Browsing: Local News

     That dream lay in wait while Jennifer dealt with her own health needs, married, worked with the mentally ill, helped run a group home for people with disabilities and worked in Nursing Homes. In 1986, despite health challenges, King and her husband had a son. When she found out she was pregnant she started crying.

     Shakespeare and South Florida Poetry have created a love child…and it’s beautiful. Black Author, Poet, and Playwright Darius Daughtry’s Merchants of Venice is a smorgasbord of artistic genius that needs to be experienced and seen by every member of the community, especially in black and brown households and communities of color. Merchants of Venice takes William Shakespeare’s traditional Merchant of Venice, but with a modern-contemporary twist that highlights parts of our Fort Lauderdale history as it pertains to racial inequality and economic disparity. Performed by an All-Black Cast of local South Florida actors, and Written and Directed by Darius Daughtry—Merchants of Venice takes us on a journey through deeply rooted issues such as racism, the moral price of debt, communal collaboration, and socioeconomic disparities.

     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.

         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.

Walk or run with Feeding South Florida on Saturday, September 24th, at the Outrun Hunger 5k – Palm Beach County at Okeeheelee Park, 7715 Forest Hill Blvd, West Palm Beach. Create a team with your family, friends, and coworkers to raise awareness and funds to provide meals for individuals and families facing hunger. Check in begins at 6:30 a.m. The 5K begins at 7:30 a.m.

     Following the trails in the sand leads me to some history of this position and the process for hiring in Broward schools. Super Cartwright, after she was hired by the Board, added this job of Deputy Superintendent of Teaching and Learning to the chart. Dr. Carmen Balgobin from Volusia County was quickly hired by Super Cartwright.  Days later Balgobin was courted to return home to Volusia to serve the Daytona Beach community as the new superintendent.

     Jayland Walker was fatally shot by Akron, Ohio, police officers during a pursuit last week, according to Akron Police Chief Stephen Mylett, citing a medical examiner’s report. On Sunday, nearly a week after the fatal shooting, city officials also played police body camera footage of the incident for the first time.  On Monday, June 27, police said Walker, 25, fled as officers attempted to initiate a traffic stop for traffic and equipment violations. Walker got out of his car after a car chase, and a foot chase ensued. At least one officer orders him not to move and says, “Let me see your hands.”

The City of Oakland Park on June 30, 2022, presented former Broward County Administrator, Bertha Henry, with a Key to the City. The award was bestowed upon Mrs. Henry in recognition of her 24 years of service to Broward County and her partnership with the City of Oakland Park throughout her time as County Administrator, from 2008 to 2022. City of Oakland Park Mayor Michael E. Carn presented the Key to Mrs. Henry during a ceremony to mark the City’s 93 birthday.

      CDTC is accepting donations now through August 8 in preparation for its large-scale backpack distribution on Wednesday, August 10 and Thursday, August 11 at its headquarters located at 1401 S. Federal Highway in Fort Lauderdale. During the busy two-day event, care coordinators and volunteers will assist each child with selecting his or her very own backpack and help fill it with a variety of school supplies.