By now you've probably seen or heard the story of the 13 year-old prostitute in Miami forced to have her pimp's name tattooed on her eyelids because she threatened to run away.

Actually, Roman Thomas Iii is accused of having "Suave," his street name, tattooed on one of the girl's eyelids and "House" tattooed on the other eyelid thus branding the child as his property.

Thomas and Shanteria Sanders, who has "Suave" tattooed across her upper chest area, were arrested and jailed on a number of charges including human trafficking, false imprisonment and lewd and lascivious exhibition and delivery of a controlled substance to a child. News reports have not indicated if the tattoo artist in this case faces charges also.

Sexual service provided by the 13 year-old was advertised on a notorious website that will not be named here and providing their site with more free advertising.

This horrific case forces human trafficking --- modern day slavery --- into our private discussions. We can no longer ignore the subject or relegate it just to just a passing topic in a conversation here or there.

There are many questions about how all of the parties in this case now find themselves as a victim and/or perpetrator. Thomas, 26, has an extensive criminal history and was under electronic monitoring when arrested in this case. Sanders, 22, helped to provide the alcohol and take obscene pictures of the teen for the website. The 13 year-old victim ran away from home for reasons not yet publicly disclosed but she does have family support as evidenced by her mother's search for her.

Some of the commenters on our Facebook page blamed the environment in which Thomas was raised. Lacking morals and modeling relationships shown in misogynistic rap videos and reality television do shape the socialization of our youth especially those children lacking strong parental support.

From the Florida Department of Children and Families:

Human Trafficking is modern day slavery. Criminalized under both federal and Florida law, it is defined as the transporting, soliciting, recruiting, harboring, providing, or obtaining of another person for transport; for the purposes of forced labor, domestic servitude or sexual exploitation using force, fraud and/or coercion.

If you believe you are a victim of Human Trafficking or suspect an adult is a victim of human trafficking, please visit the National Human Trafficking Resource Center, or call them at 1-888-3737-888. If you suspect a child is a victim, please call the Florida Abuse Hotline at 1-800-96-ABUSE.

When celebrities like NFL pro athletes Robert Bailey and Adewale Ogunleye hit the links on March 29th 2013, they will be swinging with a greater good in mind. The annual celebrity golf tournament raises funds for a variety of programs at Community Health of South Florida, Inc.

“I am so proud to be a part of this fundraiser,” said Bailey. “It helps to remind us all that health care should not be a luxury. The work that CHI does is nothing short of game changing in the lives of thousands of people.”

For all too many South Floridians, access to quality healthcare seems unaffordable. Yet there is a place that is a beacon of hope for the uninsured and underinsured. For 42 years, Community Health of South Florida, Inc. has been providing medical care to those who would otherwise go without doctor’s visits, medication and life saving treatments. The majority of CHI patients do not have the resources to pay for medical care. With nearly 300,000 patient visits in 2012, CHI is a neighborhood resource that gives and goes beyond the call of duty. Its comprehensive medical services offer a wide array of care under one roof: family medicine, pediatrics, OB-Gyn, Radiology, Pharmacy, Dental, Mental Health, Vision and much more.
In a couple months CHI is hoping to break ground on a new Children’s Crisis Center in Homestead. The Center would specialize in treating children who have been victimized by abuse and kids with psychological issues. Right now there is no such place in the South Dade area.

“This is a resource that the community can no longer afford to go without,” said Brodes Hartley, CEO and President of CHI. “The children’s crisis center is a sanctuary to heal these young fragile lives and put them on the path for success.”

CHI has seven convenient locations throughout South Dade and is also expanding into three new health care centers, creating a coverage area that stretches from the Florida Keys to Coconut Grove.

The celebrity golf tournament will tee off at 1pm at Shula’s Golf Club 7601 Miami Lakes Dr. on Friday March 29th, 2013.

A couple of weeks ago most people in the U.S. probably never heard of Fort Myers, Fl or Florida Gulf Coast University. Wow, what a difference wining a basketball game makes. Since FGCU’s huge win over the No. 2 seeded Georgetown Hoyas, they have been on a roll. The team went on to beat No. 7 San Diego State and now they even have a rap song --- Dunk City. 

So simple. So viral. A marketer’s dream. I haven't seen them yet, surely there are t-shirts and other assorted paraphernalia sporting the town’s new nickname. Who knows how long this ride will last, just enjoy it for as long as you can, Florida Gulf Coast.

  

By the way, it’s safe to say lots of folks will be rooting for the underdog FGCU Eagles on Friday night when they go up against the University of Florida Gators. If the Eagles can pull off that victory, there will be pandemonium throughout the state for sure.

 

 

Photo:  Florida Gulf Coast University website

 

 

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2013 Schedule

APRIL
6 ORANGE & GREEN GAME


SEPTEMBER
1 at MEAC/SWAC Challenge,
Orlando, FL

07 TENNESSEE ST

21 at Ohio State

28 SAMFORD UNIV


OCTOBER
05 at Morgan State

12 at Sav State

19 HOWARD UNIV

26 NORTH CAROLINA A&T


NOVEMBER
02 at Norfolk State

09 at So Carolina State

16 DEL STATE

23 at Florida Classic,
Bethune-Cookman


__________________________



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WEDR-FM 99-Jamz, On-Air personalities, Shelby Rushin (left) and Miss Kimmy (right) pose with Embrace Girls member, 7 year-old Brianna Lopez at Spring Tea on Thursday in Recognition of Women's History Month.



Cox Media Group's leading ladies pose with the Embrace Girls and former Miami Gardens Mayor, Shirley Gibson at Thursday, Women's History Month Spring Tea.



Members of the Embrace Girls Foundation enjoy a charming discussion over Tea with Cox Media Group's female executives, On Air Personalities and support staff in recognition of Women's History Month.



Embrace Girls member, Camelia Miles poses with Cox Media Group executive, Connie Winston at Spring Tea on Thursday in recognition of Women's History Month.


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Miami, FL — Congresswoman Frederica Wilson (FL-24) applauded the Federal Aviation Administration’s decision, announced earlier today, to save the contract air traffic control tower at Opa-Locka Executive Airport from a planned closure due to federal budget cuts. Such exemptions were granted for only 24 out of 189 contract air traffic control towers nationally.

Congresswoman Wilson submitted an official letter on behalf of herself, Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman-Schultz (FL-23), and Congressman Alcee Hastings (FL-20) calling on FAA Administrator Michael Huerta to grant a special exemption for the airport, given its importance to national air traffic safety and international commerce. Congresswoman Wilson issued the following statement:

“Opa-Locka Airport is an economic engine for South Florida and an important site for emergency response operations in the region. But the FAA’s wise decision today is not simply about our own community: As an essential backup facility for Miami International Airport and Ft. Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, Opa-Locka reduces congestion, prevents delays, and enhances flight safety conditions throughout the nation.

I thank FAA Administrator Huerta for recognizing that Opa-Locka Airport serves the national interest.”

By Arthia Nixon

Miami, FL __ The reigning Miss Nigeria Florida USA Ayoyemi Ajimatanrareje is confirmed to visit the Enugun orphanage of Nollywood star Patience ‘Mama G’ Ozokwo during her tour of Nigeria. Ajimatanrareje and the Miss Nigeria Florida Cultural Pageant team, including founder/director will be in the country from March 20 - March 29, to promote the pageant’s mission of empowering Nigerian-American women in Florida while supporting the efforts of Mrs. Patience Ozokwo.

“I am very honored to be making the transcontinental journey to broaden the impact while providing support to Mama G who I had the opportunity of meeting when she was the celebrity guest at the 2012 pageant in Miami,” said Ajimatanrareje, who is also studying to become a nurse. “I feel proud to represent my culture, heritage and both the United States and Nigeria simultaneously as this year’s queen. It is an honor I do not take lightly and I want to encourage other young women to embrace the chance to participate in pageants like ours that are not about physical beauty but rather the content of one’s character and awareness of who they are and where they came from.”

According to Murphy Folorunsho, the Miss Nigeria Florida pageant has grown from a small event to one that continues to celebrate the beauty of the Nigerian culture and women.

“The 2012 pageant attracted hundreds of attendees and allowed Nigerians living in Florida the opportunity to celebrate their rich culture while abroad,” he stated. “Ayoyemi is the first queen who will be travelling outside the Florida area in an official capacity and we are very blessed that she is able to do come back to Nigeria to not only promote the pageant but to inspire little girls to aspire to greatness. We are in tune with our organization’s mission to empower the Nigerian American women in Florida by promoting the rich Nigerian culture.”

Her itinerary includes a visit to several schools in the Lagos area to expose students to the pageant while allowing them to meet Miss Nigeria Florida. There will also be opportunities to meet the queen during formal engagements and courtesy calls.

For more information on the Miss Nigeria Florida Cultural Pageant, call Murphy Folorunsho at (786) 489-4313.

New Orleans teacher and California native Terrilynn Monette has been missing since March 2. Her car, a 2012 black Honda Accord has not been recovered either.

If you have seen Terrilynn or have any information on this case, please call (504) 658-4000.

-vb

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Gov. Rick Scott has appointed Glenton Gilzean to the Florida A&M University Board of Trustees (BOT). If approved by the Senate, Gilzean comes to the FAMU BOT during a crucial period as FAMU deals with the fallout from the hazing death of drum major Robert Champion.

Gilzean was a controversial appointment to the Pinellas County School Board in late January 2012. He moved into the community shortly before applying for the school board seat which was open due to the death of the incumbent. Gilzean was defeated in the November 2012 election.

No doubt Gilzean's appointment to the FAMU BOT over candidates with a history of involvement with the University, and his relationship with the governor will also be viewed with a side eye by many people, especially those in the FAMU family.

This time Gilzean will not be faced with the challenges of endearing himself to a community in order to win an election. He will join a board with some members also appointed by Gov. Scott and who share his position on various political issues.

Those who have met Gilzean describe him as a nice guy, smart and a hard-worker. FAMU observers are concerned that his appointment will garner enough votes to oust current FAMU BOT chair Solomon Badger and cement Gov. Scott's control over the University. Stay tuned.

-vb