TRIUMPHANT Magazine MAY 2018
Rev. Dr. Ronald L. Durham Page 10
Barb Girtman Page 16
EXCLUSIVE!
V.O.G.U.E.-Outstanding Girls Urging Excellence& Sharon K. Brown, is a Proud Sponsor.
To Be Featured or to Advertise in Triumphant Magazine please contact Theresa Jordan at (407)694-6010 Wishing every or email: T r i u m p h a n t m a g a z n i n e mother out there a very special 2017@gmail.com Owned & Operated by Theresa Jordan
Publisher Triumphant Magazine,LLC
Mother's Day. We thank you for what you do daily, and we salute you.
Our hope is that this May 2018, issue of 2 0 1 7 B y T r i u m p h a n t Triumphant (TM)Magazine Magazine gives you more A l l R i g h t s R e s e r v e d reasons Reproduction in to be Triumphant whole or in part w i t h o u t p e r m i s s i o n  in every area of your lives. is prohibited.
Subscribe Now Triumphant magazine.com
27
04 Dr. Primrose Cameron Your Assignment 06 Sharon Keaton Brown - V.O.G.U.E. 10 Rev. Dr. Ronald L. Durham For County Council At - Large
TABLE OF CONTENTS ISSUE
8 15 Dr. Evelyn Bethune April Showers Bring May Flowers 17 Springfield M. B. Church Women's Ministry 18 Barb Girtman For Volusia County District County District 1
3
V.O.G.U.E. - Very Outstanding Girls Urging Excellence Sharon Keaton Brown made a vow in 1992. When she graduated from Georgia College University in Milledgeville, Georgia, she promised to give back. Her dream was to support youth and local communities through volunteering and providing resources for people in need. It is because of her commitment to serve, that she has touched the lives of so many young people today. Sharon Keaton Brown, is the wife, mother, dedicated educator, community activist and a mentor. Mrs. Brown is a graduate of Georgia College University, Albany State University, and currently attending Walden University. Brown is a proud sponsor of Very Outstanding Girls Urging Excellence (V.O.G.U.E.) . She started V.O.G.U.E. at Southwestern Middle School in 2006, where there was a need for an organization that would help build self-esteem, character, positive body image, and promote academic excellence in teenage girls. "I want the young ladies in V.O.G.U.E. to grow up feeling secure in themselves and learn to be leaders and take positive action in their daily walk. I teach them that they must make positive choices about their own lives and that any dream that they may have is possible if they believe in themselves," Brown said. Once a week the girls volunteer their time to learn leadership skills and step dance routines. The girls also volunteer their time at local community events and at Southwestern Triumphant Magazine Page 6
MAKING A DIFFERENCE Middle School. Over the years,V.O.G.U.E. girls have put on and participated in various events that benefited their school as well as the Spring Hill Community. Since 2007, V.O.G.U.E. has put on a Winter Wonderland Social, canned food drive, toy drive and Breast Cancer Awareness Think Pink Day events. They also support and participate in the M.L.K. March, Youth Empowerment Day, basketball games, local parades and talent shows. The V.O.G.U.E. girls love to perform and participate in community events, because participating gives them a chance to express outwardly how they feel inwardly. During the year, V.O.G.U.E. participates in activities that directly impact the Volusia County community. The V.O.G.U.E. girls have shared that when they help others, it makes them feel proud, because they know that they have made a positive difference. "Sometimes I get emotional during V.O.G.U.E. because I know that these young ladies could have gone anywhere after school, but they chose to stay after school and be in a safe, positive environment," Brown said. V.O.G.U.E. is a place where each member can work on getting stronger academically, physically and emotionally. Brown shared that she teaches many lessons about being confident, resourceful and the powerful through unity. In the past 11 years, Mrs. Brown has personally mentored over 300 young ladies. She is starting to see the return on her investment. It's not unusual for graduates of V.O.G.U.E. to reach out to Mrs. Brown and share their successes in high school, college or careers. "I have always confessed that the V.O.G.U.E. girls are our future doctors, lawyers, educators, entertainers, computer, analysts, ministers, athletes, entrepreneurs..., so to see the manifestation of my confession is truly a
Triumphant Magazine page 7
MAKING A DIFFERENCE a blessing," Brown said. Brown shared that her journey of positively impacting the lives of girls, could not have been possible without the support of her husband, Boris Brown and children Destinee, Joshua and Winston Brown. They have supported her in fulfilling her dreams of impacting the lives of youth in hopes to help build a better tomorrow. "I am also very thankful for the strength and wisdom of my mother, Mildred Allen Keaton, and guidance of my mentor Mamie Oatis, retired principal of Volusia County Schools," Brown said. Brown shared that she was grateful for the many great lessons learned from spending quality time with her parents, aunts, uncles and cousins. The positive impact of her family and mentors have been driving force that motivated her to continue to work with the youth and communities. If you would like to learn more about V.O.G.U.E. (Very Outstanding Girls Urging Excellence), volunteer/or the group to perform, you may contact Sharon Brown at Sibrown1@volusia.k12.fl.us or text/call (386)265-3291. Again, there is power and greatness investing in our youth and supporting our communities.
Triumphant Magazine page 8
18
DR. L. Ronald Durham Dr. L. Ronald Durham, Community Relations Manager for the City of Daytona Beach, is running for Volusia County Council AtLarge. Endorsed by Councilwoman Joyce Cusack and Sheriff Mike Chitwood, Durham has a rich history with Volusia County, beginning in 1994, when he retired here. It’s been anything but retiring. In 2003, as a writer for the Sunday School Publishing Board of Nashville, TN, and a faculty member of the National Baptist Convention, USA Inc., Dr. Durham joined Greater Friendship Missionary Baptist Church. He soon became the senior pastor. His innate passion for education moved him to expand the church’s in-house daycare. Despite multiple hurricanes, he steered construction of a million-dollar 8,500 sq. ft. childcare center named Friendship Academy, which serves 100 children. There is a reason why education is so important to Dr. Durham. He attended Shaw University on full scholarship thanks to an undisclosed donor who paid for his entire four years, including room and board. Durham wanted to ‘pay it forward’, so in 1988, he and his wife hosted a two-hour auction in Atlantic City for the benefit of the Jackie Robinson Scholarship Foundation, which raised $26,000 for scholarships. Durham went on to receive a Doctorate from Evangel Christian University in Monroe, LA. He is also the recipient of a Doctor of Divinity from Bethune-Cookman University – GO WILDCATS!
Triumphant Magazine Page 10
DR 18 . L . R o n a l d D u r h a m As president of the Daytona Beach Black Clergy Alliance, he assumed chairmanship of Daytona’s Martin Luther King Scholarship effort. Their annual banquet hosted such notables as Rev. Al Sharpton, News Commentator Roland Martin, famous Attorney Willie Gary, the ‘Giant Killer’; Attorney Benjamin Crump; Naomi Tutu, daughter of Bishop Desmond Tutu; and Marc Morial, President of the National Urban League, and former Mayor of New Orleans.
A Community Activist When Police Chief Mike Chitwood (now Sheriff Chitwood) came to Daytona Beach, Dr. Durham worked with him to host Operation Safe Surrender, a ‘firstof-its kind’ program in Volusia County, to provide a safe place for citizens to settle their misdemeanor warrants amicably with a compassionate court judge. The program is still active. Dr. Durham was front and center when young Trayvon Martin was murdered in Sanford and George Zimmerman was not arrested. He saw the need to coordinate a rally in Sanford to draw national attention to the killing. And when it became clear just 24 hours before the event that the chosen location for the rally was inadequate to hold the anticipated crowd, Dr. Durham contacted the city of Sanford and worked with an emergency logistical team to effectively relocate the peaceful rally to Fort Mellon Park, a critical move, since 30,000 people, including many National Civil Rights advocates, arrived by bus, car, and air for the event.
A BUSY LIFE Dr. Durham is the host of Daytona Beach’s radio and TV outreach, Daytona Beach Radio (Joy Radio 106.3 FM – Thursday, 12 noon) and Daytona Beach TV (Spectrum Channel 490). Both of these creative undertakings keep the city connected to the community.
Creativity should be Dr. Durham’s middle name because his lifetime ventures have been numerous. In addition to being a pastor for over 45 years, he has worked for Bell Telephone, owned several stores, and was a sports marketing agent for many notable baseball greats, including Willie Mays, the “Say Hey Kid”, Tom Seaver, Billy Martin, Darryl Strawberry, and many more too numerous to mention. Perhaps his greatest experience was the friendship he cherished with Joe DiMaggio. The two traveled together, worked on community projects, and discovered a common bond in their uncommon friendship. Dr. Durham has pastored three churches; 17 years at First Baptist Church of Anderson, NJ; 11 years at First Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Newark, NJ; and finally for 12 years at Greater Friendship Missionary Baptist Church in Daytona Beach. He is an author (The Secret Power of Prayer - Townsend Press), a Triumphant Magazine Page 11
member of the Civic League of the Halifax Area, and current President of the V o l1u8 s i a C o u n t y D e m o c r a t i c B l a c k C a u c u s . H e h a s w o r k e d i n W a s h i n g t o n D . C . alongside such notables as Rev. Jesse Jackson, Mrs. Coretta Scott King, U.S. Representatives Bill Pascrell, Donald Payne and the Congressional Black Caucus, who praised him for his trusted leadership and commitment to community. Today, his cell phone registry reads like “Who’s Who in America”.
THE HOMELESS MAN Since working for the City of Daytona Beach as Community Relations Manager, Dr. Durham has been rallying support for the project now called First Step Shelter, Inc. A shelter is now under construction that will provide emergency services to single homeless men and women, with the goal of returning them to independence. His devoted work on this project has earned him the moniker of “The Homeless Man”.
COUNTY COUNCIL AT-LARGE Dr. Durham originally filed to run for County Council District 5. But Councilwoman Joyce Cusack summoned him to her home with a different idea. “I’m termed out, and I want you to replace me” she said. Just one week after filing, Durham consented and re-filed to run for the At-Large seat. We asked Dr. Durham why he wanted to become politically engaged at this point in his career. He said, “I’ve been at the forefront of politics all my life. What pastor worth his salt can turn his back on the need to be connected to those in charge of our daily lives? I’m eager to use my consensus-building, progressive thinking skills and my many connections to move our county forward. I want to move us toward a balanced budget, while remaining sensitive to the needs of our citizens, and I am eager to work with the County Manager and his staff toward that end.” Note: For more information about Dr. Durham, visit www.Durham2018.com, or email him at LRonaldDurham@gmail.com.
Triumphant Magazine Page 12
St. James M.B. Church, Sandhill-Osteen, Florida Congratulations Larry for getting your Bachelor's Degree. We're so excited about what the future holds for you.
SENIOR PROM 2018
18
ATTIC | JANUARY 2016
Springfield M.B.Church,Rev. Raymond P. Brinson, Pastor, 901 W. 12th Street, Sanford, Florida 32771
The Women's Ministry recently celebrated 7 years. The picture above from right to left are Sister Louise McCloud, Minister Elizabeth Jordan, Minister Eliza Lawrence, Sister Rosa Rawlings, Sister Mary Hooks, not pictured Sister Renee Brinson and in memory of our deceased member Sister Emma Mack.
Women's ministry is a group of women who come together and encourage each other in Christian life. Springfield M.B. Church Women's Ministry was organized March 13, 2011 under the leadership of Pastor Raymond Brinson. He appointed Minister Eliza Williams - Lawrence, President and Sister Rosa Rawlings, Vice - President. Mission: To support and spread the work of God to others. Empower women to seek and fulfill their true God given purpose in life. Goals: 1) to continually pray 2) To encourage women that struggle with daily life issue 3) To study God's word, 4) To encourage one another in the word 5) To extend love and compassion 6) To develop a deeper relationship with Christians Triumphant Magazine Page 17
When
We
Vote
We
Win
Who are we? It is churches, community, family, and individuals. It is important to educate and share with others the concerns and opportunities impacting our communities. Wherever you live you can be an informed citizen to be a representative on your block, neighborhood or community and church. We need to be accountable for connecting messages to equip, strengthen, and be the example for our people. What are the benefits of our efforts? Being a unified group of people who are informed. You will be listened to when you are prepared to communicate their needs. This is the approach necessary to "Get Out The Vote", https://registertovoteflorida.gov/en/Registration/index Ensuring eligible voters are registered; Florida Online Voter Registration. Voters must request a vote by mail, vote early, or go to the polls. We have a responsibility to be alert and engaged to be sure your right to vote is not taken for granted. There are millions who are fighting right now to have the right to vote restored. Will you respect your right to vote and put them into action for change? In a time like this, the focus needs to target choices having an impact and working for us. Getting active and participating in the efforts of local campaigns you can see your progress work in our community. You get to have a voice, you can speak directly with your representative and you can give feedback. All are encouraged to identify the local needs of the people, the church and the community. Vote for those who you believe will best represent the interests of the people not their self-interest. My service to the community led me to become a candidate for Volusia County Council. I listened to the people of District 1 and throughout Volusia County and they say it is time for a New Voice, New Vision, and New Energy with fresh eyes for this non-partisan county council seat. I look forward to following the legacy of Councilwoman at Large Joyce Cusack as the only Black woman on the Volusia County Council. While serving as an elected official we greatly impact futures through our decisions. I do not take this opportunity for granted. It is also important for the County Council representation to resemble the communities it serves, through inclusion of diverse ages, cultures and beliefs. I am Barb Girtman, MBA. Candidate for Volusia County Council District 1. I live in Deland, and I have a son, two grandsons, and a Yorkie. My family lives in Spring Hill area of Deland. I have been on the front line fighting for and servicing Volusia County communities as a Realtor, Commissioner for the West Volusia Hospital Authority and as a Founding Member of the Minority Elected Officials of Volusia. My career in healthcare administration spanned 25 years.
Triumphant Magazine Page 18
I have had numerous leadership roles within the community including: chairing the Realtors Legislative Committee and continuing to serve as the key contact for State House Representative Patrick Henry. In this role I represent 1000's of Realtors statewide and this has allowed me to develop working relations with local Mayors, Councils, State House Representatives and Senators responsible for Volusia County communities. I've also served; for several years on the Rotary Club of Deland board, sponsoring grant funding for local community programs. To serving on the local Beacon News, West Volusia NAACP Executive Officer and GULC Community Board. In addition, I created the Minority Business Network was created to help minority business identify resources, support, and visibility. It would be my honor and pleasure to discuss my platform for creating living wage jobs, social justice reform and business development. It is my desire that my community involvement will leave you with the knowledge that I am a candidate with the heart to serve and ready to lead. Please help me, help us to create a better Volusia. Please visit www.barbgirtman.com for more information or call Barb at 386-308-9058.
Triumphant Magazine Page 19