The Westside Gazette

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FT. LAUDERDALE, FL 33310
PERMIT NO. 1179
THURSDAY, MARCH 19 - MARCH 25, 2026
VOL. 55 NO. 7 $1.00
“She Was an Angel Among Us”:
Community Mourns the Passing
of Deetra Sands Durham
A MESSAGE FROM
THE PUBLISHER
By Marilyn M. Jones, Chairperson - Empowered to
Thrive, Inc. and Bobby R. Henry, Sr.
The community is mourning the loss of a woman whose
life was defined not by her challenges, but by how she
transformed them into purpose.
Deetra Sands Durham, Founder, President, and CEO
of *Empowered to Thrive, Inc., has passed, leaving behind
a legacy rooted in compassion, resilience, and unwavering
service to others. Her passing has created a profound void for
all who knew her, worked alongside her, and were touched
by her mission.
As I reflect on her life and impact, I can say without
hesitation: “She was an angel among us.”
(Cont’d on page 7)
‘Terrorist’ bill allowing
for student expulsion,
voucher losses,
clears Legislature
The Old Florida Capitol building and the Florida
Capitol viewed from Apalachee Parkway on June 26,
2025. (Jay Waagmeester/Florida Phoenix)
By Liv Caputo
(Source Florida Phoenix)
Schools tied to designated terrorist organizations must
lose their state-sponsored tuition vouchers and college
students supporting these groups must be expelled under
legislation that won final passage Thursday.
Gov. Ron DeSantis is expected to soon sign HB 1471
into law, largely because his office, according to the Tampa
Bay Times, drafted the
preliminary version of the
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The Westside Gazette Newspaper
Before the Ballot, Before
the Pulpit, Before HBCUS —
There Was the Black Press
By Bobby R. Henry, Sr.
Publisher & CEO, Westside Gazette
This week marks a moment that too few Americans recognize but one that has
profoundly shaped the course of our nation’s history.
In March of 1827, two courageous Black men—Samuel Cornish and John B.
Russwurm—published the first edition of Freedom’s Journal in New York City. With
that bold act, they established what we now know as the Black Press of America.
Their declaration in that first issue remains one of the most powerful statements in
American journalism:
“We wish to plead our own cause. Too long have others spoken for us.”
That statement did more than introduce a newspaper. It announced the birth of a
movement.
At a time when enslaved Africans were still in chains and when the voices of free
Black people were largely ignored or distorted by mainstream publications, the Black
Press became the first organized institution created by and for Black Americans to
control our narrative.
And here is a historical truth that should never be forgotten:
The Black Press came first.
Before the establishment of most Black churches as organized institutions of power
in our communities…
Before the founding of our historic Black colleges and universities…
Before the civil rights organizations that would later reshape America…
There was the Black Press.
It was the Black Press that documented injustice when others ignored it.
It was the Black Press that exposed the horrors of slavery and later the brutality of
Jim Crow.
It was the Black Press that carried the
voices of Frederick Douglass, Ida B. Wells,
Target Boycott Messaging Misstep,
Economic Accountability Continues
By Bobby R. Henry, Sr.
Westside Gazette
ATLANTA — Rev. Jamal
Bryant, the outspoken pastor of
New Birth Missionary Baptist
Church, is acknowledging what
he calls a “mistake” in how he
communicated the conclusion
of a major component of the
national boycott against
Target—a campaign that has
drawn the attention of faith
leaders, activists, and Black
consumers across the country.
Bryant, who had urged
churches and supporters to
participate in what was called
the “Target Fast,” recently
admitted that announcing
the end of that phase of the
protest created confusion
and frustration among many
supporters who believed the
broader boycott itself had been
called off.
Speaking on his podcast,
Bryant accepted responsibility
for the misunderstanding.
“I failed this week,” Bryant
said, acknowledging that
many people felt disappointed
and bewildered by the
announcement.
The Target Fast had been
promoted as a faith-based
economic protest encouraging
consumers—particularly
within the Black church—to
redirect their spending toward
Black-owned businesses and
institutions. The movement
(Cont’d on page 6)
gained traction after criticism that Target had scaled
back or retreated from some of its diversity, equity, and
inclusion (DEI) commitments.
Fast vs. Boycott
Bryant later clarified that ending the fast did not
mean ending the boycott.
According to Bryant, the fast was a symbolic and
spiritual component meant Continue reading online at:
to mobilize churches and thewestsidegazette.com
@TheWestsideGazetteNewspaper
Thursday
March 19 th
Fri
62°
75°
IF YOU WANT
OUR VOTES,
USE OUR
VOICES
An Open Letter to Black
Elected Officials — and Those
Seeking Office
By Bobby R. Henry, Sr.
Publisher & CEO, Westside
Gazette
To the Black elected
officials serving our
communities, and to those
who are seeking public office:
Let me be clear.
As another election season
approaches, our communities
once again find themselves
facing the familiar challenges
of misinformation, voter
confusion, and continued
attempts in some places to
weaken the power of the Black
vote. At times like these, the
most important weapon in
a democracy is not money or
political influence.
It is information.
And for generations,
the institutions that have
delivered that information to
our communities have been
Black-owned media.
Long before mainstream
newsrooms opened their
doors to our stories, the Black
Press stood as the voice of
the people. Our newspapers
educated newly freed men
and women. They exposed
injustice when others refused.
They mobilized communities
during the Civil Rights
Movement and carried the
message of voter registration
across the South and across
this nation.
The historic motto of the
Black Press has always been:
“Pleading Our Own
Cause.”
That cause today remains
the same, to be an informed,
engaged, and empowered
electorate.
That is why I am calling
on Black elected officials and
those aspiring to be from
across this nation to remind
(Cont’d on page 8 )
Sunny
Sunrise: 7:04am
61°
77°
62°
79°
63°
75°
Sunset: 6:05pm
Sat Sun Mon Tues
64°
80°
65°
78°
WESTSIDE GAZETTE IS A MEMBER:
National Newspaper Publishers Association (NNPA)
Southeastern African-American Publishers Association (SAAPA)
Florida Association of Black Owned Media (FABOM)

ontinues
trides in
ent loan
their student debt. Biden
said the plan aims to create
a more affordable student
PAGE 2 • MARCH 19 - MARCH 25, 2026
44,000 teachers, nurses,
firefighters, and other public
service professionals who
relief through income-driven
repayment plans will now see
their debts forgiven.
barriers preventing borrowers
from accessing the relief they
were entitled to under the law.
www.thewestsidegazette.com
Honoring My Mom and All
Mothers During Women’s
Appreciation Month
During Women’s
Appreciation Month, I
want to recognize the
woman I admire the
most—my mom. I truly
appreciate everything
she has done and still
does for our family. No
matter how hard life
gets, she always finds a way to turn a bad situation
into something better and keep us moving forward.
She has stayed strong through tough times while coparenting
and making sure our family stays together.
She didn’t just raise me and my three siblings, but also
helped raise my cousins, always making sure everyone
felt loved and supported. Watching her handle so much
with strength and care makes me proud to be her son.
At the same time, this month is also about appreciating
all mothers and mother figures everywhere who work
hard, make sacrifices, and support their families every
day. Happy Women’s Appreciation Month to my mom
and to all the amazing mothers out there who continue
to inspire their families and communities. -
Odari Gervais
List compiled by Kamar Jackson, a junior at Dillard High School
Florida A&M University’s
Chapter of the National
Society of Black Women in
Medicine - Spring 2026
Inductees
Spring 2026 New Inductees.
New Inductees, Black Men in Medicine, Membership
E-Board, and Committee E-Board.
By Satra D. Taylor
(Source Miami Times)
President Trump has
declared that he has “won
affordability.” In his State
of the Union speech, he even
bragged that he’s bringing
costs “way down on health
care and everything else.”
In reality, the Trump
administration is making
it much harder for working
families to meet their daily
needs — and to fulfill their
long-term dreams of higher
education.
The Republican tax and
spending plan adopted last
year — the so-called “Big
Beautiful Bill” — includes
huge tax giveaways to the
rich, paid for with deep cuts
to programs for working
people. The Congressional
Budget Office expects 7.5
million Americans to lose
their Medicaid insurance and
4 million to lose some or all of
their SNAP food aid benefits.
Slashing these public
assistance programs will
make it even harder for
working families to save
money for college. In fact, the
same tax law also includes
an overhaul of critical federal
student aid programs that
will destroy many young
people’s dreams of pursuing
higher education — again,
all to finance tax breaks for
corporations and the rich.
This problem is not
abstract to me. It’s personal.
College
Prep
Word of
the Week
rhapsodize means
(adjective)
to speak or write about someone or something with
exaggerated, rapturous, or extravagant enthusiasm
being at rest; inactive or
motionless; HOW TO USE quiet; IN A SENTENCES: still: a
quiescent mind.
My mom rhapsodizes all year long about the bacon, eggs, the bread.
Stealing students’ dreams to
give billionaires tax breaks
I’m a first-generation college student. I’m
worried other young people won’t get the
financial aid that made my education possible
I am a first-generation college
student and now a doctoral
student. My hard-working
Black family and my broader
community poured everything
they had into me because
they believed — against every
obstacle — that education
could be my ladder up.
Federal student aid
programs like Pell Grants
and the Grad Plus subsidized
loan program helped me as I
struggled up that ladder. It
still wasn’t easy. I worked two
part-time jobs and still could
barely make ends meet. But
without that help, I wouldn’t
be where I am today.
Now, the aid programs that
I’ve depended on are under
attack. Students are facing
tighter borrowing limits
and dramatically reduced
repayment options, making
it even more difficult to get
out from under heavy debts.
Under the new borrowing
caps, the government plans
to slash about $44 billion in
aid over the next 10 years,
affecting roughly 25 percent
to 40 percent of graduate
(Unsplash)
borrowers.
Making matters worse,
the Pell Grant program,
which helps more than 6
million low-income students a
year pay for college, is facing
a potential shortfall crisis. If
Congress doesn’t put in new
funds, the program’s deficit
will skyrocket to $11.5 billion
in 2027, and those grants
could very well dry up.
Across the country, families
who believed education was
their way forward are feeling
their dreams fade away.
I’ve spoken to aspiring and
current graduate students
who are unsure if staying in
school is still an option. I’ve
talked to borrowers who fear
they will live the rest of their
lives crushed by student debt
and parents who are worried
they’ll never be able to afford
to send their babies to college.
President Trump didn’t
even mention student aid in
his State of the Union address.
But this issue is central to the
health of our union. It’s about
Continue reading online at:
thewestsidegazette.com
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Leia’s Mathematics
Corner
During spring break, Leia has 24 books to read. If she wants
to finish them in 6 days, how many books must she read each
day to complete them on time?
26
x 7
44
- 22
Created by Leia P.
4th grader!

www.thewestsidegazette.com
Ain’t That A VHIT
Fighting the Good Fight:
Rope-A-Dope Faith in
Real Life
By Von C. Howard
MARCH 19 - MARCH 25, 2026• PAGE 3
Lilly Pulitzer Downtown Delray celebrated one
of the oldest historically Black Woman’s Clubs
by raising monies for student scholarships
I don’t write this from a place
of having it all figured out. I
write it from the middle of the
fight. From long days, stretched
finances, unanswered prayers,
and moments when I’ve had to
pause just to breathe. Life right
now is heavy. The cost of living
keeps rising, stability feels
shaky, and the pressure to stay
strong never really lets up. Yet
somehow, we keep showing up.
That’s why fighting the good
fight feels personal to me. The
Apostle Paul’s words, “I have
fought the good fight, I have
finished the race, I have kept the faith”, aren’t about
perfection. They’re about endurance. About staying in the
fight even when you’re tired, bruised, and unsure how the
next round will go.
I often think about Muhammad Ali and his famous ropea-dope
strategy. Ali didn’t always win by throwing the
most punches. Sometimes he leaned back on the ropes,
absorbed the hits, conserved his energy, and waited for the
right moment to strike. From the outside, it looked like he
was losing. In reality, he was being strategic, letting the
opponent wear themselves out.
That’s what faith looks like in today’s times. Some seasons
aren’t about swinging hard; they’re about holding on.
You’re taking hits, financial stress, family pressure,
emotional fatigue—but you’re still standing. Still believing.
Still trusting God while leaning on the ropes. That’s not
weakness. That’s wisdom.
For young people, the fight is staying focused in a world
full of shortcuts and false timelines. Success is marketed
as instant, but real growth takes time. As J. Cole reminds
us, “There’s beauty in the struggle.” The struggle isn’t a
setback, it’s preparation. It’s where character is built and
vision gets sharpened.
For parents and caregivers, the good fight is loving and
providing while running on empty. It’s clocking in, checking
homework, paying bills, and still trying to be emotionally
present. For those serving the community, it’s mentoring,
checking on elders, and standing in the gap without
applause. Quiet faithfulness often looks like leaning on the
ropes and trusting God to give you strength for the next
round.
When I reflect on why I keep fighting, it always comes back
to the end of the race. Not applause. Not titles. Not clout.
My hope is to one day be at the feet of the Savior and hear
Him say, “Well done, good and faithful servant. You have
been faithful over a few things” (Matthew 25:21). That’s the
real win.
So, if you’re tired, bruised, or just trying to make it
through, don’t quit. You may be in a rope-a-dope season.
Stay faithful. Stay grounded. The fight isn’t over, and the
victory is still ahead.
By Diana Hanford
FORT LAUDERDALE,
FL -- Big Brothers Big Sisters
(BBBS) of Broward County
raised almost $400,000 at
its 22nd annual signature
fundraiser, Déjà Vu: Drift
Away to Summer.
More than 350 community
leaders decked out in summer
chic attire celebrated
generosity, mentorship
and brighter futures while
enjoying a private, poolside
concert by multi-platinum
artist Uncle Kracker at the
glamorous Guitar Hotel
pool deck at the Seminole
Hard Rock Hotel & Casino
Hollywood.
“I am deeply grateful to our
incredible honorees for their
unwavering commitment to
mentorship and the powerful
impact they’ve had in helping
us expand opportunities for
local youth. Their leadership
truly changes lives. Thank
you to our sponsors and
everyone who joined us to
‘drift away’ for the evening,
dancing, celebrating and
investing in the future of our
young people. Together, we
are creating BIG change,” said
Malena Mendez, President
and CEO, Big Brothers Big
Sisters of Broward County.
Event co-chairs Traci
Miller, SVP and Shareholder
at Miller Construction
and Nicky Tesser, Senior
Manager, Regional Marketing
LIVE AT BROWARD CENTER, FORT LAUDERDALE
SUNDAY, MARCH 29, 2026 • AU-RENE THEATER
Two legendary Motown hit-makers. One unforgettable night. The Temptations
and The Four Tops unite for their 40th Anniversary Tour, performing iconic hits
like “My Girl,” “Just My Imagination,” and “I Can’t Help Myself.”
Part of the Baptist Health Red Carpet Series
TICKETS at BrowardCenter.org
Ticketmaster | 954.462.0222
Broward Center’s AutoNation Box Office
Group Sales | 954.660.6307
Lori J. Durante with Skyler Carosella and Vanessa
Carosella at Lilly Pulitzer Delray Beach fundraiser for
the Frances J. Bright Woman’s Club.
By Lori J. Durante
DELRAY BEACH, FL
-- On February 28, 2026,
the celebrated preppy brand
Lilly Pulitzer hosted sips,
tastes and shopping at their
Downtown Delray Beach
location that raised funds
for the non-profit Frances
J. Bright Woman’s Club’s
student scholarships and
12th grade girls mentorship
debutante program. This is
the second year the event was
held and co-chaired by Delray
Beach native and volunteer
Lori J. Durante who was
joined this year by co-chair
Joanne Ulysse-Elie who is a
2005 alumna of the debutante
mentorship program of the
Frances J. Bright Woman’s
Club. Palermo’s Bakery made
some edible treats from Lilly
Pulitzer Rousseau’s namesake
cookbook Essentially Lilly: A
Guide to colorful entertaining
co-authored by Jay Mulvaney.
The mood was enlivened with
saxophone music by 12th
grader Elijah Holmes who is a
member of the Atlantic High
School Eagles War Band.
Frances J. Bright Woman’s
Club is a non-profit 501c3
100% volunteer community
service organization named
aAAA
This Week in Health: Measles Outbreak
In this issue we discuss the measles outbreak
of 2026.
MEASLES OUTBREAK
Public health officials across the United States
are responding to a growing measles
outbreak, with cases reported in multiple
states, including Florida.
Measles is a highly contagious viral illness that
spreads through the air when an infected
person coughs, sneezes, or even talks. The
virus can remain in the air for up to two
hours, making community spread especially
easy in schools, colleges, and other shared
spaces.
SYMPTOMS
Early symptoms often appear 7–14 days after
exposure and may include:
• Fever
• Cough
• Runny nose
• Red, watery eyes
Westside Health Brief
Marsha Mullings, MPH
March 16, 2026
Student saxophonist Elijah Holmes and Delray Beach
Commissioner Juli Casale at Lilly Pulitzer Delray Beach
fundraiser for the Frances J. Bright Woman’s Club.
in honor of Frances J. Bright,
a Black educator, who came to
Palm Beach County, Florida
in year 1899 and was hired
in 1900 to teach at ‘colored’
school #4 that was established
in year 1895. Mrs. Bright
was the first Black woman
teacher in Delray Beach. The
school initially operated from
a thatched hut built by local
Black residents located on
historic NW 5th Avenue in
Delray Beach. It was the first
public school in Delray Beach.
The first principal at Colored
School #4 in year 1895 was
A few days later, a distinctive rash usually
develops, starting on the face and spreading
downward.
While many people recover, measles can lead
to serious complications, particularly in young
children, pregnant women, and people with
weakened immune systems. Complications
include:
• Pneumonia
• Brain swelling (encephalitis)
• Hospitalization
PREVENTION
Health experts emphasize that vaccination
remains the most effective protection against
measles. The MMR (measles, mumps, and
rubella) vaccine provides strong, long-lasting
immunity and helps prevent outbreaks by
protecting entire communities.
Public health guidance includes:
• Checking personal and family
vaccination status
• Contacting a healthcare provider
promptly if symptoms appear
• Seeking medical advice after a known
exposure
Early recognition, vaccination, and timely care
are key to limiting the spread of measles and
protecting vulnerable populations.
Source: CDC; www.cdc.gov
Mr. B.F. James of Miami
(Lemon City). The school was
a part of the Dade County
Public School System at that
time because Palm Beach
County was not incorporated
as a separate county until
year 1909.
The leaders of this
prestigious organization of
the FJBWC, who are also
mentors for the 12th grade
debutantes, are esteemed
Continue reading online
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Big Brothers Big Sisters of Broward County Raises
$400,000 at Déjà Vu: Drift Away to Summer to Support
Lifechanging Mentoring Programs
Community leaders honored for their generous commitment to youth mentorship
at JetBlue, outdid themselves
once again. A stunning tunnel
entry welcomed guests who
enjoyed a festive cocktail
reception, a high-energy
live auction and an array of
silent auction items to bid on.
Guests mingled and nibbled
from gourmet food stations
set up against the backdrop
of the famous Guitar Hotel,
which was decked out in
green lighting as a special nod
to Big Brothers Big Sisters of
Broward County.
During the magical evening,
four exceptional leaders
who champion Big Brother
Big Sisters’ mission of empowering
youth to reach
their full potential through
meaningful mentoring
relationships were honored
including:
Champion of Children:
Manuel “Manny” Catedral
Manuel “Manny” Catedral
joined the BBBS of Broward
County Board two years
ago, but his dedication to
mentorship began long
before. He currently mentors
a student in the BIG Futures
program and supports two
young professionals at
Collinson, where he serves
as Vice President of Business
Development for The
Americas.
An engaged board member
and finance committee
contributor, Catedral brings
strategic insight and handson
leadership to initiatives
such as Lace Up for Learning,
Sardou Mertilus, Angela Ramos, Marlene Williams and
R1oz Perlmutter.
which provided more than
500 youth with new sneakers
for the school year. Through
his advocacy, Collinson has
funded mentoring support
for 20 high school students
participating in BIG Futures,
equipping them with tools for
college and career readiness.
His servant leadership
and passion for youth
empowerment continue to
make a meaningful difference.
Impact Award: Southern
Glazer’s Wine & Spirits
Southern Glazer’s Wine
& Spirits is a valued BIG
Futures partner, working
with Stranahan High School
to expand mentorship and
career pathways for students.
The company currently
supports 15 Bigs and 20
Littles, reflecting a strong
investment in workforce
readiness and opportunity.
From its longstanding BIG
Futures partnership in Miami
to its continued support in
Broward, Southern Glazer’s
has demonstrated consistent
commitment. For the past
five years, the company’s inkind
support of BBBS events
Continue reading online
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PAGE 4 • MARCH 19 - MARCH 25, 2026
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
The Westside Gazette Recongizes
March is Women History Month
www.thewestsidegazette.com
YAEGER PLAZA
Groundbreaking Ceremony
Save The Date
Wednesday, March 25, 2026
10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
1177 NW 62nd Street
Miami, FL
Were you a patient of or born in The Yaeger Clinic? We’d love to see you at this event!
Hop into spring fun with
us! Join us for our annual
Spring Egg Hunts happening
at parks across the city!
Enjoy egg hunts, photos
with the Spring Bunny, arts
and crafts, games, music,
food, and more. Don’t forget
to bring your own basket!
Friday, March 27, 4–7 PM
| Carter Park, 1450 W. Sunrise
Blvd
Sunday, March 29
11 AM – 2 PM | South Side
Cultural Arts Center, 701 S. Andrews Ave
12 – 3 PM | Croissant Park, 245 W. Park Dr
1 – 4 PM | Riverland Park, 950 SW 27th Ave
2 – 5 PM | Lauderdale Manors Park, 1340 Chateau Park Dr
parks.fortlauderdale.gov/special-events/spring-egg-hunts
We’ll see you there!
#WeAreFTL City of Fort Lauderdale
Follow @TheWestsideGazette Newspaper on Social Media +
WATCH episodes of the 2-Minute Warning via YT or FB
STAY
CONNECTED --
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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:
www.thewestsidegazette.com
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:
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33310
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FAX: (954) 525-1861
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PUBLISHERS
ASSOCIATION
(NNPA)
AND FLORIDA
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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.
The Silent Crisis in Our Community —
Why Amyloidosis Awareness Matters Now
By Jonathan L. Dotson
Executive Director, Friendship That Gives
March is recognized as Amyloidosis
Awareness Month, yet for many in the Black
community, this disease remains largely
unknown—until it is too late.
Amyloidosis is a rare but serious condition
caused by abnormal protein deposits that
can damage vital organs such as the heart,
kidneys, and nervous system. While it may
be classified as “rare,” its impact in the Black
community is disproportionately significant,
particularly in its hereditary form. Despite this, awareness
remains low, diagnoses are often delayed, and too many families
are left navigating this journey without the information or
support they need.
This is not just a medical issue—it is a health equity issue.
Far too often, symptoms of amyloidosis are misdiagnosed or
dismissed. Fatigue, swelling, shortness of breath, and nerve
pain are frequently attributed to more common conditions. As
a result, individuals can spend years seeking answers while
the disease silently progresses. By the time a correct diagnosis
is made, treatment options may be limited, and the emotional,
physical, and financial toll on families can be overwhelming.
Through our work at Friendship That Gives, we have seen
firsthand how this disease impacts not only individuals but
entire families. Caregivers—many of whom are spouses,
children, or close relatives—are often the unsung heroes in this
journey. They manage appointments, medications, emotional
support, and daily care, all while carrying their own mental
and physical burdens.
Yet, their stories are rarely told.
Caregiving in the Black community often happens quietly.
There is a cultural expectation of strength and resilience, but
that strength can sometimes come at the cost of silence. Many
caregivers do not seek help, do not have access to resources, and
do not feel seen. This lack of visibility contributes to burnout,
stress, and mental health challenges that ripple throughout
families and communities.
We must change that narrative.
Awareness is the first step. We must begin having open and
honest conversations about amyloidosis—what it is, who it
affects, and why early detection matters. Families should
feel empowered to ask questions, seek second opinions, and
advocate for comprehensive testing when symptoms persist
without clear answers.
Healthcare providers must also be part of this conversation.
Cultural competency, improved diagnostic training, and
increased awareness of how diseases like amyloidosis present
in Black patients are critical to closing the gap in care.
But awareness alone is not enough.
We must also build systems of support.
At Friendship That Gives, our Fashionably Healthy
Empowerment Series – Community Conversations was created
to meet this very need. We are bringing together medical
professionals, caregivers, patients, and community leaders
to create safe spaces for education, dialogue, and connection.
These conversations are designed to break the silence, provide
resources, and remind individuals and families that they are
not alone.
Because no one should have to navigate a life-altering
diagnosis in isolation.
This work also extends beyond physical health. The emotional
and mental health impact of chronic illness—both for patients
and caregivers—cannot be ignored. Anxiety, depression,
and stress are often part of the journey, yet mental health
remains stigmatized in many communities of color. Addressing
amyloidosis must include addressing the whole person—mind,
body, and spirit.
As we recognize Amyloidosis Awareness Month, let this be
more than a moment. Let it be a movement.
A movement toward earlier diagnosis.
A movement toward informed advocacy.
A movement toward stronger support systems.
And most importantly, a movement toward health equity.
To every family navigating this journey: you are seen, you are
heard, and you are not alone.
And to our community: now is the time to ask questions, to
seek knowledge, and to stand together in awareness and action.
Because awareness can save lives—and in our community, it
must.
Remarks at the US Capitol for a
prayer vigil against the war in Iran
By Laurie Gagne
The American Secretary of War, Pete
Hegseth, announced that American and
Israeli warplanes would soon gain total
control of Iranian airspace allowing
them to deliver “death and destruction
from the sky all day long.” Think about
it--that is what America will mean to the
people of Iran—as it already means to
Afghanistan, Libya, and Iraq--“death and destruction from the
sky all day long.” Do we want our country to strike fear in the
people of the world? Where is our vaunted Christian faith?
Where is our humanity?
When I think of America today, I think of an engraving by Pablo
Picasso. It depicts a great monster, the Minotaur, attacking a
city. The scene is chaotic, with a woman being carried off, a
man climbing a ladder to escape over the city wall and a family
looking fearfully through the windows of their house. In the
midst of the tumult is a little girl holding a candle. She is the
one who confronts the monster and seems to be keeping it at
bay.
Picasso made this engraving in 1935—when Fascism had
taken over in Germany and Italy and was on the rise in other
European countries. With his archetypal imagery, he seems
to be saying that the light in us is the only thing that can
overcome the monsters. It’s only the light of conscience that
Continue reading online at: thewestsidegazette.com
Deeply Rooted
MARCH 19 - MARACH 25, 2026 • PAGE 5
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
President Declares War
on Democracy and Iran
“America has never been a ‘shining city on a hill for
all Americans. For Black people and others of color it
resembles a segregated and divided America.”
By John Johnson II
At certain moments in history, a nation
must confront the disturbing possibility that
its greatest threats do not come from foreign
enemies but from within its own political
leadership. The current president’s actions
increasingly suggest such a moment. His
simultaneous assault on democratic institutions
and the sudden escalation of war with Iran
appear driven by two deeply troubling motives. These motives
currently represent the pinnacles of America’s immorality.
First, the president appears determined to systematically
dismantle the structural foundations of American democracy.
Democratic norms that once guided responsible leadership are
now treated as inconveniences rather than guardrails. Policies
and rhetoric aimed at suppressing voting among Black citizens
and other communities of color have intensified, raising
grave concerns about the erosion of the nation’s most sacred
democratic right.
At the same time, the president’s conduct suggests a deeper
ambition—to weaken institutional oversight, concentrate
power, and move the nation toward an autocratic style
of governance. This would allow him to remain in power
indefinitely while enriching himself, family members, and
close associates.
Second, the sudden war with Iran increasingly resembles a
calculated diversion. As controversy surrounding the Epstein
files intensifies and troubling questions about elite misconduct
remain unresolved, the administration has launched what
critics describe as a “capricious and personal war.” The
operation, labeled “Operation Midnight Hammer,” has been
presented with theatrical bravado, as though war was a
spectacle rather than a tragedy.
The president openly boasts about America’s ability to
exercise overwhelming military dominance. Yet beneath this
rhetoric lies a disturbing image of warfare being treated almost
like a video game—where powerful men watch bombs fall from
a distance as real human lives are shattered below. In every
war, it is ordinary civilians—men, women, and children—who
ultimately pay the price.
Compounding this dangerous moment is the silence of a
Republican-controlled Congress that refuses to hold the
president accountable for initiating military action without
meaningful consultation with lawmakers or the American
people. The constitutional balance of war powers appears to
have been conveniently ignored.
At the same time, most of the president’s campaign promises
have yet to be realized. Inflation continues to burden
American families. The pledge to avoid senseless wars has
been abandoned. And the promise to make life more affordable
for ordinary citizens has faded into little more than political
rhetoric.
Many Americans have taken to the streets in protest. Yet
modern demonstrations rarely command the same national
attention as the Civil Rights marches of the 1960s, when
televised images forced the nation to confront injustice. Today,
mass protests can be minimized or ignored within a media
environment dominated by powerful corporate interests.
For this reason, a new form of civic protest is urgently
necessary: a coordinated national ”Nuclear Media Blackout. At
a designated time across cities, towns, and suburbs, Americans
would collectively turn off televisions, streaming platforms, and
social media feeds that generate billions in advertising revenue
for the corporate institutions that often shield political power.
Again, this united form of protest is far more powerful and
convenient than street protests. The Nuclear Media Blackout
can be ignited from the car, couch, church, shower or simply
anywhere. “Just flip the off switch.”
Such an action would transform silence into economic pressure.
When millions withdraw their attention, profits disappear—
and corporate leaders listen. Tech titans would lose billions at
the flip of a switch. Remember, money talks, BS only fouls the
Momentive!
The message would be unmistakable: if democracy is being
dismantled in plain sight, the American people must ensure
that silence itself becomes too.
YOU BE THE JUDGE!
Aggression in Iran
By Mel Gurtov
John Johnson II 03/18/26
I have previously commented about the strategic
blunders the Trump regime has made in its war
on Iran. Add this one: the gains both China and
Russia have made at US expense. While the war has had costs
for both those countries, on balance it has benefited both more.
China: Schadenfreude
The US war on Iran has put China in an uncomfortable
position. With Donald Trump’s official visit upcoming in April,
the Chinese don’t want to go overboard in their criticism. On
the other hand, they have built up a “strategic partnership”
with Iran and see opportunities to strengthen China’s public
diplomacy in calling out US aggression. “Taking advantage of
another’s misfortune,” a Chinese saying goes—schadenfreude.
Accordingly, China is denouncing the US war and rhetorically
supporting Iran while doing nothing to upset the timetable for
Trump’s visit.
China needs Iran’s oil, which accounts for roughly 13 percent
of China’s oil imports. China no doubt also values Iran as a
thorn in the side of US diplomacy in the Middle East. But the
Trump visit and the opportunity for a landmark trade deal
looms larger than defense of Iran—even to the point of stopping
daily military flights near Taiwan.
Foreign Minister and communist party politburo member
Wang Yi set out the official line on Iran by saying, in a phone
call with the foreign minister of Oman:
“Despite progress in the [US-Iran] talks, the U.S. and Israel
deliberately provoked a war against Iran, which clearly violates
the purposes and principles of the UN Charter. China believes
that the pressing task now is to immediately cease military
Continue reading online at: thewestsidegazette.com
The National
Basketball
Association
Dribbled In To
Stop The Atlanta
Hawks Event.
By James B. Ewers Jr.
Ed.D.
The National Basketball
Association is a billion-dollar
organization. “Oh, how it
grows and grows and where
it’s gonna stop I’m sure,
nobody knows.” Remember
The Temptations song,
entitled, It’s Growing?
The NBA in my opinion is an
iconic brand. It has changed
with the times and is creating
new platforms of success each
year. They have successfully
managed new innovations
and creations to gain their
continued popularity.
There are thirty NBA
teams. Fans come to see the
established stars, the new
stars and the future stars.
Quite honestly, even if you
are sitting on the bench, you
are a millionaire.
The marketing genius of the
NBA is stellar. Every team
has its share of special days
and nights with T-shirts, caps
and cups being given away.
If you can catch a T-shirt or
leave with a towel draped over
your seat, you will count the
game as a success, especially
if your team wins.
Each franchise can sponsor
special events and promotions
that will oftentimes highlight
community organizations.
They have always turned out
to be grand occasions.
If you have attended an NBA
game, you know the thrills
and excitement that the
games bring. If you haven’t,
put it on your bucket list.
Recently, the Atlanta Hawks
were going to sponsor a
Magic City Night. It is a club
in the ATL that has been in
business for many years.
Succinctly put, it is a hot spot
for adult entertainment. I had
not heard of Magic City, but
what do I know? I am in the
4 th quarter of my life so there
are some things that just slip
by me.
My friend, Gary and I were
talking recently about all
things NBA. He asked me
had I heard about what the
Atlanta Hawks were trying to
do with Magic City? I looked
clueless.
Gary is an African American
businessman, so he began
to give me the update. His
response was not businesscentered
but was Black
women-centered. It was
boundary-driven and he
believed the Hawks had
overstepped.
He said, “Black women
must not and should not be
disrespected. It is never ok
for them to be played in the
public.” I agreed with his
heartfelt comments and he
wasn’t finished.
He added, “We are living in
times where we must uphold
and uplift our sisters. Black
women have come too far
and accomplished too much.
Having the Atlanta Hawks
sponsor this night would be
wrong and inappropriate.
This event must simply not
happen”.
Well, I think my friend,
Gary’s comments must have
reached NBA Commissioner
Adam Silver and players, too.
Commissioner Silver said in
a prepared statement, “While
we appreciate the team’s
Continue reading online at:
thewestsidegazette.com

PAGE 6 • MARCH 19 - MARCH 25, 2026
BUSINESS
UNITY IN THE
COMMUNITY DIRECTORY
By Fran Folic
Deeply Rooted
FORT LAUDERDALE,
FL – The countdown
is on to History Fort
Lauderdale and Galleria
Fort Lauderdale’s “Women
Trailblazers: Champions of
Change - Broward County”
benefit reception on 6 p.m.
on Thursday, March 26, at
Galleria Fort Lauderdale
(2414 E. Sunrise Boulevard).
This year’s impactful and
inspiring leaders to be honored
are Mary Adams, principal
consultant and owner of The
Employee Relations Group;
Monica Cepero, county
administrator at Broward
County Government; Genia
Duncan Ellis, president
and CEO at Riverwalk Fort
Lauderdale, Inc.; Kristina
Hebert, president and CEO
of Wards Marine Electric;
Suzanne Higgins, director of
development at Henderson
Behavioral Health and Dara
Levan, author, public speaker
and board member of Joe
DiMaggio Children’s Hospital
Foundation/Memorial
Foundation. The Women’s
History Month celebration
hosted by radio personalities
Julie Guy and Tamara
www.thewestsidegazette.com
A Women’s History Month Celebration!
The Countdown Is On To History Fort Lauderdale And Galleria Fort Lauderdale’s “Women
Trailblazers: Champions Of Change - Broward County” 2026 Fundraiser And Exhibition
Six New Empowering Leaders to be Recognized on March 26 at Benefit Reception and
Photo Exhibition; Tickets are on sale now
Gant, will kick off a special
photo exhibit highlighting
these women alongside their
groundbreaking historical
female predecessors who
helped to pave the way
for our community. The
exhibition celebrating their
achievements will be on
display through April 19.
“We’re looking forward
to our annual tradition of
celebrating these modern
women - true champions
of change - who continue
to fearlessly build the
foundation for our next
generation of community
leaders,” said Patricia
Zeiler, executive director of
History Fort Lauderdale.
“This year’s role models
and achievers have made
significant contributions in
the fields of human resources,
government, journalism,
the marine industry,
healthcare and community
activism. Our great City of
Fort Lauderdale has reaped
numerous economical and
philanthropical benefits from
their passionate enthusiasm
and desire to help others.
We invite the community
to join us in celebrating
their achievements during
Women’s History Month.”
Past pioneering women
counterparts to be highlighted
in the photo exhibition include
Louella Snyder (1875–
1969), a Fort Lauderdale
resident since 1910 who
later founded and served as
president of the Wells-Snyder
Paint Company with M.W.
Wells serving as secretarytreasurer;
Virginia Clements
(1914–1995), a member of
the Junior League, and the
first board chair of Henderson
Behavioral Health who
was instrumental in the
organization’s establishment
along with other roles in civic
and cultural organizations;
Ellyn Ferguson Walters
(1927-2012), a 41-yeartenured
teacher for Broward
Schools, major fundraiser
and executive chair of the
African American Research
and Library Center, founder
of the Sistrunk Festival and
1999 Urban League plus
Kathleen C. Wright Awardwinner;
Eva Oliver (1883-
1964), first president of the
Woman’s Club, chairman of
the Port Everglades naming
committee, historian, author,
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Before the Ballot, Before the Pulpit, Before HBCUS cont’f from FP
133 N. State Road 7
Plantation, Fla. 33317
(Corner of Broward Blvd. & State Rd. 7
(954) 587-7075
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(Over 30 Years in Optics)
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Your Tailor
Alterations For
Men & Women & Kids
Cell: (754) 274-8537
A: 784 NW 91st Terrace
Plantation FL 33324
1500 E. Hillsboro Blvd. Suite #207
Deerfield Beach, FL 33441
arenamedicalgroup.com
P: (954) 715-3334
F: (954) 715-3003
(407) 715-1328
Advertise Here Have Your Business Card Placed
On This Page For more information, call (954) 525-1489
W.E.B. Du Bois, and countless
others who refused to let
America look away from its
contradictions.
The Black Church would
soon rise as the moral anchor
of our communities.
The Black College would
emerge as the intellectual
engine that prepared
generations of leaders.
But the Black Press was
the messenger, the institution
that connected the people,
informed the people, and
mobilized the people.
Through its pages,
communities learned how to
organize, how to vote, how to
resist, and how to hope.
When Ida B. Wells exposed
lynching in the pages of Black
newspapers, the nation could
no longer deny the terror that
gripped the South.
When the Black Press
encouraged Black migration
during the early twentieth
century, millions of African
Americans moved North and
West seeking dignity and
opportunity.
When the Civil Rights
Movement began to rise
in the 1950s and 1960s,
the Black Press was
there—documenting
protests, encouraging voter
registration, and challenging
the conscience of America.
For nearly two centuries,
the Black Press has carried
the burden of telling the truth
when truth was inconvenient.
Today, as we recognize
this founding week of the
Black Press of America, we
must also recognize that its
mission remains as urgent as
ever.
The threats may look
different, but the stakes are
the same.
Misinformation spreads
faster than truth.
Voter participation
remains under pressure.
Communities still struggle
to ensure that their voices are
heard.
And in the midst of these
challenges, Black-owned
media continues to serve
as one of the most trusted
institutions within our
communities.
Yet far too often, these
institutions are overlooked
when it comes to public
information campaigns,
political engagement, and
even the support of those who
benefit most from an informed
electorate.
If we truly value
democracy, we must also
value the institutions that
make democracy possible.
That means recognizing
the importance of Blackowned
media—not simply
as businesses, but as civic
pillars that have shaped the
political consciousness of our
communities for nearly 200
years.
It means encouraging
election officials to
communicate through Black
media outlets so that voters
receive accurate information.
It means reminding candidates
and elected officials
that if they seek the support
BEFORE THE BOARD OF NURSING
NOTICE OF ACTION
Broward County
IN RE: The license to practice Licensed Practical Nursing
Victor Afiju Sulleh, R.N.
9750 SW 11th Street,
Pembroke Pines, Florida 33025
CASE NO.: 2024-03705
LICENSE NO.: RN9607341
of Black voters, they must
also respect and support the
institutions that inform those
voters.
The Black Press was never
simply about printing news.
It has always been about
protecting the voice of a
people.
This week, as we reflect on
the founding of the Black Press
in 1827, we should remember
that the institutions that
followed—the Black Church,
the Black College, the Civil
Rights Movement—were all
strengthened by the power of
the written word carried in
Black newspapers.
Those pages told our story.
They preserved our
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thewestsidegazette.com
The Department of Health has filed an Administrative Complaint against you, a copy of which
may be obtained by contacting, Matthew Witters, Chief General Counsel, Prosecution Services
Unit, 4052 Bald Cypress Way, Bin #C65, Tallahassee Florida 32399-3265, (850) 558-9918
If no contact has been made by you concerning the above by April 30, 2026, the matter of the
Administrative Complaint will be presented at an ensuing meeting of the Board of Nursing in
an informal proceeding.
In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, persons needing a special accommodation
to participate in this proceeding should contact the individual or agency sending this notice not
later than seven days prior to the proceeding at the address given on the notice. Telephone:
(850) 245-4640, 1-800-955-8771 (TDD) or 1-800-955-8770 (V), via Florida Relay Service.

www.thewestsidegazette.com
CHURCH DIRECTORY
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!
Deeply Rooted
Have Your Church Announcements Placed
In Our Church Directory
Mount Nebo Missionary Baptist Church
Rev. Danny L. McKenzie, Sr., Senior Pastor
2251 N.W. 22nd St., Fort Lauderdale, FL 33311
P.O. Box 122256, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312
Church: (954) 733-3285 - Office: (954) 733-3606
Email: mountnebobaptist@bellsouth.net
Website: www.mountnebaptist.org
SCHEDULE OF SERVICES
Sunday School ..........................8:30 A.M.
Sunday Worship ....................10:00 A.M.
Tuesday Night Bible Study..............7:00 P.M.
"A Great Place To Worship"
Celebrating 100 Years of Blessing!! 1925-2025
Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church
Dr. James B. Darling, Jr., Pastor/Teacher
1161 NW 29th Terrace; Fort Lauderdale, FL 33311
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33310
(954) 581-0455 - (FAX) 581-4350
mzbc2011@gmail.com - www.mtzionmbc1161.com
CHURCH OFFICE HOURS
Tuesday - Friday 11:00 A.M. - 4:00 P.M.
WORSHIP SERVICES
Sunday Worship...................................................10:15 A.M.
Communion Service (1st Sunday) .........................10:15 A.M.
2nd & 4th Tuesday Night Prayer Workshop/Bible Study................7:00 P.M
Wednesday Night Prayer Service.......................6:30 P.M.
Wednesday Night Church School ............7:00 P.M.
"I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength"
New Birth Baptist Church
Catheral of Faith International
Bishop Victor T. Curry, M. Min., D. Div. Senior Pastor/Teacher
ORDER OF SERVICES
Sunday Worship.............................9:30 AM
Sunday School ..............................8:30 AM
Tuesday Bible Study...................7:00 PM
Wednsday Bible Study..................10:30 AM
(305) 685-3700 (0) * (305) 685-0705 (f)
www.nbbcmiami.org
St. Ruth Missionsary Baptist Church
Pastor & First Mady Anthony R. Manuel
145 NW 5th Avenue
Dania Beach, FL 33004
(954) 922-2529
www.strmbc@att.net
WORSHIP SERVICES
Sunday Worship ..................................................10:00 AM
Sunday School.......................................8:30 AM
Wednesday (Noon Day Prayer) .........................12 Noon
Wednesday Night Bible Study ....................7:00 PM
Website: www.struthmbc.org
"Celebrating 118 Years of Service"
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!
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”
Pastor David E. Deal, Jr.
MARCH 19 - MARCH 25, 2026 • PAGE 7
Every Christian's Church
SUNDAY @11:00 am
Phone (313) 209-8800 Conference ID 1948-1949
Bible Trivia
‘Test Your Bible Knowledge'
1) To whom did God say, “You will crawl on your belly
and eat dust?
2) Who said it? “Am I my brother’s keeper?
3) What piece of clothing did Jacob give his son Joseph?
4) What was the golden calf made of?
5) God told Habakkuk to write down his answer in what
way?
6) Which Emperor banned John The Revelator to the island
of Patmos?
7) According to Peter, what should we always be ready
to do?
8) What’s the name of the pool near the sheep gate in
Jerusalem where the less unfortunate would gather waiting
for an angel to stir up?
**Bible fact: The first ‘mouth-to-mouth’ Resuscitation was
performed by Prophet Elisha in (2 Kings 4:34) .
Answers 1) Gen 3:14; 2) Gen 4:9; 3) Gen 37:3; 4) Exodus
32:2 5) Habakkuk 2:2; 6) Domitian; 7) 1st Peter 3:15; 8)
John 5:2
"She Was an Angel Among Us": cont'd from FP
Deetra did not simply lead
an organization she lived
its purpose. What began as
her personal health journey
became something far greater.
She took her own experiences
with cancer and transformed
them into a movement of
hope, ensuring that others
walking a similar path would
never have to do so alone.
Her vision for ‘Empowered
to Thrive, Inc.’ was both
simple and profound: to create
a safe, supportive space for
cancer survivors and thrivers,
men and women, young and
old alike where strength
could be shared, stories could
be told, and healing could
begin not just physically, but
emotionally and spiritually.
And she did just that.
Through her leadership,
Empowered to Thrive became
more than an organization; it
became a lifeline. It became
a community. It became a
family.
Those who encountered
Deetra, and believe us there
were many, quickly realized
that her compassion was not
performative; it was genuine,
deeply rooted, and everpresent.
Whether offering
encouragement, organizing
resources, or simply listening,
she met people where they
were and reminded them of
where they could still go.
In this time of sorrow,
our hearts are especially
with her beloved son, Marcus
Durham, and her brother,
Darryl Sands. We ask that
the community lift them in
prayer and extend to them
the grace of privacy as they
navigate this unimaginable
loss.
We also extend our prayers
to the Board of Directors of
Empowered to Thrive, Inc. To
them, Deetra was more than
a founder or leader - she was
family. Her absence is deeply
felt, but her presence will
forever remain in the work
Continue reading online at:
thewestsidegazette.com

PAGE 8 • MARCH 119 - MARCH 25, 2026
A Light That Still Stands Center Stage: Remembering Kiki Shepherd
The lights dimmed, not with the abruptness
of an ending, but with the quiet reverence of
a standing ovation. Somewhere, beyond the
reach of cameras and curtains, a voice that
once welcomed the world with grace and
rhythm, had taken its final bow.
Kiki Shepherd—the woman who made
millions feel seen, celebrated, and called to
the stage—has passed on, leaving behind more
than memories. She leaves behind moments.
For years, she stood beneath the iconic
lights of It’s Showtime at the Apollo, not just
as a host, but as a bridge—connecting dreams
to reality, talent to opportunity, and audiences
to something deeper than entertainment.
With elegance in her stride and warmth in her
smile, she didn’t just introduce performers—
she affirmed them.
There are some people who don’t simply
exist in a moment; they become the moment.
Kiki was that moment.
Backstage, they say, she would whisper
encouragement to nervous singers, remind
comedians to breathe, and offer a reassuring
glance that said, “You belong here.” And
onstage, she made sure the world believed it
too.
Her passing feels like the final note of a
song we weren’t ready
to end. But like all
great performances,
her legacy echoes—
through every
artist she uplifted,
every audience she
energized, and every
young dreamer who
saw themselves
reflected in her
presence.
She wasn’t
just a television
personality.
She was poise.
She was power wrapped in grace.
She was the quiet confidence that told a
generation: “Step forward. Your time is now.”
And though the curtain has closed on her
earthly stage, somewhere—perhaps in a place
where legends gather—there’s a spotlight
warming, an audience rising, and a voice once
again being called:
“Ladies and gentlemen… welcome.”
Because for Kiki Shepherd, the show never
truly ends.
Florida Combating Vaping in Schools
Triggers Different Approaches
Andy Donado
Editor’s note: This commentary is provided
by the Medical Marijuana Education and
Research Initiative (MMERI) of Florida A&M
University L-R Pictured: Donado, West &Betros
Andy Donado still remembers the call he
received a decade ago: his freshman son had been
caught vaping THC (tetrahydrocannabinol)
in a high school restroom. The consequences
were severe. His son was expelled, and sent to
a remedial school for the rest of the year. “He
was almost charged with a third-degree felony.
He got kicked out of school and was sent to a
remedial school for his entire freshman year,”
Donado says.
Today, some educators are trying to
avoid outcomes like that. Dr. Michael
West Jr., a behavioral specialist at Florida
A&M University Developmental Research
School, works with K–12 students to address
behavioral issues and help them reintegrate
into the classroom. “We have taken on a
restorative justice approach instead of going
the punitive route for our students,” West
says.
Dr. Michael West Jr.
Deeply Rooted
Bobby Betros
Florida A&M University’s Medical
Marijuana Education and Research Initiative
(MMERI) is addressing adolescent vaping
through its Youth Vaping Education and
Empowerment Initiative, offering modules for
youth, parents, and educators on prevention,
warning signs, and school strategies.
Some schools are also turning to new
tools. Bobby Betros, CEO of SwabTek, whose
company produces drug-testing kits used
by schools, says many districts prioritize
education before punishment. “We sell to
thousands of schools, and almost all of them
explore a non-punitive educational approach
first,” Betros says.
For Donado, prevention begins at home.
“The most important part,” he says, “is being
able to keep an open line of communication
with your child.”
Visit https://bit.ly/MMERIFEB2026 to
watch MMERI’s Conversations on Cannabis
Virtual Forum featuring Andy Donado, Dr.
Michael West Jr., and Bobby Betros discussing
“The Hidden Crisis in Schools.
Obituaries
Death and Funeral Notices
A Good Sheperd's Funeral Home
& Cremation Services Central
Casey Myers Love And Grace
Funeral And Cremation Service
Apostle Avo Roker - Homegoing
Celebration will be
held March 21st at Gospel
Arena Of Faith.
McWhite’s Funeral Home
www.thewestsidegazette.com
VIEW OBITUARIES ONLINE
www.thewestsidegazette.com
Announcements:
*In Memoriam *Death Notices *Happy Birthdays
*Card of Thanks *Remembrances
(954) 525-1489
Calvin Bryant - Celebration
of Life will be held March
17th at the Center.
Barrie Beasley, Sr. - Celebration
of Life will be held
March 21st at Chapel.
Alee Jeff Belgrave - Funeral
Service was held March
14th at McWhite’s Funeral
Home.
Clementina Johnson - Funeral
Service was held
March 14th at Lauderhill
Baptist Church.
Apostle Dr. Willett L. Mitchell
- Celebration of Life was
held March 14th at Judah
worship Word Ministries International.
Donnie Edwin Pullen - In
Loving Memory Funeral
Service was held March
13th at McWhite’s Funer-
Roy Mizell & Kurtz Funeral Home
A MESSAGE FROM THE PUBLISHER from Front Page
and encourage Supervisors of Elections, PACs and those who make decisions to advertise voter
education information in Black-owned media outlets.
When election offices announce:
• voter registration deadlines
• early voting opportunities
• polling locations
• vote-by-mail information
• changes in election laws
That information must reach our communities through trusted platforms that our people
read, listen to, and believe.
If the goal is truly to increase voter participation, the solution is simple:
Invest in the media that actually reaches the people.
But this letter is also a reminder and perhaps a challenge to those who are currently
campaigning or preparing to seek election.
If you want our votes, you must respect our voices.
That means using the institutions that serve our communities every single week of the year.
Advertise in Black-owned newspapers.
Engage Black journalists in meaningful interviews.
Participate in forums hosted by Black media outlets.
Invest in the platforms that keep our communities informed.
Too often, candidates walk through our neighborhoods shaking hands and asking for
support, yet overlook the very institutions that speak to those neighborhoods every day.
Black-owned media should never be an afterthought.
It should be recognized as a central pillar of democratic engagement in our communities.
Supporting Black-owned media is not simply a financial
decision.
It is a recognition that the institutions which helped secure
the right to vote must remain strong enough to protect and
promote that right today.
The Black Press has stood on the front lines of truth,
accountability, and community empowerment for nearly two
centuries.
Now we ask those who hold offices or seek them to stand
with us.
Because democracy works best when the people are
informed.
And the people are informed when their trusted voices are
respected and supported.
Let me close with a simple truth:
If you are asking for the votes of Black communities, then
you should also be speaking through the voices that have
served those communities for generations.
Support Black-owned media. Advertise in Black-owned
media. Engage Black-owned media.
Because when the Black Press is strong, our communities
are strong and our democracy is stronger.
Rosetta Holmes - Homegoing
Celebration will be held
March 21st at Gospel Arena
Of Faith.
Jessie Denise Jenkins - Funeral
Service will be held
March 21st at Gospel Arena
Of Faith.
Roland Mangalsingh -
Fun-eral Service was held
March 11th at McWhite’s
Funeral Home Chapel.
Panchitta Jefferson
Chishom 101.
Proverbs 31:30
CHARM IS DECEPTIVE,
AND BEAUTY IS
FLEETING; BUT A WOMAN
WHO FEARS THE LORD IS
TO BE PRAISED.
Yours in the struggle,
Bobby R. Henry, Sr., Publisher & CEO Westside Gazette
NewspaperFort Lauderdale, Florida.

www.thewestsidegazette.com
Deeply Rooted
MARCH 19 - MARCH 25, 2026 • PAGE 9
SPORTS
Nunnie on the Sideline
By Nunnie Robinson, WSG Sports Editor
In last week’s column we chronicled the travails
of our Florida Panthers, who surprisingly,
won 3 consecutive games but remain in last place
in the highly competitive Eastern Conference
with diminishing playoff hopes. The Miami Heat,
conversely, won 8 straight games before losing
to a talented Orlando Magic team, not only a division
rival but currently sitting in first place in
the highly competitive and improved Southeast Division, while
holding on to a razor thin half game lead over the Heat. The
Atlanta Hawks, after posting a 10 game winning streak, are in
third place followed closely by the Charlotte Hornets.
The Heat’s Bam Adebayo’s record setting 83 point scoring
outburst against the perennially mediocre Washington Wizards
was still an incredible scoring feat, solidifying its place
as one of the Heat’s all-time great performances. Unlike the
Panthers, the Heat are assured of a playoff berth. However, the
latest loss to the Magic makes winning imperative if they are
to avoid a Play In spot.
March Madness, college basketball’s Super Bowl, World Cup
and World Series in concert, is here. Locally, the 7th seeded
Miami Hurricanes will play the 10th seeded Missouri Tigers
on Friday in the West Region where the Arizona Wildcats are
top the seed. The Michigan Wolverines hold the No. 1 seed in
the Mideast, Florida is the top seed in the South and heavily
favorite Duke has secured the top seed in the East Region.
On the Women’s side, UConn is No. 1 in Regional 1, UCLA in
Regional 2, Texas has garnered the top seed in Regional 3 and
South Carolina holds the top spot in Regional 4.
Kudos to Tennessee State University , winners of the Ohio
Valley Conference, earning the Tigers a 15th seed and a matchup
against Iowa State of the Big 12. MEAC Champion Howard
University, no stranger to the tournament, earned a First
Four spot against UMBC, the winner earning the right to face
the formidable Michigan Wolverines. The third HBCU to earn
a berth in the tournament is SWAC Champion Prairie View,
which will be pitted against Patriot League Champion Lehigh
in another First Four matchup, the winner having to seemingly
overcome insurmountable odds against No.1 South Region
seed Florida.
Two HBCU women’s teams punched their way in the tournament:
the SWAC Champion Southern University Jaguars, who
will play Southern Conference Champion Samford in a First
Four play in game, the winner having the ignominious honor
of facing Regional 4 No. 1 seed South Carolina. The Bisons of
Howard have set themselves apart athletically as well as academically,
joining their male counterparts in qualifying for the
tournament. As the 16th seed, they must travel to Columbus
with the daunting task of playing the Ohio State Buckeyes on
their home court. I somehow wonder if a paycheck and fleeting
prestige are adequate compensation.
My question for you to ponder: If the NCAA can offer national
champions in football on the FBS and FCS levels, why not in
basketball? Congratulations
to all of our HBCU compatriots!!!!
Finally, the USA faces Venezuela
in the finals of the
World Baseball Classic, an international
tournament first
82
held in 2006. Featuring professional
players worldwide,
it is traditionally held every
37
4 years during MLB spring
43
training and has only grown
67
in popularity.
Not withstanding, the NFL
maintains a presence with
free agency before March
Madness and the draft just
over a month away.
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In Florida, multiple sclerosis qualifies
for medical marijuana. Although it is not
FDA-approved, clinical trials are studying
its potential to ease symptoms.
SOURCE Florida A&M University Medical Marijuana
Education and Research Initiative (FAMU MMERI)
Test your knowledge
about medical marijuana at
Connect with us @MMERIFAMURadio
mmeri.famu.edu/educate
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PAGE 10 • MARCH 19 - MARCH 25, 2026
Deeply Rooted
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