfield,

Ohio, were eating cats and dogs — a debunked conspiracy theory amplified

at the time by numerous other Republicans and condemned by many elected

leaders in the Haitian American community.

The false claims sparked multiple bomb threats that shut down

government offices, hospitals and schools, prompting widespread outrage

and a retraction by the woman who had initially spread the rumor on local

social media.

According to an analysis of public and U.S. Census data by the libertarian

Cato Institute think tank, immigrants from Haiti have an incarceration

rate 48% lower than U.S.-born Americans.

Haiti first received TPS after the catastrophic 2010 earthquake, which

killed hundreds of thousands and left more than 1 million homeless.

The country has since faced repeated natural disasters, another major

earthquake in 2021, and cascading political upheaval culminating in



Westside Gazette

Calendar of Events

Deeply Rooted

LOCAL HAPPENINGS IN

BROWARD MIAMI-DADE

AND PALM BEACH

COUNTIES

HAVE YOUR COMMUNITY EVENTS

PLACED ON THIS PAGE

email:wgproof@thewestsidegazette.com

Call -- (954) 525-1489

Happy Birthday * Weddings * Anniversaries

Retirements * Congratulations


Dillard Center for the Arts presents

“A Soulful Celebration Holiday Festival and Tribute

to a Legend

By Carol J. Davis, Dr. Wilhemina King, and Special Contributor

Dr. Yvette Giles Stuart

Fort Lauderdale, FL – South Florida, prepare for a powerful

holiday experience!

The Dillard Center for the

Arts (DCA) invites the

community to "A Soulful

Celebration," a Holiday

Festival that promises an

evening of vibrant, soul-inspired

music blended with

the cherished traditions of

Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and

Christmas.

This grand event is scheduled

for Sunday, Dec. 7,

2025, at 4 p.m., at Dillard

High School.

A Feast of Talent and Tradition

The stage will come alive

with the incredible talent

of the entire DCA Department,

featuring performances

with dance,

orchestra, vocals, the electrifying band, Drumline, and the

renowned Dillard Steppers. Attendees will also see special

performances by Minister Dwight Moment and the Dillard

"Kids on Fire" Gospel Choir, under the direction of Carol J.

Davis. Expect joyful dancing, festive lights, and the uplifting

sound of voices in harmony.

Honoring a Dillard Legend: Mrs. Rhoda Glasco Snead Collins

Adding a deeply meaningful touch to the evening, the

festival will include a special tribute to the highly influential

Dillard High School Chorus teacher, Mrs. Rhoda Glasco

Snead Collins (1920–2012).

Mrs. Collins, who also served as the head of the music department

and directed the Dillard Adult Choral from 1977

until 1992, was far more than just a teacher. Her students

during the 1950s and '60s lovingly described her as "a mom

away from home." A phenomenal music teacher, Mrs. Collins's

students consistently earned superior ratings in county

and state-level competitions, and she facilitated opportunities

for them to travel and perform in other states.

A highlight of the festival will be the unveiling of a specially

commissioned portrait of Mrs. Collins, painted by

acclaimed artist Kyle Butler Harris. This tribute honors her

profound legacy and her immeasurable impact on generations

of Dillard students.

Get Your Tickets Now!

Don't miss this night where tradition, talent, and community

come together for a "Soulful Celebration" and an

essential tribute to an educational pioneer.

General admission is $15, and tickets for children under six

are $5.

Nguzo Saba Awards Nominations

Nominate a Leader Who

Embodies Kwanzaa's Principles

AARLCC is seeking nominations

for outstanding

leaders and organizations

who embody the Nguzo

Saba (seven principles) of

Kwanzaa. The deadline for

submission is December 6,

2025.

In celebration of the seven

principles of Kwanzaa,

the African American Research

Library and Cultural

Center (AARLCC) and

the Friends of AARLCC

invite the community to

participate in the Nguzo

Saba Awards Program.

This initiative honors seven

individuals whose service,

leadership, and values reflect the Nguzo Saba, the Seven

Principles of Kwanzaa.

We are accepting nominations for individuals or organizations

which embody one of the following principles:

• Umoja (Unity) – To strive for and maintain unity in the

family, community, nation, and race.

• Kujichagulia (Self-Determination) – To define ourselves,

name ourselves, create for ourselves, and speak for ourselves.

• Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility) – To build and

maintain our community together and make our brothers’

and sisters’ problems our problems.

• Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics) – To build and maintain

our own stores, shops, and other businesses and to

profit from them together.


Movin & Groovin

This FREE outdoor concert will feature soulful performances,

lively entertainment, and a festive atmosphere perfect

for families, friends, and

neighbors to come together,

relax, and groove the

night away.

Saturday, December 6,

2025

4:00 PM – 8:00 PM

St. George Park | 3501 NW

8th Street, Lauderhill, FL 33311

Free & Open to the Public

Performances by:

• Urban Mystic

• The Deep Fried Funk Band

• Kevin Love

Hosted by MC Rodney Baltimore

Music by DJ Big Man Kelly

Help Spread the Joy This Holiday Season

Bring a new, unwrapped toy and help make a child’s holiday

merry and bright.

For more info call (954) 730-3000.

SOULFUL CHRISTMAS IS BACK

We're heading back to our

home at the African American

Research Library &

Cultural Center for another

Soulful Christmas.

December 12th, 2025 @

7:00PM EST

December 13th, 2025 @

12:00PM EST

Come experience an evening

where gospel, spirituals, and soul come together to

celebrate the season. Featuring an all-star cast: Wilkie Ferguson,

III, Ja'Nia Harden, Brittany Graham, and Erron Cooper

under the direction of Director, Kunya C. Rowley and

Musical Director, King Friday.

Follow @TheWestsideGazette Newspaper on Social Media +

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

STAY

CONNECTED --


Brevo Theatre Presents: Black Nativity

Dec 18 – 20

https://www.browardcenter.org/events/detail/black-nativity-2025

Black Nativity is an African-American telling of the Nativity

story, based on the Song Play written by acclaimed

African-American poet and playwright Langston Hughes.

The show recreates the journey of Mary and Joseph, resplendent

in African costumes, to Bethlehem, accompanied

by a rousing repertoire of spirituals. The combined African-American

viewpoint and gospel music make Black

Nativity a truly unique and entertaining theatrical experience.

AMPLIFY ARTS is a new Broward Center initiative which

aims to support and elevate local artists and emerging arts

organizations with the goal of helping them reach a wider

audience and develop their skills as professional presenters.

There will be opportunities for South Florida artists in a

wide variety of performing arts genres to bring their talents

to Broward Center venues throughout the year.


10 Steps to Live Longer

with HIV/AIDS

By Derrick Lane

(Source BlackDoctor.org)

A lot has changed since

the first verified case of

HIV was found from an

unknown man in Kinshasa,

Congo, in 1959. Back then,

HIV and AIDS were a death

sentence. But today, thanks

to modern medicine and the

right lifestyle choices, people

living with HIV can live just

as long as those without it.

But understanding how HIV

progresses — and what you

can do to stay healthy —

makes all the difference.

HIV is a virus that attacks

the immune system. If

untreated, it can weaken the

body so much that it reaches

the most advanced stage,

known as AIDS. But here’s

the good news: with consistent

medical care, HIV may never

progress to AIDS, and many

people go their entire lives

without reaching that stage.

Here are the top things

someone should do to live

longer, healthier, and

stronger with HIV/AIDS.

10 Steps to Living Longer

with HIV/AIDS

1. Start Treatment

Immediately — and Take It

Every Single Day

The most important step

is getting on antiretroviral

therapy (ART) as soon as

possible. Here’s why ART

suppresses the HIV virus.

It allows your immune

system to stay strong.

It prevents HIV from turning

into AIDS.

It lowers the amount of

virus in your body to the

point where it becomes

undetectable, which also

means untransmittable (the

proven U=U principle).

Skipping doses can allow the

virus to multiply or become

resistant, so consistency is

critical.

2. Keep Regular Appointments

With Your HIV Doctor

Treatment isn’t a one-time

decision — it’s a partnership.

Seeing your doctor regularly

helps you:

Monitor your viral load

(how much virus is in your

blood).

Track your CD4 count (how

strong your immune system

is).

Adjust medications if

needed.

Address side effects before

they become problems.

People who stay engaged

in care live significantly

longer than those who don’t.

3. Understand Your Numbers:

CD4 and Viral Load

You don’t need to be a medical

expert, but knowing your two

key numbers empowers you to

make right decisions. Here’s

why:

CD4 Count

These are your immune

system’s “soldiers.”

Higher = stronger immunity.

Viral Load

The amount of HIV in your

bloodstream.

Lower = better control.

Your goal is viral suppression

— meaning the amount of

virus becomes so low that it’s

undetectable. This protects

your health long-term.

4. Protect Your Immune

System With a Healthy

Lifestyle

*Even with medication, your

day-to-day habits matter.

Your immune system thrives

when you:

*Eat balanced meals rich

in fruits, vegetables, lean

protein, and whole grains.

*Stay physically active

— even light exercise boosts

immune health.

*Get 7–9 hours of sleep.

*Drink plenty of water.

*Limit processed foods

and sugary drinks.

*Avoid smoking.

*These habits help your

body fight infections and

manage HIV more effectively.

5. Lower Your Stress — It

Directly Affects Immunity

Chronic stress weakens your

immune system. People with

HIV who experience less

stress often have better CD4

counts and fewer health

complications.

Here’s what you can do:

*Deep breathing or

meditation

*Journaling

*Prayer or spiritual

practices

*Talking to a counselor

*Support groups for people

living with HIV

Your mind and immune

system are connected, so

taking care of your mental

health is essential.

6. Avoid or Reduce Alcohol

and Drug Use

Heavy alcohol or drug use

can weaken your immune



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• Holiday Drinks – eggnog, flavored

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• Snacks & Sweets – “healthy” granola

bars, dried fruit mixes, and festive

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DECEMBER 4 - DECEMBER 10, 2025• PAGE 5

Westside Health Brief

Marsha Mullings, MPH

December 1, 2025

• Condiments and Dips – ketchup,

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When obedience becomes

complicity: From Mỹ Lai to

today’s military conscience

By George Cassidy Payne

Courage is rarely convenient.

Sometimes it is condemned. Ask Hugh

Clowers Thompson Jr.

On March 16, 1968, Thompson, a

young Army helicopter pilot in the 123rd

Aviation Battalion of the 23rd Infantry

Division, flew over the South Vietnamese

village of Sơn Mỹ and witnessed something

unimaginable. American soldiers were

systematically killing unarmed civilians—

women, children, and the elderly. There were no enemy

combatants. This was not war. This was a massacre.

Most soldiers either did not see or refused to confront

the truth. Thompson did. He acted decisively: he hovered

his helicopter between the troops and the villagers, ordered

his crew, Glenn Andreotta and Lawrence Colburn, to fire on

American soldiers if the killing continued, and personally

escorted terrified civilians to safety. He radioed repeated

warnings to Task Force Barker headquarters. Eventually, his

actions forced command to halt the massacre.

For Thompson, the cost of moral courage was immense. He

endured ostracism, post-traumatic stress disorder, alcoholism,

and personal strife for years. In 1970, he testified in a closed

congressional hearing about what he had seen, facing hostility

from some quarters of government and military leadership.

Congressman Mendel Rivers (D-S.C.) even declared that

Thompson was the only soldier at Mỹ Lai who should be

punished, attempting to have him court-martialed for turning

his weapons on fellow troops. As the U.S. government tried to

cover up the massacre, Thompson was vilified and received

death threats. Recognition came decades later when the Army

awarded him the Soldier’s Medal, a belated acknowledgment of


Did President Trump Cross

The Proverbial “Red Line?”

“The proverbial red line denotes the absolute limit

beyond which there is severe punishment for anyone

who crosses it through ignorance, culpability, malfeasance,

negligence, or “malum in se” (inherently

immoral or wrong).” John Johnson II 12/03/25

By John Johnson II

President Donald Trump’s Achilles Heel

initially wounded by the explosive Epstein

files —never healed. Long before the latest

disclosures emerged, flight logs, photographs,

victim testimonies, and now-public

emails had already punctured the myth of

invincibility he built around himself. These

newly uncovered emails — referencing “private

evenings,” coordinated travel, and access

to Epstein’s network of trafficked young girls — may not

alone prove criminal guilt, but they obliterate the illusion of

distance Trump once claimed existed between them.

But Trump’s vulnerability no longer ends with Epstein.

America now faces something far more consequential: a former

president, a convicted felon on 34 counts, now as the 47th Commander-In-Chief

stands on the brink of facing charges involving

murder or war crimes. These are not political accusations;

they reach into the dark heart of presidential power. They expose

how fragile democracy becomes when Congress loses the

courage to hold one another accountable.

Absolute immunity does not shield any president from facing

accountability for having allegedly committed murder and war

crimes. Congress must reassert its role as an equal branch of

power. This Congress is either of men and women of integrity

or merely mice.

In this climate, one moment stands out. Rep. Marjorie Taylor

Greene — one of Trump’s most strident defenders — did what

many Republican men refused to do. She stood her ground on

principles. A woman who had fiercely defended Trump publicly

still showed the integrity to declare she would rather resign

than remain in Congress.

Meanwhile, most Republican members of Congress continue

to abandon their oath. Congresspersons were not elected to

protect a man, rather they were elected to protect the Constitution.

Their silence is dereliction. Their loyalty is corruption.

Their fear is betrayal.

Let us be clear: if the law does not when necessary, restrain

the president, the nation becomes a rogue state — governed

by an autocrat and enabled by a band of political sycophants.

The Founders warned us that the moment Congress fears the

president, the republic is lost immediately.

Congress must flex its constitutional power now — not later.

They only need one decisive move to remind Trump he is not

a monarch. Remember, “All Presidents are mortal and subject

to punishment for Constitutional violations. President Trump

is a mortal. Therefore, President Trump is subject to punishment

for any Constitutional violations.”

Move One: Congress must demand that President Trump

immediately re-evaluate Secretary Pete Hegseth’s position,

whose actions have ignited national and international concern.

It is expected that Sec. Hegseth possesses a thorough understanding

of the Military Rules of Engagement.

Move Two: Congress must launch a full, immediate investigation

into the newly alleged murder and war-crime disclosures

— without compromise, without fear, and without partisan paralysis.

The Epstein files may have opened Trump’s Achilles

wound. These new disclosures — pointing toward murder and

war-crime violations — may be the spear that finally pierces it.

The real question now is not whether Trump can survive

these credible allegations. The real question is whether Congress

has the courage to do its job — or whether they, too, have

crossed America’s final red line. Simply put, were any laws

violated?

The Trump administration cannot behave as a reincarnation

of Hitler’s Regime. Hitler incinerated the “red line’ along with

murdering over six million Jews. He cowardly escaped punishment

by suicide.

YOU BE THE JUDGE!

Deeply Rooted

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.

PRAYING FOR HOPE

The leadership lessons Jesse Jackson has given us

are not poetic—they are practical, hard-won

and urgently needed now

By Ben Jealous

News of the Reverend Jesse Jackson’s

health struggles has stirred many. It has

me praying. And it has me remembering

the hard lessons he taught, shaped in the

trenches of our people’s ongoing fight for

freedom.

Look around the world, and it is easy

to find charismatic voices rising amid

liberation movements. Black America

has been blessed with such figures across

generations—perhaps because we have been cursed with a

freedom struggle that never really ends.

Through all that pain and hope, for nearly half a century,

our most consequential and transformative leader has been the

Reverend Jesse Louis Jackson, Sr.

Some dismiss his leadership as style over substance. “Keep

Hope Alive!” they say. Sometimes with reverence. Sometimes

half-mockingly. When I hear that latter tone, I’m reminded how

privileged a life one must lead to think hope is just a slogan and

not sacred labor.

They don’t understand the discipline it takes to help a

people—or a nation—maintain hope in the face of adversity.

Last summer, at the Democratic National Convention in

Chicago, Reverend Jackson invited me to join him and his

family in their box. I sat beside my old mentor and friend,

holding his hand as Vice President Kamala Harris accepted

the nomination for president.

The symbolism of the location for the night was unmistakable.

We were in the city that sent Barack Obama to the White

House. But we were also in the city that decades before Turn

that empowered Jesse Jackson to show America the question

was no longer whether it would elect a Black president—but

when.

He demonstrated that truth not only through his presidential

campaigns in 1984 and 1988—campaigns that broke ceilings

and forged coalitions—but through the generations of leaders

he encouraged and inspired.

The year after his last presidential run, Virginia elected its

first Black governor, L. Douglas Wilder. New York elected its

first Black mayor, David Dinkins. Both publicly named Jackson

as someone who helped make their possibilities real.

And just this past January, at Chicago’s Martin Luther

King Day celebration, his impact was visible from City Hall to

the state Capitol—a reminder that his legacy is not nostalgia,

but political infrastructure.


Did You Have A Happy Thanksgiving

Despite The Climate Of Fear That

Exists In This Country?

By James B. Ewers Jr. Ed.D.

The United States of America is

recognized for having many holidays. We

celebrate them and give honor to each of

them.

There are 11 permanent federal

holidays that we celebrate in this country.

The first holidays were New Year’s

Day, Fourth of July, Thanksgiving and

Christmas.

There are some holidays where food is involved, and I must

admit those are my favorites. For example, we usually have

barbeques when July 4 th comes around.

There are even cooking contests for that national holiday

to see who can prepare the best barbeque. Grills are fired up

along with having ribs and chicken as the meats. According to

the cooking critics, it’s the ingredients in the sauce that make

the taste so good.

America just celebrated Thanksgiving, so family and friends

gathered around the table to give thanks and to have some

food.

This Thanksgiving was different in some ways. If you

were blessed to have bountiful food, then I hope you gave

bountiful prayers of thanksgiving to the Lord. This most recent

Thanksgiving should not have been taken for granted.

Over the years, we begin to take having a turkey, dressing,

macaroni and cheese and other fixings for granted. Of course,

there were other food items, and you always had enough.

Yes, the food was important, and it was delicious. We ate

all day and well into the night. To paraphrase Luther, it was

never too much.

Thanksgiving was also one of those holidays that brought

family and friends together. Folks would travel distances to


Frankly Speaking

I suppose Sense

and Trump in the

same sentence

is an Oxymoron

Moron for certain!

By W. Frank Wilson

Please help me make this

make sense!!!

Our military has been

engaged in blowing up boats

that are “ SUSPECTED” to be

carrying illegal drugs.

The Honduran President

was found guilty and

sentenced but gets a

PARDON?

The fact that the pardon

was issued by Trump makes


The clarifying

power of

nonviolence

By Andrew Moss

There is a clarifying power

to non-vio-lence.

When Dr. Martin

Luther King was jailed in

Birmingham in 1963 for

protesting racial segregation

in that city, he declared that

such protests were needed

to create a “constructive

nonviolent tension” that

would lift individuals out

of the “dark depths of

prejudice and racism.” As he

explained, “the purpose of the

direct action was to create a

situation so crisis-packed that

it will inevitably open the

door to negotiation.”

Today that clarifying

power has been put to work

in a new context, and, in

many respects, to new effect:

defining with great clarity

the nature of the struggle

now being fought out in the

nation. This is not simply a

conflict between Republicans

and Democrats, or even

between democracy and

authoritarianism. At the

most basic level, this is a

clash between cultures of

nonviolence and violence, with

authoritarianism manifesting

the most extreme version of a

culture driven by the will to

harm.

A good part of that

clarifying energy has been

seen in the thousands of

largely peaceful protests

that have taken place across

the country, with millions of

people demonstrating against

ICE brutality, the firings

and union-busting of federal

workers, and the cutting of

vital human services in the

nation’s safety net, from

health care to nutrition, from

education to housing and jobs

training.

Millions of protesters

raised awareness of the

harms inflicted by the Trump

administration, building

momentum as they marched

and rallied in protests that

grew in size from three to

five to seven million over the

course of several months.

These marches and rallies

helped inspire voters to turn

out in the November elections

and defeat Trump-backed

candidates and issues in New

York, New Jersey, Virginia,

Mississippi, and California,

among other regions of the

country.

These millions of protesters

pressured Senate Democrats

not to cave during a 43-day

government shutdown, as

Democrats faced down Trump

over a funding bill that

would allow immense cuts to



it both suspicious and I’ll bet

transactional.

I wonder how much

illegality will we never know

as a result of Trump’s passing

out Pardons

like a whore in a brothel.

It won’t surprise me to

find out that Trump has

negotiated a percentage of all

Honduran drug

sales would support Trump’s

favorite charity… Trump

himself!

This President had two

goals, to stay out of jail and

to get money by any means

necessary! If by chance he

gets something done for the

people its because Congress

was smart enough to get

something by him and made

him think he thought of it !


BUSINESS

UNITY IN THE

COMMUNITY DIRECTORY

Serving South Florida for Over 40 Years

Management Sales Rentals

Cell: 754-234-4485

Office: 954-733-7700 ext. 111

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Deeply Rooted

DECEMBER 4 - DECEMBER 10, 2025 • PAGE 7

Tax Refunds Expected to Rise by About $1,000 Next Year

BLACKPRESSUSA NEWSWIRE — Federal

tax refunds are positioned for a sharp rise

next year, with new projections showing that

the average payment could increase by about

$1,000 for millions of Americans.

By Stacy M. Brown, Black Press USA Senior National

Correspondent

Federal tax refunds are positioned for a sharp rise next

year, with new projections showing that the average payment

could increase by about $1,000 for millions of Americans.

Analysts expect the typical refund to reach roughly $4,151 for the 2026 filing season, a major jump from the $3,151 average

refund taxpayers received during the 2025 season. CBS News reported that IRS filing data has revealed that the average direct

deposit refund for 2025 stands at $3,151, up from $3,092 the prior year.

“When people go to file, they’ll be surprised by really, really large refunds,” Don Schneider, deputy head of U.S. policy at Piper

Sandler and one of the report’s authors, said in a recent podcast about the analysis. “In a typical year, we might have about $270

billion in tax refunds, and it’ll be that plus another $90 billion.”

Analysts expected a spike to come after the Trump administration’s sweeping tax and spending law was signed in July. The

law eliminates federal taxes on some overtime and tipped income and lifts the state and local tax deduction cap from $10,000 to

$40,000. All changes were made retroactive to 2025, setting up larger refunds when taxpayers file in early 2026.

Because most Americans receive their refunds within about 21 days of filing, the size of those payments often carries significant

weight in household budgets. Next year could bring one of the biggest refund seasons on record.

The benefits will not be evenly shared. Piper Sandler’s analysis shows middle and upper-middle income households, those

earning between $60,000 and $400,000, stand to gain the most. That finding matches a Tax Policy Center review that estimated

that people earning more than $217,000 receive six of every ten dollars in new tax breaks created by the July law.

High earners will see some limits. The expanded $40,000 SALT deduction begins to phase out for households earning more

than $500,000. Lower-income filers are also unlikely to benefit because the higher SALT cap only helps people whose state and

local tax bills exceed the standard deduction. Filers must itemize to claim it, which tax experts note is less common among lowerincome

households.

Schneider said the impact falls primarily on households in the middle of the income distribution rather than those at the

lowest or highest ends.

“This isn’t going to the very bottom of the distribution. It isn’t going to the very top of the distribution either,” Scheider said.

The Time Is Now: Congress Should Not Leave

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the Digital Asset Future

Income tax refund.

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By Kevin Harris

and Cleve Mesidor

Congress is actively working

on groundbreaking legislation

that would provide

much needed regulatory clarity.

The Digital Assets Market

Structure legislation being

developed by the U.S. Senate

Agriculture and Banking

committees can be better positioned

to foster economic

growth, promote financial

education, and support guard

rails for the early and vibrant

segments of Americans who

actively leverage digital assets.

In Washington, debates over

crypto are too often conflated

with tensions with Wall Street

incumbents, entrenched regulatory

turf wars, and the race

for global competitiveness. As

a result, a critical voice is often

absent from deliberations:

small financial institutions

that have long been the backbone

of underserved rural

and urban neighborhoods. As

Congress considers legislation

governing digital assets,

it has an opportunity to take a

simple transformative, bipartisan

step to ensure they are

millions of Americans could

be locked out if their local

community institutions are

not part of policy considerations.

CDFIs and MDIs serve precisely

the communities most

vulnerable to being excluded

from transformative financial

shifts. If legislation ignores

their needs and capacities, we

risk repeating a familiar pattern:

innovation benefiting

the well-resourced first, leaving

everyone else to catch up

later—if at all.

Including a federal study is

not a radical act. It does not

endorse any particular digital

asset product, mandate their

adoption, or loosen regulatory

standards. Instead, it offers

something essential: clarity!

While banks are receiving

regulatory guidance regardnot

once again left behind and

left out. Lawmakers should

include a federal study examining

how Community Development

Financial Institutions

(CDFIs) and Minority Depository

Institutions (MDIs) can

safely and compliantly offer

digital asset products. The

time for this level of regulatory

clarity is now!

Ensuring Access To The

Future of Digital Finance

This is not a niche concern.

It is a matter of financial inclusion,

U.S. competitiveness,

and necessity for a market

structure framework that fuels

innovation across rural

and mainstream America.

Whether policymakers embrace

or resist them, digital

assets—from tokenized deposits

to stablecoins to blockchain-based

payment rails—

are increasingly shaping the

financial landscape. Large institutions

and fintechs are already

experimenting with tokenization,

on-chain identity

solutions, and blockchain-enabled

lending. As these technologies

become part of mainstream

financial transactions,

FRANCINE

Your Tailor

Kevin Harris

Cleve Mesidor

ing decentralized finance, this

clarity does not extend to this

unique subset of the financial

system.

Data show that CDFIs support

more than 1,400 smaller

lenders operating in rural

and urban areas that aren’t

adequately served by larger

banks. Of the roughly 5,900

headquarters and branches of

these community lenders, 60

percent [1]are in Republican

congressional districts and 55

percent are in states with two

Republican senators.

A Federal Study of CDFIs &

MDIs Whose Time Has Come

A well-designed federal study

would explore important

questions. This could include

examining how digital asset



Alterations For

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(Corner of Broward Blvd. & State Rd. 7

(954) 587-7075

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Cell: (754) 274-8537

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Advertise Here

Have Your Business Card Placed On This Page

For more information, call (954) 525-1489


CHURCH DIRECTORY

Deeply Rooted

Have Your Church Announcements Placed

In Our 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

Rev. Danny L. McKenzie, Sr., Senior Pastor

2251 N.W. 22nd St., Fort Lauderdale, FL 33311

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

Church: (954) 733-3285 - Office: (954) 733-3606

Email: mountnebobaptist@bellsouth.net

Website: www.mountnebaptist.org

SCHEDULE OF SERVICES

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

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

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

"A Great Place To Worship"

Celebrating 100 Years of Blessing!! 1925-2025

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.

"I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength"

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

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”

The New Beginning

Embassy of Praise

The Most Reverend

John H. Taylor, Bishop, Sr. Pastor

Dr. ML Taylor, Executive Pastor

4035 SW 18th Street, West Park, FL 33023

Sunday Worship Service ..................... 11:00 a.m.

Conference Line - 848-220-3300 ID: 33023

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

Noonday Prayer Wednesdays..........- 12:00 noon

Come Worship With Us For Your New Begnning!

Pastor David E. Deal, Jr.

Every Christian's Church

SUNDAY @11:00 am

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

Bible Trivia

‘Test Your Bible Knowledge'

1) It was white like a coriander seed, and it tasted like honey cakes”

What?

2) Only one woman has the age when she died mentioned in scripture-127

yrs old. Who was it?

3) Who said it? “God has brought me laughter, and everyone who

hears about this will laugh with me”

4) Who said it? “What Have I done to you that deserves your beating

me these three times?

5) The shortest chapter in the Bible is two before the longest chapter

in the Bible. What two chapters are we talking about?

6) Which book of the Old Testament has the fewest verses?

7) Who described himself as “the king’s cup-bearer”?

***Biblical Note** Dysfunctional families are mentioned throughout

the scriptures. A modern psychiatrist would have had a field day!

The life of David’s family, Isaac and Rebekah’s family, Uncle Laban

and Jacob were always deceiving each other, then Rachel and Leah.

But if God could do such great things among that mess, maybe your

future isn’t so bleak after all. Trust in Him.

Answers – 1) Manna; 2) Sarah; 3) Sarah; 4) Balaam’s donkey; 5)

Psalms 117 & 119; 6) Obadiah; 7) Nehemiah

New Generation of Black

Church Leadership Rising to

Continue Battle for Freedom

Installation of Pastor Kevin Lamár Peterman

at Historic DC Church Indicates Next Power

Move for Social Justice in America

Pastor Peterman, on front row (center) in suit and tie,

stands in front of Nineteenth Street Baptist Church,

surrounded by guest clergy who attended to support

and celebrate.

By Hazel Trice Edney

(TriceEdneyWire.com) - It was on Nov. 24, 2014, when then

Howard University student Kevin Lamár Peterman first felt a

sermon rise from his belly.

That was the same day that a grand jury decided not to indict

a white Ferguson, Missouri police officer, Darren Wilson, in the fatal shooting of 18-year-old Mike Brown, an unarmed Black

teenager walking down the street in his neighborhood. It was a police killing that sparked historic protests across America, including

fiery demonstrations in Ferguson that were met with military force.

Having returned from the uprisings in Ferguson, Peterman was leading a community and student protest on the steps of Howard’s

Douglass Hall when the announcement came that Wilson would not be indicted.

“I remember giving a speech that night that I felt turn into a sermon. And it was really social justice that led me to ministry,”

Peterman said in a recent interview. “I felt that the best way to advance the cause of Black people in America was through the

church and through education. And so that’s kind of how my ministry began.”

A little more than 10 years later, the stirring that Peterman felt that night has now come full circle. On Saturday, Nov. 22,

2025, at the age of 32, he was installed pastor of the Nineteenth Street Baptist Church, the oldest and most historic Black Baptist

congregation in Washington, DC, dating back through enslavement more than 180 years.

Today, as issues of racial justice continue to simmer – and grow - across the nation, the pastoral installation of Peterman and

other young men and women in his age group is being viewed as a resurgence of sorts, part of a spiritual uprising of a new generation

of civil rights leadership in the Black church.

“What you’re seeing is that there are a number of young

Black preachers who are taking over historic Black churches

in historic cities, who are doing this work of social justice and

also doing the work of social impact while also preaching salvation,”

Peterman said. “Every generation of ministers is called

to move the thermometer one notch, one pace forward. It’s like

a race. The baton has been passed to the next generation to run

our leg of the race.”

Among those who have risen to church leadership from coast

to coast – during what Peterman describes as the “Black Lives

Matter” era is Melech Thomas, who led protests alongside

him after the Baltimore police custody death of Freddie Gray.

Thomas was installed pastor of Baltimore’s Payne Memorial

AME Church earlier this year.

Also, the Rev. Devon Jerome Crawford, pastor of the Third

Baptist church in San Francisco, the home church of former

Vice President Kamala Harris; the Rev. Art Gordon is pastor of

the oldest Black Baptist church in New England, the People’s

Baptist church in Boston; the Rev. Malcolm J. Byrd is senior

pastor of the Mother African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church,

the oldest Black Church in New York State, founded in 1796;

the Rev. Marissa Farrow has been named senior pastor-elect of

Baltimore’s Mt. Calvary Church Cont'd on Page 9


Onyx Magazine Honors The Life And

Legacy Of Brenda R. March

A Community Champion Forever in Our Hearts

By Marianne Eggleston

ORLANDO, FL – ONYX

Magazine mourns the loss of

cherished community leader,

Brenda R. March, who passed

away on Thursday, November

27, 2025. She proudly served

as the vice president of the

ONYX Foundation, helping

secure thousands of scholarship

dollars and opening doors to

transformative opportunities.

In her honor, the ONYX

Foundation has named the

Charles and Brenda March

Dream Builders Scholarship

for students pursuing career

paths in vocational or trade

schools for hands-on careers,

apprenticeships for on-the-job

training, and certifications for

flexible education.

A 2018 ONYX Magazine

Women on the Move honoree,

Brenda also was a devoted

member of the ONYX Magazine

Women on the Move and Men of

Honor committees since their

inception. She played a critical

role in honoring the state’s

most influential and impactful

professionals and strengthening

the organization’s philanthropic

reach. As a leader on the

ONYX Magazine Advisory

Committee, she consistently offered wise counsel, fostered meaningful relationships, and helped

shape a vision that will carry forward for years to come.

Brenda celebrated a 33+-year distinguished career with the City of Orlando, most recently

as a special assistant to Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer. As the City’s Children and Education

manager, Brenda championed initiatives that strengthened educational access, supported youth

development, and enhanced family well-being. Her compassionate leadership and unwavering

advocacy improved the lives of countless young people and helped shape a stronger, more

resilient community.

Reflecting on her legacy, ONYX Magazine Publisher Rich Black shared, “Brenda was an

advocate for youth and a dear friend I have known practically all my life. Her dedication to

ONYX Magazine and to uplifting young people through countless organizations is unmatched.

She will be sorely missed; the indelible impact she made will live on through the many lives she

touched.”

We extend our heartfelt condolences to Brenda’s loved ones during this difficult time—her

husband, John March, her daughter Toushe’ Hinton, and her sons, Joel and Jeremy March.



Service Arrangements:

Public Viewing

Friday, December 5, 2025

4:00–6:00 p.m.

Saint Mark AME Church

1968 Bruton Boulevard, Orlando, FL 32805

Funeral Services

Saturday, December 6, 2025, 11:00 a.m.

Majestic Life Church

821 South Kirkman Road, Orlando, FL 32811

New Generation of Black Church Leader cont'd from Page 8

& Ministries; and the Rev.

Rodney Carter is pastor of the

Greater Mount Calvary Holy

Church, the largest Pentecostal

congregation in D.C.

“So, you’re seeing a new generation

of pastors coming into

the pulpit and taking over

historic churches and many of

us are trying to do the work

that was being done 60 years

ago, prior to the civil rights

movement,” Peterman says.

“It’s not a new vision. It’s a

continuum. And hopefully,

when we die, life in America

will be better than it was

when we were born.”

Therefore, during the services

surrounding Peterman’s

installation, it was made

clear that his generation will

not carry the mantle alone. As

they rise to leadership, they

join their mentors, their fathers

and mothers in ministry

who remain alongside them

in the preaching of salvation,

the battle for social justice,

and the sharing of wisdom

and experience.

The three services celebrating

Peterman as the new pastor

included preachers, known

nationally for their leadership.

Rev. Dr. Howard-John

Wesley, senior pastor of the

historic Alfred Street Baptist

Church in Alexandria, Va,

preached a one-night revival.

The installation service was

led by Rev. Lawrence E. Aker,

III, lead pastor of Cornerstone

Baptist Church in Brooklyn,

New York; and the events

were culminated during a

Sunday service preached by

the Rev. Dr. Otis Moss III,

senior pastor, Trinity United

Church of Christ in Chicago,

where Peterman served as a

pastoral intern.

Aker, the pastor who ordained

Peterman at Cornerstone,

where he served as

young adult and social justice

minister, preached from

the scripture, II Timothy 1:7,

Pastor Peterman speaks to the congregation after being

robed by his mother, Mrs. Donna Holley-Nelms.

Deeply Rooted

Obituaries

Death and Funeral Notices

A Good Sheperd's Funeral

Home & Cremation

Services Central

Casey Myers Love And

Grace Funeral And

Cremation Service

DECEMBER 4 - DECEMBER 10, 2025 • PAGE 9

VIEW OBITUARIES ONLINE

at www.thewestsidegazette.com

Announcements:

*In Memoriam *Death Notices *Happy Birthdays

*Card of Thanks *Remembrances

Alma Brown

Funeral

Service

will be held

December 6

at Martin

Memorial

Church

The Purple

Church.

Miriam

Hayes

Funeral

Service

will be held

December

13th

at

Lighthouse Worship Center.

Willie Sol

Memorial

Service

will be held

December 6

at Chapel.

George Walker,

Jr.

Viewing

will be held

December 13th

at AGS

South

Chapel.

Jean Florestal

– 65.

Jermaine

Jones- 40

Funeral

Service

will be held

December 6

at Gospel

Arena of Faith.

Patrick Milton.

Charles

Shorter – 50

Funeral

Service

was held

November 29th

at Gospel

Arena Of

Faith.

Owens O.

Kidd – 79

Funeral

Service

was held

November

29th

at James C.

Boyd’s

Memorial

Chapel with Apostle John L. Mohorn

officiating.

Nakelia Varonica

Roberson – 37

Funeral

Service

was held

November 29th

at New

Convenant

Deliverance

Cathedral

with Apostle Everett Robinson.

McWhite’s Funeral

Home

Rosena Coretta

Lott

Funeral

Service

was held

November 29th

at Macedonia

Baptist Church.

Darryl Bernard

Miller

Funeral

Service

was held

November 26

at Pembroke

Pines Church of

Christ.

Nielza Miller

Pittman

Funeral

Service

was held

November 29th

at First Baptist

Church

Piney

Grove.

Marjorie

Hardimon

Sapp

Funeral

Service

was held

November

28th

at McWhite’s Funeral Home

Chapel.

Roy Mizell & Kurtz

Funeral Home

Dorothy M.

Murdaugh – 74

Funeral

Service

was held

November 29th

at Roy Mizell &

Kurtz

Worship Center.

The

Lord

is

close

to

the

broken

hearted;

He

rescues

those

whose

spirits

are

crushed

Psalm 34:18


By Jessica Daniels

(BDO Staff Writer)

People with HIV have an added risk of heart failure, so they and their health care

providers need to be alert for early signs such as shortness of breath, fatigue, leg swelling,

coughing, and chest pain, according to a new study.

Even HIV patients who keep their viral load low with antiretroviral therapy (ART) and

don’t have anything that makes them more prone to heart disease, such as diabetes, have a

1.5 to two times higher chance of heart attack or stroke.

“Cardiovascular disease has been an important concern for people with HIV for many,

many years,” senior author Michael Silverberg said in a Kaiser Permanente news release.

He’s a research scientist and HIV epidemiologist at Kaiser’s Division of Research in Oakland,

Calif.

While most of the research has focused on the risk of stroke and heart attacks, this study

shows that the heart impacts for people with HIV extend to end-stage conditions such as

heart failure, Silverberg says.

The study included nearly 39,000 Kaiser patients with HIV and about 10 times that

number without HIV. Those with HIV were 68% more likely to develop heart failure, and

the highest risk was among people 40 or younger, women and Asian/Pacific Islanders,

researchers found.

“In terms of young people, it’s possible that they had fewer other complicating health

issues, which made heart failure stand out,” says first author Dr. Alan Go, a senior research

scientist at Kaiser.

Why are HIV patients at higher risk for heart disease?

He notes that early data suggest HIV may have a greater impact on heart function in

women than in men, due in part to hormones and an abnormal thickening and scarring of

heart tissue known as cardiac fibrosis. But, Go adds, more study is needed.

“And, overall, not a lot is known about cardiac issues and HIV among Asians and Pacific


People Living With HIV Face Higher Odds for Heart Failure

Islanders,” he said in the release.

The study accounted for heart disease risk factors and medications to prevent heart

problems, researchers said.

“Our study showed that the higher risk wasn’t due to differences in access to care,” Go

shares. “They were all getting the highest-quality care.”

The study also found that the added risk among people with HIV wasn’t because they

had more heart disease risk factors or had more heart attacks. In fact, people with HIV had

fewer heart disease risk factors than those without HIV, the study found.

“The immune system responds to any infection. In a chronic viral infection like HIV,

it’s thought that in the course of keeping HIV under control, there could be some off-target

effects,” says Dr. Judith Currier, chief of the infectious diseases division at the University

of California, Los Angeles’s David Geffen School of Medicine.

“In other words, the immune system is activated to control HIV and in the process of

that activation, it could be increasing the risk for heart disease,” Currier adds. Chronic

inflammation is linked to the buildup of fatty plaque in the arteries, a risk factor for heart

disease, according to the American Heart Association.

The authors said their findings show the need to monitor people with HIV for early signs

of heart disease.

Jamaica records rise in Leptospirosis cases and deaths

Source: CNW)

By Joanne Clark

Health and Wellness

Minister Dr. Christopher

Tufton has confirmed an

increase in leptospirosis

cases and related deaths as

Jamaica continues to grapple

with public-health challenges

following Hurricane Melissa.

Speaking at a special press

conference at Jamaica House

on Wednesday, November 26,

Tufton reported 11 deaths

linked to the disease as of

November 22, including three

from confirmed cases. He said

there are now 91 suspected or

probable cases of leptospirosis,

with 10 confirmed through

laboratory testing.

Tufton emphasized that

the ministry is intensifying

efforts to reduce exposure

and curb transmission in

communities affected by

the October 28 hurricane.

Environmental health teams

remain active in the field,

and the ministry is working

with partners on solid waste

management, vector control,

PCR rapid testing, additional

personnel, and expanded

public education.

He stressed that the

Government’s immediate

public-health response after

the storm has been effective

so far, even as assessments

continue across the hardesthit

western parishes.

Emergency services were

activated immediately after

the hurricane, with field

hospitals expanded to support

damaged facilities. Two field

hospitals have already been

established, and a third is

expected to be operational by

this weekend, the latest being

set up at the Savanna-la-Mar

Hospital in Westmoreland.

According to Tufton, 101

health centres across western

Jamaica sustained damage

during the storm, with about

25 listed as extensively or

severely affected. Jamaica

has approximately 325 health

centres nationwide. Technical

teams are still conducting

detailed evaluations to

determine the scale of

repairs needed, while efforts

are under way to restore

primary healthcare services

even where buildings remain

compromised.

“We have attempted to

restore services, if not the

infrastructure,” Tufton said,

noting that many healthcare

workers also suffered personal

losses during the hurricane.

He said the ministry has



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C2935-15_BH_Ortho25_General_Gazette_13.25x10.75-PRESS.indd 1

3/21/25 12:40 PM

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