The Westside Gazette

PRSRT STD

U.S. POSTAGE

PAID

FT. LAUDERDALE, FL 33310

PERMIT NO. 1179

STEPPING INTO

& our

our 55

th

55 th

Anniversary

in Business

THURSDAY, JANUARY 29 - FEBRUARY 4, 2026

VOL. 54 NO. 52 $1.00

A MESSAGE FROM

THE PUBLISHER

Tear gas drifts along Pillsbury Avenue as protesters

respond to a fatal ICE shooting in Minneapolis’ Whittier

neighborhood. (Credit: Izzy Canizares/MSR)

Neighborhood erupts

after fatal ICE shooting,

tear gas and flash

grenades deployed

By Izzy Canizares

Federal Agents Kill Minneapolis

ICU Nurse During ICE Operation

Less than a month after the fatal shooting

of Renée Good, a Minneapolis resident was

shot and killed by federal immigration officers

early Saturday morning, sparking chaos along

Alex Jeffery Pretti, 37, was shot

and killed by federal immigration

officers in south Minneapolis

as protests and calls for

accountability followed.

Pillsbury Avenue and prompting a forceful law enforcement response that

included flash grenades and chemical irritants used against community

members.

Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara confirmed during a news

conference that Alex Jeffery Pretti, 37, was shot by Immigration and

Customs Enforcement officers outside Glam Doll Donuts. O’Hara said

Pretti had no serious criminal history and had worked as a nurse since

2021, most recently as an ICU nurse at the Minneapolis VA Hospital.

The Department of Homeland Security said in a social media post that

Pretti was armed and that officers were attempting to disarm him when

an agent fired what DHS described as “defensive shots.” The identity of the

ICE agent involved has not been released. O’Hara confirmed that Pretti

was legally licensed to carry a firearm.

“Fearing for his life and the lives and safety of fellow officers, an agent

fired defensive shots,” DHS said in a Facebook statement. “Medics on scene

immediately delivered medical aid to the subject, but he was pronounced

dead at the scene.”

However, video of the encounter circulated widely online hours later,

Continue reading online at: thewestsidegazette.com

The Westside Gazette Newspaper

The phrases “ICE will melt” or “ICE melts

in Miami” were painted on many signs.

(Photo by Michele Eve Sandberg/micheleevephoto)

By Westside Gazette Staff

The nation remains deeply

divided and emotionally charged

after the fatal shooting of 37-yearold

ICU nurse Alex Pretti by a U.S.

Border Patrol agent during federal

immigration enforcement operations

in Minneapolis, Minnesota part

of a broader crackdown that has

already seen another fatal shooting

earlier this month. The incident

has triggered widespread protests,

political backlashes, and a surge of

voices demanding accountability from

federal authorities.

National Outrage and Political

Reaction

Across the country, elected

officials, civil liberties advocates, and

activists have condemned what many

see as excessive force and federal

overreach in American communities.

Critics have pointed to video footage

that appears to contradict official

Celebrating 100 Years

of Mrs. Alene Linton Thompson,

a beloved pioneer of the Boulevard Gardens community, was bom

on January 23, 1926, in Suwannee County, Florida, to the late Mr.

Benjamin Linton and Mrs. Minnie Louise Riley Linton;

Mrs. Alene Linton Thompson, celebrates an extraordinary

milestone this week, turning 100 years old.

Born , in Suwannee County, Florida she has witnessed a century

of change while remaining a constant source of strength

and kindness to family and community. Known for

Her embodied unwavering love, sacrifice, and devotion to her family,

Alene Linton Thompson has touched countless lives through

dedication, wisdom, and generosity. Surrounded by loved

ones, this remarkable centenarian continues to inspire

with a life defined by resilience and grace. she has long stood

as a steadfast pillar of strength, providing guidance, support,

wisdom, and leadership to her siblings and extended family

across generations: And Mrs. Alene pursued her education with

distinction and honor, graduating from the Suwannee County

Schools in Live Oak, Florida, laying a foundation of perseverance

and lifelong learning; and for more than sixty years, “Grandma,”

as she is affectionately known, has opened her heart and home

to neighborhood children, offering kindness, encouragement, and

often a snack or nutritious hot meal—leaving a lasting impact

on countless lives The family joins friends and neighbors

in wishing Alene Linton Thompson a very happy 100th birthday and

continued good health.

National Outcry

and Local Response:

Fallout from Federal

Immigration Shootings

Intensifies

statements and have called for urgent

investigations and policy changes.

Florida Voices Join the Debate

Here in South Florida, reactions

have been equally strong, energized

by concerns over immigration policy,

community safety, and civil liberties:

Outside Florida International

University (FIU) in Miami, dozens

of students and community members

gathered for a peaceful protest calling

for accountability in the wake of the

Minnesota shootings. Demonstrators

held signs, shared personal stories,

and expressed support for both Pretti

and Renee Good, the Minneapolis

mother previously killed by an ICE

agent. One protestor told local news,

“I feel a way I’ve never felt before…

my heart is on fire.”

Protestor Karla Hernandez-Macs

urged local residents to recognize that

what happened in Minnesota “could

Continue reading online at:

thewestsidegazette.com

Broward County Vice Mayor Robert McKenzie presents

a proclamation to Ms. Thompson at her 100th Birthday

Celebration; who was supported by her granddaughter

Regina Freeman, grandson-in-law Bernard Freeman and

Bobby R. Henry, Publisher of the Westside Gazette.

@TheWestsideGazetteNewspaper

Before the

Celebration:

Why Black

History Month

Still Matters

“You will show me the

path of life; in Your

presence is fullness of joy;

at Your right hand are

pleasures forevermore.”

Psalm 16:11

By Bobby R. Henry, Sr.,

Publisher

Before the Celebration

As we step away from

the celebration of Dr. Martin

Luther King Jr.’s birthday

and step into Black History

Month, we are reminded that

honoring our greatness is not

confined to a single day or

moment.

Dr. King’s legacy calls

us to be of courage and

conscience. Black History

Month calls us to memory,

responsibility, and truth—

to remember the people,

struggles, and institutions

that carried our story forward

when recognition was denied

and resistance was constant.

Before we celebrate,

we pause to remember.

Our history was preserved

by sacrifice, sustained by

faith, and recorded by those

determined that our story

would not be erased.

Only then can the

celebration truly begin.

Before we celebrate

milestones, we must

remember the meaning.

As the Westside Gazette

prepares to mark 55 years

of service, it is important

that our anniversary week

be grounded in the deeper

purpose of Black History

Month itself, why it exists,

(Cont’d on page 8)

Thursday

Jan 22 nd

Partly Cloudy

Sunrise: 7:09am

Fri

67°

58°

64°

42°

51°

31°

35°

47°

69°

46°

Sunset: 5:50pm

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)

65°

42°

igious “Retool Your

tition and receiving a

0,000 grant dedicated

ancement.

ler temperatures and

, the collective spirit

ost 135 participants,

epot Daytona Beach

r Therese Watsonforces

in yesterday’s

ort. Their mission

s, involving projects

ssembling bookcases

tdoor dining sets to

rcade games, foosball

tball hoops, hockey

tennis tables. Even

er conditions couldn’t

ication, with the only

PAGE 2 • JANUARY 29 - FEBRUARY 4, 2026

participated in the vote for B-CU. These enhancements

in Grant Funding

will help create more vibrant and engaging spaces for

our students to retreat on campus for a brain break or

FORT LAUDERDALE, FL —

find inspiration through Girls in the Christ, downtime.”

Inc. (GIC), is a faithbased

nonprofit dedicated to growing

girls ages 10-18 in Confidence,

Christ and Community. GIC proudly

announces its move into a new

program space alongside the award of

two major grants totaling $40,000 from

the Southern Black Girls & Women’s

Consortium and a Capacity Building

Grant from Children’s Services. This

milestone marks a powerful season of

growth for GIC’s Sunflower Garden,

where girls are cultivated, supported,

and empowered to flourish.

Founded on faith, mentorship, and

Biden credited the success

community, Girls in Christ, Inc. serves girls by providing safe spaces, bible studies and leadership

development rooted of in Christian these values. relief The efforts opening of GIC’s to the new program space, supported by grant

funding, represents a significant step forward in expanding its reach and deepening its impact.

The new program corrective space, located in measures the heart of Fort Lauderdale, taken will serve as a dedicated home

for GIC’s programming, offering a safe and nurturing environment where girls can learn, grow, and

to address broken student

connect. Designed to support mentoring sessions, workshops, leadership development, and community

gatherings, the space loan allows programs. GIC to increase capacity He asserted

and enhance program quality, ensuring every

Sunflower has room to grow. Like sunflowers turning toward the light, this moment reflects growth

and resilience for the that girls these served. fixes have removed

Girls in Christ, Inc. has received two grants totaling $40,000 from the Southern Black Girls &

Women’s Consortium

barriers

(SBGWC) as

preventing

well as a Capacity

borrowers

Building Grant from Children’s Services that will

strengthen both operations from accessing and programming. the relief they

The capacity building grant will support long-term organizational sustainability through the

development of a Revenue were entitled Diversification to Plan, under including the an law. organizational assessment and strategic


iveness after

ated service.

se to 30,000

have been

or at least

ut receiving

ncome-driven

will now see

en.

Girls in Christ, Inc.

Plants New Seeds

with Program Space

Expansion and $40,000

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


The president outlined the

broader achievements of his

administration in supporting

students and borrowers,

including achieving the most

significant increases in Pell

Grants in over a decade, aimed



www.thewestsidegazette.com

From One Teen to Another:

Love, Through a Teen Faith Lens

By Jabari Bovell - When most teens think about love, they think

about crushes, relationships, or strong emotions. But faith

shows us that love is more than a feeling; it’s a choice and a

way of life. The Bible says, “We love because He first loved us”

(1 John 4:19). That means our value doesn’t come from others’

opinions, but from God. God’s love reminds us that we don’t

have to earn worth or acceptance. We are already loved. When

we understand that, it changes how we see ourselves and how we treat others. Love becomes

patient, kind, and forgiving, even when it’s hard. Faith-based love shows in our actions, how we

treat friends, how we forgive, and how we respect boundaries in relationships. Real love doesn’t

pressure, use, or hurt others. It reflects Christ by choosing kindness, truth, and selflessness

every day. True love starts with God and flows through us.

FPL donates electric go-kart build

kit to Miami Gardens School

College

Prep

juxtapose

adjective

(verb)

Word of

the Week

definition: place or deal with close

being

together

at rest;

for contrasting

inactive

effect

or

motionless; HOW TO USE IN quiet; A SENTENCE: still: a

“Black and white photos of slums were

starkly quiescent juxtaposed with mind.

color images”

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.

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

Read the article online at: thewestsidegazette.com

National Black Child Development

Institute Announces Book, Toy,

& Media Awards Celebrating

Culturally Affirming Content

for Black Children

The National Black Child

Development Institute

(NBCDI) proudly announces

the launch of its

inaugural Book, Toy, &

Media (BTM) Awards. This

groundbreaking initiative

advances NBCDI’s mission

to ensure that every Black

child has access to books, toys, and media that reflect

who they are and who they can become.

The BTM Awards align with NBCDI’s Black

Child Development Eight Essential Outcomes for

Black Child Development, celebrating excellence

in content that affirms Black children’s identities,

fosters cultural pride, and accurately represents the

diversity of our communities.

The awards spotlight the critical role that

storytelling, play, and media representation have

in shaping Black children’s self-esteem and future

aspirations.

Representation as a Foundation for Growth

Representation matters, especially during the

critical early years (birth to age 8) when children’s

identities are being shaped. During this key

developmental period, books, toys, and media

are critical tools that support children’s learning

about themselves, the world around them, and



Leia’s Mathematics

Corner

Word Search

List Compiled

by Kamar

Jackson,

Freshmen

at Dillard

High School

Maria has 36 apples. She puts them into bags with 4

apples in each bag.

How many bags of apples can Maria make?

27

x 7

46

- 16

Created by Leia P.

4th grader!


Ain’t That A VHIT

When the World

Needs a Trumpet,

a Flute Will Not Do

By Von C. Howard

There are moments in life when

staying quiet, though comfortable,

is no longer faithful. Times when

reflection alone is not enough. When

prayer must be matched with posture,

and conviction must finally find its

voice. These are the moments when

the world is not asking for a melody,

it is asking for clarity. When the world

needs a trumpet, a flute will not do.

I value peace. I believe in patience,

gentleness, and listening. There are

seasons when softness heals what

harshness would only wound. But

I have also learned that there are

moments when silence becomes

permission, when restraint becomes

avoidance, and when protecting peace

begins to cost us purpose. In those

moments, I must ask myself: am I

being patient, or am I being afraid?

We are living in complicated times.

Division is loud. Uncertainty is heavy.

Faith is not only being tested, it is

being questioned. Long-held values are

challenged. Truth is debated. Integrity

is often negotiable. And true leadership

feels increasingly scarce. Families are

stretched. Communities are hurting.

Institutions are strained. In the middle

of it all, many of us lower our voices

just to keep the tension down. But

whispers cannot guide people through

storms.

Scripture reminds us why clarity

matters. “If the trumpet give an

uncertain sound, who shall prepare

himself to the battle?” (1 Corinthians

14:8). In biblical times, the trumpet

was not background music. It warned,

gathered, directed, and prepared.

When Joshua stood before Jericho, it

was not negotiation that moved the

walls, it was obedience and the sound

of the trumpet. When the trumpet

sounded, something shifted. Barriers

fell. Direction was given. Change

began.

Being a trumpet today does not

mean being loud or abrasive. It does

not mean forcing opinions or chasing

attention. It means being willing to

tell the truth with love. To stand for

what is right when it is unpopular. To

speak when your heart is racing and

your hands are shaking. Courage, I

am learning, is not fearlessness. It is

faithfulness.

I know how easy it is to soften

convictions to protect relationships. To

stay quiet to avoid misunderstanding.

To water down truth so it fits

comfortably in familiar rooms. I have

done it myself. But every time I do,

something inside me feels smaller, as

if I am slowly forgetting who I was

created to be.

Lately, my prayers have changed.

I am no longer asking God to make my

life easier. I am asking Him to make

my life useful. Not louder, but braver.

Not more visible, but more faithful. The

world does not need more arguments.

It needs more integrity. More courage.

More leaders who are steady, humble,

and anchored.

There will always be a place

for gentle melodies. But there are

moments, quiet, sacred, defining

moments. when only a trumpet will do.

Call to Sound Your Trumpet

This is one of those moments.

If you have been holding back your

voice, speak with wisdom and courage.

If you have been standing on the

sidelines, step forward with purpose.

If you have been waiting for permission,

understand that obedience is your

assignment.

Our children are watching.

Our communities are listening.

Our future is waiting.

Sound the trumpet with your life,

your leadership, and your love.

When the world needs a trumpet, a

flute will not do.

8 Habits

Black Men

Can Start

NOW to

Live Longer

By Jasmine Smith

(Source: BlackDoctor+org)

Black men in America are dying

too soon—and not because they

have to.

On average, Black men in the

U.S. tend to have a shorter life

expectancy compared with White

men and many other demographic

groups. Historically, this gap has

been about 5–7 years shorter than

that of White men.

In recent provisional U.S. data

(2022), life expectancy at birth

for non-Hispanic Black people

increased but still remained behind

other groups: about 72.8 years,

compared with 77.5 years for non-

Hispanic White people overall.

What’s Affecting Black Men’s Life

Expectancy?

Life expectancy isn’t determined

by biology alone: social conditions,

access to healthcare, and structural

factors have big impacts:

Chronic Health Conditions

Black men have higher rates

of hypertension, diabetes, heart

disease, and other chronic

conditions — all major contributors

to mortality differences.

Access to Healthcare

Black men are more likely to be

uninsured or underinsured and

experience barriers to preventive

care and early treatment. Historical

mistrust in medical systems also

contributes to delayed or avoided

care.

Socioeconomic Status

Lower income, higher

unemployment, and job insecurity

are more prevalent among Black

men, increasing stress and

limiting access to healthy foods,

safe neighborhoods, and quality

healthcare.

Neighborhood and Environmental

Conditions

Many Black men live

in areas with limited access to

healthcare facilities, healthy

food options, safe recreational

spaces, and higher exposure to

environmental hazards.

Impact of Systemic Racism and

Chronic Stress

Long-term exposure to

racism, discrimination, and social

stressors — sometimes called

minority stress — can worsen

health outcomes by increasing

physiological stress responses and

negative health behaviors.

Structural racism affects

education, employment, housing,

and legal systems, all of which

influence opportunities for healthy

living.

A legacy of systemic inequities,

medical mistrust, and cultural

expectations around masculinity

has created a silent crisis. But

as Nurse

Practitioner Dr.

Camille Brockett

Walker, DNP,

F N P - B C ,

AGACNP-BC

puts it plainly:

“Silence can be

deadly.”

BlackDoctor.

org sat down with

Dr. Camille Brockett

Walker

the seasoned clinician, educator,

and fierce health equity advocate

Dr. Walker, who’s spent nearly

two decades treating patients on

the frontlines and mentoring the

next generation of nurses. Her

mission? To change the narrative

around men’s health, especially for

Black men, and encourage small,

powerful steps that lead to longer,

healthier lives. Here’s what she

has to say.

How Black Men Can Live Longer:

Small Steps, Big Impact

“Health is not a one-time event—

it’s a journey. Start small, keep

going, and speak up. Your life could

depend on it,” Dr. Brockett Walker

shares.

This Men’s Health Month, let’s

commit to opening conversations,

supporting one another, and taking

actionable steps—no matter how

small—toward healthier futures

for all men.

Here are eight urgent yet

practical ways Black men can take

charge of their health—straight

from a provider who’s seen it all.

1. Stop Suffering in Silence—It

Could Cost You Your Life

Too many men were taught

to “man up” and ignore pain. Dr.

Brockett Walker calls this out for

what it is: deadly.

“Silence can be deadly. Talking

about your health is strength, not

weakness,” she shares.

2. Get the Screenings That Could

Save Your Life

Don’t wait for something

to feel wrong. Here are the top

screenings Dr. Brockett Walker

says you can’t afford to skip:

Blood Pressure (Hypertension)

Blood Sugar (A1C/Diabetes)

Cholesterol Panel

Prostate Cancer

Colorectal Cancer

Especially for Black men,

prostate and colon cancers

strike earlier and more

aggressively. Start screening in

your early 40s—or sooner if you

have a family history.

3. Know Your Family History

Like Your Life Depends on It

Because it might. Many major

conditions—cancer, diabetes,

heart disease—run in families.

Don’t just brush it off. Ask

questions. Get informed.

4. Prioritize Mental Health—

It’s Part of Being Whole

“Anxiety, depression, PTSD—

these don’t make you less of a

man. They make you human,”

Dr. Brockett Walker adds.

aAAA

JANUARY 29 - FEBRUARY 4, 2026 • PAGE 3

This Week in Health: Substance Use Treatment

SUBSTANCE

USE

DISORDERS

(SUDs) affect

millions of

people across

the United

States. Despite

the challenges

they bring,

SUDs are treatable chronic conditions, and

recovery is possible.

What Is a Substance Use Disorder?

A substance use disorder is a medical

condition in which a person continues using

alcohol or drugs despite problems in their

health, relationships, or daily functioning.

Substance use changes the brain in ways that

make quitting extremely difficult without

support.

What Does Treatment Involve?

Effective treatment combines several

strategies, fitted to the individual’s needs.

Many people benefit from a combination of:

1. Behavioral Therapies

Counseling helps people understand their

triggers, build coping skills, and strengthen

motivation for change.

2. Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT)

For certain substances, especially opioids,

medications can reduce cravings, ease

Therapy. Talking to a trusted

friend. Showing up for yourself

emotionally. Dr. Brockett

Walker says we need to ditch

the stigma and normalize the

healing.

5. Make Self-Care a Daily Habit,

Not a Last Resort

Stress, pressure, and burnout

are real. Here’s how Dr.

Brockett Walker recommends

staying ahead of the crash:

Walk or move your body daily

Eat real food more often than

fast food

Set boundaries and rest without

guilt

Make time for things that bring

you joy

“Even small, consistent actions



Is the Caribbean the New

Dumping Ground of the U.S.?

Several Caribbean countries have announced that they

had either signed memorandums of understanding with

Washington or in talks to do so

By Sylvia Perry

Source Jacksonville Free Press)

In the past week, a string of Caribbean governments

announced or advanced talks with Washington to accept U.S.

deportees who have not committed violent crimes — including

people whose stays in the United States exceeded their visas

and those denied asylum — raising alarm among critics who say

the region is being used as a “dumping ground” for America’s

immigration enforcement.

Guyana, Grenada, Dominica, Antigua and Barbuda, St. Kitts

and Nevis and St. Lucia have either signed memorandums of

understanding with the U.S. or confirmed ongoing negotiations

on agreements that could see “third-country nationals”

transferred from the United States to their territories.

Under these arrangements, which are generally non-binding,

governments stress that any acceptance would be on a case-bycase

basis with strict criteria, including excluding those with

violent criminal backgrounds and providing consent before any

transfer. Antigua and Barbuda’s government explicitly states

that no deportees can be sent without its approval, and similar

language appears in the agreements with St. Lucia.

Public reactions across the Caribbean have been mixed —

with concern outweighing enthusiasm.

In Dominica, opposition politicians criticized their government

for unveiling the deal suddenly, saying citizens deserve more

transparency about how many people might arrive, who they

would be, and how the government plans to care for them. “We

have questions about our capacity or capability to welcome

and take care of the intended group of persons,” said Thomson

Fontaine, leader of the main opposition United Workers Party.

Some civic groups and citizens express angst that small

island states — often with limited health, housing and economic

infrastructure — could be saddled with responsibilities without

clear safeguards. Others view the deals with skepticism,

wondering why Caribbean nations, many already economically


FL Sen. Shevrin Jones’ Bill to Create a Blue Envelope

Program Passes Committee Unanimously

TALLAHASSEE, FL – Today, Florida

Senator Shevrin Jones (SD-34) bill to create a

Blue Envelope Program and make interactions

safer between people with autism and law

enforcement during roadside interactions passed

the Criminal Justice committee unanimously.

SB 418/HB 365 aims to improve communications

by requiring the Department of Highway Safety

and Motor Vehicles to develop and make available

to individuals with autism spectrum disorder an

envelope intended to hold a copy of their driver

license, vehicle registration, proof of insurance, and

emergency contact information that can be provided

to officers during vehicle-related interactions.

“As we’ve seen in other states, the Blue Envelope Program is a straightforward

and effective tool designed to assist officers and emergency personnel in recognizing

and adapting their approach when interacting with a driver with autism or other

special needs who may experience heightened anxiety or other communication

challenges,” Sen. Jones said. “This will help our police and emergency service

personnel identify individuals’ needs and limit misunderstandings. Now more

than ever, we must promote empathy, understanding, and patience to keep all

Floridians safe.”

Additionally, the legislation seeks to strengthen training components for law

enforcement officers, ensuring informed instruction and techniques to protect the

rights of the individual, recognize the individual’s personal agency, and properly

de-escalate potentially dangerous situations.

“This bill is about dignity and safety,” said Rep. Valdés. “By giving our

officers the right tools and information, and providing the ASD community with

a simple, recognizable way to communicate, we can prevent misunderstandings


Westside Health Brief

Marsha Mullings, MPH

January 26, 2026

withdrawal, and support long-term stability.

Medications are also available for alcohol and

nicotine dependence. These treatments are

most effective when combined with

counseling.

3. Residential or Inpatient Programs

Some individuals benefit from structured care

in a residential setting, especially when

withdrawal symptoms are severe or home

environments are unstable.

4. Peer and Community Support

Recovery is improved by connection. Support

groups and community programs help

individuals build healthy routines and feel less

alone.

Understanding Relapse

Relapse does not mean treatment has failed.

Like other chronic illnesses, SUDs often

involve progress and setbacks. A relapse

indicates the need to adjust or restart

treatment—not to give up.

Hope and Healing

Recovery is a long-term process, but with the

right support, people can rebuild their health,

relationships, and sense of purpose.

Treatment opens the door to stability, dignity,

and renewed possibility.

Source: National Institute on Drug Abuse;

www.nida.nih.gov


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


Registration is now open for

the Tower Club's Third Annual

Black History Month Luncheon.

This year’s honoree is Trailblazer

Eugene K. Pettis, the First

African American President

of The Florida Bar, which governs

over 100,000 attorneys.

He is a Partner in the law firm

Osborne, Francis & Pettis, and

former Chair of the Tower Club Board of Governors. Our

Keynote Speaker is Reverend Dr. Marcus Davidson, Senior

Pastor, New Mount Olive Baptist Church, who will address

the 2026 national theme “A Century of Black History Commemorations.”

The luncheon will be held on Friday, February 6th, from 11

a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Tower Club, 100 S.E. Third Avenue, 28th

Floor, Fort Lauderdale, 33394. The $44.52 fee for guests

features a southern buffet menu curated by Chef Daniel

Mahnke, including Pan Seared Mahi Mahi, Buttermilk Fried

Chicken Thighs, Collard Greens with Smoked Turkey, Four

Cheese Baked Mac and Cheese, Skillet Cornbread, Mixed

Green Salad, Peach Cobbler, and Sweet Potato Pie.

You and your guests may register using the following link

below. Attire: Business or Heritage-Inspired. I encourage

you to register early, as our luncheon sells out quickly.

Please note that this event replaces our regularly scheduled

First Friday Social, which will resume on March 6th.

*Experience the soul of Zimbabwean Stone Sculpture - right

here in Fort Lauderdale!

Join ZimSculpt Curator, Vivienne Croisette,

for a lecture on Shona sculpture and the

role it plays in the artistic life of Zimbabwe

today. Artists Shine Muzika and Passmore

Mupindiko will be demonstrating some of

the techniques they use in creating their

work. The ZimSculpt Exhibit features 100s of

sculptures throughout the estate as well as

a Marketplace Tent open for viewing and

purchases.

Monday, February 9 from 10 to11:30 a.m.

*VITA-Income Tax Assistance 2026 - Free Tax Preparation

Assistance by Broward Tax Pro

Wednesday, January 28 from 1 to 7 p.m. at African American

Research Library and Cultural Center - Michael Bienes

Seminar Room #2 Age group: Adults event type: Workshop

In-person tax assistance free of charge to anyone with a

special focus on low to moderate income taxpayers.

*Computer Basics for Seniors - Older Adults Technology

Services (OATS) for Adults 55+

Wednesday, January 28 from 2:45 to 3:45 p.m.

Age group: Adults

event type: Technology, Class

As the world continues to experience rapid advancements

in technology, it’s vital to ensure accessible spaces

for older Americans to stay informed and connected.

Register:https://www.eventbrite.com/e/computer-on-linebasics-for-older-adults-tickets-1980413803999

*Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Everyday Life

Wednesday, January 28 from 6 to 7:30 p.m.

- Computer Lab

Age group: New Adults Adults

event type: Technology, Literacy/Learning Services, Career/Business

A foundational, hands-on course to strengthen participants’

digital literacy. Topics may include cloud tools,

workflow automation and technology integration

Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/artificial-intelligence-ai-for-everyday-life-tickets-1969949066688?aff=oddtdtcreator

*“Selma is Now: The Photography of Spider Martin”

Saturday, January 31: All day- Gallery C

Age group: Everyone -event type: Exhibit, Arts & Cultural

The exhibition is presented in partnership with Broward Cultural

Division and will be on display at AARLCC through

June 27, 2026. Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/

selma-is-now-the-photography-of-spider-martin-tickets-1970549587863?aff=oddtdtcreator


Follow @TheWestsideGazette Newspaper on Social Media +

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

STAY

CONNECTED --



WESTSIDE

GAZETTE

NEWSPAPER STAFF

Bobby R. Henry, Sr.

PUBLISHER

Sonia Henry-Robinson

COMPTROLLER

Tawanna C. Taylor

ADMINISTRATIVE ASST.

Pamela D. Henry

SENIOR EDITOR

Arri D. Henry

CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Carma L. Henry

COMMUNITY NEWS

EDITOR

Sylvester “Nunnie’

Robinson SPORTS

Editor

Elizabeth D. Henry

CIRCULATION

MANAGER

NoRegret Media

WEBMASTER

Carma T. Taylor

DIGITAL SPECIALIST

Eric Sears

IT SPECIALIST

Ron Lyons

PHOTOGRAPHER

Levi Henry, Jr.:

PUBLISHER (Emeritus)

Yvonne Henry: EDITOR

(Emeritus)

WEBSITE:


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accords to every person,

regarless of race, color or

creed, full human and legal

rights. Hating no person,

feaing no person, the Black

Press strives to help every

person in the firmbelief

that all are hurt as long as

anyone is held back.

LETTERS TO THE

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THE PRESIDENT:

TRANSFORMATIVE OR

ANTI- DEMOCRATIC

TRANSFORMATIVE

“A transformative President does not hesitate to use

power to “MAKE AMERICA GREAT AND INNCLUSIVE

of, for, and by the people.” John Johnson II 01/28/26

By John Johnson II

There is no finite checklist for transformative

presidential leadership. History,

however, reveals two starkly different

paths under the banner of “transformation.”

One strengthens democracy

by elevating civic trust, accountability,

and inclusion. The other reshapes the

system by hollowing it out—transforming

democracy into a managed illusion

of power. Both are transformative. Only

one is democratic.

A transformative president governs

with discipline, ethics, and purpose. Such leadership is rooted

in organizational competence—managing time and priorities

to advance national interests rather than personal ambition.

Ethical and moral standards anchor authority, ensuring accountability

applies to allies and adversaries alike. Expectations

are articulated clearly, reinforcing that power carries responsibility,

consequences, and restraint.

Democratic transformation also requires unity. True leaders

inspire the nation to strengthen democratic pillars through

conduct that heals division rather than exploits it. They welcome

innovation, encourage dissent, assess the people’s real

needs, and expand the meaning of “we” through inclusive governance.

Globally, they lead with wisdom—building alliances

and avoid unnecessary conflicts that drain resources and moral

standing.

By contrast, the anti-democratic transformative president reshapes

the nation through erosion rather than elevation. This

model systematically weakens democratic institutions and

norms, reframing constitutional guardrails as obstacles to be

bypassed. Courts, legislatures, and independent agencies are

delegitimized unless they serve executive will.

Elections and political competition become tools to manipulate

rather than expressions of popular sovereignty. Through gerrymandering,

voter suppression, disinformation, and strategic

rule changes, power shifts toward minority rule—where governing

authority no longer reflects the will of the majority.


Justice or Amnesia: America’s

Defining Choice in 2026 and 2028

By Jared O. Bell

Like many Americans right now, I want

to believe that the 2026 and 2028 elections

will offer a reprieve from the chaos that

increasingly defines our political life. There

is a widespread hope that one or both

cycles will somehow reset the country and

restore a sense of normalcy. But that hope,

however emotionally understandable, is

dangerously misplaced.

Even if electoral outcomes change, they

will not by themselves undo the forces that

produced our current crisis. To believe

otherwise is a form of false optimism, one that ignores the

deeper condition the United States now finds itself in. We are

no longer simply navigating partisan disagreement. We have

crossed into something far more perilous.

The current authoritarian drift, pervasive corruption, and

open violations of the Constitution, human and civil rights,

and international law are not failures of governance but acts of

democratic sabotage. History will record tolerance of these acts

as complicity if they are not confronted. This is not politics as

usual, nor can it be dismissed as routine excess or institutional

friction. To reduce it to partisanship collapses the moral


Frankly Speaking

Jerry Butler had an album

Ice Man Cometh, this

IceMan should Goeth!

By W. Frank Wilson

ICE needs melting and the ICEmaker

needs replacing

It’s some cold schitt that ICE is

doing and it’s turning into a hot

mess.

The purpose for which ICE was

created is being totally ignored.

The selective targeted harassment

of Black and Brown Americans

is nothing short of vigilantism.

The ICE maker spreads lies and sows the seeds of intolerance,

intimidation, injustice and violence.

Armed with the knowledge that his power source is unlimited

and unwilling to cut him off has resulted in a Reign of

Terror. The threat of losing his freedom makes this criminal

commit even more crimes disguised as Making America

Great Again.

He gives GOAT a new meaning!

Guilty Of Atrocious Treatment is truly as unAmerican,

unwelcomed, unwarranted and unpatriotic as anything I

have ever seen coming from an administration.

It’s not only high time but past time to pull the plug and

start an ICE melting process because due process has been

compromised.

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

Remembering the Revolution:

Lessons for Today

In a state where towns revisit old stories and cities

reel from new ones, America’s 250th asks what it

really means to be free.

By Ben Jealous

In Minnesota this winter, amid the

steady stream of grim headlines out of

Minneapolis, one story barely made it

beyond Duluth’s city limits. The Duluth

News Tribune and other regional

outlets are inviting residents to dig into

the city’s archives, retell old stories,

and share plans for America’s upcoming

250th anniversary. Town halls are

discussing parades. Local museums

are planning exhibits. Families are

marking the milestone in small, thoughtful ways.

Amid the snow and long nights, there is a quiet insistence

on remembering, on telling the stories that matter. And yet, not

far away, the news tells of lives ended, of authority deployed

without accountability, of neighbors afraid to act. The contrast

is sharp. It is both a blessing and a wound.

This year, as America approaches its 250th anniversary, the

circumstances that led our ancestors to rebel feel more familiar

than they should. Standing armies enforcing laws without

consent. Violence meted out without accountability. Ordinary

people afraid to act. And yet, like the colonists in Boston, we are

reminded that liberty is not inherited; it is earned, defended,

and demanded.

In Minneapolis, the killings of Renée Nicole Good and Alex

Jeffrey Pretti by federal immigration agents have underscored

that lesson in the harshest terms. Their deaths remind us that

no one is immune to injustice when authority acts without

accountability. Some administration officials have publicly

suggested that federal agents enjoy sweeping immunity from

local oversight — claims that legal experts dispute — but the

rhetoric underscores how far we’ve drifted from the principle

that no authority should be above the law.

I watch my children, and the people I love, grow more fearful

with each news cycle. I watch neighbors endure quietly, afraid

to speak out. Their courage is tested not in the abstract, but in


Trump’s Affordability Crisis Hits Working Class Blacks

Hard - Democrats Should Respond Aggressively

Kevin Harris and Richard McDaniel

By Kevin Harris and Richard McDaniel

Donald Trump’s affordability crisis has brought a troubling

reality to Black working class voters. Despite Trump touting a

“strong” labor market, prices are increasing and unemployment

is rising faster for Black men and women.

According to the most recent Bureau of Labor Statistics

data, the unemployment rate for Black Americans sits at 7.5%,

well above the national average of 4.4%, and significantly

higher than the roughly 3.8% for White workers. This elevated

rate persists even as overall jobless figures appear stable.

For Black women in particular, the picture is especially

stark. Their unemployment rate is high relative to other groups

and has risen sharply over the past year. Recent analysis

suggests Black women’s unemployment rose to 7.3% in late

2025, up from around 5.4% earlier in the year. Meanwhile,

tens of thousands of Black women have exited the workforce

altogether, often driven out by layoffs, caregiving pressures,

and the erosion of remote work flexibility.

Roughly 300,000 Black women have been displaced from


The Landscape Of Humanity Was

Changed For All Of Us By Dr. Martin

Luther King Jr.

By James B. Ewers Jr. Ed.D.

Our nation needs more compassion.

We are in desperate need of caring and

kindness. It seems that righteousness

and justice are in short supply today.

There are men and women in our

history who were clarions and carriers

of these characteristics. One such person

was Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. His

contributions in my opinion will never be duplicated again.

This is my opinion.

He cared about people. While he was one of the chief

architects of the Civil Rights Movement, he never lost his

ability to be with those who didn’t have a title or position. I met

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. when I was a student in college.

This period of social justice history was significant as it

gave all of us a role to play. Our community in Winston-Salem

NC was a community of believers. We admired right and called

out wrong. Sit-ins and other acts of non-violence were always

happening in our city.

It was because of Dr. King’s mantra of non-violence. He

knew and made us believe that right would overrule wrong.

Good would triumph over evil. It is fitting and right that

America celebrated the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday on


The Hydra of

authoritarian

violence

By Andrew Moss

The violence is interconnected.

U.S. military forces attack

Caracas to extract its

president, killing as many

as 80 people in the course of

their operation.

An ICE agent shoots and

kills a poet, a mother of three,

on a street in Minneapolis.

A 43-year-old disabled widow,

burdened by medical debt

from her husband’s and her

own cancer, walks two hours

in the early morning darkness

to get free treatment at a

health fair in Columbus, Ohio,

a treatment for conditions

not covered by her Medicaid.

At the same time, Medicaid,

and the SNAP food benefits

that have also sustained this

widow, are being severely cut

by this administration.

Real harms to real

people: it isn’t difficult to

trace the connections from

ledger to ledger in the

federal budget. President

Trump and his ICE-friendly

Congress supercharged ICE’s

deportation powers last year

with a $75 billion supplement

over and above its roughly $10

billion annual expenditure

of the last few years. In the

same One Big Beautiful

Bill Act, the President and



The Don’s

Hoard of Fleas

by John LaForge

The Drill Baby Don has

unveiled a new yacht club

for mobsters. Perhaps his

humorless advisors didn’t

realize how closely its

moniker, Board of Peace,

resembles the title Golding’s

novel of savagery Lord of the

Flies. The Don’s membership

fee for his, let’s call it the

‘Hoard of Fleas,’ is a cool $1

billion in cash that will be

collected in brown paper bags.

“Once the board is formed,

we can do pretty much

whatever we want,” the blond

Don bomber ominously told

the Davos gathering Dec.

21. This threat from the

gangster-in-chief is telling,

as he’s already seen Jeffrey

Epstein dead in prison, won

immunity for official crimes

from the Supremes, set loose

thousands of trigger-happy

thugs to kidnap, shoot,

and terrify residents of

Democratic-run U.S. cities,

extorted seven different

countries by bombing them,

used Pentagon forces in the

gangland style bloodbath at

Caracas’s presidential palace,

and halted investigations of

the murder of Renee Good by

an ICE agent. Doing whatever

he wants is already the Don’s

mode of operation.




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Serving South Florida for Over 40 Years

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Office: 954-733-7700 ext. 111

Fax: 954-731-0333

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Web: www.acclaimcares.com

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Deeply Rooted

Children’s Services Council of

Broward County (CSC) announces

the release of the New Diversion

Alternatives for Youth

(New DAY) 2026 RFP

By Shaaretta Remikie Ed. D

LAUDERHILL -- The CSC is expecting to budget up to $4.1

million in FY 26/27 for the New Diversion Alternatives for

Youth (New DA Y) 2026 Request for Proposals (RFP). The intent

of this RFP is to provide innovative diversion and civil

citation programming for youth that will reduce recidivism and

deeper-end involvement within the juvenile justice system.

The procurement is available through CSC's web-based

Contract Administration and Procurement System (CAPS)

and responses to this procurement must be submitted through

CAPS. Interested parties must access the RFP from the CSC

website http://www.cscbroward.orq/.

A virtual Pre-Bid Conference will be held on February

4, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. via Zoom. This will be the only opportunity

to receive verbal instructions regarding the RFP. To register

for the conference, click the following link: https://cscbroward.

zoom.us/meeting/register/kEHlmSUgS-WHvsE-GFn90w

IMPORTANT NOTE: Application submission through

CAPS requires that the "Agency Financial Viability" section of

CAPS be submitted PRIOR to the RFP application submission.

This section must be submitted by the deadline in order to have

the ability to submit an RFP application. The deadline for the

submission of the "Agency Financial Viability" section is February

20, 2026, by 4:00 p.m.

Completed applications must be submitted through

CAPS by 4:00 p.m. on March 10, 2026. LATE SUBMISSIONS

WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.

The Children's Services Council of Broward County is

an independent taxing authority established by a public referendum

on September 5, 2000, and reauthorized on November

4, 2014, which, through Public Act, Chapter 2000-461 of

the laws of Florida, authorizes the Council to levy up to 0.5

mills of property taxes. The role of the Council is to provide

the leadership, advocacy and resources necessary to enhance

children's lives and empower them to become responsible, productive

adults through collaborative planning and funding of a

continuum of quality care.

Follow us on X at @CSCBroward and on Facebook. For

more information about the Children's Services Council of Broward

County, please visit www.cscbroward.orq.

The Best Macaroni and Cheese

Correction


Starting the Year Strong: Key

Accounting, Audit, and Tax

Considerations for 2026

Submitted by Anthony Brunson, PA Certified Public

Accountants & Business Advisors

As the new year begins, nonprofit

organizations, governmental entities,

employee benefit plans, and the

businesses and individuals that support

them throughout South Florida are

navigating a shifting landscape of

accounting standards, regulatory

priorities, and tax planning considerations.

Proactive awareness and early

preparation can help minimize surprises,

strengthen compliance, and create

meaningful efficiencies in the months

ahead.

Important Accounting Standards to Watch

Governmental Entities – GASB Updates

Governments should be particularly mindful of recently issued

and newly effective GASB standards, including:

• GASB Statement No. 101, Compensated Absences – Now

effective, this standard changes the recognition and measurement

of compensated absences, focusing on leave that is attributable to

services already rendered and more likely to be paid.

• GASB Statement No. 102, Certain Risk Disclosures –

Effective for fiscal years beginning after June 15, 2024, this

standard enhances note disclosures related to concentration

risks and constraints, including revenue sources and exposure to

events such as natural disasters—an important consideration for

South Florida governments.

• GASB Statement No. 103, Financial Reporting Model

Improvements – Effective for fiscal years beginning after

June 15, 2025, this standard introduces significant changes to

management’s discussion and analysis (MD&A), unusual or

infrequent item reporting, and budgetary comparison information.

Early planning for implementation and disclosure changes can

help avoid delays during audit fieldwork.


AND STILL WE RISE: Spelman

Grad Named CEO of Sams Club

Black women are still pushing through a time

when diversity is not celebrated.

How about that for a “Black job” ?

LaTriece Watkins CEO of Sam’s Club

By Sylvia Perry

(Source: Jacksonville Free Press)

Just in time for Black History Month, Latriece Watkins,

a longtime Walmart executive, has been named president

and chief executive officer of Sam’s Club, effective Feb. 1, in

a leadership reshuffle announced by Walmart’s board. The

promotion places Watkins, a 28-year veteran of the company,

at the helm of one of the nation’s biggest membership retail

chains.

Watkins most recently served as executive vice president

and chief merchandising officer for Walmart U.S., where she

oversaw the company’s merchandising strategy, managing

choices for roughly $500 billion in goods sold annually. She

joined Walmart in 1997 as a real estate intern and has since

held roles across merchandising, store operations and human


133 N. State Road 7

Plantation, Fla. 33317

(Corner of Broward Blvd. & State Rd. 7

(954) 587-7075

FRED LOVELL, Lic. Opt.

(Over 30 Years in Optics)

* $29.50 - Single Vision

*$44.50 - Bifocal * $89.50 - Progressive

* (-+400 sph+200 cyl/add + 3.00)

(L) Cheryl Smith (r) Cheron Sneed SmoQuiche -- RDHL

Expo 2026 Mac and Cheese (2nd Place Winner)

PUBLIC NOTICE

The Broward County Supervisor of Elections would like to

inform electors that the Voter Registration Books for the

Municipal Elections, to be conducted on Tuesday, March 10,

2026 will close on February 9, 2026.

AVISO PÚBLICO

El Supervisor de Elecciones del Condado de Broward desea

informar a los electores que los Libros de Registro de Votantes

para las Elecciones Municipales, que se llevarán a cabo el

martes 10 de marzo de 2026, se cerrarán el 9 de febrero de

2026.

KOMINIKE PIBLIK

Biwo Sipèvizè Eleksyon nan Konte Broward la ta renmen

enfòme tout Votè yo, ke Liv Enskripsyon Votè pou Eleksyon

Jeneral la, ki gen pou fèt nan jou Madi 10 Mas 2026 la, ap gen

pou’l fèmen nan jou 9 Fevriye 2026.

FRANCINE

Your Tailor

Alterations For

Men & Women & Kids

Cell: (754) 274-8537

A: 784 NW 91st Terrace


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 PROVIDE 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. The study of The Doctrine Of The Scripture is called?

2. The study of The Doctrine Of God is called?

3. The study of The Doctrine Of Man is called?

4. The study of The Doctrine Of Sin is called?

5. The study of The Doctrine Of Salvation is called?

6. The study of The Doctrine Of The Holy Spirit is called?

7. The study of The Doctrine Of The Church is called?

8. The study of The Doctrine Of Angels is called?

9. The study of The Doctrine Of The Last Things is called?

The answers will be provided in next week’s issue!

**Biblical note** There is a relationship between the

body, soul and spirit. God’s interest in the human body

is shown in the Doctrine Of Divine Healing. If Jesus heal

the sick, so can you. It is the will of God for His people

to seek Divine Healing. It is a solemn command.

Mt. Hermon AME Celebrates

Greek Unity Day

By Dr. Sylvia Sloane Jones

On Sunday, February 15, 2026, Mt. Hermon AME Church

and its dynamic spiritual leader - Rev. Henry E. Green, III -

will celebrate Greek Unity Day for the 32nd consecutive year

. The first Greek Unity Day observance occurred under the

leadership of Rev. Michael Cousin in 1983 and remains one of

the pillars of the month long Black History celebration. Initially,

the sororities and fraternities composing the Devine Nine

highlighted the social and community programs that greatly

impacted their constituents and stakeholders. Later, a greater

emphasis was placed on numbers and attendance with winners

recognized accordingly. In recent years a greater and more

appropriate theme has emphasized unity and comradeship

among the various Greek letter organizations which include

Alpha Kappa Alpha, Delta Sigma Theta, Eta Phi Beta, Sigma

Gamma Rho and Zeta Phi Beta Sororities respectively; Alpha

Phi Alpha, Kappa Alpha Psi, Iota Phi Theta, Phi Beta Sigma

and Omega Psi Phi fraternities.

Through this program we annually acknowledge and

recognize Black Greek letter organizations for their numerous

contributions and accomplishments. This year, Rev. Dr. Libya

BaaQar, distinguished member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority,

Inc., will be the proclaimer of the word as we recognize and

spotlight the dynamic ladies of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority,

Inc. This year we have chosen the theme, - “ A Divine Legacy:

Serving with Purpose, Fulfilling Our Destiny Together.”

Please join Rev. Henry E. Green, III, aka Pastor Trae,

Chairlady Dr. Sylvia Sloane Jones and the Greek Unity Day

Committee, and the Divine Nine as we celebrate the 32nd

Anniversary of Greek Unity Day at Mt. Hermon AME, Ft.

Lauderdale on Sunday, February 15, 2026, at the 9 a.m.,

service.

REV. DR. LIBYA BAAQAR

“Dr. Libby”

Dr. Libya BaaQar (Bay-car)

is a native of Atlanta, GA, affectionately

called, "Dr. Libby." She

is an ordained minister in the

AME Church. She serves as Executive

Pastor at St. Paul AME

Church-Atlanta. She has developed

women’s ministries, taught

bible studies, workshops, and

seminars. She is an advocate for

the empowerment and equality

for all people, particularly for the

advancement of women of color.

She has a Bachelor of Arts degree

from the State University of

West

Georgia, a Paralegal Certificate from the National Center of

Paralegal Training, both Masters and Doctorate degrees from

Mercer University’s theology school (McAfee School of Theology).

She serves on their Board of Visitors, formerly as the

President of the Alumni Board and Chair of the Nominating

Committee. She also serves as Cont'd on Page 8


Black Women Have Been

Left Out of the Data:

Why Voices Are Needed in a

Landmark Cancer Research Study

Black Women Health/BVB

By Chelsea Lenora Small, Forward Times Associate

Publisher and Editor-in-Chief

For generations, Black women have shown up for everyone

else while our own health questions went unanswered.

We have cared for families, built communities, powered

movements, and carried entire systems on our backs, often

while navigating health outcomes that were worse than

everyone else’s, with fewer answers as to why. Too often, when

it comes to medical research, Black women have been discussed,

compared, or referenced, but not meaningfully included.

That exclusion has consequences.

Despite advances in cancer prevention, screening, and

treatment, Black women continue to face the highest death

rates and shortest survival for most cancers compared to any

racial or ethnic group in the United States. Black women under

40 have higher breast cancer rates than any other group. Black

women under 50 are twice as likely to die from breast cancer as

white women. Lung cancer remains the second most commonly

diagnosed cancer and the second leading cause of cancer death

among Black women.

These disparities are not because Black women care less

about our health. They exist because the systems designed

to study disease, identify risk factors, and shape prevention

strategies have historically failed to center our lived experiences.


A MESSAGE FROM THE PUBLISHER

from Front Page

who envisioned it, and whose sacrifices gave it life.

Black History Month did not begin as a marketing moment

or a ceremonial footnote. It was born out of necessity and

urgency through the work of Carter G. Woodson, often called

the Father of Black History. Woodson understood a dangerous

truth: a people who are disconnected from their history are

vulnerable to erasure. In 1926, he launched Negro History

Week to correct omissions, challenge distortions, and affirm

the dignity and contributions of African Americans in a nation

that largely ignored them.

That week would later grow into Black History Month not

as a concession, but as a correction.

Woodson’s vision was never about confining Black history

to one month. It was about ensuring that our story could never

again be denied, dismissed, or forgotten. His work laid the

intellectual and moral foundation for Black newspapers, Black

scholars, Black educators, and Black institutions that continue

to document truth when others will not.

As we reflect on that legacy, we must also call the roll of

those whose courage shaped our collective freedom.

We remember Fannie Lou Hamer, who taught America

that being “sick and tired of being sick and tired” was not a

complaint but a declaration of resistance.

We honor Ella Baker, who reminded movements that strong

people do not need strongmen, and that grassroots leadership

is the heartbeat of real change.

We lift up Fred Shuttlesworth, whose fearless defiance of

segregation in Birmingham, helped bend the arc of justice,

even in the face of bombs and threats.

We remember Myrlie Evers, who transformed grief into

purpose and ensured that the struggle did not end with loss

but continued toward accountability and remembrance.

And we honor Florida’s own martyrs, Harriet Moore and

Harry T. Moore, whose lives were taken on Christmas night

because they dared to demand voting rights, equal pay, and

dignity for Black citizens. Their blood is part of this state’s

soil—and their courage is part of our inheritance.

These sheroes and heroes are not distant names. They are

the reason Black newspapers matter. They are the reason we

must control our narrative, preserve our memory, and tell our

own stories—truthfully, boldly, and consistently.

Black History Month reminds us that documentation is

resistance. Memory is power. And institutions like the Black

press exist because silence was never an option.

As we move into the Westside Gazette’s 55th anniversary

week, this reflection serves as our grounding. Before we

celebrate what we have built, we honor why it had to be built

in the first place.

This is not just history.

This is responsibility.

This is legacy.

Deeply Rooted

A Good Sheperd's Funeral

Home & Cremation

Services Central

Floriece “Flo”

White

Celebration

of Life

will be held

February 8th

at Worldwide

Chrisitan Center.

McWhite’s Funeral

Home

Obituaries

Death and Funeral Notices


VIEW OBITUARIES ONLINE


David Lee

Colston – 61

Funeral

Service

was held

January

24th at

James C.

Boyd’s

Memorial

Chapel with

Overseer Thomas Jackson

officiating.

Charles

Michael

Whorley – 68

Funeral

Service

was held

January

24th at

James C.

Boyd’s

Memorial

Chapel with Bishop

Leonard Brown officiating.

ChanDrick

Marshall

Campbell,

Sr.

Funeral

Service

was held

January 3rd

at St. Luke

Baptist

Church.

Freddie Lee

Cross, Sr.

Funeral

Service

was held

January 16th

at McWhite’s

Funeral

Home.

Announcements:

*In Memoriam *Death Notices *Happy Birthdays

*Card of Thanks *Remembrances

(954) 525-1489

Tyrone

Lamar”T2”

Davis, Jr.

Funeral

Service

was held

January 24th

at First

Baptist Church of Fort

Lauderdale.

William

Fleming, Jr.

Funeral

Service

was held

January

24th at

Greater

Antioch

Missionary

Baptist Church.

Labon Grant

Visitation

was held

January

24th at

McWhite’s

Funeral

Home.

Rubena

Patricia Guy

– 81

Funeral

Service

was held

January

25th at

Lauderhill Seventh Day

Adventist Church.

Theresa Y.

Johnson

Funeral

Service

was held

January 14th

at Bethel

Missionary

Baptist

Church.

Alfred Lee

Little

Funeral

Service

was held

January

17th at

Little Church

By The

Wayside.

Coppoe Val

Mayes – 31

Funeral

Service

was held

January 10th

at Mt.

Hermon

AME Church.

Keithren T.

Pendergrass

Funeral

Service

was held

January 24th

at McWhite’s

Funeral

Home.

Raymond S.

Richards

Funeral

Service

was held

January

17th at

McWhite’s

Funeral

Home.

Carlos A.

Robinson, Jr.

Funeral

Service

was held

January 10th

at McWhite’s

Funeral Home

Chapel.

Albert W.

Shipman,

Sr. – 90

Funeral

Service

was held

January

3rd at

McWhite’s Funeral Home

Chapel.

Gerald

“Bubba Red”

Wilcox

Funeral

Service

was held

January at

McWhite’s

Funeral

Home.

Retha Bell

Williams

Funeral

Service

was held

January

10th

at New Birth

House of Prayers.

Robert

Wilson, Sr.

Funeral

Service

was held

January

17th at

McWhite’s

Funeral Home Chapel.

Roy Mizell & Kurtz

Funeral Home

Jerry

“Jimmy” Jim

Brown - 75

Funeral

Service

was held

January

24th at

Roy Mizell & Kurtz Worship

Center.

Douglas C.

Mossop, Jr.

Funeral

Service

was held

January 24th

at Roy Mizell

& Kurtz

Worship Center.

Mother

Hester Ann

Deas Polk –

92

Funeral

Service

was held

January 24th

at New

Beginning

Embassy of Praise with

Bishop Carrington E.

Morgan officiating.

Rev. Dr. Libya BAAQAR cont'd from page 7

a McAfee Circle mentor for African American, female students.

She facilitated her church’s Leadership Conference, authored,

and designed their Vacation Bible School curriculum, and facilitated

their Sunday School retreat. In addition, Dr. Libby led and

organized their youth retreat. Dr. Libby has preached and led

seminars for various denominations. She is also a contributing author

of “Afrocentric Interpretations of New Testament Letters…

Things that Black Scholars See that White Scholars Do Not, a

biblical commentary published by Edwin Mellen Press which is

accessible on all platforms and housed in libraries worldwide.

Her affiliations include the Communications Chair for the National

Alliance of Mental Illness (Atlanta Area), Georgia Association

of Paralegals, Gate City Bar Association, NAACP, Nominating

Member and Chaplain for the Atlanta Suburban Alumnae

Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. Dr. Libby is

a professional baker/owner of SugahPlum Sweetz and co-owner of

SugahPlum Events, an event venue in Fairburn, GA.

Annually, she hosts a Girlfriends Brunch of over 200 women on

New Year’s Day. She is a cohost on the podcast The Grown Folks

Table with four other leading women in the metro Atlanta area.

Her favorite scripture is Psalm 27:13, “I am still confident of this:

I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the LIVING.”

Her favorite saying is, “My Cup Runneth Over.”

Social Media Handles: Instagram and X @drlibbyspeaks; Facebook:

Libya BaaQar


SPORTS

Nunnie on the Sideline

Deeply Rooted


By Nunnie Robinson, WG Sports Editor

I continue to receive positive and often

unexpected feedback about my NOTS

column, which I find both encouraging

and motivating. My goal has always

been to write about sports in a way that

is journalistically relevant, thoughtprovoking,

and worthy of reflection. I

want to thank Brother Cedric Shirley,

whom I recently met at the MLK Parade,

for his unsolicited words of support—

they were truly appreciated.

I also hope I’ve eased the frustration

of readers after my dismal performance

in picking the NFL Divisional Playoff

games as well as the College Football

Playoff final. My misses included the Houston Texans, Chicago

Bears, and Miami Hurricanes. I fared considerably better,

however, when selecting Super Bowl contenders, correctly

identifying the New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks.

My pick of the Patriots over Denver admittedly carried

some bias, stemming from what I found to be Sean Payton’s

reprehensible public sideline rebuke of quarterback Russell

Wilson. Ironically, a current commercial promoting Seattle’s

return to the Super Bowl replays Wilson’s infamous goal-line

interception—one that turned a certain championship into

a crushing defeat. That play arguably altered the course of

the franchise, contributing to the team’s eventual implosion.

Under Pete Carroll, the Seahawks featured stars such as

Marshawn Lynch, Richard Sherman, and Wilson. The decision

not to give the ball to Lynch—virtually unstoppable in goalline

situations—remains one of the worst calls in Super Bowl

history. Even if the call came from the sideline, Wilson, an

experienced Super Bowl-winning quarterback, could have

audibled after recognizing the Patriots’ defensive alignment.

That said, Payton’s criticism of Wilson comes with one

mitigating factor: both men own exactly one Super Bowl ring.

I am largely underwhelmed by recent NFL coaching hires. The

Steelers’ decision to name Pittsburgh native Mike McCarthy

as Mike Tomlin’s replacement raises questions. Is the hire

driven primarily by McCarthy’s previous relationship with

42-year-old Aaron Rodgers? In Atlanta, Raheem Morris—who

never lost the team’s respect and closed the season with four

straight wins—was dismissed in favor of Browns retread Kevin

Stefanski. Meanwhile, Brian Flores, former Dolphins head

coach and current Vikings defensive coordinator, continues to

interview without landing a job. These developments reinforce

two ongoing issues: the Rooney Rule remains largely ineffective,

and the margin for error for Black coaches is noticeably thinner.

With professional sports seasons overlapping—football,

basketball, hockey, and soccer—fans are often forced to

prioritize. For me, professional and college basketball hold

little interest until the Super Bowl is played. A quick glance

shows Arizona and Duke leading the men’s rankings, while

UConn and South Carolina top the women’s side.

Based purely on the eye test and football instinct, my pick to

win the Super Bowl is Seattle.

LEGAL NOTICES

IN THE CIRCUIT

COURT FOR

SEVENTEENTH

JUDICIAL CIRCUIT,

IN AND FOR BOWARD

COUNTY, FLORIDA

CASE NO: 26-0001415

DIVISION: 41-98

GRACIELA STREICH, Petitioner

and

BILAL AHMAD SHAH, Respondent Respondent,

NOTICE OF ACTION FOR

DISSOLUTION OF

MARRIAGE

(NO CHILD OR

FINANCIAL SUPPORT)

TO: {name of Respondent} BILAL AHMAD

SHAH {Respondent last known address}

UNKNOWN

YOU ARE NOTIFIED that an action for dissolution

of marriage has been field against

you and that you are required to serve a copy

of your written defenses, if any, it on GRA-

CIELA STREICH, whose address is 8781

Holly Ct. Apt. 203, Tamarac, FL 3321 on or

before March 12, 2026 and file the original

with the clerk of this Court at 201 Southeast

Sixth Street Room 4130, Fort Lauderdale

FL 33301before service on Petitioner or

immediately thereafter. If you fail to do so,

a default may be entered against you

for the relief demanded in the petition.

The action is asking the court to decide

how the following real or personal property

should be divided: {insert “none” or, if applicable,

the legal description of real property, a specific

description of personal property, and then

name of the county in Florida where the property

is located} NONE

Copies of all court documents in the case,

including orders, are available at the Clerk of

the Circuit Court’s office. You may review

these documents upon request.

You must keep the Clerk of the Circuit

Court’s office notified of your current address.

(You may file Notice of Current Address,

Florida Supreme Court Approved

Family Law Form 12.915.) Future papers in

this lawsuit will be mailed to the address on

record at the clerk’s office.

WARNING: Rule 12.285, Florida Family

Law Rules of Procedure, requires certain

automatic disclosure of documents and information.

Failure to comply can result in

sanctions, including dismissal or striking of

pleadings.

Dated January 15, 2026

Brenda D. Forman

Clerk of the Circuit Court

Bjan Craig, Deputy Clerk

January 29, February 5, 15, 19, 2026

Bringing People

Together, One Local

Story at a Time

--The Westside Gazette

Amscot provides a wide variety of smart financial solutions for our customers

including check cashing, electronic bill payment, free money orders, and cash

advances. In addition, customers may also obtain and load an Azulos Prepaid

MasterCard ® , wire money, send a fax, make copies, buy stamps, and use a safe,

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By Kyra Alessandrini

Story by BLAVLTY NEWS)

(Source: yahoo!sports)

Coco Gauff has made a

donation to the United Negro

College Fund to support

student athletes at HBCUs.

The tennis player donated

$150,000 to the organization.

Last year, Gauff had

already gifted $100,000

for scholarships to student

athletes.

Coco Gauff donated $150,000

to support college tennis

players at HBCUs

Gauff’s latest donation will

help support the Coco Gauff

Scholarship Program, which

provides financial assistance

to HBCU students who play

collegiate tennis. The UNCF

publicly thanked her for her

contribution.

“Coco is more than a

champion on the court. She’s

a champion for education,

opportunity, and the next

generation of leaders,”

the organization wrote in

a statement posted on social

media on Tuesday. “Thank

you, Coco, for continuing to

stand with HBCU students

and helping them get to and

through college.”

Gauff noted the importance

of education in supporting

students’ dreams: “Education

has the power to change lives,

and I hope this gift will help students achieve their dreams,”

she said, per the statement.

The tennis player previously spoke about the significance of

HBCUs, as well as the personal connection her family has to

these institutions.

“My family has a deep-rooted history with HBCUs, going all

the way back to my great, great grandfather. From aunts and

uncles to cousins, HBCUs have played a huge role in shaping

who we are,” Gauff said in a press release, as Blavity reported

last year. “Supporting UNCF in creating opportunities for

student-athletes in tennis means a lot to me.”

This marks Coco Gauff’s second donation supporting collegiate

tennis players through UNCF

In 2025, Gauff contributed $100,000 to the UNCF, effectively

launching the initiative. Her gift resulted in scholarships

being distributed to students at Alabama A&M, Albany State,

Clark Atlanta, Howard, Livingstone and Tuskegee University,

according to HBCU Sports.

At the time, Gauff became one of the youngest donors in the

UNCF’s history: “As a young Black athlete, I understand how

impactful it is to see people who look like me thriving in both

sports and education,” she said in last year’s press release. “I

want to help the next generation of student-athletes continue

pursuing their passion for tennis while reaching their academic

Coco Gauff Donates

$150K To HBCU Tennis

Players In Her Second

Gift To UNCF

goals. My hope is that this

scholarship gives more young

Black players the confidence

to chase their dreams,



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By Guest writer Guenet Roberts

If you’ve lived in Broward County long enough, the name Hazelle P. Rogers doesn’t need

an introduction.

Before the speeches, before the titles, before the historic firsts, she was simply there—at

meetings, at community events, advocating for neighbors, showing up when others didn’t. So,

when the City of Lauderdale Lakes officially renamed its Multipurpose Center in her honor,

many of us didn’t see it as a surprise. We saw it as long overdue.

The Hazelle P. Rogers Multipurpose Center now stands where generations of Broward

residents have gathered—seniors, families, youth, immigrants, and longtime homeowners alike.

For those of us who have watched Lauderdale Lakes evolve over decades, this moment felt

deeply personal.

A Leader Who Grew with the Community

I remember a time when Broward County looked very different. The Caribbean community

was growing, but representation was rare. You didn’t often see leaders who looked like us,

sounded like us, or understood the cultural nuances that shaped our neighborhoods.

Hazelle Rogers did.

Long before she was elected, she was active working through homeowners’ associations,

helping people navigate systems that weren’t built with them in mind, encouraging civic

participation at a time when many felt invisible. She didn’t wait for a title to serve.

When she was elected to the Lauderdale Lakes Commission in 1996, it wasn’t just a win for

her. It was a shift for the entire community. She became the first person from the Englishspeaking

Caribbean elected to public office in the southeastern United States, and at

the time, the only woman on the commission. For many of us watching from the sidelines, it felt

like a door had finally been opened. (Continue reading online at:thewestsidegazette.com)

Bonnet House Museum & Gardens, a 35-acre subtropical

estate and historic museum located in the heart of Fort Lauderdale,

welcomes visitors to experience ZimSculpt, its new

outdoor exhibit celebrating contemporary Zimbabwean stone

sculptures. ZimSculpt has transformed the historic estate into

a global showcase of Zimbabwean art, culture, and craftsmanship.

ZimSculpt features hundreds of hand-carved stone sculptures

by 150 contemporary artists from Zimbabwe. Rooted in the

centuries-old Shona sculptural tradition, the works create an

immersive experience blending art, nature, and history. Guest

curators Vivienne and Joseph Croisette carefully placed the

sculptures to complement the estate and honor the legacy of

Bonnet House founders Frederic and Evelyn Bartlett.

ZimSculpt offers visitors a rare opportunity to see the creative

process with daily live sculpting demonstrations by Zimbabwean

artists Passmore Mupindiko and Shine Muzika, who


A Name We’ve Known for Decades: Why the Renaming of the

Hazelle P. Rogers Multipurpose Center Matters to Broward

Visit Bonnet House Museum & Gardens to

Experience ZimSculpt: An Exhibit Celebrating

Contemporary Zimbabwean Stone Sculpture

Outdoor Exhibition on Display January 18 – April 19, 2026

use traditional Shona techniques. The demonstrations provide

firsthand insight into the skill, patience, and cultural knowledge

behind each finished work which are all available for purchase.

ZimSculpt has earned international acclaim, with pieces having

been displayed in collections worldwide, including New

York’s Museum of Modern Art, Paris’ Rodin Museum, and

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. The collection

has garnered the attention of prominent figures such as

Sir Richard Attenborough, Morgan Freeman, the Rockefeller

family, and the British Royal Household.

ZimSculpt sponsors include Jim & Lynn LaBate; Sherry Walters,

Victoria Kirby; Museum and Collector Resource, LLC; Suzanne

& Hugh Higgins; Norman Keller & Virginia Becart; The

Judith Ann Linnell Foundation Fund; Chip & Eileen LaMarca;

All smiles for an occasion that had so many significances. Commissioner Hazelle P.

Rogers (3rd from right) was the first person of color to become an elected member of

the Lauderdale Lakes Commission and the youngest at that time. Today it’s highly

representative of the community. In addition, Commissioner Easton K. Harrison (2nd

from left) is now the youngest person ever to be elected to the commission.

(Photos by Luke Ballentine)

(See more photos on www.thewestsidegazette.com)

Brody & Brody P.A.; Kathryn Lant; Ted & Katherine Drum;

and Charles & Laura Palmer.

For general tickets and more information, please visit bonnethouse.org/outdoor-exhibits.

Admission prices to the ZimSculpt Exhibit at Bonnet House:

Self-Guided Tours: $30 ($5 discount if purchased online),

Guided Tours: $35, Upstairs Tour: $40, Grounds Tour Only:

$15. Special guided group tours (minimum 15-20 people) with

ZimSculpt curator Vivienne Croisette will be available Tuesday

– Saturday. Please visit https://www.bonnethouse.org/

groups-specialty-tours/ for more information.

Bonnet House is located at 900 North Birch Road, Fort Lauderdale,

FL 33304 and is open for tours Tuesday —Sunday

from 11 a.m.– 4 p.m. and closed on Mondays. For more information,

please visit www.bonnethouse.org.

The Westside Gazette

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