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 25 ISSUE 5 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2022
OUTSTANDING MEN, INCREDIBLE IMPACT
THE BLACK MAN’S NOD NO WORDS NEEDED
GEORGE TINSLEY
ENTREPRENEUR, HALL OF FAMER, MAN OF THE YEAR
$7.99 onyxmagazine.com
CONTENTS 6 Publisher’s Column 7 Elevate – Black Man’s Nod 10 Man of the Year George Tinsley 13 MOH – The Honorable Curt Hollingsworth 14 MOH – Paul Snead, Jr. 15 MOH – Yves Bollanga 16 Travel – Just-A-Day Getaway 18 Wealth & Finance – Truth and Redistribution 24 Perspective – Pluck: Finding Humanity in the Practice of Gardening 26 Health & Wellness – Prostate Cancer Awareness 28 MOH – Rev. Willie C Barnes
10 COVER STORY
GEORGE T. TINSLEY
BUSINESS LUMINARY AND ONYX MAGAZINE’S MAN OF THE YEAR
Cover and Page 4 photo by Potthast Studios
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29 MOH – Samuel Barrington 30 MOH – Allie Braswell, Jr. 31 MOH – Derrick Chubbs 32 MOH – Robert S. Coleman 33 MOH – Ernest M. Coney, Jr. 38 MOH – Stephen J. Graham 39 MOH – Rev. Terence R. Gray 40 MOH – Larry Lee, Jr. 41 MOH – Francois Didier Menard 43 Politics/Community – Communities Receive Development Grants 44 MOH – Victor A. Miller 45 MOH – George Oliver, III 46 MOH – Chief Eric Smith 48 Real Estate – Fighting Inflation 50 MOH – Peter Taylor, M.D. 51 MOH – Woodrow Wilson 54 MOH – Jerry Askin 55 MOH – Curtis McCloud 56 Arts & Culture – Broad Strokes 58 Business – The Business of Freelancing 59 SAGE – The Impact of Ageism 60 ONYX Reads – Soul Brother: Books That Stir Black Men 61 Men’s Fashion – A Flower is Manly – Boutonnieres 62 Wine & Food – Tailgating Menus
WORKPLACE
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JOB GROWTH ON THE RISE
lorida’s unemployment rate dropped to a historic 2.7 percent in July as the state’s job creation skyrocketed. Florida’s July 2022 unemployment rate is the lowest since February 2020 and this level has only been reached three times since Florida began recording unemployment data in 1976, according to the governor’s office. Florida’s private sector employment grew by an outstanding 70,000 in July 2022, doubling the nation’s job growth rate over the same period. Before July 2022, Florida has reached this level of over-the-month job creation only 6 other times since data began to be collected in 1990. Florida’s labor force also grew over the month in July 2022, while the national labor force shrank for the second consecutive month. July 2022 employment data demonstrates that Floridians are continuing to enter the workforce and businesses are continuing to create jobs. “Florida continues to outperform the nation because freedom first policies work,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “July’s job numbers represent one of the largest month’s job gains over the past generation and Florida continues to outpace the nation in labor force growth.” “July’s employment data speaks for itself — under Governor DeSantis’ leadership, Florida is thriving. July is one of the best months Florida has seen for job creation, representing an achievement the state has only reached seven times in its history,” said DEO Secretary Dane Eagle. “DEO will continue to support Governor DeSantis’ strategic investments in Florida’s residents, businesses, and communities to continue this momentum and keep Florida’s economy strong.” The national unemployment rate was 3.5 percent for July 2022, 0.8 percentage point higher than Florida’s rate. Florida’s statewide unemployment rate has been lower than the national rate for 20 consecutive months and has declined or held steady for 24 consecutive months in July 2022, indicating that Florida’s economy is secure and resilient. Total private employment grew by 5.5 percent (433,500 jobs) over the year, 0.7 percentage point faster than the national rate of 4.8 percent. Florida employers have added jobs for 27 consecutive months in July 2022, and Florida’s over-the-year private sector job growth rate has exceeded the nation’s for 16 consecutive months since April 2021. Florida’s labor force also grew by 26,000 (+0.2 percent) over the month, while the national labor force shrank by less than 0.1 percent. In July 2022, Florida’s labor force grew by 291,000 (+2.8 percent) over the year, faster than the national rate of 1.6 percent by 1.2 percentage points. Data in the month of July continues to indicate there are many job opportunities available for Floridians throughout the state, with more than 545,000 jobs posted online. Floridians in search of work and new job opportunities are encouraged to turn to the CareerSource Florida network for help. Floridians can find guidance on how to register with Employ Florida and search listings of available local job openings. Career seekers also can improve their employability by perfecting resume writing and interviewing skills, establishing career goals, and pursuing customized career training. These services are provided at no cost to job seekers. 34 ONYX MAGAZINE
Florida Economic Indicators for July 2022 include: • Unemployment rate is 2.7 percent, down 0.1 percentage point from the previous month’s rate and 0.8 percentage point below the national rate of 3.5 percent. • Florida’s statewide unemployment rate has been lower than the national rate for 20 consecutive months since December 2020. • Florida’s statewide unemployment rate has declined or held steady for 24 consecutive months. • Between July 2021 and July 2022, Florida’s labor force grew by 291,000, or 2.8 percent. This was faster than the national labor force growth rate of 1.6 percent over the year. • Between July 2021 and July 2022, total private sector employment grew by 433,500 jobs (5.5 percent), faster than the national private sector job growth rate of 4.8 percent over the year. • As of July 2022, Florida employers have added jobs for 27 consecutive months since May 2020. Florida’s private sector over-the-year job growth rate has exceeded the nation’s for 16 consecutive months since April 2021. Private sector industries gaining the most jobs over the month were: • Leisure and Hospitality with 19,500 new jobs. • Professional and Business Services with 16,400 new jobs. • Education and Health Services with 12,800 jobs.
THE QUAD FAMU GROWS WITH GOOGLE Florida A&M University (FAMU) announced its participation in the Grow with Google HBCU Career Readiness Program. The initiative helps Black college students at over 30 Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) prepare for the workforce through digital skills training and career workshops. Through a $3 million investment in the Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF), the program will train 100,000 Black college students by 2025. TMCF, the nation’s largest organization exclusively representing the Black College Community, has a track record of successfully connecting HBCU students with scholarships, training and jobs as they navigate college and careers. Its long history of on-the-groundwork ensures the Grow with Google HBCU Career Readiness Program is tailored to meet student needs. Grow with Google is Google’s initiative to create economic opportunities for all by providing free tools and training. Since 2017, the program has trained more than eight million Americans on digital skills. The program combines existing Grow with Google workshops with custom job seeker content for Black students, including design thinking, project management, and professional brand building.
CLARK ATLANTA UNIVERSITY TO ESTABLISH NATIONAL DATA SCIENCE ALLIANCE Historically Black Clark Atlanta University received a $10 million award from the National Science Foundation INCLUDES program to establish the National Data Science Alliance (NDSA). The NDSA aims to increase the number of Black people earning data science credentials by at least 20,000 by 2027 and expand data science research that advocates for social justice and will strive to eliminate bias. Regional hubs will be established at Howard University in Washington, D.C., and Fisk University in Nashville. The five-year program will work to build data science capacity at historically Black colleges and universities with the goal to substantially increase the number of Black students with data science credentials and expertise on researching ethics, bias, and fairness in the use of data. Talitha Washington, the lead and principal investigator of the grant, the director of the Atlanta University Center Data Science Initiative, and professor of mathematics at Clark Atlanta University, stated that “we are excited that many HBCUs will collaborate with us to develop new equity-based discoveries in data science and expand student pathways that will change the face of data science.”
MORGAN STATE UNIVERSITY PARTNERS WITH AMAZON Morgan State University announced a new partnership with Amazon naming Maryland’s largest Historically Black College and University (HBCU) as a new ‘Education Partner’ for the technology company’s Career Choice program. Offered in collaboration with the University’s College of Interdisciplinary and Continuing Studies (CICS), the Career Choice program now allows Amazon hourly employees located throughout Maryland and neighboring states to select Morgan as a destination to pursue a degree or learn new skills, with pre-paid tuition covered by Amazon. Morgan is one of three Maryland universities to be designated an Amazon Career Choice institution and the first 4-year HBCU in the program’s network. Amazon’s Career Choice program has a rigorous selection process for third-party partner educators, choosing partners that are focused on helping employees through their education programs, assisting them with job placements, and overall offering education that leads to career success. At present, there are more than 140 universities and colleges participating nationwide. Morgan, by way of its newly launched College of Interdisciplinary and Continuing Studies, will offer participating Amazon employees with 60+ transfer credits up to eight interdisciplinary bachelor’s degree program options, online learning opportunities and support from dedicated advisors who are paired with each candidate to steward successful matriculation. Amazon employees, without any college credits and just starting to pursue their degree, will also have the option to enroll in any of the University’s nearly 60 other available undergraduate degree programs.
ENROLLMENT INCREASES AT EWU FOR THIRD STRAIGHT YEAR Overall enrollment at Edward Waters University (EWU)—Florida’s first independent institution of higher learning, and first historically Black college or university (HBCU)—has increased for the third consecutive year having reached its highest overall enrollment in nearly two decades this fall at nearly 1,200 students. Accordingly, as of the close of its fall registration period on Friday, August 26, 2022, EWU’s phenomenal multi-year, overall double-digit percentage enrollment increase culminated in a final fall 2022 enrollment count of 1,181 students—a 6.3% increase over last fall (1,110), and a whopping 26.6% increase in overall student enrollment since 2019 (932). Edward Waters continues to demonstrate its ability to succeed in a highly competitive and dynamically shifting higher education landscape by enrolling more students over the past four years than in any four-year period since 2005, and the most students in a single fall semester since 2004. Additionally, Edward Waters’ fall 2022 enrollment was bolstered by its highest fall-to-fall student retention rate since 2015, and its highest rate over the past four years. ONYX MAGAZINE 35
WINE AND FOOD
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TACKLE TAILGATE MENUS WITH FAST, FLAVORFUL FOODS
hile they may not strap on helmets and head to the field for kickoff, football fans often feel like they're as much a part of the game as the players themselves. When the team is in the locker room laying out the game plan, scores of fans are fueling up with tantalizing tailgate foods. In fact, many tailgaters believe food is the most important aspect of the pregame festivities, and one trendy way to feed your crowd is with small plates, appetizers, samplers and innovative sides that feature a variety of flavors like these ideas from the experts at Aramark. An easy hack for your next game day meal can be a recipe you prepare at home before heading to the stadium. The toppings are what set
these Korean-inspired Sweet and Spicy Bratwurst Subs apart. Just make the crunchy kimchi, bright mango slaw and spicy sesame mayonnaise up to two days ahead of time so grilling the bratwursts is all you need to do before kickoff. As tailgate grub continues to trend toward easy and quick, Sweet Heat Foil Packets provide another no-mess, single-serve solution. Load up individual packets with shrimp, chicken, andouille sausage and favorite veggies then head to the game and grill on-site for a hot meal to fire up your fellow fans. Find more game day recipe inspiration by visiting Aramark's Feed Your Potential website, fyp365.com.
SWEET AND SPICY BRATWURST SUBS Recipe courtesy of Aramark Servings: 8 Kimchi: 1 ½ cups green cabbage, cut into thick strips ¼ cup water 4 teaspoons white vinegar 1 tablespoon gochujang paste 2 teaspoons fish sauce ½ teaspoon minced garlic ½ teaspoon minced, peeled ginger root ½ cup daikon radish strips ¼ cup shredded, peeled carrot ¼ cup sliced green onion
SWEET HEAT FOIL PACKETS Recipe courtesy of Aramark Servings: 8 ½ cup cold butter, diced 1 cup diced yellow onion 1 cup diced, peeled potatoes 1 cup diced, peeled carrots 1 cup diced red bell pepper 2 cups diced skinless, boneless chicken breast 16 extra-large shrimp, peeled, deveined and tails removed 8 teaspoons Cajun seasoning 1 cup diced pineapple 1 cup andouille sausage, cut in half and sliced 8 frozen mini corn cobs, cut in half (16 pieces) 1 cup sliced green onion salt, to taste pepper, to taste
Mango Slaw: 2 cups shredded green cabbage ⅓ cup diced mango chunks, thawed from frozen ¼ cup shredded, peeled carrot ¼ cup sliced green onion ¼ cup red bell pepper, cut into thin strips 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro 2 tablespoons minced, peeled ginger root 2 tablespoons white vinegar ½ teaspoon kosher salt ¼ teaspoon minced garlic Spicy Sesame Mayonnaise: ⅓ cup mayonnaise 1 tablespoon sriracha 1 ½ teaspoons sesame oil 1 ½ teaspoons seasoned rice wine vinegar 8 bratwursts (4 ounces each) 8 hoagie rolls (6 inches), split To make kimchi: Place cabbage in microwavable bowl. Add water. Cover and microwave on high 2 minutes, or until tender-crisp. Rinse with cold water and drain well. In large bowl, mix vinegar, gochujang, fish sauce, garlic and ginger. Add steamed cabbage, daikon, carrot and onion; toss to coat. Cover and chill. To make mango slaw: Mix cabbage, mango, carrot, onion, red bell pepper, cilantro, ginger, vinegar, salt and garlic. Cover and chill. To make spicy sesame mayonnaise: Mix mayonnaise, sriracha, sesame oil and vinegar until well blended. Cover and chill. Heat grill to medium and lightly oil grill rack. Grill bratwursts 8 minutes, or until internal temperature reaches 155 F. Spread mayonnaise on rolls. Place grilled bratwurst on rolls and top with kimchi and slaw.
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Heat grill to medium. Place eight 18-by-18-inch squares heavy-duty aluminum foil on work surface. On half of each foil square, evenly layer butter, onions, potatoes, carrots, red bell peppers, chicken, shrimp, seasoning, pineapple, sausage, corn cobs and green onions. Fold foil in half over filling. Fold edges of foil tightly toward filling to seal packets. Place packets on baking sheet. Grill 15 minutes with lid closed until chicken and shrimp are cooked through. Season to taste with salt and pepper.