Volume 9 – Number 35 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2018
RIGHTS RESTORATION FOR EX-FELONS? YOU DECIDE
SCHOOL IS IN SESSION FIRST DAY FOOTBALL FINANCIAL AID
DR. FALECIA WILLIAMS LEVELING UP THE STATE COLLEGE EXPERIENCE
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COMMON REAL ESTATE MYTHS
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contents 6
Letter from the publisher
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Elevate — Dictate your destiny
10 Dr. Walter L. Smith Library is a treasure trove of educational artifacts 14 10 common real estate myths 15 Helping kids transition on the first day of school 16 Central Care Mission: A place of hope and change 17 Senior volunteers make a difference for older adults 18 Commissioner Samuel B. Ings serves the community 20 Global learning: more students are studying abroad 24 Tragedy on the yard — gun violence in schools 28 Good Read — stories in their own words 30 Find virtual solutions at the library 34 Keep on truckin’ — alternatives to a college degree 36 Breast cancer disparities prevalent in Black community 38 Florida Scope 40 Music & Entertainment: Deva Mahal
COVER STORY
DR. FALECIA WILLIAMS – LEVELING UP THE STATE COLLEGE EXPERIENCE Cover photo courtesy of Valencia College
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45 Fighting Fumes – legislation protects public housing residents against smoke 46 Rights restoration for ex-felons? You decide 50 Why millennials are leaving the Black church 52 ONYX Salutes — Pastor Williams 53 ONYX Salutes — Pastor Mills 56 ONYX on the Move — Rich Black receives award 57 Fashion — Packing cosmetics for vacation 59 On the Quad 60 Dr. Falecia Williams — improving residents’ lives at Valencia College 63 Promise Program - Edward Waters College first HBCU to create a path to free tuition 64 Money Matters — When it comes to college, money matters 66 Business — Focus on impact for time management 68 In Concert — Glenn Jones
Photo courtesy of Valencia College
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43 Beyond Florida
FLORIDA SCOPE History In the Making Mayor Andrew Gillum could be Florida’s next governor—the first African-American to hold the seat! After winning the Democratic Primary election on Aug. 28, the first African-American to do so, Gillum is headed to the general election on Nov. 6 to face Republican candidate Ron DeSantis. Born in Miami, Gillum was the first in his family to graduate college (Florida A&M University) and he went on to become the youngest person in history elected to the Tallahassee City Commission, before later becoming Mayor. He has a proud record of 15 years in public service. Your vote counts!
B-CU Student Receives Scholarship from Comedian Kevin Hart Following up on his generous $100,000 scholarship gift made through the United Negro College Fund to four deserving college students back in 2015, actor and comedian Kevin Hart has joined forces with UNCF and KIPP (Knowledge Is Power Program) to help 18 more KIPP students earn a college degree— including Kerry Gaino, a Bethune-Cookman University. Through a new UNCF scholarship program launched in partnership with Kevin Hart’s “Help From The Hart Charity” and KIPP Public Schools, the $600,000 scholarship will provide funding to support KIPP students from eight different cities, attending 11 historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs). “Education and knowledge are powerful,” said Hart. “I just wanted to do my part in providing opportunities for our future leaders, especially from my Philly hometown, and show support for HBCUs. This is just the beginning; trust me when I tell you there are a lot more kids who want to go to college who don’t have the money to make it happen.”
Second from Left: Jaterria Hicks, of Atlanta, Ga., learns medical principles during a medical workshop Friday, March 9, 2018, as part of Disney Dreamers Academy with Steve Harvey and ESSENCE Magazine at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. Todd Anderson, photographer, WDW.
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Kevin Hart, Kerry Gaino, UNCF President Dr. Michael Lomax and John Kisher
Disney Dreamers Academy Opens Application Process Applications are being accepted now through Oct. 31, 2018, for the Disney Dreamers Academy with Steve Harvey and Essence magazine. This annual outside-the-classroom mentoring program is scheduled for March 21-24, 2019, at the Walt Disney Resort in Florida. The program helps 100 select high school students, ages 13-19, from across the United States jump-start their life goals and pursue their dreams. Disney Dreamers Academy turns the entire magical setting of Walt Disney World into a vibrant classroom. Students participate in a series of sessions and workshops designed to help them imagine bright futures, make exciting discoveries and learn how to put their goals into action. Disney Dreamers engage in a wide variety of experiences at Walt Disney World while working side by side with celebrities, community and industry leaders and Disney cast members. This four-day, all-expenses-paid experience at Walt Disney World will continue to help change the lives of young people in 2019. For more information or to apply, visit DisneyDreamersAcademy.com.
ONYX ON THE MOVE
“I have always admired the firm way Dick Gregory stood and fought for Black people in America.” – Rich Black
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he National Congress of Black Women (NCBW), Orlando Chapter, honored ONYX Magazine Publisher Rich Black at its sixth annual Founders Day luncheon Saturday. As nearly 100 people looked on, Black received the Dick Gregory Good Brother Award for his outstanding commitment to the community. “We were very happy to honor Richard,” said Beverlye Neal, Florida Director of NCBW. The group selected Black because he exemplifies everything the award stands for in recognition of activist Dick Gregory and his fight against injustice in the Black community. Black is the publisher and CEO of ONYX Magazine, a 21-year-old publication that celebrates Florida’s Black life while having seamless connection with other cultures. Since acquiring the magazine in 2013, Black has grown it to include several new content departments, up to 80 pages per issue, and regional prominence. In 2016, Black introduced ONYX Maga-
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zine’s Women on the Move, a prestigious event that honors Florida’s most influential and impactful women of color in business and community leadership. The annual luncheon is held in March to recognize Women’s History Month. ONYX Magazine is embarking on ONYX Business Connect, a statewide effort to bring business communities together to share important resources. ONYX also has established the ONYX Foundation, which will raise funds to educate minority communities in the areas of literacy, arts and culture, and history. A graduate of Bethune-Cookman University (B-CU), Black is known for spearheading a fundraising effort to build a statue of Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune on the B-CU campus during its centennial year in 2004. “I have always admired the firm way Dick Gregory stood and fought for Black people in America,” said Black. “I am honored to be recognized by such an outstanding organization that keeps its word to empower women of color.”
Photo by Tara Dorsey
ONYX Magazine Publisher Receives Prestigious Award
FASHION
Ready, Set…Jet! 14 Beauty and Fashion Hacks to Streamline Your Travel Excursions By Lena Graham-Morris, The Entreprenista®
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hether it was my decade-anda-half roving as a professional make-up artist and stylist or lifetime journey as a beauty and fashion junkie, there were always challenges with transporting my precious cargo. No matter if you are traveling the friendly skies, on the road again, or ready to set sail, here are a few hacks to ease the pain.
1. Red Flag Choose a unique suitcase or use a distinguishing mark to identify quickly, like tying a red scarf to the handle. 2. Check Mate Make a packing list based on your agenda for the trip. Download a free list here www.iamentreprenista.com. 3. Roll Out Roll your clothes and belts instead of folding. Use the inside of your shoes for additional space. 4. Organized Behavior Invest in organizers for makeup and clothes. Put liquid foundation and lipstick in a contact lens case or small travel containers.
5. Swag Bag Use shoe bags (or shower caps) to protect your clothes and make your shoes readily accessible. 6. So Fresh and So Clean Put dryer sheets in luggage to help with smells and wrinkles and invest in one dedicated travel laundry bag. 7. Multi-Task Invest in items that have multiple uses, i.e., eyeshadow can be used as, eye pencil as eyeshadow, crème color sticks can be used as blush, eyeshadow, gloss, and lipstick. 8. Unified Front Use palettes, and condense individual items. 9. Portable Perfume Use a pocket size roll-on perfume or cologne instead of full-size. (Try scent bird). 10. Double Trouble Invest in a travel brush kit or dual-sided brushes to condense space.
11. No Spill Zone To stop spilling liquids, cut a small square of saran wrap, secure it on top of an open bottle, then screw the lid on. Also, wrap hair care products/liquids in plastic bags. 12. Gentle Touch Use cotton pads on top of powder compacts to help with breakage and protect mirrors. 13. Family Jewels Lay your jewelry out flat between two sheets of plastic wrap. It’ll save space and prevent your valuables from getting tangled. Also use empty ChapStick tubes to hide valuables, for small earrings etc. A weekly pill container can be just what you need. 14. Full Steam Ahead Invest in a small compact steamer and wrinkle remover fabric spray.
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