Author: Carma Henry

   If you have been a fairly consistent NOTS reader, then you are probably cognizant of my respect and admiration for Coach Chennis Berry—not only because he is an exceptional leader of young men, but also because he has succeeded at every appointed stop, including Benedict and now South Carolina State.

     New for the 2026-2027 season: Students in grades 3-12 are welcome to sign up. The curriculum has been expanded and revised to teach younger grades (3-5) with lessons devised for their learning levels. The curriculums for middle- and high-school students, and adults, have been completely refreshed, promising a new learning experience for returning students.

OIC of South Florida today announced the return of the Middle Class Summit, taking place September 9–10, 2026, at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida. Now marking 25 years of impact for OIC of South Florida, this year’s summit, themed “Imagine. Innovate. Elevate.,” arrives at what the organization calls a turning point for the American middle class, bringing together more than 500 business executives, policymakers, workforce innovators, educators and national thought leaders for two days of dialogue focused on solutions.

     “Being in a relationship is a blessing, but it takes work,” said Mikelange Olbel, president and CEO of Community-Based Connections, Inc. “Whether you are married, dating, co-parenting, rebuilding a strained relationship, or a single parent seeking a healthier relationship with the other parent, you’ll benefit from this insightful, heartfelt conference that seeks to create stronger dads, stronger moms and stronger families that will thrive, evolve, and build a better community. We are proud to offer our Stronger Together Couples Conference as part of our larger effort to provide meaningful, practical support to create a foundation for long-term parenting success.”

     “Being in a relationship is a blessing, but it takes work,” said Mikelange Olbel, CEO of Community-Based Connections, Inc. “Whether you are married, dating, co-parenting, rebuilding a strained relationship, or a single parent seeking a healthier relationship with the other parent, you’ll benefit from this insightful, heartfelt conference that seeks to create stronger dads, stronger moms and stronger families that will thrive, evolve, and build a better community. We are proud to offer our Stronger Together Couples Conference as part of our larger effort to provide meaningful, practical support to create a foundation for long-term parenting success.”

     Miami-Dade County Public Schools is expanding its free After-School Meals Program, adding W.R. Thomas Middle School as a new meal site began  Sept. 1.

     U.S. Senate candidate Angie Nixon will be the first Black woman senator from Florida if elected this November. She faces Ashley Moody, a former state attorney general appointed by Gov. Ron DeSantis to fill the seat after Marco Rubio accepted President Donald Trump’s appointment to become secretary of state.

    A jury found Duane “Keffe D” Davis guilty of orchestrating the 1996 killing of rap icon Tupac Shakur, finally bringing a measure of resolution to a case that had gripped hip-hop fans and lingered in the public imagination for decades.

     A federal judge Thursday blocked a Postal Service regulation that would exert control over mail-in ballots ahead of the midterm elections in the latest setback on the issue for President Donald Trump.

The National Association of Real Estate Brokers (NAREB) announced the winners of its Top 100 Black real estate professionals at the elegant NAREB® Top 100 Realtist Royale, a Celebration of Black Excellence in the Real Estate Industry. Held on Tuesday, July 28, the event was a glamorous evening of celebration and recognition, honoring awardees who collectively produced more than $5.7 billion in transactions in 2025 for their excellence in real estate and development sales.