Facebook

Presidents of FAMU, Howard, Spelman and SCSU Unite for FAMU Black History Month Virtual Town Hall on “The Rise and Relevance of HBCUs”

B622BCBD-62DF-4733-BA4C-CD15653A5DEB

FAMU President Larry Robinson, Ph.D., will be joined by presidents from Howard University, Spelman College and South Carolina State University for the University’s annual Black History Month Town Hall. The 90-minute virtual event, themed “The Rise and Relevance of HBCUs,” will feature Howard University President Wayne A.I. Frederick, M.D., Spelman College President Mary Schmidt Campbell, Ph.D., and South Carolina State University President James E. Clark. It will be streamed live at 7 p.m. ET, on Thursday, February 11, 2021, via Zoom and the Florida A&M University Facebook page.


City of Opa-locka Hosts Swearing-In Ceremony for Newly-Elected Commission Members

D4A228A4-8DC5-43D9-B0AD-14C799965438

Clockwise, from top left, City of Opa-locka Mayor Matthew Pigatt; former Judge Shirlyon McWhorter swears in Vice Mayor Veronica Williams; former City of Opa-locka Mayor Dr. ML Taylor swears in son John Taylor Jr.; and  City of Opa-locka Commission, from left, Commissioner Chris Davis, Vice Mayor Veronica Williams, Mayor Matthew Pigatt, Commissioner Alvin Burke, and Commissioner John Taylor Jr.

 

(OPA-LOCKA, FL)  —  The City of Opa-locka hosted a Swearing-In Ceremony for the newly-elected Commission Members Vice Mayor Veronica Williams and Commissioner John Taylor Jr. on Thursday, November 19, at the Sherbondy Village Community Center. 

City of Opa-locka Mayor Matthew Pigatt served as the Master of Ceremony which began with an invocation from Rev. Dr. Ranzer A. Thomas, Sr., Senior and Founding Pastor of New Generation Missionary Baptist Church. Rev. Dr. Kay Williams-Dawson, Senior Pastor at Cathedral of Praise, introduced newly-elected Vice Mayor Williams. The Honorable Judge Shirlyon J. McWhorter, former Miami-Dade County Circuit Judge, swore in newly-elected Vice Mayor Williams.

Next, newly-elected Commissioner Taylor was introduced by his wife Monica Taylor. Dr. M.L. Taylor, former Mayor of the City of Opa-locka and her husband Bishop John Taylor then swore in their son, newly-elected Commissioner Taylor. Other program participants included: John E. Pate, City Manager; Commissioner Chris Davis; and Commissioner Alvin Burke.

“I believe that now more than ever we needed more leaders that will talk less, listen more, and work together for the community and the citizens that we were selected and elected to serve. So, time’s out for secret agendas, time’s out for cliques, time’s out for ununified behaviors. We were elected by the people to support the people,” said Commissioner Taylor. “Let me fight for you and be your advocate. To the 1,600 plus people that reside within the walls of the great City of Opa-locka, I stand here for you and because of you.”

“Service for people has always been at the forefront of everything I do. I follow the footsteps of many trailblazing African-American women in politics in Miami. To the many black and brown women stepping up to the plate to shape our communities and our country⎯⎯this is why I decided to be the change agent that I wanted to see in my community,” said Vice Mayor Williams. “I am ready to work with everyone to form a new vision to create a new and better reputation for the City of Opa-locka because I am Opa-locka!”

To view the event, visit: City of Opa-locka’s Facebook page


Photos: Gregory F. Reed

 

 


THE MIAMI-BISCAYNE BAY (FL) CHAPTER OF THE LINKS, INCORPORATED HOSTS VIRTUAL FORUM ON FLORIDA’S CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS

8F49C9C9-24FC-45D4-85A1-D55985762EE9

Miami, FL — This year’s November general election ballot includes six questions proposed to amend Florida’s constitution. The Miami-Biscayne Bay (FL) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated, wants to make sure the community is informed when ballots are cast on these important issues. In partnership with the Miami-Dade and South Dade Branches of the NAACP and the Miami-Dade National Pan-Hellenic Council, The Links will present a virtual issues forum, “WE THE PEOPLE: Get the FACTS Before Voting on Florida’s Constitutional Amendments!” The forum is scheduled for 6:30 PM-7:30 PM ET, Wednesday, October 14, 2020 and will be broadcast on Facebook Live and Zoom.

The program will be moderated by Bobby Henry Sr., publisher of The Westside Gazette, Broward County, Florida’s oldest and largest African American owned and operated newspaper.

Joining Henry for a spirited discussion and deep dive into the amendments are: 

  • Yolanda Cash Jackson, Shareholder, Becker & Poliakoff, and member of the Greater Miami (FL) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated;
  • Donald Jones, Professor, University of Miami School of Law; and
  • JoLinda L. Herring, Shareholder, Bryant Olive Miller, and member of Miami-Biscayne Bay (FL) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated.

“Voting is one of our most important responsibilities as American citizens, we should be sure we are informed when we exercise that right,” said Miami-Biscayne Bay Chapter President Georgia H. McLean. “The goals of this forum are to make sure we have dissected each proposed amendment and that each attendee logs off informed and ready to vote.”

The forum is scheduled for 6:30 PM-7:30 PM ET, Wednesday, October 14, 2020 and will be broadcast on Facebook Live and Zoom. Click here to register in advance. Submit questions, in advance, to [email protected]

 


President Obama Affirms Marriage Equality

  318231_10150871212653840_186319338839_9789440_194186979_n-1

Unless you’ve been living under a rock lately, you know President Barack Obama recently publicly affirmed support of marriage equality for gay and lesbian couples. It was a bold move on his part as it is a highly controversial issue, especially during an election year. Furthermore, black people, no matter where we are from, tend to be the most intolerant group when it comes to homosexuality. 

Here’s a comment on the President’s decision from CJ Ortuno, executive director of SAVE Dade:

"The President has made a gutsy decision in the face of a major election to stand on the right side of history. Ultimately the president evolved to a place of understanding that we all have when it comes to marriage - that it is not about politics, but about love, commitment, and being responsible for the person you care most about." 

What say YOU about the President's decision?

 


New Look on our Facebook Page!

Screen Shot 2012-03-08 at 7.00.49 AM

 

by Vanessa Woodard Byers

 

It goes without saying that you are appreciated as a reader of this blog. I am still amazed by the power of blogging and the written word to connect and inform people around the world. As one who remembers telephones with party lines, black & white television, pay phones, beepers and segregation, this opportunity to connect, inform and mobilize people is too incredible to pass up.

You can read this blog and connect with us via Facebook and Twitter for the complete Blogging Black Miami experience. We’ve changed our Facebook page to the timeline format and will periodically change our cover photo to feature a local event, noteworthy persons or local sites. 

Thank you again for reading this blog. Thank you for spreading the word about Blogging Black Miami. Thank you for sharing your news with us. Don't forget to say hello if you see us on Facebook, Twitter or IRL (in real life).

Peace and abundant Blessings...

 


We’re on Facebook

We're on Facebook!

Woo-hoo! We’ve just launched our new Facebook page for Blogging Black Miami to offer you another means of staying connected to us and each other. Feel free to “fan” us or “like” us, or whatever it is that Facebook is offering now. We’re excited by this opportunity to continue our mission of informing, educating, entertaining and engaging our readers. Smooches…