Learn more about how you or your agency can assist The Census Bureau in getting an accurate count for the all-important upcoming 2010 Census. The Children's Trust is working together with more than 10,000 organizations nationwide to assist this effort, the basis for a wide range of federal funding. Last census, it was estimated that 6.4 million people, many of them people of color, were not counted.

For educators seeking materials on the upcoming census to use in their classrooms, click here. For nonprofits, visit NonProfits Count. For census jobs, click here.

Also be sure to visit the U.S. Census 2010 Web site that includes a wealth of information. You can even listen to the seconds counting down until it starts!

Well, it happened once again. More young lives were cut short due to gun violence in Miami's historic Overtown section. The routine begins again with the request for information from witnesses.

The police chief and political dignitaries will receive coverage by local media for a few days. Mothers will be shown in tears. Flyers will be distributed on street corners and door-to-door. Many people will attend the funerals, eulogize the victims and decry the violence in the community. Few a days and then what?

Three young men were mowed down by bullets from an assault weapon yesterday ---. in broad daylight. Two of the three young men shot yesterday have died. Now what?

What will it take for people in the community to take action against the killings in our community? How many more people must die?

Sent via BlackBerry by AT&T

The Lambda Tau Chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. will host their Annual Founders Award Gala at Florida International University to honor citizens who have made, and continue to make, a positive impact in the lives of others and the South Florida community.

“It is important to thank and recognize individuals for their excellent contributions to the community in an event such as the Founders Awards Gala so they can be an example to others” said Audric Adger, one of the event’s directors. “We take the time to let valuable community members know that their noble actions are appreciated and not overlooked,” he added.

Past recipients of the Founders Award include radio personality, Tom Joyner; Congresswoman Carrie Meek; NFL star Willis McGahee; and the Mayor of Miami Gardens, Shirley Gibson. The fraternity has also given academic scholarships in honor of the late legendary civil rights activist, Athalie Range.

This year, the Lambda Tau Chapter of Phi Beta Sigma will recognize and present their most cherished awards to Florida State Representative, Oscar Braynon; Commissioner of Opa-Locka, Dorothy Johnson; FIU Alumnus Alexander Bostic; and music entertainer Maurice “Trick Daddy” Young.”

 In addition to honoring prominent community members, the gala’s ticket sales contribute to fundraising efforts for charitable causes.

This years Founders Award Gala will feature a reception to honor student leaders, entertainment, followed by dinner and a an empowering keynote speech from, Gerald C. Grant Jr., AXA Advisors.  “We have worked especially hard this year to put together an enjoyable event for 300 guests,” said an event director, Mark Sylvestre.

Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., an international service organization of college and professional men, was founded in 1914 at Howard University on the principles of brotherhood, scholarship and service. The Lambda Tau Chapter, founded fall of 1979 at FIU, is committed to serving the community, with emphasis placed on assisting at-risk youth.

The men of Phi Beta Sigma invite the community and media to take part in celebrating the accomplishments of dynamic leaders in the community on Tuesday, October 27 at 7:00p.m. in the Graham Center Ballrooms at FIU’s Modesto Madique Campus. For more information about ticket and table prices, email Mark Sylvestere  [email protected] and visit the chapter’s website, www.fiusigmas.com.

Today is the birthday of one of my favorite singers. Had she lived, Celia Cruz born Ursula Hilaria Celia Caridad Cruz Alfonso, would have been either 84 or 85 years-old. Her date of birth is so not important as much as her magnificent talent and influence in the music industry and people all over the world.

¡Azúcar! was Celia Cruz’s battle cry. It literally means sugar. It was her way of energizing the music and making it her own. It was also an allusion to African slaves who worked Cuba's sugar plantations. Sugar is an essential agricultural product in Cuba’s history, directly linked both to the vibrant diversity of Cuban culture and to the violence of slavery.

Celia was a trailblazer for women, blacks and Latinos; may she live on in the hearts and minds of many. Celia, La Reina!  ¡Azúcar!

Related links:

Celia Cruz: Her Life and Music

Celia Cruz Offical Website

Check out coverage of a clash between students and campus security at Florida Memorial Monday night. The news anchor characterizes the incident as a near riot and one student mentions escalating violence at the school.

Let’s hope University administration gets this situation under control. FMU is a treasured historic institution and has enjoyed a positive reputation in the community.

NEW YORK - Trinidad and Tobago has been voted "ISLAND OF THE YEAR" by Caribbean World Travel and Living Magazine. Also receiving accolades from Caribbean World Travel and Living Magazine were Blue Haven Hotel in Tobago who won the 2009 Best Boutique Hotel of the Year and Coco Reef Resort, also in Tobago, who won Best Luxury... Read More...

2009-10 ESPN college basketball schedule

ESPN released its 2009-10 college basketball schedule, which includes more than 1,100 games, if you count ESPN360.com (whose games aren't listed).

This list will be revised later in the fall with schedules from other networks, but for now, here's what the folks at ESPN have: http://blog.timesunion.com/sportsmedia/2009-10-espn-college-basketball-schedule/2841/.

© 2009, Blogging Black Miami, www.bloggingblackmiami.com

Follow us on Twitter. Become a fan of Vanessa Woodard Byers for change in public education!

Miami rap artist, Trick Daddy, born Maurice Young, born September 23, 1973 (who also loves the kids) was unable to make it to a scheduled interview recently. It seems that Trick is battling lupus, which can be debilitating.

In this very candid television interview, former award-winning Miami Herald writer Peter Bailey calls Trick Daddy the "most authentic hip hop star" while discussing the legendary rapper's soon to be released autobiography on My33’s Emmy-nominated show “Focus On South Florida”. Bailey goes on to explain how Trick's battle with Lupus has kept him out the spotlight as well as Trick's adoration for black single mothers.

Bailey also also co-authored Trick's autobiography, Magic City: Trials of a Native Son, scheduled for release later this year. The book chronicles Trick's life on the streets of Miami, rise from the Liberty City projects to incarceration to the top of the hip-hop charts.

From Lupus Foundation of America:

What is Lupus?

Lupus is a chronic, autoimmune disease that can damage any part of the body (skin, joints, and/or organs inside the body). Chronic means that the signs and symptoms tend to last longer than six weeks and often for many years. In lupus, something goes wrong with your immune system, which is the part of the body that fights off viruses, bacteria, and germs ("foreign invaders," like the flu). Normally our immune system produces proteins called antibodies that protect the body from these invaders. Autoimmune means your immune system cannot tell the difference between these foreign invaders and your body’s healthy tissues ("auto" means "self") and creates autoantibodies that attack and destroy healthy tissue. These autoantibodies cause inflammation, pain, and damage in various parts of the body.

·

• Lupus is also a disease of flares (the symptoms worsen and you feel ill) and remissions (the symptoms improve and you feel better). Lupus can range from mild to life-threatening and should always be treated by a doctor. With good medical care, most people with lupus can lead a full life.
• · Lupus is not contagious, not even through sexual contact. You cannot "catch" lupus from someone or "give" lupus to someone.
• · Lupus is not like or related to cancer. Cancer is a condition of malignant, abnormal tissues that grow rapidly and spread into surrounding tissues. Lupus is an autoimmune disease, as described above.
• · Lupus is not like or related to HIV (Human Immune Deficiency Virus) or AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome). In HIV or AIDS the immune system is underactive; in lupus, the immune system is overactive.
• · Our research estimates that at least 1.5 million Americans have lupus. The actual number may be higher; however, there have been no large-scale studies to show the actual number of people in the U.S. living with lupus.
• · It is believed that 5 million people throughout the world have a form of lupus.
• · Lupus strikes mostly women of childbearing age (15-44). However, men, children, and teenagers develop lupus, too.
• · Women of color are 2-3 times more likely to develop lupus.
• · People of all races and ethnic groups can develop lupus.
• · More than 16,000 new cases of lupus are reported annually across the country.

Related Information

Target Awareness: what is lupus?
Watch a short six-minute video which provides an overview of lupus, its symptoms and health effects, and how the Lupus Foundation of America can help.

Miami-Dade College Kendall Campus will present its On Stage Concert Series beginning Oct. 6 through Dec. 11, 2009. All performances will be held at the Kendall Campus, 11011 S.W. 104^th St., in Kendall, unless otherwise indicated. Held every fall, the concert series combines the talents of students and faculty from the College’s music, theater and dance department.

One of this year’s most notable performances is a tribute to dancing legend Katherine Dunham, performed by faculty, students, and a guest artist. Other highlights during the concert series include theatrical presentations including a stage play, spoken word, and a comedy/poetry show; gospel and instrumental jazz performances, and more.

All On Stage Concert Series performances are free and open to the public. However, the dance concerts require a $5 admission fee.

For a complete listing of this season’s On Stage Concert Series, visit http://www.mdc.edu/Kendall/mtd/MTD_On_Stage_performances.asp, or call 305-237-2282.  

BLUES GUITAR LEGEND BUDDY GUY LAUNCHES

THE 2009-2010 JAZZ ROOTS SEASON, BRINGING HIS

FAMOUS WAILING ELECTRIC GUITAR SOUND TO A PROGRAM FEATURING SPECIAL GUEST DR. JOHN AND HIS BAND THE LOWER 911

Friday, November 6, 2009

Tickets: $25 to $125

John S. and James L. Knight Concert Hall

MIAMI, FL October 19, 2009 – The Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County, with acclaimed jazz producer and entrepreneur Larry Rosen, present the inaugural concert of the 2009-2010 JAZZ ROOTS season – THE BLUES featuring multi-Grammy Award-winning blues guitar icon BUDDY GUY AND DR. JOHN & THE LOWER 911 on Friday, November 6, 2009 at 8:00 p.m. in the John S. and James L. Knight Concert Hall.

Renowned for his theatrical guitar showmanship and unvarnished blues style, BUDDY GUY, an inductee into the Rock N’ Roll Hall of Fame, is considered the greatest living exponent of Chicago electric blues. His unique, wailing guitar sound has influenced virtually every major blues and rock guitarist from Led Zeppelin and Jimi Hendrix to Stevie Ray Vaughan and Eric Clapton. New Orleans singer/songwriter and pianist Dr. John and his band The Lower 911 open the concert performing their patented version of blues, gospel, funk and jazz. In addition to his unique fusion style, Dr. John is universally recognized for his original blues interpretations of traditional forms of jazz and American classic songs, as well as his elaborate stage shows.

“Buddy Guy is one of the titans of the blues, straddling traditional and modern forms, as well as musical generations, and Dr. John is universally celebrated as the living embodiment of the rich musical heritage exclusive to New Orleans,” said M. John Richard, president and CEO of the Adrienne Arsht Center. “We are thrilled to present the talents of these legendary American artists to the South Florida community.”

“We are especially proud to offer 150 Miami-Dade County Public School youth the once-in-a-lifetime experience to interact with these acclaimed musicians,” continued Richard. As a part of the JAZZ ROOTS education program, the students will have the opportunity to attend the sound check and concert as well as learn more about the blues and how this truly American musical genre has influenced jazz, rock, R&B, rap and popular music.

“Thematically, our JAZZ ROOTS series is based on the drums that came from Africa and their influence on all the popular music of the Americas. THE BLUES, our season opener, starts at the core of jazz,” said series co-producer Larry Rosen. “Both Buddy Guy and Dr. John come from a long heritage of Louisiana blues artists. As Buddy Guy said when I recently interviewed him for our JAZZ ROOTS radio show on WLRN-FM, ‘The blues can be sad, or the blues can be happy, but it always represents how folks are feelin’.”

JAZZ ROOTS’ in-depth educational partnership with Miami-Dade County Public Schools brings more than 900 music students to the Center each season for a unique behind-the-scenes experience, including a pre-concert sound check and a Q&A session with featured artists followed by a workshop with a local jazz expert that will highlight the music, the artistic process and the practical skills needed for a career in the arts. In addition, the Center has developed a curriculum which will be distributed to 800 music, English and social studies teachers throughout the MDCPS school system, potentially serving 24,000 children.

In its debut last season, the JAZZ ROOTS series was a major success, selling out all six performances and drawing more than 10,000 jazz lovers to the Arsht Center. The electrifying 2009-2010 series will once again showcase an all-star lineup of artists in a variety of programs exploring the spectrum of jazz: AN EVENING WITH DAVE GRUSIN featuring Patti Austin, Jon Secada, Gary Burton, Sammy Figueroa, Arturo Sandoval, Nestor Torres, and the University of Miami’s Frost School of Music Mancini Institute Orchestra (December 4); VOCALESE - Manhattan Transfer, New York Voices and Jon Hendricks (January 15); JAZZ and SOUL - Al Jarreau and Ramsey Lewis (February 26); A TRIBUTE TO FRANK SINATRA - Michael Feinstein, John Pizzarelli and The Frost School of Music Mancini Institute Big Band (March 19); PIANO LATINO - Eddie Palmieri, Michel Camilo, and introducing Alfredo Rodriguez (April 16).