The Westside Gazette

PRSRT STD

U.S. POSTAGE

PAID

FT. LAUDERDALE, FL 33310

PERMIT NO. 1179

&

Special Closeout

BHM Message

from Publisher

Bobby R.

Henry, Sr.

PAGE 6

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 26 - MARCH 4, 2026

VOL. 55 NO. 3 $1.00

Fort Lauderdale Police

Address Rumors Following

Homicide Arrest

A week after a woman was found dead in

Fort Lauderdale, police are working to calm

community concerns and dispel online rumors

surrounding the case.

During a Tuesday press conference,

investigators emphasized that there is no

evidence of a serial killer, calling such claims

unfounded and harmful. Fort Lauderdale Police

Homicide Sgt. Don Geiger said the speculation

has caused unnecessary fear among residents

and their families.

Authorities have arrested Altavious Powell,

who was charged Thursday with first-degree

murder in connection with the death of 30-yearold

Daneshia Heller. The investigation remains

ongoing.

Haiti children vulnerable

to violence, poverty and

displacement. (Photo: UN

News - the United Nations)

Rev. Dr. Marcus D.

Davidson Receives

Alcee L. Hastings

Civil Rights

Leadership Award

Florida Judge Orders

Emergency Hearing on

State’s Planned Cuts to

HIV Drug Program

By Imara Canady

TALLAHASSEE,

FL — An Administrative

Law Judge today ordered

an emergency hearing for

Wednesday, February 25, in

AIDS Healthcare Foundation’s

legal challenge to the Florida Department of

Health’s plan to slash eligibility for the state’s

AIDS Drug Assistance Program, known as

ADAP.

Beginning March 1, the Department plans to

cut the qualifying income for the program from

roughly $62,600 to $21,000 for an individual,

dropping thousands of Floridians living with

HIV from the coverage that helps them afford

their medications and stay healthy.

“We filed this challenge because patients

deserve answers, and the Department has not

provided them,” stated Esteban Wood, AHF

Director of Advocacy & Legislative Affairs.

“People are scared. They are being told, with

days’ notice, that the medications they depend

on may no longer be covered. We have offered

repeatedly to sit down and find a workable

solution. That offer still stands. But we will not

stand by while patients are forced to go without

lifesaving medication.”

If the Administrative Law Judge lifts the

procedural hold on Wednesday, a full hearing on

AHF’s challenge will take place Friday, February

27. AHF has also filed a separate case in Leon

County Circuit Court seeking to block the cuts

from taking effect.

THE NEW OPERATION

R.E.A.D. BUS

UN warns of widespread child

trafficking by gangs in Haiti

By Jovani Davis

A new UN report released

Friday details the brutal

exploitation of children by

Haitian gangs, warning that

their actions endanger not

only today’s youth but also

future generations.

The report, issued jointly

by the UN Integrated Office

in Haiti (BINUH) and the

UN Human Rights Office

(OHCHR), states that most

of the 26 gangs currently

operating in Haiti are

involved in child trafficking.

Children are forced into

a range of activities,

from running errands

and collecting extortion

payments to violent acts,

including kidnappings,

property destruction,

targeted killings, and sexual

The Westside Gazette Newspaper

abuse.

Children in Haiti are

being robbed of their

childhoods and their futures.

The impact and long-term

consequences of child

trafficking are devastating

for the victims and their

families, as well as for the

stability of the country, said

Volker Türk.

While precise numbers

are unavailable, the UN

estimates that over 500,000

children lived in gangcontrolled

areas in 2024,

and more than 1.4 million

people—including over

half children—have been

displaced by gang violence.

The report identifies

structural factors, such

as poverty and weak

institutions, as well as

situational factors, including

armed violence, as drivers of

the crisis. Children may be

enticed by perceived power,

social status, or protection,

or coerced through threats,

violence, food, or drugs.

The report criticizes

fragmented and underresourced

responses from

authorities, civil society,

and international partners.

It notes that trafficked

children are often treated

as perpetrators rather than

victims, with some facing

summary execution or

vigilante violence.

“For the immediate

and long-term future of

Haiti, it is crucial that

national authorities and

their international partners

work hand-in-hand to build

stronger communities

(Cont’d on page 8)

Literacy Connection, Inc.: Building Legacy, Literacy,

and Community — One Family at a Time

Literacy has always been more than

reading words on a page. For Literacy

Connection, Inc., literacy is about identity,

access, empowerment, and community

values deeply rooted in the organization’s

mission as a Black-founded and Black-led

nonprofit serving families across Broward

County.

Founded with the belief that

strong readers are nurtured not

only in classrooms but within

families and communities,

Literacy Connection, Inc. has

spent more than a decade creating

innovative, culturally responsive

programming that meets children

and families where they are. Today,

the organization’s work is centered

around three major program areas

designed to strengthen literacy

outcomes, family engagement, and

community connection.

OPERATION: R.E.A.D.

Literacy Initiative — Bringing

Literacy to Life

The flagship OPERATION:

R.E.A.D. Literacy Initiative serves

as the foundation of Literacy

Connection’s programming and

is delivered through two primary

components: after-school programming and

community outreach.

Through after-school programming,

children engage in structured, literacybased

activities that support reading

comprehension, vocabulary development,

creative expression, and confidence-building.

These sessions integrate literature with

hands-on activities that connect reading to

all disciplines, including STEAM, making

learning both engaging and meaningful.

The community outreach component

extends learning beyond school walls,

reaching children and families through

schools, parks and recreation programs,

community events, and faith-based spaces.

A cornerstone of this outreach is the Black

Church Book Tour, a culturally responsive

initiative that partners with churches to

serve Black and Brown children and families

in trusted community environments.

At each outreach experience, children

participate in engaging, literature-based

activities that celebrate stories reflecting

their lived experiences and cultural heritage.

Most importantly, every child receives a

free book to take home which helps to build

personal libraries and reinforce reading as

Continue reading online at:

thewestsidegazette.com

@TheWestsideGazetteNewspaper

By Bobby R. Henry, Sr

Last Sunday, U.S. Rep. Debbie

Wasserman Schultz (FL-25) presented the

Alcee L. Hastings Civil Rights & Social

Justice Leadership Award to Rev. Dr.

Marcus D. Davidson, Senior Pastor of New

Mount Olive Baptist Church, recognizing

his tremendous and varied contributions

to the South Florida community.

The award, created in 2024 following

the passing of the late Congressman

Alcee L. Hastings, “honored his lifelong

commitment to civil rights, social justice,

and public service”.- Congresswoman

Debbie Wasserman Schultz.

Hastings rose from humble beginnings

in the segregated South to become

Florida’s first African American federal

judge and later a member of the historic

1992 class of the United States Congress.

His commanding advocacy and moral

conviction left an indelible imprint on

Broward County and beyond.

Honoring Those Who Carry the Fight

Forward

Congresswoman Wasserman Schultz

established the award to recognize

Floridians who demonstrate exceptional

civic engagement in areas such as economic

advancement, community activism,

justice, education, spiritual outreach, and

community impact.

Rev. Davidson’s leadership reflected

that mission. As Senior Pastor of

New Mount Olive Baptist Church, he

advocated for economic empowerment by

Thursday

Feb. 26 th

Fri

82°

71°

Sunny

Sunrise: 6:46am

(Cont’d on page 3)

82°

68°

80°

69°

79°

70°

80°

71°

Sunset: 6:20pm

Sat Sun Mon Tues

78°

69°

WESTSIDE GAZETTE IS A MEMBER:

National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA)

Southeastern African-American Publishers Association (SAAPA)

Florida Association of Black Owned Media (FABOM)

PAGE 2 • FEBRUARY 26 - MARCH 4, 2026

www.thewestsidegazette.com

Celebrates Day of Service with

Depot’s “Retool Your School” #1

Bethune-Cookman University (B-CU)

will mark the inauguration of Dr. Albert

B-CU

concession being the leadership postponement for the historic institution. of painting and

Founded in 1904 by visionary

stripping the basketball educator court and civil rights – a leader minor Dr. Mary hiccup until

McLeod Bethune, B-CU has educated

okman University more favorable weather prevails.

generations of students guided by her

gnificant day of unity Dr. William Berry, belief Provost that education and is Acting a powerful President,

force for opportunity, equity and social

Thursday, Jan. 18, expressed excitement mobility. and Mosley’s gratitude, inauguration stating, comes “We are

a pivotal moment as B-CU builds on that

l and Libby Johnson excited about this project and grateful to all those who

legacy while also advancing priorities

Civic Engagement

centered on student achievement and

momentous occasion

FMU hosts members of

er students, Department faculty, of Education

, and friends to

First Black

This past week, Florida Memorial University proudly

welcomed representatives from the U.S. Department of

the University’s

Student

Education, including Under Secretary Nicholas Kent and

lishment members – of his securing

distinguished team, for an engaging and

forward-focused visit to campus.

position At the in heart of Home the discussions was the number one

priority: student success.

to Graduate

igious “Retool Your

During the campus tour, university leadership showcased

ition the and strength, receiving resilience, and a upward trajectory of South

from All-White

Florida’s only HBCU. From academic innovation to student

,000 support grant initiatives, dedicated the visit highlighted the transformative

work underway to broaden opportunity and advance

Public School

ancement.

educational equity for current and future generations.

ler temperatures University officials and expressed sincere appreciation for

in 1966 Shares

the Department’s time, thoughtful dialogue, and spirit of

, the collaboration. collective Engagements spirit of this significance underscore

that Florida Memorial University’s voice continues to

Her Story

ost

resonate

135 participants,

— and carry weight — in the national conversation

epot surrounding Daytona access, Beach equity, and opportunity in higher

education.

r Therese As President Watsonforces

William “Bill” McCormick affirmed, “It’s

in yesterday’s Our Time!”

participated in the vote for B-CU. These enhancements

ort. Their mission will help create more vibrant and engaging spaces for

, involving projects

ssembling bookcases

our students to retreat on campus for a brain break or

find inspiration through the downtime.”

tdoor dining sets to Home Depot’s “Retool Your School” program,

rcade games, foosball

ball hoops, hockey

tennis tables. Even

er conditions couldn’t

ication, with the only

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

providing over $9.25 million in campus improvement

grants to Historically Black Colleges and Universities

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

Continue reading online at: thewestsidegazette.com

iveness after

ated service.

e to 30,000

have been

or at least

ut receiving

ncome-driven

will now see

n.

Biden credited the success

of these relief efforts to the

corrective measures taken

to address broken student

loan programs. He asserted

that these fixes have removed

barriers preventing borrowers

from accessing the relief they

were entitled to under the law.

B-CU announces inauguration of Dr. Albert Mosley

D. Mosley as its eighth president on

Tuesday, April 14, marking a new era of

The president outlined the

broader told WLBT. achievements of his

administration in supporting

students and borrowers,

including achieving the most

significant

classes with

increases

Chinn.

in Pell

Grants in over a decade, aimed



institutional growth.

An experienced higher education

executive, Mosley brings more than 30

years of leadership across academic and

nonprofit institutions, with a record of

innovation, institutional growth and

transformational change.

A first-generation college graduate

raised in rural Mississippi; he was

appointed president by Bethune-

Cookman University’s Board of Trustees

in June 2025 after serving as president of

Morningside University.

“Dr. Bethune built this university on

faith, determination and an unshakable

NATIONWIDE — Mary Smith-Blackmon, an African

American woman from Canton, Mississippi, who became

the first Black student to graduate from the town’s

all-white public school in 1966, remembers both the

struggles and the small victories of her journey. Despite

harassment and isolation, she graduated with honors

and later devoted over 30 years to teaching.

In 1965, Mary Smith-Blackmon, along with Bobbie

Ruth Chinn and Phill George, transferred from the all-

Black Rogers High to Canton High, a predominantly

white school. From the first day, they faced hostility.

“We tried to walk down the main walk into the

building. We got hit with a few little items. They threw,

and they hit us with acorns that fell from those draping

trees that were there, but we got in,” Smith-Blackmon

The harassment continued in classrooms. Mary

remembered being sprayed at her desk while classmates

laughed. Teachers enforced silence once class started,

but the isolation remained. School officials made sure

the three students were separated, and she never had

At one point, a white male student kicked her chair.

When Mary spoke up, she was suspended for two weeks.

The three hoped to transfer back to Rogers High, but

state law prevented multiple transfers, and school

officials refused. Eventually, Chinn withdrew, George’s

family moved, and Mary faced her senior year alone.

Even amid the challenges, support appeared

belief in the potential of her students,”

said Mosley. “As we honor her legacy, we

are recommitting ourselves to ensuring

Bethune-Cookman remains a place

where opportunity is created, nurtured

and sustained for generations to come.”

In conjunction with the inauguration,

the university continues its “B-CU Rising:

All of Us, All In’’ campaign, an effort

designed to expand scholarship support

for students facing financial barriers to

enrollment and degree completion. The

initiative aims to raise $1 million.

MARY SMITH

BLACKMON

unexpectedly. A white classmate quietly gave

Mary enough graduation tickets for her family.

“She was like an angel. She would be watching

over me,” Mary remembered, keeping the

classmate’s identity private out of respect.

In May 1966, Mary graduated with honors,

making history in Canton and setting a

precedent for desegregation in Mississippi. She

later attended Tougaloo College and Jackson

State University, majoring in education. She

later returned to Canton, teaching for over three

decades and mentoring countless students.

Reflecting on her journey, Mary said, “We

needed people to do that. It was hard, but what

we have to remember is that opportunity follows

struggle. If nobody is out there to struggle, then

opportunities don’t come.”

College

Prep

assiduous

adjective

(adjective)

Word of

the Week

someone who works hard or

being

does

at

things

rest;

very

inactive

thoroughly

or

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

“He also became known as the most assiduous

and creative quiescent hunter of new elements mind.

history ”

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


Ain’t That A VHIT

Baggage Behind the Smile

By Von C. Howard

Many men, especially

Black men, move through life

wearing a smile that holds

more weight than most people

will ever understand. It is a

practiced smile, a protective

smile, a survival smile. Behind

it lives a world of pressure,

expectations, quiet fears,

unspoken disappointments, and

dreams we were not always told

we had permission to pursue. I

know this kind of smile well because I wear it too.

Some days we carry so much that the smile becomes the

strongest part of us. We push ourselves to keep going even

when our spirits whisper that we need rest. We become

anchors for families, communities, workplaces, yet often

feel like we have nowhere to anchor ourselves. And the

world, while quick to admire our strength, seldom pauses

long enough to ask what it costs us to uphold it.

The truth is simple but rarely spoken aloud: we are tired,

not because we are weak, but because we have carried too

much for too long. Men, Black men in particular, have been

conditioned to believe that rest is optional, that emotions

are liabilities, and that endurance is the only acceptable

response to life’s challenges. But the body keeps score. The

heart keeps score. And the soul grows weary beneath the

weight we pretend not to feel.

What many don’t realize is how deeply we feel things.

A small comment can replay in our minds for days. A

disappointment can sit on our chest like a stone. A moment

of rejection can echo long after the world moves on. Our

sensitivity is real, even when we hide it well. Feeling

deeply does not make us less of a man, it confirms that we

are human.

And beneath that emotional weight sit the dreams we

placed on the back burner. Dreams we quieted because life

demanded responsibility first. But hear this clearly: your

dreams did not expire. Your purpose is still active. Your

calling still matters. You are allowed to start again, this

time believing in possibilities that once felt out of reach.

Choosing joy is a form of resistance. Joy does not

dismiss the pressure; it creates light within it. And selflove,

genuine, patient, forgiving self-love, is the foundation

of healing. Black men must learn that loving ourselves

as we grow, evolve, stumble, and rise is not selfish. It is

necessary. It is survival.

There are words men need to hear more often: You are

doing better than you think. Your presence has impact.

You deserve love that is safe. You are allowed to start over.

Rest is not weakness, rest is renewal.

Behind my own smile is a man learning these truths

every day. Behind yours may be the same. Yet in every

hidden struggle, there is resilience, hope, faith, and the

courage to keep becoming who we are meant to be.

AFFIRMATION FOR THE JOURNEY

Today, we will strive to release the

weight we were never meant to carry alone.

We will strive to honor both our strength and

our softness with compassion and honesty.

We will strive to choose joy, clarity, rest,

and self-love without guilt or hesitation.

We will strive to pursue our dreams boldly, trust our

purpose fully, and believe in the men we are becoming.

We will strive to remember that we matter, that our

presence has impact, our stories have value, and behind

our smiles lives resilience, hope, and a testimony God is

still beautifully writing.

Rev. Dr. Marcus D. Davidson

Receives Alcee L. Hastings Civil

Rights Leadership Award from FP

Black-owned businesses and entrepreneurship, while also

promoting literacy, mentorship, and cultural opportunities

for students throughout the community.

Words from Those Who Knew Him Best

Jody Hastings, son of the late Congressman, reflected on

the significance of the moment.

“My Dad would be very proud of all the recipients, who

are truly graciously humble individuals. From the first Judge

Ilona Holmes, then Rosalyn Frazier, Chief Executive Officer

of Broward Community & Family Health Center, and now

the Rev. Dr. Marcus D. Davidson. They all display the true

characteristics of leadership and servitude. Dr. Davidson is

stalwart in our community and exemplifies a magnanimous

spirit of giving and compassion.”

Judge Ilona Holmes, the inaugural recipient of the

award, welcomed Rev. Davidson into what she described as

a growing fellowship of servant leaders.

“Yes, I was very fortunate to be the first recipient of

the award. What I’ve done, I can’t compare to what the

congressman did. But it’s set to honor folks who are still

carrying on the fight and knowing that we’re struggling to

keep the little gains that we’ve gotten in the past. So that’s

why I’m here today to welcome him to the — I wanted to call

it a sorority, ’cause my friend Sister Frazier got it last year,

and I was there when she received the award. So I came to

make him a part of our sorority. I guess he’ll break off and

make it a fraternity soon.”

Evan J. Goldman, Esq., Executive Director of Public

Affairs for the Jewish Federation of Broward, drew a parallel

between Rev. Davidson’s ministry and the faith-driven

activism that defined Congressman Hastings’ legacy.

“Pastor Dr. Marcus D. Davidson is worthy of the Alcee

L. Hastings Civil Rights & Social Justice Award because his

steadfast leadership, community advocacy, and commitment

to equity embodied the spirit of justice and empowerment that

the award honors. Pastor Dr. Davidson, like Congressman

Hastings before him, exemplified a servant-leadership

faith model where social action became the embodiment of

scripture.”

A Humble Acceptance

Rev. Davidson accepted the honor with humility and


By Kailyn McBride

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Last week,

the Government Accountability Office

(GAO) released a new report examining

how disabled job seekers still face

challenges accessing state and local

workforce development programs. This

report was requested by Congresswoman

Frederica S. Wilson (FL-24) and House

Committee on Education and Workforce

Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby”

Scott (VA-03).

This new report details that despite

significant progress made towards

accessibility, many individuals with

disabilities still face barriers to receiving

job training services. Specifically, the

GAO investigation reported challenges in

ensuring that third-party training services

provide adequate accommodations to

ensure job training is accessible for

individuals with disabilities.

We Love

Lauderdale

Brunch &

Fundraiser Set

for March 28

The Fort Lauderdale

Community Development

Corporation (FTLCDC) invites

the community to gather for

an inspiring afternoon of

fellowship and purpose at the

“We Love Lauderdale Brunch

& Fundraiser” on Saturday,

March 28, from 11 a.m. to 2

p.m. The event will be held at

the Urban League of Broward

County, located at 560 NW 27th

Avenue in Fort Lauderdale.

This community-centered

celebration will bring together

residents, leaders, and

supporters to uplift affordable

housing initiatives and

resident services for families

throughout Fort Lauderdale.

Guests will enjoy great food,

vibrant fellowship, and live

entertainment — all while

supporting a meaningful cause.

A highlight of the brunch

will be a live performance

and exclusive book signing by

legendary entertainer Melba

Moore, whose celebrated career

spans music, television, and

Broadway.

The event will also recognize

the 2026 Broadcast Trailblazer

Honorees for their outstanding

contributions to Greater Fort

Lauderdale and the South

Florida community. Honorees

include:

James T. Thomas

Chico the Virgo

Tamara Gant

Traci Cloyd

Rodney Baltimore

Jerry Rushin

Proceeds from the fundraiser

will directly support FTLCDC

programs that currently

provide 40 affordable rental

homes for income-restricted

families. In addition, funds

help sustain vital resident

engagement initiatives,

including food assistance and

health screening services.

Organizers say the brunch

is more than just an event

— it’s an opportunity for the

community to invest in lasting

“Disabled job seekers are employed at

far lower rates than anyone else in this

nation, and that is unacceptable,” said

Rep. Frederica S. Wilson (FL-24). “The

GAO’s report shows that while progress

has been made under the Workforce

Innovation and Opportunity Act, too

many barriers still block the path,

especially when training providers fail

to provide proper accommodations. That

is not fairness, and it is not justice.

True workforce development means real

access for everyone. It is our shared

responsibility to remove these barriers,

strengthen our workforce programs,

and close the employment gap so that

disabled job seekers have a full and equal

chance to contribute, thrive, and succeed

in today’s economy.”

“The Workforce Innovation and

Opportunity Act is the cornerstone of

our workforce development system,

and offers career growth to millions of

impact and expanded

opportunities for families in

need.

Sponsorship opportunities

are available. For

more information, contact

edftlcdc@gmail.com.

Mark your calendar and

come out to support a cause

that continues to strengthen

the heart of our city.

FEBRUARY 26 - MARCH 4, 2026 • PAGE 3

Americans, including individuals with

disabilities,” said Ranking Member Scott

(VA-03). “Today’s report shows that

while states and localities have made

significant progress towards providing

accessible job training for people with

disabilities, there is still much more to be

done. I look forward to working with my

colleagues to pass critical updates to the

Workforce Innovation and Opportunity

Act by passing the bipartisan A Stronger

Workforce for America Act and ensuring

that all Americans have access to quality

job training and the opportunity that

brings.”

Enacted in 2014, the Workforce

Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA)

made crucial improvements to streamline

the maze of federal workforce development

programs and enhance accountability

through a single set of performance

metrics. WIOA authorizes programs that

help job seekers access services at locations

called job centers and prohibits

discrimination and requires

that services be accessible to

people with disabilities. WIOA

specifically identifies disability

as a barrier to employment,

making it imperative to remove

barriers to disabled job seekers

accessing the workforce system.

However, almost a decade

later, significant challenges

persist that impede the

workforce system’s ability to

provide high-quality services

to job seekers and employers.

In the 118th Congress,

Ranking Member Scott and

then Chair Virginia Foxx

negotiated a bipartisan WIOA

reauthorization. And in April

2024, the bipartisan A Stronger

Workforce for America Act

passed the House with a vote of

378 to 26.


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

Westside Gazette Newpaper

Recognizes February As

Black History Month


AT THE DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. COMMUNITY CENTER

2400 CHARLESTON STREET HOLLYWOOD, FL 33020

Follow @TheWestsideGazette Newspaper on Social Media +

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

STAY

CONNECTED --



Silent Killer: What Black Women

Must Know About Ovarian Cancer

Ovarian cancer is often referred to as the “silent killer” because its symptoms can be subtle

and easily mistaken for common digestive or menstrual issues. However, for Black women, the

silence surrounding this disease is compounded by a loud and persistent disparity in healthcare

outcomes.

Although Black women have a lower incidence rate of ovarian cancer, they unfortunately experience

significantly worse survival rates compared to other populations. While there has been

a modest improvement in survival rates among Caucasian women over the last four decades,

there has been no such progress observed for Black women, highlighting a concerning disparity.

The exact reasons behind this substantial difference in ovarian cancer development and survival

outcomes between Black American women and Caucasian women remain elusive and require

further investigation. However, it is essential to acknowledge that educating women about

ovarian cancer and its implications, while simultaneously encouraging open and effective communication

between patients and their healthcare providers, represents a necessary first step

in addressing this health inequity and improving outcomes for all women.

ABC Wraps Month-long Campaign

Screening Thousands for

Heart Risks Nationwide

Dr. Anthony Fletcher,

By Stacy M. Brown

As Heart Awareness

Month concludes, leaders

within the Black medical

community are urging

renewed attention to a crisis

that continues to claim Black

lives at higher rates, even as

overall cardiovascular deaths

decline nationwide.

Dr. Anthony Fletcher,

the 20th president of

the Association of Black

Cardiologists (ABC) and an

interventional cardiologist at

CHI St. Vincent Cardiology

and Medicine Clinic in Little

Rock, Arkansas, said the

month provides a necessary

moment to pause and

confront persistent disparities

that remain embedded in

the health care system.

“Every month should be

Heart Month, and every

month should be Black

History Month,” Fletcher said

in a telephone interview. “This

is an opportunity to focus, to

pause for a moment, and to

think about the significance

of both.”

Fletcher was installed as

president of the ABC during

the organization’s spring

2024 membership meeting

in Atlanta. Founded in 1974,

ABC has a global membership

exceeding 2,000 health

professionals and advocates

committed to improving

cardiovascular outcomes in

minority communities.

While advances in

cardiovascular care have

driven down death rates over

time, Fletcher said recent

trends are concerning. He

pointed to an upswing in

cardiovascular deaths that

many clinicians associate

with rising diabetes and

obesity rates.

“Despite

the

improvements, there is

still a gap in deaths among

people of African American

descent in this country,”

Fletcher said. “The numbers

are coming down, but Black

people still die at higher

percentages compared to

our white counterparts.”




What Is Ovarian Cancer?

This cancer originates in the ovaries, which are responsible for producing a woman’s eggs and

are the primary source of the female hormones estrogen and progesterone. Recent advancements

in ovarian cancer treatments have shown improved effectiveness, and the most promising

outcomes are observed when the disease is detected at an early stage.

So, What Are The Symptoms?

Because the ovaries are located deep within the pelvic cavity, tumors can grow quite large before

they cause noticeable pain. The symptoms of ovarian cancer are often vague, which is why

it is vital to listen to your body.

Symptoms include:

• Bloating or pressure in the belly

• Pain in the abdomen or pelvis

• Feeling full too quickly during meals1

• Urinating more frequently

While these symptoms are often caused by non-cancerous conditions (like IBS or fibroids), the

key is persistence. If you experience these symptoms daily for more than two to three weeks, it

is time to schedule a consultation with your healthcare provider.

Know Your Family History

A family history of cancer, particularly ovarian, breast, or colon cancer, can significantly

increase a woman’s risk of developing ovarian cancer. Research indicates that inherited genetic

alterations are responsible for approximately 10 percent of ovarian cancers. These genetic

changes can include mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, which are also associated with

breast cancer. Women with a strong family history of these cancers are encouraged to discuss

the possibility of increased risk and potential preventative measures with their healthcare providers.



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:


Broward County’s

Largest African

American Owned and

Operated Newspaper Serving

Broward

- Miami-Dade

and Palm Beach Counties

545 N.W. 7th Terrace

Fort Lauderdale, FL 33311

Mailing Address:

P.O. Box 5304


OFFICE (954) 525-1489

FAX: (954) 525-1861

E-MAIL ADDRESS: MAIN

wgazette@thewestsidegazette.com

EDITOR

pamlewis@thewestsidegazette.com

COMMUNITY DIGEST

wgproof@thewestsidegazette.com

PUBLISHER

brhsr@thewestsidegazette.com

PROUD MEMBERS OF THE:

NATIONAL NEWSPAPER

PUBLISHERS ASSOCIATION

(NNPA) AND FLORIDA

ASSOCIATION OF BLACK

OWNEDMEDIA

The Westside Gazett

Newspaper is

Published Weekly

by Bi-Ads. Inc. DBA

Subscription Rates:

$50 Annual $1.00 per copy

CREDO -The Black Press

beieves that American best

leads the world away

from racial and

national antagonisms

when it accords to every

person, regarless of race,

color or creed, full human

and legal rights. Hating no

person, feaing no person,

the Black Press strives to

help every person in the

firm belief that all are hurt

as long as anyone

is held back.

LETTERS TO THE

EDITOR GUIDELINES

We welcome letters from

the public. Letters must be

signed with a clearly

legible name along witha

compete address and

phone number.

No unsigned letters will be

considered for publiction.

The Westside Gazettere

serves the right to edit

letters. Letters should be

500 words or less.

SUPREME COURT

OUTLAWED TARIFFS

& REBUKED THE

PRESIDENT

“The Supreme Court is as central to a democratic

government as the rigid skeleton structure and

framework is to the human body; thus, should

the Court become diseased with greed, biased

partisanship, compromised integrity, blinded

jurisprudence, and immorality, it no longer can

act as the final arbiter of law and guardian of the

U.S. Constitution.” John Johnson II 02/25/26

By John Johnson II: A Soul Anthem

There is a line, Not drawn in sand,

and Not whispered in fear. But it’s

written in the U.S. Constitution Article

I, Section 8, that expressly states,

“The power to tax and set tariffs is

vested with Congress, not the executive

branch.” SAY IT LOUD. IT’S IN THE

CONSTITUTION!

And when that line is crossed,

somebody must answer. The President

imposed sweeping tariffs without

Congress approval — seizing power to

regulate commerce snatching Article I given to the legislature.

SAY IT LOUD! The President has crossed the line.

He treated emergency authority like a blank check, stretching

executive power beyond constitutional limits. He publicly

attacked members of the judiciary when rulings rebuked him,

undermining the independence of a co-equal branch. He claimed

protection so broad it resembled political invincibility —

invoking “absolute immunity” for official acts, while elevating

the office too dodge accountability. He blurred the separation

of powers, attempting to dominate legislation rather than

constitutional processes. There have been multiple warnings

and violations. Alarms ring across a republic that was built

to resist Kings. SAY IT LOUD! The president has crossed

the line.

Now here’s the irony. The same Supreme Court that once

expanded presidential immunity — insulating “official acts”

from prosecution — found itself staring at the consequences

of its own doctrine. In shielding executive authority, it risked

strengthening executive defiance. Immunity began to look like

impunity.

And when tariffs were imposed without constitutional

grounding, the Court remembered something fundamental: No

King lives here. No throne stands here. No one stands above

the Constitution. He crossed the line and the ruling was clear.

The Constitution remains alive! SAY IT LOUD. IT’S IN THE

CONSTITUTION!

Now hear this. If Congress trembles, silence replaces courage,

and only fear halts duty. We the People are not spectators, but

agitators we are!

We answered when the Union fractured in Civil War.

We answered when tyranny marched in World War I. We

answered when fascism rose in World War II. We answered

when segregation mocked the Constitution during the Civil

Rights Movement.

We got it right then and we’ll get it right again. This is

not about race, party, or personality. White families are

used. Black families abused, immigrants misused and

voters are confused. Division is strategy. Fear is leverage and

silence is permission. But when the line is crossed — the people

will respond. SAY IT LOUD! The President has crossed

the line.

The President crossed the line and the Supreme Court stood

tall. He crossed the line and the Supreme Court stood long.

He crossed the line and the Supreme Court stood strong. He

crossed the line and they shut him down. It was made clear

that no King in a suit and no monarch is welcomed in America,

not even a clown.

This is a Soul Anthem! And it’s a loud, clear, and

rhythmic message you cannot ignore. SAY IT LOUD! The

President has crossed the line. Say it loud! The president

has crossed the line. And it’s in the U.S. Constitution!

YOU ARE THE JUDGE!

Unprofessionalism Displayed By

Administration Officials Isn’t A

Good Look.

By James B. Ewers Jr. Ed.D.

Do you ever wonder why some must

yell and scream to get their point across

to people? Do you counter it by returning

the screams and having loud voices?

You know the classic British expression,

“what’s good for the goose is good for the

gander”.

I have never been an advocate for bad

behavior. Being around folks who practice

it won’t curry favor with me. They will never gain my respect.

There are many people who want to be leaders. They want

to be the first to receive the information or the first to receive

the important telephone call. Having high expectations means

acting in an appropriate manner. That is my opinion.

Being a leader also means having grace under fire. There

will be times when you are hard pressed to answer tough

questions. You must keep a high level of deportment when you

give your response.

Keeping your cool when it is not easy to do so will go a long

way to winning the public’s trust. Even if it is not the answer

people want to hear, they will respect the way in which you

gave it.

Many of us were fortunate enough to be around people as

we matured in our careers who we could emulate. They had


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.

When the March Is

Over, Do We Go Home?

What We Did Then — We Must Do Now

By Bobby R. Henry, Sr., Publisher, Westside Gazette

As Black History Month comes to a close, the question before us

is not what we celebrated — but what we are willing to continue.

In February, we quote Dr. King. We honor Rosa Parks.

We post grainy black-and-white photos of marchers crossing

the Edmund Pettus Bridge.

We sing “Lift Every Voice and Sing.”

But in March — what do we do?

During the Civil Rights Movement, our people did not simply

commemorate history — we made it. And we made it through

discipline, unity, sacrifice, economic strategy, faith, and relentless

civic engagement.

If we stop practicing those same principles today, we risk losing

everything they bled to build.

1. We Organized — Not Occasionally, But Relentlessly

The movement was not spontaneous emotion. It was organized strategy.

From the Montgomery Bus Boycott to voter registration drives across the South, Black

people met in churches, living rooms, barbershops, and newspaper offices. Plans were mapped

out. Roles were assigned. Communication was deliberate.

Organizations like the NAACP, the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, and the

Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee did not wait for permission. They built structure.

Today, we have social media outrage — but do we have sustained structure?

Are we building institutions, or just trending for 24 hours?

If we do not organize with intention, our influence will evaporate with the algorithm.

2. We Practiced Economic Discipline

The Montgomery Bus Boycott lasted 381 days. Think about that.

Not 38 days. Not 38 hours. 381 days of coordinated sacrifice.

Black communities understood that economic power is leverage. They practiced selective

buying long before it became a hashtag. They supported Black-owned businesses and Black

newspapers because they understood narrative and economics are twins.

Today, we say “Buy Black” — but do we do it consistently?

Do our fraternities, sororities, churches, civic groups, and professional associations have

mandates to support Black media and Black enterprise?

If we don’t circulate the dollar among ourselves, we weaken our negotiating position in every

other arena.

3. We Showed Up — At the Polls and in the Streets

During Reconstruction, Black men ran for office under threat of death.

During Jim Crow, citizens faced literacy tests and violence just to register.

During the 1960s, young people were beaten for sitting at lunch counters.

The Voting Rights Act of 1965 was not gifted. It was extracted.

Yet today, confusion, apathy, misinformation, and quiet disengagement threaten that hardearned

access.

If we do not vote consistently, educate ourselves on policy, and hold elected officials

accountable — not just during presidential years — we surrender ground.

Rights unused are rights eventually removed.

4. We Centered the Church and Moral Authority

The Civil Rights Movement was spiritual before it was political.

From pulpits across America, ministers framed the struggle not as partisan — but as moral. The

movement spoke the language of justice rooted in scripture and constitutional promise.

It was not prosperity preaching.

It was prophetic preaching.

If today we avoid difficult conversations in our sacred spaces — about justice, inequity, mass

incarceration, immigration, economic exploitation — we lose the moral clarity that once guided

us.

The church must not become comfortable while the community is uncomfortable.

5. We Told Our Own Story

The Black Press was essential to the movement. When mainstream outlets ignored our pain

or distorted our protests, Black newspapers documented truth.

We were the archive. We were the amplifier. We were the shield.

Without independent Black media, many of the injustices that stirred the nation would have

remained buried.

If we allow Black media to weaken through neglect, we surrender control of our narrative.

And a people without control of their narrative become characters in someone else’s script.

The Danger of Commemoration Without Continuation

Black History Month should not be a museum exhibit. It should be a strategy session. Our

ancestors did not march so we could merely remember.

They marched so we could remain vigilant. They did not endure fire hoses so we could become

comfortable.

They endured so we could become courageous.

They did not organize so we could relax. They organized so we could continue.

If we stop organizing…If we stop buying strategically…If we stop voting consistently…

If we stop supporting Black institutions…

We will not lose everything at once. We will lose it slowly. Quietly. Incrementally.

And one day we will look up and realize the freedoms we assumed were permanent were only

preserved by participation.

This Is Not a Time to Retreat

As we move beyond February, the question is simple:

Will we practice what we praise? Will we discipline our dollars? Will we protect our vote?

Will we strengthen our institutions? Will we mentor our youth into leadership? Will we support

the Black Press not just with applause — but with subscription and advertisement?

Our history teaches us this: Progress is not self-sustaining. It must be defended.

Black History Month is ending. The work is not.

And as we often say at the Westside Gazette: We are deeply rooted — and we shall not be

moved.

But roots only matter if we continue to grow.

Frankly Speaking

It’s probably wrong to call the

President a MF but it’s crazy to

call this MF President!

By W. Frank Wilson

Do we really need

our Tuesday TV viewing

interrupted with the orange

one’s State of Union address?

At a time when DC should

be granted Statehood, we

witness on an hourly basis a

President who resides in three

states, Confusion, Chaos and

Amnesia.

We know that the name

itself is a misnomer because

there’s very little union

anywhere.

Pea brains are attempting

to resolve watermelon ideas

and are failing miserably.

This tone deaf President

would do this nation he

claims to love a great favor

by resigning. But, we know

he’s not about to do that

and shutting the hell up is

certainly not on the agenda.

I would have said on his

mind but I dare not insult you

by suggesting that Trump,

mind and sense be used in the

same sentence!

When your Speaker of the

House denies a request for the

body of Jesse Jackson to lie in

state at the Capitol, where’s

the union?

Jesse’s legacy will not

be tarnished by this small

minded gesture because he’s

more man dead than Mike

Johnson is alive!

When the President

berates The Supreme Court,




BUSINESS

UNITY IN THE

COMMUNITY DIRECTORY

Deeply Rooted

Don’t Let 2026 Wreak

Havoc With Payroll


Predatory lenders target

Americans struggling

to pay high rent:

New report charts the rise and dangers

of “Rent Now, Pay Later” loans

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)

FRANCINE

Your Tailor

Alterations For

Men & Women & Kids

Cell: (754) 274-8537

A: 784 NW 91st Terrace

Submitted by Anthony Brunson, P.A. Certified Public

Accountant & Business Advisor

Some companies pay employees weekly.

Others pay twice a month. Every

other week is also popular. Company

policies, industry traditions, and state

and federal regulations all play a role

in choices. Usually everything works

out for everyone, but 2026 is special.

Thanks to a rare calendar quirk, everyother-week

companies are facing some

hard choices.

At first, the math looks simple:

52 weeks a year, divided by 2, equals 26 paychecks a year.

However, that means a slight discrepancy of one day in normal

years or two days in leap years because a 14-day period does

not divide evenly into 365 or 366. Those discrepancies add up,

and about every 11 years, they add an extra payday.

So what happens?

In 2026, a biweekly company might start its first payday

of the year on Jan. 2 and issue its 26th and supposedly final

paycheck on Dec. 18. The next paycheck should be Jan. 1, 2027.

But that’s a legal holiday — so the employee should be paid on

Dec. 31. That’s 27 paychecks.

Companies usually budget for a year’s worth of salaries. But

this extra paycheck throws this off. Take someone who earns

$78,000 a year. The employee gets a gross paycheck of $3,000

every two weeks: $3,000 x 26 = $78,000. But with that Dec. 31

paycheck, that employee earns an extra $3,000. Multiply that

extra by even a dozen employees and you’re talking about real

money.

The most obvious solution is changing the previous “divide

by 26” formula to “divide by 27” for 2026. But this isn’t perfect.

Even after companies explain it, employees may be emotionally

unprepared to see that each paycheck is now slightly less.

Sometimes, state rules require companies to notify employees

well in advance about such changes.

There’s also an issue regarding money taken out for benefits

and 401(k) plans, for example. How do you account for these

in a 27-period year? Companies can easily run into complex

federal and state rules with such changes.

Also, even this relatively small change could send some

employees below federal or state thresholds that divide exempt

from nonexempt, making them eligible for overtime. Even if a

company decides to go with this solution, it may face accounting

issues.

The bottom line

So what to do? Pick up your phone and call your payroll

professional. The sooner you tackle this, the easier it will be to

solve this problem and the more options you will have.

$250 left each month for all other daily living expenses after

paying for housing.

Ben Kaufman, a senior

fellow with Protect Borrowers

(formerly known as the

Student Borrower Protection

Center), and the report’s

coauthor, said these findings

are a call to action.

“With political leadership

at the federal level sabotaging

consumer protection, it’s

critical that state and local

lawmakers, policymakers,

and law enforcement take

action to safeguard Americans

from being pushed deeper into

debt just from paying their

rent,” said Kaufman.

The report recommends

several ways federal and state

governments can effectively

address these practices:

Federal, state, and local

law enforcement officials

should investigate and

prosecute Rent Now, Pay

Later firms for violating

federal and state consumer

protections.

Prudential regulators

(as defined in the Federal

Deposit Insurance Act)

should supervise and, where

necessary, enforce federal

banking laws against banks

engaged in Rent Now, Pay

Later lending.

States should exercise

their power under federal law



Photo Credit: Center for Responsible Lending

Graph Cutline: CRL charts the rise in essential household

costs

By Charlene Crowell

As America’s affordability crisis worsens, predatory lenders

now are targeting renters with misleading “rent now pay later”

options that extract additional fees every month and heighten

the risk of eviction for 109 million renters.

A new investigative report, RENT NOW, PAIN LATER:

How “Rent Now, Pay Later Loans” Put Working People at

Risk, shares how these lenders are pushing loan products that

involve hidden high costs, misleading claims and deceptive

practices that push already-underpaid workers further into

debt. Further, the fine print in these loans builds in abuses

that deny consumers a legal right to challenge the fraudulent

practices or to recover their hard-earned monies.

“These shady financial products—designed to take

advantage of desperate renters—appear to involve all kinds

of potential lawlessness. Any true affordability agenda must

involve taking on the predatory cottage industry sprouting

up around our rental market,” said David Seligman, coauthor

of the report and executive director of Towards Justice, a

nonprofit organization working to achieve economic justice in

the workplace.

According to the report, “Rising rent is driving families into

debt and financial predators are exploiting families’ hardship

by harvesting junk fees and masking the true cost of credit.

Over time, these junk fees and junk products, often with

multiple payments, can cost working families thousands of

dollars, entrenching a reality where affordability is always just

out of reach.”

To evade state-enacted consumer protection laws, these

lenders typically partner with banks that are willing to lend

out their charters to the highest bidder, a practice also known

as “rent-a-bank” agreements. Once the bank gets its fees for

the deception, unsuspecting consumers are then left dealing

with standalone companies that charge “membership” fees

that disguise interest and fee costs equivalent to 180 percent

annual percentage rates.

Many borrowers find that these lenders consistently fail

to deliver their advertised services or basic customer support,

leaving them facing imminent eviction.

The emergence of this new kind of predatory loan coincides

with increasing financial stress experienced by many of today’s

families. According to the National Association of Realtors’

most recent update on rental costs, the average monthly rental

cost in the nation’s top 50 metro areas last November was

$1,693. Further, only one in five families in these areas could

afford this cost.

Other findings from RENT NOW, PAIN LATER reveal that

from 1990 to 2025, the average cost of renting in an American

city more than tripled. Updated estimates show that:

More than half of renter households spend over 30 percent

of their income on housing, affecting 22 million households, or

about 55 million people;

More than one in four renter households spend over half of their

income on housing, affecting more than 12 million households,

or about 30 million people;

Renter households with incomes of $30,000 or less have only


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


(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) What is the only unpardonable sin in scripture?

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

‘fruit of the spirit’?

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

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

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

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

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

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

what style of preaching is this?

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

made from the papyrus reed.

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

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

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

scripture; 8) Expository preaching

Good Morning from Osswald Park! Members of New

Mount Olive Baptist Church Prayer Ministry Warriors gather

beneath the shade of a sprawling oak tree during their

2026 Prayer Walk at Osswald Park on February 21, 2026,

in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. United in faith, fellowship,

and purpose, the group lifted prayers for their church,

community, and nation—walking in strength and standing

together in hope

UN warns of widespread child

trafficking by gangs in Haiti

from Front Page

social protection mechanisms. Children must be at the center

of our response to the security crisis in Haiti,” said Carlos Ruiz

Massieu, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General

in Haiti and Chief of BINUH.

The UN recommends a seven-pillar, human rights-centered

strategy, including expanding social protection for vulnerable

families, reinforcing schools as protective spaces, creating childfriendly

spaces outside schools, increasing youth employment

opportunities, ensuring rights-compliant law enforcement,

prioritizing rehabilitation over punishment, and improving

accountability for traffickers.

Türk added that the newly-created Gang Suppression Force

must respect children's rights in all operations and called for

strict enforcement of the UN arms embargo to stem the flow of

weapons fueling the cycle of violence.


Rev. Graylan Scott Hagler,

civil, social and economic

rights activist, dies at 71

By Jay Jackson

(Source: AFRO)

The AFRO is deeply

saddened to learn of the death

of Rev. Graylan Scott Hagler,

the activist who fought

valiantly for civil and human

rights, economic justice,

adequate housing for all and

peace.

Hagler was a fixture in

the D.C. community and was

pastor emeritus of Plymouth

Congregational United

Church of Christ at the time of

his death. He served in senior

leadership at the church for

30 years. The congregation

announced via social media

that Hagler died in the early

morning hours of Feb.17.

At 71, Hagler refused

to let his health and age

keep him on the sidelines.

Even in his last year of life

he was seen at protests in

the District, calling for an

end to the National Guard

presence in D.C. Just days

before he died, he published

his last newsletter. Though

he was ill, he mustered the

strength to encourage all to

resist the fascism, greed and

lawlessness being promoted

and encouraged in America.

Today, the AFRO sends a

salute to Rev. Graylan Scott

Hagler, the man who refused

to be silenced when it came

to making change and “good

trouble.”

Lil Poppa died by suicide

after car crash in Georgia

Jessica Schladebeck/New York Daily News/TNS

(Source: Florida Courier)

Florida rapper Lil Poppa died by suicide, fatally shooting

himself in the head after crashing his car in Georgia earlier

this week, according to a report.

The 25-year-old performer, born Janarious Mykel Wheeler,

was involved in a single-vehicle accident Wednesday on

Interstate 85 south in Hapeville, Hapeville Chief of Police

Bruce Hedley told TMZ. Then, he called his manager asking

for advice. He explained to her that the car was still drivable,

so she told Wheeler to meet her in a nearby parking lot at a

Hilton hotel, the report said.

When she arrived, Lil Poppa remained inside his car, and

they chatted through his rolled down window. It is not clear

what they were discussing, but at some point during the

conversation, the rapper pulled out a firearm and used it to

shoot himself in the head, Headley said.

An off-duty officer already at the Hilton heard the gunshot

and called 911.

Lil Poppa was then rushed to an area hospital, where he was

pronounced dead a short time later.

Wheeler released his most recent single, “Out of Town Bae,”

last week, and he was slated to perform in New Orleans next

month. His debut album, “Blessed, I Guess,” was released back

in 2021, and he later signed with rapper Yo Gotti’s Collective

Music Group. He recorded several hits there, including “Love

& War, “Mind Over Matter,”

and “Happy Tears.”

THIS MONTH

AND ALWAYS,

WE

CELEBRATE

THE HEART,

SOUL

AND

CONTINUED

CONTRIBUTIONS

OF THE

AFRICAN

AMERICAN

COMMUNITY.

Photo: AFRO Photo / Alexis Taylor

Deeply Rooted

A Good Sheperd's Funeral Home

& Cremation Services Central

Woodrow

Armstrong, Jr.

Celebration

Of Life

February 21st

at Word of the

Living God

Ministries.

Reginald Bowe

Celebration

Of Life

February 14th

at

Chapel.

Alonso Hart

Celebration

Of Life

February 16th

at

The

Faith

Center.

Merin Gooden

Celebration

Of Life

March 3rd

at

Event

Center.

Jessie Curtis

Johnson

Celebration

Of Life

February 21st

at

Worldwide

Christian Center.

Ricky Johnson

Celebration

Of Life

February 28th

at

Hopewell

Baptist

Church.

Jean Marie

Louis

Celebration

Of

Life

February 28th

at The

Event

Center.

Obituaries

Death and Funeral Notices

Casey Myers Love And Grace

Funeral And Cremation Service


VIEW OBITUARIES ONLINE


Announcements:

*In Memoriam *Death Notices *Happy Birthdays

*Card of Thanks *Remembrances

Queen Ester

Redding

Celebration

Of Life

February 28th

at Mount

Nebo Baptist

Church.

Ruthleen

Symonette

Viewing

Service

will be held

February 28th

at Kingdom Hall

Of Jehova

Witness.

Ce’miayha

Angilot

Funeral

Service

will be held

February 28th at

The Gospel

Arena Of Faith.

Rosaline

Greensword

William

McNair, Sr.

Funeral

Service

will be held

February 28th

at New Birth

House of Prayer

for all People.

Mateisha

Moody

Funeral

Service

will be held

February 28th at

The Gospel

Arena

Of Faith.

Willie Moses

Roberson

Funeral

Service

will be held

February 28th

at The Gospel

Arena Of Faith.

(954) 525-1489

Clinton Allen –

77

Funeral

Service

was held

February 20th at

James C. Boyd’s

Memorial Chapel

with Rev. Jack

Davis, Jr. officiating.

Beverly Anita

Anderson – 72

Funeral Service

was held

February 21st

at Church of God

Prophecy with

Min. Leantra

Calvert officiating.

Willie Bean - 87

La'Neatra

Sierra

Monique

Elizabeth

Brown - 34

Funerl

Service was

held February

20 at James C.

Boyd's Memorial Chapel.

Diego Cuz – 68.

Bernard Ellison

- 66

Funeral Service

was held

February 21st at

James C. Boyd’s

Memorial

Chapel with

Pastor Timonthy

Jackson officiating.

Sharon Landers

- 68

Funeral Service

was held

February 21st

at Pentecostal

Temple Revival

Center with

Bishop Tony

Mitchell officiating.

Mary Jane

Pollock – 70

Funeral

Service

was held

February 21st

at Gospel Arena

of Faith Church

with Overseer Dr.

Cheryl E. Powell

officiating.

Mark A. Thomas

- 48

Funeral

Service

was held

February 21st

at True

Pentecostal

Church of God

with Overseer

Daryl Barber officiating.

McWhite’s Funeral Home

Freddy Austin

Funeral Service

was held

February 21st

at

McWhite’s

Funeral

Home.

James Broome

– 80

Funeral Service

was held

February 21st

at McWhite’s

Funeral Home

Chapel.

Phaniya T.

McKay

Funeral

Service

was held

February 21

at McWhite's

Funeral Home

Chapel.

Lucienne

Mones

Funeral Service

was held

February 21st at

Free Bethlehem

Baptist

Church.

Jacqueline

Denise

Pughsley

Funeral

Service

was held

February 21st

McWhite’s

Funeral Home.

Roy Mizell & Kurtz Funeral Home

Wallace

Clayton

Funeral

Service was

held February

21st at Roy

Mizell & Kurtz

Funeral Home

with Rev.

Michael Davis

officiating.

McKinley

Walker – 87

Funeral

Service

was held

February 19th

at Roy Mizell

& Kurtz

Funeral Home.


The Giants of Sequoia National Park

Include Two Black Men!

By Audrey Peterman

On this 100 th anniversary

Black History Month tour,

I want to whisk us all away

to experience the legacy of

two African American giants

among the Giant Sequoias

of Sequoia National Park

in California. We will get

a glimpse of the incredibly

brilliant Brigadier Charles

Young, and his deep humility

that led to a giant sequoia

being named in honor of

Booker T. Washington in the

Giant Grove, 1903.

At the time he was a

Colonel, one of the first

African American graduates

of West Point, an experience

he said he wouldn’t wish on

his worst enemy. Throughout

his time no one spoke to him,

and he ate alone at a table as

everyone avoided him. The

poet, musician and a veteran

of US wars against Native

Americans in the American

West and against natives in

the jungles of the Philippines

Captain Young arrived in

Sequoia in June 1903. With

him were 93 “Buffalo Soldiers”

from Troops I and M of the

Ninth US Cavalry and three

white officers.

Picture these soldiers, having

ridden hard for 16 days from

the Presidio of San Francisco

high up into this sacred forest

of thousands-year-old living

witnesses to the passage

of time on Earth. I have no

doubt the 2000-3000-yearold

giant sequoias were just

as elated to see them as the

Buffalo Soldiers were to see

this ancient forest. Their

mission was to build a road

into the forest that would

allow privileged travelers

to see the giant trees. They

were so dedicated. the records

show that in one summer

they built as many roads as

the combined results of three

previous summers.

The citizens of nearby

Visalia were so impressed

LEGAL NOTICES

IN THE CIRCUIT

COURT FOR THE

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 CircuitCourt’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 26, 2026

Brenda D. Forman

Clerk of the Circuit Court

Bjan Craig, Deputy Clerk

February 5, 12, 19, 26, March 5, 2026

HELP WANTED

OPERATION MGR. For a

Food Ind. Bus. Min Ed: Bs Bus. Admin.,

Ops Mgmt., Ind. Eng., Food

Sci. Min Exp: 12 Mo. Mail Res To:

AUN-SS LLC, 12801 W. SUNRISE

BLVD. Ste. 963. Sunrise, FL 33323

February 12, 19, 26, March 5, 12, 2026

that community leaders

insisted that one of the giant

sequoias should be named

in Col Young’s honor. He

refused, asserting that these

living beings should not be

diminished by the attachment

of any human’s name. He

capitulated only when it

was agreed that the person

honored would be Booker T.

Washington, who was his

contemporary.

The Booker T. Washington

giant sequoia was selected

and named in 1903, but by the

late 20th Century had fallen

into obscurity. Then, early in

the 21st century newly retired

Californian George Palmer

learned about the Buffalo

Soldiers’ story and pressed

for the park to observe the

Centennial of their service.

“I was so happy! I got in

touch with Booker T’s great

grandson, Ted Jackson, who

is a district superintendent

with California State Parks.

I invited him to go see the

tree with me and as we were

driving up the mountain,

he asked me if I would get

out much into the Sequoia

backcountry. He seemed to

be terribly familiar with the

environment here. Then I

found out that he used to be

a ranger here at the park and

still camps out frequently in

the backwoods.

“I took him to the tree. I’d just

found it and the image I used

to find was a fax of a Xerox, so

it is quite low quality, but it

had a couple of distinguishing

features. So, we’re standing

at the tree, and he looks at

the picture and says, kind of

incredulous,

“ ‘Is this the picture you

used? Are you sure this is the

right tree?’

“I got a sick feeling in the

pit of my stomach. Then. At

almost the same instant Ted

looked at the trunk and there,

exactly where the photo

shows that a sign had hung,

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,

accessible ATM for often less than many banks or other establishments may

charge. And we do all this, from early in the morning to late at night, 365 days

a year with many branches open 24-hours!

Deeply Rooted

was a large old nail!

“That was the clincher. It was

an unbelievably experience. .

.”

I was privileged to be there

in 2003 for the centennial

celebrations. A giant sequoia

was named in honor of

Col. Young a few years

later, and in 2024 it was

renamed to commemorate

the posthumous promotion of

Brigadier General Young.

Millions of people from

all over the world come to

Sequoia every year to visit the

giant ancient trees. It’s urgent

that more African Americans

venture out to our National

Parks to appreciate and be

inspired by our fantastic

history.

(Audrey Peterman is a

national award-winning

champion for the national

parks, environment and

people. She is co-founder of

The Diverse Environmental

Leaders Speakers Bureau,

DELNSB.org)

78

4

6 3

MIAMI RED

889

817

HOT

LEAD NUMBER

5

Pick 2

716/783

31

65421

POWERBALL

05-11-23-29-47 6 2x

DP 15-20-27-31-58 44

JUNE

63

11

58

NUMBERS (2-DAY

RESULTS) Send Self

Addressed Envelope and

$10.00 to:

C.L.HENRY or S.H. ROBINSON

P.O.BOX 5304

FORT LAUDERDALE, FL 33310

For Entertainment

Purpose Only!

MAY

88

12

BLACK HISTORY

T-SHIRTS

On Sale Now

at 545 NW 7th Terr., Fort

Lauderdale, Fl 33311

Call -- (945) 646-0330 or

(954) 525-1489

T-SHIRTS PRICES

*KIDS - $13

( ADULTS SIZES)

*SM-$13.00

* MED-$14.50

* LG $15.20

* XL-$16.00

* 2X-$17.00

* 3X-$18.00

* 4X-5X - $20.00

CASH APP

(954) 646-0330

IN MORE STYLES

AND COLOR

APRIL

57

89

13

MAR.

44

58

99

14

FEB.

34

45

59

00

15

49

27

35

46

66

02

16

PROFILES

FEBRUARY

26

28

36

47

67

03

17

29

37

48

68

04

33

38

49

69

05

JULY

39

AUG

55 56

77 78 79

06 07 07 09

18 19 22 23 23 25

has since disavowed, but not

undone.

Alabama fixed the law.

Jeffery Lee is still paying the

price for when it was broken.

During Black History

Month, states routinely

acknowledge past injustices

without confronting their

present consequences. Mr.

Lee’s case raises a stark

question: What does it mean

to recognize injustice if the

people harmed by it remain

trapped inside its legacy?

With Governor Kay Ivey

expected to set additional

execution dates following

the scheduled execution of

Sonny Burton, the urgency

surrounding Mr. Lee’s case

continues to grow. His

sentence stands as a direct

artifact of a system Alabama

has rejected, yet continues to

enforce.

Mr. Lee’s legal team and

advocates are available for

interviews and can provide



SEPT.

CAPRICORN AQUARIUS PISCES ARIES TAURUS GEMINI

24-43-12 18-26-65 35-34-16 15-43-29 71-65-74 35-48-19

13

13

CANCER LEO VIRGO LIBRA SCORPIO SAGITTARIUS

28-21-49 28-18-06 37-19-43 02-51-27 31-65-03 14-28-07-

WHAT HOTS? 94-32-19-44-65

LATEST LOTTERY RESULT as of Tuesday, February 26 at 5 p.m.

Pick 3

3216/8313

45

52

JACKPOT Triple Play

06-09-13-16-21-36

Pick 4 Pick 5

02096 /17223

FEBRUARY 26, 2026

29

032786/094763

FANTASY 5

Mid Feb. 24) 02-16-21-25-32

Evening. Feb 23) 07-09-21-24-32


Black History Month, Unfinished: Alabama’s

Abolished Death Law Still Decides Who Lives

By Alisha at Amplify

Black History Month is

often framed around progress,

landmark rulings, civil rights

victories, and moments when

the law finally caught up with

justice. But in Alabama, some

of the most consequential

chapters of that history

remain unresolved.

Jeffery Lee remains under

a death sentence imposed not

by a jury, but by a judge using

Alabama’s now-abolished

judicial override law. The jury

in Mr. Lee’s case voted for

life. The state overruled that

decision.

Judicial override allowed

judges to impose death

sentences even when juries

rejected them, a practice

Alabama repealed in 2017

after years of criticism for its

arbitrariness, unreliability,

and susceptibility to political

and racial bias. Alabama was

the last state in the country to

eliminate it.

Override did not exist in

(c) Jeffery Lee

a vacuum. It emerged during

an era when Black defendants

were disproportionately

sentenced to death, often in

cases where juries showed

hesitation about imposing

the ultimate punishment.

Judicial override gave judges

the power to impose death

anyway, a power the state

19

15

28

47

OCT.

NOV.

DEC.

18

62

89

CASH4LIFE

20-25-30-52-55 22 4

32

233

66

34

99

49

FLORIDA MEGA MILLION

15-40-48-58-63 2

75

Doublues

LOTTO

09-14-21-27-49-50

01-09-10-25-30-51

19

FRUITS, FRUITS & FRUITS

SOFT SHELL SWEET & OIL

PECANS $7 a bag

ALSO BEE HONEY -- $5 A PACK

AND THE BEST BOIL & ROASTED

PEANUTS ON THE PLANET,

PERIOD! QUART BAGS $10.00.

I am sorry it had to come this No

more FREE:

Onions, Bell Peppers, Tomatoes

and Potatoes.

Prices increase as of Jan. 1, 2025

CALL FORD -- (954) 557-1203.


SPORTS

Nunnie on the Sideline

By Nunnie Robinson, WG Sports Editor

As we culminate Black History Month,

I wanted to illuminate some of the forgotten

gems of the past, many of whose

contributions were overshadowed, marginalized

and too often buried in dark

days of segregation and Jim Crow.

Jockey Issac Murphy, the most dominant

jockey in racing history, won his

first race at 14, and went on to have the

best record in racing history. He won the

Kentucky Derby 3 times and 628 victories

overall, becoming the highest paid

athlete earning $20,000 a year in the

1880s. He was inducted into the very

Racing Hall of Fame class, undoubtedly

the greatest jockey of his era. In the first Kentucky Derby

in 1875, 13 of the 15 jockeys were Black. Of the first 28 races

Black jockeys won 15 of those races. However, the larger society

decided that this was unexceptionable and through violence,

intimidation and exclusion cleansed the sport of Black

jockeys by 1

In cycling Marshall Major Taylor, born November 26 in Indianapolis,

Indiana, was the fastest rider in the world, winning

thousands of dollars in races as bicyclist in front of myriad fans

in an indoor arena called a veladrome. A military jacket that

he often adorned gave him the nickname “Major.” By the age

of 20, he was a national and international world champion. Cycling

in the late 1800s and early 20th century was more popular

than boxing or baseball. He was so dominant that he was

given other worldly monikers like the Cyclone or Whirlwind. It

is documented that despite his success, he was confronted with

the vagaries of segregation and prejudice. He died penniless,

relatively young at age 53.

• Fritz Pollard was the first in many arenas: only African

American student/athlete at his Chicago high school Lane Tech

- the first athlete to play in the Rose Bowl, the first to play in

the NFL and the first to become a NFL head coach. He attended

Brown University, was a WWI veteran, and led the Akron

Pros to the then AFL championship in 1920. His success as

a professional player/coach was frowned upon by his cronies,

fellow coaches and owners, a collusion ensued, the Akron Pros

disbanded and for 13 years no Blacks played in the league. The

very obstacles that many refer to as America’s original sin (

segregated housing, unable to eat in same restaurants with

teammates and having to suffer the physical abuse on the field

and verbal taunts) inspired the deplorable actions leading to

Mr. Pollard’s sudden disappearance from professional football.

Undaunted, he formed an all Black team in the Chicago area

and in 2003 was posthumously inducted into the NFL Hall of

Fame.

• Despite the barriers - physical, mental, emotional and moral

- pioneering Black American athletes in all sports made tremendous

strides in their quest for the American dream.

Deeply Rooted

HBCU

women’s

wrestlers

make

history in

NCAA

regionals

Photo: Delaware State

Women's Wrestling Instagram

By Chris Stevens

Three HBCU women’s wrestlers

made history Saturday

Delaware State’s Louise

Juitt (145 lbs.) and Icart Galumette

(117 lbs.), along with

Allen University’s Isis Severe

(131 lbs.) finished in the top

three in their weight classes

in this weekend’s NCAA

Women’s Wrestling Region

III championships.

Thanks to those placements,

the three wrestlers have advanced

to the first ever NCAA

women’s wrestling national

championships Friday March

6 and Saturday March 7.

Juitt, the first recruit to

sign with Delaware State,

advanced to the 145-pound

finals with a pin over Mount

Olive’s Savannah Chesney in

just 27 seconds in the opening

round, then won decisions

over Shonticia Taft of Lincoln

Memorial (5-0) and Frostburg

State’s Amber Hunter-Snyder

(8-1). Juitt fell short of

the gold, with Presbyterian’s

Madeline Kubicki winning

the championship bout with a

pin in the second period.

Galumette earned a firstround

bye, then defeated

Morgan Layman of Frostburg

State in a technical fall (11-0)

in the first period of the quar-



Cam Newton

using BET

money to kick

off HBCU

tailgate tour


NOTICE TO QUALIFIED FIRMS

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that Basketball Properties, Ltd. (the “Manager”) will be accepting

sealed Statements of Qualifications and Cost Proposals for:

REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS AND PROPOSALS

FOR CONSTRUCTION MANAGER SERVICES FOR

EVENT LEVEL REFRESH PROJECT AT THE KASEYA CENTER

RFP NO. 2026-01

The Manager is requesting Statements of Qualifications from General Contractors to qualify to

submit Cost Proposals to perform the Event Level Refresh Project at the Kaseya Center (the

“Arena”). Following review of the Statements of Qualifications, the Manager will request Cost

Proposals from the pre-qualified firms that satisfy the qualification requirements. Statements of

Qualifications must be received by 3:00 p.m. on Monday, March 9, 2026 (the “Qualifications

Submittal Deadline”) via email at RFPSubmission@heat.com. Cost Proposals must be

received by 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 22, 2026 (the “Submittal Deadline”) via email

at RFPSubmission@heat.com. Statements of Qualifications and Cost Proposals received

after the applicable time deadline will not be considered. The Cost Proposals will be publicly

opened at Gate 4 immediately after the Submittal Deadline.

THE PROJECT

The project generally consists of interior improvements to three existing Club spaces and one

alternate space on the Event Level of the Kaseya Center, involving approximately 29,000

square feet of total project space. The project generally consists of: (i) removal of existing

finishes (floors, ceilings, walls, millwork), existing electrical, existing HVAC, existing plumbing,

select food service equipment and telecom/data equipment; (ii) furnishing and installing: (a)

new finishes including flooring, ceilings, walls, millwork and other finish materials, (b) new

electrical work including lighting, lighting controls, distribution panels, transformers, conduit,

cabling, electrical devices and food service equipment connections, (c) new HVAC systems

including AHUs, VAV boxes, supply and return ductwork, controls and food service equipment

connections, (d) new plumbing systems to include supply, waste and vent piping, restroom

fixtures and food service equipment connections, and (e) new telecom/data equipment, cabling

and raceways and new raceways, closets and devices for AV and Teledata systems; (iii)

furnishing and installing new bars, new and renovated kitchens, new food service equipment,

and new bar equipment; and (iv) providing for adjustments and/or additions to the existing

fire alarm and fire suppression systems in accordance with the Contract Documents, which

all must be performed and completed on a strict construction schedule that aligns with the

Arena event schedule (the “Project”). The Contractor shall provide complete construction

management services for the Project, including but not limited to determining efficient means

and methods to execute the construction activities, procurement of trades (as necessary),

assuming, coordinating, and managing subcontracts, coordination with the Manager, the

Manager’s Representative and Project architect/engineer, coordination of new furniture,

fixtures, and millwork purchased by the Manager, the development and execution of an

approved Site Logistics/Site Utilization plan, the implementation of a project specific health

and safety plan (HASP), and a detailed schedule and associated procurement plan for the

Contractor’s execution and completion of required construction services and turnover of the

work to the Manager.

The Manager intends to contract with a highly qualified firm(s) to perform the Project in a timely

and efficient manner that enables the Manager to maintain an active sports and entertainment

Arena schedule. The Project shall be performed according to high-quality standards that

will enable the structure to remain a first-class facility. The Project must be completed and

accepted by the Manager and AHJ by September 18, 2026.

The successful firm shall be required to adhere to Miami-Dade County’s small business

participation measures applicable to the Project and to submit monthly progress reports and

compliance documentation to Miami-Dade County’s Small Business Development Office.

AVAILABILITY OF RFP DOCUMENTS

Interested parties may request an electronic version of the Request for Proposals for the

Project (the “RFP”) by emailing RFPSubmission@heat.com.

EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

Firms submitting Statements of Qualifications shall satisfy all of the following requirements in

order to qualify for participation in the Cost Proposal portion of this RFP process:

HBCU Legacy Bowl: Standout performances,

rising stock, and NFL eyes watching

By Kendrick Marshall

(Source: HBCU Sports)

The 2026 Allstate HBCU Legacy Bowl was billed as a showcase

of draft hopefuls.

It turned into a resume-building stage for a handful of players

who turned likely NFL scouting notebooks in their direction

on Saturday.

Here are the takeaways from the fifth annual game and who

shined:

The best offensive player on the field was a CIAA running

back Winston-Salem State running back JaQuan Kelly led the

way, earning Offensive Most Valuable Player honors in Team

Gaither’s 27–23 victory over Team Robinson.

Kelly rushed for 76 yards on 10 carries and became the only

player to score twice, first breaking free on a 22-yard sprint

to the outside for Team Gaither’s opening touchdown, then

punching in a short second-half score that ultimately stood as

the winning margin.

His combination of burst and finishing power gave concrete

backing to a week of buzz that he could be one of the game’s

biggest risers.

On the other side of the ball, South Carolina State defensive

end Michael Lunz II was named Defensive Most Valuable

Player.

Lunz finished with 1.5 sacks and two tackles, but his impact

stretched beyond the stat sheet: he blew up an early drive almost

single-handedly. He delivered a goal-line tackle that preceded

a critical end-zone interception in the second half.

That effort was punctuated by Delaware State edge rusher

Quincy Robinson, who delivered the game’s defining play in the

final 74 seconds. With Team Robinson driving and trailing by

four, Robinson came off the edge for a strip sack that snuffed

out the comeback bid and allowed Team Gaither to kneel out

the clock.

Robinson entered the week with a reputation as a high-motor

pass rusher after a disruptive 2025 season and multiple splash

games on tape, and his closing burst in a two-minute situation

gave him a signature moment for scouts to remember.


Cam Newton watches the

2023 Celebration Bowl.

(Steven J. Gaither/HBCU

Gameday photo)

By Shaun White

(Source: HBCU News)

Cam Newton is putting his

money behind the culture, reinvesting

earnings from his

short-lived TV run to launch

an HBCU-focused “4th & 1”

College Tailgate Tour.

The former NFL MVP has

been talking about this lane

for a while. -style platform

around HBCU football. He

even framed it as the kind

of partnership Pat McAfee

has carved out — personality-driven,

creator-led, and

big enough to move audiences

on its own. That pitch signaled

he wasn’t interested in

a one-off segment or occasional

appearance. He wanted a

consistent, high-energy stage

for Black college football and

everything around it.

After the end of his brief

show run, Newton is now taking

the next step by funding

the vi-sion himself. Promotional

materials indicate he

plans to reinvest his personal

earnings to build an independent,

multi-city tour centered

on the “4th & 1 with Cam

Newton” tailgate experience.

Instead of waiting on a network

deal to come together,

Newton is positioning the

tour as a direct-to-community

project that brings the cameras

to the yard.

Gameday atmospheres at

- Shall have been continuously incorporated for a minimum of the past seven years;

- Shall have been in business as a general contractor for a minimum of the past ten years;

- Shall have served as the general contractor and successfully completed: (1) a minimum

of three projects within the past seven years each of which (a) had a cost of $15,000,000

or more, (b) were within the United States, (c) had a project duration of six months or

less, and (d) consisted of premium suite or club refresh projects with high class finishes

within active sports and/or entertainment venues/buildings of a size, scope and complexity

similar to the Project.

Firms that have experience within the past five years of working with County registered

SBD subcontractors to satisfy Miami Dade County Small Business Development Office

small business participation measures are strongly preferred. Firms that have successfully

completed projects within the past five years that consisted of coordinating owner/manager

furnished equipment into a complex construction project of a size, scope and complexity

similar to the Project are strongly preferred.

Statements of Qualifications shall be submitted in accordance with the procedures set forth in

the RFP, using the form(s) provided in the RFP. Any questions concerning this Notice or the

RFP qualifications process shall be submitted to the Manager by email at RFPSubmission@

heat.com by 3:00 p.m. on Monday, March 2, 2026.

MANDATORY PRE-PROPOSAL CONFERENCE

A mandatory pre-proposal conference for firms deemed qualified through the RFQ process

will commence promptly at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, March 18, 2026 in person at the

Kaseya Center. All qualified firms planning to submit Cost Proposals are required to have a key

member of the firm’s proposed project team attend this conference. Failure of a firm, including

a key member of the firm’s proposed project team, to be present for the entire conference,

beginning at the time stated above and concluding at the dismissal of the mandatory preproposal

conference by the Manager, shall render a firm to be deemed non-responsive and

their Cost Proposal shall not be considered for award. Decisions of the Manager shall be final.

The official clock at the location of the mandatory pre-proposal conference shall govern.

All firms are advised that the Manager has not authorized the use of the name, likeness or

other intellectual property rights of the Manager, the Arena, Kaseya, or the Miami Heat and

that any such use by unauthorized persons is strictly prohibited to the fullest extent permitted

by law.

The Manager reserves the right to reject any and all Statements of Qualifications or Cost

Proposals, to waive any informality in a Statement of Qualifications or Cost Proposal and to

make awards in the best interests of the Manager and the Arena.

HBCUs to be explored

The concept leans into

what makes Saturdays at an

HBCU unique: the tailgates,





COMMUNITY-BASED CONNECTIONS, INC. CELEBRATES THE GRAND

OPENING OF ITS FIRST PALM BEACH COUNTY OFFICE IN RIVIERA

BEACH DEDICATED TO PRESERVING AND SUSTAINING FAMILIES

$6.25 million, five-year federal grant will allow the nonprofit organization to serve Palm Beach County

Submitted by Michael

Goodman

FORT LAUDERDALE,

FL -- Community-Based

Connections, Inc. (CBCI),

a nonprofit organization

dedicated to delivering

youth development,

family strengthening, and

community empowerment

services to underserved

populations, together with the

City of Riviera Beach, recently

celebrated the grand opening

of its new office located at

3100 Broadway Avenue in

Riviera Beach. This marks

the organization’s expansion

into Palm County following 16

years of measurable success

in Broward County.

The special event was

attended by local dignitaries,

business and civic leaders

and community supporters

including City of Riviera

Beach Mayor Douglas

Lawson and Palm Beach

County Commissioner

Gregg Weiss.

The expansion of CBCI

into Palm Beach County is

made possible through a firsttime

$6.25 million, five-year

federal grant which will allow

it to continue its mission

of providing services that

preserve and sustain families.

CBCI was one of 38 agencies

nationwide selected to receive

this prestigious grant.

“Community-Based

Connections is proud to expand

our footprint into Palm Beach

County with the mission

to preserve and sustain

families,” said Mikelange

Olbel, CEO of Community

Based Connections, Inc.

“For more than 16 years,

we have developed proven

models of care to strengthen

families which we will now

offer in both counties. This

will have a lasting impact on

every member of the family

and help to build a stronger

community.”

CBCI’s new location

will house up to eight staff

members including case

managers, facilitators and

support specialists. CBCI

presently employs a variety of

successful initiatives centered

around family.

A key initiative of the

Riviera Beach expansion

will be The H.E.A.R.T.

(Helping Every Area of

Relationships Thrive) Family

Strengthening Program, a

five-year program designed

to help adults and couples

strengthen relationships,

improve parenting, and build

family stability through

workshops, personalized

support, and services like

childcare, transportation,

and counseling. H.E.A.R.T is

part of CBCI’s Awesome Dads

Awesome Men (A.D.A.M.),

a free fatherhood mentoring

program, which takes an

evidence-based approach,

recognizing the needs of

fathers and the significant

impact they have on their

children and families. The

goal is to educate men about

relationships, children,

The Sistrunk Family Feud

parenting, and more in a

non-threatening environment

to prevent mistreatment of

children in the home and

“We are thrilled that

our inaugural Sistrunk

Family Feud event was

such a tremendous success,”

Henrietta Davis shared with

a smile. “We plan to patent it

and establish it as an annual

tradition, serving as a prelude

to the Festival for generations

to come. So, start organizing

your family teams now to

compete in the next Sistrunk

Family Feud!”

to improve and eliminate

the number and severity of

family crisis events. This is

in addition to supporting men

in workforce training and

development.

For more information

about CBCI, visit www.

communitybasedconnections.

com.

About Community-Based

Connections, Inc.

Community-Based

Connections, Inc. (CBCI) is

a nonprofit human services

organization with more

than 16 years of expertise in

delivering youth development

advocacy and family resilience

strengthening programs,

plus health and community

empowerment initiatives to

underserved populations in

Broward County. CBCI was

founded upon the belief that

service providers who have

natural ties to the community

are in the best position to

help improve the odds of

youth and family success. The

CBCI mission is to expand the

options available to children –

from cradle to college - that



and See more photos

The Sistrunk Historical

Organization, in partnership

with Smitty’s Wings, proudly

hosted its 1st Annual Sistrunk

Family Feud Edition. The

event brought together six

high-energy teams for a funfilled,

fast-paced game show

celebrating Black culture and

the rich history of Sistrunk.

Although it was an

unusually chilly South Florida

evening, the atmosphere

inside was warm and inviting.

Audience members and

contestants alike filled the

space with laughter, joy, and

heartfelt reflections on the

strength and beauty of our

culture.

Bobby Henry served

as host, delivering an

engaging and entertaining

performance. “Bobby was the

perfect host for Family Feud

and reminded me of Steve

Harvey with his purple suit

and quick-witted humor,”

said contestant Juliet Gray-

Williams, referencing the

iconic Steve Harvey, host of

the syndicated TV version of

Family Feud.

Serving as co-hostess

and game master, Janice

Hayes encouraged spirited

competition among the teams

while reminding participants

that they were already

winners because of their

enduring legacy of hope, faith,

and family. The competing

teams included the Black

Brilliants, the Charming

Charmettes, the Doolings,

the Hope Hustlers, the Real

Generation, and the WSG

Family.

Henrietta Davis,

President of the Sistrunk

Historical Organization, was

the visionary behind this

phenomenal event. Her goal

was to provide the community

with a shared space to reflect,

reminisce, and celebrate its

history and culture in the days

leading up to the upcoming

Sistrunk Festival, scheduled

for Saturday, February 28,

2026.

The Westside Gazette

Transform your PDFs into Flipbooks and boost your revenue!

Delete template?

Save as template ?