NTOUCH JUNE 2023

REPRINT Dear Girlfriend,

We have started a new tradition at our home. We now host the annual 4th of July cookout. However, a few family members and friends never cease to amaze me with their tacky behavior. You had a post on your facebook page years ago about behavior at the 4th of July picnic. Will you please please share it in the paper? My folk read Dear Girlfriend like it’s scripture.

4th of July Host Rules for Attending A Cookout

1) Do not show up if you were not invited by the host. I don’t care who you think you know!

2) If you were invited, do not bring extra people with you...Unless you ask and you are sure they know how to act..

3) Always ask if you need to bring anything. Even if the answer is no, you should still not show up empty handed.

4) Do not arrive early unless you are coming to help and it’s okayed by the host or hostess in advance.

5) When you bring something, bring it with the intention of leaving it. No taking things back. Except your dishes. Be sure to take them!.

6) If you have not contributed to the event, you “ARE NOT” entitled to leave with anything wrapped in aluminum foil or in a Tupperware container unless these 5 things have happened:

A) People are NOT still arriving

B) Everyone else has eaten

C) All the guest are leaving

D) The hostess tells you to.

E) Don’t ask, wait for the offer

7) If you cannot control your children, don’t bring them. (Sorry)

8) The cookout is not a free babysitting service. If you bring your child, YOU watch your child and FIX your child’s plate.

9) Everyone has rules at their home. Be respectful of rules or don’t come

10) Don’t show up looking like a hoe nor sagging, Don’t want to see your azz

11) Smile. Be pleasant. Move around. Get up and dance. This is a great time for you to learn the latest line dance. .

12) The Saints will mingle with the Aints, if you are too snooty for that, stay your azz at home!

13) If you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all. No negativity!

14) If you smoke, remove yourself from the table and return after you finish. No one wants that stuff blowing in their face and over their food.

15) The food is not going to run out. Stop making these gigantic plates. Making yourself look half raised, greedy and being wasteful

16) Stop asking who made the potato salad. If I told you, you wouldn’t know them anyway!

17) Before you trip about the sodas not being “Name Brand” just enjoy

18) Before you open a fresh bottle of water, finish the one you started.

19) Do not drop cigarette butts, beer caps or any litter on the lawn.

20) If you drop it, pick it up. If you open it, close it. If you waste it, clean it up. Don’t just walk away, It is someone’s home! Last but not least if you sprinkle when you tinkle, be neat and wipe the seat. Furthermore if you use the last of toilet tissue replace the roll or let the hostess know.

You Heard It From ME

By Publisher Daryl Johnson

20,000 Educated Brothers Coming to the Bay July 17-23

Over 20,000 Black college educated men will descend upon Tampa Bay bringing a $25 million dollar economic impact. My brothers and sisters, the 3rd week of July will go down in Tampa history as Kappa Bay!

On Sunday July 16th we, The men of Kappa Alpha Psi Inc., will start our session out by giving honor to God at the renowned Bible Based Fellowship Church on Ehrlich Rd. in Tampa. We are inviting the public to come fellowship with the Divine 9, local dignitaries, the men of Kappa Alpha Psi and our beautiful silhouettes.

On Monday, July 17th our Kappa dignitaries will tee off at the historical Rogers Park Golf Course for a private golf tournament. We will officially go into business mode Tuesday morning through Saturday with our daily business sessions. However, the

public is invited to our meeting on Tuesday evening at 6:30pm at the Tampa Convention Center located in downtown Tampa at Harbor Island.

The Wednesday through Saturday meetings are for Kappas only but you will get to enjoy the evening festivities. So be prepared to represent in your Krimson (Red) and Creme (white).

Thursday is when all the fun begins. The Kappa Konclave Family Day is kicking off with the Kulture Bus Tour taking a look at Tampa’s rich and varied Black Kulture with a visit to the Tampa History Center for a.viewing of “Travails and Triumphs”, the Center’s latest exhibit. The Krimson (Red) Takeover Party is at Armature Works from 8pm til 2am or attend the Anthony Hamilton Concert at Legends Field across from Raymond James Stadium.

Friday is the All White party held at Florida Aquarium at Channelside where we will be literally partying with the fishes. The Kappas have secured ALL 3 levels of this venue and bringing in nationally renowned talent to keep you entertained. The VIP level will be hosted by Tampa Bay Tammy and her sexy seasoned sistas. Get there on time because the doors open at 1911 (7:11) and close at midnight. All white or cream is mandatory.

The Finale of the week is the Kappa Kulmination, an all Black attire party at the JW Marriott, hosted by 95.7 Queen Bee and her hive of beauties. Ladies if you’re single and ready to mingle and prefer a college educated brother then you may want to attend all three nights. Over 20,000 men of Kappa Alpha Psi will paint Tampa Bay Krimson and Kreme, so come

out and dream. But you know the old adage, ‘all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy but you also know Kappas work hard but they play harder.

The Kappas have partnered with a new ticketing platform called MYLE, which stands for Make Your Life Entertaining. Get the MYLE app at the link below. https://myle.com/ Get your tickets today because all official events will sell out. Visit www.kappaconclave2023.com .

Jazzy Juneteenth Jubilee @ St Petersburg Coliseum

JUNETEENTH: An American Story

By: Kindall “Sunshine” Hayes

patent leather shoes. I was only three years old at the time, too young to participate in the singing practices with the neighborhood girls of all shades The girls performed the Negro National Anthem, “Lift Every Voice,” to kick off an evening of food, dancing, music, and oratorical performances.

My parents struggled to continue the Juneteenth celebration for years. Tampa’s then Mayor, Sandy Freeman, receognized their endeavors with a proclamation in 1993.

My favorite part of the evening was the Africanattire fashion show, which paid homage to our roots.

“This year, as a United States Diplomat, I celebrateed Juneteenth in the Middle East.”

June 19th 1865, was the day the last enslaved Black Americans in the United States were informed they were free. President Lincoln had signed the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863, which legally freed Black Americans. Yet, two and a half years later, they were still enslaved by their oppressors who withheld the information so they could keep their labor force and wallets intact. Their freedom had to be enforced by Union soldiers with a bloody battle in Galveston Texas.

As a little girl, I was introduced to Juneteenth through my parents. My first vivid memory of Juneteenth was watching my mother carefully adorn my two sisters in dresses, lace socks, and

Looking back, I recognize that many of the people who attended the Juneteenth celebrations, and who bought African-American flag lapel pins from my father, became the members of my village—those who encouraged me and exposed me to opportunities necessary to develop my character as a leader.

For my family, Juneteenth was and will always be an important tradition. It’s a day that allowed us to freely share our God-given gifts, our food, and our culture in a safe space. As the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States, it fills me with a sense of pride to celebrate this day annually and abroad. It is a reminder of who we were and all that we have overcome as a people despite the incessant injustices we’ve had to face.

As we celebrate Juneteenth, we must all acknowledge the struggle for equality for Black Americans continues. Juneteenth is not just “Black history,”

it’s American history. In the words of James Weldon Johnson who penned the Black National Anthem, “Let us march on ‘til victory is won.” Juneteenth memory: What a difference 30 yrs make.

L-R: Samanthia Paris, Nexxt, Tony Theodate, Chiquita Nicholson, unknown, Joyce Turner, Wanda Lewis Campbell, Donald Dowridge, Melissia Melvin

Attorney Dr. Brenda Walker Celebrates

Jessie L. Sherrod MD, MPH

Celebrated as a Trailblazer in the Field of Medicine

From the cotton fields in the sweltering heat of the Mississippi Delta to the amphitheaters at Harvard Medical School, Dr. Sherrod was the first student from Tougaloo College to attend Harvard Medical School. Subsequently, more than ten Tougaloo students followed her lead and have graduated Harvard Medical and Dental School. Opening the doors of Tougaloo College Hall of Fame, in 1992 she became the first in Tougaloo’s inaugural group to be inducted in the field of medicine.

Similarly in 2002, Dr. Sherrod became the first African American in the inaugural group to be inducted into University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Fielding School of Public Health Hall of Fame. Her outstanding service in public health included founding the Association of Black Women Physicians (ABWP) of Los Angeles with 48 charter members in 1982. ABWP’s vision is to empower women physicians to lead in health and wellness, and to increase the number and status of Black women physicians in medicine.

At an early age, Dr. Sherrod along with her ten siblings became promoters of civil rights as members of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC). She integrated Coker’s cafe in downtown Hollandale, Mississippi in the eighth grade. Graduating valedictorian from Simmons High School in 1967, a summer spent at Tougaloo College National Science Foundation enrichment program, freed her from picking cotton for two cents per pound, and spurred her interest in medicine.

Dr. Sherrod attributes her advocacy for human rights to her ancestors and cousins, Dr. Daniel Webster Sherrod, the first Black physician in Macon, Mississippi (1896). A lynch mob ran him out of Macon in 1906 to Meridian, Mississippi where he established Sherrod Drug Company, since 1906, and continued his care for people of color. Also his brother, Dr. John Percy Sherrod, the first Black physician

in Port Gibson, Mississippi, who was lynched for treating, and curing a white woman that white physicians had failed to heal.

Dr. Sherrod’s steadfastness in influencing health equity and inclusion was apparent as she, later in her career, served on the Centers for Disease Control Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP).

After earning a bachelor’s degree in 1971 from a HBCU, Tougaloo College, she received her medical degree from Harvard Medical School in 1975. Dr. Sherrod completed her post graduate training by 1980, at UCLA Medical Center in Pediatrics and Infectious Disease, served as a Robert Wood Johnson Clinical Scholar, and completed her Master of Public Health in Health Services Administration. Later in her career she earned a Certificate in Healthcare Policy and Medical Management from the University of Southern California.

During the early 1980s, Dr. Sherrod established herself in the field of medicine by publishing the landmark study on “Compliance in Immunizations,’ Journal of Pediatrics 1983, by serving as a Los Angeles County Public Health Commissioner for five years and collaborating with Congresswoman Maxine Waters and

Ambassador of Health, Dionne Warwick, to advance community education on HIV and AIDS.

As a private Pediatric Infectious Disease Consultant she parlayed her knowledge to others as a visiting Assistant Professor at the David Geffen UCLA School of Medicine, UCLA Medical Center. Backed by years of professional expertise, Dr. Sherrod served as Chief Physician and Hospital Epidemiologist at Martin Luther King, Jr. Drew Medical Center of the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services. Simultaneously, Dr. Sherrod served as Associate Professor of Pediatrics at Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science, which recently became the first historically black medical school west of the Mississippi River. With inadequate staff support, she successfully reduced MLK’s hospital nosocomial infection rate by 50 percent in one year, to abort the closure of the hospital from excess mortality related to infections in hospitalized patients.

Retired from medicine, Dr. Sherrod dedicates herself to the community impacting women’s health as the founder of the Association of Black Women Physicians (ABWP) Los Angeles, which is only the second of its kind in the United States. ABWP has donated scholarships to approximately 500 medical students over the past 40 years. Driven to impact diversity and inclusion she aligns herself with both civic and medical organizations, including the National Medical Association, a fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics, American Medical Women’s Association, American Medical Association, National Medical Fellowship, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, National Council of Black Women, California Black Women’s Health Network, Black Women for Wellness, and the Brotherhood Crusaders.

Dr Sherrod was recently featured in the book “Against All Odds: Celebrating Black Women in Medicine” and has been featured in both

Ebony, Jet and Black Enterprises magazines. Throughout her career she has won numerous awards and honors through the California State Senate and Legislature, Los Angeles County Commission for Women, Chi Eta Phi and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. Though her career has been filled with highlights, including national appearances on CBS, NBC, Lifetime Television, Tony Brown’s Journal, KJLH and Fox News, she takes the most pride in her advocacy for better health policy for women and children.

Dr. Sherrod has impacted public health policy in diversity, equity and inclusion through the Association of Black Women Physicians, serving as chair of the Pediatric Section of the National Medical Association, as a founding member of the NMA Council on Concerns of Women Physicians, as a co-founder of the International Coalition of Women Physicians, as a Freedom Sister at the Los Angeles Museum of Tolerance and as a member of the ACIP at the Centers for Disease Control.

The cornerstone of her overall success lay with her ancestors, parents, family, and mentors, including Mr. T. R. & Howard Sanders, and Mr. Bernard Weathers from Simmons High School, Dr. Bharati D. Mehrothra, PhD, from Tougaloo College, Dr. Delihas from Brookhaven National Laboratory and Dr. Paul Torrens from Fielding UCLA School of Public Health. In the future, Dr. Sherrod intends to document her life journey as a Black woman physician.

Jessie L. Sherrod has been included in Marquis Who’s Who. As in all Marquis Who’s Who biographical volumes, individuals profiled are selected on the basis of current reference value. Factors such as position, noteworthy accomplishments, visibility, and prominence in a field are all taken into account during the selection process.

Floyd Smith Glorifies God

It was 4 years ago on June 18, 2019 when I found myself fighting for my life. I went to the emergency room thinking I would get treatment, only to find myself being induced into a coma. I woke up two weeks later WEAK (mentally, spiritually and physically) and unable to speak or even sing. I didn’t know what the future held for my life or will it be at the quality I thought I could have. While laying in ICU one night, I asked the Lord to heal my body. In return I told Him I would totally do HIS will.

As you can see, I am living testimony. Today, I am still standing. My life everyday seems to get better and better. Two days ago, ironically, I just released my first single. It was not because I was so confident in myself. It was because if I trusted God when He healed my body, I know I could trust Him with anything else in my life. I know the BEST is still yet to come for me. It may be hard or even difficult but I know God has all the POWER to accomplish what you didn’t think was possible. BE Encouraged and MAY GOD BLESS YOU!

Real Estate

What’s Your Number?

By: TampaBay Tammy

In the old days when meeting someone new that was one of the first things a man would ask. Songs were written about those 7 digits. For the record, I’m not talking about your seven digits to call you. I’m not asking about your birth date nor your lucky number you choose at the casino roulette wheel. I’m not even inquiring about your age. As I have matured my mind goes in a whole new direction when I ask that same question.

The Bible says you get 3 scores and ten. Since a score is 20, 3 score and 10 is 70. That’s 70 years of life. However, there are other numbers that will determine if you get all those years promised. When the medical world says know your number or numbers, they are talking about different digits that are used to determine your health status. For example Your A1c number is used to determine whether you have diabetes or are susceptible and that should be less than 6.3 to avoid medication. If you prick your finger for an in home glucose test, it should

be lower than 130. Men PSA number is for diagnosing prostate cancer and normal is 4.0. When talking about your heart rate BPM (beats per minute), should be between 60-100. When checking your blood pressure your top number should be lower than 140 and your bottom number should be less than 90.

Unfortunately a lot of people are misdiagnosed with high blood pressure when experiencing a health crisis because anytime you are sick your blood pressure will escalate and that’s the first thing they attempt to control with a quick fix... blood press pills instead of figuring out what’s really going wrong with your body. So know your numbers when you are young and well so you can compare them to when you are older Even though we love to say Age is just a number the health society says know your numbers and I agree. My suggestion: get an annual checkup. Every house needs a blood pressure machine. Growing older ain’t for dummies Know your numbers and act accordingly.

Go Ahead And Get Your Laugh On

Being Sick

A male patient had just recovered successfully from a sex-threatening health attack with viagra.

He was wearing an oxygen mask over his mouth and nose and laying in the hospital bed.

A young nurse came to cleanse his body with a sponge.

The patient mumbled, “Are my testicles black?”

Nurse replied, “I don’t know Sir, I am just setting you up to clean”

The patient repeated again, “Are my testicles black?”

The nurse was quite embarrassed to answer the question and said “Sir everything should be OK”

The patient just kept on asking again and again, “Are my testicles black?”

The nurse could not bear a patient concerned so much. So she raised his gown, moved her hand to find and grab his penis and testicle, moved it all around, checked very closely, and suddenly the man ejaculated on the nurse’s hand.

The man pulls off his oxygen mask, embarrassed at the fiasco says loudly enough, “Ma’am, Thanks but I still need to know “Are my tests results back?”

Life after Death

A husband and wife loved to play golf. One day the wife asked her husband, “If I died, would you remarry?”

The husband thought and replied, “maybe.”

The wife then said, “But if you did, would you live in the house we have spent our whole marriage together?”

The husband thought and replied, “maybe.”

The wife said, “But if you did, would you sleep in our marriage bed that we have shared for so many years?”

The husband thought and replied, “maybe.”

Once more, the wife said, “But if you did, would she use my golf clubs?”

The husband replied, “No, she is left-handed.”

Artificial Intelligence

A guy goes into a bar, there’s a robot bartender. The robot says, “What will you have?”The guy says, “Martini.”

The robot brings back the best martini ever and says to the man, “What’s your IQ?”

The guy says, “168.”

The robot then proceeds to talk about physics, space exploration, and medical technology. The guy leaves, but he is curious. So he goes back into the bar.

The robot bartender says, “What will you have?” The guy says, “Martini.” Again, the robot makes a great martini, gives it to the man and says, “What’s your IQ?”

The guy says, “100.”

The robot then starts to talk about NASCAR, Budweiser, and John Deere tractors.

The guy leaves but finds it very interesting, so he thinks he will try it one more time. He goes back into the bar. The robot says, “What will you have?” The guy says, “Martini,” and the robot brings him another great martini. The robot then says, “What’s your IQ?”

The guy says, “Uh, about 50.”

The robot leans in real close and says, “Isn’t it terrible the way Biden stole the election?”

A Designer Hoe

A beautiful blonde woman adorned in designer clothing and fine jewelry was telling the clothing store clerk, “It was I who made my husband a millionaire.” Impressed the clerk asked, “And what was he before you married him?”

The woman replied, “A multi-millionaire”.

Spider Riddle

Q: What did daddy spider say to baby spider?

A: You spend too much time on the web.

Drinking & Driving

Along a winding country road with high hedges two drivers are heading towards each other, an Englishman (Nigel) & an Irishman(Pat). At a bend they crash into each other, head on. They both escape, more or less unscathed.

Pat: ‘Jaysus, I’m glad we both got out of that ok. God must be on our side.

Nigel: ‘Absolutely, old chap. In fact I think that calls for a little celebration! . He then produces a bottle of whiskey from the back of his car, opens it & offers Pat a drink. Pat knocks back a good third of the whiskey & says ‘ You’re a grand chap, that hit the spot after the fright we got, here you go now, your turn.’ Nigel; Thanks all the same but I called the police so I think I’ll wait until they’ve arrived old chap!

“The 12 Inch Pianist”

A guy in a trench coat walks into a bar, and he reaches into his pocket, and pulls out a 12 inch guy, and places him on the counter. Then he reaches into his pocket, and pulls out a small piano, and places it on the counter. The 12 inch guy starts playing the little piano. The bartender is astounded, and asks, “Where’d you get that little guy?”

The guy in the trench coat reaches in his pocket again, and pulls out a rusty old lamp, and replies, “You see, I have this genie, but he’s kind of tricky because he doesn’t hear so well. So, you have to be careful what you wish for.”

The bartender says, “Gee, can I try?”

The guy in the trench coat says, “Sure.”

The bartender makes a wish, and a million ducks appear.

The bartender is incredulous, “I wished for a million bucks not a million ducks?”

The guy in the trench coat replies, “I told you he was tricky. Do you really think I wished for a 12 inch pianist?”

Reading

One morning a husband returns to the cabin after several hours of fishing and decides to take a nap. Although not familiar with the lake, the wife decides to take the boat out, since it is such a beautiful day. She motors out a short distance, anchors, and reads her book.

Along comes a Game Warden in his boat. He pulls up alongside the woman and says,” Good morning, Ma’am, what are you doing”?

“Reading a book,” she replies, (thinking, “Isn’t that obvious”?)

“You’re in a Restricted Fishing Area,” he informs her.

“I’m sorry, officer, but I’m not fishing, I’m reading.”

“Yes, but you have all the equipment. I’ll have to write you up a ticket.”

“For reading a book”? she replies.

“You’re in a Restricted Fishing Area,” he informs her again.

“But officer, I’m not fishing, I’m reading.”

“Yes, but you have all the equipment. For all I know you could start at any moment. I’ll have to write you up a ticket and you’ll have to pay a fine.”

“If you do that, I’ll have to charge you with sexual assault,” says the woman.

“But I haven’t even touched you,” says the Game Warden.

“That’s true, but you have all the equipment. For all I know you could start at any moment.”

“Have a nice day ma’am,” and he immediately departed.

MORAL: Never argue with a woman who reads. It’s likely she can also think.

Not A Joke

You are going to die. Everyone you know is going to die. That should not scare us. It should free us. Free us to be present in every moment because this moment is all we really have. The past is gone. The future is not guaranteed. We have today. Embrace it and allow it to grow the love you have inside you. Then share that love.