Blogging Black Miami

Black History Month Calendar of Events

Thursday, February 9 – Sunday, February 12

Virginia Key Beach GrassRoots Festival of Music & Dance

Featuring Chaka Khan, Arrested Development, Fishbone and more than 50 bands!

The Historic Virginia Key Beach Park

4020 Virginia Beach Drive

Miami, FL 33149

For tickets and information, go to www.virginiakeygrassroots.com.

 

Friday, February 10

Solo Exhibition: Prince Emmanuel Abiodun Aderele’s “Sacred Art and Drums”

Presented by Fundacion Artistas Unidos and the Intercontinental Doral Miami

6:00 p.m.

Intercontinental Hotel Doral/Miami

2505 NW 87th Avenue

Miami, FL 33122

For more information, call (800) 593-5447.

 

Saturday, February 11

Family Fun Day: Ritmos Cubanos: ¡Azúcar!

Noon - 5:00 p.m.

Join master drummer Ezequiel Torres and other artists for an afternoon of Afro-Cuban culture. Participate in interactive drumming and dance demonstrations, and make your own shaker instrument.

HistoryMiami

101 West Flagler Street

Miami, FL 33130

Free and open to the public

For more information, call (305) 375-1492 or e-mail folklife@historymiami.org.

 

Saturday, February 18

Fun-Raiser sponsored by Black Heritage Planning Committee

6:00 p.m. - Midnight

Seminole Hard Rock Hotel

1 Seminole Way

Hollywood, FL 33314

For tickets and information, call (305) 375-4606.

 

Sunday, February 19

Gospel Explosion

Concert featuring recording Johnny Sanders & Francine Murphy Ealey and more!

Co-sponsored by Commissioner Lynda Bell and Commissioner Dennis C. Moss

3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

South Miami-Dade Cultural Arts Center

10950 SW 211 Street

Cutler Bay, FL 33189

Free and open to the public

For more information, call (305) 375-4606.

 

Thursday, February 23

8th Annual Black History Month Celebration

Presented by the South Miami-Dade Cultural Arts Center and delancyhill Law Firm

The Langston Hughes Project featuring The Ron McCurdy Quartet and celebrity spoken word

artist Malcolm Jamal-Warner

10950 SW 211 Street

Cutler Bay, FL 33189

For tickets and information, call (786) 573-5300 or www.smdcac.org.

 

Friday, February 24

Annual Black History Extravaganza

Sponsored by the Black Heritage Committee

4:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Joseph Caleb Auditorium

5400 NW 22nd Avenue

Miami, FL  33142

For more information, call (305) 375-4606.

 

Saturday, February 25

Black Aviation in Miami

HistoryMiami (HM) and the Black Affairs Advisory Board program on the history of blacks in aviation; a private tour of HM’s “Aviation in Miami: The First 100 Years,” recognition of students from Florida Memorial University’s Aviation Department; and presentation and book signing by Von Hardesty, author or “Black Wings: Courageous Stories of African Americans in Aviation and Space History.”

2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

HistoryMiami

101 West Flagler Street

Miami, FL 33130

Cost: HM Miami Members Free; Non-Members $8.00 per person

For more information, call (305) 375-1492.

 

 

Hundreds attend AKAs Youth Symposium

On Sunday, January 15, 2012 the local graduate chapters of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority - Gamma Zeta Omega and Pi Delta Omega hosted America’s Sunday Supper Youth symposium at New Way Fellowship Praise and Worship Center in Miami Gardens. The event was an opportunity for a multi-generational conversation on civil rights achievements and expectations for the future, there was also a salute to the nation’s military.

It was a wonderful experience to have Tuskegee Airman Eldridge Williams present as a real-life hero of that group of men to be documented again in the upcoming film, “Red Tails”. There were also U.S. service members present from the United States Southern Command.

Civil Rights Heroes and Heroines recognized were: Marjorie Young, Alpha Kappa Alpha member and civil rights activist; Earl Davis, survivor of the Birmingham church bombing; A.D. Moore, Sr., civil rights activist; Garth Reeves, Publisher Emeritus, The Miami Times; and Dr. Enid Pinkney, preservationist and community activist. 

Civil Right Torch Bearers: Alpha Kappa Alpha member Adora Obi Nweze, President of the Florida NAACP; Col. (Ret.) Brodes Hartley, President and CEO of CHI of South Florida, and civil rights activist.

The Future - Servant Leaders included: Karen Andre, attorney; community activist and Florida Deputy Political Director for the Obama Campaign; Ebony Jackson, NAACP and civil rights activist; Brandon Okpalobi, Founder of Dibia Athletic Development; Amber Walker, Catalyst Miami; and Rolonda Shands, SGA President at Miami-Dade College.

More than 250 were present and included several youth groups: EYL (Emerging Young Leaders); Ivy Rosettes; Pearl Essence; Lamplighters; and the Girl Scouts. State Rep. Barbara Watson; Dr. Dorothy Jenkins Fields of the Black Archives; and Jermaine D. Chambers, President of Voting Rocks were also present.

See more photos on Facebook. 

 

 

West Perrine MLK Parade 2012

It was a beautiful day for the Dr. Martin Luther King Parade in West Perrine on the morning of Saturday, January 14, 2012 in West Perrine. I always love that parade because it’s organized, spacious and the spectators are polite. There were rumors that the Parade had been cancelled this year so I was extra curious as to how it would turn out.   

Mr. Ed Hanna and the parade organizers should be proud. There were not as many spectators as usual but it was a nice, ethnically diverse crowd, representative of Dr. King’s fight for the civil rights of mankind. I’m always curious if the folks who attend or participate in the  parade really understand why we celebrate with a national holiday.

Anyway, the parents and other family members enjoy watching their children in the parade. The marching bands and auxiliary units looked exceptionally nice. Since my Dad was raised in the Perrine area, he gets a kick out of talking to childhood friends and neighbors. 

The King events also included a breakfast and a Battle of the Bands. My schedule didn’t allow me to attend this year but they are usually great events. It’s amazing how theses events are pulled off each year. It takes dedicated, committed people to make these events happen. I appreciate each and every person who played a part because the community needs events like these.

See more photos of the West Perrine MLK Parade on Facebook. Be sure to “Like” our Facebook page.

 

 

King of Clubs Black Tie Affair

On Friday, January 13, 2012, the King of Clubs of Greater Miami held their annual Black Tie Affair at the Doubletree Hotel off Biscayne Bay near downtown Miami. The event is the highlight of the organization’s Winter activities and a precursor to their scholarship luncheon held in the Spring. 

Since my Dad, Dr. Art Woodard, has been a member of the organization for many years, I’ve attended several of these events over the years. This year’s event was particularly lively. Dad’s table guests this year were: Mr. & Mrs. W.B. Koon; Dr. Carrie Keys; Romania Wilson; Naha Nixon; Dorothy McCormick; Ronnie Wilson; Mr. and Mrs. James Farrington and moi.

Some of the other guests included Dr. Dorothy Bendross Mindingall; Sam Jackson; Dr. Herman Dorsett; Dr. Rosa Simmons; Bonita North; Mr. & Mrs. Franklin Clark & Family; Agenoria Spearman Paschal; Mr. & Mrs. Fletcher Paschal III; Henry Mingo; bride-to-be T. Eileen Martin-Major and fiancé, Rev. Gregory Robinson; Mrs. & Mrs. Arthur Simms and Mrs. & Mrs. Woodard Vaught.

The event was chaired by James and Marge Fayson. Dr. Richard Strachan is the president of the organization. A good time was had by all. Kudos to the King of Clubs.

Check out more pictures on our Facebook page. Be sure to “Like” our page also.

 

Learn and Earn at Parent Conference, Sat. 01/28/2012

The National PTA Urban Family Initiative Team will present a Learn and Earn Parent Conference that informs participants on several key topics regrading the monies received  by schools in the Miami-Dade County Public School System. 

There has been much discussion about the academic success and challenges of local public schools. Come out and learn how to successfully navigate the Common Core Standards; the current testing models and assessments students are subjected to; how to get assistance with social, medical and legal issues; how schools should use their Title I budget; the structure of the school District and parents’ rights and responsibilities.

If you are a parent or concerned about public education, you should attend these sessions so you can effectively advocate for the delivery of a quality to our students.

If you go:

 

Learn and Earn Parent Conference 

Saturday, January 28, 2012

9:00 am - 3:00 pm

Registration – 8:30 am

 

Miami Dade College, North Campus-Science Building

11380 NW 27th Avenue
Miami, Florida 33167

Participants will receive free UFEI Bucks to redeem for school supplies. You must attend workshops and present your child’s report card. Materials and refreshments will be provided if you RSVP before January 20, 2012.

You can register online at: https://ptaspeakers.wufoo.com/forms/z7p7w7/, or by phone at 800-307-4782  Ext. 3418 (English) or 800-307-3419 (Spanish).

 

AKAs Celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr.

On Sunday, January 15, 2012, the local graduate chapters of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority - Gamma Zeta Omega and Pi Delta Omega, along with New Way Fellowship Praise and Worship Center present their Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. America’s Sunday Supper Youth Symposium: “Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.: Timeless Service -- Past, Present and Future". 

Local civil rights legends and the next generation of leaders will share thoughts and information on the relevance of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and the civil rights movement and the need for Servant Leadership today.

Some of the local civil rights legend and leaders to be featured include: Garth C. Reeves, Publisher Emeritus of the Miami Times; Adora Obi Nweze, Alpha Kappa Alpha member and State President of the NAACP; A.D. Moore, former local president of CORE; Karen Andre, community activist and Deputy Political Director for the Obama 2012 Campaign in Florida; and Col. Brodes Hartley, Jr., CEO of CHI of South Florida. A salute to the military is also planned with a special acknowledgement and presentation by one of the Tuskegee Airmen.

This event and others with a similar former are being presented by alpha Kappa Alpha chapters throughout the nation. In the spirit of Dr. King and servant leadership, Gamma Zeta Omega Chapter will continue celebrating MLK weekend by participating in the 5000 role Models Breakfast and feeding the homeless at Chapman House and the Miami Rescue Mission. Sandra L. Jackson is president of the Gamma Zeta Omega Chapter and Karen Hawkins is president of the Pi Delta Omega Chapter.

 

 If you go:

Gamma Zeta Omega Chapter and Pi Delta Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated in conjunction with New Way Praise and Worship Center Present:

America’s Sunday Supper ~ Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Youth Symposium

“Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.: Timeless Service -- Past, Present and Future"

3:00p.m. – 5:00p.m.

New Way Fellowship Praise and Worship Center

16800 NW 22nd Avenue

Miami Gardens, FL 

Admission: Free 

For more information e-mail: cakac@bellsouth.net.

 

 

Congresswoman Wilson and Senator Nelson to Host Panel Discussion on Progress in Haiti on Friday, January 13 in Miami

Washington, DC – U.S. Rep. Frederica Wilson (D-Fla.) announced today that she and U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson (D-Fla.) will be hosting a panel discussion on the progress in Haiti in the two years following the earthquake that devastated the island nation on Friday, January 13, 2012 at 4:00 pm at the Miami Edison Middle School.

Joining them will be U.S. Ambassador to Haiti Ken Merten, U.S. State Department Haiti Special Coordinator Tom Adams, and USAID’s Senior Deputy Assistant Administrator, Ambassador Liliana Ayalde.

In addition to these distinguished speakers, the event will include Pastor Eddy Gervais of the Faith Community Center, the Miami Edison Senior High School Band, participants in Congresswoman Wilson’s “5000 Role Models of Excellence” project, singers Farah Juste (Haitian national anthem) and Rochelle Lightfoot (U.S. national anthem), and a photo and story exhibit titled “Ayiti Leve Kanpe” (“Haiti Will Rise”).

 

What:              Panel Discussion on Progress in Haiti

Date:               Friday, January 13, 2012

Time:               4:00 pm

Location:         Miami Edison Middle School Auditorium

                     6101 NW 2^nd Ave., Miami, FL  33127-1211

 

 

LUDACRIS PREDICTED THE RED BULL SOUNDCLASH BATTLE WITH MIKE POSNER WOULD BE LEGENDARY AND IT WAS!

 

With Crowds Roaring, Lights Flashing and That Big Orange Smiling, The Countdown Was a Smashing Success               

 

 Photo Credit: Red Bull

 

MIAMI, FL USA: Red Bull Soundclash brought in the crowds tonight as more than 80K people gathered in Miami’s Bayfront Park preparing to welcome in the New Year with the rise of the Big Orange!

The crowds weren’t the only ones excited about the evening’s festivities – the performers were too! “Looking forward to the Red Bull Soundclash concert at Bayfront Park in Miami w/ Mike Posner,” tweeted Ludacris. “It will be legendary.”

And legendary it was! Both artists were challenged to collaborate in four rounds of musical conversation including The Cover, The Takeover, The Clash and The Wild Card. While Mike Posner brought in the University of Miami drum line, Ludacris answered right back with Luther ‘Uncle Luke’ Campbell, both ending the night with an exhilarating performance that left the crowds cheering for more as they prepared to welcome 2012.

“Bayfront Park Management Trust was so pleased to partner with Red Bull to bring another one of their world class, signature events to downtown Miami,” said Tim Schmand, Executive Director of Bayfront Park.  “The Red Bull Soundclash brought top talent and provided residents and visitors with an amazing, unique experience for free.”

Spotted throughout the night were Red Bull fans, Miami residents, tourists and a variety of celebs including Jennifer Lopez, Lorenz Tate and more!

Calendar of Kwanzaa Events in Miami-Dade County

 

Kwanzaa Story Time: Miami Children’s Museum, 980 MacArthur Cswy, Miami. Dec. 26, 1 p.m.  

Sankofa Returns: African Heritage Cultural Arts Center, 6161 NW 22nd Ave., Miami. Dec. 26. 6 p.m.  

AALRC Celebrates Kwanzaa: African Heritage Cultural Arts Center, 6161 NW 22nd Ave., Miami. Dec. 28. 1 p.m. – 7.  

Steel drumming, dance, drama and poetry:African American Research Library and Cultural Center, 2650 Sistrunk Blvd., Fort Lauderdale. Dec. 28; 1 p.m.-7. 

A Kwanzaa Experience: Joseph Caleb Center Auditorium, 5400 NW 22 Ave., Miami. Dec. 29. 6:30 p.m. 

Mary Williams Woodard Legacy Kwanzaa Celebration: African Heritage Cultural Arts Center, 6161 NW 22nd Ave., Miami. Dec 30. 7 p.m. 

 

Source: Miami Herald

Read more at http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/12/25/2561787/kwanzaa-kicks-off-tonight.html

 

Kwanzaa Celebration continues in Miami on Fri. 12/30

On Friday, December 30, 2011 the Miami-Dade Chapter of the FAMU National Alumni Association and Community Builders Holistic Development Corporation will present the 22nd Annual Mary Williams Woodard Legacy Kwanzaa Celebration. This is the Miami-Dade Chapter's signature event as they give back to the South Florida community. They are pleased to continue their longstanding partnership with Community Builders and their Osun’s Village & African Caribbean Cultural Arts Corridor Project in presenting this important event.

Several international and local performing artists are expected to participate. The children’s groups from the African Heritage Cultural Arts Center are always a delight. This year, a parade of African and African-inspired fashions has been added so wear your finest if you are so inclined. A special call is being made to natural hair wearing brothers and sisters. So rock your Locs, Twists, Braids and Afros for the Natural Hair Showcase.

This is an uplifting, family bonding, community building event celebrating: Unity; Self-Determination; Collective Work & Responsibility; Cooperative Economics; Purpose; Creativity; and Faith! This event is FREE and open to the public.

Stay tuned to Blogging Black Miami for photos from the event.

For more information on the Mary Williams Woodard Legacy Kwanzaa Celebration, call the FAMU Alumni Association at (305) 761-8952 or e-mail gofamu@miamidaderattlers.org.