A delegation of South Florida Caribbean leaders attended the 11th Annual Legislative Conference sponsored by the Institute of Caribbean Studies (ICS) June 24-26 in Washington, D.C. The group, which included [Hazelle Rogers], State Rep. Yolley Roberson, Councilman Aster Knight, North Miami City Clerk Alix Desulme, attorney Marlon Hill, Hulbert James, Roxanne Valies, and Maria Kong, also attended a White House census briefing that focused on Question 8 and 9. James, chair of the South Florida census committee, was selected as one of three national co-chairs of the National Caribbean Community Census Committee.
In anticipation for the main event on May 20, there will be a special Haitian Flag Day lecture on Wednesday, May 13 from 6- 7:30 p.m. at the Cambridge Senior Center, 806 Massachusetts Avenue. The lecture will be given by John Barnes and Josiane Hudicourt-Barnes, who will speak about the rich diversity that the local Haitian population has bestowed upon our city.
"That is the difference between the parade in Haiti and the parade in America. Here - it unites us," said [Wilner Auguste]. "I believe that if we can live with the idea of being united for one day then that idea can carry on throughout the rest of our days." The main objectives of the Annual Haitian Heritage Month celebrations, Auguste says, are to "highlight the Haitian culture by providing a better understanding and visual representation of the Haitian way of life to a wide range of authences." For more information, please see the website haitianheritagemonth.net.
Organizers of the upcoming 2009 Marcus Garvey Rootz Extravaganza say the venue for this year's presentation, the Joseph C. Carter Park, has a special significance that adds to the community focus of the cultural event. Located at 1450 West Sunrise Boulevard in Fort Lauderdale, the park is named after longtime African-American parks and recreation professional, Joseph C. Carter. The Marcus Garvey Rootz Extravaganza is sponsored by the Rootz Magazine, Talawah Roots Tonic, COMCAST, Air Jamaica, Grace Foods USA, Bobby's Meals, Nature's Coolers, Tomlinson Dental Care, Cooyah, Goldson Spi-nal Center, In & Out Tire Shack, Poor Man's Studio, Westside Gazette, Whiz Communications, and Island Beat Marketing
"I plan on pursuing a double major, pre-med and writing," said [Frankie Telfort]. "Medicine is my career choice, but I also want to focus on my writing." "It is definitely my speed," he said. "I run a 4:3 (seconds) 40 (yard dash). It's my speed and my mind; I have a great knack for the game." "Basically, we do a lot of lateral drills to make sure the footwork is right," TeUort explained. "We work with truck tires for coordination. We push each other to make each other better."
