TALLAHASSEE — Secretary of State Ken Detzner announced the selection of five folk artists to serve as master artists in the 2016-2017 Florida Folklife Apprenticeship Program. The chosen artists are Tomás Granado (Webster), Norteño accordion musician; Liliane Nérette Louis (Miami), Haitian storyteller, culinary artist, and herbalist; Bob Pitt (Bradenton), traditional boat builder; Jamal Jones (Jacksonville), freestyle hip hop artist; and Aida Rodriguez (Winter Garden), Puerto Rican bobbin lace maker.

“Florida is home to a diverse body of traditional arts and these five artists are representative of the state’s unique cultural heritage,” said Secretary of State Ken Detzner. “The Apprenticeship Program recognizes master artists and apprentices devoted to learning and sharing folk and traditional arts, and ensures the preservation of those art forms for future generations.”

From Left to Right: Tomás Granado, Liliane Nérette Louis, Bob Pitt, Jamal Jones, and Aida Rodriguez

The Department of State’s Folklife Apprenticeship Program fosters the continuation of Florida folk arts by supporting masters who teach selected apprentices. Under the program, each master artist works intensively with one or more apprentices during a period of up to eight months. Program support consists of honoraria to the masters and apprentices to cover expenses for lessons and supplies.

To apply for the Florida Folklife Apprenticeship Program, master artists should be known in their community as expert practitioners of a living traditional art form that is considered a valued aspect of that community’s folklife. The Florida Folklife Program defines folklife as the living traditions that are currently practiced and passed down by word of mouth, imitation, or observation over time and space within groups or communities. Each apprentice must have demonstrated an aptitude for, and a commitment to, the art form he or she wishes to study and an involvement with the cultural community that sustains the tradition. The next deadline for applications to the Folklife Apprenticeship Program is May 15, 2017.

The Florida Folklife Program is funded in part by the National Endowment for the Arts’ Folk and Traditional Arts Program. For further information about the Department’s Folklife Apprenticeship Program, visit their website, or contact the Florida Folklife Program at (8500 245-6427.

From left, chapter member Chris Stevenson, unidentified school faculty member and chapter member Gerson Sanchez with donated supplies for the 2016-17 school year.

Thank you to the men of the Iota Pi Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity as they recently adopted Dr. William A. Chapman Elementary School as their 2016 Adopt-A-Classroom grant recipient. The organization showered the school with much needed school supplies for the students. Dr. William A. Chapman was one of Miami's first black physicians. Known for his educational programs on communicable diseases, Chapman's home stands as an iconic landmark and educational resource center in Overtown, the center of Miami's historic African-American community. 

 

Tameka Hobbs, Ph.D.

Tameka Bradley Hobbs, Ph.D., currently the Interim Chair of the Department of Social Sciences at Florida Memorial University in Miami Gardens, has been added to the board of directors of the Miramar Cultural Trust. Dr. Hobbs is also University Historian and Assistant Professor of History at Florida Memorial University.

A noted author, Dr. Hobbs is also a nationally recognized expert on African American issues and has been published in several media outlets. Dr. Hobbs received a B.A. in History and Anthropology at Florida A&M University, and M.A. in U.S. History and Doctorate of Philosophy in U.S. History, Historical Administration and Public History from Florida State University. She founded the FAMU History Association, the Phi Alpha Theta History Honor Society at Florida A&M University the Lions for Justice at Florida Memorial University. She is a member of the Association of African American Museums, American Historical Association, Association for the Study of African American Life and History, Association of Black Women Historians, Florida Historical Society and Southern Historical Association. She is a resident of Miramar.

Greg Hylick, ASU alumnus and president of the ASU Foundation, (right) receives an original painting by artist Leroy Campbell (left) after bidding $4,000 during a live auction at Saturday’s “Party with a Purpose” benefit in Atlanta. Photo: Reginald Christian

ALBANY, Ga. – A lively and energetic atmosphere proved to be the best setting for raising funds for student scholarships. Albany State University alumni and supporters raised $30,600 for need-based scholarships at Saturday’s “Party with a Purpose” benefit held at the prestigious Commerce Club in downtown Atlanta. 

“This is a proud day for ASU,” President Art Dunning said to a group of nearly 160 alumni and supporters. “The future of the university depends on the people in this room.”

The event, held in collaboration with the Tom Joyner Foundation, was the first of many university initiatives for the Tom Joyner School of the Month campaign. As the November School of the Month, the TJF will promote raising funds for the university and highlight its programs for the entire year. ASU will be featured daily during the month of November. 

During the live auction, Greg Hylick, president of the ASU Foundation, made a successful bid of $4,000 on an exclusive Leroy Campbell original painting. Dunning and first-lady Karen Baynes-Dunning were so inspired, they committed another $4,000 to support need-based scholarships. A silent auction that featured original artwork by ASU students was also a great success, with many of the pieces earning more than $100 bids. 

“Much like the band’s performance in Pasadena, the student artwork was just another shining example of how talented ASU students are,” said Chanta Haywood, ASU vice president of Institutional Advancement and executive director of the ASU Foundation. “They need our support to nurture that talent so that they may graduate and inspire future generations.”

Co-hosts, television actress JoMarie Payton and the Honorable Glenda Hatchett, Atlanta attorney and star of the former “Judge Hatchett” television show, helped to reinforce the importance of giving by making donations of their own.

After hearing about the upcoming groundbreaking for the ASU Fine Arts Center, Payton wrote a check for $500 toward fine arts scholarships.

“The young people that we support with our donations are the biggest investment we can make in our lives,” said Payton, a native Albanian.

“We don’t want to look back and say we wish we would have done a little more,” said Hatchett, who served as the 2014 Spring Commencement speaker at Albany State. “We are claiming extraordinary things for ASU. We have work to do, and it’s on our collective shoulders to get it done.”

Fitting the occasion, a $2,500 scholarship was presented to social work major, Debra Rucks. The inaugural scholarship is part of the $25,000 endowment by Virginia Harris and family, in honor of her husband, Keith Harris.

“Ms. Rucks will likely graduate on time and begin helping her community as a result of this generous donation,” Haywood said. “All donations matter, no matter the size. Collectively, small amounts add up to make large differences and that's something to celebrate.”

“Party with a Purpose” was the first event in ASU’s “Week of Giving” initiative, which began Saturday, March 26 and will culminate on Founder’s Day, Friday, April 1. The “Week of Giving” is an invitation to students, alumni, faculty, staff, parents and friends to give back through donations and personal involvement. To make a donation, visit giveto.asurams.edu. 

Photo caption: Greg Hylick, ASU alumnus and president of the ASU Foundation, (right) receives an original painting by artist Leroy Campbell  (left) after bidding $4,000 during a live auction at Saturday’s “Party with a Purpose” benefit in Atlanta. Photo credit: Reginald Christian

As the team at HistoryMiami builds for the future, there are openings for key positions. 

The team has identified 5 key audiences > history buffs, 305’ers (those that love and thrive on Miami), school students and their teachers, families with children age 6 and under, guests to the region.

Mission:   HistoryMiami Museum connects people by telling the stories of Miami’s communities, individuals, places and events.

Vision:   Exploring our past to inspire our future.

Director of Advancement: http://www.historymiami.org/_preview/about-us/employment/director-of-advancement/  Opportunity to build a team with a new attitude towards advancing the museum through individual, corporate and government support.  Building and maintaining relationships a key aspect of this position.  

Director of Education: http://www.historymiami.org/_preview/about-us/employment/director-of-education/  Build upon a strong museum school curriculum and public program. New initiatives include the creation of an education learning gallery for guests of all ages and the creation of invigorating programs for the community.

City Tours Manager: http://www.historymiami.org/_preview/about-us/employment/city-tours-manager/

Miami, FL - The Motivational Edge, iTech, DJ Affect and Irie Foundation, have partnered to bring new music and technology educational opportunities to middle and high school students for free. Programs offered include Lyrical Expression & Audio Recording, The Edge Radio Station and the Irie Rhythms Percussion Program.

Lyrical Expression & Audio Recording classes give students the opportunity to turn their words and thoughts into song lyrics, then allow them to ‘lay down tracks’. This program also teaches students about music production, giving them hands-on experience, working with music software, sound boards and recording equipment.

With live internet radio streaming a huge part of today’s lifestyle, we have partnered with DJ Affect to launch The Edge Radio Station. This platform will let youth create their own personalized Live Digital Radio station to showcase and broadcast their music, conduct interviews, learn about the radio production industry and more. The Edge Radio Station is scheduled to launch fall of 2015.

Classes are offered Monday - Thursday, afterschool, from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM at iTech @ Thomas A. Edison Educational Center. iTech is located at, 6101 Northwest 2nd Avenue, Miami, FL 33127

Thousands of concerned individuals from places throughout the United States are expected to gather in Selma, AL this weekend to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Bloody Sunday on the Edmund Pettus Bridge and the subsequent marches that led to the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

Local people who can’t make the trip to Selma, will gather at Noon, at the Torch of Friendship (401 Biscayne Blvd, Miami 33132) for a commemorative march and celebration of leaders past and present.

For more information, call Akua Scott at (305-781-9641) or Jacob Coker-Dukowitz (305-206-3237).

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Painting the town red and turning heads, more than 100 lovely ladies of the Red Hat Society from the Dade and Broward Chapters attended "Motown the Musical" at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts. Supporting the Arts...awesome sauce!

Gallery Director Karla Ferguson Announces Provocative Exhibit Confronting America’s Racial Crisis By White French-American Artist Jerome Soimaud

Yeelen Gallery
294 NW 54th Street
Miami, Fl 33127
Tel: (954) 235-4758

March 21^st - 22^nd, 2015, at SunLife Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida

MIAMI GARDENS, FL – The City of Miami Gardens is proud to announce the addition of Erykah Badu, Run-D.M.C., Sheila E. and Jazz in the Gardens All Stars Ronnie Laws, Roy Ayers, Lonnie Liston Smith, and Tom Browne to the 10th Annual Jazz in the Gardens (JITG) music festival at SunLife Stadium. The two-day music festival from March 21-22, 2015, will also feature artists Maxwell, Toni Braxton, R. Kelly, Men of Soul's Jeffrey Osborne, Peabo Bryson and Freddie Jackson, and Brian Culbertson. Comedians and nationally syndicated radio personalities D.L. Hughley and Rickey Smiley will co-host the festival.

Jazz in the Gardens will feature local artists, over 40 exotic food vendors, a Vendor Marketplace, and the most anticipated lineup for the City's milestone 10th year of its signature event. On Saturday and Sunday, doors to the festival will open at 3 p.m. and the show will start at 4 p.m. Tickets are on sale now through Ticketmaster or http://www.jazzinthegardens.com.

The Women’s Impact Conference and Luncheon (WICL) will kick off the Jazz in the Gardens Weekend on Friday, March 20, at the Miramar Cultural Center with the theme "THERE’S NO ‘S’ ON MY CHEST BUT A HERO LIVES WITHIN." The event will feature keynote speaker reality show personality Omarosa Manigault and a surprise guest promised to "wow" the crowd. That same night at the Center, Rickey Smiley and a few special guests from his morning show will host the Official Jazz in the Gardens Pre-Party featuring a comedy show, live entertainment and dancing.

"Without a doubt, this is our most exciting lineup yet," said City of Miami Gardens Mayor Oliver Gilbert. "And by the reports on ticket sales, there’s no denying it. There is no sunnier, breezier, or better place to enjoy your favorite exotic food, good friends and amazing live performances than in the Gardens in springtime. We welcome our guests who travel from all over the world to celebrate our milestone 10th year of the fastest growing jazz & R&B festival in America."

Predicted early on to break last year’s record of 68,000 tickets sold, tracking a 15% increase in ticket sales, JITG ‘10 is well on its way to breaking its record for an anticipated 71,000 tickets sold.

Official Site: www.jazzinthegardens.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/jazzinthegardens
Twitter: www.twitter.com/jazzgardens
Instagram: www.instagram.com/jitg10
#JITG10