Blogging Black Miami

HEALTHY START COALITION OF MIAMI-DADE combats LOCAL INFANT MORTALITY RATE INCREASE WITH Community Health Fair

- National Infant Mortality Awareness Month event to be held Saturday, September 17^th -

MIAMI – Despite a statewide decrease in deaths among children younger than one year old, the infant mortality rate in Miami-Dade County has creeped upward, especially in black and Hispanic communities.  Aimed at reversing this alarming increase, Healthy Start Coalition of Miami-Dade (HSCMD) will host The Community Health & Education Fair. The event takes place Saturday, September 17, 2011 from 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Betty T. Ferguson Community Center, 3000 N.W. 199^TH Street, in Miami Gardens, FL. The fair will equip women with intensive education and tools as they learn to care for themselves, infants and toddlers up to age five. A special program will begin at 11 a.m., when elected officials and community leaders will pledge commitment to supporting HSCMD’s services for local mothers and children.

Remember last year's Senate Bill 6? It's back!!!

Special Message from CIVIC Concern

SB 736 -- This year's version of SB 6

A modified version of last year's SB 6, this legislation is another misguided effort at reform.  It would require 50% of teachers' annual evaluations to be based on their students' standardized tests scores, making Florida the first state in the nation to tie teacher pay, retention, and even certification so closely to students' scores on standardized tests. This experiment will lead to our classrooms becoming little more than test-prep centers where our children aren't taught to think, just to pass a test. Click here to learn all about the details of the legislation in this CIVIC article.

Last year, thousands of parents, teachers and other Floridians joined together in opposition to this proposal, leading to the veto of the bill.  More than 30,000 people signed CIVIC's letter to state officials in just a matter of weeks.  It will take an even louder public outcry to stop it this year.  Please sign this letter opposing SB 736. 
Share it with your friends via email and Facebook.  Let's see if this time we can reach 100,000.

 

 

Photo: Courtesy of Alina Diaz

Miami-Dade Transit’s Black History Tours to feature prominent past and free entertainment

MIAMI, Fl – For a closer view of Miami’s African American historical sites, Miami-Dade Transit is once again offering its annual Black History Transit Tour on two consecutive Saturdays, February 19th and 26th.  The tours will leave from the Stephen P. Clark Government Center, located at 111 NW 1st Street in downtown Miami, beginning at half hour intervals between 8:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.  No reservations are being taken and tours are on a first-come, first-served based.

The Black Affairs Advisory Board’s Heritage Planning Committee has teamed with Miami-Dade Transit to offer a “Black History Extravaganza” tomorrow February 19th, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the African American Cultural Arts Center, located at 6161 NW 22nd Avenue that will feature a “Line Dance” stepping competition, entertainment, food and cultural vendors.

Miami-Dade Transit's award-winning Black History Tours feature sites that once reflected the prosperity and independence of Miami's black community. The free tours reveal a time when black celebrities like Lena Horne, Nat King Cole, Marian Anderson and Billie Holiday performed but could not sleep in Miami Beach, so they stayed in Overtown hotels and entertained blacks in Overtown nightclubs at late-late shows. When the stars tired of Overtown, they escaped to Georgette's Tea Room in Brownsville, where the legendary Billie Holiday once kept a permanent room.

For details, call (305) 375-4606 or for a complete schedule of Black History Month activities, visit the website at www.miamidade.gov/baab.

 

MDC Campuses Celebrate Black History with Free Community Events

Miami – Every year, Miami Dade College (MDC) recognizes Black History Month with an array of community and educational activities at each of its eight campuses. College administrators believe students, as well as the community at large, should be mindful of the contributions made by black Americans throughout this country’s history, both past and present. Below is a list of some Black History Month activities being held at MDC’s various campuses.

For a complete list of MDC’s Black History events, visit http://www.bluetoad.com/publication/?i=59889&pre=1.

 

Workshop hosted by local organization Seed305 on history of blacks in Miami

Wednesday, Feb. 9 at noon

Join Seed305 for a workshop on racism, the history of blacks in Miami, and how people of color internalize racism in the context of Miami’s multi-ethnic/racial populations. Seed305’s mission is to build a movement for fundamental social change through political education. 

Hialeah Campus, 1776 W. 49^th St., Rooms 1119 and 1120

 

Afro-German Victims of the Holocaust

Tuesday, Feb. 15 at 11:15 a.m.

This lecture will address how Germany treated its black colonial and black German citizens, as well as African-American prisoners of war. Hosted by professors Randall Kaufman and Magdalena Lamarre.

Homestead Campus, 500 College Terrace, Room F222

 

Voices from the Grave

Tuesday, Feb. 22 at 10 a.m.

A presentation featuring voice recordings of some of the last living slaves. Hear them speak in their own voice.

InterAmerican Campus, 627 S.W. 27^th Ave., Room 3103

 

Closing Celebration

Thursday, Feb. 24 at noon

Keynote speaker Renee Kilpatrick details the story of her childhood in Alabama and her direct relationship with the late Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Refreshments will be served.

InterAmerican Campus, 627 S.W.  27^th Ave., Room 401

 

Jubilation Dance Ensemble: Buffalo Soldier

Wednesday, Feb. 23 at noon

The Kendall Campus Jubilation Dance Ensemble will perform a variety of pieces influenced by the narrative Buffalo Soldier. This moving narrative explores the discourse, dialogue and experiences of African-Americans in the Civil War.

Kendall Campus, 11011 S.W. 104^th St., McCarthy Theater, Room 6120

 

Big Band Concert

Wednesday, Feb. 23 at 7:30 p.m.

Students and faculty from Kendall Campus’ music department will perform selections made famous by legendary African-American jazz musicians and composers.

Kendall Campus, 11011 S.W. 104^th St., McCarthy Theater, Room 6120

 

Cotton Club

Tuesday, Feb. 28 at 7 p.m.

In the spirit of the 1920’s Harlem Renaissance era, volunteer artists will perform songs, dance and recite poetry. The artists will pay tribute to legendary musicians, singers and writers.

Kendall Campus, 11011 S.W. 104^th St., McCarthy Theater, Room 6120

 

Jazz and Poetry Café

Wednesday, Feb. 16 at noon

Hear spoken words from local Haitian poets and listen to music from the Kendall Campus Jazz Band.

Medical Center Campus, 950 N.W. 20^th St., Room 1175, Auditorium

 

Panel Discussion: The Underground Railroad: Would you break the law in the name of justice?

Thursday, Feb. 24 at 11:30 a.m.

Local and institutional scholars discuss Harriett Tubman, who operated the Underground Railroad and helped deliver thousands of slaves to freedom in the north.

North Campus, 11380 N.W. 27^th Ave., M.J. Taylor Lounge, Room 4207

 

Gospel Fest

Saturday, Feb. 26 at 4 p.m.

Urban contemporary gospel music takes center stage at this electrifying event featuring local and regional gospel dance groups, quartets, vocalists, and choirs.

North Campus, 11380 N.W. 27^th Ave., Building 4, Breezeway

 

The History of Black Colleges and Universities

Tuesday, Feb. 22 at 9:50 a.m.

Learn how Black colleges and universities originated and the status of these institutions today. Hosted by Professor Renee Kilpatrick.

West Campus, 3800 N.W. 115^th Ave., Room 1101

 

Ethnic Foods and Nutrition

Thursday, Feb. 24 at 1:30 p.m.

Professor Jorge Monserrate discusses nutrition and ethnic foods. Hosted by MDC’s Wellness Center.

Wolfson Campus, 300 N.E. 2^nd Ave., Building 7, Room 7128

 

New Report Finds Conservative Policies Worsen Racial Economic Gap, Hit Black and Latino Communities the Hardest

State of the Dream 2011: Austerity for Whom?

 

Special from the Human Services Coalition:

Miami, FL – Conservative attacks on government, public sector workers, social safety nets and the progressive tax system widen the racial economic divide because they disproportionately harm Blacks and Latinos, according to a new report. These findings were released today by United for a Fair Economy in State of the Dream 2011: Austerity for Whom?, released in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. 

“Through their policy proposals, Republican leaders – at all levels of government – are suggesting that we postpone not only the recovery, but also the prospect of a better future,” said Brian Miller, Executive Director of United for a Fair Economy and co-author of the report. “GOP austerity measures will ratchet down the standard of living for all Americans, while simultaneously widening our nation’s racial and economic divide.”

HSCàCatalyst Miami finds this particularly corrosive to the work carried out by the Prosperity Campaign, which links residents in need of economic stability with the financial services and healthcare programs that can help. Our network of Prosperity Centers offers services including free tax preparation, economic benefits counseling, homeownership counseling, financial coaching and more. We also help operate a farmers market in Overtown that accepts food stamps and doubles the value of purchases made with food stamps.

State of the Dream 2011 documents how the conservative agenda increases economic inequality and deepens the racial divide. Forty-two years after Martin Luther King’s death, Blacks earn only 57 cents, and Latinos 59 cents, to each dollar Whites earn. The tax cuts advocated by conservatives will worsen this divide by flowing disproportionately to wealthy White households, while the proposed cuts to social safety nets and the public sector work force will disproportionately harm African-Americans and Latinos.

Judge Darrin Gayles appointed to Eleventh Judicial Circuit Court

On Thursday, December 23, 2010, Florida Governor Charlie Crist announced the appointment of Judge Darrin P. Gayles of Miami Shores to the Eleventh Judicial Circuit Court.

“Judge Gayles is widely known for his professionalism, fairness and effective administration of justice,” said Governor Crist. “His respect for the law, as well as for all who appear in his courtroom, will contribute to the Eleventh Circuit in a meaningful way.”

Judge Gayles, 43, has served on the Miami-Dade County Court since 2004. Previously, he served as an assistant United States attorney for the Southern District of Florida from 1999 to 2004 and as assistant district counsel for the United States Department of Justice, Immigration and Naturalization Service, from 1997 to 1999. He was an assistant state attorney for the Eleventh Judicial Circuit from 1993 to 1997. He received his bachelor’s degree from Howard University and his law degree from George Washington University Law School in Washington, D.C.

Judge Gayles will fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Judge Ronald M. Friedman.

 

WORTH READING: A series of articles about Miami in 'The Root'

Miami was recently featured in a series of articles in The Root. The series included articles on power, money and fun in Miami: Who's Got the Power in Miami?, Who's Got the Money in Miami?, and Where's the Fun in Miami? .

The articles raised some serious questions that deserve to be answered.  When it comes to either of the topics covered, blacks, for the most part, are either left out or left behind. We can support and rebuild our communities or watch progress pass us by.

 

FLORIDA ATTORNEY GENERAL WON’T CHALLENGE RULING STRIKING DOWN GAY ADOPTION PROHIBITION

MIAMI – Florida's 33-year-old policy barring gay people from adopting ended as the state Attorney General Bill McCollum opted not to appeal last month's ruling striking down the ban. The governor and the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) had already announced that they would not appeal the decision.

The appellate court ruling arose in an American Civil Liberties Union legal challenge to the ban on behalf of Martin Gill, who wanted to adopt two foster children he and his partner have been raising for almost six years.

“This law, by baselessly branding gay people unfit parents, was one of the most notorious anti-gay laws in the country, and we are delighted that it has been ended once and for all,” said Leslie Cooper, a senior staff attorney with the ACLU LGBT Project, who argued the case before Florida’s Third District Court of Appeal. “This victory means that the thousands of children in Florida who are waiting to be adopted will no longer be needlessly deprived of willing and able parents who can give them the love and support of a family."

For more information on the case, including a video of Martin Gill explaining how this law has harmed his family, visit: www.aclu.org/gill or www.aclufl.org/gill

Beware of Miami Gardens company with "free trial offers"

MIAMI HERALD

Miami Gardens firm draws 2,000 BBB complaints
By SUSAN SALISBURY

Have you ordered any teeth whiteners, acai diet pills or colon cleansers online and had a problem with your order, especially with a so-called ``free trial offer?''A Miami Gardens company that sells roughly 40 such products, XM Brands Inc., is the subject of close to 2,000 consumer complaints with the Better Business Bureau of Southeast Florida and the Caribbean, West Palm Beach. It has an ``F'' rating.In addition, the Florida Attorney General's Office has received almost 400 complaints against XM Brands and its Economic Crimes Division in West Palm Beach is investigating the firm, a spokeswoman said.

Read More...http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/10/18/1878879/miami-gardens-firm-draws-2000.html?story_link=email_msg

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NAACP political forum features the Rev. Al

The Reverend Al Sharpton is scheduled to participate in the upcoming political forum sponsored by the Miami-Dade branch of the NAACP on Monday, October 18, 2010 at New Birth. The forum, which is sure to be well-attended, starts at 6 pm. The church is located at 2300 NW 135 Street, Miami.

There are a number of important races and amendments on the ballot. Don't miss the forum and come out so you can be an informed voter. Please spread the word.