Author: Carma Henry

Navy Office of Community Outreach

     How far and how wide Lift Every Voice and Sing resonated was a surprise to its creator. James Weldon Johnson wrote in his 1934 autobiography that “the schoolchildren of Jacksonville kept singing the song,” after he and his brother John Rosamond Johnson moved on to other ventures.

Cecil Howard, associate provost for academic programs and interim dean at Florida A&M University (FAMU) College of Law, has named Orange County Judge Faye Allen as chair of the Dean’s Advisory Council. Roberta Walton Johnson, general counsel and legislative director for the Orange County Clerk of Circuit and County Courts, has been named vice chair.

Closing out Black History Month on a high note, “Water Works: Distillations” opened on February 21, 2025, as the newest exhibit of the Spady Cultural Heritage Museum. Curated by Allison Bolah and featuring original works by artist, Franklyn Sinanan, “Water Works” explores the binding relationship between Black communities and the natural bodies of water that surround them.

     One of the results of the northern “Great Migration” was the development of the “New Negro.” When World War One ended it brought home thousands of Black men who had sampled the nectar of freedom abroad.  The National Archives estimated that over 380,000 Black men served in the Army. Shockingly, they weren’t called “Boy.” They were called “Sir”, and treated with respect, class. New dignity is intoxicating and it only  exacerbates the angst of being treated like 3/5ths  of a person. This resentment started bubbling up, first in our art, songs, poems, and in every part of Black culture. 

Patterson & Sons’ history is a remarkable one. That the only Black-owned automaker, founded by a former slave, found success in a malicious culture for three generations is a phenomenal feat. Remember this was an era defined by virulent racism, from President Woodrow Wilson’s segregation of federal workplaces to the popular acclaim of D.W. Griffith’s “Birth of a Nation.” That resilient Nubian chromosome led to Charles Richard Patterson and his son Frederick being inducted into the Automotive Hall of Fame in 2021.

Stephanie Browne wears many hats, and has several earnest life passions. But, of course, as an acclaimed wine industry veteran, and a lover of all things entertaining, cooking, cocktails and dining, she places wines, wine-pairings and education at the very top of her list. For Black History Month, she took some time to acknowledge and celebrate a few of her peers who are hard at work and about the business of making history, in an industry where African Americans have long been underrepresented.

     Depreciation is a way of allocating the cost of the asset over its expected usable life by expensing a portion of the cost over several years. This accounting method provides a tax deduction while also reflecting, on the books, the asset’s decline in value over time. Additionally, it helps a company determine (and plan for) the time when it will be necessary to replace the asset.

Surrounded by dozens of people who knew, respected and loved Judge D’Army Bailey, the Shelby County General Sessions Court Clerk’s office unveiled a new portrait of the prominent Memphis judge and civil rights activist on Friday.

   It is with deep sadness that we share the passing of Ronald C. Parker, former Global Chief of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at PepsiCo, past President & CEO of The Executive Leadership Council (ELC), and a trailblazing leader in corporate DEI and labor relations. Ron was a true champion of equity, tirelessly advocating for inclusive workplaces and fair opportunities across industries.