The Gospel Truth June 2021

JUNE 2021

TRUSTING THE FUTURE OF BLACK MIAMI The Children’s Trust Commits To Changing The Landscape For African Americans In Miami-Dade Cover Photo: “Da Little Mermaid”

by Jalynn McDuffey

Sandy Walker, Publisher

My Father, My Lord: Thank You for this opportunity to once again praise You. I give praise and thanks for all of the blessings You continue to bestow on me and my family. You are such an awesome God. You are such an amazing God. You are such a caring God. I thank You for You. Lord, it saddens me to think of those who try to navigate this life without You. I cannot comprehend how that is possible. I would be absolutely lost without You. Help me Father to be an instrument of Your love. Help me to reach those who do not yet know You. Give me the words to say and the words to write that will touch someone in a very special way. As we face the challenges of our time, it is important for people to know Your word and to feel Your love.

It is my prayer that as a nation and as a world we will heed the lessons You have put before us.

I love You Lord today and everyday and I am proud to be Your child. --AMEN

Publisher’s Prayer PUBLISHER Sandy Walker

ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER Sommer W. Davis 'BUIFS JO UIF /BNF PG +FTVT Sandy Walker

EDITOR

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Research about a mother’s role in child development abounds, largely because attachment theory gives a basis from which to conduct the research. No such theory exists for fathers, which may be part of the reason that the influence fathers have on their children wasn’t as well researched until recently, when researchers began to shift away from looking at fathers as the “other parent.” Now, instead of viewing fathers only through the lens of what is known about mothers, researchers are looking at the unique and important ways fathers influence their children.

As a result of that research, it is now established that fathers play an essential role in the upbringing of their children. And they can be every bit as sensitive and nurturing to their children as mothers can. A father’s nurturing presence can continue to benefit children and help them develop cognitive, socially, and emotionally as they grow up. In fact, in a 2001 review of the father’s love, researchers Rohner and Veneziano concluded, “Overall, father love appears to be as heavily implicated as mother love in offsprings’ psychological wellbeing and health, as well as in an array of psychological and behavioral problems.”

What is an Involved Father?

Most fathers try to do their best for their children. Yet a report by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services notes, “Too many fathers become convinced that they are simply an extra set of hands to help around the house, rather than irreplaceable to their children.”[i] The point of this article is to highlight the ways in which fathers become involved in ways that are “irreplaceable to their children.” To do that, it’s necessary to understand exactly what an involved father is, and how he can be most successful. Many researchers have asked just this question, and have provided us a good deal of insight.

In 1987, researchers Lamb, Pleck, Chernov, and Levine outlined three fundamental aspects of father involvement. These traits form the basis for a positive, nurturing father-child relationship:[i] Engagement: father’s direct contact and shared interactions with their children Availability: father’s presence or accessibility to the child Responsibility: father’s arrangement for resources to be available to the child Building on the work by Lamb, Pleck, and Chernov, another researcher by the name of Palkovitz enumerated 15 distinct ways in which fathers tend to be involved with their children: Communicating Teaching Monitoring Engaging in thought processes Providing Showing affection Protecting Supporting emotionally

TGT June2016.indd 4

Running errands Caregiving Engaging in child-related maintenance Sharing interests Being available Planning Sharing activities

5/31/16 1:20 AM

Through funding, diversity and leadership, The Children’s Trust serves as a fundamental support for the African American community in Miami-Dade

By Isheka Harrison

“Fly Fly Away” by Jalynn McDuffey

When Willmeisha Hall, 35, became the social media specialist for The Children’s Trust in 2019, it was a full-circle moment. The same young girl from Liberty City who had been helped by programs The Trust funded was now able to use her expertise to tell the organization’s story. She knew firsthand how The Trust’s support helped organizations change the trajectory of people’s lives, especially those of Black Miamians like her.

computer literacy skills (and that) allowed us all to be on one accord as far as growth. We all experienced an introduction to technology during that time.”

A History of Serving and Supporting the Black Community Hall’s story isn’t a unique one. The Children’s Trust was founded to invest in youth and families and, since it was approved by Miami-Dade County voters in 2002, it has supported many organizations serving local communities.

Many of them are in historically and predominately Black neighborhoods – a fact that is important to The Trust’s leadership.

“I definitely felt like my time at The Children’s Trust was full-circle because it’s a staple name in the community I grew up in, so I’ve always associated it with my childhood,” Hall said. “I remember when I first walked into our actual office area, there was a sign for one of the programs they funded called “Defy It” and I was a member of that pro- “It is true that The Children’s Trust serves all children and gram. It evoked nostalgia in me.” families in Miami-Dade County, but it is also true that some neighborhoods and populations are more in need,” said That wasn’t the only touchpoint for Hall. She recalled how Stephanie Sylvestre, The Trust’s Chief Program Officer and her entire family was impacted by the Belafonte TACOLCY Chief Information Officer. “That is why we are committed Center during her childhood, an organization The Trust has to supporting and amplifying Miami’s Black communities.” funded at length over the years.

As a special taxing district whose mission is “to plan, ad“When I was in middle school, I participated in a program vocate for and fund strategic investments that improve the that taught computer and technology skills at TACOLCY. lives of all children and families in Miami-Dade County,” My Mom did it, then she told me about it and I enrolled. The Trust’s ultimate vision is “to provide the essential founWe went to events and field trips, met people and learned dations to enable children to achieve their full potential.” It a lot of life lessons,” Hall recalled. “It enriched the house- invests in programs, initiatives and advocacy to make sure hold wholeheartedly – my (mother) was able to increase her Miami’s children and families get a fair shot and live fulfill-

Tina Brown engages participants at the Overtown Youth Center

Stephanie Sylvestre, The Children’s Trust’s Chief Program Officer and Chief Information Officer

ing lives. It’s a tall order and one that is overseen by a diverse group, including The Trust’s Board of Directors, staff and a provider pool that services neighborhoods including Miami Gardens, North Miami, Liberty City, Overtown, Richmond Heights, Goulds, Homestead and Florida City.

“In order to serve Miami best, our board, staff and providers have to look like Miami as well,” Sylvestre said. “We are committed to having diversity at every level of The Trust.”

Of the many organizations the Trust funds, close to 60 (almost a third of the total) are owned and/or operated by Black Americans. Of those, 29 are run by Black women like Tina Brown of the Overtown Youth Center. She said the support is invaluable. “The Trust’s funding has been instrumental to the Black community; particularly allowing culturally competent providers to aid in bridging educational, social, emotional, economic and opportunity gaps,” Brown said. “Because of funding from The Children’s Trust, children and families are able to access critical support services necessary for propelling children to reach their full potential; while strengthening families and mitigating generational cycles of poverty and other systemic barriers to success.”

said. “At Gang Alternative, we actually serve the whole family. We get to tailor whatever services they need to avoid them falling through the cracks.”

Doing More When More is Needed While these stories are vivid examples of the impact The Children’s Trust has had in Miami’s Black community for nearly two decades, last year’s murder of George Floyd by then-Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin elevated the need to do more. The Trust released a statement reaffirming its “commitment to equity and social justice across Miami-Dade County,” and followed up by forming an Ad Hoc Committee on Racial Equity and Social Justice. From June 2020 to February 2021, the committee met to focus specifically on finding solutions and created a blueprint for moving forward.

The Trust also hosted community listening sessions to ensure they garnered the perspectives of those being impacted the most. As a result of these sessions, The Trust committed to increase its Racial Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (REDI) efforts – among which was participating in the YWCA’s 21-Day challenge to address social injustice from Lionel Lightbourne – a Care Coordinator in the Uplift Pro- July to August and launching an ongoing REDI program for gram at Gang Alternative, which serves families as far south Trust staff. as Homestead – echoes Brown’s sentiments. Having worked at two programs in nonprofits The Trust funds, Lightbourne Still, The Children’s Trust knew that more needed to be knows firsthand how much its support impacts the Black done to make real change in Miami-Dade County on a gencommunity. Not only does it help keep people like him em- erational scale. To ensure they were putting action behind ployed, Lightbourne said it also truly uplifts, pun intended, their words, The Trust led the creation and launch this year vulnerable families. of the Paradise Found Network, composed of 10 philanthropic agencies in Miami whose goal is to raise the first “I think The Children’s Trust is cutting edge when it comes generation of antiracist children. With over $1 billion in to diversity. They were making diversity investments long combined annual funding, the organizations that make up before investment diversity became popular,” Lightbourne the Paradise Found Network will work closely with other

James R. Haj, President and CEO of The Children’s Trust

community partners to boldly envision, cultivate and champion a diverse and equitable community by driving institutional and systemic change over the next 10 years and beyond. The Paradise Found Network is also applying for $20 million in funding from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation to shore up the initiative.

Willmeisha Hall, former Social Media Specialist at The Children’s Trust

“The people who work for The Children’s Trust encourage us and support us in our projects (and) have made a world of difference,” McDuffey said. “All these amazing feats I was able to accomplish in this crazy year were because of the amazing people who help us every single day and at every single meeting. I just genuinely want to thank them because they do an amazing job and they care so much about us.

While the newly created network is calling on large orga- I really want other kids to be able to have that experience nizations to take a stand in the fight for social justice and too.” racial equality, The Trust is also cognizant that the change must start on a smaller scale within and from the commu- As a young Black girl from the southern part of Miami-Dade nity itself. Last year, The Trust reopened a call for proposals County, McDuffey also said YAC gives her and her peers a for its cutting-edge Innovation Fund that looks at solving chance to amplify their voices. “I really like that YAC has community-wide problems with a fresh approach, this time (allowed us to) share our issues as a Black community,” she with a specific focus on programs that would address ra- continued. “Even though we don’t completely focus on just cial inequality and social justice. Through this Innovation Black issues, since we’re a Black community, we try to at Fund, The Children’s Trust funded 22 new contracts for a least highlight them – and YAC gives us a voice and a plattotal of over $1.6 million, with a wide range of targets in- form to speak up about things that are affecting our comcluding economic growth, mental health, and social justice munity specifically, instead of just Miami as a whole.” and racial equity for Black communities.

The leadership and staff at The Children’s Trust want the Looking Toward the Future community to know they are here for them. They know their current and pending initiatives are only a step in helpDespite all these efforts, The Children’s Trust knows for any ing mitigate oppressive and systemically racist obstacles the strategy to be effective in transforming communities, fu- Black community faces daily. They also know it won’t hapture generations must be a focus. As such, the organization pen overnight, but it is a job they are committed to. places a heavy emphasis on its Youth Advisory Committee (YAC) that empowers high school students from across Mi- “The pandemic and social unrest of the last 14 or so months ami-Dade to develop leadership and service skills. have made clear what many of us have long known - racial inequalities facing Black communities across the counJalynn McDuffey, an 18-year-old senior at Coral Reef Senior try remain the primary impediment to a happy, safe and High School, is a member who is spearheading a Hearts for fulfilling life,” said President and CEO James R. Haj. “The Art project which teaches art to children for the YAC South Children’s Trust is committed to addressing and eliminatteam. A Silver Knights nominee and Presidential Scholar of ing those for the children and families of Miami-Dade. We the Arts semifinalist, McDuffey credits YAC with helping won’t stop until that job is done.” her direct her talents to new heights.

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Juneteenth is the oldest known celebration commemorating the ending of slavery in the United States. Dating back to 1865, it was on June 19th that the Union soldiers, led by Major General Gordon Granger, landed at Galveston, Texas with news that the war had ended and that the enslaved were now free. Note that this was two and a half years after President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation - which had become official January 1, 1863. The Emancipation Proclamation had little impact on the Texans due to the minimal number of Union troops to enforce the new Executive Order. However, with the surrender of General Lee in April of 1865, and the arrival of General Granger’s regiment, the forces were finally strong enough to influence and overcome the resistance.

“The people of Texas are informed that in accordance with a Proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free. This involves an absolute equality of rights and rights of property between former masters and slaves, and the connection heretofore existing between them becomes that between employer and free laborer.”

The reactions to this profound news ranged from pure shock to immediate jubilation.

While many lingered to learn of this new employer to employee relationship, many left before these offers were completely off the lips of their former ‘masters’ - attesting to the varying conditions on the plantations and the realization of freedom. Even with nowhere to go, many felt that leaving the plantation would be their first grasp of Later attempts to explain this two and a freedom. North was a logical destination half year delay in the receipt of this im- and for many it represented true freedom, portant news have yielded several versions while the desire to reach family members that have been handed down through the in neighboring states drove the some into years. Often told is the story of a messen- Louisiana, Arkansas and Oklahoma. Setger who was murdered on his way to Texas tling into these new areas as free men and with the news of freedom. Another, is that women brought on new realities and the the news was deliberately withheld by the challenges of establishing a heretofore enslavers to maintain the labor force on non-existent status for black people in the plantations. And still another, is that America. Recounting the memories of that federal troops actually waited for the slave great day in June of 1865 and its festivities owners to reap the benefits of one last would serve as motivation as well as a recotton harvest before going to Texas to lease from the growing pressures encounenforce the Emancipation Proclamation. tered in their new territory. The celebraAll of which, or neither of these versions tion of June 19th was coined “Juneteenth” could be true. Certainly, for some, Presi- and grew with more participation from dent Lincoln’s authority over the rebel- descendants. The Juneteenth celebration lious states was in question For whatever was a time for reassuring each other, for the reasons, conditions in Texas remained praying and for gathering remaining famstatus quo well beyond what was statutory. ily members. Juneteenth continued to be highly revered in Texas decades later, with General Order Number 3 many former slaves and descendants makOne of General Granger’s first orders of ing an annual pilgrimage back to Galvesbusiness was to read to the people of Tex- ton on this date. as, General Order Number 3 which began most significantly with:

Juneteenth Festivities and Food A range of activities were provided to entertain the masses, many of which continue in tradition today. Rodeos, fishing, barbecuing and baseball are just a few of the typical Juneteenth activities you may witness today. Juneteenth almost always focused on education and self improvement.

Thus, often guest speakers are brought in and the elders are called upon to recount the events of the past. Prayer services were also a major part of these celebrations.

Certain foods became popular and subsequently synonymous with Juneteenth celebrations such as strawberry sodapop. More traditional and just as popular was the barbecuing, through which Juneteenth participants could share in the spirit and aromas that their ancestors - the newly emancipated African Americans, would have experienced during their ceremonies. Hence, the barbecue pit is often established as the center of attention at Juneteenth celebrations.

Food was abundant because everyone prepared a special dish. Meats such as lamb, pork and beef which not available everyday were brought on this special occasion.

A true Juneteenth celebrations left visitors well satisfied and with enough conversation to last until the next.

Dress was also an important element in early Juneteenth customs and is often still taken seriously, particularly by the direct descendants who can make the connection to this tradition’s roots. During slavery there were laws on the books in many areas that prohibited or limited the dressing of the enslaved. During the initial days of the emancipation celebrations, there are accounts of former slaves tossing their ragged garments into the creeks and rivers to adorn clothing taken from the plantations belonging to their former ‘masters’.

For more visit Juneteenth.com

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5/31/16 1:20 AM

The Influential Voice

By Anika Madison

We are influenced by many things and many people. In the world of social media, we are influenced by the people and stories that interrupt our scroll. We are influenced by our family, friends and even our enemies. If you don’t believe in the influence of your enemies, here is a question for you.

Have you ever changed something about yourself, moved or stopped doing something based on what they said or did? That is influence.

Being influenced by someone or something can lead to devastating results.

That is why it is so important to allow God to be your greatest influence.

When God speaks to you, He will never direct you towards anything that will hurt or confuse you. Knowing this alone will help when you are unclear of your next step. If you can see destruction before you even move, you know it is not God. It is imperative that you block any negative control that will lure you away from God’s purpose for your life. You cannot open a locked door without a key. If you don’t give the negative power the key, they cannot enter the best place to dominate your next moves.

That place is in your mind.

show you which path to take.” Proverbs 3:6 NLT. I knew I was following the right path at the beginning of my writing career and talk show when I received confirmation from my readers and audience. God gifted me with the ability to encourage and inspire. When people began to tell me how they were inspired and encouraged by my work, I knew I was on the right path. God will allow you to see the gifts He gave you and give you a glimpse into how those gifts will be used in your future. You will have this information in advance so when you move in your calling, you will already have the knowledge to help you realize you are on the right path. His will for your life is in your calling. Your calling is attached to your passion. Once you have discovered your gifting, your passion to do it and begin to walk in it, take a moment to think back to this familiar picture. You saw it once before when you were being prepared for this moment.

The negative influences want to take all of this away from you. These influences want to leave you paralyzed so you cannot move forward. Don’t be fooled by what they are trying to get you to see. Don’t let them make you feel like God lied to you about your gifting and that you are not gifted at all. Don’t be “Seek his will in all you do, and he will fooled into thinking those visions He

gave you will not come to pass. God is not able to lie. “God is not a man, so he does not lie. He is not human, so he does not change his mind. Has he ever spoken and failed to act? Has he ever promised and not carried it through?”

Numbers 23:9 NLT. Some negative influences are direct and some are unknowing participants.

Someone can directly tell you directly to your face that you will never accomplish your dreams. Then someone can suggest that you put your dreams on hold and follow a more sensible path.

One may seem more harmful than the other, but both can lead to a devastating result. The result of you not moving in your purpose and leading a life that was not meant for you. This can cause doubt and despair. No one wants to live their life with doubt and despair.

One is directly telling you that you won’t make it while the other is trying not to hurt you, but may feel the same as the first. This is why once again, it is so important to allow God to be the main influence. When you are confident that you heard God direct you to a certain path, no other influence will matter. The main influential voice always wins. Let that voice be the voice of God.

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6 Tips To Be “Water Wise” for Healthy Kidneys

Keep your kidneys healthy by being “water wise.” This means drinking the right amount of water for you.

A common misconception is that everyone should drink eight glasses of water per day, but since everyone is different, daily water needs will vary by person. How much water you need is based on differences in age, climate, exercise intensity, as well as states of pregnancy, breastfeeding, and illness.

rule that everyone needs 8 glasses of water a day. This is just a general recommendation based on the fact that we continually lose water from our bodies, and that we need adequate water intake to survive and optimal amounts to thrive. The Institute of Medicine has estimated that men need approximately 13 cups (3 liters) of fluid daily, and that women need approximately 9 cups (2.2 liters) of fluid daily.

About 60-70% of your body weight is made up of water, and every part of your body needs it to function properly. Water helps the kidneys remove wastes from your blood in the form of urine. Water also helps keep your blood vessels open so that blood can travel freely to your kidneys, and deliver essential nutrients to them. But if you become dehydrated, then it is more difficult for this delivery system to work.

Mild dehydration can make you feel tired, and can impair normal bodily functions. Severe dehydration can lead to kidney damage, so it is important to drink enough when you work or exercise very hard, and especially in warm and humid weather.

2. Less is more if you have kidney failure (a.k.a. end stage kidney disease). When the kidneys fail, people don’t excrete enough water, if any at all. For those who are receiving dialysis treatment, water must actually be greatly restricted.

Here are 6 tips to make sure you’re drinking enough water and to keep your kidneys healthy: 1. Eight is great, but not set in stone. There is no hard and fast

liters of urine daily (about 6 cups).

5. H2O helps prevent kidney stones and UTIs. Kidney stones and urinary tract infections (UTIs) are two common medical conditions that can hurt the kidneys, and for which good hydration is essential. Kidney stones form less easily when there is sufficient water available to prevent stone-forming crystals from sticking together.

Water helps dissolve the antibiotics used to treat urinary tract infections, making them more effective.

Drinking enough water also helps produce more urine, which helps to flush out infection-causing bacteria.

6. Beware of pills and procedures. Drinking extra water with certain medications or before and after procedures with contrast dye may help prevent kidney damage. Read medication labels and ask questions before undergoing medical procedures involving contrast dyes. Always consult with your healthcare provider first though, especially if you are on a fluid restric4. Your urine can reveal a tion. lot. For the average person, “water wise” means drinking enough Remember….when “water wise,” water or other healthy fluids, such healthy kidneys are the prize! as unsweetened juice or low fat milk to quench thirst and to keep your urine light yellow or colorless.

When your urine is dark yellow, this indicates that you are dehydrated. You should be making about 1.5 3. It’s possible to drink too much water. Though it is not very common for this to happen in the average person, endurance athletes like marathoners may drink large amounts of water and thereby dilute the sodium level in their blood, resulting in a dangerous condition called hyponatremia.

Realtor Kimberly is a Miami native who has served South Florida for over 20 years. She is very passionate about the community and launched this series, “Living Legends: A Conversation with Local Pioneers”, to share the rich history of the area. Part III of this series continues with wealth generator Mr. Herman Rackley.

Mr. Rackley is a seasoned Miamian, he was born in Modello, moved to Florida City and later moved to Goulds where he graduated from Arthur and Polly Mays High School in 1959.

In six months, Mr. Rackley advanced to Vice President and Partner with the company.

After four years at JV Realty, Mr. Rackley was hired as a manager at Pollyco Realty. While at Pollyco Realty, Mr. Rackley directed 15 Real Estate Associates in Appraising where he created training programs and incentive plans that helped boost productivity. The tactics Mr. Rackley implemented, increased sales volumes by 60% in two years.

Rackley is a wine connoisseur and owns a vast collection of fine wines and liquor showcased at his home.

Contact me today for all your realtor needs at (305) 971- 6161 Upon graduation, he worked at the following companies: AeroJet, a company that made solid fuels for rockets; Sandos, a Pharmaceutical company and Foremost Liquors, a liquor store located in “The Village” in Coconut Grove. Since one of the requirements of the job was selling the wine and liquor, Mr. Rackley acquired a love for wine and eventually became a wine connoisseur. He also frequented the nearby, Coconut Grove Playhouse to hear live jazz music. Mr. Rackley found himself offering food and wine pairing suggestions to many patrons, including local news anchor, Jim Brosner.

While working at Foremost, Mr. Rack-

ley simultaneously attended Real Estate school to obtain his Real Estate License in March 1973.

Mr. Rackley spent his early real estate years as a Subdivision Manager at Lennar Homes Corporation, where he handled all maintenance and sales at Richmond Heights Estates and Coral Villas Townhomes, which at the time sold between $49,000- $63,000.

A few years after, Mr. Rackley then interviewed for a Managerial position at JV Realty, a position that according to Mr. Rackley, changed his life. JV Realty was the only black owned real estate office in town. He worked under the owner, Verbert Anderson, a savvy business man who became his mentor.

Mr. Rackley excelled and moved up the ranks. In 1980 he was the President /Manager at Ambassador Mortgage Corporation, where he expanded the business and recruited 15 additional Real Estate Associates.

Mr. Rackley never stopped learning, over the years he continued his formal real estate education gathering numerous certifications including the: Real Estate Broker’s License, Mortgage Broker’s License, Certified Real Estate Appraiser and the Resident Narrative Appraiser Certification. He later learned an interesting aspect of the industry, he took the Casualty Insurance course.

In 1991, after years of expanding his knowledge and gaining experience, Mr. Rackley set out on his own entrepreneurship journey and launched Richmond Perrine Realty. Richmond Perrine Realty offered a vast array of services including: Listing, Marketing, Appraising, Sales, Financing, Credit Counseling and Negotiating Contracts.

In 1993, along side running a business, Mr. Rackley became a Real Estate Consultant. He held various educational workshops and had programs that helped renters become Homeowners, the programs helped with past credit

irregularities and provided renters with Housekeeping Orientation.

Wahoo- the fastest fish in the water A little known fact is that in 1992, after a powerful category 5, Hurricane Andrew left Miami devastated. Clarence Edwards, who owned the nearby drug store asked if Mr. Rackley wanted to use his business facility as a recovery center.

After a talk with his wife, they accepted and opened their doors to the community. The center had lights and a generator that ran 23 hours a day, there was only one hour set aside to refuel. Other recovery resource agencies were there to assist the community and residents were able to contact their insurance companies, and other agencies for assistance.

Those humanitarian efforts essentially helped put Richmond Perrine Realty on the map.

The facility also operated as the Campaign headquarters for Dennis Moss to run for Commissioner of District 9 . Every time there was an election, Mr. Rackley cooked a Key Lime Pie from his family’s 50 year old recipe. The site remained the Moss Campaign Headquarters for several elections.

After 35 years in Real Estate, Mr. Rackley retired in 2010. His Real Estate Company still operates today and is run by Randy Ricks, a mentee of his. Mr. Rackley resides in Georgia with his wife. His contributions were an integral part of creating black wealth in the city.

Contact me today for all your realtor needs at (305) 971-6161

Making Clinical Trials More Accessible to All – A Top Priority at Miami Cancer Institute By: Peter B. Laird

For cancer patients who have complex cancers with limited options or who have exhausted all other treatment options, clinical trials can be a beacon of hope. Such studies offer often-desperate patients access to new, potentially lifesaving therapies that are years away from being available to anyone else. They also give pharmaceutical companies the opportunity to test the efficacy of new drugs before they can be approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Even so, recruiting participants for clinical trials can be a challenge, experts say, particularly in a pandemic.

and chief of solid tumor medical oncology, Dr. Ahluwalia aims to bring greater diversity and innovation to clinical trials, and improved outcomes for cancer patients everywhere.

Resource: How has COVID-19 impacted clinical trials at Miami Cancer Institute?

Dr. Ahluwalia: Perhaps the biggest change has to do with how we recruit, monitor and communicate with patients in our trials. As a clinical investigator, you want to be able to keep a close eye on your patients to make sure they’re not experiencing any adverse effects. But with COVID-19, we also want to elimResource editors spoke with medi- inate any unnecessary face-to-face cal oncologist Manmeet Ahluwalia, appointments.

M.D., MBA, an internationally recognized clinical investigator with If there is a silver lining to the panMiami Cancer Institute who spe- demic, it’s that it has helped focus cializes in the treatment of brain awareness on the role telemeditumors and brain metastases. As cine can play – not just in clinical the renowned cancer center’s dep- trials but in the delivery of healthuty director, chief scientific officer care overall. Physicians and pa-

tients both are growing much more comfortable with telemedicine, and COVID-19 has only hastened its adoption several folds.

When we talk about pandemic-driven change, in the healthcare field we’ve probably seen a decade’s worth of change in just one year. It’s been amazing. A question I’m often asked is, “Will telemedicine put an end to doctor’s office visits?” I say, definitely not – patients enrolled in clinical trials still need to come in for lab work and infusions, of course. But at the same time, there is much that can be accomplished remotely via one’s smartphone or computer. This is especially helpful for patients who live far away, and it will make clinical trials more appealing and accessible for a larger, more diverse population.

Resource: What are some of the challenges you face when conducting clinical trials?

including access, economic factors novation. And we couldn’t be more Dr. Ahluwalia: Pandemic aside, our and, for some, trust. excited, because with Miami’s inbiggest challenge can be recruiting credible diversity comes phenomqualified participants for clinical Resource: What other concerns do enal opportunity to further our trials. One big challenge is diversity you typically hear from people who knowledge and develop new cures.

– minorities and elderly patients are may want to apply for enrollment in often under-represented on clinical a clinical trial?

First and foremost, we want to trials. As a result, the patients in leverage our unique patient poputhese trials don’t always reflect the Dr. Ahluwalia: Not everyone can lation here to boost minority pardemographics of the general pop- afford to take the time off from ticipation in our clinical trials and ulation, and their experiences and work that participation in clinical contribute nationally to such trial outcomes may not extrapolate to trials requires, and not everyone has participation. We also working on the population at large. easy access to transportation to and developing virtual consent forms so from Miami Cancer Institute. Also, that some of the administrative asResource: Why is recruiting people many of our patients come to their pects can be handled by the patient for clinical trials so problematic? appointments with their caregivers, at home. We need to cut down on who themselves may have problems red tape and bureaucracy, and make Dr. Ahluwalia: There are several taking time off from work. it easier for patients to access trials reasons for this. The clinical trials even if they can’t come in. tend to be highly selective about the Resource: Is there a ‘technology patient population, or who qualifies gap’ when it comes to health care?

At the same time, we’re going to for enrollment in trials. For examleverage existing technology such ple, most patients selected for trials Dr. Ahluwalia: The exponential as wearable devices so that patients are, on average, are a decade young- growth in telemedicine this past can be monitored from the comfort er than patients in the general popu- year has revealed a significant tech- of their own homes without having lation with the same disease. Might nology gap. We need to address the to spend hours being observed folwe see greater drug toxicities in an technological disparities in cancer lowing a treatment. older population? Of course, but care today, as some of our patients you wouldn’t know for sure unless don’t have smartphones, computers Resource: It sounds like you have the trials had been more age-inclu- or data plans, or they live in remote your work cut out for you, Dr. Ahsive or we have real world evidence areas without internet service. We luwalia. What else is on your radar? post approval. have to figure out how we can leverage our technology so that everyone Dr. Ahluwalia: I’m working with Resource: What are some other who needs it has access to telemed- my colleagues here at Miami Canbarriers to recruitment? icine. cer Institute and at Lynn Cancer Institute in Boca Raton (also part of Dr. Ahluwalia: Currently, patients Resource: What do you plan to do Baptist Health) to develop strategies enrolled in clinical trials here in at Miami Cancer Institute to make that will help improve the healththe United States are more than clinical trials more inclusive? care disparities that exist in South ninety percent Caucasian, which Florida’s minority populations. It’s a means minority populations – Af- Dr. Ahluwalia: Technology is al- process, and one that will take time rican-Americans and Hispanics, in ready laying the foundation for the and focus, but as our demographics particular – are grossly under-rep- disruptive transformation of health- continue to change we must find resented. Racial and ethnic dispar- care, and it will play an increasingly ways to reduce the health disparities have long been an issue in our important role in clinical trials. ities that exist here and elsewhere. country’s healthcare system, and Providing easier access to health it’s no different with clinical trials. Our primary focus here at Miami care is something we all need to be There are several reasons for this, Cancer Institute is on research in- focused on.

Commissioner Kionne McGhee Gets Approval To Name Goulds Park In Honor of JL “Joe” and Enid Demps Joe and Enid Demps have long been admired and respected for their work in the Goulds community. Their commitment to youth and work is legendary and has not gone unnoticed by Miami-Dade County Commissioner Kionne McGhee. A resolution by Commissioner McGhee received support from the Commission recently to rename Goulds Park: JL (Joe) and Enid Demps Park.

“These are the leaders that we must recognize for their lifetime efforts and service to our communities. Without their Joe and Enid are known for their work with the Greater contributions our children, families and the entire commuGoulds Optimist Club, which was established with support nities would be lost,” said Commissioner McGhee. of former Commissioner Dennis C. Moss. The Greater Goulds Optimist Club offers programs to the youth such as McGhee has led efforts to give recognition to several comfootball and cheerleading. These programs provide valu- munity leaders and advocates including Wilbur B. Bell with able opportunities to keep kids occupied, safe and out of the renaming of West Perrine Park in his honor; a portion trouble. of Homestead Ave has been name for the late Lee C. Jay and also a street naming as Johnny Fletcher Way. It is importBoth Joe and Enid have held numerous volunteer leader- ant to Commissioner McGhee for people to know of the ship roles and are both Southeast Region Pop Warner Pio- contributions of these individuals and others for generaneers. They have both dedicated many years of service to tions to come. the community and have focused on youth engagement.

Sunday School - 9:30 A.M. Sunday Worship Service 8:00 A.M. & 11 :00 A.M. Thursday- Noon Day Bible Study; Prayer Meeting & Study of the Word- 7:00 P.M.

Pastor James R. Polk, Sr. Pastor / Teacher

18900 SW 106 AVE. #207 Miami, FL 33157

Weds Youth and Adult Prayer Meeting Bible Study: 7:30 PM

Reverend Lance B. Bailey Sr. Pastor

BELIEVERS OF AUTHORITY MINISTRIES, INC. 3655 Grand Avenue Miami, Fl 33130 305-442-7337 boaministries@hotmail.com www.boaministries.org www.believersofauthority.org Sunday Worship : 10:30 AM Bible Study (Tuesday) :7:30 PM

Apostle John H. Chambers, III Pastor

Rev.Doris DorisGranberry, Granberry, Pastor Pastor

GRACE OF GOD BAPTIST CHIRCH

9855 SW 152 St Miami, Florida 33176

11000 SW 216th Street Miami, Fl, 33170 305-259-1229 www.GraceIsTheeplace.com

Rev. Mark Coats, Pastor

Sunday school ... 9:45AM Sunday Worship... 11:00AM Bible Study... Wed. 7:00PM Mission Friends (Children) 3rd Saturday at 10:00AM

MT. CALVARY NATIONAL CHURCH OF GOD, INC. KINGDOM BUILDERS MINISTRIES 17500 SW 103 Avenue, Perrine, FL 33157 305-234-9702 mtcalvaryncog@gmail.com www.mtcalvaryncog.org www.facebook.com/MT.CalvaryNCOG

FAITH IN DELIVERANCE MINISTRIES 18190 SW 102nd Avenue Miami, Fl 33157 docfergie@bellsouth.net 305-909-6861

Sunday School................. 9:45AM Sunday Worship............... 11:00AM - 1:30PM Rev. Dr. Bettie M. Ferguson, Pastor

Thursday Bible Study....... 7:00-8:00PM

Dr. Melissa JamesRolle-Scott, Walden Rev. Pastor / Teacher Pastor

Sunday School...................9:30 AM Sunday Morning Worship...11:00 AM Prayer: Tuesdays & Fridays at Noon Corporate Prayer: Wednesday....7:30 PM Bible Study: Wednesday........8 PM Youth Activities: Friday ..........8 PM

Rev. Dr. Remiel Lockwood, Pastor

Sunday Worship Service : 8am ( in person) 11am (virtual) Wednesday Bible Study : Noon (in person)7pm (virtual )

FIRST ST. JOHN M. B. CHURCH 13740 SW 264 St. Naranja, Fl 33032

305-258-4380

Sunday School

www.fsjmbc.com 8:30AM

Sunday Worship Service 10:00AM Rev. Rodney S. Rumph, Sr., Pastor

Wednesday Night Service 7:00PM

PROPHETIC REVIVAL CENTER 183 NE 8th ST. Homestead, Fl 33030 (Inside Hatikvah Temple) 305-281-9045 www.sandramoore.org Sunday Worship Service 1:30PM Children’s Church. 2:00PM Prayer / Bible Study... Wed. 7:00PM

Rev. Sandra Moore, Pastor

Rev. Robert Shaw, Pastor

12001 SW 213 Terr.

Goulds, FL 33170

Rev. Elijah Bemley, Pastor

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Dr. C.P Preston, Pastor

NOW FAITH ON WHEELS OUTREACH MINISTRIES

3820 NW 169th Terrace Miami Gardens FL.33055 nowfaithoutreachministry@yahoo.com 8:30 AM

Sunday Morning Service 11:30AM Bible Study Thursday 6:30PM Corporate Prayer 12 Noon

10:00 AM Pastors Henry and Doris Burney

LIVING WORD CHRISTIAN INTERNATIONAL NW 7th 485514501 NW 183rd St. Ave. Miami, FL Miami, Fl 33168 305-624-0044

Sunday Morning Worship: 9 AM Weds. Mid-week Service: 7:30 PM SAT Corporate Prayer: 8 AM

Youth Empowerment Pastor’s PastorWillie Willieand & Karen KarenFelton Felton, 1st & 3rd Friday 7:00 PM Marriage Enhancement 4th Friday 7:30 PM Pastors

Sunday Worship 9:30 AM Sunday School 8:30 AM Tues Bible Study 6:45 PM Wed Bible Study 10:45 AM .

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GRACE EVANGELICAL BAPTIST CHURCH, INC. 8400 NE 2nd Ave. Miami, Fl 33138

Rev. Charles M. Taylor, Senior Minister

Ph: 786-230-3786 Fax: 305-754-9200 Sunday Worship Celebration & Youth Sunday School 9:50 am Tuesday Prayer Service

6:00 pm

Noonday Meditation M-Th 12noon

Senior Minister

Rev. Paul E. Moss, Pastor

UNITED CHRISTIAN PRAISE & WORSHIP

CENTER CHURCH INC. 14501 NW 7th Ave 7626 NW 7th Ave Miami FL 33150 / Miami, Fl 33168 Mailing address

2370 NW 174th Terr Miami Gardens FL 33056

Sunday Sunday School 8School AM : 9:30 AM

Sunday Service :10:30 AM

Study every MorningBible Worship 9 AM andother 11 AMWednesday 7:30 PM

Bible Study Tuesday 7 PM Bishop Dennis Jackson

Church Phone 786-286-5611 Church Fax 305-620-7020 www.unitedchristianpraiseandworshipcenter.com

Rev. Jacques F. Saint-Louis, Pastor

Sunday School Sunday Worship Sunday Evening Worship Tuesday Bible Study Friday Prayer Meeting

9:00 AM 10:30 AM 7:00 PM 7:00PM 8:00 PM