South Florida Gospel News Magazine Spring/Summer 2024

SFGN S P R I N G / S U M M E R 2 0 2 4 New Business Spotlight Summer Events National Poetry Month

SFGN

Our staff

Editor In Chief

DebrahHall-McCullon

Creative Director

DebrahHall-McCullon

New Business Spotlight:

or Not

Breaded

Special to SFGN Magazine Breaded Or Not, LLC - 2100 45th Street-B8 West Palm Beach, FL 33407 (561)8810888 Eat what feelsright! 3

Day gifts. Jewelry, clothes and beauty products are also terrific gift options for Mother's Day. What mom really wants is time withherkids, but a gift helps make her day even more special.

Moms often don't ask for anything, which is

wife something terrific this Mother's Day. From flowers to jewelry to a beauty haul, Mom deserves the very best this year.

I am dedicating this article to my mother, Mrs. Mary A. Hall, the rock of my family. She isarealqueen!

Mary is part of the Queens Club, a group of retirees from Roosevelt High School who are good friends, who get together occasionally to celebrate birthdays, have lunch and fellowship. They make charitable donations to organizations.

Mary was the head of the hospitality committee at Mt. Calvary Missionary Baptist Church in Riviera Beach for many years. She and her smile greeted visitors in the church lobby each Sunday morning.

Mothers Day Tribute

By Debrah Hall-McCullon

Mary Hall’s unique and powerful presence makes everyone feel warm and welcome.

Mary is a long-time community activist. She marched and protested against segregation and fought for equal rights for all during the civil rights movement. In the 1990's she was part of a protest in Lake Park, FL, encouraging the town council to close its government offices in celebration of the MLK holiday. She also marched in Tallahassee with Florida A&M students from the campus to the Capitol building to encourage lawmakers to open a FAMU law school in Orlando, Florida.

Mary is an avid reader, poet, and historian. Throughout her life her insights, wisdom, and teachings have influenced a lot of people, which led her to begin publishing her work.

To Mrs. Mary Hall, Leischa Mattews Angela Muhammad, Kalene Faulkner, LaToya Taylor, and all of the amazing mothers in the 4

National Poetry Month Celebration

By Debrah Hall-McCullon

The National Poetry Month celebration was held Saturday, April 13, 2024 at the Riviera Beach Marina in Bicentennial Park as students from across the county gathered for the National Poetry Month Youth Summit. The event was organized by Desiree Karnis Reavis to celebrate the power ofpoetryandcreativeexpression.

In addition to academic recognition, the summit had creative writing workshops aimed at providing studentswithaconstructiveoutletfor mentalhealthexpression.

Scholarships,laptopsandotherprizes were awarded to the students.

Celebrity judges for the poetry contest included Reggie Dee, Jevon White, Kitty Lundan, author and poet

There were several elected officials whocameoutinsupportoftheevent, includingRiviera BeachMayorRonnie Felder, who pledged $10,000 for the 2025 event. Riviera Beach Councilman Tradrick McCoy, and city council chairperson Douglas Lawson were also in attendance and provided support. Florida State Senator Bobby Powell presented a proclamation to Desiree. Florida State Representative Jervonte Edmonds, West Palm Beach City Commissioner Shalonda Warren, and Palm Beach County Commissioner Mack Bernard were alsoinattendance.

Karmiah was the first place winner in thepoetrycontest.Shesaidsheloves writing, reciting poetry, and is preparingforcollege.

MaryHall,andothers.

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My Life in the Sunshine

By Debrah HallMcCullon

I am alive! Praise God! One of my desires has been to have a meaningful and happy existence. I want to feel connected with God, the universe. I’ve always wanted to be part of something that makes a difference in the world.

As I look back over my life, I have made a lot of achievements that I am proud of. I am living my best life! It’s far from perfect, but it is a lot better than what it used to be!

What is stopping you from living your best life? Is what other people think of you keeping you from living your best life? Are you under pressure to conform to what you think other people expect?

I have learned over the years to not worry about what people are saying or doing. It took a lot of work, patience, getting mad, and an occasional cussing some people out here and there. I had to stay on track of what makes me happy, and what my best life should look like.

My best life does not include drama and chaos. That is not allowed in my life!

I’m in no way being selfish. I’ve given so much of myself until I didn’t have anything left for me to enjoy me. I am grateful everything that God has blessed me with and I know that each moment is a precious gift that God has given me. I am becoming the best version of myself. One day at a time.

I’ve learned to focus on what I want to be, where I want to be, and I know that the only one who can stop me is me. Negative thoughts, and negative actions will yield negative results. I play up my strengths and I am proud that some of my strengths make me different. I no longer force myself into becoming what others want me to be. I am me! And that makes me brilliant (to me). I am living my best life intentionally. I am becoming a better me. And you can too!

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Photo by Hall Family Library

Summer Concert

Get ready for the ONE BIG CELEBRATION CONCERT! Papa San and his wife Debbie will be celebrating their birthday and wedding anniversary. Get ready to experience an unforgettable night filled with worship, music, dance, and excitement at Genesis Christian Church,1490 Banks Road, Margate, FL 33063. Join us for a night of live performances by some anointed Gospel artists such as Papa San, Donnie McClurkin,DjNicholas,Sharon Wiles and others. Don't miss outonthisamazingeventthat promises to be a night to remember. Grab your friends and family and come celebrate with us at the ONE BIG CELEBRATION CONCERT! Adult and Children Tickets are available,pleaseCall9549077347formoreinformation.

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Politician Luther Campbell?

By Debrah Hall-McCullon

Luther Campbell, also known as Luke Skyywalker, Uncle Luke and simply Luke, is an American rapper, promoter, record executive, actor, and former leader of the rap group 2 Live Crew. In recent years he’s been a civic and political activist, a columnist, and has promoted and coached sports programs for inner city youth.

In 2011 he was among 12 people to file paperwork to run for the Mayor of Miami seat. At the time he said he did not see a candidate in the race that had done as much community service as he had done. While he was a candidate he was not invited to mayoral debates and was not discussed among mainstream favorites. He still finished in fourth place, with 11% of the vote.

Earlier this year he released a documentary “Freaknik” on the Tubi network, that debuted at number one the week it was released.

In an interview on the WFOR-Channel 4 Miami-Facing South Florida with Jim DeFede” program, he said the needs of people who live in the 20th Congressional District aren’t being addressed. “Either you’re gonna sit on the sideline or you’re gonna get in the game and try to make some change,” he said.

Campbell contemplated running against the current 20th Congressional District Representative Sheila Cherfilus McCormick.

He cited homelessness and water issues in Riviera Beach, people in the Belle Glade in western Palm Beach County have been hurt “where the machines have taken over the jobs and no longer the people are cutting the sugar cane.”

And, he said, “some parts of Broward County (look) like a third-world country.” He later specified schools, including a high school in Lauderdale Lakes.

Earlier this year he registered a political action committee called Don’t Stop Get It Get It with the Federal Election Commission.

He also registered a Super Political Action Committee with the same name registered to the FEC.

Voters realize that he should be taken seriously if he decides to run for political office again.

He is well-known, resourceful and has a relationship with those who are not represented or are underrepresented. A deadline for candidates to qualify to run for federal office came and went without Campbell. His decision to not file to run for Congress left Cherfilus-McCormick unopposed, effectively guaranteeing her a second full-term in Washington.

No Republican qualified to run in the district. Even if one did, winning would be an uphill battle because it’s one of only two majority-Black districts in the state – and one of the most Democratic. The seat was held by the late U.S. Rep. Alcee Hastings for decades until his death in 2021.

Campbell posted a video message on X (formerly known as Twitter) letting his followers and members of District 20 know that he would not be running for Congress. He noted that the people is District 20 are in desperate need of leadership. He said he is not ruling out running for office in the future. Stay tuned!

Photos courtesy of NPR and X

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‘Leaping’ Lemar Parrish should be in the Pro Football Hall of Fame

By Debrah HallMcCullon

Lemar Parrish is a football great. Heisa formerprofessionalfootball player who played defensive back in the NFL for the Cincinnati Bengals (1970–1977), Washington Redskins (1978–1982), and Buffalo Bills(1982).

Lemar played college football for Lincoln University of Missouri in Jefferson City, Missouri. He was a running back and a four-year letter-winnerfrom1966to1969.In 1969,hesettheschool'srecordfor longest punt return when he returned a punt 95 yards for a touchdown against Southwest Missouri State University. He was namedAll-Americanin1969.

After graduating college, he was selected by the Cincinatti Bengals in the seventh round of the 1970 NFL Draft. Lemar immediately made an impact, not just as a defensive back but also as a kick returneronspecialteams.

In his 1970 rookie season, Lemar recorded five interceptions, one fumble recovery, 194 yards returningpunts,482yardsreturning kickoffs, and scored two touchdowns (one punt return and one kickoff return). His 482 kickoff return yards came on just 16 returns, a whopping 30.1 yards per returnaverage.

In 1974, Lemar set a franchise record with an NFL-leading 18.8 yards per punt return average (18 returns for 338 yards). In his eight seasons with the Bengals, Lemar was selected to the Pro Bowl six times(1970,1971,1974–1977).

Lemar has been inducted into his college Alma Mata Lincoln University Athletic Hall of Fame, Florida Black Sports Hall of Fame, and the Black College Hall of Fame. It is well deserving and time for Lemar Parrish to become a member oftheProFootballHallofFame.

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Sunday Dinner

By Amber Matthews

What’s for dinner? It’s an age-old question that millions of people ask every day. Sunday dinner is a time of gathering and cooking the best meal of the week. With warm spring and the summer months upon us, it’s time to choose easy meals that don’t require a lot of cooking time.

Chicken is an easy meal that you can make more than a thousand different ways. I decided to make an easy chicken dish Sunday dinner.

This creamy Cajun Chicken Pasta recipe is one of my favorite restaurant style dishes to make at home in just 30 minutes! It’s bursting with flavor, thanks to a combination of tender, Cajun-spiced chicken and a rich, cheesy sauce.

Cajun chicken pasta will have your kitchen smelling amazing, attracting everyone to the kitchen before you callthemfordinner!

Start by washing and seasoning your chicken breasts. Dry them with paper towel. Place the chicken into a bowl. Add your favorite Cajun seasonings. Mix well to make sure both sides of thechickenarecoveredevenly.Cover and let the chicken marinate for one hourormore.

Marinate chicken breasts with Cajun seasonings.

Cook the pasta until al dente. Drain and rinse with cold water, set aside. While the pasta is cooking, sauté the onions and bell pepper in butter and olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the garlic, Cajun seasoning, basil, paprika, cayenne, salt and pepper. Cook for 3 more minutes.

Cook the Chicken: Add the chicken and stir and cook for 8 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through. Make the Sauce: Add the parmesan, heavy cream, cream cheese and chicken broth. Stir and cook until the sauce starts to thicken.

Cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces. Add the cooked and drained pasta and stir to coat pasta with sauce. Serve with freshly chopped parsley on top, if desired. Great with garlic bread on the side!

Photos courtesy of Amber Matthews

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Summer Events

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TheSouthFloridaGospel News is nominated in twoFloridaGospelMusic Awards categories: Best in Media, and Radio Station of the Year for South Florida Gospel NewsRadio.

TheFloridaGospelMusic Awards, formerly the Tampa Bay Gospel Awards,willtakeplacein Tampa, Florida in October3-5,2024.

Last year the South Florida Gospel News received Media

Publication of the Year 2023 at the Tampa Bay GospelAwards.

There are a lot of nomineestovoteforina variety of categories including album of the year,choirdirectorofthe year,andworshipleader oftheyear.

You can vote for the South Florida Gospel News and other nomineeshere: https:// www.myfloridagma.com/ vote-now.html

South Florida Gospel News Nominated

Awards!

for Two

Special to SFGN Magazine

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Mark your calendars!

The 4th Annual Juneteenth Unity x Black Excellence Festival will be held on Saturday, June 15, 2024. This year's celebration will be at the Meyer Amphitheater in West PalmBeach. It will be a family reunion atmosphere with breathtaking scenery. $10 adults, children enter free. No tentsorpetsallowed.

Summer Events

4th on Flagler

The 4th on Flagler is South Florida’s largest free Independence Day celebration. The celebration is Thursday, July 4, 2024 @6pm–10pm.

Event Location: Waterfront Commons (100 North Clematis Street), Meyer Amphitheatre (104 Datura Street) and Flagler Drive from Banyan Boulevard to FernStreet.

For more information about 4th on Flagler, call (561) 822-1515

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