Author: Carma Henry

     Over 2,000 master sculptors were considered for the commission which was ultimately awarded to Fort Lauderdale native Nilda Comas. Comas, who graduated cum laude with a master’s in fine arts from the New York Academy of Figurative Art, has received numerous grants and awards. Her works have been exhibited in the Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens – Palm Beach, Florida; The National Sculpture Society – New York; The New York Academy; Academia de Bella Arti di Carrara – Italy; Chiostro di Sant’ Agostino – Italy; and the Westminster Gallery -London. Her works also reside in many public and private collections in the United States, Europe, and South America. Comas’ interpretation of Bethune is entitled “The Black Rose. ‘’ It is a commanding 11-foot statue atop a five-foot pedestal and weighs more than 6,000 pounds. It was created using the largest, and last, piece of statuary marble from Michelangelo’s quarry in Italy where Comas maintains a second studio.

     “My mom was a caring educator who loved her students, but she was also a strict disciplinarian, who prepared her students for success, both inside and outside of the classroom,” said Giles-Smith. “She had an impact on the community with every student she taught, every family she touched, every person she encountered, and every friend she loved.”

       Tyrone was a trailblazer. He began the tenth grade at Dania Sterling High School which later became known as Hollywood Hills High School. This was the first fully integrated high school in Broward County.  The school was composed of fifty African American students and three hundred fifty non-African American students.  All of the students were tenth graders, from five different high schools.  There he became the first President in the new school’s history and the first African American President of a student council at an integrated high school in Broward County. 

 The longtime San Diego resident, whose legacy undoubtedly lives on, died June 22 at his home, surrounded by his family, The San Diego Union-Tribune reports. He was 82.

BROWN Funeral services for the Tameria Monique Brown – 41 were held July 3rd at Mount Bethel Baptist Church with Bishop C.E. Glover officiating. HIRD Funeral…

CENATUS Funeral services for Vitalien Cenatus – 63 held July 9th at Mc-White’s Funeral Home Chapel. GUILLAUME Funeral services for the late Robert Leroy Guillaume –…

ALLEN Funeral services for the late Marie Allen – 91 were held July 8th at Mount Hermon A.M.E. Church with Pastor Trae Green officiating. MCNAIR Funeral…

         Two of Florida A&M University’s longest-serving deans retired on June 30, 2022. Cynthia Hughes-Harris, Ph.D., had served as dean of the School of Allied Health Sciences (SOAHS) since 2012. Rodner Wright had served as dean of the School of Architecture and Electrical Technology (SA+ET) since 1996. Harris and Wright served stints as provost, vice president for Academic Affairs, and interim provost/vice president for Academic Affairs, respectively. Both administrators were recognized at a roast at the Meek-Eaton Black Archives on June 16.

     At Sunday’s ceremony, CIF Southern Section Commissioner of Athletics, Rob Wigod, announced news of the board’s unanimous decision to grant Coach Michael Lynch Hall of Fame status. He congratulated Lynch and recognized his outstanding contributions to CIF Southern Section athletics, which is to be celebrated at an October 12, 2022, awards luncheon. This designation also comes with an esteemed Gold Life Pass.

     During the 2022 NBA Draft, the Houston Rockets selected forward Jabari Smith Jr. with the third overall pick and forward Tari Eason (TAR-ee) with the 17th overall pick.