“A father is neither an anchor to hold us back, nor a sail to take us there, but a guiding light whose love shows us the way.” - Unknown
The most important thing a father can give his child is love. Not material things but love. Happy Father’s Day to all Dads everywhere.
Thank you! We love you!
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Miami, FL – Ten inspiring black men will receive $10,000 a piece for their community programs after being named Miami’s first “BMe Leaders.” This prestigious honor is presented by BMe Community, a social network for people of all races and genders who care about making communities stronger. BMe Leaders are black men chosen for their community service and their ability to inspire.
BMe Community was incubated by the John S. & James L. Knight Foundation until it’s 2013 spinoff. Today BMe has 165 BMe Leaders in 6 cities providing education, public safety, and economic services to over 500,000 people every year.
“Our mission is to build more caring and prosperous communities inspired by black men,” said BMe Community founding CEO, Trabian Shorters. “BMe Leaders do that, and they represent millions of unsung black men who lead the nation in service, enterprise and generosity every day. BMe shows this is who we are, and builds upon it.”
BMe’s strong position on black men as positive community catalysts has powerful backers as well.
“I share that belief,” said Knight Foundation President, Alberto Ibarguen. “From the beginning, the basic BMe premise has been that black men and boys are community assets. At Knight, our ideal is an informed and inclusive community where all citizens can engage in deciding their true interests. We couldn’t be prouder of the Miami BMe Leaders who are living that ideal.”
“Caring communities are a basic human need,” said William R. Kenan Jr. Charitable Trust Executive Director, Douglas Zinn. “These BMe Leaders also provide inspiration, role models and hope. That is why we are proud partners in this important community-building work.”
BMe posits black men are assets but the social network is open to all people and has over 22,000 members of all races and genders.
On June 30th BMe and its partners are hosting “Better Together Awards” to celebrate Miami’s diverse men and women “Community-builders.”
“That’s because BMe isn’t about black men,” said BMe-Miami Community Manager, Benjamin Evans III. “We’re about better communities. We’re the social network for people who believe we can make things Better Together.”
BMe is backed by donations and leading philanthropies including the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, Campaign for Black Male Achievement, The Heinz Endowments and The William R. Kenan Jr. Charitable Trust.
Congratulations to the 2016 BMe Leaders:
Daniel Agnew - Founder of the Roots Collective
Daniel believes in community building through collective economics, and he wants to better connect people to entrepreneurial resources. Daniel will use his BMe Leader Award to train and employ South Florida youth. He will offer tangible outlets for youth to learn skills like graphic design, business management, and event planning.
Webber Charles - Senior Site Director, Breakthrough Miami at Ransom Everglades School
Webber understands that being exposed to new cultures early in life can totally change the way people see their future. So he is extending opportunities to young people who wouldn’t normally have them. Webber is using his BMe Leader award to support his international mentoring program to help youth gain exposure to diverse experiences by traveling abroad.
Kelvin Deleveaux - COO & Co-founder of Daddy Knows Too LLC
Kelvin knows all too well the struggle of being a single father. After his divorce he had no idea how he would take care of his daughters. After searching in vain for information online he decided to create an app, “Daddy Knows Too.” Kelvin will use his BMe Leader Award to put the answers fathers need in the palm of their hands and to connect them to a network of support and resources.
Marlon A. Hill, Esq. – Partner of Hamilton, Miller & Birthisel, LLP
Marlon is truly a mentor to mentors and works to make sure immigrants have a seamless transition into American culture. Marlon will use his BMe Leader Award to support the acclimation, assimilation and integration of young Black men, especially of immigrant heritage, into the Miami community.
Brandon Okpalobi - Founder of DIBIA Dream, Inc. CEO of DIBIA Athletic Development
Brandon works very hard to teach his students a unique way of making every life experience transform into a story that can be used as a learning lesson. Brandon will use his BMe Leader Award to develop STEM programs through his DREAM Academy (Development through Recreational Education for Athletic Minds).
Derick Pearson - Co-Founder and President of Code Fever & Black Tech week
Derick has dedicated his life to inspiring a new generation of leaders through his conversational talks on business, technology and Pan African empowerment. He is the co-owner of a Miami-based Gourmet Popsicle company, Feverish Ice Cream, and a youth tech entrepreneurship foundation called Code Fever. He will use his BMe Leader Award to hep teach 10-21-year-olds entrepreneurial skills through tech workshops and summer camps.
Justin Pinn - Program Coordinator and StarBot Academy Director Breakthrough Miami
Justin believes that Black men are remarkable in every way and that we lead in much more than sports and entertainment. Justin will use his BMe Leader Award to expand Breakthrough Miami’s paid teaching fellowship to include 30 low-income high school students of color. Upon completion, these students will have access to professional development, SAT/ACT prep, college trips, and an on-staff mentor at Breakthrough Miami.
Loubert Senatus - President of Forward Thought, Inc.
Loubert has a strong passion for bringing post-secondary educational resources to students and parents. He will use his BMe Leader award to build a mobile college & career resources truck. The concept is similar to a food truck; however, college planning, FAFSA completion, college application, and vocational assistance will be the main dish.
Jonathan Spikes – President of Affirming Youth
Jonathan is a proud cancer survivor and author who has dedicated his life to providing relevant conflict resolution programs (Let's Talk It Out) to help Black communities deal with trauma. He will use his BMe Leader award to provide quality social services to schools in Miami-Dade County.
Marvin Wilmoth - Vice President – Development of KCG Development
Marvin works every day to help all local black-owned businesses to thrive, grow and become sustainable to further help Miami’s Black economy. Marvin will use his BMe Leader Award to support an eco-friendly workspace for Miami’s social entrepreneurs.
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Congratulations to the 81 college bound young men awarded scholarships last night, at Jungle Island’s Treetop Ballroom in Miami during the Academic Signing Day Ceremony for the 5000 Role Models of Excellence Project’s Wilson Scholars.
FAMU Alumni Miami-Dade Chapter President Denetra Collins and FAMU Vice President Dr. William Hudson with Wilson Scholars who will be attending Florida A&M University.
Florida A&M alumni Miami Gardens Mayor Oliver Gilbert, Thomas Jones, Alonzo Jackson and Kenneth Williams with a future Rattler at the 5000 Role Models Academic Signing Ceremony.
Photos: Courtesy of Kenneth Williams
Related Links:
5000 Role Models of Excellence Project Scholarships Recipients
History of the 5000 Role Models of Excellence Project
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Enrollment is open, until October 30, for the Knights of Gold (KOG) youth development and leadership training program presented by the Beta Beta Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. and the Beta Beta Lambda Alpha Phi Alpha Educational Foundation, Inc. Through the KOG program, young males, ages 14-18, will be mentored on several life skills for success including: goal setting, time management, career choices, financial aid, study skills, interviewing skills, college life experiences, test – taking skills, financial responsibility, managing money, and social outings.
For questions, and to request an application, contact Anderson Eldridge, program coordinator, at aelridge1906@aol.com or call (786) 531-3097.
Related Links:
Beta Beta Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
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Surfed across this video of the Spring 2015 probate show of Beta Beta Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity. Nice.
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The Conversation Continues…Is There Still Hope for #OneAmerica?
Save the Date as Miami's most influential and civic-minded women (and men) will gather again to network, talk politics and address other domestic and international issues at Pumps, Pearls & Politics 2015. The event will begin at Noon at The Rusty Pelican Restaurant on beautiful Key Biscayne. With many local and national incidents regarding racism; access to healthcare; education and immigration, the conversation is sure to be lively.
The distinguished panel is in formation and includes: Keynote speaker Congresswoman Frederica S. Wilson; Adora Obi Nweze, President-Florida State Conference of the NAACP and President - Miami-Dade Branch of the NAACP; Annette Taddeo, Past Vice Chair - Florida Democratic Party & Past Chair, Miami-Dade Democratic Party; and Attorney Patricia St. Vil-Joseph, alsoFirst Lady of the City of North Miami. Entertainment will again include Pumps, Pearls & Politics Poet Laureate and Grammy-nominated Spoken Word Artist Rebecca “Butterfly” Vaughns. Women's organizations will also be recognized for their social service and civic accomplishments.
PUMPS, PEARLS & POLITICS 2015
SATURDAY - 07/25/2015
Noon
THE RUSTY PELICAN
3201 Rickenbacker Causeway
Key Biscayne, FL 33149
Admission: $35 [Seating is Limited.]
To pay by mail: Make check or money order payable to and mail to Gamma Zeta Omega, PO Box 530711, Miami Shores, FL 33153. (Payments must be received by 07.11.2015.) Online payment instructions are forthcoming.
For more information or to RSVP, call or text Vanessa Byers at 305.323.7614 or email pumpspearlspolitics@gmail.com.
Presented by The Connection Committee of Gamma Zeta Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated.
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The Miami Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity initiated four gentlemen into their distinguished brotherhood. Congratulations to (left to right) Fougere Jacquelin, Sean Chinn, Randall Heidelburg and Fredrick Alan Morley.
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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.
A champion is not relegated to those who only compete on the field of competition. A champion may be an evangelist, a visionary advocate who clears the field for the triumph of an idea--who advances a mission or cause.
For decades, Wesley Frater has brought vision, leadership, and genuine advocacy to the area of high school sports in South Florida and across the nation.
It's been nearly two decades since I came in contact with this brother while serving as principal of Miami Northwestern. Before, during, and since that time the name Wesley Frater has remained synonymous with excellence in high school athletics and in providing a platform for both performance and preparation for our student athletes to prepare for school and life after "the glitz and glamor" of local high school sports. To prepare for the "real world." To prepare for life.
The MLK Basketball Tournament---Wesley Frater. The Dade/Broward All Star Football Game, as well as the North vs South---Wesley Frater. His Tournament of Champions also provides seminars for student athletes on preparing for college, recruiting, leadership, and character development---giving them insight into avoiding exploitation and the pitfalls that too often malign young student, as well as college and professional athletes from the urban core.
Wesley Frater is not a coach or holds no official position in any local government bureaucracy. Yet, he has stood and continues to "stand in the paint" for our youth as he has for decades---just because! I've
never seen him in or seek the spotlight for himself---he puts and keeps the lights shining on the kids.
Shout out to Wesley Frater, a proven marathon runner for young people aspiring to leverage athletics as a pathway to their dreams and life's work. And thanks, Wesley for helping the dreams of countless youth over the years come true.
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