October Issue

Bay Tammy & DJ CEO

St. Petersburg

Clearwater

Largo

Tarpon Springs

Brandon

Bradenton

Sarasota

Lakeland Plant City

Dear Girlfriend,

My youngest son’s girlfriend is pregnant and she wants to have the baby. She also wants to get married, but they are just babies themselves. She is 19 and he is 22. Don’t get me wrong, I like the girl. She is beautiful, polite, smart and comes from a good home. She is everything I would want in a daughter n law, except they are too young. She is not employed and has not graduated from college yet. He has a job but it is not a good job and we cannot seem to convince him to go to school . I know my son is too immature to be a father and I am too young to be a grandmother. I am more than certain her parents feel the same way I do. How should I handle this?

Not a Grandmother Yet

Dear Not a Grandmother Yet,

I have found that the best thing that can happen to a young man is for him to fall in love with a good girl. I believe that responsibility is what transforms boys into men. Your 22 year old son has a pretty, smart girl, from a nice home, who loves him. I see your circumstances as a gift from God. My son died at 22. I wish my son had a baby on the way by a nice girl, I would be planning a wedding in the backyard right now!

Your son may be immature but he is no baby. He is old enough to go to the military and die for his country. He is old enough to work, drive, buy liquor and go to jail. He was man enough to lay down and make that baby, let him be man enough to take care of it, especially if he is willing to try.

We are ruining our children by allowing them to not take responsibility for their actions. There are so many absentee fathers because parents are not requiring their sons to marry these girls whom they loved and would have married with just a little encouragement. Do you prefer your son to be over 30 still living at home, sleeping from girl to girl? Do you prefer him in the judicial system for child support? No one rises to low expectations. Expect more from your son and you will get more!

If your son does not marry her, she will be hurt and embarrassed whether she says it or not, and he may never get a chance at love like this again. I have friends who have never married who opted for the abortions and they are wondering what would or could have happened if an adult had required something different from them. Furthermore. her family will not like your son anymore. It’s only natural.

I believe in love and I believe in marriage. I believe as parents we are sup posed to help our children have a quality life by encouraging them to do the right thing and speaking up when they are wrong. If your son said he did not love her, does not want her or she was just a one night stand, I would give you different advice. But you did not say that. This is young love. It’s not based on finances or material things, it’s pure, sweet, unconditional love...the best kind. I believe that young men and women are constantly evolving into them selves and we cannot say or know what they are capable of doing or becom ing. With love and guidance they can do great things. With a little help from a supportive family, they can get good jobs, finish school, and produce great children. I know because I married at 19 and my husband was 23 and we did it. I was not pregnant but the babies came soon after that. It was a struggle but our parents encouraged and helped us stay together and here we stand to day. Bottom line, they are young and fertile. They are screwing and are not about to stop. They may as well be screwing each other in wedlock. Unless you have been raised completely dysfunctional, you know the right thing to do is marry. If you are worried about what they don’t have.. Don’t! God will provide. “A man who findeth a wife findeth a good thing.” Whatever they do not have, the gifts from their wedding and baby shower will help. Believe in your son and he will believe in himself. Congratulations Grandmother!

You Heard It From ME

By Publisher Daryl Johnson

Making A Difference While Enjoying Your life

Most successful people work hard but they play hard too. If that’s you, giving back to the community can be fun while simultaneously having your social life.

Enjoying your life and supporting non profits can go hand and hand. Dinner and dancing with like mind ed people is at the top of my list of fun things to do. My wife ,Tampa Bay Tammy, and I pride ourselves in staying active in the community, supporting Black businesses and Black non profits.

For two years I worked as a Loaned Executive with United Way and was very effective in getting my co work ers to donate monthly from their checks. However, the list of nonprofits provided for us to donate to routinely did not have our small local non profits on the list. The big non

profits such as the American Cancer Society, St Jude, or Red Cross were always front and center. The small non profits desperately need your support too.

So how do small nonprofits get their donations? From soliciting you for donations and putting on annual fund raisers. Large conglomerates usually make annual tax deductible donations. So, if you are in a posi tion of power to make those types of decisions for your employer don’t forget to add our small nonprofits to your charitable list.

October, November and Decem ber have quite a few fun filled events that can entertain you while blessing the community. Mark your calendars and make plans to enjoy yourself while you are partying and if you have more to give, then please do.

The CDC of Tampa is hosting its annual gala and is already sold out. The Skills Center is hosting their 4th annual Sneakers Ball and needs your support too. They have embarked on the quest of purchasing and renovat ing a 32,200-square foot building lo cated in the heart of Tampa on 22nd street which cost them 13 million and need 2 million more to reach their goal. Please join us at the Sneakers Ball on November 5th. It is always fun with sports celebrities in the mix.

The Tampa Alumni Kappas and The Guide Right Foundation is hosting their annual Golf Classic at the beau tiful Plantation Palms Golf Club. If you are a good golfer, come on out. There will be some great prizes and if you just enjoy a friendly game of hacking and whacking that’s all good too. Just come on out and join us in

a leisurely morning of talking smack. It’s for a worthy cause. We support young men going to college with scholarship and mentorship.

After the loss of our son Braxton in 2008 coming home from college, my wife started the Power Couples Ball and I started the Braxton Daryl Johnson Foundation and The Last Mile Scholarship. Together we raise money to pay for young men in their last year of college.

The Power Couples Ball focuses on saving marriages all while “Con necting Powerful people to do pow erful things.” Evening gowns and tuxedos are required and this year we are asking the men to wear white gloves. Always remember “Your money has power, be conscious who you give your power to” . Peace!

Tampa Housing Authority Elevates West Tampa

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A Sista Named Vice President & Director of Intercollegiate Athletics

Florida A&M University an nounces the hiring of Tiffani Dawn Sykes as its new Vice President and Director of Intercollegiate Athletics. Sykes is currently the Executive Se nior Associate Athletic Director for Varsity Sports and Senior Woman Administrator (SWA) at Dartmouth College in Hanover, New Hamp shire.

FAMU President Larry Robinson, Ph.D., said, “We are happy to wel come Ms. Tiffani Dawn Sykes into the FAMUly. Her credentials are im peccable and her demonstrated com mitment to excellence are what we need to move our program forward.” I am excited about this hire and look forward to working with her to take FAMU to the next level. I must also extend a special thank you to Interim VP/AD Michael Smith for his ex emplary service during his tenure,” Robinson added.

“I’m honored to have been chosen to lead one of the nation’s most his

toric athletic programs,” said Sykes. With this being the 50th anniver sary of Title IX, I recognize the sig nificance of my joining the FAMU family in this role. I look forward to working with all of the Rattlers in continuing the outstanding legacy that resides on the “Highest of Seven Hills, Sykes added.”

Sykes began her career in 2002 at Saint Paul’s College in Lawrencev ille, Virginia, in sports information and as the Senior Woman Adminis trator during her 4 years there. She was the Sports Information Direc tor and SWA at Virginia Union Uni versity, and served two stints as the interim Sports Information Direc tor and Assistant Athletic Director for Compliance at Grambling State Univ., where she earned her master’s degree in sport administration.

Additionally, she was the Sports Management Specialist in the Cen tral Intercollegiate Athletic Associa tion (CIAA) conference office.

President Biden Officially Launches Student Loan Debt Forgiveness App

On Oct. 14, the U.S. Department of Education released the application to the public and posted a message on the site that read, “We’re accept ing applications to help us refine our processes ahead of the official form launch.”

To date, eight million people have submitted an application, and ac cording to the president, no issues have been reported.

“It’s easy, simple and fast and it’s a new day for millions of Americans across our nation,” said President Joe Biden

“It’s a new day for millions of Amer icans across our nation,” he added.

The application will expire on Dec. 31, 2023. According to a report from the New York Times, the administra

tion said in court filings that Oct. 23 would be the soonest that borrowers could begin to see their student debt canceled.

Biden told members of the press that the application process takes less than five minutes and assured that the administration would ensure the pro cess continues to “work as smoothly as possible so that we can deliver stu dent loan relief for millions of Amer icans as quickly and as efficiently as possible.”

Borrowers are required to fill out their name, social security number, date of birth, phone number and email address. Borrowers must also promise to provide proof of income by March 31, 2024 or else they will become ineligible to qualify for fed

eral student loan debt relief.

During his remarks, the presi dent said that 40 million Americans would benefit from the student debt relief program and 90% of those Americans earn less than $75,000 a year.

“If you earn less than 125,000 a year, you’ll get up to $10,000 knocked off of your student debt. If you earn less than $125,000 a year and you received the Pell Grant, you’ll get up to an additional $10,000 knocked off that debt. So $20,000 in relief,” Biden asserted.

The president made certain to note in his speech that the relief would not be available to the wealthiest Ameri cans in the country. “Let me be clear, not a dime will go to those in the top

5% of income,” he said.

Biden also addressed Republicans who oppose his student debt relief ef forts. “They’re outrage is wrong and it’s hypocritical. I will never apolo gize for helping working Americans middle class people as they recover from a pandemic,” he declared.

Biden also warned borrowers that they may receive fraudulent calls after submitting an application and may be asked to pay a sum of money in exchange for their student debt be ing forgiven. “If you get a call pre tending they’re from the government trying to help you with your loans… hang up. Let’s be clear, You never have to pay for any federal help from the student loan program,” he cau tioned.

Celebrating Linda Mungin’s Birthday @ Fresh Fridays

TOUCH News, serving the Bay Area since 1996

Florida Agricultural and Mechani cal Univeristy Homecoming game against University of Arkansas Pine Bluff kicks off at 4 p.m. on Saturday, October 29.

It’s official! ABC News awardwinning morning show Good Morn ing America (GMA) will broadcast live from Florida’s A&M Univer sity’s Homecoming.

FAMU President Larry Robinson. Ph.D., made the announcement this week at the University’s Board of Trustees meeting. He said GMA coming to town just adds to the homecoming experience. “We have a wonderful tradition of Homecom ing here with Rattlers coming from all over. To allow the rest of the world to see some of the festivities, experience the rich culture, and hear about the accomplishments of our graduates and students at FAMU, it doesn’t get any better than that.”

Coordinating Producer Danielle Librizzo led the advance team and said, “The campus is absolutely gor geous and I have a very good feel ing that GMA will have a wonderful experience for our segment here.”

The seven-member team traveled to Tallahassee for a site visit, meet ing with key FAMU personnel, and scouted locations on campus for the broadcast, including the Will Packer Amphitheater, the Marching “100” practice field known as “The Patch,” the newly renovated Bragg Memo rial Stadium and the North End Zone Club. Librizzo added, “I am expect ing a large crowd rallying and com ing together. It’s going to be amaz ing and we’re going to have a really great time celebrating Homecom ing.”

GMA will broadcast live segments from Bragg Memorial stadium on the University’s campus Friday, October 28 and during the Homecoming Pa rade on Saturday, October 29. “The FAMU Experience,” Homecoming 2022 will feature eight days of ac tivities from a drive-in movie on Sat urday, October 22, to the Homecom ing Concert on Saturday, October 29, featuring artists City Girls and Latto in the Al Lawson Jr. Multipurpose Center.

The Homecoming Parade will fea ture more than 60 groups and bands.

Go Ahead And Get Your Laugh On

I Want a Raise

A maid went to the lady of the house and requested a higher salary. Why?!, the lady of house asked. I have three good reasons, replied the maid. First, I’m better at ironing shirts than you! Who says that?!

– Your husband!!

Second, I’m a much better cook than you!– And who says that?!?

–Your husband! And third, I am bet ter in bed, having sex!

–Oh really? And is it my husband who has said that too!?

–No ma’am, that’s what the gardener said...!

–Oh, well, how much of a salary in crease did you envisage…?

The Contest

This old trucker is laid over at a little truck stop. There’s a bar next door, so he wanders in, sits down and orders a beer. While he’s waiting, he sees a bucket of money hanging over the bar. The bartender comes back and sets the beer down and the truck er asks him about it.“What’s the deal with that bucket of money?”

“That’s a little contest we got going here. It costs $15 to enter and if you complete all 3 challenges, you win the bucket of money.”

The trucker scratches his head and says “I ain’t going anywhere. I’m in. What do I gotta do?”

The Bartender takes his money and says “First, you gotta drink 15 shots in 15 minutes. Second, I got a pit bull out back with a bad tooth. You gotta pull his tooth. And third, that little old lady there says she’s never had an orgasm. You gotta give her one.” Then he lays out the shots.

The trucker starts pounding them. Finishes them in 12 minutes flat. Everyone in the bar starts clapping. He stands up, kinda wobbles a bit, and they point him to the back door.

For about 10 minutes all they hear is barking and screaming, snarling and growling. Then the door flies open and the trucker stumbles in. His pants are ripped, his shirts torn and he’s covered in blood. But he’s grin ning ear to ear. He hollers out “I done it! Now where’s that old lady with the bad tooth?”

Fifty Years Strong

There was this power couple who had been married for 50 years. They were sitting at the breakfast table one morning when the old gen tleman said to his wife, “Just think, honey, we’ve been married for 50 years.”

“Yeah,” she replied, “Just think, fifty years ago we were probably sitting here at this breakfast table together.”

“I know,” the old man said, “We were probably sitting here naked as jaybirds fifty years ago.”

“Well,” the wife snickered, “What do you say... should we get naked?”

Where upon the two stripped to the buff and sat back down at the table to finish breakfast.

“You know, honey,” the little old wife breathlessly replied, “My nip ples are as hot for you today as they were fifty years ago.”

“I wouldn’t be surprised,” replied the husband, “One’s in your coffee and the other is in your oatmeal.”

A Very Bad Day

There I was sitting at the bar staring at my drink when a large, troublemaking biker steps up next to me, grabs my drink, and gulps it down in one swig.

"Well, whatcha' gonna do about it?", he says, menacingly, as I burst into tears.

"This is the worst day of my life," he said. "I'm a complete failure. I was late to a meeting and my boss fired me. When I went to the parking lot, I found my car had been stolen and I don't have any insurance. I left my wallet in the cab I took home. I found my wife with another man and then my dog bit me."

"So I came to this bar to work up the courage to put an end to it all, I buy a drink, I drop a capsule in, and as I sit here watching the poison dis solve; then you show up and drink the whole thing!

But enough about me, how's your day going?”

The Dead Duck

A woman brings a very limp duck into a veterinary surgeon. As she lays her beloved pet duck on the table, the vet puts his stethoscope to the bird’s chest and listens carefully. A moment later the vet shakes his head and says sadly, “I’m really sorry mam, but your duck, Cuddles, has passed away.” The woman be comes quite distressed and begins to cry. “Are you sure?” she says with tears flooding from her eyes. “Yes mam, I am sure” the vet responds. “Your duck is definitely dead.“ “But how can you be so sure?” the woman protests. “I mean, you haven’t done any testing on him or anything have you? Perhaps he’s just stunned or in a coma or something.” The vet rolls his eyes, then turns around and leaves the room. A few minutes later he returns with a black Labra dor retriever. As the duck’s owner looks on in amazement, the Labrador stands on his hind legs, puts his front paws on the examination table and sniffs around the duck from top to bottom. He then looks up at the vet with sad eyes and shakes his head. The vet pats the dog on the head and takes it out of the room. A few minutes later the vet returns with a cat. The cat jumps on the table and delicately sniffs at the bird from its head to its feet. After a moment the cat looks up, shakes its head, meows softly and strolls out of the room. The vet looks at the woman and says, “Look mam I’m really sorry, but as I said before, this is most definitely a duck that is no longer of this world. Your duck is dead.” The vet then turns to his computer terminal, hits a few keys and produces a bill, which he hands to the woman. The duck’s owner, still in shock, looks at the bill and sees it is $150. “$150 just to tell me my duck is dead!” she shrieks with incredulity The vet shrugs his shoulders and says, “I’m sorry mam. If you’d taken my word for it, the bill would have been $20. However, with the Lab Report and the Cat Scan, it’s now $150.“

A Mans Thoughts

I mowed the lawn today, and after doing so I sat down and had a cold beer. The day was really quite beau tiful, and the drink facilitated some deep thinking.

My wife walked by and asked me what I was doing, and I said, “Noth ing.” The reason I said “nothing” instead of saying “just thinking” is because she then would have asked, “About what?” At that point I would have had to explain that men are deep thinkers about various topics, which would lead to other questions.

Finally I pondered an age old ques tion: Is giving birth more painful than getting kicked in the nuts?

Women always maintain that giving birth is way more painful than a guy getting kicked in the nuts, but how could they know?

Well, after another beer, and some more heavy deductive thinking, I have come up with an answer to that question.

Getting kicked in the nuts is more painful than having a baby, and even though I obviously couldn’t really know, here is the reason for my con clusion:

A year or so after giving birth, a woman will often say, “It might be nice to have another child.”

But you never hear a guy say, “You know, I think I would like another kick in the nuts.”

I rest my case.

Time for another beer. Then maybe a nap.

Heaven

A little boy was waiting for his mother to come out of the restaurant and was approached by a man who asked, “Son, can You tell me where the Post Office is?” The little boy replied, “Sure! Go straight down this street and turn to your right.” The man thanked the boy and said, “I’m the new minis ter in town. Will you to come to church on Sunday. I’ll show you how to get To Heaven.” The boy replied. “Awww, come on... You don’t even know the way to the Post Office”

Keep Smiling, Keep Laughing...Laughter Heals!

At Last! Dr. Joan Holmes Married Herbert Mosley

Educator Dr. Joan Holmes Married Herbert Mosley

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News keeping you in the Mix!