Los Angeles, California _ Mercedes Young is responding to late night talk show host Jimmy Kimmel talking about her revealing that she is a born again virgin on the WEtv show ‘Match Made in Heaven’. The show aired on Thursday, February 12, 2015.

Mercedes Young

Young, a 23 year-old entrepreneur from Miami was featured on the show with another contestant, telling the bachelor Shawn Bullard they were virgins.

"Mine is a little different," Mercedes told Bullard after the revelation. "She’s a pure virgin, I’m a born again virgin."

"I don’t know if that’s how virginity works!" Kimmel told his laughing audience after referring to the show as an "all Black version of ‘The Bachelor’".

"That’s like eating a salad and calling yourself a born again vegetarian," he laughed. "It’s like ‘I’m a virgin, these are my children, Caroline and Samantha."

Young has released the following statement through her publicist:

"When I signed up to be a part of WEtv’s ‘Match Made in Heaven’, I knew that I was signing away my privacy and that what you put out there to the world you can’t take back. I just didn’t realize that talking about my celibacy was one of the things that was something that would end up as a part of an intro for Mr. Jimmy Kimmel on his late night talk show.

I was very flattered to have him show my clip on his show because I’m a fan and have been for years. I’d be even more flattered to one day appear on his show and really explain to him what a #BornAgainVirgin is.

Anyway, after the show aired, I got a ton of people calling me offended that he was making fun of my celibacy. Honestly, when I saw the show I actually laughed because I realized that the term "born again virgin" is not one that a lot of people have heard.

I actually had planned to launch my #BornAgainVirgin campaign, tee shirt line and purity jewelry line later on this year but Mr. Jimmy Kimmel has unintentionally forced me into talking about it a little earlier than I intended to.

#BornAgainVirgin focuses on the fact that there is no shame in preserving yourself.

Since Jimmy Kimmel took the time to mention me, I must now make the time to continue my mission of encouraging people to realize there is nothing wrong with being a #BornAgainVirgin.

CHI EXTENDS SATURDAY AND SUNDAY HOURS

Miami— Community Health of South Florida Inc. (CHI) enrollment staff are having a very busy day today as those who waited until the last minute show up for help enrolling in the Affordable Care Act(ACA) . So far, CHI has enrolled nearly 4000 people into insurance plans under ACA this enrollment period.

In an effort to accommodate those who still need assistance, CHI will be open for ACA enrollment help on Saturday Feb. 14, 2015 and Sunday Feb. 15th 2015 from 8:30am to 4pm at two of its health centers:

Doris Ison Health Center, 10300 SW 216 St. Miami FL 33190

Martin Luther King Jr./Clinica Campesina Health Center 810 W. Mowry Dr., Homestead FL 33030

"I am proud of our outreach and enrollment staff here at CHI," said Colonel Brodes Hartley, CHI President and CEO. "They have been working non-stop and have been extremely busy in the past month especially. If you haven’t finished the enrollment process you need to do it today. It is an opportunity to have health insurance and this can be life-saving."

Community Health of South Florida Inc. (CHI) is a non-profit health care company with 10 health centers from Marathon to South Miami Dade and Coconut Grove. It also has 42 school based health centers within Miami Dade Public Schools. For more than 40 years, CHI has been caring for both the insured and uninsured. Community Outreach is part of its core mission.

CHI has 21 outreach and enrollment assistants under a federal grant. It is one of the largest grants in the country awarded to a federally qualified health center. The enrollment assistants have been based all over South Florida from the Keys to South Dade and Miami.

Miami Dade College’s (MDC) Kendall Campus will celebrate the beginning of spring with its 2015 Annual Spring Fling Carnival, featuring the popular Eggstravaganza Egg Hunt, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, March 7. Everyone is invited to enjoy the festivities, including food vendors, clowns, rides, bounce houses, slides, and more! The event will take place at the campus’ track field. Admission is $1 per person. Proceeds will benefit MDC Kendall Student United Way campaign.

The Carnival will feature a parade, costumed characters, arts and crafts, a science tent, a reading corner, the Fun Bus, and a main stage with children’s dance performances, fitness classes, and local school bands. There will also be an appearance by Billy the Marlin.

The Eggstravaganza Egg Hunt is back as well, where children 11 years old and younger can hunt in a field of 6,000 colored eggs! The Egg Hunt features two sessions for various age groups – ages 5 and under at 10:30 a.m. and ages 6 - 11 at 11:15 a.m. Both hunts will take place on the field next to the Carnival entrance. Event sponsorship and vendor opportunities are currently available.

WHAT: 2015 Annual Spring Fling Carnival

WHEN: Saturday, Mar. 7, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

WHERE: MDC Kendall Campus, Track Field

11011 SW 104 St., Miami

Please share these employment opportunities with family and friends. -vb

Research & Evaluation Analyst
The Children's Trust seeks a research and evaluation analyst to become a member of our cross- and inter-departmental teams that engage in problem-solving and critical thinking/analysis related to particular child, youth, and family program areas and populations. Primary responsibilities include: identification and critical review of evidence-based/best practices in specified program areas; assistance for funded service providers and Trust staff on development of program performance measures; oversight of reporting methods for capturing program performance; among others. For full job description and application instructions, click here.

Development Database Coordinator

Miami Lighthouse for the Blind seeks a development database coordinator to assist with updating agency's donor database, data entry tasks and administrative support. College coursework preferred; experience performing high volume data entry; working with a donor's database preferred; proficiency in Word/Excel. Email resume to [email protected] or fax to (305) 285-6967.

Volunteer Services Coordinator

Community Smiles seeks a volunteer services coordinator to coordinate activities of its team of volunteer dentists, hygienists and dental assistants. Responsibilities include evaluating and determining volunteer service needs and organizing awareness and recognition activities. Full time salaried position ($35-38K range). Visit www.fliade.org. Candidates should reply to [email protected].

Director of Family and Community Services

CCDH has an opening for a director of Family and Community Services to supervise its program for individuals with developmental and other disabilities. Requirements include master's degree in social work and 3 years experience including at least one as a supervisor. Bilingual a plus. Competitive salary, generous benefits, great working environment. Email resume to [email protected].

Family Support Coordinator
CCDH seeks a coordinator to provide advocacy and case management to individuals with developmental and other disabilities and their families. Master's degree in social work and knowledge of client population strongly preferred. Bilingual (English/Spanish or Creole) a plus. Competitive salary, generous benefits, and a friendly, collegial work environment. Email resume to[email protected].

Teachers (full-time and part-time) Homestead/Florida City

Our Little Hands of Love, Inc. in South Dade has immediate openings for two part-time teachers and one full-time teacher. Lead teacher must have Child Developmental Associate credential, professional demeanor and high work ethic. Assistant will have 45-hour minimum. Contact number (305) 248-6222. Please send all resumes to [email protected].

Enrollment & Matching Specialist (Social Worker)

Big Brothers Big Sisters seeks an enrollment and matching specialist to assess eligibility and suitability of applicant volunteers and children for program participation and recommend/match suitable candidates. Bachelor's or higher degree in social services or related field required. Email resumes to[email protected].

Counselor/Community Educator
Switchboard of Miami seeks a counselor/community educator to provide a range of substance abuse prevention and mental health promotion services in assigned schools/community centers. Master's degree in social work, psychology or counseling, and minimum of two years working with/and counseling adolescents required. For more details, visit www.switchboardmiami.org.

Volunteer and Intern Coordinator
Switchboard seeks a volunteer and intern coordinator to be responsible for the program development and continued coordination of the volunteer and intern program with the primary responsibility for recruiting, training, placement, retention and coordination of volunteers and interns. Minimum 2 years volunteer management exp. and Bachelor's Degree. To apply and for details, visit www.switchboardmiami.org/careers.

Care and Resource Coordinator
Switchboard of Miami needs a resource/care coordinator to connect children and families with questions, issues or concerns about health, development, behavior or learning to existing resources in Miami-Dade County. Bachelor's degree in social work, early childhood development or psychology, and two years exp. involving young children in the areas of health, development or behavior required. Visit, http://switchboardmiami.org/careers/.

Communications Intern
Informed Families/National Family Partnership is seeking a web/marketing/design intern to support the organization's communications and administrative efforts. Solid writing,some website and some graphic design (Adobe) experience are strongly preferred for this paid, part-time (10-20 hours/weekly) position. Email resume and cover letter to [email protected].

Director/Asst. Director/Teacher
Eagle Prep Learning Center in Miami Gardens seeks a creative director /teacher for its VPK program. Please email resume, transcript, cover letter and salary requirements to [email protected]. Must have updated credentials and a positive attitude. Contact person: Tiffany Brown at (305) 454-0748.

After-School Tutor
Boys & Girls Club seeks a tutor to provide academic assistance and support for children and youth ages 5-18 years during after-school program. Tutor one-one and for small groups on a variety of subjects (math, writing, science,etc.) and provide support for high school and college entrance exams. For details, contact Gayane Stepanian at (305) 446-9910 or email [email protected].

Summer Site Supervisors, Program Monitors, Program Assistants
The Village Youth Services, Inc. is hiring for summer employment with its Summer Food Service Program. Positions available for Dade, Broward and Palm Beach Counties: site supervisors, program monitors, and program assistants. For details, visit www.villageyouth.org.

Source: The Children's Trust Provider Bulletin

The Miami-Dade Chapter of the National Pan-Hellenic Council, the local consortium of graduate chapters of historically black Greek-letter organizations, will present their highly-anticipated Step Show at 5 PM, Sunday, March 15, 2015, Florida International University, US Century Bank Arena, 11200 SW 8 Street, Miami, FL 33199.

Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door. Proceeds will benefit the organization's scholarship fund. For tickets and information, e-mail: [email protected].

Spike Lee, Clive Davis and Attorney General of the United States Eric H. Holder, Jr. Received Special Honors

LOS ANGELES, CALIF. – The winners of the "46th NAACP Image Awards" were announced last night during the live broadcast from Pasadena Civic Auditorium which aired on TV One (9-11 p.m. ET live/PT tape-delayed). The two-hour live special was hosted by Anthony Anderson. There was a one-hour live pre-show from the red carpet hosted by Kevin Frazier and Shaun Robinson.

NAACP Chairwoman Roslyn Brock presented the NAACP Chairman’s Award to Attorney General of the United States, Eric H. Holder, Jr., NAACP President Cornell William Brooks presented the NAACP President’s Award to Spike Lee and Russell Simmons presented the NAACP Vanguard Award to Clive Davis.

Some of the biggest names in film, television and music appeared including Will Smith, Common, Angela Bassett, Gabrielle Union, Laurence Fishburne, Tracee Ellis Ross, Larenz Tate, Sharon Leal, Kerry Washington, Oprah Winfrey, David Oyelowo, Octavia Spencer, Keegan Michael-Key, Taraji P. Henson, Tessa Thompson, Shemar Moore, Uzo Aduba, Wendy Raquel Robinson, Russell Simmons, John Gaskins III, Valeska Guittierez, Nicole Beharie, Mehcad Brooks, Lamorne Morris, Taye Diggs, Quvenzhané Wallis, Gabrielle Union, Omar Epps, and Henry Simmons. In addition, cast Members from Orange is the New Black, Belle, black-ish, Grey’s Anatomy, House of Cards, How to Get Away with Murder and more.

Lance Reddick was the in-show announcer. Affion Crockett was the backstage Social Media Commentator. The NAACP Image Awards production team included Executive Producers Reginald Hudlin and Phil Gurin, Tony McCuin was the Director, Byron Phillips was Producer, and Robin Reinhardt was Talent Producer.

The NAACP Image Awards is the premier multicultural awards show. It celebrates the accomplishments of people of color in the fields of television, music, literature and film, and also honors individuals or groups who promote social justice through creative endeavors.

Nominees for the NAACP Image Awards are determined by the number of entries received by the deadline. To be eligible, projects must have had a national distribution date between January 1, 2014, and December 31, 2014. For the 2014 voting period, over 1,200 submissions were received by the artists, managers, publicists, production companies, record labels, studios, networks and/or publishers. From those entries, a nominating committee of 300 industry professionals and NAACP leaders from across the country select five nominees in each of the 54 categories, excluding Entertainer of the Year. Those results were announced at a press conference. To determine the winners, the members of the NAACP vote via a secured online site. The results are tabulated by the Image Awards auditors, Bert Smith & Co., and the results are confidential until the envelope is opened LIVE on stage during the NBC telecast on Friday, February 6, 2015.

The 46TH NAACP Image Awards were sponsored by: AT&T, Bank of America, FedEx, Ford Motor Company, General Motors, Gilead Sciences, Hyundai Motor America, Southwest Airlines, UAW-Chrysler, and Wells Fargo.

The winners are as follows -

Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture

Taraji P. Henson - "No Good Deed" (Screen Gems)

Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series

Anthony Anderson - "black-ish" (ABC)

Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series

Shemar Moore - "Criminal Minds" (CBS)

Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series

Viola Davis - "How to Get Away with Murder" (ABC)

Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series

Tracee Ellis Ross - "black-ish" (ABC)

Outstanding Comedy Series

"black-ish" (ABC)

Outstanding Drama Series

"How to Get Away with Murder" (ABC)

Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture

David Oyelowo - "Selma" (Paramount Pictures)

Outstanding Motion Picture

"Selma" (Paramount Pictures)

Entertainer of the Year

Taraji P. Henson

The Winners From Last Night's Non-Televised Categories Are As Follows –

LITERATURE:

Outstanding Literary Work - Fiction

"A Wanted Woman" – Eric Jerome Dickey (Penguin Random House)

Outstanding Literary Work - Non-Fiction

"Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption" – Bryan Stevenson (Spiegel & Grau)

Outstanding Literary Work - Debut Author

"Forty Acres" – Dwayne Alexander Smith (Atria Books)

Outstanding Literary Work - Biography/Autobiography

"Breaking Ground: My Life in Medicine" – Louis Sullivan with David Chanoff (University of Georgia Press)

Outstanding Literary Work - Instructional

"Promises Kept: Raising Black Boys to Succeed in School and in Life" – Joe Brewster, Michele Stephenson, Hilary Beard (Spiegel & Grau)

Outstanding Literary Work - Poetry

"Citizen: An American Lyric" – Claudia Rankine (Graywolf Press)

Outstanding Literary Work - Children

"Dork Diaries 8: Tales From A Not-So Happily Ever After" – Rachel Renee Russell with Nikki Russell and Erin Russell (Simon & Schuster)

Outstanding Literary Work - Youth/Teens

"Brown Girl Dreaming" – Jacqueline Woodson (Nancy Paulsen Books)

RECORDING:

Outstanding New Artist

3 Winans Brothers (BMG)

Outstanding Male Artist

Pharrell Williams (Columbia Records)

Outstanding Female Artist

Beyoncé (Columbia Records)

Outstanding Duo, Group or Collaboration

"Stay With Me" – Sam Smith feat. Mary J Blige (Capitol)

Outstanding Jazz Album

"My Old Friend: Celebrating George Duke" – Al Jarreau (Concord)

Outstanding Gospel Album (Traditional or Contemporary)

"Where My Heart Belongs" – Gladys Knight (Shadow Mountain Records)

Outstanding Music Video

"You and I (Nobody in the World)" – John Legend (Columbia Records)

Outstanding Song

"We Are Here" – Alicia Keys (RCA Records)

Outstanding Album

"Aretha Franklin Sings the Great Diva Classics" – Aretha Franklin (RCA Records)

ANIMATED OR COMPUTER GENERATED IMAGE (CGI):

Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance

Loretta Devine - "Doc McStuffins" (Disney Junior)

TELEVISION:

Outstanding Writing in a Comedy Series

Sara Hess - "Orange is the New Black" – It Was the Change (Netflix)

Outstanding Writing in a Drama Series

Erika Green Swafford - "How to Get Away With Murder" – Let’s Get To Scooping (ABC)

Outstanding Writing in a Television Movie

Shernold Edwards - "A Day Late and a Dollar Short" (Lifetime Networks)

Outstanding Directing in a Comedy Series

Ken Whittingham - "Parks and Recreation" – Prom (NBC)

Outstanding Directing in a Drama Series

Carl Franklin - "House of Cards" – Chapter 14 (Netflix)

Outstanding Directing in a Television Movie

Reggie Bythewood - "Gun Hill" (BET)

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series

Laurence Fishburne - "black-ish" (ABC)

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series

Yara Shahidi - "black-ish" (ABC)

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series

Joe Morton - "Scandal" (ABC)

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series

Khandi Alexander - "Scandal" (ABC)

Outstanding Television Movie, Mini- Series, or Dramatic Special

"The Trip to Bountiful" (Lifetime Networks)

Outstanding Actor in a Television Movie, Mini- Series, or Dramatic Special

Blair Underwood- "The Trip to Bountiful" (Lifetime Networks)

Outstanding Actress in a Television Movie, Mini- Series, or Dramatic Special

Cicely Tyson- "The Trip to Bountiful" (Lifetime Networks)

Outstanding News/Information (Series or Special)

"Unsung" (TV One)

Outstanding Talk Series

"Steve Harvey" (Syndicated)

Outstanding Reality Series

"Iyanla: Fix My Life" (OWN)

Outstanding Variety (Series or Special)

"Oprah’s Master Class" (OWN)

Outstanding Children’s Program

"Doc McStuffins" (Disney Junior)

Outstanding Performance by a Youth in a Youth/ Children’s Program (Series or Special)

Fatima Ptacek- "Dora and Friends: Into the City!" (Nickelodeon)

Outstanding Host in a Talk, Reality, News/Information, or Variety Series

Steve Harvey- "Steve Harvey" (Syndicated)

DOCUMENTARY:

Outstanding Documentary - (Film)

"Through A Lens Darkly: Black Photographers and the Emergence of a People" (Chimpanzee Productions, Inc.)

Outstanding Documentary - (Television)

"Bad Boys" (ESPN)

MOTION PICTURE:

Outstanding Writing in a Motion Picture

Misan Sagay - "Belle" (Fox Searchlight Pictures/DJ Films)

Outstanding Directing in a Motion Picture

Antoine Fuqua - "The Equalizer" (Columbia Pictures)

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture

Common- "Selma" (Paramount Pictures)

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture

Carmen Ejogo - "Selma" (Paramount Pictures)

Outstanding Independent Motion Picture

"Belle" (Fox Searchlight Pictures/DJ Films)

For all information and latest news, and complete list of winners, please visit the official NAACP Image Awards website at http://www.naacpimageawards.net.

FB: /naacpimageaward • Twitter: @naacpimageaward

About a Champion

Yes, it's Shoutout Saturday!

by Dr. Steve Gallon III

While everyone is gearing up for Super Bowl Sunday and the "talking heads" and prognosticators are staking their claims on who will be victorious--who will be the crowned champions of the NFL (I'm riding with Seattle, Roland Smith--IJS), my shoutout goes to Wesley Frater. Wesley, where you at? As an advocate for children and education, real recognizes real! I see you and respect and admire your longevity in this work.

Preparations are underway for the celebration of the 75th Anniversary of the chartering of Miami’s Gamma Zeta Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. The Chapter’s itinerary of commemorative festivities will include concurrent wreath-laying ceremonies for deceased Chapter presidents; a community service project; and a historic luncheon featuring the organization’s international president, Dorothy Buckhanan Wilson. Gamma Zeta Omega is the oldest chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha in Florida.

Alpha Kappa Alpha - Gamma Zeta Omega Chapter members pose for a group photo at the springtime Cotton Dress Dance in the 1940s at the Rockland Palace at 829 Northwest 2nd Avenue (Overtown). The dance was held as a fundraiser for scholarships and chapter programs. Seated left to right: Gwendolyn Welters, Dorothy Edwards, Grace Albert, Ida Ratcliffe and Clayton Lowe. Second Row, left to right: Joycelyn Burroughs, Ophelia Wilson, Anna B. Ward, Unidentified Member, Jeanette Gill, Ruby Mizell, Inez Haley and Louise Davis. Third Row, left to right: Rose Stewart, Hazel Davis, Mary Ford, Madeleine Portier, Susie Francis, Dolores Bethel, Sara Stewart, Sara Bellinger, Thena Crowder and Eddie Wilson.

#AKAGZO75 #AKA1908