Volume 9 – Number 36 NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2018
SPECIAL EDITION
FLORIDA’S HBCUs
FELONS’ VOTING RIGHTS RESTORED!
CELEBRATING MILESTONES, MAKING HISTORY
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9
DAILY GRATITUDE = LONG LIFE
Gillum Andrew
PROFILE OF A TRAILBLAZER
GREAT HEALTHY CHRISTMAS GIFTS
$3.50 onyxmagazine.com
contents 2
Voting Rights Restored
6 Letter from the Publisher 8 Thankful – Showing daily gratitude = longer life 9 Elevate: Living life on with purpose 10 ONYX Magazine kicks off ONYX Business Connect 12 Bethune Cookman University 15 FAMU teams up with Google 16 FAMU’s first female drum major, Cori Bostic 18 Florida Memorial University 23 Good Read: Thought-provoking books to live by 25 Tips to enjoy holiday parties and control diabetes 26 Campus student body presidents 28 College Campus Royalty 30 Why children believe (or not) Santa Claus exists 32 Infinite Scholars – program to help fund college 33 Urban League: Strong Youths, Strong Communities 35 Travel – How to enjoy holidays in Florida 36 Andrew Gillum: Profile of a Winner
36 COVER STORY
ANDREW GILLUM
38 Arts & Entertainment – Clare and the Chocolate Nutcracker 40 Five great reasons to stop at the library this holiday season 42 Best healthy holiday gifts 45 Season of giving – help out this holiday 46 Gingerbread cookie recipe 47 Money Matters: Financial Literacy 48 Fashion – Mix up your holiday style for hot holiday parties 49 Sell Your Home During the Holidays with These Styling Tips 51 Florida Scope 54 ONYX Profile – Ernest Coney, Jr. 55 Renee Powell honored with residence hall in Scotland 56 AARP backs millennial voting efforts
PROFILE OF A WINNER
59 ONYX on the Move
Courtesy of City of Tallahassee
62 Wine and Food – Cognac
4 ONYX MAGAZINE
CLARE AND THE CHOCOLATE NUTCRACKER — THE ADAPTATION OF A CLASSIC BY GIGI BROOKS
O
ne of the first things I think about at Christmas time since childhood is going to see Alexander Dumas’ adapted story, “The Nutcracker” ballet performance, otherwise known as the “The Nutcracker and the Mouse King”, by E.T.A. Hoffmann. It first premiered at the Mariinsky Theater in St. Petersburg, Russia in 1892. However, it was not until the late 1960s that it gained widespread popularity in the United States during the Christmas season. The beautiful stage sets, backdrops, ballet dancers, and costumes continue to bedazzle millions of children and adults, young and old, year after year, including myself. Not to mention the classic score written by Gigi Brooks
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Tchaikovsky, with its most famous number performed in the third movement, “Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy”, which gives me thrills every time I hear it. I suppose it’s because deep down inside, we all want to feel like a kid again…at least at Christmas time. For over 10 plus years Beverly Ann Paige, President and CEO of Orlando Community Arts, Inc. and author of the children’s book, “Clare and The Chocolate Nutcracker — No Ordinary Nutcracker”, a sweetened rendition of “The Nutcracker”, with a sprinkle of chocolate, along with her choreographers, production staff and the like, have successfully put on one of Orlando’s original best dance presentations at Dr. Phillips High School.
I spoke briefly with the one of the show’s choreographers, Carol Cujoe. “We are so happy to have Jordan Little, who will play The Nutcracker King. He’s currently a dancer with the Orlando Magic and Universal. It is a community holiday show, produced by Orlando Community Arts, Inc. My daughter Carmen Cujoe and I are choreographers.” The story begins with a young girl has who has a dream where she is escorted by The Chocolate Nutcracker King and the Sugar Plum Fairy, on a journey to different lands - Africa, India, Spain, China and New Orleans to the Kingdom of Toys. The stage is laden with dancers of all ages and the colorful, dazzling costumes are ingenious. The set design, by Beverly Paige is full of rich colors, with beautiful backdrops. The dance scenes range from performances in ballet, modern jazz, stepping, swing, gospel and hip-hop. The music originates from the music scores of Tchaikovsky and Duke Ellington’s Nutcracker Suite. It’s a sight to see and hear! “We audition dancers every year, which opens up opportunities for new dancers.” she continues. “They come from Nulook Dance Theater and even the community at large. Anyone can audition, there’s no dance experience necessary, just positive attitude. We start with ages 6 and up.” The annual performance will be held on December 8-9, 2018 at Dr. Phillips High School or call 407-274-5523. The book can be purchased on Amazon, and will be on sale at the performances. In addition, there will be rare Chocolate Nutcrackers on sale. Tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door. It’s a wonderful holiday treat for the whole family!
Photo courtesy of Dr. Philips High School
ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT