ONYX Magazine July_August 2023

C E L E B R AT I N G B L AC K AC H I E V E M E N T T H RO U G H O U T F L O R I DA

BACK TO SCHOOL

GETTING KIDS READY FOR FALL

NEW JOB SEARCH

TIPS TO GET THE ONE YOU WANT

SUMMER VACATION

CHECK OUT THE CARIBBEAN

VOLUME 26 ISSUE 4 JULY/AUGUST 2023

CELEBRATION HALF A CENTURY AS AN INDEPENDENT NATION

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CONTENTS 6

Publisher/Masthead

7

ONYX Salutes: Rev. Dr. Randolph Bracy

8

Black History: Moments this month

9

Black Business Month: Find and support Black businesses

10 Smart Tips: Back to school edition 12 Travel: Caribbean family vacation pploading 14 Medically Speaking: Dream deferred –

42

COVER STORY

CELEBRATING 50 YEARS OF INDEPENDENCE IN THE BAHAMAS

Medicaid with oral health in crisis 16 Perspective: Off the Beaten Path 18 Advertorial: Lift Orlando and West Lakes 20 The Quad: What’s happening on the yard 22 Entertainment: Disney Junior greenlights Ariel 23 ONYX Reads: Thought provoking selections for summer 24 Art & Culture: Young Readers Find Hope in Fantasy Books 27 Washington Notes: Supreme Court Decisions 28 Family: Entertaining this summer 30 Education: How to spot fake news 32 Real Estate: Sky High: Mortgage rates hit highest point 34 Community: How to stop school shootings 36 ONYX on the Move: 100BM, Mayor fundraiser 37 SAGE: Flexibility is key to a thriving retirement 38 Health & Wellness: Health blurbs for your life 40 Workplace: Finding the right fit job 42 Feature: Bahamas celebrates 50 years of independence 44 Wealth & Finance: Back to school shopping 46 Food & Wine: Tart Key lime smoothie

4 ONYX MAGAZINE

FROM THE PUBLISHER

PUBLISHER/EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Rich Black EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT Janet Pal VICE PRESIDENT Deidre “Dee” Parker MANAGING EDITOR D. Shenell Reed, M.B.A.

RICH BLACK

ASSOCIATE EDITORS Gayle Andrews Kristen Glanton Sharon Fletcher Jones Nancy Port Schwalb MAGAZINE DESIGN TEAM Design2Pro

Dear Family, A milestone celebration is one we all embrace. Birthdays and anniversaries top the list of the most popular ones. But imagine celebrating 50 years of freedom to build your own land--land that has been passed down from your ancestors after hardship and strife. The Bahamas know all too well how special that kind of celebration is; and being of direct Bahamian descent, I am excited for my people.

From July through November, Bahamian people across the world will commemorate their sovereign land with junkanoos and festivities. In this issue of ONYX Magazine, we show you a brief history and give you a glimpse into the future of the Bahamas. Here's to 50 more years of independence!

Finally, in this issue, we applaud the life and legacy of Rev. Dr. Randolph Bracy, Jr., a giant among giants. His presence humbled us and made us want to be greater. We will miss his work in our communities, but we are much better because he touched our lives.

All of this, plus information on your next new job, the critical importance of good oral health and West Lakes, a great community treasure, awaits.

As always, we look forward to bringing you information to entertain, inspire and inform. Thank you for supporting ONYX Magazine for 26 years.

Sincerely,

GRAPHIC DESIGNERS Jon Burton Damonic Robertson BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR Matt deJager CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Kendall Covington, Patricia Brown Denis, Penny Dickerson, Margaret Heid Enry, Hermes Falcon, Beverly Goodrum, Spencer Jones, Ebony Kenney, Beverly Kingston, Mark Shamley Felicia Vance ONYX ADVISORY COMMITTEE Nancy Port Schwalb, Chair Deidre Parker, Immediate Past Chair Dick Batchelor Bob Berryhill Dr. Lavon Bracy Bryon Brooks Sherri Brown Marva Brown Johnson Hon. Mable Butler Yolanda Cash Jackson

Dr. Cynthia Chestnut John Crossman Quibulah Graham Gary Hartfield Barbara Hartley Ann Jenkins Eugene Jones Connie Kinnard

Larry Lee, Jr. Brenda March Gail Thomas-DeWitt Hon. Alan Williams Carla Williams Dr. Samuel Wright

FOUNDERS W/PHOTOS Lester and Lillian Seays FOUNDERS

Rich Black Lester and Lillian Seays ONYX Magazine is published by ONYX Communications and Media Group, Inc., Address: P.O. Box 555672, Orlando, Florida 32855-5872. Phone 321-418-7216. Subscription rate is $19.95 for six issues. For subscriptions and notification of address change, contact ONYX Magazine at the above address or e-mail us at info@ onyxmagazine.com. Letters to the editor are encouraged. Copyright 2022 by ONYX Magazine. All rights reserved. No part of the publication may be reproduced without written consent of the publisher. Opinions expressed in this magazine are those of the writer or interviewee and not necessarily those of the publisher.

Manuscripts, photos and art should be submitted with a self-addressed stamped envelope. The publisher does not assume responsibility for any materials not submitted in manner advised. Unsolicited materials are not subject to payment from ONYX Magazine.

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ONYX MAGAZINE SALUTES

REV. DR.

RANDOLPH BRACY, JR Table on Religion, Education and the Role of Government titled “When the Truth is Told — Educational Vouchers are a Sham!”

MINISTERIAL ACHIEVEMENT

R

andolph Bracy, M.Div., Ed.D., a native of Jacksonville, Fla., graduated from the New Stanton High School of Jacksonville in 1961. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology at Bethune-Cookman University in Daytona Beach, Fla., in 1970, and a Master of Education degree in Education with a specialization in Guidance and Counseling at Florida A&M University in Tallahassee.

In 1974, at age 29, he earned a Doctor of Education degree from the University of Florida in Gainesville, with specialization in Higher Education Administration. His dissertation title was “Black Private Colleges — Strategies for their Survival.” In 1982, he received the Master of divinity Degree from Colgate-Rochester Divinity School in Rochester, N.Y. In 1999, he presented a paper on Economic Development and Community Leadership and earned a certificate at the Center for the Study of Values in Public Life at Harvard University Divinity School in Cambridge, Mass. In 2004, he presented a paper at the Oxford University Round

Over his 35-year history in ministry, Bracy had the distinction of preaching on every continent, except Antarctica. He pastored three churches: First Baptist Church of Paschall in Philadelphia, Penn.; Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church in Orlando; and New Covenant Baptist Church of Orlando, a church he founded with his wife, Dr. LaVon Wright Bracy, in 1992.

In 2006, they added Covenant on the Lakes, a state-of-the-arts, 122-unit senior citizens apartment complex.

He served as visiting professor and lecturer at Lutheran Theological Seminary of Philadelphia; Palmer Theological Seminary; Colgate-Rochester Divinity School in Rochester, NY; and as an adjunct professor of Homiletics and Black Church History at Asbury Theological Seminary in Orlando.

FAMILY LIFE He and his wife of 48 years, Dr. LaVon Wright Bracy, are strong champions for education. He is the father of Randolph (Randy) III, formerly a senator in the Florida Legislature. His daughter, LaVon Patrice Bracy Davis, Esq., is a member of both the Florida Bar and the Florida House of Representatives.

Bracy served as president of the Orange County Branch of the NAACP in Orlando and continued to lead social justice and voting efforts of “speaking truth to power.” He is a 57-year member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., having pledged at Bethune-Cookman University in 1966. The fall 2014 issue of the “Kappa Journal” featured his article “Building a Divinity School from Scratch.”

He retired from the New Covenant Baptist Church of Orlando as pastor December 31, 2012. He is the founding Dean of the Cornelius & Dorothye Henderson School of Religion at Bethune-Cookman University and served as Distinguished Professor of Religion.

ONYX Magazine Publisher Rich Black thought it befitting to commission a billboard that celebrated the life and legacy of Dr. Randolph Bracy. For 48 hours, Clear Channel Outdoor donated these billboards to run throughout Orange County, Fla.

ONYX MAGAZINE 7

BLACK HISTORY

THIS DAY IN HISTORY HISTORIC EVENTS IN JULY AND AUGUST

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ake Black History a part of your daily conversations — that’s how we will preserve the culture. Just 10 minutes per day sharing information with family and friends about new history you learned will encourage them to do research and share back with you. You can get your information from many resources, starting here with just a few important facts that transpired in history during the months of July and August.

JULY 1852 - On July 5, 1852, Frederick Douglass gave a speech that is now known as the “What To The Slave Is The 4th Of July” speech. Douglass was asked to give a speech on July 4 during a commemoration of the Declaration of Independence. However, he chose to give one on July 5 instead.

When Douglass gave his speech, he acknowledged the signers of the Declaration of Independence but he made it clear that there was too much work to be done before the 4th of July would be a day of celebration for Blacks.

1905 – A group of Black activists and intellectuals met on the Canadian side of Niagara Falls to discuss the issue of civil liberties for African Americans. That meeting was the start of The Niagara Movement. The group had planned to meet on the New York side of the Falls, but were forced to change location after being denied accommodations. The organization, formed by W.E.B Du Bois (l) and William Monroe Trotter (r), was made up of critics of Booker T. Washington, President of Tuskegee Institute.

During this period, Washington was viewed by most as the authority figure on issues that concerned Black Americans. Washington’s view that Black Americans should help themselves, while being patient and accommodating, was denounced by members of the Niagara Movement, who demanded that blacks be granted the same rights and liberties as whites.

1943 - The Tuskegee Airmen had its first aerial victory when Lieutenant Charles B. Hall, of the 99th Pursuit Squadron, shot down a German fighter plane.

Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

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Althea Gibson Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

1957 - Althea Gibson became the first Black woman to win the tennis championship at Wimbledon.

1975 - Arthur Ashe became the first Black man to win the tennis championship at Wimbledon.

AUGUST 1936 - Jesse Owens won three Gold Medals in the Olympic Games in Berlin, Germany.

1955 - Emmett Till is Murdered in Mississippi.

The 14-year old African-American boy was brutally killed by white men after he was allegedly reported to have flirted with a white woman a day before. Till, who was from Chicago, was visiting Frederick Douglass George family in Money, Mississippi, when Kendall Warren, Public domain, via he was kidnapped, mutilated, and Wikimedia Commons; his body dumped into the river.

1963 - On August 28, 1963 approximately 250,000 people gathered in Washington DC for a peaceful demonstration to promote civil rights and equality for African Americans. Dr. Martin Luther King delivered the famous “I Have a Dream” speech here. The historic speech that was a call to end racism in the United States was given in front of the Lincoln Memorial during the March on Washington, a political rally organized by human and political rights groups. Over 200,000 people gathered in Washington DC to demand jobs and equality for African-Americans. The I Have a Dream speech by Dr. King became a symbol of the American civil rights movement and is one of the most recognizable speeches in recorded history.

BLACK BUSINESS MONTH

Find and Support BLACK BUSINESSES

This was originally published by OneUnited Bank. PHOTO BY WESTEND61/GETTY IMAGES

F

inally, the world is attempting to be more inclusive, which is important for Black-owned businesses. And the big question is “How do I find Black-owned businesses?”

Today, Black small business owners remain confident despite great economic uncertainty. Black entrepreneurs are more optimistic than other groups about their business outlook, with the majority expecting revenue to increase and planning to expand their businesses this year, according to a recent Bank of America survey of small business owners.

Fortune magazine says that optimism translates into real economic impact, job growth, and progress in closing the racial wealth gap. Recent census data shows that there are 3.12 million Black-owned businesses in the U. S., generating $206 billion in annual revenue and supporting 3.56 million U.S. jobs. That’s millions of people filling the needs of our local communities and creating jobs for workers of all backgrounds.

Despite growing prosperity and recent strides, it’s still harder to launch a business and stay afloat as a Black entrepreneur. Some 57% of Black business owners surveyed expressed concern about credit availability–and 40% of Black business owners do not think they will ever have equal access to capital.

So how do you find Black-owned businesses? OneUnited Bank shares seven ways to find Black-owned businesses that are owned and managed

by Black organizations: 1. Check out We Buy Black, the largest online marketplace for Blackowned businesses that supports the #BuyBlack Movement. You can shop and learn how you can support Black-owned businesses. You can also advertise your business and reach more than one million shoppers.

2. Download the Official Black Wall Street App and find thousands

of Black-owned businesses at your fingertips. The app is the largest one helping Black-owned businesses thrive with more than 450,000 consumers shopping and spreading awareness. With the app, you can find Black-owned businesses in your neighborhood.

3. When the #BankBlack Movement was sparked in 2016, Blackout Coalition was launched to provide information on Black banks and credit unions. You can find one nearest you, or bank online from anywhere in the U.S. with BankBlack.

4. Purchasing a Home? One of the biggest purchases and ways to accumulate wealth is to buy a home. Why not use a Black real estate agent? The National Association of Real Estate Brokers Inc. (NAREB) was founded in Tampa, Florida, in 1947 as an equal opportunity and civil rights advocacy organization for African American real estate professionals, consumers, and communities in America. Local chapters can refer you to Black real estate professionals to meet your needs.

5. Traveling? If you need to travel, find a Black-owned hotel through the National Association of Black Hotel Owners, Operators and Developers or NABHOOD. These Black-owned hotels include luxury franchise hotels such as the Westin and Hyatt Regency and bed and breakfast hotels that are listed in a directory by state.

6. Black Chambers of Commerce are in many cities, and have with Black-owned businesses as members. Check out the U.S. Black Chambers, the national voice for Black business, and its directory of Black Chambers for the Chamber in your city.

So, if you’re focused on fighting systemic racism and want to put your money where your mouth is, instead of shopping at Amazon, spend your money at Black-owned businesses.

ONYX MAGAZINE 9

SMART TIPS BACK TO SCHOOL EDITION

THE RIGHT BACKPACK STUFF

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or most kids, there’s a big distance between plans and action when it comes to organizing stuff. In part, this reflects a healthy drive for independence. But there’s also a genuine practical challenge: organizing strategies aren’t inborn. They need to be learned, and they need to be practiced, a lot. And often, they will need adjustment. When it comes to backpacks, for example, it’s an evolving question: when kids must go from home to school, from class to class and perhaps to afterschool activities as well, what is the best way to pack up?

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While needs and styles may change over time, parents can still help, especially with shopping! Here are some expert New Backpack Shopping Tips to pass along (in a lowkey, non-gloating way, of course): 1. MAKE SURE IT HOLDS ENOUGH. All too often, kids will grab something that looks good but just won’t do the job. Jessi Morgenstern-Colon, teen co-author of Organizing from the Inside Out for Teens, recommends going to the store with your old backpack fully loaded. “When you find a backpack you like,” she counsels, “actually take your stuff out of your old backpack and test” to see if it fits.

2. GO FOR POCKETS AND POUCHES. “Look for a backpack,” Morgenstern-Colon says, “with a lot of compartments to create separate zones.” Make sure everything you regularly carry has a specific “home” that you can find easily. And while you’re at it, make sure the straps are comfortable. Don’t skimp—you want this backpack to work for you, not vice versa.

3. FIND A SPECIFIC HOME FOR EVERYTHING YOU’LL CARRY. Donna Goldberg, author of The Organized Student, insists that first, every backpack must have a pouch for drinks. Other common recommendations from the pros are: a clear zippered pencil pouch, well stocked; a good wallet with room for identification, bus cards, pocket money and other important personal items; a plastic pouch for comb, makeup and other personal effects; and, in this digital age, a pouch for cellphone chargers and laptop cords that would otherwise just tangle themselves in the depths of the pack.

Whatever backpack you buy, remember that it’s crucial that it feel like your kid’s choice, not yours. As long as a backpack is sturdy and well-sized, don’t worry if it’s garish neon hue. And be ready when the process of keeping it together doesn’t go completely smoothly at first. Keep your tone matter of fact, avoid shaming, but keep encouraging. Educators, professional organizers, and parents agree: the calm self-confidence of a well-organized kid is well worth some stress along the way.

GREEN UP YOUR CHILD’S LUNCH

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he next time you reach into the pantry to grab a plastic sandwich bag for your child’s lunch, think about this: It takes an unbelievable one thousand years for it to decompose. The process of making these small baggies uses up valuable natural resources, including energy to manufacture and transport them. And every year animals all over the world suffer injury or death from plastic bag waste.

Those small baggies may seem like no big deal, but the footprint they are leaving on our planet (and your wallet) is. If you’re packing two kids’ lunches every day, with a sandwich and a bag of snacks, you’re spending about $30 a year on those flimsy little see-through bags.

Here are six ways you can "green up" your child's lunch box while saving both the planet and the green in your pocketbook: • START WITH THE CONTAINER After recent controversy about the amount of lead in children’s lunch boxes, there is no better time to look for an alternative, such as the Laptop Lunchbox. This eco-friendly option—popping up in cafeterias all over the world for a few years now—was invented by two moms who saw first-hand how much waste was happening at lunch time. "When my kids started preschool in the U.S., it was natural for me to pack their lunches in the bento boxes I had brought back from Japan,” explains Amy Hemmert, president and co-founder of Obentec. “But while at their preschool, I noticed that most of the other children’s lunches were made up of processed, prepackaged foods. These containers can’t be resealed, so the children would take a few bites and sips and throw the rest away—packaging, food, and all ... I just knew there had to be a better way.”

• BUY IN BULK Forget the individually packaged foods. They may look convenient, but there’s so much waste involved. Buy large containers of snacks and use refillable smaller containers to tote them in.

• INVEST IN A REUSABLE WATER BOTTLE FOR YOUR CHILD Forget about the juice boxes (which are horrible for the environment) and pour your child’s juice or water into something he can use again and again. There are some great stainless steel models out on the market now.

• DITCH THE SANDWICH BAG Those flimsy plastic bags may not seem like much, but stacked up in a pile, one child can toss quite a few of those in the trash each year, which adds to heaps and heaps in a landfill for an entire school population. The Wrap-n-Mat is a reusable sandwich wrapper. Easy to clean and easy to use. Some parents make their own version of this at home or simply use a cloth napkin and some masking tape to wrap up the daily PB and J. • THINK LOCAL Shop your farmer’s market for foods that are not only healthier, but require no storage container at all. A freshly picked apple from this fall’s harvest comes ready to pack as is.

• LEAN ON LEFTOVERS A thermos can usually keep anything (even non-liquids) warm until lunch time. And there’s usually enough left from dinner to scrape together a small portion for lunch the next day. Pastas, soups, and salads are great. But even vegetables and grilled chicken can be tossed together in a thermos for a better lunch.

One added bonus to sending reusable containers with lunch is that you get to see what your child is eating. Instead of taking two bites of his yogurt and trashing the rest of the container, he’ll be packing everything back up to take home. A quick look will tell you what to pack again and what to forget about.

With a little effort and a few new products, parents can help reduce the waste on our planet–one sandwich baggy at a time.

ONYX MAGAZINE 11

TR AVE L

CARIBBEAN HISTORY TOURS UPLOADING

P

BY SPENCER JONES

eople flock to the Caribbean to immerse themselves in paradise for a few days, a week, or longer. If rural settings appeal to you, there are plenty. If you’re looking for more action, the Caribbean capitals house many restaurants, hotels, and cultural centers. From Kingston to Havana, San Juan to Castries, these energetic cities appeal to locals and tourists alike.

Here’s a brief history of four vibrant capitals in the Caribbean.

KINGSTON, JAMAICA Before Kingston, there was Port Royal, where slavery, sugar trade, and piracy were big business. In June 1692, it experienced a catastrophic earthquake. According to The Guardian, “Two-thirds of the bustling commercial center of Port Royal was sunk by the earthquake, and still lies preserved underwater, like a submarine Pompeii.” From there, Kingston rose as the new commercial center, and survivors of the Port Royal earthquake flocked there to start a new life.

Kingston is an epicenter of business, gastronomy, and tourism for Jamaica. Some of the top tourist attractions include the Bob Marley Museum and Emancipation Park. The park features two statues of a man and a woman gazing at the sky — a symbol of triumph over slavery. Created by Jamaican artist Laura Facey, the work is called Redemption Song.

PORT AU PRINCE, HAITI If there was ever a Caribbean city that has experienced its share of terror, triumph, and tragedy, it’s Port Au Prince. It officially became the capital of Haiti in 1804, following the Haitian Revolution.

Here, you can visit Musée du Panthéon National Haïtien, which covers pre- and post-colonial Haiti. It also honors Toussaint Louverture, the most celebrated of the island’s founding fathers. The most haunting pieces of history you’ll find at this museum are slave shackles and the anchor of Columbus’ ship, the Santa Maria. While you’re in the capital, check out Place Saint-Pierre and Champ de Mars, where you’ll find crafts and artwork by local artists. For a hike, head to Fort Jacques, one of the oldest, and best-preserved forts in Haiti. It’s best to hire a guide to accompany you if possible.

Musée du Panthéon National Haïtien, photo by Jusny Mackenson Louis-Jean

BRIDGETOWN, BARBADOS The Bajan capital was originally called “Indian Bridge,” and “Town of St. Michael,” before Bridgetown stuck.

The Amerindians were the first inhabitants of Barbados, followed by the Arawaks and the Caribs. Spain and Portugal appear in the island’s history, but it became a British colony in 1625. At the time, Barbados’ chief exports were tobacco, cotton, and sugar, and slavery wasn’t abolished until 1834.

From there, Barbados took steps to carve its own identity. It gained independence in 1966 and became a republic in 2021. In honor of this, fireworks and gun salutes went off in Bridgetown.

Bridgetown is a great city for walking tours, tasty food, bars, galleries, and more. There are numerous accommodations for tourists, from luxury resorts to guesthouses.

SANTO DOMINGO, THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC Santo Domingo was founded by Bartholomew Columbus in 1498.

According to Visit Dominican Republic, “Santo Domingo was the first headquarters of the Colonial Spanish government in the New World.”

You can still see the Spanish influence today, especially in the architecture. Some examples of this include Alcázar de Colón, Fortaleza Ozama, and Calle Las Damas, the oldest paved street in the New World.

Some tourist sites to check out include National Zoological Park, Guibia Beach, and Los Tres Ojos. This nature park is just across the Ozama River, and it’s known for its beautiful lagoons and limestone caverns.

Promenade in Bridgetown, Barbados

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M E D I C A L LY S P E A K I N G

HOPE DEFERRED

DESPITE BEST EFFORTS, MANY FLORIDIANS MAY LOSE MEDICAID HEALTH BENEFITS WITH DENTAL COVERAGE, SETTING OFF A BEVY OF HEALTH CHALLENGES.

BY PENNY DICKERSON

L

aQuoria Lloyd is a single parent to 9-year-old Mia Rhymer and 6-year-old Davion Young. She is a Jacksonville native, Black, in the lower income financial bracket and inhabits a feisty spirit to defy

Mia Rhymer, 9, and Davion Young, 6, are Jacksonville-based siblings who endured oral surgical extractions under general anesthesia. Due to high indulgence of of candy and sugary drinks, their baby teeth developed corrosion and cavities.

Florida Medicaid paid for the procedure at Greenberg Dental in Jacksonville. They now eat healthier and are scholarship recipients at The Guardian Catholic School photo by Jusny Mackenson Louis-Jean

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odds.

The 35-year-old mother has experienced unemployment, transportation woes and housing instability over the past five years, but no challenge rivals witnessing both children endure oral surgical extractions under general anesthesia. Poor nutrition led to corrosion and cavities in their baby teeth.

It was normal for Mia and Davion to indulge in candy and sugary drinks from corner stores or relatives and caretaker’s homes. Lloyd says her children began regular dental check-ups at Greenberg Dental in Jacksonville when they reached age 3. The same practice completed the procedures — Florida Medicaid paid the bill.

“It was scary watching both my kids go through that,” Lloyd said. “Mia was 5 and had silver caps placed in her mouth as two front teeth. One cap came off before her permanent teeth grew in. Davion was only 3, and his bad teeth were in the bottom and lower back.”

Lloyd told ONYX Magazine that after being terminated from Amazon and the US Postal Service, she was offered a job in 2019 as a security guard for Duval County Public Schools. Her rate of pay is $18.25 per hour, and her children are recipients of Step-up for Schools scholarships at The Guardian Catholic Schools in Jacksonville’s Northwest quadrant.

“My kids eat better and now drink a whole lot more water,” Lloyd said.

“Mia eats more vegetables and would eat salad and fried chicken every day if I let her. Davion loves mashed potatoes, sandwiches and chicken nuggets.

They have learned candy is a special treat.”

The latter represents triumph, but also a familiar indemnity for the Black family — one positive outcome becomes an elusive gauge for long-term stability. With a steady job and salary, Lloyd is still deemed low income. She no longer qualifies for food stamps through SNAP and is not receiving child support.

Government agencies like the Florida Department of Children and Family (DCF) may view Lloyd as back on her feet, but this year, she joined the ranks of nearly one-million Floridians at risk of losing health care coverage through Medicaid. Lloyd says DCF contacted her by mail to reapply for Medicaid and sent mobile text message reminders.

“The process was easy because I was already in the DCF system,” Lloyd said. “I just completed forms online and waited for a decision. Mia and Davion were re-approved, but they said I was ineligible for Medicaid based on my income.”

In a June report, Kaiser Health News said 82% of Floridians or a quarter-million people in the state have lost coverage. State data shows that most of those people are still eligible but lost coverage for procedural reasons such as having outdated contact info or computer glitches.

The report further said that 10% of those who lost coverage were terminated because they were ineligible or hadn’t used Medicaid over the past 12 months.

In Florida, most Medicaid recipients are enrolled in the Statewide Medicaid Managed Care program that has three parts: Managed Medical Assistance, Long-Term Care, and Dental. All people on Medicaid must enroll in a dental plan.

Daniel van Hoogstraten is an Ohio-based consultant and healthcare advocate who has devoted decades of support in the nonprofit space. He works in various states and on Capitol Hill with a focus on groups who are trying to help people. He says Medicaid falls into that bucket very often.

“So, there's two big things going on with Medicaid right now in Florida and that's obviously the disenrollment that was paused, but then continued on,” van Hoogstraten said.

During Covid-19, the federal Public Growing evidence connects a healthy mouth with a Health Service Act was implemented. It healthy body. Here are some examples showing why thatmore youthan couldn't oral healthstipulated is about much a smile:roll people off Medicaid, but it ended May High Blood Pressure 11 of this year. Florida began rolling Putting off dental during early who adulthood is linked to people offcareMedicaid had been an increased risk of having high blood pressure.1 on it for a long period of time. Now, Patients with gum disease are less likely to keep their blood pressureare underlosing control with medicationbecause than are people Medicaid those with good oral health.2 they are not eligible or because they didn't properly complete the enrollDiabetes ment process.”

Untreated gum disease makes it harder for people with diabetesvan to manage their blood glucose levels.3for many Hoogstraten says Diabetes raises the risk of developing gum 86%.4 states, if not all, Medicaid isdisease theirbylargest state expenditure.

Obesity It is big money and taxpayer money, so Brushing teeth no more than once per day was linked with the he and offellow development obesity.5advocates are currently talking to Frequent consumption of sugar-sweetened drinks the risk of both government administrations toraises determine if their obesity6 and tooth decay among children7 and adults.8 process is working well and transparent. He thinks states are generally trying to do the right thing.

“I also think Medicaid departments are behemoths because of the really Sources large population they serve,” van Hoogstraten said. “The populations are 1. Oreskovic, NM et al. (2017). Oral health status and longitudinal cardiometabolic risk in 4. Baranowski MJ, et al. Diabetes in dental practice-review of literature. Journal of a national sampleoften of young adults. of the American Dental Association, Health and Sport.

2019; 9(2), 264-274 soJournal hard to reach, and148(12), they're Education, constantly shifting and changing. The 930-935.

5. Furuta M, et al. (2020). Longitudinal associations of toothbrushing with obesity and 2. Pietropaoli D, et shortcomings al. Poor Oral Health and Blood Pressure Control among US hyperglycemia.

Journal of Epidemiology, JE20190165. or mistakes are usually not nefarious or ill intentioned, but Hypertensive Adults: Results from the National Health and Nutrition Examination 6. Luger M, et al. Sugar-Sweetened Beverages and Weight Gain in Children and Adults: A Survey 2009 to 2014. Hypertension. 2018 Dec; 72(6): 1365-1373. Müller F. Oral Hygiene Systematic Review from 2013 to 2015 and a Comparison with Previous Studies. Obesity they're inevitable.”

Reduces the Mortality from Aspiration Pneumonia in Frail Elders. Journal of Dental Facts. 2017; 10(6): 674-693.

Research. 2015 Mar; 94(3 Suppl.): 14S–16S. Bleich SN, Vercammen KA. The negative impact of sugar-sweetened beverages on Despite the State’s best intent,7. without Medicaid, Floridians like Lloyd 3. Preshaw PM, Bissett SM. Periodontitis and diabetes. British Dental Journal. 2019; children’s health: an update of the literature. BMC Obesity. 2018; 5(6).

227: 577–584; Teeuw WJ, et al. Effect of periodontal treatment on glycemic control of 8.

Bernabé E, et al.

Sugar-sweetened beverages and dental caries in adults: a 4-year struggle to findDiabetes affordable diabetic patients:will A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Care. 2010 Feb; health coverage that includes a dental plan. prospective study. Journal of Dentistry. 2014; 42(8): 952-958.

33(2): 421-427.

She is potentially an unwitting contributor to Florida’s state of poor oral health — a precursor to a bevy of extended health diseases.

The Jacksonville Urban League played an integral role in Florida's Oral Health Crisis by hosting a Town Hall meeting in April 2022. The organiza-

Impacts Beyond the Mouth

tion's core vision is to be a leading advocate for promoting access to quality education, economic opportunity, civic engagement, health, and wellness.

The following statistics emerged from the oral health gathering: 1.

More than five-million Floridians live in areas that have limited or no access to dental care and more than 23% of third graders in Florida have untreated tooth decay, making Florida sixth in the nation for the highest percent of third-grade children with unfilled cavities.

2. 34% of senior citizens have lost six teeth due to tooth decay or gum disease.

3. In 2019, hospitals in Florida billed more than $630 Million for preventable ER visits and hospital admissions stemming from preventable oral health issues.

4. Poor dental health has been said to be the cause of 57 systemic diseases and illnesses.

5. Patients with serious dental conditions are 25% more likely to suffer from heart disease and have an increased chance of autoimmune diseases, anemia, gastrointestinal disorders, and renal disease.

The largest burden of disease occurs among marginalized groups such as those living inDementia poverty and members of Black, Indigenous, and People ofyears Color (BIPOC) commu- was Having 10 of chronic gum disease (periodontitis) associated with a higher risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. nities. Low-income families spend 10 times of Researchers report that uncontrolled periodontal disease their total income on dental the care than that “could trigger or exacerbate” neuroinflammatory phenomenon seen families. in Alzheimer’s disease. of wealthier Without dental coverage or the ability Respiratory to afford care, Health many adults delay treatResearch shows that improving oral hygiene among mentmedically whichfragile leads to more expensive seniors can reduce the death rate from 11 pneumonia. andaspiration extensive oral care than they Patients with ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) who would require had they seen a dentist engaged in regular toothbrushing spent significantly less time on mechanical ventilation than other VAP patients.12 earlier in the disease process.

Improving veterans’ oral hygiene reduced the incidence of Lloyd has valiantly rebounded hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP) by 92%, preventing about 13 136 HAP casesdropped and saving 24off lives.the from being Medicaid roll. Her employer offers a Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida plan and Adverse Birth Outcomes Delta Dental, but cumulative payroll Gum disease among pregnant women is associated with preterm deductions are near $100.

Withouta pregnancy births, low birthweight babies and preeclampsia, complication that can cause organ damage and can be fatal.14 Medicaid, she will also have to budget co-pays for appointments.

“My health is already not good,” Lloyd said.

“I have high blood pressure, and if I go to the dentist and it’s high, they won’t treat me. I am headof-household. It’s just me, so one entire paycheck goes to rent and the other pays JEA electric and car insurance. With food skyrocketing and two kids, it’s hard, but I am determined to make it work.”

9

10

9. Chen CK, et al. (2017). Association between chronic periodontitis and the risk of Alzheimer’s disease: a retrospective, population-based, matched-cohort study.

Alzheimer’s Research & Therapy, 9(1), 56.

13. Munro S, Baker D, 2018. Reducing missed oral care opportunities to prevent nonventilator associated hospital acquired pneumonia at the Department of Veterans Affairs. Applied Nursing Research, 2018; 44: 48-53.

10. Teixeira FB, et al. Periodontitis and Alzheimer’s Disease: A Possible Comorbidity between Oral Chronic Inflammatory Condition and Neuroinflammation. Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience. 2017 Oct; 9:327

14. Daalderop LA, et al. Periodontal Disease and Pregnancy Outcomes: Overview of Systematic Reviews. Journal of Dental Research Clinical and Translational Research.

2018; 3(1): 10–27.

11. Müller F. Oral Hygiene Reduces the Mortality from Aspiration Pneumonia in Frail Elders.

Journal of Dental Research. 2015 Mar; 94(3 Suppl.): 14S–16S.

Citation: Penny Dickerson isSuggested innovation and entrepreneur CareQuest Institute for Oral Health. Impacts Beyond the Mouth. Boston, MA; June 2020. DOI: 10.35565/CQI.2020.4002 reporter for the Jacksonville Business Journal.

Copyright © 2021 CareQuest Institute for Oral Health, Inc. Reporting for this story in ONYX Magazine was made possible by a health equity fellowship sponsored by The Commonwealth Fund and Association of Health Care Journalists.

12. de Lacerda Vidal CF, et al. Impact of oral hygiene involving toothbrushing versus chlorhexidine in the prevention of ventilator-associated pneumonia: a randomized study.

BMC Infectious Diseases. 2017 Feb 27; 17(1): 173.

ONYX MAGAZINE 15

PERSPECTIVE

OFF THE BEATEN PATH

CREATING A SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT BY UNDERSTANDING AND EMBRACING NEURODIVERSITY.

BY EBONY KENNEY

I

t wasn’t vast hiking knowledge or expertise of terrain that motivated my confident foray into the woods this past Easter Sunday morning.

I awakened to a bright sun and before giving thanks for being able to see it, I did the unthinkable. I picked up my phone for a leisurely scroll through social media. Turns out I'm not immune to dopamine doom scrolling, which I did a mindless 10 minutes before I happened across a post of a melanated trekker greeting two hikers on a path; a warm, affirming and righteous “hello.” That was enough to draw me to the woods.

Now, before you call me a chlorophyll loving, tree hugging Shaman, let me explain. My religious life evolved me from a catholic school educated child, to a twice baptized Baptist, to an adolescent apostolic, through religious science, a meditating mid-twenties, and back to Christianity by my mid-thirties by deliberate choice. So, with my faith firmly in place, I laced my boots and took

16 ONYX MAGAZINE

to the woods, excited about the possibility of meditative bliss, an impromptu community and my daily steps. So, it wasn’t the pursuit of something I knew that drew me to the woods that day, but the pursuit of what I did not.

Hikes are masterclasses in the personal self and our relationship to Earth.

We encounter the lifecycle of creatures newly awakened, lakes still asleep, buds just birthed, and bark deceased. Nature seeking is the ultimate metaphor for knowledge seeking. We pursue a tangible finite of terrain and that leads us to the infinite either within or divinely. Forefathers, in an attempt to understand what they’d seen, created taxonomies and classifications.

Those bounding boxes lent themselves to pedagogy, how we teach it.

Rarely is the distinction made between knowledge and intelligence.

While knowledge focuses on what is already, intelligence addresses capacity to know more. Each new detail attaches to what we “knew”

before, while creating unique pathways. For example, information is recalled, in part, by evoking details about where it was learned and when. So, the knowledge itself is as beneficial as how it’s organized, and existing frameworks for understanding it. One might ask, what is then the purpose of a structured education in modern times? If there is unlimited knowledge and the ability to find it, couldn’t we focus on training the brain how to organize content, more than filtering it?

On a hike, the mile markers are a very minimal indicator of what path you’re on: purple path vs. white path and so on. Could an education system likewise provide minimal interruption on the road to acquiring knowledge?

Could it provide occasional directionals about the responsibility, dedication and discipline it takes to know complete with examples?

Today, we are flooded with data and transparency. As tools emerge that feed a hunger for knowledge, build mental capacity and frameworks for comprehension, we might not recognize “learning” by the time we are complete. It might mean focusing on clustered thinking over sequential thinking and identifying innate skills (equity). Singular perspective and monetized curriculums could come into question. The censorship of texts in learning environments raises questions. Some argue that censorship is an effort to shift a narrative of oppression or otherness, but it does so at the benefit of future generations and at the cost of current marginalized communities.

Censorship validates what we know and agree to, instead pursuing what we don't know. It also assumes we censored correctly. As schools delve into Social Emotional Learning, Equity and Neurodiversity — mile markers of our emotional intelligence — we are still finding the correct route. In nature, if there is an error in mile markers, either maliciously or by mistake, it would affect the trust level, something we see in education reform. Milemarkers require re-checking, and yet, blind compliance to them would be at the cost of our own instinct should a workaround be needed.

WHAT IS SOCIAL EMOTIONAL LEARNING? Social-emotional learning (SEL) is the process of developing the self-awareness, self-control and interpersonal skills that are vital for school, work, and life success. It’s often coupled with trauma informed teaching methods which have been incorporated in learning environments to address growing emotional needs, especially that of children who have had Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs).

An open poll conducted with teachers nationwide has demonstrated that while they are open to implementing SEL methods, their concerns remain around controlling classroom environment and behavior change.

The challenge ahead remains how to treat emotional health and salvage a student’s receptivity in a learning environment.

WHAT IS NEURODIVERSITY Neurodiversity is a term that has gained significant attention after it was coined by sociologist, Judy Singer in 1998. Originally aimed to recognize individuals on the autism spectrum, it now represents a broader community. While some criticize the term for neglecting the value of disability, embracing neurodiversity has led to acknowledgement of individuals with unique abilities and the exploration of concepts like twice-exceptional and the Theory of Multiple Intelligences.

As neurodivergence becomes more accepted in popular culture, people find pride in labels that were once associated with shame, and communities are forming where we once ostracized. For many, neurodiversity includes the neuro-typical as part of the spectrum of diversity. It extends to people from diverse backgrounds who have different socializations and thinking patterns influenced by emotional factors, age-related impacts, and more. Using neurodiversity we can build a framework for strength-based equity that embraces and innovates on tradition.

NEURODIVERSITY IN CLASSROOMS AND WORK ENVIRONMENTS Understanding neurodiversity requires we embrace equity, as it emphasizes the need to recognize all intelligences and develop pedagogy for traits that have classically been considered deficits in traditional education systems. While a college degree is often seen as the sole path to success, that depends on your definition of success and availability of resources. We previously thought trade schools were the only alternate path to a profession, however, equitable thinking would mean identifying innate strengths in the individual and placing them where they can demonstrate them best.

“Theory of Multiple Intelligences” by Dr. Howard Garner explores the various ways a person can be intelligent (ex. Visual-spatial, Musical and Bodily).

Demonstrating a knowledge of these in learning environments would allow students access to a variety of content that would strengthen their particular intelligence or inclination. In work environments, someone who has demonstrated an emotional intelligence for example, could lead teams vs. someone who took classes in the subject but doesn’t demonstrate the skillset. This prioritizes candidates to demonstrate a trait over credentials.

As that individual demonstrates interest in a variety of ways, they become qualified using very different but equitable measures. Examples include taking free courses in interests online (Coursera, University of the People), curating your friends events before you apply to that art museum curator position, upcycling clothing before you apply to that entry level fashion design job.

We are out in the wilderness of knowledge and intelligence. It’s only partially paved and minimally marked. We aren’t sure if traditional learning environments will survive, we aren’t clear if work environments will have their same hierarchy. But we have neurodiversity which has broadened our perspective of how the mind works and develops. It acknowledges and embraces diverse thinking patterns and abilities. By understanding neurodiversity and prioritizing equity, we can create a more inclusive and supportive society where everyone recognizes their value, learned or innate, and find placement where those traits thrive. Everyone can find their way through the woods using their own instincts. A pursuit that, while off the beaten path, might be the only way home.

Ebony Kenney is a studied writer, trained graphi designer and professional Market and User Experience researcher. She enjoys exploring the scientific method as it occurs in everyday life.

ONYX MAGAZINE 17

LIFT ORLANDO

HEALING, HEALTH, and HAPPINESS: THE HEART OF WEST LAKES WELLNESS CENTER HAS IT ALL FIND OUT HOW THIS INNOVATIVE CENTER IS CHANGING THE GAME FOR COMMUNITY WELLNESS IN ORLANDO.

BY MARK SHAMLEY

I

still remember the energy on February 10, 2023, when I arrived at the ribbon-cutting ceremony of the Heart of West Lakes Wellness Center, located west of downtown Orlando, Fla. I could feel the excitement in the air as if I was about to witness something incredibly special. And I was; I was about to witness history being reborn.

At that time, I had just started my role as Lift Orlando's first-ever vice president of Community Impact. For those unfamiliar, Lift Orlando is a nonprofit that strengthens neighborhoods so people can thrive. We bring people, places, and partnerships together to help create mixed-income housing, cradle-to-career education pathways, health and wellness services, and economic viability opportunities. My job is to collaborate with my colleagues and commu18 ONYX MAGAZINE

nity partners as we strive to achieve this vision alongside the residents of West Lakes.

As I sat there contemplating the magnitude of the moment for the residents of Rock Lake, Lake Lorna Doone, Lake Sunset, Clear Lake Cove, and Bunche Manor/Hollando, who had brushed aside skepticism to embrace a vision, I knew the real work was just about to begin.

The Heart's ribbon-cutting ceremony was the culmination of nearly a decade of hard work.

In 2016, a study had shown that the West Lakes community had limited access to healthcare.

There were only 12 healthcare access points for the five historically Black neighborhoods that make up the 32805 ZIP Code near Camping World Stadium. In comparison, in that same year Winter Park’s 32789 ZIP Code had 112.

These results were unacceptable, and some-

thing had to be done. Together with neighbors, business leaders, and healthcare and philanthropic leaders such as AdventHealth, Orlando Health, Florida Blue, Dr. Phillips Charities, and Truist Foundation, we put together a plan. The dream: a new take on community wellness that would focus on ensuring residents could connect, learn, and thrive in every area of their lives. The Heart of West Lakes Wellness Center was born.

Fast forward to today, and the Heart, also known as the community’s living room, is finally here, thanks to the additional support of new funding partners like the Trisons Foundation and the Deibel family. Located at the gateway into the West Lakes Community Campus, the approximately 30,000-square-foot, two-story building offers first-class amenities and services designed to promote physical and financial well-

being, lifestyle services, and places for the community to gather — all in the heart of the West Lakes neighborhoods.

As you walk in, you will find the Legacy Café, the West Lakes Financial Wellbeing Center, which is also home of the Small Business Institute and the Prosperity Platform powered by Goodwill Industries of Central Florida, the Florida Blue Center Orlando West Lakes, and the Heart of West Lakes Event Space. The exterior of the building boasts ample green spaces for neighbors to relax and gather. Upstairs, Community Health Centers, Inc., offers comprehensive healthcare services, providing a vital, new resource to combat the area's lack of access to healthcare services.

But the Heart is more than just a building with amenities. It is the result of the first-ever, large-scale collaboration of this type between healthcare powerhouses such as AdventHealth, Florida Blue, and Orlando Health. Most importantly, it is the result of collaboration between these powerhouses and West Lakes residents.

Decades ago, the area we now call “West Lakes'' was a thriving community steeped in pride and cul-

tural significance. But over time, disinvestment and inequitable practices led to many of the resources crucial to residents’ success being cut off. Thankfully, the pride and spirit of the residents never waned. Today, thanks to the dedication of HOA leaders, residents, and partners, the Heart will now help restore access to many of those lost resources.

As Orlando District 5 City Commissioner Regina Hill said during the ribbon-cutting ceremony, "To thrive, you need a healthy community. [The Heart] means that the community will have access to quality healthcare–from cradle to the golden years."

Residents will continue to shape the character, services, and programming of the Heart. By the time you read this article, nearly 30 neighbors will have joined a focus group to hone and guide the Heart's healthcare services.

Today, when I look at the Heart, I see the rich history of The Communities of West Lakes and the prosperous future that awaits us inside.

If you're interested in learning more about the Heart of West Lakes Wellness Center, including hiring information and opening details, please visit HeartofWestLakes.com to sign up for the newsletter and to keep up with updates on social media.

And we’re open to your ideas and feedback about the events and programs hosted at the Heart. Please scan the QR code to share your ideas and to sign up for our newsletter.

If you're interested in learning more about Lift Orlando and our work in West Lakes, please visit LiftOrlando.org.

Mark Shamley is the vice president of Community Impact at Lift Orlando.

ONYX MAGAZINE 19

THE QUAD

EWU HITS RECORD APPLICATION NUMBERS

FMU HIRES NATIONAL CHAMPION BASKETBALL COACH

Florida Memorial announces the hiring of NAIA National Championship coach Delano Thomas as men’s head basketball coach.

The NAIA National Coach of the Year and the Don Meyer Coach of the Year brings championship experience to South Florida, including one of the best runs in the history of NAIA men’s basketball. “When we set out to find our next head men’s basketball coach, we wanted to find someone who is a solid recruiter with a championship mindset that understands the importance of graduating student-athletes,” said Director of Athletics Jason Horn.

“We found that in Coach Thomas. He will be a great addition to our team of coaches, and his vision for our program resonated with our staff.” Thomas constructed one of one of the greatest turnarounds in college basketball history during his tenure at Shawnee State. During the 2020-21 season, he led the Shawnee State men’s basketball program from worst-to-first in their best season ever as a program, going 31-2 overall en route to its firstever Men’s Basketball NAIA National Championship. “This is an exciting moment for my family and I,” said Coach Thomas. “I’m very grateful for the opportunity at Florida Memorial, thankful for AD Horn, and the administration. I’m looking forward to getting to work and help elevate FMU.”

“When we set out to find our next head men’s basketball coach, we wanted to find someone who is a solid recruiter with a championship mindset that understands the importance of graduating student-athletes.”

–DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS JASON HORN

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Admission applications for 2023-24 academic year exceeded the 10,000 mark last month, an increase over the previous year’s total of 9,078 and the 2020-21 academic year which saw 6,157 applicants.

The increase in applications is due in part to the newly offered undergraduate and graduate degree programs that will launch in the fall. Degree programs include Bachelor of Science degree in the areas of: Forensic Science, Computer and Information Science, Social Work, Accounting, Public Health and Sports Management and graduate degree programs in Cyber Security and Public Administration. Accordingly, by the outset of the 2023-2024 academic year, the university plans to have introduced ten new academic programs to its academic curriculum since 2018, thereby increasing its overall degree offerings by 187.5% to fifteen total.

The 157-year-old institution has transitioned from being a college to earning university status, and launched its first-ever graduate degree program(s)—the 100% online Master of Business Administration (MBA) and Master of Education Policy and Advocacy (MEPA) programs—as well as a new undergraduate Bachelor of Forensic Science degree program in 2021. During the spring 2023 commencement ceremony, President & CEO, Dr. A. Zachary Faison, conferred the first class of MBA degrees.

FAMU GRAD TAPPED FOR LEADERSHIP ROLE AT NIKE

Florida A&M University alum G. Scott Uzzell was named Nike’s vice president/general manager of North America, the company recently announced. Uzzell, a FAMU School of Business and Industry (SBI) graduate, had served as CEO and president of Nike’s Converse division for the past several years. The move comes as part of senior leadership changes at Nike Inc. “that will continue to build on its strong momentum and underscore its commitment to product innovation, serving athletes and unrivaled brand storytelling, while driving deeper integration across the business.” In his new role, Uzzell will report to Craig Williams, formerly president, Jordan Brand, who will become president, Geographies & Marketplace, NIKE, Inc.

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E N T E R TA I N M E N T

DISNEY GREENLIGHTS CARIBBEANINSPIRED “ARIEL” SERIES

D

isney Branded Television has greenlit a new animated series for preschoolers, “Disney Junior’s Ariel,” inspired by the beloved story of “The Little Mermaid.” The announcement was made today by Ayo Davis, president of Disney Branded Television, during the Annecy International Film Festival in Annecy, France. The new series follows a young Ariel and features some fan-favorite characters, including King Triton, Ursula, Sebastian and Flounder, as well as exciting new additions. “Disney Junior’s Ariel” is set to debut on Disney platforms worldwide in 2024.

While making the announcement, Davis said, “For more than 30 years, the story of ‘The Little Mermaid’ has been beloved by audiences all over the world. It brings me so much joy to be able to introduce our new Disney Junior version of Ariel to preschoolers everywhere.”

Alyssa Sapire, senior vice president of Development, Series and Strategy for Disney Junior, added, “As we were developing ‘Disney Junior’s Ariel,’ we knew that we wanted to create an atmosphere that was vibrant and magical and showcased our young Ariel’s imagination, which, like our preschool audience watching at home, is as big as the sea.”

Set in the fantastical Caribbean-inspired underwater kingdom of Atlantica, the series follows Ariel as she embarks on fun-filled, action-packed mermaid adventures with her friends. Driven by a deep and unending curi22 ONYX MAGAZINE

osity about the world around her, Ariel discovers land treasures, like a big floppy hat, squeaky rubber ducky and whisk, that she collects and keeps safe in her crystal cavern.

Sometimes, Ariel uses the treasures to help solve problems. With each discovery, Ariel is filled with joy, and her mermaid tail, which changes colors depending on her emotions, lights up and shimmers. Full of charm, big ideas and a powerful voice, “Disney Junior’s Ariel” is coming into her own, learning how to discover and appreciate the world around her and use her voice to inspire others.

Throughout the series, the multicultural diversity of the Caribbean is highlighted through music, food, festivals, fashion, language and folklore. Dr. Patricia Saunders, professor of English and hemispheric Caribbean studies and director of graduate studies at the University of Miami and author of two books, serves as cultural consultant on the series. Sean Skeete, chair of Berklee College of Music’s ensemble department, is the Caribbean music consultant.

“Disney Junior’s Ariel” is executive produced by Lynne Southerland (“Mulan II,” “Happily Ever After”). Norma P. Sepulveda (“Elena of Avalor”) and Keith Wagner (“TrollsTopia”) are the story editors. Ezra Edmond (“Disney+ Draw Me a Story”) is producer.

Kuni Tomita Bowen (“Dora the Explorer”) is supervising director, and Chrystin Garland (“Solar Opposites”) is art director. The series is produced by Wild Canary in association with Disney Junior.

EDUCATION

“DIVERSITY NO MATTER WHAT” The NAACP calls on more than 1,600 U.S. public and private colleges and universities with selective admissions processes to commit to the "Diversity No Matter What" pledge following the Supreme Court's extreme decisions reversing decades of precedent on affirmative action. The Pledge is an effort to ensure that higher education institutions foster environments mirroring the nation's diversity and increase the representation of historically underrepresented students.

"Let's be clear - Black America is in a fight for our lives. The NAACP has been at the forefront of this battle for more than a century and we're not backing down," said NAACP President & CEO Derrick Johnson. "It is our hope that our nation's institutions will stand with us in embracing diversity, no matter what. Regardless, the NAACP will continue to advocate, litigate, and mobilize to ensure that every Black American has access to the resources and opportunities they need to thrive."

The NAACP has long advocated for policies and regulations at every level of government to guarantee a first-rate education for all Black students. The "Diversity No Matter What" pledge outlines various steps that schools can take to create and sustain a culture of inclusion, belonging, and respect for the benefit of all students— and therefore our society.

ONYX READS

CREATIVITY OVERFLOWS THOUGHT-PROVOKING BOOKS FOR SUMMER

HE-MOTION

By T.D. Jakes Also known as the "Woman Thou Art Loosed for Men," this book is a confession of vulnerability and a guide for strength to men everywhere.

If you want to know the true soul of a man, ask him what makes him cry.

You can also ask when he cries, has he ever let anyone witness it? That, according to Jakes, is one good way of knowing if a man is mature and if he is aware of who he is. In "He-Motions: Even Strong Men Struggle,” Jakes confesses his challenges to encourage men. Going through that, struggling effectively, works for men and women. We all could benefit from this reach back with the "reverend.” Bishop Jakes fills a few cups with these words.

THE CREATIVE ACT, THE WAY TO BEING

By Rick Rubin This book struck a nerve with me because he talks about how to stop talking and listen in order to know how to respond.

Period. He has advised some of the hottest artists of our times. He is sought after as a creative genius when he doesn't really create anything himself — it is all about how to be when it is time to respond. Genius indeed. I think this book is ideally suited to an audio version, because there is so much to unpack and consider. It will help you to remember your Source and be grateful for the knowing.

KIDS RUN THE SHOW

By Delphine De VigAn. Translated by Alison Anderson This book will be available for purchase November 28, 2023.

It is translated from the French language and will appeal to anyone who wonders what will happen to the children who only meet people via the Internet.

It is a curious time to think about social media's influence 10 years from now. As we encounter the growth of AI in our technology, this book addresses the future while in the future. It is compelling reading because you have to think about the story from the past. While reading it, we have the ability to look at the future from the perspective of the past. It is a very dynamic thought twist that makes the concept in the book very challenging to grasp as it is happening to the characters.

FROM THE DESK OF ZOE WASHINGTON

By Janae Marks This is a memoir; an open and dissected heart of a man who wants to share his truth with us. "...Overnight, I was barefoot on Everest. Marcus Garvey without a ship." He has gathered his thoughts in poetic verse, long memorialized recall of events and through analysis of his reaction to his world. This is a personal snapshot, a personal glimpse into the life of a man shared for the reader as an invitation to his home. In his unique approach, Alexander uses diverse methods to tell stories from different vantage points.

WHY FATHER'S CRY AT NIGHT

By Kwame Alexander These days, by the time kids reach their 12th birthday, they are practically grown so what is this girl to do when she discovers a letter from her father that she has never known, on her birthday of all days? Never mind that she was not able to celebrate her birthday with her "ex-best friend" or that her mother has no idea that she has found the letter.

She just keeps it and tries to figure out how to have this relationship and what it all means when her dad says he will keep writing. Nothing can stop him really since he is in prison and sending mail the slow way is probably a good way to pass the time. How will she respond? Should she talk to her mom and is her nosy "ex-best friend" going to keep her secret? The answers are in the book. You have to read.

Patricia Brown Denis is a writer and educator in Tampa who pens the ONYX Reads column.

She owns PMarie Consulting, Inc., helping you to Write it Right.

ONYX MAGAZINE 23

YOUNG READERS FIND HOPE — AND ESCAPE — IN SCI-FI AND FANTASY BOOKS

F

BY HERMES FALCON AND KENDALL COVINGTON

antasy fiction book sales increased dramatically in the past three years just as teen depression, anxiety, and mental illness skyrocketed — parallel trends that may be both a symptom of the pandemic and a possible remedy, literary and mental health experts say.

In 2021, fantasy sales went up 45% compared to 2020, the largest increase among all genres except for graphic novels, according to WordsRated, an international industry-research organization.

That same year, fantasy audiobooks racked up revenue of $1.6 billion, number eight among most competitive genres on Amazon, WordsRated reports.

Barnes & Noble CEO James Daunt attributes some of this to improved marketing strategies. But mental health care professionals believe that there is a better explanation.

“Our worlds became very small [during the pandemic] and … fantasy fiction provided this vast opportunity to delve into worlds unknown and worlds unseen and worlds unexperienced,” says Melissa Sporn, a clinical psychologist who treats adolescents and children as well as adults.

Fantasy is a type of speculative fiction that features fantastical or supernatural elements that do not exist in the real world. In fantasy novels, you’re likely to learn about different systems of magic, encounter mythical creatures such as dragons or unicorns, and follow characters both tragic and heroic as they nav-

24 ONYX MAGAZINE

igate enchanting worlds that have nothing in common except this — they look utterly unlike our own.

The genre is extensive and covers a wide range of scenes, topics, and plots. Some famous examples of fantasy novels and novel series include The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien, the “Harry Potter” series by J.K. Rowling, “The Stormlight Archive” by Brandon Sanderson, and “Percy Jackson and the Olympians” by Rick Riordan.

Other prominent fantasy fiction includes “His Dark Materials”

by Philip Pullman, “The Earthsea Cycle” by Ursula K. LeGuin, “The Kingkiller Chronicle” by Patrick Rothfuss, “A Song of Ice and Fire” by George R.R. Martin, “The Chronicles of Narnia” by C.S. Lewis, and “The Wheel of Time” by Robert Jordan.

Experts believe that there are concrete reasons why fantasy fiction experienced a surge in popularity. First among them may be the simple relief that such stories offer from a daily reality that may still seem dark, dangerous, and uncertain.

Esther Jones is an English professor at Clark University in Worcester, Massachusetts, and author of Medicine and Ethics in Black Women’s Fiction. She discussed this phenomena in a May 2020 article published by The Conversation.

“Readers are suffering from reality overload,” writes Jones.

“Young people today have unprecedented access to information about which they may have little power to influence or

THIS STORY IS PART OF A SERIES ON FANTASY FICTION’S IMPACT ON YOUNG PEOPLE’S MENTAL HEALTH. READ THE FULL SERIES AT MINDSITE.

A R T & C U LT U R E

change. … The fact that the setting or characters are extraordinary may be precisely why they are powerful and where their value lies.”

Experts note that even before the pandemic, other factors carried serious health consequences for youth today. In this era of social media, young people are constantly bombarded by swaths of information regarding tragedies the world over.

As the COVID-19 pandemic took hold in early 2020, society already was experiencing historic social and emotional upheaval occasioned by racial injustices and the struggles of an LGBTQ+ community seeking to gain and retain hard-fought rights. By 2022, members of Generation Z were twice as likely as the average American to struggle with feelings of depression and hopelessness.

That dynamic continues. On March 2, Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee signed a law that will ban trans youth from starting “gender-affirming” medical care such as puberty blockers in the state starting July 1. Youth who’d begun such care prior to that date will be required to discontinue treatment nine months later.

“I think there is a parallel between our society really coming to grips with diversity in terms of gender identity and sexual identity — and fantasy fiction,” says Sporn. “[In fantasy fiction] you’re presented with people and protagonists who are diverse … and you have to accept them for who they are, and you learn to empathize with them and care about them,” Sporn explains.

“You recognize where they’re coming from — it’s a way to bridge that gap and understand something you otherwise couldn’t understand.”

Members of Generation Z, compared to other generations, are more likely to worry about rising suicide rates, deportation and immigration, mass shootings, climate change, and violence against women.

However, that may explain why young people are turning to fantasy fiction not just for a release, but for a feeling of security.

In fantasy novels, “youths see examples of young people grappling with serious social, economic, and political issues that are timely and relevant, but in settings or times that offer critical distance,” says Jones.

“This distance gives readers an avenue to grapple with complexity and use their imagination to consider different ways of managing social challenges,” she adds. “What better way to deal with the uncertainty of this time than with forms of fiction that make us comfortable with being uncomfortable, that explore uncertainty and ambiguity, and depict young people as active agents, survivors, and shapers of their own destinies?”

Experts note that reading generally improves teens’ self-regard and general feelings of accomplishment. Reading fantasy fiction, they

say, not only confers those benefits but improves teen mental health while they are doing it. Reading fiction has been found to improve social cognition and increase levels of empathy, Richard Sima of the International Arts + Mind Lab reported in Psychology Today last year.

Sima adds that research shows reading programs and social groups centered around reading can support youth mental health through conversation and connection.

Reading fantasy novels provides respite, according to Sporn: “It really provides pause and relief for kids who are in [difficult] circumstances and situations.”

Adults are reading these, too, Sporn adds: From 2016 to now, there has been a “nice incline, because we all needed to escape.”

Even Sporn acknowledges feeling such a desire.

“I needed that escape,” she says. “I couldn’t read anything deep or tragic or painful. Life was painful enough.”

In adults, reading has been proven to reduce cognitive decline, reduce stress, and improve quality of sleep. Reading also may be connected to living a longer life, according to research from Yale University.

Parents might be concerned about their teens escaping into other realities. The misperception that reading fantasy is an unworthy or even unhealthy practice is just that: a misperception, according to Jones.

Instead, reading science fiction and fantasy can also help young people learn how to cope with stress and anxiety.

Bibliotherapy, a relatively new take on therapy, mixes books and other forms of literature with traditional therapy models. The catharsis involved in the process has been shown to help increase a patient’s empathy and creativity, and to help patients cope with conditions such as generalized anxiety disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder.

If parents are still concerned that reading fantasy fiction might skew their kids’ reading habits, they can rest easy. As Jones noted in her article, a 2015 survey showed that readers of fantasy and science fiction also consume a wide range of other types of literature and media.

But in the end, Jones has a simple three-word dictum that she says should guide parents, teachers, and teens themselves: “Let them read.”

“In this time of COVID-19 and physical distancing, we may be reluctant for kids to embrace creative forms that seem to separate them psychologically from reality,” writes Jones.

“Let them read. … In [fiction], young people can see themselves — coping, surviving, and learning lessons that may enable them to create their own strategies for resilience.”

Kendall Covington is a freelance writer and copy editor. Hermes Falcon is an intern for Youthcast Media Group.

ONYX MAGAZINE 25

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WASHINGTON NOTES

SUPREME COURT DECISIONS SUPREME COURT STRIKES DOWN AFFIRMATION ACTION IN COLLEGE ADMISSIONS In a historic decision, the Supreme Court severely limited, if not effectively ended, the use of affirmative action in college admissions on Thursday. By a vote of 6-3, the justices ruled that the admissions programs used by the University of North Carolina and Harvard College violate the Constitution’s equal protection clause, which bars racial discrimination by government entities.

Writing for the majority, Chief Justice John Roberts explained that college admissions programs can consider race merely to allow an applicant to explain how their race influenced their character in a way that would have a concrete effect on the university. But a student “must be treated based on his or her experiences as an individual — not on the basis of race,” Roberts wrote. The majority effectively, though not explicitly, overruled its 2003 decision in Grutter v. Bollinger, in which the court upheld the University of Michigan Law School’s consideration of race “as one factor among many, in an effort to assemble a student body that is diverse in ways broader than race.” Justices Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito, Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh, and Amy Coney Barrett joined the Roberts opinion.

Justice Sonia Sotomayor – a graduate of Princeton and Yale Law School who once called herself “the perfect affirmative action baby” – dissented, in an opinion that was joined by Justices Elena Kagan and Ketanji Brown Jackson. Sotomayor emphasized that the majority’s decision had rolled “back decades of precedent and momentous progress” and “cement[ed] a superficial rule of colorblindness as a constitutional principle in an endemically segregated society.” – SCOTUSBlog

SUPREME COURT LIMITS LGBTQ PROTECTIONS The Supreme Court ruled on June 30 in favor of a Christian web designer in Colorado who refuses to create websites to celebrate same-sex weddings out of religious objections. The 6-3 decision was penned by Justice Neil Gorsuch and joined by Chief Justice John

Roberts and Justices Samuel Alito, Amy Coney Barrett, Brett Kavanaugh and Clarence Thomas. Justice Sonia Sotomayor penned a dissent joined by her liberal colleagues Justices Elena Kagan and Ketanji Brown Jackson.

The court’s decision represents a devastating blow to LGBTQ protections, which have in recent years been bolstered by landmark decisions at the nation’s highest court, including one authored three years ago by Gorsuch in which the majority expanded protections for LGBTQ workers, and the 2015 case legalizing same-sex marriage nationwide.

Lorie Smith, who runs a company called 303 Creative, sought to expand her business into the area of weddings and wrote a webpage explaining why she won’t create websites for same-sex couple. But under a Colorado public accommodations law, she said she cannot post the statement because the state considers it illegal. – CNN

SUPREME COURT RULES AGAINST STUDENT LOAN DEBT RELIEF The U.S. Supreme Court on June 30 handed President Joe Biden a painful defeat, blocking his plan to cancel $430 billion in student loan debt—a move that had been intended to benefit up to 43 million Americans and fulfill a campaign promise. The Democratic president denounced the 6-3 decision - powered by the court's conservatives and written by Chief Justice John Roberts - and announced fresh steps to provide relief for student loan borrowers using a different approach. The court sided with six conservative-leaning states - Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska and South Carolina -that objected to Biden's student loan forgiveness. Its ruling dealt a blow to the 26 million borrowers who applied for relief after Biden announced the plan in August 2022 and represented a political setback for Biden. – Reuters

ONYX MAGAZINE 27

F A M I LY

ENTERTAIN IN

I

STYLE

BACK TO BASICS. Staying organized is key while entertaining guests in your home. Try to plan out every detail before the big event, which can allow things to go more smoothly on the big day. As you think out your plan ahead of time, making lists can be a helpful way to stay organized and ensure you get everything done.

List out your guests, what needs to be picked up from the store and possible decorations you might need to buy or craft yourself. The possibilities can seem endless, but it’s important to have a plan in place before you start putting things together.

THINK ABOUT THEME. There are numerous ways your style can be shown while entertaining. One way is to pick a theme or theme-related food dishes. One way to show your theme is through decorations. Placing them throughout your home can give the party some life and help guests get into the overall theme of the party.

SET THE MOOD WITH MUSIC. Pick music that matches your theme and inspires that same feel throughout the house. If you’re going for a fun, energetic atmosphere, try something with a quick tempo, such as pop. If you’re wanting to relax, go for subtler, soothing tones.

Try making your playlist before you entertain and listen to it a few times through, that way you can know what to expect and how guests will react to your music selections.

ENJOY IT.

LIGHT UP THE PARTY.

Through all the anxiety and stress of entertainment planning, make sure you take time to enjoy yourself during the time guests are in your home.

Some guests will notice if you’re not having a good time. Smile and remember to be present in the moment.

Transforming your home can be made simpler by changing the lighting. It’s typical for lights to be

Find more entertainment tips at eLivingToday.com.

Family Features, Photo courtesy of Getty Images

t’s never too early to plan ahead, especially when you are expecting guests in your home. Your family and friends know and might love your style, but it can be important to spice things up now and again to impress your visitors. Factors such as lights, music and food can affect your guests experience in your home.

To remain stylish and keep your party going, consider these tips for fun and festive home entertaining.

dimmed for parties to set a more relaxed mood.

Other ideas include using candles, lamps or even hanging lanterns if you are entertaining outside.

Make sure it’s bright enough so everyone can see, but dimmed enough to set the mood for the evening’s events.

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E D U C AT I O N

FAKE NEWS A YOUNG PERSON’S GUIDE TO SPOTTING WHAT’S REAL AND WHAT’S NOT IN WHAT THEY READ.

W

hatever your age, you can be a critically news-literate person.

Like many citizens around the world, you may be concerned about media manipulation. It was digital news content, referred to as “fake news,” that spurred international concern that false news reports were misleading voters after the so-called Brexit vote in the United Kingdom and the election of President Donald Trump in the United States. Trump weaponized the term “fake news” to denounce any reporting he deemed to be inaccurate or inconveniently critical of him or his administration.

As Nolan Higdon notes in The Anatomy of Fake News: A Critical News Literacy Education, “Fake news is anything but self-explanatory.

It extends far beyond news itself and exists in numerous formats such as rumors, lies, hoaxes, bunk, satire, parody, misleading content, impostor content, fabricated content, and manipulated content.”

You are not powerless against the influence of the news media, however. As a critically news-literate person, you can investigate news content and the process behind its production and dissemination. One way to begin is to familiarize yourself with who is likely to produce fake news.

The known producers of fake news include the following:

POLITICAL PARTY PROPAGANDA APPARATUSES: Loosely connected groups that work to influence electoral outcomes and policy debates through the promotion of content, including fake news. These organizations include public relations firms and members of the news media who often work in tandem.

THE LEGACY MEDIA: These are often called “mainstream” media, but are also sometimes referred to as “corporate” media. Although they reach large audiences and report on many daily affairs accurately, they sometimes report falsehoods that can be minor, such as misattributing a quote, or significant, such 30 ONYX MAGAZINE

as the claim that Iraq possessed weapons of mass destruction, which served as one justification for the catastrophic U.S. invasion of Iraq in 2003.

STATE-SPONSORED PROPAGANDA MACHINES: A conglomerate of government-funded efforts that seek to influence public opinion. Governments, including the United States, have long produced and distributed fake news to domestic and foreign populations through outlets such as Radio Televisión Martí and Voice of America.

Other nations, including Russia, engage in propaganda operations that also seek to shape global interpretations of events.

A form of entertainment that lampoons dominant culture by simulating a major news outlet’s format and presentation. Examples include The Onion, Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, and Full Frontal with Samantha Bee.

numerous stories he filed while he worked at The New York Times and The Boston Globe.

While all of this may seem overwhelming, you have the power to discern fact from fiction and reject false and misleading content presented as legitimate news. Fake news content comes in print, broadcast, and digital forms. If a news story’s headline evokes a strong “Whoa!” reaction, by making you extremely angry or sad, or by making you laugh out loud, this should be a red flag. Whether negative or positive, emotions could cloud your ability to think logically and objectively. Asking the following questions about news content can help you determine its degree of credibility.

SELF-INTERESTED ACTORS:

Is the content journalism?

People who create fake news to serve their own ends. For example, in an effort to promote his own career, Jayson Blair reported fake news in

Not everyone in the press is a journalist. Commentators and pundits, such as Rachel Maddow of MSNBC, Sean Hannity of Fox News Channel,

SATIRICAL FAKE NEWS:

Identify, evaluate, and analyze the evidence.

Are the news story’s sources clearly identified or not? Are there other newsworthy views or sources that ought to be included? Journalists sometimes have to use anonymous sources to protect the identity of vulnerable individuals and whistleblowers. For example, if a source is providing information about corruption in their workplace or within the government, they could be fired by their employer for doing so or, worse yet, charged with a crime and imprisoned. And at a legitimate news organization, an editor will look for independent verification of the facts before publishing. However, there can also be problems when journalists rely on anonymous sources, because the claims made by such sources can be difficult, if not impossible, to verify.

It is a good idea to be skeptical of anonymous sources, but it is also important to note that at times anonymous sources have been remarkably significant. For example, two of the most famous news stories in the history of U.S. journalism relied on anonymous sources: the revelations of the M Lai massacre in Vietnam and the Watergate scandal that eventually brought down President Richard Nixon’s administration.

What is Missing from the Content?

and Bakari Sellers of CNN, comment on news stories that other journalists originally reported.

These commentators or pundits are rarely on-site for the story, in real time or afterward, and are less likely to have been involved in primary-source reporting. By contrast, reporters and journalists generally introduce primary sources, explaining the known and verified events on a timeline while providing further context. They tell audiences what the available primary sources mean when analyzed together.

Who is the Publisher of this Content?

Evaluate the publisher’s validity. This easy step can be taken early in the process of news evaluation. News users should consider the following questions: Does the publisher have a history of publishing fact-based journalism or biased content? Does the publisher have any conflicts

of interest (economic, political, professional, or personal)? Do they have a history of retracting and correcting inaccurate reporting?

Analyze news media not just for what is there but for what is missing. What stories and whose viewpoints are excluded? What identity groups are erased or marginalized, either as newsworthy sources of information and perspective or as journalists? What do these missing people and perspectives reveal about the aims and the validity of the news content? How do these missing perspectives reinforce or extend existing power relations?

Who is the Author of this Content?

What is the Bias?

Evaluate the author’s credibility, another crucial early step. News users should consider the following questions: Who is the author? Does the author have any professional, personal, or political conflicts of interest? Do they have a history of having their stories retracted for inaccurate reporting?

Do I Understand the Content?

Slow down and carefully investigate content.

Being well informed is not about virtue signaling or showing that you can share more articles online than any of your peers; it is about finding the truth, and that takes time.

Identify and examine the influence of bias on news content. As we’ve mentioned, all content will have some bias, originating from a variety of sources. Corporate news coverage often reflects the values of consumer culture by emphasizing the interests of business owners, while ignoring the lives of working people.

We spend more of our daily lives consuming media than any prior generation. Its influence is undeniable, but we don’t have to allow it to determine our opinions and behavior. Asking the right questions about the content that is presented to us is the first step in becoming savvy media consumers who are less vulnerable to manipulation.

ONYX MAGAZINE 31

Excerpted from The Media and Me: A Guide to Critical Media Literacy for Young People by Project Censored and The Media Revolution Collective (2022) appears with permission of the Censored Press and Seven Stories Press.

What is the Evidence?

R E A L E S TAT E

SKY HIGH

MORTGAGE RATES JUST HIT THEIR HIGHEST POINT THIS YEAR: IS IT A BLIP OR A HOUSING DEATH BLOW?

BY MARGARET HEIDENRY

M

ortgage rates just jumped to their highest level of the year, averaging 6.81% for a 30-year fixed-rate home loan as of July 6, according to Freddie Mac. That’s a significant leap from 6.71% at the end of May—and more than double the rate that homebuyers enjoyed a mere two years earlier. But times have changed: For the past nine months, rates have hovered above 6%. Plus, although home prices have fallen a bit, they remain stubbornly above $440,000 throughout 2023.

All in all, it’s enough to make almost any homebuyer wonder: Is buying a home even worth doing today?

For a data-driven answer to that question, here’s what the latest real estate statistics are saying for the week ending July 1 in our column “How’s the Housing Market This Week?”

WHAT HIGH MORTGAGE RATES MEAN FOR HOMEBUYERS AND SELLERS As if record-high mortgage rates weren’t enough bad news, in another housing gut punch, the number of homes for sale dipped below last year’s level by 2% for the week ending July 1.

That’s the first significant drop in inventory in over a year, at 60 weeks.

Sellers’ reluctance to list is directly tied to today’s high rates, with 1 in 7 homeowners choosing not to sell this year because they feel “locked in” to their current lower interest rate loan.

As a result, “the housing market is not getting the influx of homes for sale that it typically does,” notes Danielle Hale, chief economist for Realtor.com®, in her weekly data analysis. “For this reason, our updated 2023 outlook expects inventory to drop this year.”

HOME PRICES ARE FALLING, BUT NOT BY ENOUGH The glimmer of good news for buyers is that home prices fell by 0.3% for the week ending July 1—the fourth straight week of declines, coming in for June at $445,000.

Still, this barely makes a dent in homebuyers’ higher housing costs, and unless more homes suddenly appear on the market, limited supply will keep prices high.

“The number of homes available for sale remains limited and is likely a factor that is both holding back existing-home sales and keeping prices elevated,” explains Hale.

NEW LISTINGS HIT A ONE-YEAR LOW Rubbing salt into weary homebuyers’ wounds is another startling statistic: Not only are mortgage rates up and overall inventory down, but new listings hit a major milestone the week ending July 1, with the number of new homes for sale falling by 21% annually. This marks an entire year—52 weeks—that there were fewer fresh listings than the same time last year.

Meanwhile, the pace of home sales is slowing.

For the week ending July 1, homes lingered on the market for 13 more days compared with last year. This marks 50 weeks it’s taken longer to sell a home compared with the same week last year.

In June, homes spent an average of 43 days on the market. Nonetheless, it’s worth noting that this sluggish pace is still faster than before the COVID-19 pandemic.

“June housing data show that the typical home on the market in June spent 10 fewer days on market than in 2017 to 2019,” said Hale.

HOW HOMEBUYERS FIND ALTERNATIVES Homebuyers not willing to shell out big bucks for a not-quite-dream home only to face high monthly mortgage payments do have a few alternatives.

One that’s been gaining traction among intrepid homebuyers is new-construction homes, which can often be found at prices lower than for preexisting properties.

“Affordability continues to be stretched,” notes Hale, “and fortunately, builders are continuing to add homes with a somewhat greater focus on affordable price points.”

Other would-be first-time homebuyers might simply choose to keep renting—now that rents have finally started to drop.

“With nationwide rents beginning to decline and homes taking longer to sell, potential firsttime homebuyers are likely to feel less urgency,” says Hale. That said, “high costs still make the question of where to live feel high-stakes.”

Margaret Heidenry is a writer living in Brooklyn, NY. Her work has appeared in the New York Times Magazine, Vanity Fair, and Boston Magazine.

COMMUNITY

STOP THE KILLING SOCIOLOGISTS LOOK AT THREE WAYS TO PREVENT SCHOOL SHOOTINGS.

BY BEVERLY KINGSTON AND BEVERLY GOODRUM

circumstances that lead to violence in which an attacker picks a target – like a person, group, or school – in advance.

We find that the same patterns of concerning behavior emerge among the perpetrators, but that’s not all. We also find that there are often many opportunities to intervene with the perpetrator before the tragedy that peers, family members, school staff, law enforcement officials, and others miss.

Much of the public discussion on preventing school shootings focuses on whether and how to limit people’s access to firearms.

While these efforts remain important, over the past 30 years, our work has identified other strategies that can reduce the risk for violence. Here are three evidence-based steps that schools and communities can take to prevent violence.

I

n the months leading up to his 2012 attack that killed 26 people in Newtown, Connecticut, a 20-year-old man exhibited a cascade of concerning behaviors. He experienced worsening anorexia, depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder. His relationships deteriorated, and he became fixated on mass murders.

In 2013, an 18-year-old had enraged outbursts at school and threatened to kill his debate coach. Concerned, the school’s threat assessment team interviewed him, rating him as a low-level risk for violence. But three months after the assessment, he shot and killed a classmate and himself on school grounds in Centennial, Colorado.

By 2018, a 19-year-old man had more than 40 documented encounters with law enforcement and a history of threatening others and weapons purchases. After his mother died in 2017, family friends contacted law enforcement and expressed concern about his behavior. In 2018, he perpetrated a shooting that killed 17 people in Parkland, Florida.

All three perpetrators displayed disturbing behavior before their attacks – and the people around them missed the opportunities to intervene.

We are sociologists at the Center for the Study and Prevention of Violence at the University of Colorado Boulder. We study the

34 ONYX MAGAZINE

Most school shooters exhibited concerning behavior and communicated their plan to cause harm before their deadly attack.

These troubling behaviors and communications provide opportunities for adults to step in, for students to speak up, and for people to help a student who may be in psychological or emotional distress.

But the warning signs for violence can be difficult to distinguish from other types of problem behavior, particularly among adolescents.

According to the U.S. Secret Service, the 10 most common concerning behaviors among school attackers are: • Threats to the target or others, and an intent to attack, including on social media • intense or escalating anger • interest in weapons • sadness, depression or isolation • changes in behavior or appearance • suicide or self-harm • interest in weapons or violence • complaints of being bullied • worries over grades or attendance • harassing others Attackers typically exhibit five or more of these concerning behaviors. Educational programs and training that encourage people to share their concerns about, and seek help for, those engaging in worrisome behavior may improve safety in schools and communities.

THIS STORY FROM THE CONVERSATION HAS BEEN REPUBLISHED THROUGH A CREATIVE COMMONS LICENSE.

1. Teach Students and Adults to Report Warning Signs

vices, 32% had their parents notified, 22% had an official check on their well-being, 12% were hospitalized at least briefly, and 10% were given a suicide assessment; some received more than one of those responses.

These types of interventions are known to prevent school violence. The National Policing Institute is a nonprofit organization based in Arlington, Virginia, that maintains the Averted School Violence Database. As of 2021, the database contained case information on 171 averted attacks, 88 of which were first discovered by a peer of the potential attacker.

3. Conduct Behavioral Threat Assessment and Management

March 24, 2018: The late Georgia Congressman John Lewis marches with teenagers at the start of the March For Our Lives anti-gun event on March 24, 2018 in Atlanta, GA. — Photo by BluIz60

2. Develop and Publicize Around-the-Clock Anonymous Tip Lines People need a way to safely report their concerns. Tip line systems include websites, phone numbers to call or text, email addresses, and apps. They let students and others anonymously, or confidentially, share their concerns about another’s threatening behavior or communications.

These tip lines can make people less hesitant to report situations that worry them or that they think may not be their business, such as bullying, threats, drug use, or someone’s talk of suicide.

Several states have modeled their tip lines after Colorado’s Safe2Tell, which is a 24/7/365 live anonymous reporting system that was created in the wake of the 1999 Columbine High School mass shooting. Safe2Tell relays tips to local law enforcement officials and school leaders, who investigate and triage each tip. These law enforcement officials and school leaders determine the nature of the concern, along with the most appropriate response.

A 2011 study found the system had helped stop 28 potential school attacks, but that research has not been updated in the years since. Recent Safe2Tell reports indicate that the system also helps students get help for significant mental health needs.

During the 2021-22 school year, for instance, Safe2Tell received 19,364 reports. Of those, 14% were related to suicide threats, 7% to bullying, and 7% to welfare checks. Of the 84 self-reports related to mental health that year, 32% received counseling ser-

Once people report their concerns, law enforcement officers, school staff and mental health professionals must evaluate the reports and determine how to handle the information, and the people implicated.

One method, called behavioral threat assessment and management, seeks to identify the cause of the concerning behavior – such as a grievance, psychological trauma, or mental health concern. In schools, this process encourages the threat assessment team to evaluate the risk for violence and build a plan for supporting and monitoring the student, their behavior and their communications.

Schools that use this approach are less likely to simply suspend or expel the students they evaluate. That means students can still receive services and support through their school, rather than being excluded from it.

This process also helps distinguish cases in which a student made a threat but does not intend harm from those in which a student poses a real threat.

Once the team has assessed the threat, it can share the results – and the plan of action – with other school staff members to ensure everyone knows how to handle the student and their behavior. School staff members then also know how, and to whom, to report any subsequent observations of worrying actions or statements from the student.

It’s important for all school personnel to know that the federal student privacy law allows this type of information-sharing because it relates to school and personal safety. Some school leaders hesitate to share the plan because they are confused about this provision of the law.

For that reason, and because resources may be constrained at school or may not extend to a student’s home life, the action plans that follow behavioral threat assessments aren’t always carried out properly. So the team may have completed the assessment paperwork, but not the actual work of supporting, managing or monitoring the student’s needs.

Americans are not helpless in the face of school violence.

Research has identified solutions. We believe it’s time to act to consistently and effectively implement these solutions.

Beverly Kingston is director and senior research associate, and Beverly Goodrum senior research associate, both for the Center for the Study and Prevention of Violence at the University of Colorado, Boulder.

ONYX MAGAZINE 35

TECHNOLOGY

GENERATIVE AI GAINS GROUND

A

rtificial Intelligence (AI) continues to grip the imagination and the headlines, and AI will continue to impact productivity, security, and economics worldwide, but there is a role for smart regulation, according to Andrew Moore, CEO of Lovelace AI and co-chair of the Generative AI Task Force for the non-profit Special Competitive Studies Project (SCSP).

Use of generative AI, which involves machine learning and the ability of a computer to predict the next word (such as ChatGPT), continues to expand globally, but it is still a work in progress, says Moore. “The world is very demanding, and it’s not OK for generative AI to be really impressive 96% of the time and really stupid 4% of the time.”

For example, the potential of self-driving cars has yet to be fully realized despite some impressive demos, Moore says. “That’s so similar to what we're talking about with generative AI at the moment, where sometimes GPT gives amazing answers that it seems so much smarter than any human, and sometimes it gives crazy answers,” he notes.

36 ONYX MAGAZINE

Regulation is needed, but businesses have expressed concerns that regulations will be impractical, stifle innovation, and prevent Western countries from competing with the rest of the world, Moore says.

In a recent podcast, Moore emphasized two areas in which AI innovation should be supported: EDUCATION. AI provides unique opportunities not only for children, but for learners of all ages to get absolute full attention in a form of instruction that can diagnose where they are confused and help them understand, Moore explains. “I'm so excited about many results of how the use of AI tutors can help kids or other people who perhaps are not able

to get that level of attention from a human teacher, or maybe the human teachers just don't have the expertise to teach a particular topic,” he adds. Too much regulation, such as a blanket refusal to allow the AI to listen to human voices in the form of students asking questions, would hinder the educational benefits, and countries with such regulation would fall behind in terms of the benefits in learning outcomes for kids, Moore says.

NATIONAL SECURITY. Autonomy is the name of the game when it comes to using AI in national security, says Moore. The United States has careful rules about the use of autonomy in weapons systems. “But at the moment, as we're seeing around the world, the most important use of autonomous platforms is for gathering data,” he says. For example, “in an area where suddenly a surprising number of ships are gathering, you quickly get an eye on the sky, and make sure that the AI is in the sky and secure and operating even in the face of adversaries.”

AI brings potential risks as well as benefits, but it is essential to find ways to strike a balance with regulation that still promotes innovation, says Moore.

Visit scsp.ai for more information.

SAGE

FLEXIBILITY IS KEY TO A THRIVING RETIREMENT T

oday’s retirement experience can be unpredictable, and resilience and flexibility are the keys to not just surviving, but thriving. The right strategies and guidance can help retirees and pre-retirees weather the curveballs — and sometimes the cannonballs — of personal and financial life.

Two-thirds of retirees report feeling confident in their ability to handle the unexpected, based on a survey from financial services firm Edward Jones in collaboration with Age Wave, the leading organization on issues relating to aging. However, retirees and pre-retirees want to know the full range of options when it comes to financial planning, especially in the wake of challenges large and small.

“Today’s pre- and current retirees know they will face challenges but are willing to make adjustments, trade-offs and course corrections to improve their quality of life and sense of well-being as retirement continues to last longer than ever,” said Lena Haas, Head of Wealth Management Advice and Solutions at Edward Jones. “We are encouraged to see that Americans understand they need to have a flexible plan and feel confident in their ability to handle the unexpected, particularly if they can learn from the experiences of others.”

Here are a few course corrections Edward Jones experts suggest across their four pillars: HEALTH: Maintain good health habits, such as eating well, exercising regularly, and engaging in stimulating mental activities.

These can improve health, extend life, and increase feelings of well-being in retirement.

FAMILY: Spend more quality time with those you love and avoid toxic relationships; spending time with family can be fulfilling, but know where to set emotional and financial boundaries.

PURPOSE: Enrich your life in a way that works for you, by exploring familiar paths, trying new things, expanding social circles, and reinventing yourself with new goals and dreams.

FINANCE: The right financial guidance can help you make the most of retirement; seek experts with a holistic approach that includes all possible tools beyond the basics of increasing savings and reducing debt.

Boost Retirement With a Little-Known Benefit Retirement in the United States can be expensive, and even savvy seniors who have budgeted for this phase of their lives may feel squeezed in areas such as housing and health care. COVID-19 has made things even harder for many. Many older Americans who have worked hard all their lives are unaware that they qualify for a range of public and private benefits to help pay for food, medicine, utilities, and many more essentials that ensure a safe and stable retirement. Every year, $30 billion in benefits go unclaimed because eligible older adults don't know the programs exist or how to apply.

These programs are not scams, and they are not loans. They are legitimate public and private funds designed to help older adults boost their budgets. The National Council on Aging (NCOA), the nation's oldest and most trusted nonprofit working on behalf of seniors, offers the latest information on benefits programs on its free and confidential website, BenefitsCheckUp.org.

The site includes a simple search tool to help retirees and their caregivers safely and securely identify programs that may help meet their financial needs. There are benefits that help pay for medication and other health care costs (including home care and nursing home care), as well as food, housing, and utilities.

For those living on a fixed income, an extra $200-$300 a month can make a significant difference in their standard of living and quality of life.

Approximately half of all Medicare beneficiaries live on incomes below $26,200 a year. For those who qualify, Medicare's special programs can save them thousands of dollars annually on their premiums, medications, deductibles, and co-pays. BenefitsCheckUp.org also includes information on employment and volunteer programs, programs for veterans, property tax relief, travel and recreation discounts, and support for families and caregivers.

ONYX MAGAZINE 37

DRUG POLICIES,

TESTING METHODS ADAPT TO GROWTH IN CANNABIS USE

C

onsider this hypothetical scenario: Two weeks ago, during a vacation in California, you lawfully purchased and consumed marijuana intended for adult use. But now you are back at work in Florida, where recreational cannabis remains illegal, and you have been chosen for a random drug test by your employer.

It is highly likely that your past marijuana usage, although legal at the time, would be detected by urine and hair follicle tests. A urine analysis can find traces of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive component in cannabis, for up to 30 days following marijuana consumption, while a hair follicle sample offers up to 90 days of potentially incriminating evidence.

If your employer has a strict drug-free workplace policy, you could be fired regardless of the circumstances. The same consequence could happen even if you had legally used low-THC medical cannabis because employees with Florida medical marijuana cards are not protected by state law.

According to drug testing expert Zathan Boutan, employees whose job roles pose safety risks, such as those working in law enforcement and transportation, are often subject to random drug testing as a condition of employment, unlike employees in desk-bound positions.

I

“Oral fluid is one of the newer methodologies, and it goes back a day, possibly two if you're a heavy user,” says Kelly Dobbins, who has 25 years of experience in administering drug and alcohol tests for public and private employers, courts and the federal government.

One commonly observed and blatantly obvious tactic individuals employ is intentionally showing up after the scheduled test date, allowing them more time to cleanse their system. Both Dobbins and Boutan have stopped attempts to use concealed drug-free urine samples. A particularly daring method used to cheat a urine test involves obtaining a urine sample from a non-user.

And then there are people who just come right out and ask how they can pass a drug test.

Visit https://bit.ly/DrugTestingCoC to watch MMERI’s Conversations on Cannabis Virtual Forum featuring drug testing experts Zathan Boutan and Kelly Dobbins, discuss drug testing and the ways cannabis can be detected in your body. Editor’s note: This commentary is provided by the Medical Marijuana Education and Research Initiative (MMERI) of Florida A&M University

BENEFITS OF DRINKING WATER

t’s hot, y’all! In these fire-like temps, it is highly important to stay hydrated. Your body needs more water when you’re in hot climates; when you’re more physically active, as we tend to be in summer; and if you’re running a fever or have certain illnesses. Getting enough water every day is important for your health. Drinking water can prevent dehydration, a condition that can cause unclear thinking, result in mood change, cause your body to overheat, and lead to constipation and kidney stones. Water has no calories, so it can also help with managing body weight and reducing calorie intake when substituted for drinks with calories, such as sweet tea or regular soda.

WATER HELPS YOUR BODY: • Keep a normal temperature • Lubricate and cushion joints • Protect your spinal cord and other sensitive tissues • Get rid of wastes through urination, perspiration, and bowel movements

TIPS TO DRINK MORE WATER • Carry a water bottle with you and refill it throughout the day • Freeze some freezer safe water bottles.

Take one with you for ice-cold water all day long • Choose water over sugary drinks • Opt for water when eating out. You’ll save money and reduce calories • Serve water during meals • Add a wedge of lime or lemon to your water.

This can help improve the taste • Make sure your kids are getting enough water too

Sugary drinks contribute to type 2 diabetes heart disease and obesity.

Rethink your drink! Click here to learn more: cdc.gov/rethinkyourdrink 38 ONYX MAGAZINE

H E A LT H & W E L L N E S S

9 FOODS THAT HELP YOUR HAIR GROW

BY FELICIA VANCE

W

hen it comes to healthy hair, it’s not just what you put on your tresses that count — it’s what you put in your body, too.

“Lather, rinse, repeat” may be standard advice, but shampoo and conditioner alone won’t give you the healthy hair you crave. For the most luxurious locks possible, you’ll need to step out of the shower, and into the kitchen.

Your hair grows about 1/4 to 1/2 inches every month, and the foundation of all of our new hair, skin, and nail growth is the nutrients we eat. If you eat a healthy diet, you will grow stronger and healthier cells throughout your entire body — inside and out. Continue reading to see the best foods for hair growth.

BEST FOODS FOR HAIR GROWTH

Hair story by BlackDoctor.org. Water information from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

1. Salmon When it comes to the best foods for hair growth, it’s hard to beat salmon.

Loaded with omega-3 fatty acids, this high-quality protein source is also filled with vitamin B-12 and iron. Essential omega-3 fatty acids are needed to support scalp health. A deficiency can result in a dry scalp thus giving your hair a dull look. Vegetarian? Include one or two tablespoons of ground flaxseed in your daily diet for some plant-based omega-3 fats.

2. Beans Legumes like kidney beans and lentils should be an important part of your hair-care diet. Not only do they provide plentiful protein to promote hair growth, but ample iron, zinc, and biotin. While rare, biotin deficiencies can result in brittle hair. Three or more cups of lentils or beans each week is expert recommended.

6. Whole Grains Sink your teeth into hearty whole grains, including whole-wheat bread and fortified whole-grain breakfast cereals, for a hair-healthy dose of zinc, iron, and B vitamins. A whole-grain snack can also be a great go-to food when your energy is zapped halfway through the afternoon, and you’ve still got hours to go before dinner.

3. Oysters Oysters may be better known for their reputation as an aphrodisiac, but they can also lead to healthy hair — and who doesn’t love that? The key to their love and hair-boosting abilities is zinc — a powerful antioxidant. If oysters don’t make a regular appearance on your dinner plate, don’t despair.

In addition to getting it from whole grains and nuts, you can also get zinc from beef and lamb.

7. Carrots Carrots are an excellent source of vitamin A, which promotes a healthy scalp along with good vision. Since a healthy scalp is essential for a shiny, well-conditioned head of hair, you’d be wise to include carrots in your diet as snacks or toppings on your salad.

4. Nuts Brazil nuts are one of nature’s best sources of selenium and an important mineral for the health of your scalp. Walnuts contain alpha-linolenic acid, an omega-3 fatty acid that may help condition your hair. They are also a terrific source of zinc, as are cashews, pecans, and almonds. A zinc deficiency can lead to hair shedding, so make sure nuts are a regular on your healthy hair menu.

5. Eggs When it comes to healthy hair, it doesn’t matter whether you like your eggs scrambled, fried, or over easy. However they’re served up, eggs are one of the best protein sources you can find. They also contain biotin and vitamin B-12, which are important beauty nutrients.

8. Dark Green Vegetables Popeye the Sailor Man didn’t eat all that spinach for healthy hair, but he could have. Spinach, like broccoli and Swiss chard, is an excellent source of vitamins A and C, which your body needs to produce sebum. The oily substance, secreted by your hair follicles, is the body’s natural hair conditioner.

Dark green vegetables also provide iron and calcium.

9. Low-Fat Dairy Products Low-fat dairy products like skim milk and yogurt are great sources of calcium and an important mineral for hair growth. They also contain whey and casein, two high-quality protein sources. For some healthy hair foods “to-go,” try throwing a yogurt or cottage cheese cup in your bag when you head out in the morning to snack on later in the day. You can even boost their hair benefits by stirring in a couple of tablespoons of ground flaxseeds or walnuts for omega-3 fatty acids and zinc.

ONYX MAGAZINE 39

WORKPLACE

5 to HELP YOU FIND YOUR DREAM JOB

40 ONYX MAGAZINE

STATEPOINT MEDIA

s t h g i s In

“A well-executed job search that combines powerful search tools and the right mindset will connect you with companies that value their employees and set them up to thrive.”

–KRISTIN KELLEY, CHIEF MARKETING OFFICER OF CAREERBUILDER

L

anding a dream job can be a labor- ntensive process. However, leaning on new tools and tech to do some of the groundwork for you can help ensure you start your new position with purpose and

energy.

With one in four U.S. adults currently job seeking, it’s a competitive market, but experts say that finding your dream job is within reach if you use smart strategies.

“A well-executed job search that combines powerful search tools and the right mindset will connect you with companies that value their employees and set them up to thrive,” says Kristin Kelley, chief marketing officer of CareerBuilder.

As you get your job search under way, consider these five tips and insights from CareerBuilder: 1. Define your dream job: Research shows that the goals and desires of job seekers vary by industry. However, whether you’re an administrative assistant, a retail worker or a software developer, it’s important to define

what matters to you in a job, as doing so will help you narrow your search.

This means nailing down details like your salary requirements, while also considering intangible factors, such as whether the work will allow you to make an impact and whether the company’s values and culture align with yours.

2. Build a better resume: A resume is often the first point of connection between you and your next job, yet knowing its importance can make it feel daunting to create. To make a great impression with a minimal amount of effort, check out online tools like CareerBuilder’s “Create Resume” feature. The platform allows you to create multiple variations of your resume that call out specific areas of expertise as they may relate to particular roles. The site has already outlined the most important fields for you to fill in, making it easy to authentically highlight a mix of hard and soft skills that will get you noticed by top employers.

3. Streamline your search: Work smart, not hard. Rather than apply for jobs individually, turn to a job search platform that will make your profile and resume available to thousands of employers. In the case of CareerBuilder, you don’t actually need to register for an account to search through its millions of job listings. Search for jobs using filters like degree requirement, keywords, industry and mileage radius, then apply for positions directly on the site. A salary search function, along with career advice and tips, make it an invaluable one-stop site for job seekers.

4. Prepare for interviews: Preparing answers to common interview questions and even practicing with a spouse or friend beforehand can help you feel competent and confident when the real interview rolls around. For behavioral questions, CareerBuilder recommends using the STAR method, in which you describe the Situation, Task, Action and Result to explain how you would act in specific work situations.

5. Check the terms: A dream job is only a dream job if the terms of employment suit you. Before signing a contract, check such details as compensation, start date, the company’s leave policy, professional development opportunities, perks and benefits, as well as items that could impact you in the future, like non-disclosure agreements. If you plan to negotiate, decide whether you’ll take the job if the employer doesn’t modify the contract.

Stay courteous and professional throughout the process.

For more career advice, or to register and search for jobs, visit careerbuilder.com/jobs.

ONYX MAGAZINE 41

CELEBRATION THE BAHAMAS MARK 50 YEARS OF INDEPENDENCE

C

lose your eyes. Take a deep breath. Take it all in.

You hear the subtle rustling of leaves high in palm trees that line pristine, sandy shores.

When you gaze upward to discover the origin of the sound, your eyes meet skies so blue and clouds so white, you think an artist must have painted the horizon. Surrounding you is the soft crashing of waves in waters so perfectly turquoise they must be ink-injected. Happy music consumes the air, and you cannot stop swooning to the beats. The chop of a coconut reminds you to “drink water and mind your business,” as you sip libation from the tropical fruit freshly down from its tree. Beautiful, friendly, brown-skinned people freely welcome you into their space and begin reciting the history of their land—land where they are so proud to dwell. You are in the Bahamas, and suddenly, you realize you may never want to leave.

For most of us, the 700 islands of The Bahamas beckon us to unwind and explore the beauty of nature. It is where we partake in the most delicious conch salad, johnny bread and coco42 ONYX MAGAZINE

ONYX Staff Report

nut water. We do not realize the journey to this paradise met hardship and sorrow. However, the people of The Bahamas have overcome many challenges and now thrive in a place as picturesque as it is productive. After 50 years of sovereignty, the multiple celebrations throughout the nation and around the world, are markers for a prosperous future.

“Independence was and is, a state of mind, an attitude, a conviction, that we will faithfully discharge the weighty responsibilities of sovereignty and self-determination,” Bahamian Prime Minister Philip Davis told an enormous crowd at Clifford Park in Nassau, Bahamas, during a festival sprinkled with fireworks. “Our Bahamian flag will be raised once again. It will be an echo of that moment, 50 years ago, on July 10, 1973, which marked the birth of our nation. It was and is a moment of awe, one which has delivered a birthright which the world now marks by the manner of our bearing. On that night, as the flag slowly ascended, with it were raised the hopes and aspirations of the Bahamian people, to carve out our own identity, to make our own way, to seek to build the best little country in the world,” he said.

BRIEF HISTORY First inhabited by the Lucayans, part of the Arawaken-speaking Taíno, The Bahama Islands received a visit from Spaniard explorer Christopher Columbus, the first European to see the

COVER

Sources, The Habari Network, Caribbean National Weekly, The Bahamas, Census of Population and Housing, BBC News.

Celebration fireworks at Atlantis in Nassau, Bahamas

islands when he landed in the “New World” in 1492 in San Salvador. Later, the Spanish shipped the native Lucayans to and enslaved them on Hispaniola. The Bahama islands stood mostly deserted from 1513 until 1648, because nearly all native Bahamians had been forcibly removed for enslavement or died of diseases that Europeans brought to the islands. In 1649, English colonists from Bermuda, known as the Eleutheran Adventurers, settled on the island of Eleuthera.

In 1718, The Bahamas became a British crown colony. After the American Revolutionary War, the Crown resettled thousands of American Loyalists to the Bahamas; they took enslaved people with them and established plantations on land grants. Enslaved Africans and their descendants constituted majority of the population from this period on. The British abolished the slave trade in 1807; ad in 1834 in The Bahamas. Subsequently, The Bahamas became a haven for freed African slaves. Today Black-Bahamians make up 90% of the population of 400,516.

The country gained governmental independence in 1973, led by Sir Lynden O. Pindling, the first prime minister of the Bahamas. The political leader, who died in 1996, is regarded as the "Father

of the Nation" of the Bahamas, having led it to majority rule on January 10, 1967, and to independence from Great Britain on July 10, 1973. Charles III is currently the monarch of the Bahamas. As one of the richest countries in the Americas in gross domestic product per capita, following the U.S. and Canada, the Bahamian economy is based on tourism and offshore finance.

BRIEF FUTURE The future of the Bahama islands has high-spirited hope and promise of collaboration. In business, the country is developing a Vision2040 Plan. It will provide a roadmap for the future development of The Bahamas. The Plan will include a comprehensive policy framework that will guide Government decision making and investment over the next 25 years.

Vision2040 is an initiative of the Government of The Bahamas, developed in partnership with the Inter-American Development Bank and in close cooperation with the College of The Bahamas and The Bahamas Chamber of Commerce and Employers Confederation. the plan will be guided by extensive research, analysis and widespread public consultation aimed at addressing four main Exumas, Bahamas

policy pillars: The Economy, Governance, Social Policy and Environment (Natural and Built).

For travelers, The Bahamas plans more of the rest and relaxation they offer better than anywhere else. Celebrations of the 50th anniversary will go on into November. According to Travel + Leisure magazine, anniversary aside, several major enhancements and developments will roll out in the Bahamas this year. Among them—following a $300 million redevelopment—Nassau’s new cruise port, with a Junkanoo museum, opened in May. New this year, sailing will officially be named the national sport of the Bahamas, making those island hops to Elbow Cay and Little Harbour even more of a must. In terms of a secluded and ecofriendly excursion, Ragged Island—home to just 72 inhabitants, as well as Deadman’s Cay Caves and the Tropic of Cancer Beach—kicked off the year by being designated 100% solar-powered, the first Bahamian island to do so.

CONTINUING THE CELEBRATION In his speech on July 10, Davis drew inspiration from the biblical narrative. He described parallels between Moses leading his people out of slavery and Joshua leading them towards the Promised Land. He emphasized that the current generation, collectively referred to as the “Joshua generation,” must display strength, courage, compassion, faith, and hard work to build upon the inheritance left behind by their predecessors.

Davis went on to say, “Each of us is called to join our footsteps on the road to our Promised Land: a land where we can keep ourselves safe and secure; a land where we can raise ourselves out of poverty and educate ourselves into greatness; a land where opportunity and justice are free and fair and available to all!”

ONYX MAGAZINE 43

TIPS 7 FOR BACK-TO-SCHOOL W E A LT H & F I N A N C E

SHOPPING ON A BUDGET

B

etween navigating store aisles and online sales for everything from clothes and shoes to supplies and sports equipment, backto-school shopping can be a time-consuming – and expensive – endeavor.

To help stay on budget while still getting everything you need, consider these tips from Vitaly Pecharsky, head of deals for Slickdeals, a one-of-a-kind online community of shoppers working together to shop smarter and save more.

Take Stock of Current Inventory – Before you hit the stores, take inventory of items you already have at home or in the office to see what you truly need. Knowing what you already have on hand can help you avoid the temptation of stocking up on items you may not even need just because they were on sale. That 50-cent pack of crayons may be a good deal, but too many of those can add up, especially if you realize later, you had the same item sitting unused in a closet or drawer at home.

Check With Teachers – Don’t be afraid to email your children’s teachers before classes start to find out what supplies are absolutely necessary. Sometimes a school will put out a list, but the teachers may not require you to have all the items on the list, particularly if students may be sharing and supplies may need to be restocked later in the school year.

Tap Into Technology – Shopping online is a quick and easy way to compare products, services and prices, but it can be overwhelming trying to determine if you’re really getting the best option. Before making a final decision on everything from laptops to markers, visiting a deals site can help you find the best products at the best prices. With users who vet and vote on deals from top retailers, you can feel comfortable knowing you're

getting the best value. You can also set deal alerts to be notified via email when a deal that matches your criteria gets posted.

Buy Pre-owned – From uniforms and sporting equipment to clothing and more, not everything needs to be new each school year.

Visiting online consignment shops can help you find big savings on like new, often brand name clothing, accessories and more.

Avoid Buying Equipment for Extracurricular Activities All at Once – If your children are trying new sports, clubs or extracurricular activities for the first time, consider waiting to purchase all the necessary equipment.

Oftentimes, you may be able to borrow or buy pre-owned items from other parents whose kids have outgrown the equipment or no longer participate. If your children end up deciding a sport or activity isn’t for them, you’re not stuck with things that may end up collecting dust in the garage or basement.

Shop Without Your Kids – Leaving the kids at home when shopping may help save money, according to a survey conducted by OnePoll.

The study of 2,000 parents in the United States found two out of three respondents believe shopping with their kids tends to be more expensive than shopping by themselves with solo ventures costing an average of $133 compared to $179 when taking children along.

Take Advantage of Student Discounts – If you have children in college, you may be able to use their student ID cards to your advantage to save even more money. Before making purchases on big-ticket items like tablets or laptops, be sure to inquire about discounts available only for students. Some companies even offer student-only memberships for discounted services, such as shipping, video, music and more.

44 ONYX MAGAZINE

FAMILY FEATURES, PHOTOS COURTESY OF GETTY IMAGES

Don’t be afraid to email your children’s teachers before classes start to find out what supplies are absolutely necessary.

W E A LT H & F I N A N C E

to

TIPS

BUILD A STABLE, SUSTAINABLE FINANCIAL FUTURE FOR YOUR FAMILY

STATEPOINT MEDIA DRAZEN ZIGIC / ISTOCK VIA GETTY IMAGES PLUS

B

uilding wealth is not as easy as it sounds. It can take time, discipline and a plan to keep those dollars protected. However, if done correctly, it can provide security for your family for years to come.

No matter where you are in your personal financial journey, there are steps you can take to help build a financially secure future. Although your approach should be personalized to your specific situation, Freddie Mac suggests building your plan on three main pillars: accumulate, preserve and protect what you’ve built.

Managing your debts and expenses is paramount. Pay down debts in high-interest accounts and prioritize other expenses that require immediate attention.

Your credit score is a critical part of this equation, and the time to improve it is right now. A strong credit score can help you receive a better interest rate and loan terms when working with lenders, as well as provide a host of other long-term benefits.

ACCUMULATE

Lastly, you should have a plan in place to eventually transfer the wealth you’ve built to family and loved ones.

CNBC reports that an estimated $68 trillion will be passed down from the baby boomer generation between 2019 and 2044. Having an estate plan can give you peace of mind that your assets will be allocated according to your wishes when the time comes.

In the meantime, you should also protect your assets from the unexpected. In addition to taking steps to safeguard your property from natural disasters, you should invest in a comprehensive renter or homeowner insurance policy. And always be mindful of the wide variety of scammers and hackers looking to access your resources.

Education has power. As you begin your journey, you can build your financial savviness with Freddie Mac CreditSmart Essentials, a suite of free education tools and information covering topics like how to buy a home or car, how to improve credit and how to build wealth. To learn more, visit creditsmart.freddiemac.com.

Building wealth doesn’t happen overnight. With consistency and commitment, and the right knowledge and mindset, you can create a stable future for you and your loved ones.

The first, and one of the most challenging steps, is saving for your future while covering basic expenses. Establishing and working toward defined financial goals in the short-, medium- and long-term is a good place to start.

Also, understanding your money mindset can help you identify opportunities to create healthier spending and saving habits.

Over time, it’s important for you to position yourself to take advantage of opportunities to raise your income. Consider discussing a raise with your current employer, taking a job opportunity with higher pay or starting a side business to supplement your income. You should also begin to build an emergency fund, which will better position you to weather unexpected financial emergencies. In general, you should save enough in this fund to cover three to six months of your typical monthly expenses.

In addition, if you are financially prepared for it, purchasing a home can help you build wealth in ways that renting cannot.

PRESERVE Once you’ve begun to accumulate wealth, the next step is preserving it.

You can accomplish this by protecting and growing your money over time.

PROTECT

ONYX MAGAZINE 45

FOOD & WINE

TART KEY LIME SMOOTHIE FOR HOT SUMMER DAYS

D

uring summer months, it’s common for many people to want to spend as much time outside enjoying the weather as possible. From the minute they wake up to when the sun goes down (and beyond), nearly everyone wants to take advantage of the warm summer heat. Especially kids, who often want to enjoy their break from school for the year.

From beach towels and sunglasses to swimsuits and flip flops, almost everything you need to enjoy some fun in the sun is likely already on-hand. However, summer can be so much sweeter with a fresh and fruity drink in your hand. Made with fresh ingredients, this drink is a perfect addition to any poolside party.

Next time you are looking to relax outdoors all day, try this Tart Lime Smoothie, which is filled with fresh fruit and cool enough to wash away that summer warmth. This chilled, tart drink will have everyone in the family ready to go for round two down the water slide.

To make this smoothie, in a blender, blend two kiwis, two ripe bananas, some fresh mint, Key lime juice, orange juice and 2 cups of crushed ice until all the ingredients are incorporated.

Light, fresh and a little bit frothy, this smoothie has a unique texture that may leave you wishing for a second cup the moment you take your first sip.

Yield: 1 1/2 cups • 2 kiwis, peeled and halved • 2 ripe bananas • 3 tablespoons fresh mint, chopped • 2 Key limes, juice only • 1 cup orange juice • 2 cups ice, crushed In blender, blend kiwis, bananas, mint, lime juice, orange juice and ice until smooth.

Pour into glasses to serve.

Family Features, Culinary.net

TART LIME SMOOTHIE

BE A PART OF

HIGHWAYMEN HISTORY

Order your Florida Highwaymen Specialty License Plate Voucher

www.flhsmv.gov Proceeds from the sales of Highwaymen specialty license plates will help fund the construction of the Highwaymen Museum and African-American Cultural Center, as well as art education projects in St. Lucie County.

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At Orlando Health Jewett Orthopedic Institute’s walk-in clinics, renowned sports medicine and specialized orthopedic care meet appointment-free convenience.

Whether you’re nursing a sprain or have been sidelined by an injury, our team of orthopedic experts are ready to help you get back to chasing your goals. For elite care on your schedule, find your local clinic at OrlandoHealth.com/WalkIn

choose well.