Thank you Father for the blessings You continue to grant me and my family. There is no way I could earn the grace and the mercy You show. In this life I have come to know You as the only constant that is sure and certain. With You there is always hope. Lord I seek Your will as I seek to live a life that is pleasing to You. It is my desire to live a life that brings You Glory. It is my desire to live a life that leads others to You. It is my desire to live a life that is a blessing to Your children.
As we navigate this uncertain world, You are the rock that is immovable during the storms of life. You are the calm and peace that is forever present deep within the souls of those that believe in You. You are the thirst quencher and pure nourishment to starving souls. You are my God. You are the center of my universe. I trust, I believe and I know that You are with me, always. - AMEN
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Sybrina Fulton has dedicated her life to transforming family tragedy into national social change. Since the death of her 17 year old son, Trayvon Martin, during the violent confrontation in 2012, Fulton has become an inspiring spokesperson for parents and concerned citizens across the country. Her book co-authored with Tracy Martin, Rest in Power: The Enduring Life of Trayvon Martin, shares the intimate story of a tragically shortened life and the rise of a movement that awoke a nation’s conscience.
Sybrina’s reserved and stoic demeanor, her grace and her resolve would not allow the country to dismiss Trayvon’s life as one to be forgotten with the next day’s news. The publicity surrounding Trayvon’s death and the ensuing trial catapulted the country into national debate. To this day the tragedy of Trayvon Martin’s demise is still immediately recognized as a cruel stain on our justice system. The taking of his young life would not allow the country to look away and pretend that somehow it was
The Quiet Strength Of
Sybrina Fulton
ok. Although true justice was not served, his mother, with the support of Trayvon’s father, Tracy Martin, set out to ensure that his life mattered, not only to them but to the world.
To Sybrina Fulton, Trayvon Martin is not a symbol, he is her son. In this article we choose not to talk about Trayvon Martin in the past tense. Because of the quiet yet powerful strength of his mother Trayvon looms large in the public consciousness and in the hearts of those who yearn for change.
Sybrina Fulton has embraced other mothers locally and around the country to provide support, wisdom, guidance and most of all love to those who know that she really does know what they are going through. Her generosity and her kindness serves to comfort and encourage those she embraces as they join the ranks of a club that no one wants to be a part of, but are very appreciative that its support is there. Fittingly The Trayvon Martin Foundation is housed at Florida Memorial University, South Flor-
ida’s only HBCU. It is there that Fulton, with her staff and volunteers, plan and implement important community initiatives. Despite the intense trauma of losing a child, Sybrina Fulton has become a role model to many by turning her grief into advocacy. Remaining strong throughout the trial and ensuing years, she lends her voice to speak against violence towards children and the need to build better, safer communities for all. Trayvon Martin’s name is still evoked every day. He has become a powerful symbol of social justice activism as his image reminds us that he was a child, purchasing candy and still in the process of becoming a young man when his life was taken. Sybrina’s quiet strength and maternal instinct still protects the son who could not protect himself. Through her words and her actions we are reminded that Trayvon Martin was here, and that it is a shared tragedy that now he is not. Fulton’s work reminds us that we are all Trayvon. What happened to him still happens all to often. She
advocates for those mothers whose pain she feels through The Circle of Mothers.
Sybrina Fulton created the Circle of Mothers to bring together mothers who have lost children or family members due to senseless gun violence for the purpose of healing, empowerment, and fellowship towards the larger aim of community building. Each year she brings women together from around the country during the Mother’s Day weekend to a place of peace, calm and tranquility. In this setting there is love, prayer, bonding and a ray of hope.
Because of her influence Sybrina uses her platform to convey health and fitness information as she
shares her personal commitment to exercise. Realizing how important it is to be proactive regarding personal health to those who she is able to reach, Sybrina is a voice that makes a difference. People of color and Black people in particular face a myriad of health challenges at a greater rate than others.
As a public speaker Sybrina Fulton has a message that not only appeals to people’s hearts as it relates to children, but is also one of hope and change, exemplified by her personal experiences and endeavors. As a mother, she inspires audiences to continuously educate their children about civil rights and to help them feel accepted as part of an ever changing society. An honest
and relatable speaker, Fulton always looks forward sharing her powerful message with everyone from colleges and legal professionals to community and family organizations, and all other proponents of social justice.
A Miami native, Fulton graduated from Florida Memorial University, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in English. A proud mother of two, including her son Jahvaris, Sybrina Fulton worked for the Miami-Dade County Housing Development Agency for over 25 years, and is a member of Antioch Missionary Baptist Church of Miami Gardens where Rev. Arthur Jackson, II is the pastor.
White House Highlights Programs by TOUCH, The Black Breast Cancer Alliance, Involving Breast Cancer Clinical Trials For Black Women
As announced in the White House Cancer Moonshot Fact Sheet this month, TOUCH, The Black Breast Cancer Alliance ‘TOUCH BBCA,’ will bolster Black women’s breast cancer clinical trial participation by 2025 committing to reaching 350,000 Black women and motivating 25,000 into trial portals.
“We must advance the science for Black Breast Cancer to reduce the devastating mortality rate for Black women. We’ve already been able to achieve nearly half of our projected goal with the unprecedented impact and momentum of our iconic When We Tri(al) Movement. As of today, we have sent over 12,000 Black women into clinical trial portals,” says Ricki Fairley, CEO of TOUCH, The Black Breast Cancer Alliance.
“We’re confident that we will not only meet but exceed our commitment to motivate 25,000 Black women into clinical trial portals by 2025.”
Additionally, TOUCH BBCA announces the launch of TOUCH Care, the first breast cancer advocacy-led program to provide a nurse navigator service to support Black breast cancer patients in clinical trials by developing culturally agile recruiting materials, training trial staff, and coaching patients. This program is
being piloted with Genentech, a member of the Roche Group, and will add five trials annually.
“The lack of representation of Black women diagnosed with breast cancer in clinical trials perpetuates disparities in cancer outcomes,” said Lauren Davis Pariani, Director, Patient Advocacy Relations, Genentech.
“Genentech is proud to support the TOUCH Care program. This builds on our commitment to address inequities by advancing inclusive research in breast cancer and bridging the gap between research and clinical care for those who need it the most.”
Led by TOUCH’s co-founder Valarie Worthy, MSN, RN, a 20+ year breast cancer survivor/thriver and Patient Navigator Manager at Duke Cancer Center, TOUCH Care will address both the logistical and the emotional barriers to clinical trial participation by Black women in real time. The TOUCH Care team works with pharmaceutical partners, researchers, and investigators to curate patient-centric trial experiences. The TOUCH Care program seeks to provide culturally-informed support to Black women diagnosed with breast cancer through the clinical trial interest, screening, enrollment, and treatment process with the
There was a man who had four sons. He wanted his sons to learn to not judge things too quickly. So he sent them each on a quest, in turn, to go and look at a pear tree that was a great distance away.
The first son went in the winter, the second in the spring, the third in summer, and the youngest son in the fall. When they had all gone and come back, he called them together to describe what they had seen.
The first son said that the tree was ugly, bent, and twisted. The second son said no – it was covered with green buds and full of promise. The third son disagreed, he said it was laden with blossoms that smelled so sweet and looked so beautiful, it was the most graceful thing he had ever seen.
The last son disagreed with all of them; he said it was ripe and drooping with fruit, full of life and fulfilment.
The man then explained to his sons that they were all right, because they had each seen but one season in the tree’s life.
He told them that you cannot judge a tree, or a person, by only one season, and that the essence of who they are – and the pleasure, joy, and love that come from that life – can only be measured at the end, when all the seasons are up.
If you give up when it’s winter, you will miss the promise of your spring, the beauty of your summer, fulfilment of your fall. Don’t judge a life by one difficult season. Don’t let the pain of one season destroy the joy of all the rest.
Black PR Wire Launches a Social Media Challenge in Honor of Father’s Day Entries Accepted Now Through June
Here’s a fun way to celebrate and honor dad! In recognition of Father’s Day and Men’s Health Month in June, Black PR Wire (BPRW) has launched a social media challenge. Entitled #FathersofWisdom, the campaign will showcase messages of empowerment related to health.
“Having your father as a strong influence in your life is not only a blessing but something you will cherish until the end of time. Life has a way of making your path cloudy but your father is always there to guide you. For instance, my dad, who has said the same quotes for years to the point where I know them by heart, like It’s not how you start it’s how you
ultimate goal of increasing Black women’s participation and retention in breast cancer clinical trials.
Black Breast Cancer is a different disease that requires special attention from the breast cancer ecosystem. Black women have a 41% higher mortality rate than white women. Black women under 35 get breast cancer at twice the rate and die at three times the rate. Even so, Black women continue to be drastically underrep-
14th
finish or It takes time, patience is a virtue, has been steadily giving me advice throughout the years. A father is always the person you can turn to - and it’s because of their wisdom,” shared Joe Ellick, BPRW’s Newsroom Editor.
Ready to enter the contest and share your father’s wisdom?
Here’s what you do …
In 140 characters or less, tell us the best advice your dad has provided. Send a pic or two as well. Post it on Twitter using the hashtag #fathersofwisdom. Send it to Newsroom@BlackPRWire.com
resented in clinical trials, accounting for only 3% of clinical trial participants leading to FDA approval of cancer drugs between 2008 and 2018. The consequences are dire and until more Black women are included in the research, they will continue to face worse breast cancer outcomes. TOUCH BBCA is focused on the urgent need to end these disparities.
For more information go to touchbbca.org.
6 Easy Ways to Simplify Your Life
Busy is the new black. But that’s not a good thing. We take on new work projects, squeeze in trips to the gym, schedule play dates for our children, plan fundraising events for our side gigs and volunteer at the local soup kitchen. Then when we’re burnt out and frazzled, we don’t understand why we’re stressed and anxious.
It’s our body’s way of saying, “slow down!” This doesn’t mean we need to overhaul our lives completely, though. Sometimes we just need to stop with the overstimulation and learn to simplify.
Try these six ways to simplify your life:
1. Unplug. With the 24-hour news cycle at the end of our fingertips, we are constantly deluged with disasters, political shenanigans, mass shootings and more all at once. And, according to experts, that’s messing with our mental health. Should you know what’s going on? Of course. We just don’t have to follow everything at every hour. Choose one
or two times a day to check the latest headlines or watch a recent broadcast, such as in the morning with your coffee or just before bed.
2. Focus on quality of relationships not quantity. Family, friends, neighbors, even coworkers all enrich our lives. But the pressure we put on ourselves to maintain these relationships can be overwhelming. You’re not required to attend every gala or eat every brunch. When you’re overextended, say no.
3. Get some sleep. Sometimes when we’re unfocused and out of sorts, we just need to press pause and get some shuteye. If you’re having trouble sleeping, try a sleep meditation to relax.
4. Create a peaceful environment. Remember that feeling you get when you’re relaxing on the beach or curled up by a fire in a cabin by the lake? You may not be able to take a trip to Hawaii or go on a Swiss ski holiday, but can create an environment that fosters contentment in your daily life. Put
plants in your office or spruce up your house with a new coat of paint—anything that gives you calm.
5. Celebrate personal achievement. Did you take on that challenge just because it’s a challenge or because it’s meaningful to you? Focus your time and energy on tasks in which you find enjoyment, even small ones like learning to play an instrument or finishing that 5,000-piece puzzle; that’s where the real rewards may lie.
6. Check in with your emotions. When we’re stuck on busy, we tend to slip into auto-pilot, burying how we feel. But just going through the motions puts us at greater risk of burnout. The solution: Carve out some time to try journaling to check in with your emotions as often as possible. Ask yourself: What’s making me anxious? What do I find exciting? This will help you better manage how you feel right now, as well as keep your anxiety from spiraling out of control later.
The Church has always stood as the foundation for spiritual growth and the cornerstone of the black community. The church provides a platform for members to develop leadership skills in ministry, the arts and culture. When God moves in our life, it is through these gifts that we magnify His name and give Him the glory. Alvin “A-Stone” Jackson, founder of A-Stone Music Therapy, has seen first-hand the power of Music not only to glorify Him, but as therapy to unlock the power of expression that lives in all of us. His mission is to offer the highest quality music and art enrichment programs paired with academic support to underprivileged and at-risk youth ages 5 and older.
A-Stone Music Therapy is a 12-week boot camp style course put together for serious students, ready to go from zero to infinity. Classes include Piano / Voice 1 and 2 for students of all ages including students with special needs. Students spend a majority of this class in a group setting under the direction of the teacher. Music Therapy is evidence based use of music interventions to help people with non-music issues like depression, anxiety, mental health, pain and more. “I’ve been doing music therapy since 2005,” said Jackson. “It is a powerful tool that goes back to David and King Saul. David used music therapy to give King Saul relief from spiritual, mental and physical suffering.”
A product of Miami Central, Alvin Jackson earned his Master’s Degree from the University of Miami. He
A-Stone Shares the Power of Music Therapy
By Jamil Rivers
was first introduced to music by his late Grandmother Pastor Everett who served as Founder and Overseer of First Deliverance Fellowship Church where today, his mother Dr. Emily Harris serves as Pastor. “Music has always been central in my life,” said Jackson. “I had a bad speech problem that silenced me. I didn’t have any confidence. Once I got into music and the Church, it took me to places that I never thought I would go. I also think about one of my students with special needs who was overmedicated and non-social. He began to see his gift and is now playing in the church. This is a testimony that the program works.”
Alvin “A-Stone” Jackson continues to do his part to lift up his fellow man and prepare the next generation of talented artists to be successful. In addition to teaching, Jackson is an accomplished performer. Visit Bandcamp.com and YouTube to hear his latest titles including “A Good Day,” and “What Did You Do,” performed by A-Stone.
“I got a nudge from God to give back,” said Jackson. “He reminded me that I have a lot to be thankful for. I had a lot of help from the Northwest Boy’s Club of Miami and other community-based organizations, churches etc. It’s only natural for me to give back.”
The next classes begin October 21st and will end with a Grand Showcase concert. Classes are held at First Deliverance Fellowship Church located at 2683 NW 66th St. Miami, FL 33147.
For more information
305-244-8538
A-Stonemusic.com Alvinston100@yahoo.com
How to Save for a House
These days a dream house seems like just that: a dream. With skyrocketing real estate prices, stagnating wages, and an all-time low rate of house-ownership among millennials, owning your own home might seem like a daunting goal, but with the right strategy, it’s achievable.
Cut down on unnecessary expenses
Saving for any sort of down payment on a home will require sacrifice. It’s a lot of money. Fortunately, the easiest way to cut back is the best way to save. And that’s eliminating small purchases that have become habitual but likely provide relatively little value to your life. Cut down on things like eating out, premium coffees, shopping for things you don’t immediately need. First-time savers are invariably surprised at how much you can save each month—because they never really know how much they were spending on the little things each month. And that savings will almost certainly mean thousands of dollars over the course of a year.
Save on rent
Rent tends to be one of the biggest monthly expenses, so if you can find a way to save there, your
path to homeownership will become shorter. Can you move into a smaller place that’s cheaper? Get a roommate? Sacrificing space and privacy will be tough at first, but your new digs are temporary housing, a waystation, a halfway house where you don’t have to live with criminals! (We hope.)
Use cash for most of your daily transactions
People tend to be more aware of how much they’re spending if they buy with cash instead of a card. If you commit to using cash for your day-to-day expenses, you’ll be more mindful and ultimately more conservative about how you decide to spend that money.
Put money into a savings or investment account
Make the most of all your newly saved money by putting it in a savings account or by investing in a balanced investment portfolio. If you don’t know anything about investing, a robo-advisor can help, doing most of the investing for you. If you commit to investing or saving a certain amount of your paycheck each month, your savings will steadily grow, without any action on your part. When saving for a house should
take advantage of all the tax breaks you can — for example by maxing out your TFSA. The Canadian government came up with TFSAs to encourage people like you to save for major life events such as home buying. Not contributing to tax-advantaged accounts is almost like turning down “free money”.
Add large lump-sum payments to your savings
Whether those be your tax returns, a bonus, or a cash gift: Instead of spending it, save it to quickly move closer to your goal.
Have an emergency fund
You don’t want to be dip into the money reserved for your down payment the minute any sort of financial emergency arises. So before you even start saving, make sure you have about three to six months’ worth of expenses saved up in a separate “rainy day fund” so that your homeownership plans don’t get derailed by any costly surprises.
Keep your credit score in good shape
The better your credit score, the better the interest rates on any loans you apply for will be, which will save you money in the long run.
5 Foods That Will Help Improve your Memory
Have you been playing the Google memory game and noticed you’re getting worse each passing day? A lot of the time, your memory can deteriorate without warning, but there is a way to fight back.
This article introduces 8 foods that can get your brain back in working order and improve your top score in those memory exercises. You may even be shocked to learn that some of your daily favorites have been helping your memory all along.
Coffee : Starting your day with a cup of coffee is a no-brainer. It gets your motor running early in the morning and helps you remember everything you need to do before you head into the office. Numerous studies have found that caffeine can positively impact your short and long-term memory.
Turmeric: Turmeric is another fan favorite for those trying to live a healthy lifestyle because of its vast benefits. On top of improved memory, turmeric can help with inflammation because of its antioxidants, but it can also help arthritis, liver disease, and many other ailments. Don’t be afraid to put turmeric powder in your next dish or make a smoothie with the beneficial spice. Turmeric tea is also a popular option if you want something warm.
Pumpkin Seeds: Pumpkin seeds are abundant during the fall season thanks to the festive activities centered around the scary fruit. It has a profound impact on memory because of the zinc and magnesium components that lie within it. With that in mind, add a few more pumpkin seeds to that pumpkin pie recipe during the fall get-togethers so everyone can receive the wonderful benefits.
Chocolate: If broccoli is a little kid’s worst nightmare, chocolate is their first obsession. Well, luckily for them, chocolate also helps with memory and keeping your head on straight during bouts of brain fog. Research has shown that consuming chocolate can improve your verbal episodic memory 2 hours after you eat it. Episodic memory helps you remember events in your life, such as where you placed your keys or what you bought from the store.
Oranges: Oranges are another tasty treat that can help your brain when you can’t find your way. This is primarily because the orange fruit has citric acid, which has been found to slow memory deterioration. These benefits are great for early-onset dementia patients who could have Alzheimer’s. So don’t be afraid to get extra orange juice in the morning because it helps you remember to feed your pet before you leave.
CITY OF HOMESTEAD
Procurement & Contract Services Department
450 S.E. 6th Avenue Homestead, FL 33030
RFP NOTICE
In accordance with Section 163.380(3)(A), Florida Statutes, the City of Homestead is announcing its intent to enter in to a long-term ground lease for an approximately 2.14-acre parcel located at SW 4th Street and Railroad Avenue for the development of mixed-use transit-oriented project. Information regarding this property and proposed development may be found in the following Request for Proposals (RFP):
RFP #202342
TRIANGLE PROJECT DEVELOPMENT PARTNER RESOLICIT
Interested proposers may obtain a copy of the RFP package by visiting our website at https://www.cityofhomestead.com/bids.aspx or via Demandstar at https://network.demandstar.com/
RFP Notice Date: Friday, August 4, 2023
Scope of Work: In accordance with Section 163.380(3)(A), Florida Statutes, the City of Homestead invites qualified local, regional, and national developers and their teams to submit proposals for this unique opportunity to enter into a long term ground lease for an approximately 2.14 acre parcel located at SW 4th Street and Railroad Avenue for the development of the Triangle Project, “the Project”, a transformative mixed -use transitoriented development in the Southwest neighborhood of the City of Homestead. The selected “Development Partner” shall have the capability and experience to plan and execute the project described in this Request for Proposal.
Pre-Proposal Meeting:
NON-MANDATORY / Thursday, August 31, 2023 at 10:00 a.m., EST
Location: Procurement & Contract Services Department 450 SE 6th Avenue Homestead, FL 33030
Pre-Response Information Session and Site Visit: Friday, October 20, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m., EST.
Location: Procurement & Contract Services Department 450 SE 6th Avenue Homestead, FL 33030
Last Day for Questions: Friday, October 27, 2023 by close of business day, 5:00 p.m., EST.
Proposal Due
Date: Thursday, November 2, 2023 at 2:00 p.m., EST. City of Homestead, City Hall, City Clerk’s Office c/o Bids Department 100 Civic Court Homestead, FL 33030
Proposals received after the above-specified date and time will not be accepted. Proposals submitted by fax or email will not be accepted.
Pursuant to Ordinance 2002-09-27, a Cone of Silence is hereby imposed on the project identified above. Disclosure: A Cone of Silence shall be imposed upon each RFP, RFQ and bid after the advertisement of said RFP, RFQ or bid. At the time of imposition of the Cone of Silence, the City Manager or his or her designee shall provide for public notice of the Cone of Silence by posting a notice at the City Hall. The City Manager shall issue a written notice thereof to the affected departments, file a copy of such notice with the City Clerk, with a copy thereof to each City Councilmember, and shall include in any public solicitation for goods or services a statement disclosing the requirements of this section.
The details of the Cone of Silence restriction upon communications are set forth in Section IX of the RFP documents.
