MIAMI GARDENS—Immanuel Temple will distribute a total of $3,000-—$1,000 to Golden Glades Elementary School, Parkway Middle School and Miami Carol City Senior High School, respectively—during the congregation’s iRep Sunday celebration service, 10 a.m., Sunday, April 29, 2012, in the Miami Carol City Senior High School auditorium.

“iRep” is the brainchild of the Reverend John F. White II. White, along with his wife, the Reverend Maria Mallory White, are the servant-leaders of Immanuel Temple, which was launched Easter Sunday morning (April 8, 2012). The new congregation is worshiping Sundays at 10 a.m. in the Miami Carol City Senior High School auditorium.

“We are God’s people determined to share the love of Christ Jesus in a tangible way, ” White explains. “As a foundational principle of our fellowship, Immanuel Temple is committed to tithing back into the community 10 percent of the monies we raise. We will be a church not only in the community but one that gives back to the community.”

The Whites have invited the families, guests and friends of Immanuel Temple and the staffs of the three schools to attend iRep Sunday in casual attire, wearing the paraphernalia of their sororities, fraternities, lodges and alma maters. “While we celebrate the diversity of our various affiliations and backgrounds,” notes Mallory White, “we share the responsibility to serve our community and be a blessing to our children. This effort represents our love in a tangible way.”

Representatives of the three schools will be on hand to receive the $1,000 gifts.

Program Director  Casa Valentina seeks a program director to lead all aspects of their housing and support services program for youth aging out of foster care. Candidates must have a Master's degree; doctorate level professionals encouraged to apply. A full job description and application information is available by visiting www.casavalentina.org. For more information, call Chelsea Wilkerson at (305) 444-0740 or email[email protected].   Piecework Case Managers The Institute for Child and Family Health seeks applications from experienced targeted case managers to coordinate services for individuals and families. Candidates must have a B.A. degree in a closely related mental health field, experience working with SED children, knowledge of available resources in the service area, must be willing to travel throughout Miami-Dade County. Bilingual (English-Spanish) is preferred. Background screening is required. Email resume to [email protected] or fax to 305-685-4208.       Director, Miami Wine and Food Festival The United Way of Miami-Dade seeks a director to manage and coordinate the implementation of its Miami Wine and Food Festival. The director is also responsible for planning a number of year-round events to raise funds for United Way of Miami-Dade. A B.A. degree  and three-five years experience in fundraising required. Salary range is mid-$53 to high $71,000. Please email resume to [email protected].   Teacher Assistant  United Way of Miami-Dade's Center for Excellence in Early Education is looking for a teacher assistant to support the teacher in planning and implementing lesson plans as well as supervise and provide a clean, safe and cheerful environment for children. Salary range is mid-18s to $22,000. E-mail resume to [email protected].

 

Archbishop Curley Notre Dame Prep Senior, Taylor Altidor has qualified for the National Catholic Forensic League (NCFL) Grand National Tournament to be held May 25-27 in Baltimore.  The tournament offers six forensics events and four debate events.  Altidor, who competes in the Oral Interpretation category, qualified for the tournament by placing 3^rd in the South Florida Catholic Forensic League (SFCFL) Regional Finals.

Altidor’s most recent achievements include: 1^st place in the Oral Interpretation category at the SFCFL Qualifying Tournament last November; 2^nd place in two rounds and 4^th overall at the “Flying L” Invitational; and, in her junior year, 1^st place in all four rounds to sweep the Oral and Interpretation division qualifying her for States.

Altidor’s achievements throughout her school tenure have been exceptional.  She is a member of the varsity basketball team, a cheerleader, and actively helps out with the school’s “Support the Troops” campaign, food drives, and other community service projects.

Altidor’s Speech and Debate experience was put to practical use when, last year, she researched, interviewed school alumni, and facilitated the commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the racial integration of Archbishop Curley High School and Notre Dame Academy – an event that has been documented and accepted into the archives of several of the nation’s leading historical centers.

Altidor has been accepted into the Pre-Pharmacy program at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU) where she will attend this Fall.  She hopes to find sponsors who can help underwrite the trip’s cost of $2,500.00.  Contributions or inquiries can be sent to David Monaco at [email protected].

_{Taylor Altidor's role as captain of the Speech and Debate Team provides "real life" skills. In this photo, the ACND Prep senior interviews alumnus Albert Doyle ’64 in preparation of a 2011 school event that commemorated the school's 50th anniversary as the first high school in Florida to integrate - 10 years before public schools complied by federal court order. Altidor will compete at the National Catholic Forensic League's Grand National Tournament in May, 2012 Photo Credit: Tom Salyer Photography}

by Vanessa Woodard Byers

Check out the tweet sent to this blog. It is likely it was sent because of my postings on the shooting death of Trayvon Martin, particularly, the racist rant of Capt. Brian Beckmann.

My immediate reaction was, wow, this is the first racist comment this blog has received. Some folk have disagreed with the opinions shared on this blog but never resorting to such baseness.

I also realized that tweet was confirmation this blog is fulfilling its mission of documenting the experiences of black people in South Florida --- positive and negative. While I prefer to be positive, it's more important to me to be real.

You know how business owners frequently post the first dollar they made? Well, I saved this tweet. It doesn't make me angry, it motivates me to do more... better... faster. Peace.

The Miami Dade College (MDC) Kendall Campus Chamber Singers and the Civic Chorale of Greater Miami will present Flights of Hope, a benefit concert for Safespace Foundation at 4 p.m. on Sunday, April 22 at the South Miami-Dade Cultural Arts Center.

The Safespace Foundation is a non-profit 501(c) (3) organization committed to the advocacy and empowerment of domestic violence victims and survivors.

Tickets for the Flights of Hope concert will be available at the door the day of the concert, or in advance by calling 786-573-5300, or visiting www.smdcac.org/shows.html.

Tickets are $20 for adults, $15 seniors, $10 for students with I.D., and free for children under age 12.

There will be clothing bins on-site for donations of clean, gently used clothing, small houseware items and used cell phones for the Safespace residents.

For more information, call 305-490-5930 or email [email protected] or [email protected], or visit www.civicchorale.info

"While it is good that Governor Scott has ended his delay in launching the task force, I am deeply disappointed that he isn't giving adequate voice to the family and close friends of Trayvon Martin. I am also concerned that he may have stacked the panel with members in favor of the status quo as it concerns Florida's Stand Your Ground law.

"As the representative from Trayvon's hometown, I feel it is crucial that the task force include members, especially legislators, from the community where Trayvon's mother resides. None of the lawmakers that Governor Scott has appointed are from South Florida. In addition, I am skeptical that the panel he has appointed will provide as much diversity of viewpoints about Florida's criminal justice policies as he has touted.

"If the governor thought it was important to appoint an author of Florida's Stand Your Ground law to the group, he surely should have also appointed an elected official who knows well how Trayvon Martin's family is responding to a senseless tragedy."

 

 

Pink Goes Green as the Gamma Zeta Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Celebrates Earth Day 

Sunday, April 22, 2012 is Earth Day. To celebrate this important day, the lovely ladies of the Gamma Zeta Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority have partnered with Urban Greenworks and Citizens for a Better South Florida to hold a tree planting activity at Belafonte-TACOLCY Park from 8:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.

Making this community activity even more special, the sorority will memorialize its deceased members, called “Ivies Beyond the Wall,” by planting 10 trees and encircling them in pink ribbon.

Here is the list of women to be honored: 

• Fredericka Maura Bruton
• Frances R. Chambers
• Ada Mae McKinney DeVeaux
• Connie S. Dillard
• Naomi Jones Grant
• Alice Harrison
• Girthia L. Hart-Williams
• Zeola Cohen Jones
• Bernadine Lazier
• Myrna Range Lee
• Mabel Wright Martin
• Gwendolyn Graham McCoy
• Andel W. Mickins
• Beauford Moore
• Aletha Odom-Foxworth
• Madeleine Portier
• Ida Taylor Ratcliffe
• Jennie Franklin Reaves
• Lydia Greene Ross
• Maxine M. Sconiers
• Roslyn Scippio Sparks
• Ida Davis Whipple
• Tessie White
• Audrey B. Williams
• Mary Woodard

You are encouraged to bring your gardening gloves, gardening tools, hat and sunscreen to be a part of this wonderful activity.

Constance Gilbert is chair of the chapter’s Environmental & Sustainability Committee. Sandra L. Jackson is the organization’s president.

 

If you go:

Pink Goes Green Tree Planting Event
Sunday, April 22, 2012
8:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
Belafonte–TACOLCY Park
6161 NW 9^th Avenue
Miami, FL 33127

 

Gov. Rick Scott's task force on citizen safety and protection was formed as a result of the overwhelming public pressure for the arrest of George Zimmerman in the fatal shooting of Miami Gardens teen Trayvon Martin while he was visiting in Sanford, FL in late February 2012.

Police did not initially arrest Zimmerman citing 'Stand Your Ground' as justifiable defense.

The task force is chaired by Lt. Gov. Jennifer Carroll and co-chaired by Rev. R.B. Holmes. The task force's review will include but not limited to the controversial 'Stand Your Ground' law. Go to the Task Force's website for a complete listing of the task force members, meeting dates, background information and other details.

by Vanessa Byers

Florida A&M University (FAMU) has pushed its Homecoming football game back to November 10, 2012, because Florida State also has a home football game scheduled for the original October 13, 2012 date and the Tallahassee area does not have enough hotel accommodations for both sets of fans.

Since FAMU's founding date is October 8, 1887, the original date made more sense for their 125th anniversary celebratory activities. The new date falls on the Veterans Day holiday weekend which could benefit some fans while others have complained about Homecoming now being too close to the Florida Classic game in Orlando the following week.

"With this being the historic 125th anniversary of Florida A&M University, we wanted to allow as many people the opportunity to enjoy the weekend of activities as possible," said Derek Horne, director of athletics at FAMU.

"We have been in discussion with alumni leadership on this matter and the University and the Department of Athletics have both agreed to this solution," said Horne.

_{Branch members in Sanford, FL for Trayvon Martin Rally}

The Miami-Dade Branch of the NAACP will meet at 7pm, Monday, April 23, 2012, in the sanctuary of the Victor T. Curry Christian Community Empowerment Center, New Birth Baptist Church East Campus in the Sanctuary, 13230 NW 7th Avenue, Miami, FL 

Tentative Agenda:

• Racist Facebook Page Rant of Miami-Dade County Fire Captain (Captain Faye Davis)
• Trayvon Martin Case Update (Atty. Chris Benjamin)
• School to Prison Pipeline (Dr. Shirley Johnson and Dannie McMillon)
• Civic Engagement - Voter Registration (Atty. Kishasha Sharpe and Ebony Jackson)

As you can see, these are very important and time-sensitive topics. The fatal shooting of Trayvon Martin and subsequent citizen response has shown us the power of people who are actively engaged in the community. Let’s keep up the good work and keep the pressure on by getting and staying involved.