The Gospel Truth Early Voting Guide: General Election

Daniella Levine Cava A Proven Leader and Ready to Serve

Voting Rights Act: Beyond the Headlines

By Emilye Crosby and Judy Richardson The Voting Rights Act (VRA), which was signed into law on August 6, 1965, was a significant victory for the Civil Rights Movement, southern African Americans, and American democracy. It outlawed many of the strategies that had been used by white supremacists to disfranchise Black citizens and included provisions to facilitate the registration of new voters. Together with the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Voting Rights Act ended most of the remaining legal forms of white supremacy. Although this was tremendously important, it did not end all forms of racial discrimination, many of which were—and are— strongly embedded in the structures of our society.

Many textbooks approach history through a top-down lens that gives President Lyndon Johnson, along with Dr.

Martin Luther King Jr., most of the credit for this important legislation. While both men did play a key role, the Voting Rights Act came into being through intensive organizing and activism spearheaded by the Black community, including people who are often marginalized and not seen as central to our democracy. It is tempting to think of universal voting rights as one of the fundamental pillars of our country, but access to the vote has been hard fought and even today we face many challenges and rollbacks. Moreover although voting rights have always been essential, they are not a given and do not alone secure equality. The struggle for civil and human rights for all must continue. An understanding of the untold history of the VRA can inform and strengthen that struggle. Here are some key points missing from most textbooks.

Few people that you meet truly rouse the best in you. Few are walking heroes, living history makers. Their words and deeds have a thunderous impact on your soul. Congressman John Robert Lewis was such a person for me. I join the world in mourning the passing of this civil rights legend.

er at the historic March on Washington in 1963.

In March 7, 1965, John Lewis led more than 600 peaceful protesters across the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma to demonstrate the need for voting rights in the state of Alabama. They were greeted by brutal attacks by Alabama State Troopers that The son of a sharecropper growing up in rural became known as “Bloody Sunday.” This phoAlabama, he said as a little boy he was in con- to from the Library of Library collection is still stant fear because of signs that said “no colored one of the most powerful images from that day. boys, no colored girls.” His parents and grandparents used to tell him “don’t get in trouble.” Despite numerous arrests and physical injuries, Nevertheless, as a young man he was inspired to John Lewis remained a devoted advocate of the activism by the Montgomery Bus Boycott that philosophy of nonviolence. He was elected to started when Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat. the Atlanta City Council and then the representative of Georgia’s Fifth Congressional District.

This past December, the Library of Congress opened He stuck to Rosa Parks’ advice to never be quian extensive exhibition, “Rosa Parks: In Her Own et and to continue getting into “good trouble.”

Words,” where the congressman spoke. “Rosa Parks The congressman was a frequent guest at the Liinspired us to get in trouble. And I’ve been getting brary of Congress. His generous spirit touched in trouble ever since,” said Lewis. “She inspired us everyone he met in the halls of the Library – to find a way, to get in the way, to get in what I call whether it was reading his graphic novel “March” good trouble, necessary trouble.” Over the years, he or speaking at public events – his gentle temperwas able to meet and work with Rosa Parks who ament kept you at ease. His graphic novel altaught him about the philosophy and discipline of lowed him to continue to connect with a new non-violence. “She kept on saying to each one of us, generation of young readers in the hope of inspiryou too can do something,” he said. “And for people ing them the way Rosa Parks had inspired him. if you see something that is not right, not fair, not just, do something. We cannot afford to be quiet.” In November, John Lewis celebrated the AIDS MeDuring the exhibition opening, John Lewis told how morial Quilt collection arriving at the Library of he was inspired by Rosa Parks to write to Dr. Martin Congress. His message of peaceful resolve, perseLuther King Jr. He was given a round trip bus ticket verance and care still rings loud. “In the height of to Montgomery to meet with Dr. King and upon the civil rights movement, we spoke of love,” Lewis meeting him was nicknamed, “The Boy from Troy.” said. “On one occasion Dr. King said to some of us, just love everybody. Love them who fail to love you, He risked his life countless times by organizing vot- just love. Just love a little hell out of everybody.” er registration drives, sit-ins at lunch counters and was beaten and arrested for challenging the injus- The world mourns. But we also celebrate a great tice of Jim Crow segregation in the South. While warrior and fighter of injustice. Let us rememstill a young man, John Lewis was already a nation- ber his story and listen to the words he passionally recognized leader and was named one of the Big ately shared for more than a half a century. ConSix leaders of the Civil Rights Movement. He was gressman John Robert Lewis embodies the best also the chairman of the Student Nonviolent Co- in all of us. Let his legacy and spirit live on. I ofordinating Committee (SNCC), and his papers and fer my prayers and condolences to his family and interviews from this time are held at the Library of to the grateful people of his district in Georgia.

Congress. At the age of 23, he was a keynote speak-

Daniella came to South Florida in 1980 and finished her last year of law school at University of Miami, to join her husband, Dr. Robert Cava, a Miami native. Daniella and Robert raised two children, Eliza and Edward, in Miami-Dade. After a decade of work as an attorney with Legal Services of Greater Miami and the Guardian Ad Litem program, in 1996 Commissioner Levine Cava founded the Human Services Coalition, now known as Catalyst Miami. Catalyst empowers low- and moderate-income families with the tools necessary to lift them out of poverty.

Since her historic victory in 2014, Commissioner Levine Cava has put her experience and passion to work as a powerful voice on the County Commission for a range of quality of life, accountability, economic and environmental concerns. She has championed women’s issues by taking the bold step to pass legislation that made Miami-Dade County the first County in the United States to sign on to the UN Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women. As a result of the legislation, the County has adopted several polices to ensure equal pay and equity for women in County contracting and County hiring.

Known as the Water Warrior, Commissioner Levine Cava is a fierce advocate for protecting our environment and water resources. She is committed to growing the local economy, investing in transit and housing, while strengthening our communities through planned, sustainable development.

In April 2019 Commissioner Levine Cava announced she was running for Mayor of Miami-Dade County. Deeply concerned by the prosperity gap, threat of sea level rise, and widespread distrust in County government, she set out to be #AMayorWhoCares about these and many other pressing issues facing our County. Her vision focuses on building efficient and effective county-wide transit, solving the affordability crisis, bringing quality jobs, addressing gun violence in our communities, preparing for sea level rise, and improving residents’ quality of life. As #AMayorWhoCares, Commissioner Levine Cava is committed to creating a County government that works for all.

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President and Vice President

County Mayor

Joseph R. Biden 11 Kamala D. Harris

Daniella Levine Cava

County Commissioner, District 3

Representative in Congress District 23 Debbie Wasserman Schultz

18

Representative in Congress District 24 Frederica Wilson

20

Representative in Congress District 26 Debbie Mucarsel-Powell

23

Representative in Congress District 27 Donna Shalala

25 26

State Senator, District 37 Jose Javier Rodriguez

28

State Senator, District 39 Javier E. Fernandez

31

State Representative, District 103 Cindy Polo 34 Clerk of the Circuit Court Harvey Ruvin

Keon Hardemon 72 Gepsie M. Metellus

73

County Commissioner, District 7 Cindy Lerner

76

County Commissioner, District 9 Kionne McGhee

79

School Board Member District 9 Dennis C. Moss

86

District Court of Appeal Retain Judge Eric William Hendon – YES Miami Gardens – Mayor

State Senator, District 35 Shevrin “Shev” Jones

81

56

DISCLAIMER: The following are the suggested candidate selections chosen by the Miami-Dade Clergy Coalition. This does NOT represent any church endorsements and all selections are based upon independent choices.

Rodney Harris

136

Miami Gardens – Council Seat 3 Shannan “Lady” Ighodaro

140

Miami Gardens – Council Seat 5 Linda Julien

142

No. 1 Constitutional Amendment – YES No. 2 Constitutional Amendment – YES No. 3 Constitutional Amendment – NO No. 4 Constitutional Amendment – NO No. 5 Constitutional Amendment – YES No. 6 Constitutional Amendment – YES

NORTH DADE

NORTH CENTRAL DADE

SOUTH DADE

Pastor Keith Butler

Pastor Johnny Barber

Pastor Venson Ambeau

Pastor Willie Barnes

Pastor Elijah Bemley

Pastor Vincent Brown

Pastor Robert Brooks

Pastor Steven Caldwell

Pastor Dawn Carey

Pastor Charles Dinkins

Pastor Kay Dawson

Pastor Willie Duckworth

Pastor Angela Giles

Pastor Marquise Hardrick

Pastor Jerry L. Godbolt

Pastor Harrell Henton

Pastor Irene Harris

Pastor Alphonso Jackson, Jr.

Pastor Alphonso Jackson, Sr.

Pastor Dennis Jackson, II

Pastor Theo Johnson

Pastor Robert Jackson, III

Pastor Xavier Jones

Pastor Larrie Lovett

Pastor Carlos Malone

Pastor Jeffrey Mack

Pastor Cedric McDowell

Pastor Willie McCray

Pastor Ross Pierre

Pastor Lewis Nesbitt

Pastor Anthony Reed

Pastor Benjamin Parrott, Sr.

Pastor Melissa Scott

Pastor Gaston Smith

Pastor Roderick Spencer, Sr.

Pastor Billy Strange

Pastor Ronald Smith

Pastor Donald Clarke, Jr. Pastor Marc Cooper Pastor Richard Dunn Pastor Arthur Jackson, III Pastor Carl Johnson Pastor Kenneth Johnson Pastor Wayne Lomax Pastor Carol Nash-Lester Pastor Wendell Paris, Jr. Pastor DL Powell Pastor Eric Readon Pastor Stephanie Russell Pastor Robert Stephens Pastor Ranzer Thomas Pastor Gregory Thompson Pastor Ronnie Wallace Pastor John White, II

Pastor Paul West SOUTH CENTRAL DADE

Pastor Lance Bailey

Pastor John Chambers

Pastor James Polk

Pastor Howard Siplin

Pastor Martez Whipple

Pastor Kenton Williams

DISCLAIMER: The following are the suggested candidate selections chosen by the Miami-Dade Clergy Coalition. This does NOT represent any church endorsements and all selections are based upon independent choices.

After serving as a dedicated Miami-Dade County Commissioner, Dennis C. Moss will bring his effective leadership to the School Board as he seeks election to the District Nine seat on the board. Known for his tenacity, commitment and ability to get the job done, Moss offers his five point Covenant to the community that includes ensuring school safety; protecting students and staff from COVID 19; create distance learning that works for all students; preserve schools in challenged neighborhoods and to provide life skills training in employment, entrepreneurship, coding and trade skills.

Miami-Dade County Commissioner Dennis C. Moss was first elected in 1993 and has served on the Board of County Commissioners for close to 28 years. Commissioner Moss was elected on November 20, 2008 as the Miami-Dade Board of County Commissioners 20092010 Chairman.

Dennis Moss is known, respected, and admired for making promises and keeping them. He was initially elected to the Board of County Commissioners shortly after Hurricane Andrew, the second worst natural disaster in the history of the United States. Commissioner Moss immediately focused his efforts on the recovery of South Miami-Dade.

His tireless efforts resulted in a comprehensive plan to rebuild

distressed and declining areas affected by Hurricane Andrew. Named in recognition of Dennis Moss, the Moss Plan was approved on September 7, 1993 by the Board of County Commissioners.

Commissioner Moss’ commitment to South Dade has brought Jackson South Medical Center to South Dade, built South Miami-Dade Cultural Arts Center, assisted in bringing thousands of affordable housing units to the area, brought FedEx and now Amazon to Naranja, is building the Larcenia Bullard Plaza in Richmond Heights, has struck a deal to bring the Miami Wilds Water Theme Park to Zoo Miami, helped hundreds of small businesses through his Mom and Pop Small Business Program, and the list goes on.

Moss currently serves as Chairman of the Housing, Social Services and Economic Development Committee. He was also appointed as Vice Chair of the Transportation and Finance Committee and a member of the Tourism and the Ports Committee, The Chairwoman’s Policy Council and the Community Disparities Subcommittee.

To vote for Dennis C. Moss for the District 9 School Board punch number 86. Our schools need strong leadership now more than ever.

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As a member of the Florida House of Representatives representing District 117 Kionne McGhee is well known for his high energy and hard work on behalf of the people he serves.

In 2018 he was elected to serve as the House Minority Leader, quite an impressive accomplishment for the South Miami-Dade elected official.

McGhee is now seeking to fill the District 9 county Commission seat being vacated by Miami-Dade County Commissioner Dennis C. Moss due to term limits. Having represented District 117 since 2012, a district that overlaps District 9, Kionne McGhee has represented many of the voters who will once again have the opportunity to cast a vote for him. McGhee was born in Miami-Dade and grew up in the southern part of the county. After graduating

from South Dade High School he went on to attend Howard University where he graduated with a degree in political science in 2000.

He also attended the Thurgood Marshall School of Law at Texas Southern University, where he received a Juris Doctor degree.

McGhee formerly served in the State Attorney’s Office and is an accomplished public speaker and author. He has been a champion on the issue of bringing the rail transit system from Dadeland to Florida City as a way of creating an economic boost for all of South Dade.

With the continued support of his wife, Stacy and his children, Kionne remains committed to fighting for the residents of South Dade.

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A member of the Florida House of Representatives since 2018, Javier Fernandez grew up in Senate District 39. Today, he’s committed to building consensus and delivering results for the community he calls home.

Throughout his career, he has worked in both the public and private sector to move his community forward.

Javier is the oldest of four siblings raised in western Miami-Dade. He attended St. Theresa School and Christopher Columbus High School where he played football before earning a full academic scholarship to attend Colby College in Maine. Following his service as a leader in the affordable housing sector and chief of staff to

the mayor of Miami, Javier went on to study law at the University of Miami, where he graduated with honors while working part-time.

In his law practice, Javier represented clients advocating for transformative projects across Miami such as the Miami Design District, Brickell City Centre, Miami Worldcenter, and the Tri-Rail commuter rail service.

Javier and his wife, Dr. Anna Maria Patiño-Fernández, a clinical psychologist, have been married for 15 years. They have two children — Susanna (12) and Lucas (10) — and consider themselves blessed to be raising their family in South Florida.

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MIAMI NEEDS CHANGE.

Election day is November 3rd.

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Go to seiuflorida.vote today to register to vote and request your vote by mail ballot.

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Thanks to telehealth,

the doctor will see you now.

Our main priority at Jackson Health System is keeping our community healthy. In addition to in person visits, we’re also offering telehealth consults to anyone who needs to see a doctor. Our team of doctors are here to continue preventive care and medical attention remotely.

To schedule a telehealth appointment with one of our Jackson Medical Group doctors, call 305-585-4JMG (4564) and a member from our staff will schedule a telehealth video appointment for you.

Learn more at JacksonMedicalGroup.org.