Over the weekend, popular Haitian-American rapper and Pompano Beach native, Kodak Black was recognized by Commissioner Dale Holness for his philanthropic efforts in Broward County.
The controversial rapper received a proclamation from Holness during a charity basketball game on June 11, but the move did not go over well with some members of the Commission.
At a Commissioner’s meeting on June 15, members raised the issue of not being included in the decision to give Kodak Black a proclamation. Senator Nan Rich said Commissioners shouldn’t be allowed to issue proclamations to whoever they want.
“I think that if we were to allow individual commissioners to present proclamations to anybody, to whom they desired, “I think that it really diminishes the impact and the importance of the proclamation,” she said.
Commissioner Dale Holness said he attempted the get approval from some Commissioners and the Mayor, but they were unavailable.
Since the start of his career, Kodak Black has had several run-ins with the law, including his most recent gun and sexual assault charges.
But Holness said the proclamation was a way to shine a spotlight on some of the good that he has done for Broward residents.
“I believe in redemption,” Holness said. “I believe every human being has the ability to redeem themselves from whatever wrong they’ve done. It (the proclamation) wasn’t about naming a day for him either, if anyone took the time to read it.”
He listed a host of good works including, “helping fallen officers in giving assistance to them. $100,000 for the Nova Southeastern library, contributing to honor MSD high school senior Meadow Pollack and the 16 others who tragically lost their lives.”
The meeting ended with a change in rules. Going forward, Commissioners cannot use the word proclamation or assign “a day” without approval through the mayor’s office three business days in advance. Commissioners still have the authority to give out certificates of appreciation and things of that nature.
