Caribbean American Passport April 2013 by Guenet Gittens-Roberts

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Documentary on Reggae’s King, ‘Marley’ a fitting tribute to reggae star

By Kevin Macdonald at the Orlando Shakespeare Theatre

ovie goers were mesmerized by Bob Marley at the Shakespeare Theatre on April 13th and 14th. His superb songs and arrangements, his rapt appearance and charismatic stage personality, Bob Marley and his group, the Wailers, won audiences for reggae all over the world, and influenced countless other musicians. Fans of Bob Marley who saw the Marley Movie in Orlando were impressed with it and how it told the story of a young man seeking a dream and fighting against all odds. Some said the scenes from the hills of Jamaica and the local

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NEWS MAGAZINE

Immigration Bill Introduced by Senate

By Gail Seeram, Attorney at Law

n Tuesday, April 16, 2013, a bipartisan group of senators introduced a major immigration bill that would bolster border security, legalize many of America’s 11 million undocumented immigrants and put them on a path to citizenship, dramatically overhaul the legal immigration system, and crack down on employers who hire unauthorized workers. The press conference was canceled due to the Boston bombings. The immigration bill/proposal is entitled, the Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act of 2013. In summary, the proposed bill creates a new legal immigrant status, referred to

Gail Seeram Esq. in Washington DC

Continued on page 12

Champion of Change

Central Florida Business Owner, Patrick Barnes, Honored As a White House Champion of Change for His Environmental Leadership in Vulnerable Communities

Patrick Barnes, White House Champion of Change

amaican born, Patrick Barnes, President and owner of Barnes, Ferland and Associates (aka BFA Environmental) is being honored as Whitehouse Champion of Change as a Community Resiliency Leader for his passion, commitment and tireless work in the community as it applies to en-

Continued on page 11

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L I F E S T Y L E

s I prepare to write my editorial, it always takes on a life of it’s own. Usually it is the very last thing that I write as whatever is most prevalent in my mind at the time, shapes the editorial. I was saddened by the Boston Marathon bombing and excited about immigration reform and I didn’t know which way to write this editorial. However as I wondered the internet as I’m prone to do whenever I’m stumped and have work to do, I came across this article below and it reminded me that there are zealots out there who believe that hatred is the best way of accomplishing the results they want to see accomplished. However Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King Jr, Nelson Mandela and even Bob Marley have given me faith that you should lead by being the change you want to see in the world and that when you do that your legacy lives on long after you. So I want to encourage you to fight back by picking up the phone and making calls to your senators, blog about your support of immigration reform, tweet it, call your friends, do your part in this fight. Don’t sit on the sidelines...the article I saw said - AMNESTY BILL INTRODUCED! CALL YOUR SENATORS AT 888978-3094 TODAY! In the wee hours of the morning, the Senate Gang of Eight introduced their massive, 844-page bill that includes an amnesty for most of the 11-18 million illegal aliens, increases in both legal immigration and guest-worker visas, and promises of border security that have repeatedly been broken since the 1986 amnesty. CALL YOUR TWO U.S. SENATORS TODAY and urge them to oppose S.744! You can call the Capitol Switchboard toll-free at 1-888-978-3094. Over the years, we’ve been told that Senators vote not necessarily by what might be the right thing to do, but more often by what the popular opinion tells them to do. I would hope that from the Presidential Election results they would know that this is the popular thing to do. However you can bet that the people who do not want more immigrants here or who are passionate about fighting this bill are picking up their phones and calling their senators. So I want you to do something, call the number and tell them that you want them to vote FOR immigration reform, you are for it! That’s one thing that you could do to help another person. All it takes is one phone call. I however, will be calling from every cell phone in my house. I will be asking everyone that I know to make that call. It isn’t often that we are able to extend a helping hand that could have such a significant impact on someone else’s life...right here at this moment we can. Let’s turn this around CALL YOUR TWO U.S. SENATORS TODAY and urge them to SUPPORT S.744! You can call the Capitol Switchboard toll-free at 1-888-978-3094. To quote from Professor Douglas Massey a Princeton University sociologist, who devotes a lot of time to lecturing on the subject of immigration “In the U.S., the term ‘migrant’ is associated with illegal Mexican immigrants. That is the stereotype, which is strengthened periodically by politicians, who always find it easy to present immigrants as a threat to the country and to the culture, especially in times of economic hardship, when they would rather citizens be angry at immigrants than at them,” However, he points out that “all the studies show that immigration

Guenet Gittens-Roberts, Publisher/Editor

brings economic benefit. Even among the weaker segments of society ? the ones that supposedly are thought to compete with immigrants for jobs in the service sector ? the negative effect of immigration is small.” Along with the stereotypical immigrants ? African refugees and migrants from developing countries ? the world has also been exposed in the past decade to high-skilled immigrants ?(known by the acronym HSI?): software engineers from Israel or scientists from India, educated immigrants with sought-after professional skills who move to countries such as the U.S. and are considered a commodity for which there is rising demand, because studies have shown that they bring with them growth, jobs and economic prosperity. It turns out, though, that unskilled immigrants also contribute quite a bit to a country’s growth: according to a study by the multinational banking group BBVA, illegal immigrants from Mexico contributed around 4 percent to America’s GDP in 2011. Since the authorities do not recognize them, that year the immigrants sent home income totaling $23 billion, which the U.S. government cannot tax. “We were stupid economically. We’re still stupid economically,” says Massey, who was the keynote speaker at an international conference on migration held at Tel Aviv University in January.

I urge you to remember your immigration story and the reason you left your country behind for a better life in the United States and use this opportunity to help someone come out from living in the shadows, living in fear and stress. Immigration reform is not only about the Mexicans - we have a large Caribbean Community that needs to be helped by this reform. Please do your part and call 1-888-978-3094 today!

GGR Marketing & Public Relations 1230 Hillcrest Street, Suite 101 • Orlando, FL 32803 407-427-1800 • guenetroberts@yahoo.com For Media Information email: capnewsmagazine@yahoo.com Should you desire to review past copies of the publication go to http://www.issuu.com/caribbeanamericanpassport and search for Caribbean American Passport News Magazine. Publisher ........................................................... Guenet Gittens-Roberts Editor ..........................................................................Natasha Solomon Contributing Writers: ................................................... Rosemarie Roth ..................................................................................... Natasha Gittens ............................................................................. .Sandra Ann Baptiste . .................................. ................................................... Roger Caldwell ................................................................................ Nouchelle Hastings Contributing Photographers ........................................... Dillia Castillo .................................................................................. Tahara Thompson Distribution.................................................................... Samuel Roberts ....................................................................................... Frank Ambrose Copyright (C) 2010 GGR Marketing & Public Relations. All rights reserved.

Now is the Time to do Something about Gun Violence Congress and the states.

By Roger Caldwell

The federal lawmakers appear to be paralyzed in inaction, but the states with Republican governors are moving in an opposite direction. These states are drafting bills that will not tolerate any erosion of their right to bear arms. Most of the action on guns rights is on the state level, and 28 states are considering legislature to block new federal gun laws. Many conservative Americans believe that their freedoms are connected to them owning a gun. We can spend the entire day arguing this point, but many citizens think that any federal gun law would infringe on the rights of the second amendment. They don’t seem to understand that “a gun control law can respect the second amendment, while keeping an irresponsible law breaking few from inflicting harm on a massive scale,” says President Obama.

t has been more than 100 days since the gun violence at Sandy Hook Elementary School, where 20 students and 6 teachers were killed. This horrific massacre illuminated in our country’s collective conscious that something immediately must be done about gun violence. But after 100 days, and numerous talks about gun violence in Washington, our leaders Guns have become a menace to our society, and there are too many guns in the wrong hands in our country. The president have not passed a bill. is proposing common sense steps that can save lives. There is On Thursday, March 28, 2013, anti-gun violence activists de- not anything in the president’s proposals that is radical and clared it a national day of action, and press conferences and extreme. We must protect the women and our children, and rallies were scheduled around the country. In the East Room of get guns out of the wrong hands. the White House, President Obama and Vice-President Biden stood between two rows of mothers and put pressure on Congress The president wants universal background checks, boost school safety, and crack down on people who buy guns for criminals. There are other laws such as a ban on assault weapons and a limit on high-capacity magazines, which will probably not pass, is also on the president’s list. Our president is to pass a law on gun violence. During this speech, the president moving forward with such groups as the Mayors Against Illegal had moms on the stage whose children had been gunned down Guns to put controls on the purchasing and distribution of guns. by senseless gun violence as recently as 35 days ago. There is no reason that young men need an arsenal of assault Americans have a tendency to forget about things that are weapons in their homes with high-capacity magazines. There important, because our lives are filled with stuff. When things is a pervasive sickness with guns in our society, and our leaddon’t personally affect us, we stop worrying about the event, ers must have the courage and integrity to pass laws that conbecause we are more consumed and concerned about what is trol the purchase of guns, and protect everyone in our society. happening now.

“Shame on us if we’ve forgotten. I haven’t forgotten those kids. Shame on us if we’ve forgotten.”

In the East Room the president said, “The entire country was shocked, and the entire country pledged we would do something about it and that this time would be different. Shame on us if we’ve forgotten. I haven’t forgotten those kids. Shame on us if we’ve forgotten.” President Obama is doing the right thing to keep Americans engaged in the gun violence conversation in our society. Gun violence has reached epidemic proportions and everyday someone dies. Our president is not claiming that he has the solution to this crisis, but he wants action from

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Caribbean Economist Calls for Awakened Leadership

AHAMAS - The major crises afflicting the planet can be traced directly to a chronic lack of ”awakened leadership”, according to a Caribbean leader.

“From armed conflicts in Darfur in Africa to the enduring poverty in Port-au-Prince in the Caribbean, more effective leadership is the single most important ingredient for progress and relief,” asserted Zhivargo Laing, an economist and director of Laing Consulting and Research Group. “In the best of times sound leadership is important; in the worst of times it is simply critical,” he asserted.

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Economist Zhivargo Laing And, not just any type of leadership, Laing added: “Leaders across the globe, most especially in the realms of politics and business, must awaken to the importance of their role in addressing the pressing issues of our time.” “Awakened leadership,” he elaborated, “means an end to egodriven decision making. It requires putting aside thoughts dedicated to self-serving ambitions divorced from the real needs of community.” Poor leadership is costly for people and for countries, contended the former finance minister of The Bahamas: “Some African, Latin American, Caribbean and European states, endowed with enormous natural and human resources could be far better off, and even global players, if their leadership was kinder to their responsibilities.” Lamenting the fact that many leaders are not fully equipped for the awesome task confronting them, the former cabinet minister said “experience in leading a nation is rare for the first-time president or prime minister.” “Sound leaders were those who “lead by faith, focus, awareness, intelligence, and honesty. Sound leaders are also conscious leaders”, he said. “Conscious leaders acknowledge their limitations and augment them through learning, training, consultation and cooperation with others. They are meditative, reflective and deliberative,” he added. An important element of conscious leadership, Laing observed, is managing succession: “Conscious leaders know that one of their essential duties is to develop the next generation of leaders. Even with the best of leadership, the world will remain a problematic place. This means that leaders will be needed continuously to head the charge to address problems.” “The enduring problems of our world, be it the global food crisis or the ripple effects of the US debt crisis, are not easy to resolve,” he averred, “however, this much is certain: our prospects for successfully addressing them improves with sound, awakened and conscious leadership.”

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FOREIGN ACCOUNT TAX COMPLIANCE ACT (FATCA): WHAT IT MEANS FOR YOU? provide information about any U.S. owners. These foreign institutions will be required to register by October 25, 2013 with the IRS and begin withholdings by January 2014. FATCA requires U.S. taxpayers who hold foreign financial assets with an aggregate value of more than the reporting threshold (at least $50,000) to report information about those assets on Form 8938, which must be attached to the taxpayer’s annual income tax return. The reporting threshold is higher By Sasha A. Watson, Esq. for certain individuals, including married taxpayers filing a joint annual income tax return and certain taxpayers living f you own bank or investment accounts in international in a foreign country. There are some exceptions to the requirecountries, you should be paying attention to the Foreign ment that you file Form 8938. For example, if you do not Account Tax Compliance Act (“FATCA”) and what it means have to file a U.S. income tax return for the year, then you do for your overseas accounts and your US tax liability. not have to file Form 8938, regardless of the value of your specified foreign financial assets. Also, if you report interests As a US citizen or lawful permanent resident you are obligated in foreign entities and certain foreign gifts on other forms, to report your financial earnings and holdings regardless of you may just list the submitted forms on Form 8938, without their location. In other words, US citizens and lawful perma- repeating the details. nent residents are required to report their foreign held accounts on their US tax filings and are required to pay the correspond- FATCA gives the IRS more teeth to collect outstanding tax liing tax liabilities from earnings on said accounts. Tax evasion abilities as it places significant requirements on the financial by the use of foreign held or off-shore accounts costs the U.S. institutions to make the reporting of the accounts and to withan estimated $100 billion and this regulation is an attempt to hold money from said accounts in order to meet your tax lirecoup some of this lost earnings. With FATCA, the U.S. pre- ability. These institutions will face strict penalties from a faildicts to raise an estimated $7.6 billion in tax revenue in a ten ure to comply with FATCA. year period. To ensure you are compliant with these new regulations, disIn an effort to ramp up compliance with this often overlooked cus with your accountant or tax preparer how these new regurequirement under the Internal Revenue Code, the US legisla- lations affect you as an off-shore account holder. ture enacted FATCA in 2010, which fully takes effect by January 2014. Under the new regulations, foreign financial insti- Sasha A. Watson is a partner at Hylton, Adamson, Watson, PLLC. The tutions are required to provide the Internal Revenue Service firm practices in the areas of Criminal, Immigration, Personal Injury, (IRS) with information on certain U.S. persons invested in ac- Family & Civil Law. Ms. Watson may be contacted at 407-802-3223 or counts outside of the U.S. and for certain non-U.S. entities to 120 E. Colonial Drive, Orlando, FL 32801 (By Appointment Only).

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Olympic Legend & Renowned Humanitarian Tommie Smith Honored at Adonal Foyle’s 4th annual KLF Gala Dinner & Caribbean Fête

By Shiyana Valentine, Executive Director kerosenelampfoundation.org

n April 9, 2013, retired NBA player & Caribbean native Adonal Foyle hosted his 4th Annual Kerosene Lamp Foundation Gala Dinner & Caribbean Fête at the notable Orange County Regional History Center in downtown Orlando, sponsored by MetroPCS, ZTE and The DPM Firm. The event celebrated a decade of

KLF’s Founder & President Adonal Foyle

KLF’s Volunteer of the Year Yolanda Baruch

Guests were welcomed with the calypso melodies of New Generation Branches Steel Orchestra during cocktail hour where Local 6 Sports Director David Pingalore was broadcasting live. Upon entering the festive dining room, they — Continued on page 19 —

KLF’s Adonal Foyle with the Nephron Pharmaceuticals table

KLF’s Board Member of the Year – Dr. Gideon J. Lewis of Drs. Lewis & Lewis, P.A.

Wilfred Thomas, Ambassador Harriet Elam-Thomas and KLF Platinum Members Marcia & Bill Duckworth

Paula & Drey of Life Worth Living Pharmacy, with MetroPCS Gold Sponsor Chandra Water and guest

service to at-risk youths in the Caribbean and the USA and honored Olympic gold medalist and renowned humanitarian Dr. Tommie Smith.

KLF’s Beacon of Excellence Honoree Dr. Tommie Smith – Olympic Gold Medalist and renowned humanitarian

New Generations Branches Steel Orchestra with Adonal Foyle, Dr. Tommie Smith and Delois Smith

KLF Emcee Dante Marchitelli with KLF’s Beacon of Excellence Honoree Dr. Tommie Smith

St. Vincent & the Grenadine’s Honorable Consul, Judge Alban Niles with Dr. Tommie Smith and Dr. Carl Ollivierre

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Introduce Your Kids to the True Spirit of Caribbean Carnival

Caribbean Food and Drinks on Sale

Cocobean Productions Presents:

Kiddies Carnival 2013

Caribbean Seas (Creative Direction by Tara Davis)

Saturday, May 25th, 2013 9:00 am - 1:00 pm

Festival Field (Across from the Citrus Bowl)

Fun for the Whole Family

Costumes are only $25 for kids 12 and under Special - $20 for Early Registration (must register and pay by April 30th)

Includes:

•Costume •Music •Prizes •T-Shirt •Parade •Interactive Games for the Kids and Adults Costumes Are Limited Registration Closes on May 15th For More Info or to Reserve a Costume Email: info@cocobeanproductions.com or Call Creig at 407-788-BEAN (2326) or Tara at 407-493-7449

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Champion of Change,

vironmental issues.

This Caribbean born community leader is recognized and honored by the White House for his commitment to change and community support. Patrick Barnes established his environment consulting firm back in 1994. Mr. Barnes was motivated by the writings of Roberts Bullard, Dumping in Dixie, which chronicles the tremendous disparities that exist in the siting of hazardous waste facilities, landfills, and industrial plants, and how such facilities are routinely placed in poor and minority communities. Additionally, in 1994, President Clinton signed Executive Order 12898, formally mandating that federal agencies make achieving environmental justice a part of their mission. These were

Continued from page 1

Vistas, Mr. Barnes is a professional geologist and President/ CEO of BFA Environmental, the largest African-American owned multidiscipline environmental engineering, scientific consulting and surveying firm headquartered in the southeast. BFA has offices throughout Florida and in New Orleans. Over his 27-year career, Mr. Barnes has worked extensively in the minority community, and on groundbreaking environmental justice projects. Mr. Barnes continues to work with business leaders across the Gulf States, the Nature Conservancy, Oxfam America, and the Corps Network to encourage decision-makers in the Gulf Coast States to invest in large-scale environmental restoration and coastal adaptation that would create jobs, and asking for state investment in worker training initiatives tailored to at-risk communities.

“I am truly honored to be recognized by the White House as a Champion of Change Community Resiliency Leader. From early in my career as an environmental geologist working in New York and New Jersey, I was struck by the fact that the far majority of the contaminated sites I worked on were in poorer or minority communities. You also couldn’t help but notice that the employees of consultants and contractors doing the environmental assessment and cleanup work did not look like the residents of the area; adding insult to injury, when additional staff was needed to In 2006, Mr. Barnes, acting on one of his guiding principles, complete the work, these contractors would routinely bring em“each one teach one” and utilizing his experience as a busi- ployees in from other areas. This dichotomy was even starker as ness owner and successful entrepreneur established Limitless my career took me to environmental projects in North Carolina, Vistas, Inc (LVI), a New Orleans-based nonprofit dedicated to Florida, Georgia and Louisiana. It is critical that individuals in a providing entry level job skills to at-risk young adults for the position to assist those in need do so whenever possible. In my environmental industry. BFA, LVI has trained over 300 young view they most effective way to have a lasting impact on those in people from New Orleans as environmental technicians Train- need is to provide job training in areas of our individual experees obtain a variety of credentials and certifications covering a tise. If we all made an effort to reach, just one, we could foster the wide variety of environmental skills including emergency re- change that’s so desperately needed in at-risk communities.” sponse, asbestos/lead abatement, mold awareness, home energy efficiency auditing, OSHA construction safety and hazardous waste operations, FEMA emergency management, water and wastewater operations, coastal restoration and GIS mapping. BFA/LVI’s work has provided disconnected young adults from poor and disadvantaged neighborhoods more direct access to good jobs. In the process, LVI and BFA has emerged as a leading voice along the Gulf Coast, from helping to organize business leaders involved in coastal restoration and protection projects, to speaking up for the economic value of investing in adaptation, as communities begin to make plans to invest fines from the BP spill. the motivating factors that influenced Mr. Barnes’s decision to focus his environmental efforts into achieving environmental justice, at the grassroots level, by actively engaged in teaching the residents of impacted communities about the environment and how to safeguard and protect it. Additionally, by providing job training to at-risk members of these communities in conjunction with this outreach the results would maximized.

In Spring of 2013, Limitless Vistas, BFA Environmental, and Oxfam America launched a coastal restoration job training pilot program further preparing at-risk youth in Louisiana’s coastal communities for jobs in environmental monitoring, surveying, assessment and data collection—a significant part of a number of ongoing and upcoming coastal restoration/ protection projects projected in Louisiana. This work will leverage efforts by NOAA and EPA in the area. Mr. Barnes’s personal view is that there cannot be true environmental justice without economic justice and this tremendous need represents a unique opportunity for the residents that were most affected to obtain meaningful jobs, thus putting them on a path to economic equality. In addition to his work as founder and advisor to Limitless

Immigration Bill Introduced by Senate, Continued from page 1 as Registered Provisional Immigrant (RPI), which will allow the current undocumented population to earn lawful permanent resident (or green card) status in 10 years. Also, the bill/ proposal eliminates U.S. citizen sponsorship of brothers or sisters and enacts an age limitation on U.S. citizen sponsorship of married children. Further, a new guest worker visa, W visa, is created and non-immigrant work visas numbers/availability will be increased. Lastly, a merit based visa system is created for skilled workers and all employers would be required to use the E-Verify system. The immigration bill/proposal still has a long road through hearing, amendments and approval from the House of Representatives before making it to President Obama’s desk for signature and enactment into law. NEW Registered Provisional Immigrant (RPI) Status: A new immigrant status would be created called the Registered Provisional Immigrant (RPI) for individuals in unlawful status (the 11 million undocumented in the U.S.) to adjust their status to legal immigrant status. The requirements are as follows: (1) residence in the United States prior to December 31, 2011 and maintenance of continuous physical presence since then; and (2) paid a $500 penalty fee (except for DREAM Act eligible students), and assessed taxes, per adult applicant in addition to all applicable fees required to pay for the cost of processing the application. Applicants will be found ineligible for RPI status if they were convicted of an aggravated felony; convicted of a felony; convicted of 3 or more misdemeanors; convicted of an offense under foreign law; unlawfully voted; and are inadmissible for criminal, national security, public health, or other morality grounds.

The following are other benefits of the RPI immigrant status: 1. Spouses and children of people in RPI status can be petitioned for as derivatives of the principal applicant (but must be in the United States at the time). 2. Immigrants in RPI status can work for any employer and travel outside of the United States. 3. Individuals outside of the United States who were previously here before December 31, 2011 and were deported for noncriminal reasons can apply to re-enter the United States in RPI status if they are the spouse, of or parent of a child who is, United States citizen or lawful permanent resident; or are a childhood arrival who is eligible for the DREAM Act. 4. The Application period will be for 1 year with the possibility of extension by the Secretary for an additional 1 year. 5. Individuals with removal orders will be permitted to apply as will aliens currently in removal proceedings. 6. RPI status shall last for a 6-year term that is renewable if the immigrant does not commit any acts that would render the alien deportable. Another $500 penalty fee is applicable at this time. After 10 years, aliens in RPI status may adjust to Lawful Permanent Resident Status through the same Merit Based System everyone else must use to earn a green card (described below) if the following things have occurred: (1) the alien maintained continuous physical presence; (2) they paid all taxes owed during the period that they are in status as an RPI; (3) they worked in the United States regularly; (4) demonstrated knowledge of Civics and English; (5) all people currently waiting for family and employment green cards as of the date of enact-

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A New Approach in Developing Meaningful Relationships

rlando, Fla - The author of “Express Yourself” is back at it again! This time James Justin provides a roadmap on how to develop meaningful relationships. The book addresses core issues that impact relationships. Justin’s seven steps to meaningful relationships clearly show how to build new relationships and maintain the current ones. If you want to develop such relationships, you must first become self-aware, selective, effective communicator, loving, friendly, trustworthy and committed.

James Justin is an entrepreneur, minister, success coach and author. He earned his Master of Social Work (MSW) degree from Boston College and Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree from Eastern Nazarene College. One of his passions is to empower people to achieve enduring success. To pursue this mission, James and his wife founded Freedom Living International in 2008 where “As a minister and counselor, I am he serves as the president. aware of the major challenges people He is happily married to his face in relationships. I know that the divorce rate in our country is higher now than decades ago. high school sweetheart, Dr. According to divorcerate.org, the current divorce rate in USA is Lauretta Justin, and they 50%. This alarming statistic and observing people suffering have three sons. Among his from ineffective relationships compelled me to write this book. friends, James is known for I want to empower people to develop better relationships. I his peaceful and loving spirit. To contact James, go to want to see a positive change in the world. I wrote this book to www.myfreedomliving.com. empower people to take actions toward building better relationships. I believe that the principles outlined in the book The author will be hosting a book signing on April 20th will equip people with the tool required to build meaningful at 6:00 PM. You are invited to join us! This event will be relationships. These principles have changed my relationships held at Millennium Eye Center, 6601 Old Winter Garden and my life. If you study and practice the steps in the book, R d # 1 0 4 , O r lando, Florida 32835. For details, go to www.myfreedomliving.com. they will change your life” Justin said.

ISLANDS GONE WILD

Reggae, Jerk & Cultural Festival rlando,FL, April 15, 2013 — The much anticipated event an open air Jerk, Music, and Culture festival, is geared towards of the spring is only 2 weeks away. ISLANDS GONE WILD, celebrating cultural diversity and good family fun. On April 21st, 2013, Orlando Festival Park will come alive with children’s laughter, mouthwatering Jerk dishes, dominoes pounding and the sweet sweet sounds of reggae and soca music. GATES OPEN FROM 12NOON - 8PM. Hosted by Back 2 Basic Marketing, LLC, this year’s event will surely take you Back 2 the Basics. Can you remember when, Sak Races, 3 Legged Races, Lime and Spoon, and Wheel Barrow Races was how families got together and had FUN? If not, you will be reminded on April 21st, 2013 at Orlando Festival Park. “There’s just not enough family oriented festivals in the Caribbean community,” says Bryan Ivey, promoter of ISLANDS GONE WILD. “Our kids are stuck in front of the television playing video games and we need to change that.” The Islands Gone Wild Festival will force our children to exercise their imaginations and express their boundless energy through countless physical activities planned. Children 10 and under are FREE, so make sure you come out and show them how you use to have fun. The Rhythm of the islands are calling and our food vendors are offer an enticing smorgasbord for you. Let your senses come to life as the mouthwatering aromas of Caribbean style Jerk and Curry dishes entice you and tantalize your taste buds. For the finishing touches, enjoy unforgettable live performances from international reggae and soca artists like: The “Queen of Bacchanal”, Destra Garcia, Mr. Whining Machine,” Leon Coldero, “The World General,” Delly Ranx, One of the Best Dancehall Reggae Groups, Voicemail, and “The Best Reggae/ Carnival Band in Jamaica,” Fab 5. If you can’t make it to the Islands, the folks at B2B Marketing will bring the Islands to you. Orlando Festival Park is located at 2911 E Robinson Street, Orlando, FL 32803. For event and ticket information visit www.islandsgonewild.com or call 407-900-5701.

Invest Caribbean Now: UN-Type General Assembly of Ministers, Investors For ICN 2013

United Nations-type “general assembly” of ministers from over a dozen governments from the English, French, Dutch and Spanish-speaking Latin America and Caribbean regions, as well as several investors will convene in June in New York City. The spotlight will be on investment opportunities in the economically viable LATAM region as Premier of the Turks & Caicos Islands and well other ministers of governments from this region gather for the international investment forum, Avalon Invest Caribbean Now 2013, (ICN 2013), on June 5th at the Radisson Martinique in NYC. “Contrary to popular opinion, the Caribbean region is not just a vacation destination but a region that is rich in its diversity of investment opportunities and talent,” commented Invest Caribbean Now founder, Felicia Persaud.“U.S. and Latin American investors in alternative markets would be well advised to look at this last emerging market on earth that is attractive to Chinese and Russian investors as well and make it a date to attend Invest Caribbean Now.” Invest Caribbean Now is presented annually by The Caribbean Tourism Organization; digital media solutions company, Hard Beat Communications and One Caribbean Television, during Caribbean Week in New York. Limited partnership opportunities are still available by contacting Joe Bernstein at joe@investcaribbeannow.com or logging on to ICN’s brand new website at Investcaribbeannow.com. Tickets for the June 5th forum are also still available.

www.caccfl.com

Caribbean American Chamber of Commerce of Florida, Inc. Save the Following Dates: April 24th - 5:30PM - 7:30PM Women of Wisdom's Event at Crave Restaurant 4158 Conroy Rd, Orlando, FL 32839 Speaker Elinor Steele of Tupperware. Contact Karlyn Hylton for more information: khylton@hawmlaw.com April 30th - CACCF Lunch & Learn with Orlando Business Journal at Pasha's Restaurant 4104 Millenia Blvd, Orlando, FL 32839. Contact Carol Singh for more information: carolasingh@gmail.com MEMBER MARKETING OPPORTUNITIES For April 28th we'll have a chamber booth at the CAFA Fusion Festival in Kissimmee. MEMBERS ONLY CAN SHARE booth space at $50.00 for half a table. We're looking forward to maximum participation so that we can turn over a huge check to CAFA. All of your dollars are paid directly to CAFA to support this event. A win for you and a win for the community organizations. http://cafafusion.eventbrite.com/

CAHM visit to the Coalition for the Homeless Chamber members of the Caribbean American Heritage Month Planning Committee (CAHM) visited the Coalition for the Homeless (CFTH) on Tuesday April 9th to take the "More Than A Meal" tour. According to the members it was an experience that words could not explain and they strongly suggest that everyone registers online and take the tour as the Coalition is doing amazing things with pennies on the dollar. Chair of CAHM Sam Roberts said "We had voted to donate a check to them but our experience during that tour had an emotional impact on us all; the touring members have pledged to make personal donations that will go directly, through CAHM, to the Coalition for the Homeless (CFTH). We explained to the management and staff at CFTH that we will be back after our CAHM Planning meeting, with a larger check." Please visit their website, review their activities and if possible take the tour; once you have done that if you're interested in making a donation to CFTH; please reach out to the CAHM Planning Committee.

May 26th - Orlando Carnival - those interested in sharing a booth or participating please contact Sam Roberts with the Heads of Organizations at 407-810-6435.

Remember June is Caribbean American Heritage Month and you need to add your Association's events to the CAHM calendar and save the following dates:

WE NEED VOLUNTEERS FOR THESE UPCOMING EVENTS: PICK AN EVENT TO BE THE CHAMBER LIASON! WE NEED VOLUNTEERS TO COORDINATE THE CHAMBER RIBBON CUTTING CEREMONY AT CITY HALL, AND THE BUSINESS EXPO AT THE FESTIVAL AT LAKE EOLA. CONTACT: 407-4271800 OR CACCFORLANDO@GMAIL.COM TO VOLUNTEER.

• CAHM Ribbon Cutting/Kick-Off Reception on Saturday June 1st at Orlando City Hall. • CAHM Festival & Business Expo will be on Sunday June 23rd at Lake Eola Contact: Samuel Roberts, Chairperson, CACCF-CAHM 2013, Email: robertsmgt@yahoo.com, 407-810-6435 Cell.

CONGRATULATIONS TO . . . . . . CACCF PRESIDENT and Caribbean American Passport Publisher Guenet Gittens-Roberts for her nomination as one of the Women who Mean Business in Orlando Celebration by the Orlando Business Journal. The evening's event, honoring Central Florida's 2013 top women of distinction, will be held at the beautiful Rosen Shingle Creek on April 25th, 2013. During the awards presentation OBJ will honor several women in the Business Owner, Business Executive and Women to Watch categories. They will also recognize the 2013 Businesswoman of the Year and Legacy Award recipient. Cocktails and networking begin at 5:30 p.m., followed by dinner and the formal awards presentation. For more information go to bizjournals.com.

"We Don't Give A Truck" Costume Display & Contest Come Experience the Hottest in Orlando Carnival Costumes on Full Display in a Huge Contest for Cash & Prizes ! • Best Group Routine (3 Minute Routine | Group 6 or More) • Best Group Costume (Best Uniformed Design) • Best Creative Costume (Individual Non-Group) For More Information (407) 217-4667 • Costume Contest Starts Promptly @ 7:00pm • All Group Routines must provide their own music on CD or Flash Drive Also for Vendor info call (407) 217-4667.

Tommie Smith Honored — Continued from page 8 —

were entertained by the witty hosting talents of Dante Marchitelli, Television and Sideline Reporter for Fox Sports Florida and Magic Radio Network and the reggae music of Musical Seduction Band and New Vision Entertainment. In attendance were celebrity guests including Olympic Medalists Justin Gatlin, Jeff Demps, Dennis & Damu Mitchell, and Kellie Wells to name few, along with prominent business owners and executives from Central Florida. During the dinner program, attendees were captivated by the video testimonies of the All-Star Student-Athletes from Orlando (FL) and St. Vincent & the Grenadines that the foundation mentors. Each child gave personal accounts of their lessons learned during their summer voyage to California under the tutelage of Kerosene Lamp Foundation, like the increasing their number of reading hours, utilizing effective time management, and how to improve their study habits. The most poignant moment of the night was when Adonal Foyle presented Dr. Tommie Smith with the Beacon of Excellence Award for his inspirational efforts as an activist for the rights of oppressed people and his tremendous athletic achievements. Most will remember Smith as the 200M Olympic gold medalist track star who was propelled into the spotlight as a human rights spokesman and activist when he and his teammate John Carlos made a historic stand for human rights at the1968 Olympics in Mexico City by raising their fists in a silent protest during their medal ceremony. Upon accepting his award, Tommie implored to future studentathletes saying, “When it comes to dreams, be proactive.” In addition to maintaining a distinguished career as a coach, educator, athletic director and activist, Tommie continues to be a champion for social causes by spreading his message of overcoming challenges to the youth he mentors through his Tommie Smith Youth Track Meet, a physical activity program sponsored by the 100 Black Men of the Bay Area. Proceeds from the fundraising gala will go to support the continuation of KLF’s youth educational and athletic programs in Central Florida including their annual Read & Rise Book Fair at Grand Avenue Primary Learning Center and their Athletics & Academics Camp for the Parramore Kidz Zone. For more information about Adonal Foyle’s Kerosene Lamp Foundation please visit www.KLFkids.org.

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Tommie Smith with attending Olympians, Justin Gatlin, Jeff Demps and other professional track & field athletes.

Wendy Wiginton with Dante Marchitelli, Television & Sideline Reporter for Fox Sports Florida & the Magic Radio Network

Sasha & Karlyn of HAWM Law, Caribbean Chamber Board Members

Ryse Magazine’s Jay Jackson with Denise Mose

KLF’s 2012 Volunteer of the Year Michelle Briscoe with Adonal Foyle

Caribbean Community rings in spring with splashes of color for Phagwah 2013 Celebration at the Citrus Bowl!

entral Floridians celebrated Phagwah or Holi, March 31st by a very diverse ethnicity and cultural mix. Attendees of many at the Citrus Bowl Festival Field in Orlando ringing in demographic populations came out to enjoy this day with their the Hindu year in true traditional spirit. Hindus celebrate families and friends. It was good to watch how a celebration the holy holiday every spring, after such as this can bring people with the first full moon of their calendar, differences together. This is what our Caribbean community does best; by quite literally painting all over the bringing people together. field. Families and kids throw colorful powder (called abrac) to chase Our community thanks Indian Hoaway the gaunt, chilly winter. rizon of Central Florida and The Indian Majestic Sounds for putting on This yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s celebration marked the this great community event. We 10th anniversary of the Orlando thank the sponsors and participants Phagwah festival. The day was a as well as all the volunteers that perfect setting to enjoy this joyous worked this event to make it a pheoccasion for the entire family. Cennomenal success. Special thanks to tral Floridians came out in hoards. Caribbean American Passport They came to commemorate the Magazine, and GGR Marketing &PR, day with friends, families and well especially Guenet and Sam Roberts wishers. As the day progressed, the for stepping up to help make this crowd continued to grow. Attendance reached its peak around 2pm with about 3,000 attend- celebration a success. Additionally, we thank Laparkan/PS ees. Dances by some of Orlandoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s best dance studios kicked Freights Systems in Orlando for always coming out and supporting events such as this. off this celebration. One father of two small children said this was his third year So, next year when you hear of the Phagwah celebration in and lives in Sarasota. His kids had a blast and he promised to Orlando, mark the date, come out, bring your friends and have come back and bring others next year. This event was attended a blast! See you next year!

Immigration Bill Introduced by Senate, Continued from page 12 ment have had their priority date become current; and (6) $1,000 penalty fee is rendered. People in DREAM Act Status and the Agricultural Program can get their green cards in 5 years and DREAM Act kids will be eligible for citizenship immediately after they get their green cards.

Amendments to Family Immigration & Elimination of Brother/Sister Sponsorship: Under the new system there will be two family preference categories and they will cover unmarried adult children; married adult children who file before age 31, and unmarried adult children of lawful permanent residents. The V visa will be expanded to allow individuals with an approved family petition to live in the U.S. and allow certain other family members to visit the U.S. for up to 60 days per year. The bill eliminates the availability of immigrant visas for siblings of U.S. citizens once 18 months have elapsed since the date of enactment. The bill amends the definition of “immediate relative” to include a child or spouse of an alien admitted for lawful permanent residence – thereby shortening the current waiting period for an immigrant visa. The bill amends the existing category for married sons and daughters of citizens of the United States to include only sons and daughters who are under 31 years of age. The bill eliminates the Diversity Visa Program. Aliens who were or are selected for diversity immigrant visas for fiscal years 2013 or 2014 will be eligible to receive them.

an initial period of three years and may renew his or her status for additional three year periods. He or she may not be unemployed for more than 60 consecutive days and must depart the US if he or she is unable to obtain employment. W-visa holders can travel outside the US and be readmitted to the US but cannot be readmitted for longer than the remaining time left in their original visa. The Agricultural Job Opportunity, Benefits, and Security Act: The Agricultural Job Opportunity, Benefits, and Security Act (AgJOBS) would allow current undocumented farm workers to obtain legal status through an Agricultural Card Program. Undocumented farm workers who have made a substantial prior commitment to agricultural work in the United States would be eligible for an Agricultural Card. Agricultural workers who fulfill future Agricultural Card work requirements in U.S. agriculture, show that they have paid all taxes, have not been convicted of any serious crime, and pay a $400 fine are eligible to adjust to legal permanent resident status. Spouses and minor children would receive derivative status. A new agricultural guest worker visa program would be established to ensure an adequate

The merit based visa, created in the fifth year after enactment of the immigration law, awards points to individuals based on their education, employment, length of residence in the US and other considerations.

Amendments to Employment Immigration: On the employment green card categories, the bill exempts the following categories from the annual numerical limits on employment-based immigrants: derivative beneficiaries of employment-based immigrants; aliens of extraordinary ability in the sciences, arts, education, business or athletics; outstanding professors and researchers; multinational executives and managers; doctoral degree holders in any field; and certain physicians. The bill increases the percentage of employment visas for skilled workers, professionals, and other professionals to 40 percent, maintains the percentage of employment visas for certain special immigrants to 10 percent and maintains visas for those who foster employment creation to 10 percent. The bill creates a startup visa for foreign entrepreneurs who seek to emigrate to the United States to startup their own companies.

agricultural workforce. A portable, at-will employment based visa (W-3 visa) and a contract-based visa (W-2 visa) would replace the current H-2A program. The H-2A program would sunset after the new guest worker visa program is operational. Creation of Merit Based Visa: The merit based visa, created in the fifth year after enactment of the immigration law, awards points to individuals based on their education, employment, length of residence in the US and other considerations. Those individuals with the most points earn the visas. Those who access the merit based pathway to earn their visa are expected to be talented individuals, individuals in our worker programs and individuals with family here. 120,000 visas will be available per year based on merit. The number would increase by 5% per year if demand exceeds supply in any year where unemployment is under 8.5%. There will be a maximum cap of 250,000 visas.

Mandatory Employment Verification: All employers will be required to use the E-Verify system over a The bill will raise the base cap of H-1B visas from 65,000 to 5-year phase-in period. Employers with more than 5,000 em110,000 (we amend the current 20,000 exemption for U.S. ad- ployees will be phased in within 2 years. More than 500 emvanced degree holders to be a 25,000 exemption for advanced ployees will be phased in within 3 years. All employers, includdegree graduates in science, technology, engineering, and ing agricultural employers, will be phased in within 4 years. mathematics from U.S. Schools). In future years, the H-1B cap can go as high as 180,000. Border Security: The bill/proposal provides for various incentives and programs Creation of Guest Worker Program: that will strengthen border security along the Southern border. The bill will create a new nonimmigrant classification known Various surveillance and detection capabilities developed or as the W-Visa. The W visa holder is an alien having a foreign used by the Department of Defense will be implemented. residence who will come to the US to perform services or labor ImmigrationINFO Immigration News For Our Community for a registered employer in a registered position. The spouse Gail@GailLaw.com and minor children of the W visa holder will be allowed to President, American Immigration Lawyers Assoc – Central FL accompany or follow to join and will be given work authoriza@GailSeeram tion for the same period of admission the W nonimmigrant is allowed to be here. The spouse and minor children of the W visa holder may be admitted to the US for the same period and will be given work authorization. The W nonimmigrant will apply to the Secretary of State at a US embassy or consulate in a foreign country to be a certified alien. To be eligible, he or she cannot be inadmissible, has to pass a criminal background check, agree to accept only registered positions in the US and meet any other criteria as established by the Secretary. He or she shall report to his or her initial employment no later than 14 days after first admitted to the US. A certified alien may be granted W nonimmigrant status for

Mahadeo Shivraj Rocks Orlando! ‘Oh Gaud! Who Kill Me Mumma Man!’ & ‘Brown Sugar too Bitter for Me’ The Caribbean American Domestic Violence Awareness (CADVA) is proud to present a Murder Mystery Comedy Dance Show. Friday May 17th at Island Fusion from 7pm until the party ends! 1575 Maguire Road in Ocoee, Florida for an unforgettable event! Dinner, Dance and for the first time ever a one of a kind INTERACTIVE MURDA MYSTERY DINNER SHOW: “OH GAUD, WHO KILL MEH MUMMA MAN!” Starring, the one and only Mahadeo Shivraj, actor and movie producer live and in person in a rare and memorable performance. A comedy show with a ROYAL MASALA WEDDING MURDA where the audience gets to be the star and solve the mystery. It will be broadcasting LIVE ON RADIO GUYANA (www.radioguyana.fm) with DJ 3rd Degree as we LINK UP THE CARIBBEAN WITH THE REST OF THE WORLD! A Mahadeo Shivraj film, an original Guyanese movie production, ‘BROWN SUGAR TOO BITTER FOR ME’ a musical/comedy/drama for the entire family. Starring - Mahadeo Shivraj and a full cast of local actors and actresses. This is a poignant tale of love, devotion and social injustice on a sugar plantation in Guyana setting present day. Fully shot on location in Guyana with original soundtrack from local performers. This feature presentation is Sunday May 19th at AMC West Oaks 14 theatre, 9415 W Colonial Drive, Ocoee, Florida. Showtime 5pm, Ticket booth opens at 4pm. For information, reservation and sponsorship call 407-404-0331, 917-399-5764, 407-722-9300 or email help@cadva.org. For more about CADVA visit: www.cadva.org.

FAACS Foundation Easter Gospel Dinner Event

AACS Foundation presented an Easter Gospel Dinner Event. Both the FAACS Foundation and the New Frontiers Ministries Gospel Radio Show sponsored the event. FAACS encompasses a group of five families (Francis, Allison, Ayton, Campbell, Simpson) that pool their resources to help under privileged children in Jamaica. The effort began in the birth place of these families; Mocho, Clarendon, Jamaica. Throughout each year, members of these families raise funds, collect school supplies, purchase computers, clothing, shoes and sneakers to send to Jamaica. Members of the Foundation present these items to the children at an annual Christmas Fete, accompanied by music, food, childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s games, and plenty of laughter. Each year, the foundation grows bigger and the need even more so. The MC for the evening was radio sensation Jesse Runner. Food was provided by Mark & Sophia Smiley of the Taste of Jamaica restaurant. Specialty non-alcoholic drinks were provided by Pastor Stan Scott, host of the Voice of Praise radio ministry heard from 10am-12noon on WOKB. The main entertainer was the talented young singer Abigail Hamilton, two time Paramount Mega Gospel award winner. Grace , Peace & Blessings Always, Dr. Phillip Lee Fatt (321) 239-2486 New Frontiers Ministries Gospel Radio Show WOKB Radio - 1680 AM Saturday Mornings at 8:00 am Simulcasting at www.WOKBradio.com

Women Leaders Speak of Change

he Business Leadership Roundtable on New Women faced and how they turned those experiences into learning Leading Change in Central Florida had an incredible moments to aid them in their continued pursuit of success. turnout. With standing room only, men and women of the community Responding to quesamassed the boardtions from the audiroom of the Chamber ence, the four stressed of Commerce Buildthe importance of ing to hear from a finding a balance bepanel of four dytween family and canamic women who reer. Pamela Nabors are leading change in pointed out, “I’m not Central Florida. wearing a red cape,” as she explained how Vilma Quintana, Eximportant it is to ecutive Vice President have a good support of Orlando, Inc., led system. Karen Hagen, the discussion with who graduated from Diana Bolivar, PresiLeadership Orlando dent of the Hispanic Class 84 that same Chamber of Comday, added, “Men merce of Metro Orand women alike lando; Flora Maria Garcia, President and CEO of United Arts need that strong support system to be effective leaders.” of Central Florida, Inc; Karen Hagan, Regional CEO of the American Red Cross Mid-Florida Region; and Pamela Some key take-away advice that the panel shared with the Nabors, President and CEO of Workforce Central audience was to “be authentic” (Flora Maria Garcia) by stayFlorida extending to each woman the opportunity to share with ing true to who you are and your values; “drink the Kool-Aid” the audience what their accomplishments have meant to them (Diana Bolivar) of your organization because it’s important, personally and professionally as they have continued overcome for your individual success and that of the organization, for obstacles and roadblocks during their climb to the top. you to believe in what you’re doing; seek mentors, and give back by mentoring and supporting others. These influential business leaders spoke in depth about the support and mentorship that they received starting as early as Attendees were buzzing about how pleased they were with the their childhood and at the onset of their careers. They were discussion, and walked away feeling inspired by this panel of also just as open in sharing some of the pitfalls that they have four remarkable women leaders right here in Central Florida.

LEADING LADIES BEHIND THE SCENES AND ON THE FRONT LINE Welcome to my column on Leading Ladies behind the Scenes. Our column will introduce you to leading ladies who have branded their own recognition and blazed their own trails. These ladies work behind the scenes but manage the front line with high impact results. You might have heard their names or admired their work, but never met them up close and personal. Our column will give you the chance to meet these ladies so you can place a face with the name and their trendsetting work in our community, various organizations and in business. Thank you for celebrating their value with us.

Nouchelle Hastings: “Girl What Do You Bring to the Table?” Keyne Kristin Johnson M.D., Certified Diplomat of the American Board of Neurological Surgery

t was late night and I was winding down from a long day so I chose to have a chocolate chip cookie with tea. As I was waiting for the kettle to boil, I glanced at an unopened email in my inbox; who would know that I was one click away from meeting my hero. I clicked on the email and it opened to a document that wowed me beyond imagination. While reading about this phenomenal woman, I probably had four cookies and my tea got cold. I was spellbound by her list of accomplishments, awards and dedication to success. I thought, could this be the same Dr. Johnson I met previously with the cool sneakers, stylish cornrows and the dazzling big smile; OMG I thought, how cool is she. Her low key attitude and glide gives new meaning to the trendy phrase “100”.

When it was time to apply for Residency, Keyne sent out only three requests for interviews. The interviews are a process of matching (too technical to get into but the bottom line is no match, no interview). Her advisor told her it would be wise to have a backup plan and that she should reevaluate her future. This was only a few days ahead of Keyne receiving notice that she was granted all three interviews. She was matched and accepted her Residency at Duke University Medical Center. The hours were brutal at times up to 120 per week but she was now rounding the “you sure can” mark that her father echoed when she was 12 years old. During her last year at Duke, she was honored to receive a rotation with Dr. Ben Carson and would later complete her Fellowship at Texas Children’s Hospital. The man who inspired her at the age of 12 now referred to her as colleague, associate, friend. “It’s an awesome feeling” said Johnson.

In 2008, Dr. Johnson joined the team at Arnold Palmer, and has received just about every major trauma and head injury case since then – it’s been a She like me comes from a faith in God backblessing because it has ground with deep spiritual roots. We give grown her into one of God credit for ALL THINGS and take for our areas highly granted NOTHING. Her testimony is her trained neurosurstory and its powerful. At age 3, Keyne knew On left: Dr. Keyne Kristin Johnson; On right: Dr. Johnson with her sons. geons. Just when Dr. she wanted to become a doctor. Her parents Johnson was feeling bought her a medical kit and she listened to everybody’s heart settled like ‘life is good’; her husband is happy golfing all the and took blood pressures, she was always at it. When she was time in the wonderful weather, their two beautiful boys are 12 years old Dr. Ben Carson was highly publicized because he healthy and children are being healed she discovers an higher was the first person to separate conjoined twins. While watch- calling. The higher calling is a call to action that would be ing the news she said “that’s easy, I can do that” and her fa- revealed during a conference that she was asked to speak at. ther said “you sure can”. It was that kind of support from her The theme was Enlighten, Enrichment, and Expanding. parents that gave birth to the prayers of her early childhood (she had been prayed over and was told that she would do In the first quarter of 2013, Dr. Johnson opened the doors to something great with her hands). In high school when she told BASIC Brain and Spine Institute for Children. The mission is her counselor she wanted to become a neurosurgeon, she was to return to the BASIC – compassionate, high quality, patientmet with attempted discouragement that it was a difficult field centered care. Every child is uniquely our dedicated priority and she should try nursing to which she responded but that’s the moment they walk through our doors. not what I want to become. Keyne was met repeatedly with why she couldn’t become a neurosurgeon by two other coun- With over a decade of specialization in complex disease of the selors while in college. One counselor she spoke about never brain and spine, Dr. Johnson brings a unique vision to pediatshared information with her on programs for medically inter- ric neurosurgery, exceptional care with compassion and comested students. As it would happen, Keyne discovered a binder mitment. She has developed an outstanding expertise in epifor a summer program at John Hopkins and was consumed lepsy, brain tumor removal, complex spine surgery, minimally with the chance of meeting Dr. Carson. Although she didn’t invasive spine and brain surgery as well as endoscopy; she is meet Dr. Carson during the summer program, there was a also an Assistant Professor at the University Of Central Florida time coming but it would mean walking through the fire to School Of Medicine. get to the Promised Land — Becoming a doctor in such a competitive area such as neurosurgery requires heavy backing, Dr. Johnson ended her story with God does things big – “now I letters of recommendations, stellar grades and merit. Keyne can help patients the way I always dreamed of helping them worked vigorously without support of her counselor who without bureaucracy; doctors are healers and healers are called thought she should aspire for something lower. She was one to heal. The denial of treatment or service to children because of three out of hundreds chosen to receive a research grant their parents cannot pay is a travesty; I am praying for intellecand used that to leverage her dream going against the advice tual ways to be able to service all who walk through our doors”. of her counselor who felt she should focus on her other major which was African Studies. Although she was proud of her As a strong advocate for women and children, I believe that second major, this was not her dream but she used the his- many miracles are going to come because Dr. Keyne K. Johnson tory of jazz, arts and culture to pad her passion and studied answered the call to serve children without prejudice; this is like it was going out of style for her MCAT. She said it was a one leading lady we hope calls Orlando home for a long time grueling time and vowed that she would never take such a to come. test again. Her counselor suggested she retake it, she disagreed. Keyne applied and was accepted at the University Of Dr. Johnson’s office is located at 2813 S. Hiawassee Road # 201, Pittsburgh School Of Medicine. Orlando, FL 32835 / 407.378.5100 / www.BasicFL.com

The Coalition for Barbados Association of Central Florida Taste of Barbados Event

oming up they will be presenting their Annual Bus Ride on Saturday, May 18 going to Fort DeSoto.

The buses will leave the assembly point, Caribbean Supercenter parking lot at 5111 W. Colonial Drive at 8am. The cost of a ticket is $25.00

Marley,

Continued from page 1

village made them very nostalgic. Scenes from the local villages with the hustle and bustle of the people felt welcoming. Also, many did not know the history of the Legend and how his music influenced many from all walks of life across the globe. One movie patron said she went straight home and played a CD of his music she had in her collection. Marley is clearly seen as the only musician who is recognized worldwide by all masses listening and learning from the subliminal messages his songs bring to them. One fan in particular said the movie was great, but the fact that he had so many relationships with 11 children from 7 relationships did not sit well with her. Born in a village in the Jamaican hills, Marley was brought up in a tin-roofed shack. He was the son of a young black woman, Cedella Marley Booker, who had a passing relationship with the much older Norval Marley, a British Army man of mixed race who was considered a white Jamaican. Because of his racially mixed parentage Bob Marley found himself a social outcast. At 12 he moved to the seething, poor Trench Town district of Kingston, where he soaked up music on the radio, learned the guitar and found a father figure in Clement Dodd, a record producer known as Sir Coxsone, who owned a recording studio. Marley was 16 in 1962, when his first single, “Judge Not,” set a righteous tone for what was to come. The movie does a fascinating job of showing how, almost by accident, reggae evolved out of Jamaica’s popular dance music of the time. American pop-soul, especially the music of groups like the Temptations, was also a major influence. Once he became successful, the singer moved to the swankiest neighborhood in Kingston — “I bring the ghetto uptown” was his comment — but his family did not move with him. The film does not shirk from detailing Marley’s numerous liaisons (he had 11 children from seven different relationships, including one with Cindy Breakspeare, 1976’s Miss World) and details how his wife and children coped with that situation. Because he was such a powerful figure in Jamaica, Marley ended up involved against his will in politics, a situation that led to both an assassination attempt and a legendary concert where he called the country’s two bitter political rivals on stage and joined their hands in peace. Though the cancer that killed Marley was found early on, a combination of bad medical advice and neglect meant that the singer’s life ended much earlier than it should have. There is an inescapable sadness to that, but what “Marley” and its wonderful performance footage leave you with most of all is the joy the man took in the music that set him free and enchanted the world. His music has grown more in popularity since his death. Bob Marley and the Wailers’ 1984 anthology, “Legend,” has sold 25 million copies worldwide. You have only to listen to him or see a filmed performance to understand the potency of a voice synonymous with fervent hope. By popular demand, the movie will be shown in Kissimmee at the Civic Center, if you are interested in showing it in your area please contact Caribbean Passport’s office to make arrangements. Donna Bradley - 407-427-1800.

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Is it SPRING yet? (pay-sak) in Hebrew, Passover is a celebration of freedom. Passover is celebrated for seven days in Israel and for eight days in the Diaspora (outside of Israel). The reason for this difference has to do with the way the ancient calendar worked.

What is spring?

Spring is one of the four conventional temperate seasons, following winter and preceding summer. There are various technical definitions of spring, but local usage of the term varies according to local climate, cultures and customs. When it is spring in the northern hemisphere, it will be autumn in the southern hemisphere. At the spring equinox, days are close to 12 hours long with day By Rosemarie G. Roth length increasing as the season progresses. Spring and “springtime” roundhog Day 2013: ‘Punxsutawney Phil’ Predicts Early refer to the season, and also to ideas of rebirth, rejuvenation, reSpring. This groundhog did not see his shadow and newal, resurrection, and regrowth, with festivals such the town celebrated that spring would be here in a few as Carnival, Easterand Holi being celebrated at this time. weeks. All of us were expecting warmer weather but a cold snap entered Florida and the Northeast portion of the US was faced with Spring is a time of new beginnings. Spring cleaning dusts disappointment as the first day of spring brought a snowstorm to off the old dreary times of winter and a welcome air of freshthat portion of the country. The Groundhog has been doing this ness emerges. for years and he must be right. He was not wrong; he did not see his shadow. The interpreters interpreted the evidence incorrectly. Hearing the news that spring in not far away brought a sense of Hope in me and many in my community, the snow melts, Punxsutawney Phil the groundhog was then ‘Indicted’ for sea- the bears emerge from their sleep and the fresh, tender baby leaves open their eyes. This is the time when the tulip emerges sonal Fraud. from the ground and smiles with us. It’s the time that a huge stone was rolled away from a grave and Jesus was resurrected http://abcnews.go.com/US/groundhog from the dead. It’s the time three ladies stopped crying and joy flooded them. It’s the time for bun and cheese, fry fish, fresh What is ‘Phagwah’? Phagwah is the festival of colours. It is the triumph of good steamed callaloo and boiled green bananas. over evil. This is spring for the earth and can be spring for all of us. In Rev‘Phagwah’ is derived from the name of the Hindu month elation 21:5 John saw a vision of how distorted the earth/world ‘Phalgun’, because it is on the full moon in the month of was and he saw a new heaven and a new earth and one sitting on Phalgun that Holi is celebrated. The month of Phalgun ushers a throne saying, “Behold, I make all things new”. After reading India in Spring when seeds sprout, flowers bloom and the coun- the meaning of the above holidays I noticed that they all derived try rises from winter’s slumber. http://www.guyana.org/Hand- from a time of great hardship where good overcame evil. I watched the movie Les Miserables and was moved by a verse in a song Ann book/festival.html Hatteway sang with tears in her eyes, I had a dream my life would be - So different from this hell I’m living-So different now from what What is Easter? Easter is a pagan holiday that Christians adopted into their reli- it seemed - Now life has killed the dream I dreamed. gion. The idea of an Easter egg hunt within this Holiday comes from the Goddess of fertility that the pagans had. Easter eggs were No matter what we might be going through God has a plan in the originally known as “isthar eggs” to celebrate His resurrection end to make something good and new out of it. The Prophet Isaiah from the dead. Rabbits have lots of babies, and eggs are where said “Remember not the former things; neither consider the things babies come from. In pagan cultures it was popular to paint the of old. Behold, I will do a new thing. Now, it shall spring forth and maidens and hide them in the Forrest and fields before the young shall you not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness men went and found them. It’s in the spring when a lot of ani- and rivers in the desert.” (Isaiah 43:18-19) We have the power to mals are born. To Christians the resurrection of Jesus fell nicely celebrate these holidays symbolically putting our selves, our famiinto this pagan celebration of life. In addition, the ancient pa- lies or our communities in a place where the dark trials we are gans of Europe had a spring-fertility goddess known as, Eastre. going through would pass away even for a moment and the “new Her symbols were the swan. In one legend, she is tricked into things” we want would break forth like the dawn of a new day. turning into a rabbit, not realizing she cannot turn back. She still Beginning today; happy spring time in your life. retains her powers of fertility (symbolized by the egg) however, and thus you have an egg-laying rabbit. So the symbols of re- Rosemarie Roth is the Director of Community Services at Alpha Point, birth (the egg) and of Spring ( when it seems rabbits overrun the Inc. • Silver Star Christian Church, Inc.* 7510 Silver Star Road in woods) were joined and survived with the coming of Christianity. Orlando • .Solid Rock Outreach Ministries * 4213 N. Pine Hills Road, Orlando • Cornerstone Christian University *407-879-1597 • Inhttp://wiki.answers.com/Q/How_did_the_celebration dian Horizon of Central Florida* 321-662-1887 _of_Easter_originate Offering Church services, education, food, clothes, senior citizen club - Wednesdays 10-12 p.m. What is Passover? Passover is one of the most widely celebrated Jewish holidays and commemorates the biblical story of Exodus, when Hebrew To volunteer or to join us you can email @ moreministry@gmail.com slaves were released from bondage in Egypt. Called “pesach” - www.alphapoint2.org or 321-460-3093

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