THE POWER OF “GOOD TROUBLE”
by Carla D. Hayden
Do not get lost in a sea of despair. Be hopeful, be optimistic. Our struggle is not the struggle of a day, a week, a month, or a year, it is the struggle of a lifetime.
Never, ever be afraid to make some noise and get in good trouble, necessary trouble.”
Few people that you meet truly rouse the best in you. Few are walking heroes, living history makers. Their words and deeds have a thunderous impact on your soul. Congressman John Robert Lewis was such a person for me. I join the world in mourning the passing of this civil rights legend.
The son of a sharecropper growing up in rural Alabama, he said as a little boy he was in constant fear because of signs that said “no colored boys, no colored girls.” His parents and grandparents used to tell him “don’t get in trouble.” Nevertheless, as a young man he was inspired to activism by the Montgomery Bus Boycott that started when Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat.
This past December, the Library of Congress opened an extensive exhibition, “Rosa Parks: In Her Own Words,” where the congressman spoke. “Rosa Parks inspired us to get in trouble. And I’ve been getting in trouble ever since,” said Lewis. “She inspired us to find a way, to get in the way, to get in what I call good trouble, necessary trouble.” Over the years, he was able to meet and work with Rosa Parks who taught him about the philosophy and discipline of non-violence. “She kept on saying to each one of us, you too can do something,” he said. “And for people if you see something that is not right, not fair, not just, do something. We cannot afford to be quiet.”
During the exhibition opening, John Lewis told how he was inspired by Rosa Parks to write to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. He was given a round trip bus ticket to Montgomery to meet with Dr. King and upon meeting him was nicknamed, “The Boy from Troy.”
He risked his life countless times by organizing voter registration drives, sit-ins at lunch counters and was beaten and arrested for challenging the injustice of Jim Crow segregation in the South. While still a young man, John Lewis was already a nationally recognized leader and was named one of the Big Six leaders of the Civil Rights Movement. He was also the chairman of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), and his papers and interviews from this time are held at the Library of Congress. At the age of 23, he was a keynote speak-
er at the historic March on Washington in 1963.
In March 7, 1965, John Lewis led more than 600 peaceful protesters across the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma to demonstrate the need for voting rights in the state of Alabama. They were greeted by brutal attacks by Alabama State Troopers that became known as “Bloody Sunday.” This photo from the Library of Library collection is still one of the most powerful images from that day.
Despite numerous arrests and physical injuries, John Lewis remained a devoted advocate of the philosophy of nonviolence. He was elected to the Atlanta City Council and then the representative of Georgia’s Fifth Congressional District. He stuck to Rosa Parks’ advice to never be quiet and to continue getting into “good trouble.” The congressman was a frequent guest at the Library of Congress. His generous spirit touched everyone he met in the halls of the Library –whether it was reading his graphic novel “March” or speaking at public events – his gentle temperament kept you at ease. His graphic novel allowed him to continue to connect with a new generation of young readers in the hope of inspiring them the way Rosa Parks had inspired him.
In November, John Lewis celebrated the AIDS Memorial Quilt collection arriving at the Library of Congress. His message of peaceful resolve, perseverance and care still rings loud. “In the height of the civil rights movement, we spoke of love,” Lewis said. “On one occasion Dr. King said to some of us, just love everybody. Love them who fail to love you, just love. Just love a little hell out of everybody.”
The world mourns. But we also celebrate a great warrior and fighter of injustice. Let us remember his story and listen to the words he passionately shared for more than a half a century. Congressman John Robert Lewis embodies the best in all of us. Let his legacy and spirit live on. I offer my prayers and condolences to his family and to the grateful people of his district in Georgia.
Judge Mavel Ruiz was born in Santa Clara, Cuba and was raised in Hialeah, FL. Judge Ruiz graduated from Hialeah High School, Miami Dade Community College and Rutgers University. In 1994 she graduated from Rutgers Law School, becoming the first in her family to graduate from college.
Judge Ruiz began her career in public service by working as an Assistant Public Defender in the Juvenile Division. Judge Ruiz represented many young adults charged with life felonies. Her desire to have a positive impact on the juvenile system motivated her to become a judge. She then continued her career in private practice, representing indigent people charged with criminal offenses. In July 2008, she continued public service at the Office of Regional Conflict Counsel in Miami, Florida. As an attorney,
Judge Ruiz appeared before more than 100 judges and tried more than 50 cases.
Judge Ruiz was elected to the bench in 2014. Judge Ruiz was assigned to the Juvenile Delinquency Division where she spent one year and tried many cases. She continued to serve the children and families of our community in the Dependency Division for 2 additional years. Judge Ruiz was assigned to the Civil Division located in the Dade County Courthouse in January, 2018. Since then, Judge Ruiz worked tirelessly and to date has tried 24 jury trials, including a tobacco case.
Becoming a judge has been a lifelong dream for Judge Ruiz. Judge Ruiz considers it a privilege and an honor to serve our community as a circuit court judge.
After serving as a dedicated Miami-Dade County Commissioner, Dennis C. Moss will bring his effective leadership to the School Board as he seeks election to the District Nine seat on the board. Known for his tenacity, commitment and ability to get the job done, Moss offers his five point Covenant to the community that includes ensuring school safety; protecting students and staff from COVID 19; create distance learning that works for all students; preserve schools in challenged neighborhoods and to provide life skills training in employment, entrepreneurship, coding and trade skills.
Miami-Dade County Commissioner Dennis C. Moss was first elected in 1993 and has served on the Board of County Commissioners for close to 28 years. Commissioner Moss was elected on November 20, 2008 as the Miami-Dade Board of County Commissioners 20092010 Chairman.
Dennis Moss is known, respected, and admired for making promises and keeping them. He was initially elected to the Board of County Commissioners shortly after Hurricane Andrew, the second worst natural disaster in the history of the United States. Commissioner Moss immediately focused his efforts on the recovery of South Miami-Dade. His tireless efforts resulted in a comprehensive plan to rebuild
distressed and declining areas affected by Hurricane Andrew. Named in recognition of Dennis Moss, the Moss Plan was approved on September 7, 1993 by the Board of County Commissioners.
Commissioner Moss’ commitment to South Dade has brought Jackson South Medical Center to South Dade, built South Miami-Dade Cultural Arts Center, assisted in bringing thousands of affordable housing units to the area, brought FedEx and now Amazon to Naranja, is building the Larcenia Bullard Plaza in Richmond Heights, has struck a deal to bring the Miami Wilds Water Theme Park to Zoo Miami, helped hundreds of small businesses through his Mom and Pop Small Business Program, and the list goes on.
Moss currently serves as Chairman of the Housing, Social Services and Economic Development Committee. He was also appointed as Vice Chair of the Transportation and Finance Committee and a member of the Tourism and the Ports Committee, The Chairwoman’s Policy Council and the Community Disparities Subcommittee.
To vote for Dennis C. Moss for the District 9 School Board punch number 386. Our schools need strong leadership now more than ever.
As a member of the Florida House of Representatives representing District 117 Kionne McGhee is well known for his high energy and hard work on behalf of the people he serves. In 2018 he was elected to serve as the House Minority Leader, quite an impressive accomplishment for the South Miami-Dade elected official.
McGhee is now seeking to fill the District 9 county Commission seat being vacated by Miami-Dade County Commissioner Dennis C. Moss due to term limits. Having represented District 117 since 2012, a district that overlaps District 9, Kionne McGhee has represented many of the voters who will once again have the opportunity to cast a vote for him. McGhee was born in Miami-Dade and grew up in the southern part of the county. After graduating
Joe Perkins is a candidate for Circuit Judge, Group 55 (#311 on the ballot). He’s an honors graduate of Boston University School of Law and an experienced litigation attorney. He has been voted by his peers as among the top 40 attorneys under 40 in South Florida and recognized as a “rising star” by the Florida Superlawyers publication.
Joe is most proud, however, of his years of service to the community. He routinely provides free legal services to underserved members of our community through legal clinics organized by the Wilkie D. Ferguson, Jr. and Caribbean Bar Associations. He is also proud to have successfully protected, free of charge, the property of Martin Memorial AME Church in Richmond Heights.
Joe’s years of service to the community are reflected in the broad support his campaign has received. The campaign’s Executive Commit-
from South Dade High School he went on to attend Howard University where he graduated with a degree in political science in 2000.
He also attended the Thurgood Marshall School of Law at Texas Southern University, where he received a Juris Doctor degree. McGhee formerly served in the State Attorney’s Office and is an accomplished public speaker and author. He has been a champion on the issue of bringing the rail transit system from Dadeland to Florida City as a way of creating an economic boost for all of South Dade.
With the continued support of his wife, Stacy and his children, Kionne remains committed to fighting for the residents of South Dade.
tee Chair - the top of Joe’s 70+ person campaign – is Stephen Hunter Johnson, who also serves as the Chair of the Black Affairs Advisory Board. The campaign’s Co-Outreach Chairs are Rev. Dr. Anthony Reed and Rev. Karen Reed of Martin Memorial AME Church. The campaign’s Young Professionals Outreach Chair is Kenasha Paul, who is also the founder and President of the Black Professionals Network. It’s Student Outreach Chair is Loune-Djenia Askew, who also recently served as the President of FIU Law’s Student Caribbean Bar Association.
Joe humbly asks that when you vote for Circuit Judge, vote for experience, integrity, and a demonstrated commitment to public service. Vote for Joe Perkins (#311) for Circuit Judge.
A member of the Florida House of Representatives since 2018, Javier Fernandez grew up in Senate District 39. Today, he’s committed to building consensus and delivering results for the community he calls home. Throughout his career, he has worked in both the public and private sector to move his community forward.
Javier is the oldest of four siblings raised in western Miami-Dade. He attended St. Theresa School and Christopher Columbus High School where he played football before earning a full academic scholarship to attend Colby College in Maine. Following his service as a leader in the affordable housing sector and chief of staff to
Attorney Olanike “Nike” Adebayo desires to serve as a judge so that she can have a greater impact on the judicial system. As a result of her diverse upbringing, integrity, strong work ethic and varied legal experience, as judge she will treat all parties with respect, follow the law and render fair decisions. Beyond her law degree, her diverse background, servant leadership, and legal experience qualify her to be a judge.
Mrs. Adebayo is the daughter of a Caucasian woman and a Nigerian man, and she was raised in Chicago, Illinois at a time when bi-racial marriages and cultural diversity were not accepted. As a result, she appreciates her unique background which helps her readily accept others from different cultural and economic backgrounds. Her past and present civic involvement throughout this community as a voluntary bar association past
the mayor of Miami, Javier went on to study law at the University of Miami, where he graduated with honors while working part-time.
In his law practice, Javier represented clients advocating for transformative projects across Miami such as the Miami Design District, Brickell City Centre, Miami Worldcenter, and the Tri-Rail commuter rail service.
Javier and his wife, Dr. Anna Maria Patiño-Fernández, a clinical psychologist, have been married for 15 years. They have two children — Susanna (12) and Lucas (10) — and consider themselves blessed to be raising their family in South Florida.
president and board member, mentor and volunteer for several organizations, helped her become a great listener and a collaborative, decisive leader committed to excellence and equality. Her twenty-two years of criminal and civil litigation and extensive trial experience have prepared her to be a judge who appreciates how to efficiently manage a courtroom with the right temperament.
Finally, Mrs. Adebayo prides herself in effectively balancing work-life with family-life. She has been married to Patrick Marcelin for over ten years and they adopted a son who is now five years old. She will be an excellent judge because she is uniquely qualified, she the right temperament and she has the heart of a servant. Her serving on the bench in Miami-Dade County would benefit our community tremendously.
for School Board Dist. 9
