The Spirit of Kwanzaa lives in Miami-Dade County. On Saturday, December 29, 2018, it was demonstrated at The ARC (Arts & Recreation Center) in the beautiful City of Opa-locka, Florida. The 29th Annual Mary Williams Woodard Legacy Kwanzaa Celebration evolved into a true community event welcomed by various groups and entities beyond its local beginnings. 

More than 150 people were in attendance as the traditional procession of the Council of Community Elders was announced via drummer Jah Will B. Elders are not recognized because of age but due to their contributions to the community. Many are often unsung heroes. This year’s elders included Chief Nathaniel B. Styles Jr. who also served as event MC; HRH Iya Orite Adefunmi; School Board Member Dorothy Bendross Mindingall; Bernadette Cecelia Poitier; Rubye Howard; Thomasina Turner-Diggs; Eric Pettus; “Broadway” Cuthbert Harewood; James Wright; Amare and Amani Amari; Netcher Hopi Mose and Angela Berry.

Because of construction at the African Heritage Cultural Arts Center, where the event has been presented for many years, its consecutive presentation would have been interrupted were it not for Opa-locka Vice Mayor Chris Davis; Nakeisha Williams and the Opa-Locka CDC; and Nakia Bowling of Zoe’s Dolls. 

As is customary, the Nguzo Saba, Seven Principles of Kwanzaa and symbols of Kwanzaa were explained with the assistance of audience members and the Ivy Rosettes of Gamma Zeta Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority who also served as hostesses. Tracey Jackson delivered the welcome on behalf of the Miami-Dade Chapter of the Florida A&M University National Alumni Association. Remembering those who have transitioned is an important aspect of Kwanzaa. Dr. Natasha C. Stubbs delivered a moving recognition of local and national individuals who became deceased since last year’s Kwanzaa event. Entertainment was provided by the Next Generation Dance Academy and poets Rebecca “Butterfly” Vaughns and realproperlike. New World School of the Arts junior, Nicholaus Gelin, serenaded attendees with his trumpet during the feast portion of the evening.

“We enjoyed the event,” said a mother who traveled from Coral Springs with her son and his best friend to attend the celebration. They said they will attend next year and the boys want to participate on the program. 

The Kwanzaa Celebration is hosted by the Miami-Dade Chapter of the FAMU Alumni Association, the Dr. Arthur and Mary Woodard Foundation for Education and Culture; and Osun’s Village African Caribbean Cultural Arts Corridor.

Greeting: Habari gani!

Response: Kujichagulia (KOO-GEE-CHA-GOO-LEE-AH)! 

Today is the second day of Kwanzaa. The principle we celebrate is Kujichagulia which means Self-Determination. To define ourselves, to name ourselves, speak for ourselves and create for ourselves.

Kujichagulia is a commitment to building our lives in our own images and interests. If we, as a people, are to achieve our goals we must take the responsibility for that achievement. Self-determination is the essence of freedom. This day calls for a reaffirmation of our commitment to work together for Black people everywhere, particularly here in America, to build more meaningful and fulfilling lives. 

Harambee!

Related Link:

Celebrate Kwanzaa in Miami

On Wednesday, December 19, 2018, the Iota Pi Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated joined the Miami-Dade National Pan-Hellenic Council to distribute Christmas gifts to the entire student body of Florida City Elementary School. The Miami-Dade National Pan-Hellenic Council hosts an annual toy collection drive to provide Christmas gifts to children who reside in low income communities.

The Council’s holiday gift market included books, action figures, balls, dolls, remote control vehicles, Legos and electronic learning devices for primary school age children. The students were allowed to select their personal gifts to take home. In total, over 400 toys were collected by NPHC local affiliate organizations (Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity and Zeta Phi Beta Sorority) and distributed at the school site. A surplus of toys which included featured hot items - two bicycles and a drone - were allocated to the school administration to serve as achievement prizes to inspire and reward student performance during the remainder of the school year.

Please share this opportunity with individuals who meet the required criteria. Let's help people help themselves. Thanks!

Affirming YOUth Foundation has been providing assistance in the community even before the organization officially opened its doors this past Saturday, August 4, 2018. The Social-Emotional Learning (SEL)-TechKnowledgy Computer Lab officially opens when students return to school at the end of August. The lab will be instrumental in helping students who might not have computers at home with their homework. Students will also take part in digital strategies and techniques that assist in SEL. This SEL-lab will be the first of its kind in this community.

The Affirming YOUth Center will also help students with their social and emotional well-being by collaborating with students to develop strategies to deal with emotions in a healthy way. The programs will empower them to identify thoughts, beliefs, and assumptions that make life harder; and, assisting them to identify their strengths and build on them so they can feel better about him/herself and their life.

“We are so proud to work with AT&T in providing state-of-the-art technologies to help bridge the digital divide for our communities,” said Jonathan Spikes, Founder and Executive Director of Affirming YOUth. “The lab will be a valuable resource to the youth in the identified communities especially as our youth prepare for college and 21st Century careers.

Affirming YOUth Foundation was selected by AT&T because of their robust educational programming and resource center that helps youth develop social-emotional skills. The Lab will be stocked with desktops, printers, flat-screen television and movable furniture. Staff, volunteers and community partners will host technology classes, digital literacy workshops, STEM programs and open labs for state-of-the-art learning experiences.

 "AT&T believes it is critical for students to have access to the tools and support systems they need to graduate, succeed in college or enter the workforce as they strive to reach their full potential," said Cristal Cole, AT&T Florida external affairs who presented Affirming YOUth with a check for $25,000. "We are proud to support community programming provided by organizations like the Affirming Youth Foundation, who help foster a safe environment where children can dream big and access the resources they need to be successful in life."

Board President, Dr. Tangier Scott, lauded AT&T for its constant support of youth initiatives and providing resources for closing the digital divide.

“Today’s youth must be tech savvy to compete for jobs in the global economy,” Scott said. “I’m elated and excited that Affirming YOUth and AT&T are collaborating to create amazing educational opportunities for our youth to succeed now, and for years to come.”

The grand opening, hosted by WHQT Hot 105, radio personality Shelby Rushin, started with a musical presentation by the Miami Northwestern Marching Band.

Speakers included: School Board member Dr. Dorothy Bendross-Mindingall; Adrian Rogers, Principal of Liberty City Elementary School; Pastor Joaquin Willis; Pastor Robert Stephens III; and Jonathan Taylor.

To learn more about Affirming YOUth visit www.AffirmingYOUth.org.

On Sunday, May 6, 2018, the King of Clubs of Greater Miami, Incorporated hosted their 32nd Annual Scholarship/Awards Banquet at the Doubletree Grand Hotel Biscayne in Downtown Miami. Community matriarch Nancy Dawkins was recognized for her many years of service to the community and 16 Miami-Dade County Public Schools graduating seniors were awarded scholarships as they continue their academic journey to colleges and universities locally and throughout the nation. 

King of Clubs of Greater Miami President Ron Butler escorts Mrs. Nancy Dawkins is escorted to the podium to receive her award for Outstanding Community Service.

Outstanding Community Service Award

Mrs. Nancy Dawkins

William Turner Technical Arts Senior Anwar Taylor receives the Dr. Arthur E. Woodard Scholarship from the Dr. Arthur & Mary Woodard Foundation for Education and Culture. Taylor is headed to Howard University where he will prepare to become a neurosurgeon.

Dr. Tee S. Greer Memorial Scholarships

Tauheeda Huggins – Booker T. Washington

Ayana Reid - Booker T. Washington

Elyzer St. Hilaire – Miami Jackson

King of Clubs Presidential Scholarship

Tyra Hayes – Miami Springs

Dr. Rozalyn Hester Paschal Memorial Scholarship

Lamyra Thompson – Miami Jackson

Mrs. Lenora Paschal-Johnson Memorial Scholarship

Hali Braynon – William Turner Technical Arts

Mrs. Lenora P. Johnson Foundation Scholarship

Kiyah Adams – Miami Norland

Fletcher Paschal Jr. Memorial Scholarship

Eric Baugh – Coral Reef

Mrs. Agenoria S. Paschal Memorial Scholarship

Sommore Robinson – School for Advanced Studies, Homestead

Miami Federal Credit Union Nelson Jenkins Scholarship

Deneisha Dickinson – Miami Carol City

Covenant Brothers Scholarship

Kahlil Davis – Coral Reef

Jack and Jill Agenoria Paschal Scholarship

Tiana Downer – Hialeah-Miami Lakes

Athalie Range Memorial Scholarship

Yelin Montes – Miami Jackson

James Fayson, Sr. Scholarship

Jalani Scott - Booker T. Washington

Dr. Arthur Woodard Memorial Scholarship

Anwar Taylor - William Turner Technical Arts

Marva Fussell Butler Education Scholarship

Isis Nelson – American

Officers and Members of the King of Clubs of Greater Miami, Incorporated

King of Clubs Officers 2018

President – Ron Butler

Vice President – Fletcher Paschal III

Recording Secretary – Malcolm Jones, Sr.

Treasurer – Mario Lavette

Financial Secretary – Delvin Thomas

Chaplain – Rev. Harvey Lockhart

Historian – N. Patrick Range

Members

Lawrence Adams

Bradford Brown, Ph.D.

Lenere Dawkins

Larry Johnson

Kenan Lawhorne

Astrid Mack

James Maull

Michael Smith, Sr.

Marc St. Fort

Photography: Prince Aderele, The Aditu Agency 

Florida A&M University president Dr. Larry Robinson, the University’s performing troupe, the FAMU Connection, various FAMU staff and student leaders will make their Miami stop of the 2018 President’s Recruitment Tour at 6:30 p.m., Monday, March 12, 2018, at Miami Jackson Senior High School Auditorium, 1751 NW 36th Street, Miami, FL 33142.

All interested high school students and their parents are invited to attend. Attendees will have an opportunity to chat one-on-one with University academic representatives, student leaders and alumni. Scholarships will be awarded on the spot to graduating seniors contingent upon qualifying GPA and test scores. 

Interested students can apply online at www.famu.edu/admissions. 

District 1 students will celebrate Black History through song, dance, visual art, and spoken word on Tuesday, February 13, 2018 at Miami Carol City Senior High School. Come out and support our students in celebration of Black History Month and beyond. The event is free and open to the public. It will be held in Miami Carol City Senior High School Auditorium, 3301 Miami Gardens Drive (NW 183rd Street) in Miami Gardens. You are advised to arrive early. Last year's event was standing-room only and some supporters had to be turned away to not violate fire laws. 

Florida's Republican leaders are at it again. If you are not following the shenanigans in Tallahassee during this Legislative Session, please take a moment to listen to comments by Rep. Shevrin Jones (Dist. 101) and Rep. Kionne McGhee (Dist. 117) regarding the very bad education bill — HB 7055. These are just a few points of which we should be aware. Recognize this for what it is. The continued dismantling of public education, redirecting public dollars to private entities, destruction of public schools in predominantly black neighborhoods, and assault on the middle-class and poor in Florida. Please commit to helping concerned parents and citizens put a stop to this madness.   

CALL TO ACTION from the Florida AFL-CIO (adapted). HB 7055 will go before the Florida House on Wednesday, February 7 for questions and Thursday, February 8 for vote and debate.  HB 7055 is a massive last minute education bill full of poorly vetted policies aimed at defunding public education in our state and busting up teachers unions. 

Call 855.235.2469 and enter your zip code NOW to be connected with your local Florida Representative. Leave them with the message that they need to stand up for our public schools, our students, and our teachers by voting NO on HB 7055.

Hidden in this legislation is the same public union-busting language that House leadership rammed through the process last week. HB 7055 specifically strips our state’s educators and staff from having a voice on the job.

HB 7055 also sets up a system that tells children who have been bullied to simply leave their public school and go somewhere else. Rather than focusing on programs that directly combat the problem of bullying in Florida schools, House leaders are using this issue as another means to please their donors and expand the unaccountable for-profit charter school industry in our state.

At over 200 pages, this bill is so big that it also includes provisions to divert hundreds of millions of tax dollars to private, for-profit schools, reduces accountability for student performance, and hurts programs for struggling students.

Call 855.235.2469 NOW and leave your local representative with a message to vote NO on HB 7055. This bill would spell disaster for the future of public education in our state. We need the Florida House to say NO to this massive scheme to bully our students, our schools, and our teachers.

Still Not Convinced? - WATCH THIS

 #SayNOtoHB7055   #SaveOurSchools #Dirty7055

PARENTS AND YOUTH GROUP ORGANIZERS: PLEASE BRING YOUR MIDDLE SCHOOL AGE AND HIGH SCHOOL AGE YOUTH TO THIS IMPORTANT COMMUNITY EVENT.

The WISH Foundation, Inc. (Women Involved in Service to Humanity) and Gamma Zeta Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. present the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Youth Symposium - A Conversation on Race, Sunday, January 14, 2018, 2 pm - 5 pm, Universal Truth Center for Better Living, 21310 NW 37th Avenue, Miami Gardens, Florida 33056.