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RELL BLACK: LOCAL TALENT, IT’S YOUR TIME TO SHINE PAGE 4 DAYTONATIMES.COM
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YOUR BALLOT MUST BE RETURNED TO THE VOLUSIA COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF ELECTIONS OFFICE ON OR BEFORE MAY 21 BY 7 P.M. TO BE COUNTED.
@DAYTONATIMES
MAY 2 - MAY 8, 2019
YEAR 44 NO. 18
www.daytonatimes.com
Clergy hosting sales-tax session You can bring your ballot to the May 6 meeting BY ANDREAS BUTLER DAYTONA TIMES
The ballots for the special election on a proposed countywide half-cent sales tax have been mailed. The tax is designed to raise funds for improvement projects such as roads, sidewalks, stormwater projects, flooding and bridges. Voters are to choose whether they are in favor or against the tax, then get their ballots back to the Supervisor of Elections office by 7 p.m. on Tuesday, May 21. Ballots, which were mailed out on Wednesday, can be mailed or
dropped off at Daytona Beach City Hall or at city halls in each of the county’s 16 municipalities.
Information session The Daytona Beach Black Clergy Alliance is hosting a forum Monday, May 6, to help residents who still want more information about the tax. It will be held at 6:30 p.m. at Allen Chapel A.M.E. Church in Daytona Beach. The goal is to inform and assist residents. City officials will be on hand at the event to discuss the tax and Daytona Beach projects it will cover. “It’s another information session. We want to inform churches and citizens. It’s for the public. The city meetings weren’t as well-attended. We want people See MEETING, Page 2
DUANE C. FERNANDEZ SR. / HARDNOTTSPHOTOGRAPHY.COM
Daytona Beach city staff held the last in a series of informational meetings on the half-cent sales tax on Tuesday at the Church of Christ on Beville Road.
DAYTONA TIMES / 40TH ANNIVERSARY
Lucas joins prosecutors; police brutality claimed
Crump, LeBlanc to address B-CU graduates on May 11 BY ANDREAS BUTLER DAYTONA TIMES
Civil rights attorney Benjamin Crump and U.S. State Department strategist Johanna LeBlanc are the keynotes speakers at Bethune-Cookman University’s spring commencement on Saturday, May 11. Crump will speak at the 9 a.m. commencement service while LeBlanc will address graduates at the 3 p.m. service. Both ceremonies will be held at the Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune Performing Arts Center, 698 International Speedway Blvd., Daytona Beach. Crump will speak to graduates of the College of Liberal Arts and the School of Nursing while LeBlanc will address graduates of the School of Graduate Studies, College of Health Science, School of Religion, School of Performing Arts & Communication, College of Business & Entrepreneurship, College of Education, College
Benjamin Crump
Johanna LeBlanc
of Science, Engineering & Math and School of Hospitality Management.
‘Enlighten and encourage’ “Attorney Crump is a nationally acclaimed attorney who has been involved in high-profile cases affecting modern-day civil rights concerns and has been a friend of the university for years,” See B-CU, Page 2
CHARLES W. CHERRY II / DAYTONA TIMES
Dr. Joyce Cusack (center, in white dress) stands with family and friends at the gala celebrating her life and accomplishments.
Twenty-five years ago in 1994, the Daytona Times reported on Daytona Beach native Sylvester Lucas becoming an investigator with the office of the local state attorney, and a pregnant woman who claimed she was brutalized by a Daytona Beach Police Department officer.
ALSO INSIDE
Hundreds celebrate Cusack’s activism and career
public service and community leadership. As a teenager, the New Smyrna Beach native organized sit-ins in segregated department stores in DeLand, where she grew up. In 2000, she became the first Black person to be elected from Volusia County to the Florida House of Representatives. She was reelected in 2002, 2004 and 2006.
BY THE DAYTONA TIMES STAFF
As a consequence of term limits, she left the Florida Legislature and then was elected to the at-large position on the Volusia County Council, where she served for eight years. She founded MEO as a way to link up Volusia County’s minority elected officials. Lynn Thompson hosted the
Dr. Joyce Cusack, one of Volusia County’s most experienced Black politicians, was the focus of the April 25 gala celebration of the Minority Elected Officials (MEO) of Volusia County at the Ocean Center. Cusack is a community organizer and elected official who has spent more than two decades in
To County Council
COMMUNITY NEWS: DAYTONA BEACH NCNW ANNOUNCES BRAIN BOWL WINNERS | PAGE 3 SPORTS: SPRING FOOTBALL PRACTICE WELL UNDERWAY FOR LOCAL HIGH SCHOOL TEAMS | PAGE 5
See CUSACK, Page 2
7 FOCUS
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MAY 2 – MAY 8, 2019
MEETING from Page 1 to come with their ballots and get informed to make an educated decision,” Kim Crawford, executive assistant to the Black Clergy Alliance, told the Daytona Times.
‘We must continue’ The city hosted meetings at various venues during April. “I believe that we must continue to inform the public. I think the Daytona Times, the city, the clergy and everyone are doing a good job informing citizens, but we must continue. We are still taking questions and adding streets,’’ said Daytona Commissioner Quanita May, who represents Zone 3. “I think citizens must keep in mind the past, but at some point you must trust your city officials will do what is in the best interest of the community.’’ Money raised by the tax will be spent in the municipality where it’s raised. The half-cent tax is estimated to bring in $45 million per year countywide, including $3.7 million per year to Daytona Beach and over $74 million to the city over 20 years. In Daytona Beach, the tax could provide $46.4 million to improve existing streets; $12.9 million for new sidewalks and $15 million to improve flood prone areas. The city plans to spend 62 percent of funds raised by the tax on roads, 20 percent on flood control and 17 percent on sidewalks.
Clergy taking lead The clergy believe it’s important that voters be informed on the matter. “It’s important that the clergy take the lead in informing the public. A lot of
DUANE C. FERNANDEZ SR. / HARDNOTTSPHOTOGRAPHY.COM
Daytona Beach City Manager James Chisholm takes questions from citizens.
In Daytona Beach, the tax could provide $46.4 million to improve existing streets; $12.9 million for new sidewalks and $15 million to improve flood prone areas. times only the older people are informed on political issues,’’ Crawford noted.’’ “There are still a lot of people not following the news. The church provides spiritual focus but must also inform people on the issues. This issue affects our community directly.’’
Ballot concerns Those who attend the forum will learn how to fill it out and mail it in as well. Crawford explained, “It’s important. It’s a load
B-CU from Page 1 stated B-CU Interim President Hubert Grimes. He added, “Attorney LeBlanc is a young alumna who has distinguished herself in the field of international relations serving as a senior advisor to Haiti’s ambassador to the U.S. & Ministry of Foreign Affairs. “Both speakers are sure to deliver addresses that will enlighten and encourage our graduates to think big and dream big as they embark on their careers and invest in their life’s plans that have the potential to touch the nation and the world as Crump and LeBlanc have and continue to do successfully.”
Crump: National legal leader Crump is one of the nation’s foremost attorneys on civil rights and social justice. He has represented clients in some of the highest profile cases in the country, recovering millions of dollars in damages. Trayvon Martin, Michael Brown and Robbie Tolan are a few of his high-profile cases. The Tolan case went to the U.S. Supreme Court. It involved Tolan and 10 of the 13 Black women who were victims in the Holtzc law Oklahoma City Police rape case in 2015. Crump is president of the National Civil Rights Trial Lawyers Civilization and Board Chair of Legal Services of North Florida. He also is the executive director of the documentary, “Women in Motion” and host of docudramas “Evidence of Innocence” on TV One and “The Search for Justice” on A&E. Crump also appears on Fox’s “You the Jury” and several other legal-related shows and television series.
LeBlanc: State Department adviser LeBlanc received her bachelor’s in political science from Bethune-Cookman. In her current post with the State Department, she promotes the interest of Haiti to the U.S. She also advises the State Department on foreign affairs and immigration-related issues. Her job includes advising the nation on domestic and foreign politics. LeBlanc has worked on promoting better environmental practices, women’s rights issues both nationally and internationally, and raising awareness about housing issues in regards to immigrants. She has served the nation working in Asia and both southern and western Africa. LeBlanc also served on the Military Ob-
off. This is the first ever mail-in ballot in the history of this county. We want people to know. The issue with mail-in is that it gets forgotten. “You can drop your ballot off at any city hall or town hall. You can also have someone drop your completed ballots off for you. A lot of older people can’t get to the mailbox.” The local NAACP will watch out for irregularities but has other concerns.
COMMENCEMENT ACTIVITIES Service of Consecration May 8, 7 p.m. Gertrude Hotchkiss Heyn Chapel, White Hall Speaker: The Rev. Dr. Darian Mitchell, Bethune-Cookman University Graduate Candlelight Wreath Laying Ceremony (Immediately following the Service of Consecration) Nursing Pinning Ceremony May 9, 7 p.m. Gertrude Hotchkiss Heyn Chapel, White Hall President’s Day Party for graduates May 10, 2 to 6 p.m. Holmes Building entrance
servation Commission Project, which reported on military war crimes in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. She also appears as a political and foreign affairs analyst on several major national news outlets.
Reaching out Cynthia Slater, president of the Volusia County/ Daytona Beach NAACP, expressed, “We have trust in Lisa Lewis, the Supervisor of Elections and her staff, which has shown to be cooperative and open. The main thing is that voters in our community need to understand that when looking at an initiative like this it’s difficult for people to fill out and mail in their ballots. “It should be easy, but we must make phone calls and reach out. We will connect with churches to encourage their congregations. Churches normally have the highest concentration of voters. People also need to understand exactly what it is and how it affects them.”
CUSACK from Page 1 celebration, which included greetings or remarks from Volusia County School Board Member Ida Wright, Daytona Beach Mayor Derrick Henry, DeLand City Commissioner Jessica Davis, Greater Union Baptist Church Pastor Troy Bradley, Volusia County Councilwoman Barbara Girtman, Bethune-Cookman University Professor Dr. Claudette McFadden, former State Senator Tony Hill, Volusia County Democratic Party President Jewel Dixon, B-CU Board of Trustees Chairman Belvin Perry, MEO Executive Director Mario Davis, and Mrs. Brenda Cusack and behalf of the family. B-CU President Dr. Hubert Grimes presented Cusack with the university’s highest honor, the Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune Medallion. Music was provided by soprano Alicia Henson with accompanist Terrance Lane and violinist Leah Flynn.
ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE FOR BLACK STUDENTS. NO EXCUSES. PRAISE FOR ‘EXCELLENCE WITHOUT EXCUSE’: “This guide for African-American college-bound students is packed with practical and insightful information for achieving academic success...The primary focus here is to equip students with the savvy and networking skills to maneuver themselves through the academic maze of higher education.” – Book review, School Library Journal
‘Warm and intimate setting’ The commencement services are being held on campus for the second consecutive year. In more recent years, they were held at the Ocean Center. “Commencement is the culmination of our students’ college careers. Having this on campus provides an opportunity for our graduates’ family and friends to visit and tour the campus, many for the first time as well as meet faculty and staff who’ve been their loved ones’ family away from home,” Grimes noted. “The warm and intimate setting leaves students with a lasting and memorable experience of their alma mater. Many choose to take commencement-day photos against the backdrop of the iconic statue of founder Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune, visit their respective schools, The Quad, their Greek plot and more. Each is a brief walk from the Mary McLeod Bethune Performing Arts Center.’’ B-CU is also having two different ceremonies for the second straight year. “Two ceremonies allow us to accommodate each graduate and up to eight ticketed guests. The venue has a capacity to hold 2,500,” Grimes added. The events will both be streamed live. For more information about B-CU’s spring commencement, visit www.cookman.edu.
www.excellencewithoutexcuse.com
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M A YNEWS OR
MAY 2 – MAY 8, 2019 COMMUNITY DECEMBER 14 - 20, 2006
Author opens up about life experiences in ‘My Inner Voice’ “My Inner Vioice,’’ a book of poetry by Palm Beach resident Bianca Simone, offers a baseline of the desire to be liked, as well as other life experiences. Author Bianca Simone Mitchell, pen name Bianca Simone, presented a poetry reading and book signing, unveiling her life’s challenges. She was excited to announce the recent opening at the Yvonne Scarlett Bianca Golden Cultural and EduSimone cational Center, 1000 Vine Street, Daytona Beach. Simone, 50, an only child and a first-generation American, born to Noel and Norma Mitchell, earned a bachelor’s degree in broadcast journalism from the State University of New York (SUNY) at Old Westbury. She grew up backstage watching her uncle, Clive Thompson, perform with the Alvin Ailey Dancers and with her mom in Jamaica and on other Caribbean Islands. Simone would write plays and short stories for her friends, and dance and model in Manhattan, Long Island, and in the Grand Cayman Islands.
Helping others She freelanced writing for a cable company in New York and with local newspapers, in addition to the Daytona Beach News-Journal. The mother of Jordan Baptist, 21 – her only child – has helped other women who are dealing with life challenges. She was an inspiration during a recent poetry reading at “The Inspired Mic” in Flagler Beach. Linking that venue is founder Michael Ray King, who delivers the writers, musicians, poets, magicians, and comediennes at the Hidden Treasure Raw Bar and Grill. Simone, as a writer, can read anybody’s work; she’s not afraid to be in front of people. “But, when you read your own work, especially when you write about things you’ve been through,’’ she said, “it’s almost like standing naked in a room full of strangers.”
More books coming She was 40 years old before she told her parents of a childhood trauma. Simone also is engaged to be married.
PALM COAST COMMUNITY NEWS JEROLINE D. MCCARTHY
And, she will be moving ahead with the next book of the trilogy of “My Inner Voice.” Artist Richlin Ryan, who recently transformed her artwork to a show at the Yvonne Scarlett Golden Cultural and Educational Center, will design Simone’s next book cover. At a paperback cost of $8.50, plus shipping, Elva Thompson of Georgia Editing Service, LLC, is the publisher of “My Inner Voice,” which can be found on Amazon.
Homeownership help on May 11 Has your rental application been denied due to credit or other challenging issues? Home Ownership 101 is the lens through which you can seek ownership. The discussion will take place May 11, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Realty Exchange, 300 Palm Coast Parkway, N.E., Palm Coast. Your host will be Realtor Sandra Shank, assisted by Cathy Heighter of Realty Exchange; Anthony Jones, Approved Mortgage; and Ralston Redoica of SHIP (State Housing Initiatives Partnership). The topics will involve a down payment, lending, income, and credit. Space is limited, and Approved Mortgage will pick up your tab for lunch. For further information, call Shank at 386-931-1420. ••• As always, remember our prayers for the sick, afflicted, the prodigal son, or daughter, and the bereaved.
Celebrations Birthday wishes to Joy Ragoonan, May 2; Carl Davis, May 3; Gloria Benjamin, Shirley Day, May 4; and Cleveland Gaddis, May 8.
PHOTOS COURTESY OF DAYTONA BEACH NCNW
A team from Seabreeze High School took first in its division. Members, pictured above, with their prizes are Eniya Rezendes, Hailey Martinez, Marishet Hopkins and Mia Pilaski.
Daytona Beach NCNW announces Brain Bowl winners The Daytona Beach Community Section of the National Council of Negro Women Inc. staged its 13th annual NCNW Black History Brain Bowl on April 20 at BethuneCookman University. The winners of the event, which attracted students from throughout Volusia County, are as follows: First-place high school: Seabreeze High, Daytona Beach, coached by Agnes Ingram. Team members were Eniya Rezendes, Hailey Martinez, Marishet Hopkins and Mia Pilaski. Second-place high school: Black Male Explorers group sponsored by Bethune-Cookman University and coached by Brittany Presley. Team members were Xavier Harris, Davion Willis, Bryson Gregory and Ethyen Anderson. First-place middle school: Deltona Middle School, coached by Ariel Brown. Team mem-
Left: Coach Ariel Brown, center, poses with members of Deltona Middle School’s team, which took first-place in its division. Team members are Abigail Young, Clara Baker, Natalie Kabbas and Marlo Jones. bers were Abigail Young, Clara Baker, Natalie Kabbas and Marlo Jones. Second-place middle school: Black Male Explorers group sponsored by Bethune-Cookman University and coached by Brittany Presley. Team members were Clarence McCloud, Melvin Ford, Jerome Hicks and Fela Brown. Atavia White, chairperson of the committee, said the purpose of the Brain Bowl is to encourage children to increase their knowledge of African-American history. “There are a lot of blacks whose contribu-
tions to this country and to the world, for that matter, go unrecognized in classroom discussions of American history,” White said. Founded by the late Mary McLeod Bethune in 1935, the National Council of Negro Women Inc. is a coalition of organizations dedicated to improving the lives of women and their families. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., the organization has outreach to more than 4 million women nationwide through community and college sections.
R4
7 EDITORIAL
MAY 2 – MAY 8, 2019
Dear local talent, it’s your time to shine I live in one of the most talented towns in Florida, a community of skilled lyricists, dancers, hair stylists, chefs and poets. Artists and creators who love to give back to their communities in more ways than one. A group of art-creatures who naturally ooze passion from every pore and follicle. On February 23, something big happened in Daytona Beach. “Salt Life,” an independently produced full-length film, premiered at the Cobb Theaters. The premiere itself reminded me of the classic days in which the entire community would show up for the latest “Madea” or John Witherspoon movie.
Unique event But unlike those Hollywood blockbusters, this film premiere was extremely unique. Equipped with a beautiful red carpet and a photo session made for stars, this small movie premiere became a beacon of hope for creators and visionaries here in my city. This was a story for our community, by our community. Never have I seen a local theater allow a young Black filmmaker to debut a project of this magnitude without any ‘industrial’ support. A film that would only be played on “BET Late Night” or out of a
RELL BLACK GUEST COLUMNIST
If you want to break out of the mold, think outside the box and take your mind places it’s never been. Redbox kiosk was displayed in all of its glory at one of our city’s hottest movie theaters. As a lover and collector of classic cinema and Black films, I was curious as to how a Daytona Beach native was able to cohesively transform a story of love, betrayal, and street life into a beautifully written, produced and directed independent masterpiece. John B McCoy, or “Juan Pablo Hernandez” as his followers know him, never thought his passion – starring himself and hip-hop sensation “Tokyo Jetz” – would manifest into such a phenomenon. McCoy recalls, “The process
A Black dime for every White dollar If you’re like me, every time you hear a news reporter or anchor talk about how great the nation’s economy is, you wonder what world they are living in. Certainly, these journalists are not referring to the ongoing struggle to make ends meet that so much of Black America faces. However, new research speaks to those who are forgotten on most nightly news shows. “Ten Solutions to Close the Racial Wealth Divide” is jointly authored by the Institute for Policy Studies, Ohio State University’s Kirwan Institute for the Study of Race and Ethnicity, and the National Community Reinvestment Coalition.
Three approaches This insightful and scholarly work opens with updates on the nation’s nagging and widening racial wealth divide. It character-
CHARLENE CROWELL NNPA COLUMNIST
izes solutions as one of three approaches: programs, power, and process. According to the authors, “programs” refer to new government programs that could have a major impact on improving the financial prospects of lowwealth families. “Power” refers to changes to the federal tax code that could bring a much-needed balance to the tax burden now borne by middle and low-income workers. “Process” refers to changes to the government operates in regard to race and wealth. “For far too long we have tolerated the injustice of a violent,
Racist killer didn’t deserve the death penalty John William King, the 44-yearold despicable murderer of James Byrd, Jr., could have gotten a sentence of life in prison and lived miserably there for the rest of his life. Instead, Texas executed him. In some ways, death is salvation for him. Imagine being relatively healthy with nothing to look forward to – just sitting in jail, surrounded by Black people your White supremacist self purports to hate. That might be torture worse than death. Byrd was dragged behind a vehicle for almost three miles near Jasper, Texas in 1998. King and two other men (one whose death penalty sentence was carried out in 2011, another who was sentenced to life in prison) were found guilty one of the most horrific hate crimes in modern U.S. history.
No remorse Byrd’s family was present at
JULIANNE MALVEAUX TRICE EDNEY NEWS WIRE
King’s execution. Byrd’s sister noted that the murderer, who maintained his innocence, showed no remorse when he was convicted and showed none when he was executed. He never acknowledged or looked at Byrd’s family. Does a man whose body sported disgusting tattoos, including, according to one news source, “one of a Black man with a noose around his neck hanging from a tree” deserve the death penalty? I say no. Keep that filth alive and keep him miserable. His execution creates a martyr for White supremacists. Had he lived, he
VISUAL VIEWPOINT: DONALD TRUMP AND ‘MANUFACTURING’
took exactly a year for me to voice my idea, put it in writing, putting it in motion and then the finished product. Finding the cast was easy; the majority are people I’m very close to sister, brother, etc.”
Sequel coming Pablo’s already developing a sequel to premiere next summer and revealed he wouldn’t mind recreating “Harlem Nights” with a 2019 updated twist. With an independently produced promotional strategy including DVD sales, multiple screenings, and an exclusive director’s cut viewing party being held May 10 at the Lion’s Den Hookah Cafe, “Salt Life” is a reminder that in Daytona Beach, we have emerging and rising talents that are ready to compete with today’s leading stars. Say goodbye to the days of developing a talent, finding a manager and then signing a record deal. The days of paying for play on radios and clubs are over. With the Internet and streaming now omnipresent, we have a say in the media and content we allow into our homes and headphones. Streaming companies like Apple Music, Netflix, and Pandora allow consumers to see ourselves the way we want to be portrayed.
extractive and racially exploitive history that generated a wealth divide where the typical Black family has only a dime for every dollar held by a typical White family,” said Darrick Hamilton, report co-author and executive director of the Kirwan Institute for the Study of Race and Ethnicity at The Ohio State University. From 1983-2016, the median Black family saw their wealth drop by more than half after adjusting for inflation, compared to a 33 percent increase for the median White households. These years include the Great Recession that stole nearly $1 trillion of wealth from Black and Latinx families, largely via unnecessary foreclosures and lost property values for those who managed to hold on to their homes.
Fast-forward to 2018 The report shares the fact that the median White family had 41 times more wealth than the median Black family, and 22 times more wealth than the median Latinx family. Instead of the $147,000 that median White families owned last year, Black
would have evolved into pitiful irrelevance. The death penalty has been abolished in 20 states with moratoriums on executions in other states, most recently California thanks to Governor Gavin Newsome. It should be abolished nationally.
Hundreds executed According to the Death Penalty Information Center, nearly 1,500 people had their death sentences carried out between 1976 and now. African-Americans are just 13 percent of the nation’s population, but we were more than a third of those executed after receiving a death sentence. People who killed White people were far more likely to get the death penalty than people who kill Black people. There are racial biases replete in the application of the death penalty, with numerous studies supporting the many ways the death penalty is unfairly awarded. According to the Death Penalty Information, for example, Washington state jurors were “three times as likely to recommend a
DAVE WHAMOND, CANADA, POLITICALCARTOONS.COM
A new era of promotion and marketing has arrived. If you want to break out of the mold, think outside the box and take your mind places it’s never been.
Art is subjective It is the unapologetic expression of a creative and brilliant psyche. It’s meant to provoke, to cause conversations, and to properly tell a person’s story. As a creator and an artist, it is your main priority to continue to grow, expand and elevate your artistic output. Constantly perfecting your craft, continuously citing new inspirations and using every ounce of power, you must
of their incomes on housing, including over 30 percent of Blacks, and 28 percent of Hispanics.
death sentence for a Black defendant than a White one.” In Louisiana, someone who killed a White person was nearly twice as likely to get the death penalty as one who killed a Black person. The death penalty is applied through a racial lens – based on the race of the criminal and the race of the victim. From that perspective, King committed a crime so egregious that jurors acted contrary to the statistics, voting to apply the death penalty to an avowed racist White man who participated in the brutal murder of a Black man. I am frequently reminded of the 1920 Tulsa, Oklahoma lynching of Ray Belton, an 18-year-old White man who shot a taxi driver. Though Belton confessed to his crime and said it was “an accident,” he was denied the due process of a trial and conviction. After his lynching, a Black newspaper editor opined that if a White person could be lynched, so could a Black person. A year later, the attempted lynching of the Black shoeshine “boy” Dick Rowland because of the false accusation that he assaulted a White elevator opera-
tor, Sarah Page, was the spark that led economically envious Whites to destroy the Greenwood (“Black Wall Street”) section of Tulsa.
CREDO OF THE BLACK PRESS The Black Press believes that Americans can best lead the world away from racism and national antagonism when it accords to every person, regardless of race, color or creed, full human and legal rights. Hating no person, fearing no person. The Black Press strives to help every person in the firm belief...that all are hurt as long as anyone is held back.
Dr. Glenn W. Cherry, Sales Manager
W W W. DAY T O N AT I M E S .C O M
Dr. Valerie Rawls-Cherry, Human Resources
Charles W. Cherry, Sr. (1928-2004), Founder Julia T. Cherry, Senior Managing Member, Central Florida Communicators Group, LLC Dr. Glenn W. Cherry, Cassandra CherryKittles, Charles W. Cherry II, Managing Members
Rell Black is an award-winning activist, blogger and the founder of Community Healing Project Inc.
households had $3,600. When Congress passed tax cut legislation in December 2017, an already skewed racial wealth profile became worse. “White households in the top one percent of earners received $143 a day from the tax cuts while middle-class households (earning between $40,000 and $110,000) received just $2.75 a day,” states the report. “While the media coverage of the tax package and the public statements of the bill’s backers did not explicitly state that it would directly contribute to increasing the racial wealth divide, this was the impact, intended or otherwise.” The majority of today’s Black households rent rather than own their homes. Escalating rental prices diminish or remove the ability for many consumers of color to save for a home down payment. CBS News reports the national average monthly cost of fair market rent in 2018 was $1,405. Recent research by the National Low-Income Housing Coalition on housing affordability found that more than 8 million Americans spend half or more
Charles W. Cherry II, Esq., Publisher
Opinions expressed on this editorial page are those of the writers, and do not necessarily reflect the editorial stance of the newspaper or the publisher.
push the medium forward. Whether you’re a musician, actor, photographer, choreographer, or a filmmaker like my friend Juan Pablo, you must innovate and think of new avenues to expose your talent to the world. Said Malcolm X: “There is nothing better than adversity. Every defeat, every heartbreak, every loss, contains its own seed, its own lesson on how to improve your performance next time.”
Jenise Morgan, Senior Editor Angela van Emmerik, Creative Director Cassandra Cherry Kittles, Willie R. Kittles, Circulation Andreas Butler, Staff Writer Duane Fernandez Sr., Kim Gibson, Photojournalists
MEMBER
Florida Press Association
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National Newspaper Association
Associated Press
Down payment harder Homeownership, according to the Center for Responsible Lending, remains a solid building block to gain family wealth. But with an increasing number of households paying more than a third of their income for rent, the ability to save for a home down payment is seriously weakened. CRL’s proposed remedy in March 27 testimony to the Senate Banking Committee is to strengthen affordable housing in both homeownership and rentals. To increase greater access to mortgages, CRL further advocates low-down payment loans. There’s no point in doing the same thing while expecting a different result. Change must be given a chance.
Charlene Crowell is the deputy communications director at the Center for Responsible Lending. Contact her at charlene.crowell@responsiblelending.org.
Inhumane punishment If we could execute Byrd’s White murderer, we can execute a Black person accused of something, whether they did it or not. Applying the death penalty erodes our humanity, whether the accused is guilty or not. I respect the Byrd family and ache with them at the gruesome murder. But I would prefer a punishment for racist murderers that is both humane and inhumane. We don’t execute them because we don’t stoop, as a society, to the level of committing a crime we abhor. We ignore them and exacerbate their misery, reminding them that they have no hope of release.
Julianne Malveaux is a Washington, D.C.-based economist and writer. Her latest book, “Are We Better Off? Race, Obama and Public Policy,” is available at www.juliannemalveaux. com.
Central Florida Communicators Group, LLC, P.O. Box 48857 Tampa, FL 33646, publishes the Daytona Times on Thursdays. Phone: 877-352-4455, toll-free. For all sales inquiries, call 877-352-4455; e-mail sales@flcourier.com. Subscriptions to the print version are $69 per year. Mail check to P.O. Box 48857 Tampa, Fl 33646, or log on to www.daytonatimes.com; click on ‘Subscribe.’
SUBMISSIONS POLICY SEND ALL SUBMISSIONS TO NEWS@DAYTONATIMES.COM Deadline for submitting news and pictures is 5 p.m. the Monday before the Thursday publication date. You may submit articles at any time. However, current events received prior to deadline will be considered before any information that is submitted, without the Publisher’s prior approval, after the deadline. Press releases, letters to the editor, and guest commentaries must be e-mailed to be considered for publication. The Daytona Times reserves the right to edit any submission, and crop any photograph, for style and clarity. Materials will not be returned.
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SPORTS MA YOR
MAY 214 – -MAY 8, 2019 DECEMBER 20, 2006
Local prep teams hit the gridiron for spring football BY ANDREAS BUTLER DAYTONA TIMES
All across Florida, high school football teams are conducting spring football practice, including local teams. Fourteen are in Volusia County and two are in Spring practice officially began as early as April 22, which was the earliest day the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) allowed for spring football to begin. Spring football is a big thing. It’s another way for teams to look at players, work on fundamentals and implement strategy. Spring football also helps teams prepare for next season. “We are really focusing on conditioning, drills and the fundamentals. We only got three weeks to get ready for a game. It’s still kind of a shock for some of the kids to get back out there,” said Shamus Dougherty, Halifax Academy’s head coach. “It’s a great opportunity for us to get some work in and get ready for the summer. It also allows our younger guys to showcase their skills and talents.
Time of transition Steve Allen, DeLand’s head coach, calls it a time of transition from last year’s team. “It also gives an opportunity to guys that didn’t play as much last year. It also gives you a chance to look at how you replace your graduating class. We work on fundamentals and try to establish our identity. You kind of find out what you want to do and what you can and cannot do,” Allen reflected.
SPRING FOOTBALL GAME SCHEDULE
St. Augustine St. Joseph’s, 7 p.m.
May 14: Ocala Christian at Warner Christian, 7 p.m.
May 17: Jacksonville Fleming Island at Flagler Palm Coast, 7 p.m.
May 15: West Oaks Academy at Halifax, Ormond Beach Sports Complex, 7 p.m.
May 17: Palm Coast Matanzas at Deltona, time TBA
May 16: Melbourne Eau Gallie at Seabreeze, Daytona Stadium, 7 p.m. May 16: Orlando Olympia at University at Deltona Pine Ridge, 7 p.m. May 16: Mainland at Jacksonville Mandarin at St. Augustine, time TBA May 17: Father Lopez at
Dougherty and Allen led two of the area’s most successful programs last season. Allen led the DeLand Bulldogs to an 8-3 mark; they made it to the first round of the Class 8A state playoffs. Dougherty’s Halifax Knights went 6-4 and made it to the first round of the Class 2A playoffs. It was Halifax’s first playoff appearance in 11-man football.
‘A major event’ Spring football is also a time for first-year coaches to get their programs turned around or going. Patrick Brown is taking the field with the Seabreeze Sandcrabs for the first time this spring; he was named head coach back in February. Seabreeze went 1-9 last season. Brown emphasized, “It is
May 17: Taylor at Deltona Pine Ridge, 7 p.m. May 17: Atlantic Eastside at DeLand, time TBA May 17: Deltona Trinity Christian at Winter Park Trinity Prep, 7 p.m. May 23: Apopka Atlantic Coast at Spruce Creek, 6 p.m.
extremely important. Most states can’t do spring football and don’t have it. We get 20 total practices including the spring game. During the regular season you get three. So, you get a lot more practice. It’s major event from a developmental point.”
Small-school challenge
FILE PHOTO
Local high school teams are gearing up for their spring battles, which take place this month. er schools; they often lack bodies and have to balance time pulling kids from other sports. Dougherty noted, “At a small school, it’s challenging. We only have so many players. Also, many of our kids play other sports that we are pulling them from at this time. For example, a lot of our kids are running and playing baseball.”
For second-year veterans and those coaches with longer tenure, it’s much easier. Allen admitted, “Oh yeah, it’s much easier in the spring for a second-year coach or a coach that has been with his program for a while.” Allen took over DeLand heading into the spring of 2017. Small private schools like Halifax have a different challenge than larg-
Looking forward Spring football ends with a spring game where teams get to see what they have before the start of next year. “I just want us to play together as a team and trust the process. I want to see that culture change on field. They can play the game and trust what they learned, which we want to see transfer over into summer workouts and the
SPORTS TIDBITS Jachai Polite, an Ormond Beach native and University of Florida and Mainland High standout Jachai was drafted by the New York Jets in the second round of the NFL draft on April 27. The Mainland High School girls’ track and field team won the Class 3A Region 2 meet. It’s their first-ever Regional title. The Buccaneers are sending 12 girls to the FHSAA State Track and Field Championships at the Uni-
start of next season,” said Brown. Allen added, “Spring football can get tedious. It gives you something to look forward to. We usually give our guys a week off afterwards before going into offseason workouts. The game just culminates your spring. You want to learn, get better and get prepared heading into the next season.”
versity of North Florida from May 3-4. The Bethune-Cookman University softball team (22-28, 13-2) clinched the No. 1 seed for the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference tournament and the Southern division title. The Wildcats play in the MEAC tournament this month at the Ormond Beach Sports Complex. The City of Daytona Beach has wrapped up its Little League baseball season. The program persisted with a team in pitching machine (ages 7-8), minors (9-10) and major divisions (1112).
10 quarterback transfers to keep an eye on this college season BY MATT MURSCHEL ORLANDO SENTINEL/TNS
It’s been a busy offseason with the newly-minted transfer portal becoming a revolving door of players looking to continue their college careers elsewhere. No position has garnered as much attention as at quarterback, where some high-profile players have moved around the country. Here is a look at a few names to keep an eye on in 2019.
Kelly Bryant
Former school: Clemson New school: Missouri The writing was on the wall for Bryant who lost his starting job at Clemson to wunderkind Trevor Lawrence four games into last season despite having led the Tigers to a spot in the College Football Playoff semifinals a season earlier. He joins a Missouri program that was one of the top passing offenses in the SEC the past two seasons.
Shane Buechele
Former school: Texas New school: SMU Buechele saw his playing time and eventually his starting job with the Longhorns disappear with the emergence of Sam Ehlinger. The decision to transfer to SMU allows the Texas native to remain close to home while filling a need for the Mustangs who lost Ben Hicks to transfer. Buechele’s career completion percentage (62.2) makes him an attractive option for Sonny Dykes’ offense.
Justin Fields
Former school: Georgia New school: Ohio State Nobody is happier that Fields received a waiver from the NCAA making him instantly eligible to play this season than new Ohio State coach Ryan Day. The Buckeyes were searching for a suitable replacement for Dwayne Haskins and with Tate Martell’s departure, Fields presumably takes up the mantle as a starter. It’s a
big risk considering the talented playmaker has zero college starts to his name while at Georgia.
Ben Hicks
Former school: SMU New school: Arkansas Arkansas desperately needed an experienced quarterback and it got one in Hicks, a graduate transfer from SMU who passed for over 3,500 yards and 33 touchdowns in coach Chad Morris’ final year with the Mustangs before moving on to coach the Razorbacks in 2018. Hicks thrived in the three seasons under Morris and offensive coordinator Joe Craddock, giving this team a major boost in 2019.
Jalen Hurts
Former school: Alabama New school: Oklahoma Perhaps the biggest offseason acquisition was Hurts, who joins a growing list of former transfers who’ve continued their careers with the Sooners including Baker Mayfield and Kyler Murray. Hurts’ pedigree is unmatched thanks to his time at Alabama where he went 26-2 as a starter, leading the Tide to back-to-back National Championship Games in 2016 and 2017 with the team claiming a win in 2016. Now under Lincoln Riley, Hurts could become the third straight OU quarterback to win the Heisman Trophy.
Josh Jackson
Former school: Va. Tech New school: Maryland Jackson burst onto the scene in 2017 when he set records at Virginia Tech for passing yards (2,991) by a freshman while also adding 20 touchdowns and a passer rating of 135.2 along the way. But an injury derailed his 2018 season and he lost the starting job to Ryan Willis. He joins new Terrapins coach Mike Locksley, who recently spent time as the offensive coordinator at Alabama, working with Jalen Hurts and Tua Tagovailoa.
AL DIAZ/MIAMI HERALD/TNS
Miami linebacker Michael Pinckney (56) chases Clemson quarterback Kelly Bryant (2) in the ACC Championship Game at Bank of America Stadium on Dec. 2, 2017, in Charlotte, N.C.
Hunter Johnson
Former school: Clemson New school: Northwestern Northwestern fans have been waiting a year to see what Johnson can bring to the Wildcats after sitting out all of last season per NCAA rules after transferring in from Clemson. The 5-star prospect was well on his way to being the Tigers next quarterback but that all changed with the arrival of Trevor Lawrence. Now, he should become the cornerstone of Pat Fitzgerald’s offense as the team looks to capitalize off the momentum from last season’s divisional title.
Austin Kendall
Former school: Oklahoma New school: West Virginia After patiently sitting behind
Baker Mayfield and Kyler Murray at Oklahoma, it appeared Kendall would get his shot in 2019 but Jalen Hurts’ arrival instead predicated a transfer by the 4-star prospect who instead looks to continue his career at West Virginia under new coach Neal Brown. In Kendall, Brown gets a quarterback with a high football IQ as well as an accurate sideline-to-sideline passer.
Tate Martell
Former school: Ohio State New school: Miami Martell was another quarterback who was biding time on a depth chart stuck behind starters J.T. Barrett (2017) and Dwayne Haskins (2018). However, the retirement of Ohio State coach Urban Meyer led Martell to transfer to Miami, where he received an
NCAA waiver making him immediately eligible. His skill set, including a strong arm as well as quick feet, makes him a valuable asset for the Hurricanes.
Brandon Wimbush
Former school: Notre Dame New school: UCF With starter McKenzie Milton sidelined as he continues to recover from a massive leg injury suffered last season, UCF was in need of both depth and experience at the quarterback position. The Knights get that in Wimbush, who arrives as a graduate transfer after starting 16 games for the Fighting Irish. He has a big-time arm as well as excellent mobility, making him well-suited for UCF’s type of offense.
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7MAY 2 – MAY 8, 2019
YOUR BALLOT MUST BE RETURNED TO THE VOLUSIA COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF ELECTIONS OFFICE ON OR BEFORE MAY 21 BY 7 P.M. TO BE COUNTED.
FOR our roads FOR our waterways FOR our community
IT’S TIME TO VOTE! Insert the Secrecy Sleeve into the return envelope. Seal the return envelope, then sign it on the back with your name and address. Mail the return envelope. It doesn’t need a stamp. You or a friend can also drop the envelope off at Daytona Beach City Hall, the Volusia County Department of Elections office, or any municipal city hall in Volusia County.
All registered Volusia County voters will be mailed a ballot in an envelope. It will contain your ballot, a Secrecy Sleeve, and a return envelope. The ballot will only contain one question. Vote FOR or AGAINST the half-cent sales tax. After you vote, place the ballot in the Secrecy Sleeve.
QUESTIONS? CALL the Volusia County Department of Elections at 386-254-4690
Need more info on the sales tax? Call 386-671-8400 On the Web, go to HTTP://CODB.US/HALFCENT