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
VOLUME 24 ISSUE 6 NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2021
Val Demings HER HISTORIC RUN FOR SENATE
CLASSIC RETURN TO THE GRIDIRON
HOLIDAY TRAVEL DON’T BREAK THE BANK
HBCU EDITION
‘TIS THE SEASON
HOW FLORIDA CELEBRATES
$7.99 onyxmagazine.com
CONTENTS
46
COVER STORY
CONGRESSWOMAN VAL DEMINGS RUNS FOR SENATE 4 ONYX MAGAZINE
6 7 8 10 12 14 15 17 18 20 21 23 24 27 28 31 33 34 36 38 40 41 42 43 45 49 50 53 54
Publisher's Column ONYX Salutes Gen. Colin Powell Black History - Elizabeth Jennings Graham Christmas Celebrations - How Florida celebrates Travel - Ideas that won't break your bank Business - Year-end tips for small businesses ONYX on the Move Family - Destress during the holidays Music & Entertainment Health & Wellness - Safer ways to celebrate Dynamic Duo of Health Education - Scholarship workshops Money Matters - Credit matters in college Recipe - Chocolate pumpkin pecan pie Men of Honor - Power and Excellence Bethune-Cookman University - On the Rise Florida A&M University - Top Rank Student Leadership - Campus royalty and SGA The Quad - HBCU grads you need to know Sports - Classic Comeback - Return of The Florida Classic Survive the holiday food frenzy SAGE - Spotting the signs of loneliness in seniors International - Caribbean celebration ONYX Reads - Books to curl up with Gift Ideas - Making a list for Christmas Real Estate - 'Tis the season for listing Lift Orlando - Exploring what's new in West Lakes ONYX Profile - Abraha Morris Food & Wine - Jamaican Sorrel Punch
FROM THE PUBLISHER
PUBLISHER/EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Rich Black VICE PRESIDENT Marianne Eggleston, M.B.A. MANAGING EDITOR D. Shenell Reed, M.B.A. EXECUTIVE STRATEGIST Lena Graham-Morris EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT Maria Barnes
RICH BLACK
ASSOCIATE EDITORS Gayle Andrews Laura Dorsey Sharon Fletcher Jones Trina Ryan
NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2021 Family, Are you ready for some football? We certainly are! The whole state is buzzing about the return of the Florida Blue Florida Classic! Last year, the pandemic put much of college sports on hold, but now we are back and hyped for the showdown on the gridiron. BethuneCookman University has a nine-year winning streak over Florida A&M University. What will be the outcome in 2021? We talk about it in this issue, along with the campus student leadership. Don’t miss this years-long mashup between two of Florida’s greatest Historically Black Colleges and Universities. It is going to be epic! In more exciting news, we are pleased to present Congresswoman Val Demings in this issue. In our cover story, you will learn about her trek to Capitol Hill, how she plans to move forward, and how she is thinking about Florida communities on the journey. As she makes a historic run for senate, we will be watching and sharing her accomplishments with you. This issue includes a tribute to the life of Gen. Colin Powell, an outstanding American who lost his battle with the coronavirus. As the nation’s first Black secretary of state, he was a trusted advisor to presidential administrations and he inspired our nation to be greater. We salute you, Colin Powell. Also, we share holiday travel tips and ONYX Magazine’s magical experience at the pre-events of Walt Disney World’s 50th Anniversary. As always, we remain committed to bringing you news that entertains, inspires and informs. Here’s to you and your family for a safe and happy holiday season and a Happy New Year! Sincerely,
DESIGN DIRECTOR Jason Jones GRAPHIC DESIGNER Jon Burton BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR Matt deJager CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Carolyn Adams Sam Gardner Tomas Kassahun Karin Davis-Thompson Bernadette Giacomazzo Eric Paul Laura Dorsey Jeff Gomez Andrew Skerritt Gabrielle Johnson CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Lori Sax Photography ONYX ADVISORY COMMITTEE Nancy Port Schwalb, Chair Deidre Parker, Immediate Past Chair Dick Batchelor Bob Berryhill Dr. Lavon Bracy Bryon Brooks Marva Brown Johnson Hon. Mable Butler Yolanda Cash Jackson Dr. Cynthia Chestnut James Clark
John Crossman Gary Hartfield Barbara Hartley Tony Hill Alma Horne Rodney Hurst Ann Jenkins Connie Kinnard Larry Lee, Jr.
Brenda March Marisol Romany Margaret J. Thompson Gail Thomas-DeWitt Hon. Alan Williams Carla Williams Dr. Samuel Wright Lady Dhyana Ziegler
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 2021 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.
6 ONYX MAGAZINE
ON Y X M AGAZINE SALUTES
GENERAL COLIN POWELL
Colin Powell (left), chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, pictured with Gen. Norman Schwarzkopf and his wife, Brenda, on a “Welcome Home” float in 1991 honoring those who served in Desert Storm. (Department of Defense)
Former U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell died at age 84 on Oct. 18. (Brendan Smialowski/Getty Images)
PHOTOS PROVIDED BY ZENGER NEWS
C
olin Powell, the first Black US secretary of state whose leadership in several Republican administrations helped shape American foreign policy in the last years of the 20th century and the early years of the 21st, has died from complications from Covid-19, his family said on Facebook. He was 84. Below is U.S. President Joe Biden’s official Proclamation on the Death of General Colin Powell General Colin Powell was a patriot of unmatched honor and dignity. The son of immigrants, born in New York City, raised in Harlem and the South Bronx, a graduate of the City College of New York, he rose to the highest ranks of the United States military and to advise four Presidents. He believed in the promise of America because he lived it. And he devoted much of his life to making that promise a reality for so many others. He embodied the highest ideals of both warrior and diplomat. He led with his personal commitment to the democratic values that make our country strong. He repeatedly broke racial barriers, blazing a trail for others to follow, and was committed throughout his life to investing in the next generation of leadership. Colin Powell was a good man who I was proud to call my friend, and he will be remembered in history as one of our great Americans. As a mark of respect for General Powell and his life of service to our Nation, I hereby order, by the authority vested in me as President of the United States by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, that the flag of the United States shall be flown at half-staff at the White House and upon all public buildings and grounds, at all military posts and naval stations, and on all naval vessels of the Federal Government in the
President George W. Bush delivers remarks at the State Department as Secretary of State Colin Powell listens, on Feb. 15, 2001. (Pool Photo/ Newsmakers/Getty)
District of Columbia and throughout the United States and its Territories and possessions until sunset on October 22, 2021. I also direct that the flag shall be flown at half-staff for the same length of time at all United States embassies, legations, consular offices, and other facilities abroad, including all military facilities and naval vessels and stations. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this eighteenth day of October, in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty-one, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-sixth. –Joseph R. Biden Jr. ONYX MAGAZINE 7
STUDENT LEADERSHIP
LEADING BY EXAMPLE STUDENTS EXCEL IN MAJOR ROLES ON CAMPUS
CARRINGTON MCKENZIE WHIGHAM Student Body President and University Trustee Florida A&M University Carrington McKenzie Whigham is a third-year Broadcast Journalism major and Theater minor from Dallas, Tex. Whigham humbly serves as the student body president for Florida A&M University Student Government Association (SGA). In the fall of 2018, Whigham was elected as a freshman senator for the class of 2022, serving on the Elections and Appointments Committee (E&A). She has served as a First-Year Experience Peer Mentor and holds the title as Miss Kappa Alpha Psi. She is a member of the Original Beta Alpha Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., where she serves as the Connections chair. Whigham was selected as a Texas Senator Royce West intern through the Dr. Emmett J. Conrad Leadership Program.
MARCUS THOMAS Student Body Vice-President Florida A&M University Marcus Thomas is a Business Administration scholar from Pensacola, Fla., he serves as the senate president pro-tempore for Florida A&M University Student Government Association’s (SGA) 50th Student Senate. Thomas served as the Elections and Appointments (E&A) vice-chair and shortly after the E&A chair. Alongside his experience in leadership, he has written and sponsored six pieces of legislation. Thomas is dedicated to service and has made countless contributions in his hometown. He also serves the University as an Orange & Green Tour Guide where he actively recruits prospective students by showcasing his illustrious University. He is also a member of the FAMU Kinship of Big Brother Little Brother Mentoring Program, Inc.
LEONTE’ TUKES Student Body President Bethune-Cookman University Leonte’ Tukes is a leader, an organizer and a servant. He hails from the sunshine city of St. Petersburg, Fla. He is a senior majoring in Religion and Philosophy at the historic Bethune-Cookman University. As he dares to dream and seeks to make a difference, he has served in Student Government since his freshman year. Through his efforts and impact at B-CU, he now serves as the student body president. His motto in life is “When you Learn, Teach, When you Get, Give” Maya Angelou. He also is inspired by the quote, “Give our children some pride. Let them get their priorities straight,” by Principal Joe Clark.
KIYA MCKINNEY Student Body Vice-President Bethune-Cookman University Kiya McKinney is resilient, optimistic, and ambitious. She hails from the Waterfront City of Sanford Fla. She is a junior majoring in Business Administration at the illustrious Bethune-Cookman University. As she has made her mark, she has had the pleasure of serving in many student organizations. She now serves as student body vice-president. She is dedicated to following the legacy of our beloved founder, Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune, after she received her B.S Degree, she plans to take over the corporate business world with an emphasis in branch infrastructure and marketing. She is inspired by the quote, “Well behaved women seldom make history,” by Laurel Thatcher Ulrich. 34 ONYX MAGAZINE
CHRISTELLE HEAVEN HAYGOOD JEAN-BAPTISTE Miss Florida A&M University Christelle Heaven Haygood Jean-Baptiste is a Master of Business Management scholar from Ft. Lauderdale. Jean-Baptiste is an active member of Faces Modeling Troupe Inc., Big Sister Little Sister, Crowns with Curves, and Haitian Culture Club. This past summer she interned at HBCU PULSE, a media company, as a lead interim in influencer marketing campaigns with brands such as Weight Watchers, Bank Of America, Cricket Wireless, and Thurgood Marshall College Fund on behalf of the National Basketball Association. She served as the Miss Freshman Attendant; her sophomore year as the Miss Gold of the Beta Nu Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. and campus liaison.
KALEB ABRAHAM LEVARITY Mister Florida A&M University Kaleb Abraham Levarity is a fourth-year Accounting scholar from Bimini, Bahamas. While at FAMU, he has served as a resident assistant, a member of Big Brother Little Brother Mentoring Program, chief of staff for the Class of FAMU 2022 Cabinet, the National Association of Black Accountants, the Caribbean Student Association, the National Society of Leadership & Success as treasurer, the FAMU Connection as a university ambassador, Mister 1908 for the Beta Alpha Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., a Brother of the Omega Xi Chapter of Alpha Kappa Psi Professional Business Fraternity, Inc., and a member of The Beta Nu Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha, Fraternity, Inc.
QUNITERIA WOODS Miss Bethune-Cookman University Quinteria Woods is intelligent, resilient and tenacious. She hails from the historical city of Anniston, Ala. She is a senior majoring in Psychology at the great Bethune-Cookman University. She currently serves as the 68th Miss Bethune-Cookman University. Being inspired by Dr. Bethune’s trailblazing legacy, her greatest hope is to inspire the B-CU community to have pride. As she departs to serve, she desires to specialize in counseling children, families, and women empowerment groups as a Counseling Psychologist. She is encouraged by the quote “Take pride in how far you’ve come and have faith In how far you’ll go,” by Michael Josephon.
SAMUEL BOSTICK Mister Bethune-Cookman University Samuel Bostick, Jr., is inspirational, encouraging, and relatable. He hails from the beautiful city of Orlando, Fla. He is a senior majoring in Elementary Education at the grand Bethune-Cookman University. He has been blessed to represent his institution on the Royal Court, consecutively, the last four years. He now serves as the 11th Mister Bethune-Cookman University. As Bostick’s matriculation has progressed, he has been focused on cultivating his collegiate experiences into lifelong learning lessons and skills. Bostick will continue to be a role model among his community and hopes to inspire others to always remain true to themselves. “Invest in the Human Soul, Who Knows, It Might Be a Diamond in the Rough,” by Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune. ONYX MAGAZINE 35