Blogging Black Miami

AIR JAMAICA, OFFERS MORE TRAVEL OPTIONS TO FLORIDA WITH THE RESUMPTION OF SERVICE TO MIAMI

Air Jamaica, operated by Caribbean Airlines, made its return to Miami International on December 9. The four times weekly service, operates on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. The introduction of this new service, comes ideally for the Christmas peak season, offering customers more travel options into and out of North America.

Caribbean Airlines CEO Robert Corbie states, “The resumption of direct service to Miami by our Air Jamaica brand solidifies our commitment to offering our customers better connectivity to North America, providing more options to and from Florida from Jamaica. As the only regional carrier to offer non-stop services from Jamaica to three of Florida’s major cities, Fort Lauderdale, Orlando and now Miami, we are a fundamental resource in Caribbean aviation. We believe in the added value of our product and continue to provide a reliable, flexible and dependable operation. Our added value package entitles our passengers to frequent flyer miles, two free pieces of checked baggage up to 50 lbs, in-flight entertainment and complimentary meals.”

Bank of America shut down!

On Tuesday, November 1, 2011, 200 people from the 99% marched on the 1%, Bank of America, in Miami. They marched from the Bethel AME Church in Overtown, one of the hardest hit Black communities in Miami, to the downtown branch of Bank of America, where bank managers locked the doors before angry customers could go in and close their accounts.

BoA is a clear representative of the 1% and how they treat the rest of America. BoA continues to foreclose on homes, continues to nickel and dime customers through stupid fees, and continues to function on greed.

The Miami Workers Center will continue fighting for the 99%, working towards racial and economic justice for all people. Stay tuned!

In Business: Grand Opening of Natural Trend Setters Hair Salon

 Photos: Vanessa Woodard Byers

Here are some behind the scenes photos from the grand opening of Natural Trend Setters salon at Florida Memorial University in Miami Gardens on September 12. With the opening of the FMU site, the owners, sisters Simone and Trudy Hylton expanded their brand to salon number three. Their other salons are located in Fort Lauderdale and Delray Beach; that’s quite an accomplishment in an area with not nearly enough natural hair care services for black women.

While the salon’s reputation was built on natural hair care, they can create any style you desire, and they service women and men. From all indications, the FMU salon was well received by the students and the greater Miami community.

Check out the Natural Trend Setters website. Connect with them on Facebook and follow them on Twitter.

Related Link:

Grand Opening Photos on Facebook

 

 

Natural Trend Setters Sets Up Shop at FMU

 

For more than 12 years Trudy and Simone Hylton have been leaders in the South Florida natural hair care arena, providing consultations, direction and assistance when transitioning to natural hairstyles including braids, twists, locs, extensions and more.  They have taken their talents to Miami Gardens and the historic Florida Memorial University (FMU).

Get your student home from college with Florida College Express

 

Breakfast on a budget @ Blessed

I'm outsourcing my meal preparation by getting breakfast from Blessed Catering Soul Food Restaurant. They serve breakfast all day for $5. I was in the drive thru line at Mickey D's but I wanted some grits and to support a friend's business. Stop by 5711 NW 7th Avenue, Miami today. Tell Denise that Vanessa sent you.

Miami-based Alters Law Firm was lead counsel on $410 Million settlement with Bank of America

More than one million bank customers will recoup funds lost to overdraft fees

The Miami-based Alters Law Firm served as lead counsel on a groundbreaking $410 million settlement with Bank of America that will allow more than one million consumers nationwide to recoup money lost to overdraft fees.  The settlement won preliminary approval from Judge James Lawrence King of Federal District Court in South Florida. Alters Law Firm attorneys Bruce Rogow and Jeremy Alters, working with more than 7 other leading law firms, are the lead counsel in a nationwide class action lawsuit involving more than 30 banks and dozens of plaintiffs.

“People who have accounts should be treated fairly by their banks,” said Jeremy Alters. “Too many people are being exploited by overdraft practices designed to maximize the profits of big banks by punishing people who are just trying to make ends meet. We hope this settlement deters other big banks from continually preying on consumers.”

Banks nationwide have manipulated the order that debit card transactions are posted to checking accounts to maximize the overdraft fees they can charge consumers. Banks make nearly $40 billion a year from charging consumer with overdraft fees. The median overdraft fee is $35.

The nation’s largest consumer bank, Bank of America was the first bank involved in the national class action to settle. Deposits held by Bank of America are valued at more than $976 billion, the most of any bank. It holds 13.3% of all U.S. deposits, according to data from The Pew Health Group.

www.alterslaw.com

 

Consortium for a Healthier Miami-Dade Announces the Winners of the Third Annual 2011 South Florida Worksite Wellness Forum and Awards

Miami, Florida, April 8, 2011 --- The Consortium for a Healthier Miami-Dade, an initiative of the Miami-Dade County Health Department, proudly announced today winners of the third annual “2011 South Florida Worksite Wellness Forum and Awards” at a ceremony at the Miami Beach Resort in Miami Beach. 

The program honored South Florida companies (from Orlando south) that demonstrated a commitment to employee wellness and whose programs produced positive health outcomes.  The winner of the small business category – businesses with less than 500 employees, went to Seitlin Insurance and Advisory Services – a privately owned and independent insurance and advisory service company with 135 employees. The mid-sized category winner – businesses with 500 to 1,000 employees – went to Community Health of South Florida, Inc., a private non-profit Federally Qualified Healthcare Center located in Homestead with 565 employees. The winner of the large business category – businesses with more than 1,000 employees – went to the School Board of Broward County, the nation’s sixth largest fully accredited K-12 and adult school system, with 28,653 employees.

The event was hosted by CBS-4 Anchor Shannon Hori. Lillian Rivera, RN, MSN, Ph.D., Administrator of the Miami-Dade County Health Department provided an inspirational message to help employers increase participation in their wellness programs.  Diane Canova, JD, Vice President of Policy and Programs at Partnership for Prevention, delivered the Keynote Address, providing the national perspective on the state of employee wellness.

“In an era of rising healthcare costs and increased risk for chronic diseases, this program is essential for educating the local business community about the many wonderful benefits that worksite wellness programs provide,” said Dr. Rivera.  Business owners, managers, human resource professionals, insurance brokers and those interested in wellness attended the luncheon. 

More than half of healthcare costs are due to unhealthy lifestyles and stress.  Tobacco and alcohol use, lack of physical activity and poor nutrition all contribute to increased health costs.  Many employers have already experienced the vast benefits of a healthier workforce, including reduced healthcare costs, increased productivity, decreased absenteeism, as well as an overall improvement in staff morale and company loyalty that can be produced with comprehensive worksite wellness programs.

The Miami-Dade County Health Department initiated the Consortium for a Healthier Miami-Dade in 2003 to address the increasing rates of chronic diseases in the local community. The Consortium is comprised of community agencies that work in collaboration to promote healthy lifestyles including a healthy diet, regular physical activity and not using tobacco products.  The Worksite Wellness Committee is a workgroup of volunteers dedicated to promoting healthy lifestyles in the work setting by sharing information on best practices and by creating partnerships to implement worksite wellness activities.  For more information please visit www.healthymiamidade.org or contact Gabrielle Solomon at 786-888-5513 or gsolomon@hfsf.org.

 

In Business: The Chess Factor Retains Brash Media as Marketing and Public Relations Agency of Record

(Miami, Florida)---Wednesday, March 30, 2011 - The Chess Factor has retained Brash Media as Marketing and Public Relations Agency of Record.  The Chess Factor CEO, Sonia Chess specializes in coaching, ghost and freelance writing, training, motivational speaking, publishing, facilitating workshops and seminars. 

 

As an advocate for literacy and a change agent, Ms. Chess lends her time, talents and resources to the needs of organizations, youth, abused individuals and troubled teens. An expert in writing in various genres both professional and personal, Ms Chess facilitates writing workshops where the core curriculum is centered on "Healing through the Arts". As a coach and mentor she has assisted countless individuals on the path to healing, hope and self direction.  Sonia's keynote series on success, growth, and healing is founded on the belief that change begins with the creative force from within! 

 

Ms. Chess's book, Coffee Colored Pain, takes readers on a journey to healing and discovery. Soon to be released The Change Factor is a captivating read that blends the principles of success and healing into a melting pot of hope.  As a multi-talented author, Ms. Chess takes her younger audience down the path to greatness as well with Princess Bria:"The Great I Am," Time for Bed; an insightful read that places an emerging generation into the path of hope.

 

Cheryl Waide, Owner of Brash Media, will lead the marketing and public relations initiatives and campaigns for The Chess Factor. Brash Media specializes in public relations and social marketing.

 

Miami Dade Small Business Education Program