National Weekly February 18, 2021

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THURSDAY FEBRUARY 18, 2021

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Tourist Tries to Avoid Quarantine in Jamaica with

Rush Limbaugh, ‘Voice of American Conservatism,’ Has Died

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis Calls CDC School Guidelines “A Disgrace”

FAKE ABDUCTION

By Sheri-Kae McLeod

“A lie can travel around the world and back again while the truth is lacing up its boots,” is a quote that aptly describes one of the major cons of social media. In the age of the internet, people have easier access to information as well as a platform to voice their opinions.

Security Lapse On Jamaica’s Travel Website Could Impact Thousands of Travelers

In 2019, the Cannabis Licensing Authority (CLA) promised to establish a transitional permit so small farmers could enter the cannabis industry.

But this The disadvantage of this is that people can scheduled to depart on February 1. After arriving hasbe not yet happened and Collier tested positive for COVID-19 quite literally say anything, and there will people on the island, in the digital space who believe them. Thompson says and wasfarmers advised that she was to complete a 14-day many This is the case of Jamaican American tourist quarantine her hotel room. Her hotel, Ocean have given up farming the in plant.

Kalina Collier, who recently visited Jamaica and convinced hundreds of thousands of social media users that she was being held hostage by a local hotel, simply because she did not want to follow the quarantine order.

The now-fired JetBlue Airways employee arrived on the island on January 28 and was

Government of Barbados Announces 48-hour Lockdown

Coral Spring in Trelawny, also offered to have her stay the period at no extra cost, instead of transferring to a government facility.

On February 4, Collier went on Instagram live to “tell her story” to her 11,000 followers. In the video, she alleged that she was being held hostage by the hotel and urged her followers to call the local

Haitian Doctor Appointed FirstEver CMO in NYC Health Department

continues on B4 – Fake Abduction

Black Prosperity: New Alliance formed to Promote Black Economic Advancement

By CNW Reporter

A number of organizations in South Florida are coming together to form a group—The South Florida Black Prosperity Alliance—that combats inequities and promotes prosperity for the Black community.

The South Florida Black Prosperity Alliance, launched on February 11, is bringing together community organizations, faith-based groups, and politicians across the three counties for their mission. The focus is on several areas including community and culture, jobs and wealth, education, health, and justice.

Jamaican-born Broward County Commissioner, and former county

Mayor Dale Holness, one of the community leaders present at the launch, explained his role in the alliance.

“It is important that we get together to ensure that these inequalities that have existed in our community and nation are dealt with. I started out on that pathway a very long time ago. Many of these organizations that are part of this alliance are ones that I’ve

Holness

Jamaica Shatters Daily COVID-19 Record, With Nearly 500 New Cases

continues on B4 – Alliance

WHAT’S INSIDE NEWSMAKER

LA SECTION HAITIENNE

REGGAE MONTH

SPORTS

Jamaican-American Rises to Celebrity Status in Rwanda A3

Congresswoman Yvette Clarke Wants Targeted Deportations Stopped A7

From Revivalism to Reggae Part 2: Rocksteady B2

Sprinter Shelly-Ann FraserPryce Calls for the Resumption of Sporting Events in Jamaica C3

A2 – NATIONAL WEEKLY | THURSDAY, FEB 18 – FEB 24, 2021 | CNWNETWORK.COM

PAGE A2 READY FOR DUTY: Recent graduates from the police academy looking ready to serve the City of Miramar. – Contributed

IN SERVICE: Miramar Vice Mayor Maxwell B. Chambers received a coat from the Army Na onal Guard in apprecia on for suppor ng the men and women during deployment and to co-host several holiday par es, family fun days and homecoming celebra ons. - Contributed

QUEENS AND A KING: Miss Miami Broward Carnival beauty queens flank (from L-R), Mrs. Florida America, Vida Hargre ; Commissioner Yve e Colbourne; Vice Mayor Maxwell B. Chambers and Broward County Judge Florence Barner. – Contributed

DEVICE DONATION: Jamaica's Minister of Educa on, Youth and Informa on Fayval Williams (le ), and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Senator Kamina Johnson Smith knock elbows at the handover of tablet computers donated by persons in the diaspora for students in Jamaica, at the Educa on Ministry, in Kingston, on February 16. Photo by Mark Bell/JIS

SMILING SOLDIERS: Vice Mayor Maxwell Chambers in a photo-op with Army Na onal Guard during home-coming celebra ons. – Contributed

HONORING: Broward County Commissioner Dale V.C. Holness (le ) joined coach Eddie Rhodes (center) and former Commissioner Janet Taylor at the February 16 grand reopening and renaming of the City of Pahokee Gymnasium.

The gym was renamed in honor of Rhodes, a 7- me State Championship Coach for Football, Basketball, and Track and Field and a mentor for children. - Contributed

A MAYOR’S MESSAGE: Miramar Mayor Wayne Messam addresses the congrega on at the recent gradua on ceremony for Miramar’s newly appointed police officers– Contributed

CAREER FAIR: Broward County Commissioner Dale V.C. Holness (right) shares a moment with Pastor Eddy Moise, Jr. from Greater Bethel AME Church and Henry Crespo from The Development Firm Holness was a special guest at the Power Design Inc. Electrical Trade and Appren ceship Career Fair at Great Bethel AME Church on February 10, 2021. - Contributed

NATIONAL WEEKLY | THURSDAY, FEB 18 – FEB 24, 2021 | CNWNETWORK.COM –

A3

NEWSMAKER Makeda's rising success, however, cannot be attributed solely to her Jamaicaness. Passion, purpose and sheer drive are also fully active ingredients in the equation.

The thing is, Makeda says, Africa is filled with boundless opportunities.

It's something she wants to broadcast far and wide, especially to her Caribbean counterparts looking to invest and build in budding new markets.

Makeda Mahadeo Jamaican American Rises to Celebrity Status in Rwanda

E

ffortlessly, and surely even unknowingly, Makeda Mahadeo is a powerful embodiment of the 'reunion' of Africa and the Caribbean.

She was born in the U.S. to Rastafarian parents—a Rwandan father and a Jamaican mother.

She was raised fully in Jamaica and even completed her bachelor's degree at the University of the West Indies in Kingston, where she studied literature.

It was while reading the work of African writers that she first became interested in the idea of Africa—a foreign land of which she knew she had direct roots, but up until then, had never even considered visiting.

After all, she says, she hadn't had much of a connection with her father as a youngster.

Eventually, reading African literature soon led to trips to South Africa, Ethiopia and the land of half of her ancestry—Rwanda.

In Rwanda, Makeda says she fell in love. First, with the place. But, then it was there she would also meet her husband. The rest, shall we say, is history.

Makeda is now living and very

much thriving in Kigali, the capital city of Rwanda, where she has become quite the celebrated public figure.

Her illustrious yet still-growing career in the public eye began as the host of The Switch, a popular local radio show. She also co-anchored and co-produced Rise and Shine Rwanda, a TV talk show. And, she was a celebrity judge on East Africa's Got Talent, the African version of America's Got Talent. Her most recent job was as an anchor at CNBC

Africa. She's also widely recognized as Rwanda's first female DJ. It all started, Makeda says, with her building an online presence by making Youtube videos to share her experiences in Rwanda with her mother, other family members and friends who were still living in Jamaica. “I had basically moved to the other side of the world, and my Mom always wanted to make sure I was okay. So, to keep her up to date about everything I was doing, I made YouTube videos. Other people started watching them to see what they could do in Rwanda, especially Rwandans across the diaspora.”

Despite living away for years and traveling back to Jamaica far less than she would like, Makeda has undoubtedly retained her Jamaican flair—with the accent and vibrant energy still fully intact. Reggae and dancehall music, for example, still pump through her online platform often.

Surely her 'Jamaican-Rwandanness' has given her a distinct allure.

She admits her Jamaican heritage intrigues Rwandans. “I mean, people everywhere think Jamaicans are cool and intriguing,” Makeda says.

Kigali, as an example, is known for its progressive environmental policies, thoughtful political leadership and modern infrastructure. Rwandans are cultural, educated and worldly.

A marker of the country's acuity, Rwanda has even maintained a steady composure throughout the pandemic. The response to COVID was quick and serious, she says. Once the Rwandan government lifted the more severe lockdown, extensive measures were put in place and cases dropped significantly.

“The leadership of Rwanda is

quite forward-thinking. They've elevated the position of the country and are really focused on development. Rwanda is an incredibly safe and clean place. The 1994 Genocide Against the Tutsi in Rwanda stopped everything. That was only 26 years ago. But, since then, Rwanda's growth has been exceptional. No one expected this kind of a comeback from such a small country.”

Makeda also believes that it's unfortunate that most people around the world of African descent hold misconceptions about life in Africa.

She points out that many Caribbean people are surprised at how comfortable they feel when they land on the continent.

“Africa is a giant, with many different countries. You can't lump it all together, but the idea that a lot of people hold about Africa is outdated.

To not consider traveling to Africa is a mistake. I'd encourage people to learn more about Africa. Africa is hot right now,” Makeda shares.

So, what's next for this multitalented, multicultural, global woman whose very essence is crossing barriers of artificial divide?

Although Makeda's DJ career has been hit hard by the pandemic, and she only recently left her fulltime gig as CNBC anchor, she has put her foot on the gas to accelerate the reach and growth of her platform as an independent content creator.

And, while she continues to make waves across East Africa, she has her sights on expanding further throughout the continent and hopefully breaking ground in the Caribbean as well.

“I'd love to connect those two worlds more, and I want to be in the Caribbean more, for sure. After all, you can't cage a bird,” Makeda notes.

Kinisha Corriea – AllAboutTheCulture.com

CNWEEKLYNEWS.COM

A4 – NATIONAL WEEKLY | THURSDAY, FEB 18 – FEB 24, 2021 | CNWNETWORK.COM

CARIBBEAN Jamaica Imposes 8 PM Nightly Curfew Amid COVID-19 Spike Jamaica has imposed a new 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. daily curfew, amid the current spike in COVID-19 cases.

Between February 4 and February 8, the island saw some 1,451 new cases of COVID19, with over 200 cases being reported daily.

The highest single-day total of 403 cases was reported on February 8. Jamaica's current positivity rate stands at 20.8 percent.

In the last week of 2020, Jamaica's positivity rate was down to 7percent.

The island's new curfew will run from Wednesday, February 10 until February 24.

The previous curfew, imposed in December, was from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m.

Public gatherings have also been reduced from 15 to 10 people.

In making the announcement, Prime Minister Andrew Holness said his government's priority is making sure the healthcare system is not overwhelmed.

“We cannot dedicate the entire capacity of our healthcare system to COVID-19. There are other critical illnesses and events to which our healthcare professionals have to continue to respond,” Holness said.

He also pointed out that three of the country's biggest hospitals, the Kingston Public Hospital, Spanish Town Hospital in St Catherine, and the May Pen Hospital in Clarendon are all above 90 percent capacity.

The president of the Medical Association of Jamaica, Dr. Andrew Manning, also stated the healthcare system was approaching the point of over-capacity.

“In the blink of an eye, we could reach a stage where people come to the hospitals for treatment there's nowhere to put them.

We're not far from that,” he said.

Special Police Units in TNT to Start Wearing Body Cams Lawmen within special units within the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) will be equipped with body cameras, Minister of National Security Stuart Young said on Monday, as it was also announced that a fullscale investigation is being conducted into the circumstances surrounding the deaths of two suspects while in police custody.

Young said he had been informed by Commissioner of Police Gary Griffith, that the Special Operations Response Team (SORT), the Inter-Agency Task Force and Guard and Emergency Branch would be among the first to get uniforms with special clips for body cameras and radios and a belt with pepper spray and tasers.

“The body cameras will now defend my police officers when they are wrongfully accused,” Griffith said after the meeting.

The disclosures came as the police commissioner also

announced the probe being conducted into the deaths of suspects Andrew Morris and Joel Balcon.

Officers from SORT are among those now subject to the

investigation.

Griffith said in a statement that apart from the TTPS conducting an investigation, the Police Complaints Authority (PCA) is conducting a parallel probe.

Morris and Balcon were suspects in the kidnapping and subsequent death of 23-year-old court clerk Andrea Bharatt, who went missing on January 29. Her decomposed body was found in a precipice on February 4.

“People are reaching a final conclusion without knowing what has transpired. We are doing a thorough investigation both by the Police Service and the PCA. For persons to be making false and misleading accusations, it is not helping the situation in any way,” continues on B1 – Body Cams

Gonsalves Urges Vincentians to Take COVID-19 Vaccine Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves is encouraging Vincentians to get vaccinated against COVID-19 once vaccines become available.

His exhortation came a week after saying he was in “prayerful consideration” about whether to be among those to receive one of 20 doses of the Russian-developed Sputnik vaccine donated to St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

After saying he was concerned about being accused of jumping the queue, Gonsalves and his wife, Eloise, received the vaccine last

week. At a Ministry of Health press conference a few days later, he extolled the virtues of vaccines although stressing that immunization wouldn't be mandatory.

“This is another vaccine for a virus which is not an automatic death sentence. It's a killer, to be sure, but we see the persons who have died here in St. Vincent and Grenadines are those with severe comorbidities.”

Prime Minister Gonsalves appealed to “the ordinary man and woman in St. Vincent and the

Grenadines” to follow his lead, but said those who felt very strongly about not taking the vaccine didn't have to.

“All I'm urging our people to do is not to bother them. If they don't want to take it, nobody [is] going [to] force them. Nobody's forcing anybody to take the vaccine. It's a voluntary program.

But on the basis of the available science, it's wise; it's sensible to take the vaccine.” he said.

Stressing his confidence in the vaccine, Gonsalves added: “I value my life. I am 74; 75 this year. I

want to live more years. I have taken the Sputnik vaccine because I am satisfied not just with the reports coming from Russia itself, which I've read, but also in The Lancet magazine—the journal in the United Kingdom, a reputable journal—and our people in St. Vincent and Grenadines, the epidemiologists, the medical people who deal with these matters, they advise me all these vaccines are safe. The Sputnik, the AstraZeneca, the Moderna, the Pfizer…”

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A6 – NATIONAL WEEKLY | THURSDAY, FEB 18 – FEB 24, 2021 | CNWNETWORK.COM

editorial

Agriculture is Key to a More Resilient Post-COVID Tourism Sector After a devastating year for Caribbean economies, which nevertheless saw islands contain the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic, the region is slowly reopening with a new proposition for visitors in 2021.

The unexpected downturn has provided an opportunity to rethink and refresh the Caribbean’s tourism sector to reduce islands’ vulnerability and draw closer links with food and gastronomy, which has long shaped Caribbean history, culture and identity.

Industry leaders have also been forced to respond to the changing needs of tourists, whose heightened awareness of health, safety, and environmental concerns has increased demands for smaller, bespoke tours and experiences beyond traditional sun, sea and sand packages.

The future of the Caribbean vacation in the post-COVID era, then, may lie in agritourism.

By fostering greater collaboration and overlap between the tourism, hospitality, agriculture, and gastronomy sectors, Caribbean nations can unlock multiple benefits for both tourists and the tourism industry.

Firstly, aligning tourism with island agriculture can provide mutual

resilience in the event of shocks and stressors.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, for example, many people turned to agriculture and went out in droves to buy seedlings, both as an economic alternative to tourism and to bolster their own food security.

Links between restaurants and local farmers are now stronger than ever, while the renewed focus on indigenous foods has increased appreciation of the importance of agriculture for reducing poverty, improving health, boosting employment and encouraging responsible food production and consumption.

Maintaining this link between agriculture and tourism will help diversify Caribbean economies and reduce the heavy reliance on tourism, which was decimated during the pandemic.

Despite the challenges of 2020, several agritourism “champions” have emerged across the region at both public and private sector levels, who are using innovative approaches to ensure that trade continues between the agriculture and tourism sectors.

The private sector development program, the Compete Caribbean Partnership Facility, has continued to support agritourism projects, including a project to implement precision farming and a climateresilient greenhouse system in St. Lucia. In addition, the same team has developed a marketing platform for a major retailer to use in their procurement systems with local farmers.

These systems can help generate new opportunities for farmers and producers once tourism fully reopens.

For example, beekeeper Lascell Smith, a 2019 finalist in IICA Jamaica’s Youth in Agribusiness Awards, invested in a custom-built honey sachet machine to meet the demand for single-serve honey packages for the hotel industry while allowing hotels to offer local honey.

Meanwhile, carving out a greater role within tourism for Caribbean produce and food culture can also enrich the experience of visiting our islands.

Chefs have become influential advocates of local food culture and are helping boost the use of Caribbean-

produced foods both domestically and internationally, increasing our exports while also providing visitors with a more authentic and sustainable cuisine.

One valuable platform is the Chefs For Development initiative, which aims to promote stronger links between actors in the culinary and tourism sectors. Launched by the EUfunded Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation (CTA), the project will continue from 2021 under the leadership of the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA).

Online portals and networks like Chefs4Dev have become increasingly important as more of the world lives and works remotely during pandemic-related restrictions and lockdowns.

By sharing knowledge, techniques, and recipes online, chefs and local food ambassadors can safely continue to contribute to virtual agritourism and promote sustainable food habits, even in the face of limited travel.

As tourism gradually returns to the Caribbean from 2021 onwards, we hope it will be the dawn of a new, more thoughtful, and sustainable form of travel, that values a safe and authentic exchange inspired by our cuisine, our customs, and our heritage. A healthy, thriving agritourism sector would be a worthwhile destination for all involved.

Ena C. Harvey, Representative – IICA Barbados Delegation & IICA Hemispheric Specialist, Agrotourism

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A7

la section haitienne

Clarke Wants 'Targeted' Deportations Stopped Caribbean-American Democratic Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke has joined the U.S. House of Representatives' chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, Congressman Bennie G. Thompson, in urging the acting director of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency, Tae Johnson, to immediately stop what they described as the “targeted” deportations of Haitians.

Clarke, who represents the 9th Congressional District in Brooklyn, New York and Thompson met late last week with Johnson on the matter.

“As members of the House Homeland Security Committee, this call was imperative,” Clarke told CMC on Monday. “Haiti is facing a delicate political landscape that could cause disproportionate harm to wrongfully deported immigrants.

“As the daughter of Jamaican immigrants, I can confidently say, our immigration system is broken,” she added. “The targeted deportation to Haiti illustrates the violence e x a c t e d o n i m m i g r a n t c o m m u n ities—particularly immigrant communities of color.

“I realize ICE must carry out its mission in line with legal precedents. However, this must be done in a way that is sensitive to humanitarian needs for recent border crossers,” Clarke continued.

On January 20, 2021, President Joe Biden issued an executive order directing the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to revise its immigration enforcement guidance to “safeguard the dignity and well-being of all families and communities.”

In response, Acting Secretary David Pekoske imposed an immediate, 100-day moratorium on the vast majority of deportations.

But, on January 26, a Texas judge

suspended President Biden's moratorium.

“Let me be very clear, the administration's moratorium on deportations is not only lawful but necessary to ensure that families are not separated, and people are not subjected to unnecessary danger while the administration reviews the past actions of the xenophobic Trump administration,” said Clarke, who on February 8, joined a coalition of Democrats in penning a letter to the secretary of homeland security, Alejandro Mayorkas, demanding a halt in the mass deportations of Black immigrants.

Last week, two immigration advocacy groups in New York, called on Biden to intervene immediately in stopping what they described as the mass deportation of Haitians.

The New York Immigration Coalition (NYIC), an umbrella policy and advocacy

Clarke

organization for more than 200 groups in New York State, and the Brooklyn-based Haitian Women for Haitian Refugees said that, since February 1, ICE agency has deported roughly 300 Haitians.

The groups said “another shameful 1800 deportations” are expected in the next two weeks.

Ninaj Raoul, executive director of the Haitian Women for Haitian Refugees, said: “We at Haitian Women for Haitian Refugees are outraged by the discriminatory deportations that continue to be carried out by ICE amid a global pandemic, a serious political crisis in Haiti, and a surge in kidnapping terrorism by government-backed gangs.”

CARICOM Closely Monitoring Recent Developments in Haiti The Guyana-based secretariat of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), has expressed concern about recent developments in the member state of Haiti.

In a statement on February 11, CARICOM said that it is monitoring the volatile Haitian situation very closely and is urging “all stakeholders to be guided by the Constitution, respect for the rule of law and the electoral process and in that regard is heartened by the fact that an electoral timetable has been set.”

The regional body issued that statement following reports that opposition parties in Haiti declared 72year-old judge Joseph Mecene Jean-Louis the country's interim leader, a day after an alleged coup plot was foiled, as they insisted that President Jovenel Moïse must step down.

Moise, who has ruled by decree since mid-January, has stated he would hand over power to the winner of the elections but would not step down until his term expires in 2022.

But the opposition has rejected his interpretation of the constitution and has insisted his term came to an end on February 7.

“We are waiting for Jovenel Moïse to leave the National Palace, so that we can get on with installing Mr. Mecene JeanLouis,” opposition figure Andre Michel told international news agency AFP. Based on these latest developments, CARICOM has called on all parties to engage in “meaningful dialogue in the interest of peace and stability and strongly urges that action be taken to foster a safe environment, a return to normal life and the building of sustainable democratic institutions.”

A8 – NATIONAL WEEKLY | THURSDAY, FEB 18 – FEB 24, 2021 | CNWNETWORK.COM

COMMUNITY

Miramar Pays Tribute to Parkland Shooting Victims on Third Anniversary Officials in the city of Miramar paid tribute to the 14 students and three educators who died in a brutal gun attack at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, on February 14, 2018.

Now known globally as the “Parkland Shooting,” the incident is the deadliest high school shooting in United States history. The incident sparked intensified calls for legislative action relating to gun control and gun violence.

Broward Schools District, the county police department, and state leaders had also received nationwide criticism for the incident.

On the third anniversary of the shooting, scores of city leaders in Miramar come together to pay tribute to the victims, survivors, and activists from Parkland.

“The young students with great futures ahead of them, whose lives were cut short, and the teachers who dedicated their lives to these students, will forever be in our hearts,” said Miramar Commissioner Alexandra P. Davis.

“As a parent and former public-school teacher, I'm acutely aware of the need to protect our students and staff by any means necessary.

I feel deeply for those who suffered and lost loved ones on this dreadful day.”

Miramar Mayor Wayne Messam also sent condolences to the loved ones of the victims and underscored that he remains committed to ensuring a similar tragedy never occurs again in Florida. City Manager Vernon Hargray and Commissioners Yvette Colbourne, Winston Barnes and Maxwell Chambers sent

condolences to the victims and their loved ones.

One of the couples, Manuel and Patricia Oliver, who lost their 17-year-old son Joaquin in the incident, spoke about the tragedy and how they've been able to move on. “Joaquin was a very kind and friendly kid. He was also an activist for justice and spoke out against gun violence. He fought for everyone's rights,” Manuel said.

The pair, who are both artists, have used their art to honor their son and to push for legislation on gun control. Patricia said through art, she and her husband are able to speak to and for their deceased son.

President Joe Biden, on Sunday, also paid tribute to the victims and lauded the efforts of Parkland survivors who have called for better

Jamaican-American Entrepreneur David Mullings “Humbled” to be Honored by AFUWI Another one of the awardees of the February 21 American Foundation of the University of the West Indies (AFUWI) 24th annual “The Legacy Continues” Gala Awards is Jamaican-born South Florida entrepreneur, David Mullings, founder, chairman and CEO of Floridabased investment firm, Blue Mahoe Capital Partners.

He will receive the Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Business Leadership.

Throughout his career, Mullings has been heavily involved in strengthening the connection between the Jamaican diaspora and

Mullings

Jamaica.

“It is very humbling to be honored by the AFUWI,” Mullings told CNW Network.

“I've said many times that I still felt like it was a little too early, but they've convinced me that I've had enough positive impact up to now and felt it was important that we show it's not just about your age, but about what you've actually done to impact others. It's very humbling to be recognized. I didn't do what I'm doing for recognition, but it's welcomed.”

Mullings previously served on the board of directors for the Institute of Caribbean Studies in Washington, D.C. He was also the first Future Leaders representative for the USA on the Jamaica Diaspora Advisory Board and part of the planning team for the first Jamaica Diaspora Future Leaders Conference in Kingston, Jamaica. continues on B4 – Mullings

gun laws.

“This Administration will not wait for the next mass shooting to heed that call,” Biden said in a statement.

“Today, I am calling on Congress to enact commonsense gun law reforms, including requiring background checks on all gun sales, banning assault weapons and high-capacity magazines, and eliminating immunity for gun manufacturers who knowingly put weapons of war on our streets.”

In the meantime, the accused shooter, 22year-old Nikolas Cruz, awaits trial. His trial was delayed because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Cruz confessed to the crime in August 2018.

Body Cams from A4

Griffith said.

Commissioner Griffith insisted excellent work was done by the various units of the TTPS in their investigations by finding the four persons responsible for Bharatt's kidnapping and death, and they should be commended.

He added no one had asked about the well-being of the officers who were injured when they went to arrest suspects in the matter.

Commissioner Griffith insisted there would be no cover-up, noting that since he became the top cop in August 2018, 96 police officers were charged with various offenses including kidnapping, human trafficking, robbery with aggravation, and assault, while another 86 were suspended.

NATIONAL WEEKLY | THURSDAY, FEB 18 – FEB 24, 2021 | CNWNETWORK.COM –

B1

STRICTLY LEGAL

Tips to Qualify For Naturalization Even If You Owe the IRS

By Attorney Caroly Pedersen Many U.S. residents (Green Card holders) who owe taxes to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) mistakenly believe they are not eligible to obtain U.S. Citizenship, when, in fact, most residents who owe taxes actually remain eligible to apply for naturalization, once they meet certain criteria. The key to successful naturalization for those who owe IRS taxes is in following several basic steps.

One of the most important requirements to qualify for U.S. citizenship is to show you have "good moral character" in the immediate five years preceding filing the naturalization application (past three years for early naturalization based upon marriage to a U.S. Citizen).

Issues that have the most impact on “good moral character,” include an individual's criminal background, payment of child support and payment of taxes.

If you were convicted for any reason, as a general rule, it's best to wait until at least five years (or three years in the case of early naturalization) have passed since the date of the conviction or completion of probation. For child support, providing documentary proof of continuing payments, along with proof of current child support payments will often result in Naturalization approval.

When it comes to IRS taxes, many individuals owe back taxes either because they could not afford to pay for previous years' taxes or because of a mistake on their past taxes. The fear of owing taxes often causes taxpayers to avoid filing a required tax return, which then puts them further behind. The best approach is to file all required taxes for previous years and enter into an installment agreement with the IRS for payment of back taxes owed. Here is what you need to do:

Step#1 File Your Taxes: If you have failed to file tax returns for past years in which you were required to file, the first step is to file all these delinquent tax returns now. This is required before applying for a payment agreement with the IRS. You should likely get the advice and assistance of an accountant during this process. The IRS will then send you a bill stating the taxes owed.

Step#2 Set Up a Payment Plan With the IRS: The only way to naturalize when you owe back taxes is to enter into a payment installment agreement with the IRS. To do that, call the IRS and explain you owe taxes and want to set such an installment agreement. Agents are often very understanding and willing to work with you and set the monthly payments as low as possible. Be sure to explain any extenuating circumstances, which negatively affect your income and ability to pay, for instance, any large financial expenditures for medical or other expenses.

tr a n sc ri pt fr o

Step#3 Set up Automatic Payments: Request the IRS agent to set up automatic debits from your bank account. This is the absolute best way to ensure your monthly IRS installment payments are made on time and the best documentary evidence to prove to the USCIS you have been making timely payments on your taxes.

Step#4 Make Your Payments: Make sure that you have enough funds in your bank account each month for your scheduled payments. Save copies of your bank statements each month and mark IRS payments in yellow highlight.

Step#5 Prepare To File for Naturalization!

Once you have your installment agreement and have made a few months (3-6 months) of regular payments, you should be ready to file for naturalization. You should contact the IRS and request: 1.

Tax and Wage Transcripts: for the past five years (three years for early naturalization) showing your official taxes filed with the IRS; 2.

Payment Transcript: to show your installment agreement payments to date in order to provide documentary proof to the USCIS. 3.

Installment Agreement and, 4.

Bank Statements with highlights showing all payments made.

Once your Naturalization interview is scheduled, request an updated payment

Issues that have the most impact on “good moral character,” include an individual's criminal background, payment of child support and payment of taxes. For child support, providing documentary proof of continuing payments, along with proof of current child support payments will often result in Naturalization approval. m the IRS to show your payments from the date of filing your application until the interview. Take that along with updated bank statements with highlights showing all IRS payments made while your Naturalization case was processing.

In cases where a resident failed to file tax returns in previous years, it's best to prepare a written, signed statement explaining the circumstances of the failure to file, including any financial or family issues which prevented the timely filing and a statement of regret or remorse for the failure.

Biden Administration Plans to Reinstate Pre-Trump Version of Citizenship Test According to Buzzfeed News, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) plans to discard the widely criticized Trump-era new version of the U.S. Citizenship Civics test instituted late last year, in favor of reinstating the old previous version.

For background, the original U.S. Citizenship Civics test, in use since 2008 had 100 questions.

Citizenship applicants were asked up to 10 questions during their naturalization interview and had to answer 6 correctly to order to pass the exam. Officers only needed to ask as many questions as it took for the applicant to pass, frequently only six.

In the Fall of 2020, the Trump Administration announced that it had revised the naturalization exam to increase the test to 128 questions, rather than the original 100 and that applicants would be asked 20 questions rather than 10 and be required to answer 12 correctly, instead of 6.

Interviewing officers would also be required to ask all 20 questions, instead of stopping once the applicant answered enough correctly to pass the exam.

Critics say the Trump administration version not only added more than two dozen questions, but was politically influenced and included wording changes that intentionally made it more complex and confusing to applicants.

The new test is required for all residents who apply for naturalization on or after December 1, 2020.

However, residents who filed naturalization applications on or after December 1 will likely never be required to take the test once Biden's DHS changes back to the 2008 version, in an announcement expected shortly.

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B2 – NATIONAL WEEKLY | THURSDAY, FEB 18 – FEB 24, 2021 | CNWNETWORK.COM

REGGAE MONTH

FEATURE

The evolution of Jamaican Music From Revivalism to Reggae: PART 2

ROCKSTEADY The late Hopeton Lewis was one of the foremost rocksteady singers in 1968 and whose song, “Take it Easy” was one of the more popular hits of the era.

Rocksteady was the Jamaican musical genre that succeeded ska, growing in popularity in the late 1960s.

The late Hopeton Lewis—one of the foremost rocksteady singers in 1968 and whose hit “Take it Easy” was one of the more popular hits of the era—had said, “The music and the dance needed to simmer down after the high energy of ska. The replacement was rocksteady, which was cool and easy.”

The successor to ska and precursor to reggae, rocksteady was performed by several Jamaican vocal harmony groups such as The Gaylads, The Maytals, The Heptones, and The Paragons, as well as individual artists like Lewis and Alton Ellis.

The term rocksteady comes from a dance style that was mentioned in the Alton Ellis song "Rock Steady." Dances performed to rocksteady were slower, less energetic than the earlier ska dances. But like ska, in the previous years, the genre pulled dancers to nightclubs and house parties across the island.

It didn't take long for the

Nash

rocksteady beat to spread from Jamaica and begin to influence foreign artists. In 1968, American soul singer Johnny Nash released the first international rocksteady hit "Hold Me Tight," which made it to number one on the Canadian charts.

The rocksteady genre used some of the musical elements of rhythm and blues (R&B), jazz, ska, African and Latin American drumming, and other genres. One of the most easily recognizable elements, as in ska, were offbeat rhythms; staccato chords played by a guitar and piano on the offbeats of the measure.

Rocksteady was loved and cherished

across all classes in the Jamaican community, the Jamaican communities, and other global communities. It was fundamentally a part of the Jamaican culture as much as any of the other genres that originated from the island of music.

Lewis also released another international popular rocksteady hit “Sounds and Pressure,” but his “Take It Easy” stood out as the anthem of the rocksteady era. Both songs were number one hits.

“Sounds and Pressure” topped the Jamaican charts by December 1966, while “Take It Easy” reached the number one position the

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following month. Wherever Lewis performed, he was hailed as “Mr. Rocksteady.”

Like some of the hits that were released and gained popularity in the ska era, several rocksteady hits like Desmond Dekker's “007 (Shanty Town)” and “Don't Be a Rude Boy” by the Rulers—a fitting popular song as a trend to indiscipline and crime committed by socalled “rude boys” threatened the society—were social commentaries.

Other popular hits of the era, and which continue to be hits at today's Jamaican oldies sessions, include Bob Andy's “I Want To Go Back Home,” Alton Ellis' “Girl I've Got a Date,” Carl Dawkins' “Baby I Love You,” Delroy Wilson's “Dancing Mood,” Ken Boothe's “The Train Is Coming,” Roy Shirley's “Hold Them,” and The Wailers' “Bend Down Low.” In 1967, prior to Johnny Nash's hit song, rocksteady was exposed overseas. British and Belgian audiences had the opportunity to see another popular Jamaican artist, Prince Buster, perform rocksteady and other hits, backed by a Londonbased band, The Bees, led by Jamaican guitarist Lyn Taitt.

Also in September 1967, Jamaican producer Clement Dodd arranged for Ken Boothe and Alton Ellis to tour Britain with the Soul Brothers, while Byron Lee brought a troupe of dancers to Toronto with his band Byron Lee and Dragonaires to introduce rocksteady to Canada.

While Byron Lee was directly associated with the production of several ska hits produced by his record company Dynamic Sounds, rocksteady was more associated with the Treasure Isle studio, owned by sound system giant Duke Reid.

Treasure Isle produced a new slate of groups associated with rocksteady. These groups included The Melodians, The Paragons, The Techniques, and The Silvertones that are always remembered, and remain popular, for the smooth harmony in their rocksteady hits.

Unlike ska, which reigned on the Jamaican music and dance scene for some eight years, rocksteady, despite its cool, harmonious beat and popularity didn't last too long, and by 1970 was

Boothe

Bob Andy

Alton Ellis

being eased out of the spotlight by another new, revolutionary sound—reggae. Yet, a characteristic of the rocksteady era was that it produced a wide collection of hits songs by outstanding artists that have never lost their popularity with Jamaicans old and young.

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NATIONAL WEEKLY | THURSDAY, FEB 18 – FEB 24, 2021 | CNWNETWORK.COM –

BLACK HISTORY MONTH

B3

FEATURE

African-American Cabinet Secretaries Throughout American History PART 3 School in Sarasota, Florida, where Bush received the news of the attack.

Following his tenure as secretary of education, Paige served as interim president of Jackson State University, from November 2016 to June 2017.

In Paige's honor, the James Bowie Elementary School in Houston was renamed the Rod Paige Elementary School, and in his hometown of Monticello, Mississippi, the middle school was renamed the Rod Paige Middle School.

Continuing CNW Network's Black History Month series highlighted the African American men and women who served as Cabinet Secretaries in the administration of American presidents, here are the profile of seven individuals who contributed to Black History in America:

Rodney Earl Slater (born Feb. 23, 1955) Rodney Slater was another African American who Bill Clinton appointed to serve in his cabinet.

Slater served as the United States secretary of transportation from1997 to 2001.

Pierce Slater Before this appointment, Slater served as the administrator of the Federal Highway Administration from 1993 to 1997.

Slater graduated from Eastern Michigan University in 1977, and received his Juris Doctor degree from the University of Arkansas School of Law in 1980.

Quickly moving into the political arena, Slater, that same year, became an assistant attorney general for the state of Arkansas. He was appointed to several state government positions in Arkansas by then Arkansas Governor Bill Clinton. These positions included assistant to the governor between 1983 and 1987, and member of the Arkansas State Highway Commission between 1987 and 1993. Slater also served as the director of governmental affairs for Arkansas State University during that time.

When Clinton assumed office in 1993, Slater had the distinction of being appointed as the first AfricanAmerican director of the Federal Highway Administration.

Then in 1997, Clinton tapped him for the his secretary of transportation, making him the second African American to hold that Cabinet position.

Togo Dennis West Jr. (June 21, 1942 – March 8, 2018) West, an attorney and public official, was also appointed to serve in Bill Clinton's Cabinet from 1998 to his resignation in 2000.

West was the third person to serve as the secretary of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs during Bill Clinton's administration and the second African American to serve the country as VA secretary.

Togo West was born in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. He was the valedictorian at his graduation from Atkins High School in 1959. After high school, he obtained a Bachelor of Science

West

degree in engineering from Howard University. He attended the university's school of law, where he became the managing editor of the Howard Law Journal. In 1968, West received his Juris Doctor degree from the university, graduating at the top of his class and receiving cum laude honors.

Prior to his Cabinet nomination

by President Clinton in 1998, West was secretary of the army from 1993 to 1998. While awaiting confirmation as VA secretary, West served as acting VA secretary and secretary of the army.

When George W. Bush succeeded Clinton as president in 2001, he continued the trend of nominating African Americans to his Cabinet.

Prior to his tenure in Bush's Cabinet, Paige, who was born and raised in Monticello, Mississippi, earned a bachelor's degree from Jackson State University in Jackson, Mississippi, and a master's degree and Doctor of Education degree in physical education from Indiana University Bloomington.

Paige's career focused on education. First, he held the position of classroom teacher, rising to college dean and school superintendent, then to becoming the first African American education secretary.

When terrorists attacked the World Trade Center in New York City on September 11, 2001, Paige was sitting with President Bush at the Emma E. Booker Elementary

Alphonso R. Jackson (born Sept. 9, 1945) Another of President George W. Bush's African-American nominees, Alphonso Jackson served as the 13th United States secretary of housing and urban development (HUD). He served from January 2004 until his resignation in March 2008.

Colin Luther Powell (born April 5, 1937) Powell, the son of Jamaican parents, has the distinct honor of being the first African American to serve as the United States secretary of state. The retired four-star general was nominated by President George H. W. Bush in 2001 as the 65th secretary of state from 2001, and served in that post until 2005. His Cabinet post, placing him fourth in line to the U.S. presidency was the highest ever held by an African American.

Jackson

Roderick Raynor Paige (born June 17, 1933) Rod Paige, nominated by President George W. Bush, was the 7th United States secretary of education and the first African American to hold the post. He served in Bush's first-term Cabinet from 2001 to 2005.

controversy regarding his being misled that Saddam Hussien was hiding weapons of mass destruction, which gave justification for the U.S. to invade Iraq in 2003.

Powell Prior to his role as secretary of state, Powell served as the 16th United States national security advisor from 1987 to 1989 under President Ronald Reagan, and was appointed as the 12th chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff from 1989 to 1993 under President George H. Bush.

Powell was born in South Bronx, New York City in 1937 to Jamaican immigrants Luther and Maud Powell. After attending New York City public schools he went to the City College of New York (CCNY), where he earned a bachelor's degree in geology.

At CCNY, Powell developed a keen interest in the military and joined the Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC). Upon graduation from CCNY in June 1958, he received a commission as an Army second lieutenant. He remained a professional soldier for 35 years, holding many command and staff positions, rising to the rank of fourstar general. Powell was commander of the U.S. Army Forces Command in 1989, and that year also reached the pinnacle of military positions in the Department of Defense as the 12th chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. During his tenure as chairman, he oversaw several key military missions, including the invasion of Panama in 1989 and Operation Desert Storm in the Persian Gulf War against Iraq in 1990 to 1991.

Unfortunately, Powell's tenure as secretary of state attracted

Jackson was born on September 9, 1945, in Marshall, Texas—the last of 12 children in the family. He studied political science at Truman State University, where he also earned a master's degree in education administration in 1969.

He later studied law at Washington University School of Law in St. Louis.

In March 1965, Jackson participated in the civil rights march from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama, which because of the ensuing attacks by police became known as Bloody Sunday.

Embarking a public service career in St. Louis, Missouri, he was also active in both Democratic and Republican circles in the city for many years. In 1987, he was appointed director of the U.S. Department of Public and Assisted Housing for Washington, D.C.

succeed Colin Powell as secretary of state from 2005 to 2009 to become the first African-American woman to hold the position. She was also the first woman to serve as national security advisor.

Born in Birmingham, Alabama, Rice grew up in the era of racial segregation.

She obtained her bachelor's degree from the University of Denver and master's degree in political science from the University of Notre Dame. In 1981, Rice received a PhD from the School of International Studies at the University of Denver.

Originally a Democrat, Rice worked at the State Department under the Carter administration. In 1982, she switched to the Republican Party, and years later she served on the National Security Council as the Soviet and Eastern Europe Affairs advisor to President George H. W. Bush during the dissolution of the Soviet Union and German reunification from 1989 to 1991.

From 1993 to 1999, Rice was provost at Stanford University, and in December 2000, she joined the George W. Bush administration as national security advisor.

When the Bush administration ended in 2009, Rice returned to Stanford University as a political science professor and the Thomas and Barbara Stephenson Senior Fellow on Public Policy at the Hoover Institution.

In September 2020, Rice was named director of the Hoover Institution.

Eric Himpton Holder (born Jan. 21, 1951) In 2009, Holder, an attorney, was appointed to the Cabinet of America's first African-American President, Barack Obama, as the first African American, and 82nd U.S. attorney general, serving in that post well into Obama's second term, until he retired in 2015.

Condoleezza "Condi" Rice (November 14, 1954) Condi Rice, a diplomat, political scientist, civil servant, and professor, was the other African American appointed to the Cabinet of President George W. Bush. Having served as Bush's national security advisor during his first term from 2001 to 2005, she was nominated to

Rice

Holder Holder's father was a Barbadian immigrant who lived in New York City, where Holder was born. He grew up in East Elmhurst, Queens, and attended public school until age 10. In the 4th grade, Holder was selected to participate in a program for intellectually gifted students.

He graduated from Stuyvesant High School, Columbia College, and Columbia Law School.

After he graduated from law school, Holder worked at the Public Integrity Section of the Department of Justice for 12 years; served as a judge of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia; appointed by President Bill Clinton as United States attorney for the District of Columbia and subsequently deputy attorney general.

B4 – NATIONAL WEEKLY | THURSDAY, FEB 18 – FEB 24, 2021 | CNWNETWORK.COM

CONTINUATIONS Fake Abduction embassy, immigration authorities in the United States and news stations in New York and make them aware of her situation.

She also alleged that she was being deprived of food, and said the hotel employees had put hidden cameras in her room, which were really sprinklers and motion detectors.

Her video on Instagram went viral across social media platforms, with over 200,000 views. The allegation resulted in the hashtags #WhereIsKalina and #SaveKalinaCollier trending on social media. Social media influencers, including Grenadian-American actress Amanda Seales and Jamaican artist Spice, also believed the allegations and spoke on the incident.

After disappearing from social media, Collier gave an update days later, saying that she was fine and not being held hostage, nor was she kidnapped. But by then, hundreds of thousands of people had already been convinced that the worst had happened.

Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett released a statement on the matter calling it “fake news.” It said, “Miss Collier’s false allegations have gone viral across the globe and have convinced many persons that the Jamaican authorities and our tourism stakeholders have treated her unfairly. It is fake news and this is very unfortunate as we have done everything in our power to ensure that her period of quarantine has been comfortable.”

He added that the hotel allowed Collier to

Mullings

Alliance

from A1

Seiveright

remain there in quarantine at no extra cost, instead of doing so at a government facility.

On February 14, at the end of Collier’s 14day quarantine period, she was released from the hotel and departed the country along with her mother, who had subsequently arrived on

the island.

Jamaica’s police force advised members of the public to dismiss the allegations made by Collier, saying that they were “baseless and mischievous.” The police said she was visited by members of the Trelawny division who confirmed that she was safe and never in any danger.

Minister Bartlett concluded that Collier fabricated her story. “There was no foul play here, all protocols were observed for her safety,” his statement said.

The allegations have sullied the reputation of the hotel and have already caused damage to Jamaica’s struggling tourism industry. Collier still maintains that she spoke the truth. She also said that she was harassed by tourism officials in Jamaica to make a statement.

After the incident exploded on social media, JetBlue said Collier’s employment at the airline was terminated.

“After an investigation, the crewmember in question is no longer with JetBlue. We continue to offer our apologies for the frustration and concern this incident has caused and reiterate our confidence in the health protocols Jamaica has put in place,” corporate communications manager Derek Dombrowski said in a statement.

The airline also apologized to the Jamaican government and the people of Jamaica for the concern and frustration the incident caused.

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Having established a name for himself in corporate America and among Jamaica's business community, the 40-year-old Mullings is one of the most well-known Caribbean businessmen in the South Florida region.

As a longtime resident of Florida, Mullings has advocated for greater recognition of the role Caribbean immigrants have played in various fields in America. He says for years, Caribbean Americans have made invaluable contributions in the U.S., especially in states like Florida.

“Caribbean nationals…have helped to cofound cities and companies, we especially have contributed to the medical field...been

really good at bringing our Caribbean warmth and culture to the U.S., and continue to be great ambassadors for our original homes,” Mullings said.

The mentee of Jamaican-Canadian billionaire, Michael Lee-Chin, Mullings has lived in South Florida for over 20 years. After graduating from the prestigious Campion College in Kingston, Mullings studied at the University of Miami (UM), where he graduated at the age of 19 with a BSc in biology and minors in chemistry and religion. After spending time in Jamaica after graduating, Mullings returned to UM and received his MBA in marketing and

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international business at age 22.

He said despite his main businesses and family now being based in the U.S., he maintains a strong connection to Jamaica. PreCOVID, Mullings said he visited Jamaica monthly. He encouraged all Jamaican Americans to maintain ties to the island by visiting.

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helped to form or have supported and are a part of the movement to ensure that we create prosperity for the Black community,” he said in an interview with CNW Network.

Their first priority is to address the economic disparity in the local community during the coronavirus pandemic. Fewer Black-owned businesses received forgivable loans through the federal government’s assistance programs.

Among other pressing issues are equal access to COVID-19 vaccinations and better infrastructure in Black neighborhoods.

Commissioner Holness explained that, in many ways, racial inequality has affected the growth and development of the United States.

“City Financial did a study released last year that showed that the United States did not grow $16 trillion in Gross Domestic Product because of these inequalities. All of us in Florida could benefit from the success of this alliance,” he said.

Among those that the organization will target is South Florida’s large Black Caribbean-American community, which accounts for a significant percentage of the region’s population. Commissioner Holness said this community is important to the growth of South Florida.

“The Caribbean-American community plays a vital role in South Florida’s economic output and growth and we’re an important part of this community. Our political acumen and economic power fused together with the rest of the African diaspora will bring about tremendous change in our community and the lives of our people,” Holness said.

The alliance marks one of the first multi-county efforts to address racial inequality in South Florida.

The idea for the organization came to life when disparities in health, education and policing, were highlighted during the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

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C1

ENTERTAINMENT

Cardi B Speaks Out Against Gender-based Violence in Trinidad

Dancehall Star Kranium Releases New EP

The horrific kidnapping and death of 22year-old Trinidadian Andrea Bharatt, a bank employee, sent shockwaves through the country and the Caribbean, with many people living outside of the twinisland republic, expressing their outrage at the increase in gender-based violence.

Now, American superstar Cardi B is adding her voice to the conversation.

In a social media post, the rapper, who has Trinidadian Bharatt parentage, spoke out against incidents of gender-based violence that tend to happen to “defenseless women.”

“I feel like this year & last year we have seen so much disgusting crimes & evilness happening due to this pandemic sh*t getting in people's head. I hate that defenseless people especially women are going thru this evil sh*t. I pray for peace in the world,” she wrote.

Cardi B was responding to a fan in Trinidad who posted an image of a vigil to Bharratt, and other Trinidadian women who have been fatal victims of gender-based violence.

Cardi B

Miami MoCAAD to Host Gifted and Black Panel Celebrating Black Artists and Culture Landscape Melissa Hunter Davis and accompanied by panelists Dejha Carrington, vice president of External Relations at National YoungArts Foundation, Rosie Gordon-Wallace, founder of Diaspora Vibe Cultural Arts Incubator, Mikhaile Solomon, founder of Prizm Contemporary Art Fair, and artists Marcus Blake, Adler Guerrier, Adrienne Chadwick, and Dinizulu Gene Tinnie.

In celebration of Miami's Black artists and Black History Month, the Miami Museum of Contemporary Art of the African Diaspora (Miami MoCAAD) will present Gifted and Black: Miami's Art Scene 2021 and Beyond, a virtual panel discussion on Thursday, February 25.

The virtual #CreativeConversation will be moderated by Sugarcane Magazine founder

Focused on the theme of empowering Black artists and creatives, the event will be streamed live on Miami MoCAAD's Facebook page, with all welcomed to tune in for the spirited conversation.

“Our mission has always been to discover, collect, showcase preserve, and exhibit the most advanced artists of the African diaspora, and I hope that through this panel, we cannot continues on C3 – Gifted and Black Panel

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International dancehall star Kranium is giving fans a taste of what to expect on his next album, with a new five-track EP titled Toxic.

The project, released via Atlantic Records, features several hit tracks recently released as singles that combine to elaborate the epitome of modern dancehall with hints of pop for mainstream crossover.

Known as the “Melody God,” Kranium says he put more melody in this EP, and moved away from the traditional dancehall sound. The deejay says he wants to become known not only as a dancehall artist, but a musician who can reach any fan group.

Toxic was released just in time for Valentine's Day 2021, and every track gives fans a different perspective and view of love.

“Gal Policy,” in particular, quickly rose to the top of Billboard's Top 10 Caribbean Islands ranking and charted Top 20 in over 20 different islands on iTunes.

“Through The Window” was the followup to that and is also on the new album, plus “Block Traffic” featuring rising star Rytikal has also received heavy airplay.

Kranium was born in Montego Bay, Jamaica, but moved to Miami as a teenager, before settling in Queens, New York. In 2013, he caught his big break, with his breakout single titled “Nobody Has to Know,” which spent seven weeks on the Billboard charts.

The song paved the way for his record deal with Atlantic Records and introduced him to the international music market.

Kranium has had collaborations with international musicians Rotimi, Burna Boy, Ty Dolla $ign and Wizkid, to name a few. He released his debut album, Rumors in 2015 and his sophomore album, Midnight Sparks in 2019.

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C3

SPORTS CRICKET

Windies Whitewash Bangladesh in Test Series Seventeen wickets tumbled on a dramatic fourth day as West Indies snatched a nervejangling 17-run victory to edge Bangladesh in the second Test and complete a truly astonishing series whitewash on Sunday, February 14.

Staring defeat in the face after they crashed from their overnight 41 for three to 117 all out in their second innings, West Indies bowlers turned the game on its head by knocking over Bangladesh for 213, the hosts falling just short of the modest target of 231 at the Shere Bangla National Stadium.

No such climax was envisioned when West Indies resumed the penultimate day with a lead of 154 runs but left-arm spinner Taijul Islam (5-36) and off-spinner Nayeem Islam (3-34) ripped apart the visitors' innings.

Man-of-the-Series, West Indies batsman Nkrumah Bonner, unbeaten on eight at the start, top-scored with 38 while wicketkeeper Joshua Da Silva got 20 but West Indies lost their last seven wickets for 67 runs, about 25 minutes after lunch.

Left with just under five sessions to tie the series, Bangladesh seemed on course for victory when they raced to 70 for one with tea beckoning.

Opener Tamim Iqbal struck an aggressive 50, captain Mominul Haque got 26 and Liton Das 22 but Bangladesh's batsmen failed to convert starts and the last nine wickets went down for 143 runs on either side of the

SportsBriefs

NBA Players taking part in All-Star weekend in Atlanta will largely have to remain in their hotels when not at the arena, the league told teams on Monday, and all players and coaches — whether part of All-Star events or not — will have to continue getting tested daily for COVID-19.

The NBA and the National Basketball Players Association agreed on those rules, the league said in the memo laying out the health and safety protocols that will apply during the break. The league plans to announce starters for the All-Star Game on Thursday, and the reserves on Feb. 23.

Auto-Racing interval.

Burly off-spinner Rahkeem Cornwall, in only his fourth Test, led West Indies' charge with four for 105 to end the contest with nine wickets and emerge with Man-of-the-Match honors.

He also snatched three catches at slip, the last of which was a tumbling low catch which removed the dangerous Mehidy Hasan Miraz for 31, ended the match and West Indies' nineyear wait for a Test series win on Bangladesh soil.

Part-time off-spinner Kraigg Brathwaite, who hardly put a foot wrong in the field as captain on Sunday, was one of the unlikely heroes with the ball taking three for 25 while left-arm spinner Jomel Warrican claimed the final wicket of the match to end with three for

47.

The victory with a day to spare completed a fairy-tale tour for the under-strength West Indies who arrived in Bangladesh last month without most of their first-choice players, who chose not to travel because of COVID-19, and given little chance of competing in the series.

The result was in contrast to the last tour to Bangladesh here three years ago when West Indies suffered a chastening series whitewash, losing both Tests heavily inside three days.

“It's a series win in Asia since 2012 for the first time. Coming here without some players, with the protocols and so on,” an elated Brathwaite said after Sunday's win. “People will be proud. People wrote us off but we kept it simple, enjoyed it, and we proved them wrong.”

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Michael McDowell stormed through a crash scene to win the Daytona 500, snapping an 0-for357 streak with a fiery pileup in his rearview mirror.

McDowell led just the final lap — maybe half of it, really — when Brad Keselowski turned teammate Joey Logano as the Team Penske drivers jockeyed for the victory.

McDowell stayed flat in the gas and plowed past the two spinning cars to the lead, then won a threewide drag race until NASCAR threw a race-ending caution.

McDowell, a 36-year-old journeyman from Arizona, was a 100-1 underdog at the start of the race and seemed in disbelief after taking his first checkered flag.

TRACK & FIELD

Sprinter Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce Calls for the Resumption of Sporting Events in Jamaica Jamaican Olympian and world sprint champion, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce added her voice to the call for the restart of sporting activities in Jamaica.

In a lengthy Instagram post on Saturday, Fraser-Pryce said she does not support some public figures encouraging the government to hold off on resuming sports.

“It is my view that in the interest of the athletes, along with the national and global psyche and the thousand(s) who depend on the industry, we should strongly resist talk of "holding off" on the process allowed for a formal, but controlled and safe resumption of sporting events,” she wrote.

Fraser-Pryce didn't name names and also stated she did not want to take political sides, but the Jamaican sprinter was likely referring to comments made by the opposition spokesperson on health and wellness, Dr. Morais Guy who, a few days earlier, urged the

Fraser Pryce

government to rethink its decision to resume sporting activities.

Before the recent spike in COVID-19 cases, the Government gave the green light for the resumption of controlled sporting activities.

But within a day of the announcement, Jamaica broke the record for high numbers of COVID-19 cases reported in a day, with 328 new cases on February 5. That record was

shattered a few days later when 403 new cases were reported on February 8.

The spike in cases and a new 8 p.m. curfew led to the cancellation of several athletic meets planned for last weekend.

Fraser-Pryce, double Olympic gold medal winner and four-time world champion, noted in other countries, COVID-19 safety protocols have been adopted to allow sporting events to resume and believes the same can be done locally.

“I am confident it's not beyond Jamaica to put in place similar systems to limit the risk of COVID-19 spread while at the same time allowing for reasonable resumption in the Sports industry which has contributed so much to Brand Jamaica," she said.

Fraser-Pryce said there's no evidence sporting events, with no spectators, are likely to contribute to a spike in cases.

Gifted and Black Panel from C1

only have a productive talk on modern Black History and issues but shine a positive light on those in our community who continue to innovate, create, and pave the way for Black creatives,” said Marilyn Holifield, co-founder of Miami MoCAAD. She is scheduled to wrap up the discussion.

Black creatives will not only talk about the changes they want to see in the Miami Arts Scene, but if and how Miami's cultural institutions have lived up to the Black Lives Matter statements they issued last year, how continued engagement can bring about meaningful change, the current art scene and its developments in Miami, and how it's been navigating all of this during an unprecedented pandemic and how they plan to move forward.

C4 – NATIONAL WEEKLY | THURSDAY, FEB 18 – FEB 24, 2021 | CNWNETWORK.COM A D V E R T I S E M E N T