Shaunie O' Neal, creator, executive producer and cast member of VH1's megahit docu-series Basketball Wives, celebrated the launch of "Forever Shaunie" with an intimate dinner at the new Philippe LA restaurant in Beverly Hills on Thursday, October 24, 2013. The capsule jewelry collection is a special collaboration between Shaunie and jewelry designer and entrepreneur, Simone Smith, for her eponymous line of jewelry, "SIS by Simone I. Smith." The line consists of beautifully handcrafted statement pieces adorned in 18-Karat gold over sterling silver and encrusted with the finest Austrian crystals. Each piece is inscribed with three powerful words that Simone feels best describes Shaunie - Loyal, Fabulous and Loving. The intimate evening held at Phillipe Beverly Hills included a full-seated dinner, a Laurent Perrier champagne toast, and fun filled camaraderie.

Celebrities in attendance included, Shaunie, Simone, Vanessa Williams, Holly Robinson Peete, Laila Ali, Shaun Robinson, Niecy Nash, Faith Evans, Cookie Johnson, Latoya Luckett, Nicole Murphy, Melody Thornton, Sheree Fletcher and Misa Hylton,

After years of friendship and admiring one another's sense of style, Shaunie and Simone decided to collaborate and create the jewelry line, "Forever Shaunie." Knowing that Simone is a 9-year cancer survivor, and that Shaunie has lost someone very dear to her from the disease, the two savvy businesswomen set out to create a collection that empowered women by making them feel confidant both inside and out when wearing the pieces. While doing so, the ladies decided to contribute back by donating a portion of the proceeds of each unit sold to the American Cancer Society. "Forever Shaunie" may be found at Macy's department stores and online at Macys.com

 

 

 

By now you have likely seen this incredibly racist photo that makes a mockery of the fatal shooting of Miami Gardens teen, Trayvon Martin in Sanford, FL in February 2012. William Filene, dressed as Martin, is in blackface makeup similar to that of vaudeville minstrel shows and wears a hoodie with bullet holes and fake blood. Greg Cimeno is wearing a t-shirt with "Neighborhood Watch" lettering and pretends to shoot Filene in the head.

Caitlin Cimeno posted the picture on her Facebook profile which has now been set to 'Friends Only'. She also scrubbed her Twitter and Instagram timelines but not before some folks were able to get screenshots. We really shouldn't be surprised that someone somewhere in these United States would have no regard for the sensitivity of Martin's death. Just be mindful that there are others who support this trio's actions.

God Bless America.

 

 

Re-Awakened Trayvon Martin His Shocking Secret Death Confession Kept from the George Zimmerman Defense Team

 

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Ernesto Perez apparently had his hands in the pockets of elected officials from South Florida to the Florida Panhandle. He has contributed over $100,000 to various political campaigns and even contributed to multiple candidates in the same race. Please read the sidebar article: Politicians for hire. Don’t get it twisted; while there are no blacks included in the Politicians for hire slideshow, Perez does not discriminate by ethnicity, gender nor political affiliation when it comes to spreading his campaign contributions.

Unfortunately, some people who do not vote use situations like this to support their position that their vote doesn’t matter. However, if people would refuse to be ‘bought and sold’ or to vote for people who are ‘bought and sold,’ the problem would definitely be reduced.

The real losers in this Dade Medical College situation are the taxpayers whose money has been used to help for-profit organizations finance their schemes; students who are saddled with debt and a worthless diploma; and healthcare patients who might end up being serviced by these poorly trained students who would be hired by an unscrupulous owner in spite of their lack of qualifications. Check the credentials of the folks who provide healthcare to you and your family.

While many folks locally are passionate about charter schools taking over their neighborhood public school, it’s also important to follow what’s happening in postsecondary and career education also.

It’s been said and written many times, when it comes to politics, follow the money.

 

 

Related Link:

Dade Medical College: Political Pull, Poor Student Outcomes

 

Photo: MatchCollege.com 

 

 

Related articles

Ernesto Perez resigns as head of Dade Medical College

Dade Medical College President Perez resigns

Dade Medical College CEO accused of covering-up criminal history

Politically connected Dade Medical College CEO accused of covering up criminal past

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Dade Medical College's chief executive resigns amid criminal charges

 

It was so great to see Miami’s own Karen Andre standing with President Barack Obama as remarked about the pressing need for immigration reform in the U.S.  This smart and beautiful woman is relatively quietly making things happen from Miami to DC and has been for years. Congratulations, Karen!

 

  

 

 

Related Link:

President Obama Speaks on Immigration Reform (Transcript)

 

 

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Frederica S. Wilson (FL-24) released the following statement today after the United States Department of Labor announced that the economy added 148,000 jobs and the unemployment rate fell slightly to 7.2 percent in September. Economists surveyed by Bloomberg News had previously expected upwards of 185,000 to be created. 

 

“Today’s disappointing job numbers should send a clear message to Congress that it’s time to restore focus on America’s real economic crisis—unemployment.  Over the past several weeks, Congress has had to put the issue on the back-burner because of the shenanigans of a small group of Tea Party lawmakers.

“The White House has estimated that the government shutdown will "subtract" roughly 120,000 jobs from the US economy.  As the independent economic consulting firm Macroeconomic Advisers revealed last week, the budget battles, debt-ceiling showdowns, and budget cuts that have consumed Congress since the Republican takeover in 2010 have cost the United States an estimated $700 billion in economic activity and more than two million jobs.

“Instead of continuing to govern by crisis, it’s time for Republicans to listen to the American people and focus on a real solution to the jobs crisis.   Democrats have proven policy proposals – including the American Jobs Act of 2013 and the Jobs Now Act, both of which I recently introduced, the 21st Century Full Employment Act, which Congressman John Conyers of Michigan has sponsored, and the Make It in America Agenda, which Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer has championed – any of which could go a long way toward ending the unemployment crisis that has been with us since the start of the Great Recession.

“The mantra of this Congress should be Jobs, Jobs, Jobs!”

The WISH Foundation, Incorporated in conjunction with the Gamma Zeta Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated presents their 6th Emerald Gala and Silent Auction. There will be dinner, dancing and Michael “Tight Mike” Randolph will be back with a comedy show with Marvin Dixon and Antoine Scott.  

 

Emerald Gala and Silent Auction
Saturday, November 2, 2013
7:00 pm - Midnight

Miami Marriott Biscayne Bay Hotel
1633 North Bayshore Drive
Miami, FL 33132

$100.00 per person

 

Tickets can be purchased online at http://emeraldgala2013-eac2.eventbrite.com.

 

Hey, South Florida! Do you have talent? If the answer is YES, you could be the next star of America's Got Talent. Auditions are THIS WEEK so get to gettin', alright?

Early voting in the November 5th Special Election regarding bonds for Jackson Hospital and key municipality races in Miami-Dade County starts today. Check the schedule below for a convenient location and time. Exercise your right to vote. Every election is important. Share this information with your family and friends.

From the Miami-Dade Department of Elections:

Please go to the Voter Toolkit for details on what to bring.

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Miami-Dade County Special Election - November 5, 2013

Early Voting Schedule Mon. Tues. Wed. Thurs. Fri. Sat. Sun. 10/21 7am- 3pm 10/22 7am- 3pm 10/23 7am- 3pm 10/24 7am- 3pm 10/25 7am- 3pm 10/26 9am- 1pm 10/27 1pm- 5pm 10/28 11am- 7pm 10/29 11am- 7pm 10/30 11am- 7pm 10/31 11am- 7pm 11/1 11am- 7pm 11/2 9am- 1pm 11/3 1pm- 5pm

Early Voting Locations City of Miami - City Hall 3500 Pan American Drive (Entrance is located at the northeast side of the building - ADA entrance is through the front door of City Hall) Coral Gables Library 3443 Segovia Street Coral Reef Library 9211 SW 152nd Street Elections Department (SOE Main Office) 2700 NW 87th Avenue Florida City - City Hall 404 West Palm Drive (Commission Chambers) John F. Kennedy Library 190 West 49th Street Kendall Branch Library 9101 SW 97th Avenue Lemon City Library 430 NE 61st Street (Reading Room) Miami Lakes Public Library 6699 Windmill Gate Road Miami Beach City Hall 1700 Convention Center Drive Model City Library @ Caleb Center  2211 NW 54th Street North Dade Regional Library 2455 NW 183rd Street North Miami Public Library 835 NE 132nd Street North Miami Beach Public Library 1601 NE 164th Street (** Replacement for Aventura Government Center) North Shore Branch Library 7501 Collins Avenue (Program Room) South Dade Regional Library 10750 SW 211th Street Stephen P. Clark Gov’t Center (SOE Branch Office) 111 NW 1st Street (Lobby) West Dade Regional Library 9445 SW 24th Street West Flagler Branch Library 5050 West Flagler Street West Kendall Regional Library 10201 Hammocks Boulevard

 

 

If YOU don't VOTE, don't COMPLAIN!

 

 

Gala celebrates Dr. Norman C. Francis’s 45th year as Xavier President 

NEW ORLEANS  – Motown superstars The Commodores, the sophisticated R&B trio En Vogue and legendary comedian Bill Cosby are the concert headliners for Xavier University of Louisiana’s sixth annual benefit concert Nov. 22 at 8:00 p.m. in the University’s new Convocation Center. 

Sam’s Club and Walmart are the lead event sponsors for this year’s Dr. Norman C. Francis Endowed Scholarship Benefit Concert, which was inaugurated in 2008 to coincide with the Xavier President’s 40th Anniversary at the helm of the nation’s only Historically Black and Roman Catholic institution of higher education. He is now in his 45th year at the post and continues to be the longest serving university president in the United States.

The net proceeds generated by the annual concert series are dedicated to an endowed scholarship fund which was created to help ensure that deserving students are able to earn a college degree regardless of their financial situation. The original total goal established for the endowed scholarship fund was $1 million, which was reached last year. Additional monies from this year’s event and all future concerts are earmarked for the purpose.

Tickets are on sale for $45 and $90 through the Ticket Master hot line 1-866-448-7849 or online at www.ticketmaster.com/Commodores-tickets/artist/734798. Additional concert information is available on the Xavier website, www.xula.edu.

Sponsor tables, patron packages and concert tickets are available through the Office of Institutional Advancement at 504-520-4252.

MIAMI, FL—The Black Archives, History and Research Foundation of South Florida, Inc. kicks off its second season of “Expressions” on Saturday, October 26, 2013 at The Historic Ward Rooming House Gallery, 249 NW 9th Street in Miami’s historic Overtown neighborhood.

Hosted by international poet and spoken word artist Rebecca “Butterfly” Vaughns, “Expressions” includes featured sets from local spoken word artists Rachel “Flow Diva” Finley, Kimani Trapp and Poet Tampa. The evening consists of open mic (poets must pre-register) and live music by Ed the World Famous and Jody Hill and the Deep Fried Funk Band. Local food vendor, Keith the Conch Man will also be there with fresh, delicious conch salad for purchase.

“The start of this second season is very important as we approach the opening of the historic Lyric Theater,” said Timothy A. Barber, Executive Director at The Black Archives. “We are developing our ‘Expressions’ spoken word and live music showcase to be a nationally-recognized event, which will soon be hosted in the completed theater. As we move the programming to the theater, we are honoring our future by honoring our past.”

Until the upcoming official opening of the newly remodeled historic Lyric Theater, “Expressions” is being presented at the neighboring Historic Ward Cultural Tourist Gallery.  “The Ward” undergoes a complete transformation from historic rooming house to a chic poetry lounge under-the-stars, styled by local event production company, The Design Group, Miami.  Sound and lighting by Drummerboy Sound provide the performers with arena-quality audiovisual support.

“What The Black Archives is doing, through Expressions and our future programming at the historic Lyric Theater, is providing Miami residents a place to come and enjoy arts and culture in an area of town that has a historical reputation of being the main hub for black culture in its heyday,” said Kamila Pritchett, Development Coordinator at The Black Archives. “The Black Archives is set to bring that atmosphere back to Overtown.”

Admission for “Expressions” is $10. Tickets can be purchased online via Paypal at www.theblackarchives.org. For more information call 305-636-2390.