Author: Carma Henry

Carma Lynn Henry Westside Gazette Newspaper 545 N.W. 7th Terrace, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33311 Office: (954) 525-1489 Fax: (954) 525-1861

  From Freedom’s Journal to the North Star to John Abbott’s Chicago Defender, African American-owned newspapers have sparked fires for truth and equality that have burned with the passion of fighting for freedom throughout history. Wednesday, March 16, 2022, marked the 195th anniversary of the Black Press of America, whose global impact remains undeniable. It all began with Freedom’s Journal.

   Join us for the first ever Art of Community Festival! This festival is the culmination of AARLCC’s inaugural  artists residency which funded 5 emerging local artists. On April 30th we will showcase the creations from the artists whose artwork addresses critical social justice issues impacting our community such as Economic Justice, Environmental Justice, Criminal and Health Care Reform, Racial Justice, and Gender and Sexuality Equity.

     In 1964 the Black footprint in Congress was very small, but in 2022 it continues to grow and expand. In 2008 there was the first Black president, President Barack Obama, and now there is the first Black/multi-cultural woman Vice-President, Vice-President Kamala Harris. It is time for Black people to be positive and build on our success.

     Will Smith’s slap of Chris Rock, viewed worldwide, was not that of an angry Black man. No! It was more reminiscent of a white supremacist knowing that he had the right to slap, spit upon or even lynch a Black man if he felt the slightest disrespect. You see, an angry Black man would’ve punched him in the face and dared him to get up, rather than sashay back to his seat and hurl expletives towards the real man still standing.

     The show which has grown from 15 minutes in its first year (1929) to an average of 3 and ½ hours in recent years had some controversy when Packer, executive producer of Girls Trip, Think Like a Man and Ride Along, cut some categories from the broadcast in order to shorten the time, which has been blamed for low ratings in previous years. The Florida A&M University (FAMU) graduate stuck to his guns addressing the controversy head on in the opening act and moved through the program effortlessly.

     In a society where integral parts of American history have been rewritten, omitted and enshrouded, preservationists have dedicated their careers to protecting and amplifying powerful stories from the past. Amongst them is park ranger Betty Reid Soskin who retired from the National Park Service on Thursday, CBS News reported.

     The sixth annual Glitz & Girlpower Awards held at the Hard Rock in Hollywood Florida on March 31st was created to support and empower women as well as provide a platform for women to embrace each other. It show-cased women from various segments of our South Florida community. The list ranged from entrepreneurs and entertainers to counsellors and even a congresswoman.