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Jamaica to launch new Hospitality Institute

Edmund Bartlett says tourism is the fastest and easiest way to transfer wealth to the poor
Jamaica's Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett

Jamaica to launch new Hospitality Institute

The Ministry of Tourism in Jamaica will be pursuing the development of a fully functional craft institute and a hospitality school.

According to Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett, the institutions are crucial to enhancing training and educational opportunities for current and future workers in tourism. Bartlett told Parliament that the hospitality school will train persons at all levels of the tourism sector, in order to allow Jamaicans to benefit from the far-reaching development of the sector.

In his contribution to the 2016/2017 Sectoral Debate in Parliament , Bartlett said the Government has been in discussion with stakeholders, including representatives of various tertiary institutions, inclusive of the University of Technology and the University College of the Caribbean, in seeking to finalize arrangements to establish the hospitality school.

“We have long identified weaknesses in training and service delivery in the tourism sector. Consequently, interventions will be made to increase training and service excellence, improving perception, attitudes and buy-in to tourism at all levels,” he said.

Among program to bolster existing training strategies by the Ministry are Team Jamaica and tourism skills training; foreign language training; school-based programs to promote tourism awareness; capacity-building programs for middle- and upper-management workers in the industry; and the development of social and physical assets at the community level.

A Labor of Love for “The Heart of Summer” film

A Labor of Love for “The Heart of Summer” film
(L-R): Tesh Beckham, Adrian Allen, Vivienne Chance, Paul Campbell, Franz Hall, Ray Balgrove and Sophia Nicholson

A Labor of Love for “The Heart of Summer” film

There wasn’t a dry eye in the house this past Sunday at the South Florida premiere of Jamerican featured film, “The Heart of Summer,” held at Cinema Paradiso in Fort Lauderdale. Cinephiles turned up in droves to support the locally-produced film, starring iconic Jamaican actor Paul Campbell, and local talents, Tesh Beckham and Lex Kelly-Meade.

This warm-hearted romance stars Kelly-Meade as Omari, a young college student back in South Florida for the summer, who falls in love with Beckham’s Naomi – a life-loving teen seeking to strike out on her own from her protective and overly cautious father, Mr. Johnson (played rivetingly by Campbell). This classic love story of star-crossed lovers takes a unique twist however, by telling it through the perspective of Caribbean-American families living in South Florida.

“I just felt our Caribbean culture [in South Florida] had a lot more to offer,” said Ray Balgove, screenwriter of the film’s original story. “I’ve lived here most of my life, but I never saw [our community] depicted in that way.”

The Floribbean storyline was also too irresistible for “The Heart of Summer” director and co-producer, Adrian Allen, who worked hard to put the community’s unique stamp on the film, from the cast to the locations.

“When you see South Florida on screen you usually only see shots of South Beach,” said Allen. “We wanted to show that South Florida is so much much more than that. We wanted to shoot the film showing the real imprint of our community, so we shot about 90 percent within Lauderhill and Lauderdale Lakes.”

And there was no trouble rallying the team needed to put together such a major feature film, said Allen, as “there were so many friends, colleagues and people in the industry looking for this, and deciding to come together to make it happen.”

It was certainly a labor of love for Campbell, who also came on as a co-producer with Allen and fellow filmmaker Vivienne Chance.

“In this business there is a lot of red tape, so when we all came together it was out of a great need to create something to continue in the business we like so much,” said Campbell. “ For us as Caribbean people, we need to get together to tell our own stories, and support our own stories.”

Currently making the rounds on the festival circuit, the filmmakers are planning to continue with screenings in New York, Jamaica, and London.

Shebada Robbed in Florida!

Shebada Robbed in Florida!

Shebada Robbed in Florida!

But robbery won’t affect performance this Saturday in “Bangarang”

The police in Fort Lauderdale are still investigating the recent hotel break-in into the room of Jamaican actors Keith “Shebada” Ramsay and Monique Ellis. The actors, who were in Florida to perform their play “Bangarang,” reported the robbery this week. They had returned to their hotel, the Ramada Inn following their performance, and discovered personal documents and money missing, including their Jamaican passports.

According to Mike Shaw of Sunshine Theatre (which produces the show in South Florida), the security camera at the hotel “showed a guy and a girl, Hispanic or white, going from room to room.”

Shaw also confirmed that the Jamaican Consulate in Miami will be assisting Ramsay and Ellis in replacing their needed travel documents. He also said the incident will not have an impact on the next staging of the “Bangarang” play, which is scheduled for this Saturday, starting 8 p.m. at the Lauderhill Performing Arts Center

U.S. partners with Guyana on oil spill measures

500 million barrels of oil produced from Guyana’s Stabroek Block

U.S. partners with Guyana on oil spill measures

The United States has pledge to provide assistance to the Civil Defense Commission (CDC) in Guyana in developing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to address oil spills, as part of its preparedness and response effort in the event of a disaster. CDC Deputy Director General Kester Craig said that CDC officials will meet with the U.S. Southern Command on June 27 to focus on what needs is required to develop a national plan and SOPs on oil spills.

This come as Guyana has started oil exploration and is expected to start producing oil and gas by 2020.

“Definitely you’ll [Guyana] need to have those plans in place,” Craig said.

The CDC said that the proposed meeting later this month is part of its efforts towards preparedness and response in disaster risk management and disaster risk reduction with Craig noting that the CDC has been in discussion with oil companies such as Repsol and CGX reviewing their “comprehensive oil response plan.”

Guyana has a national disaster risk reduction platform that works with stakeholders to develop national disaster risk reduction programs, as part of reducing the impact of disasters in the country.

Progress for Lauderdale Lakes at State of the City Address

Progress for Lauderdale Lakes at State of the City Address
Lauderdale Lakes Mayor Barrington Russell

Progress for Lauderdale Lakes at State of the City Address

Progress and growth were the key message at the recent State of the City Address in Lauderdale Lakes, held at the City Clerk Offfice. Residents came out in full force to hear about the city’s completed initiatives, as well as its current goals for the year.

In his final address as Mayor of Lauderdale Lakes, Barrington Russell (who will be stepping down at the end of his term) highlighted the city’s current push to update public infrastructure, from renovating the city’s parks, to constructing new bus shelters along the heavily trafficked Oakland Park Boulevard. The address also highlighted updates in residential development, including the upcoming completion of the Bella Vista complex (now under new management), and the Atlantic Luxury residential units set at the corner of US 441 and Commercial Boulevard. Plans are also still proceeding for the upcoming Industrial Park, a mixed residential and commercial complex valued at $300 million.

As a result of these property investments, the city “has seen a turnaround, returning back to a growth pattern in property values,” said Russell.

But there are outstanding concerns still requiring attention, noted Russell, including the leadership’s continued efforts to stabilize the city’s debt, and much-needed renovation of Fire Station 15. He however thanked partnering organizations for their contributions to the city’s progress so far, including Lauderdale Lakes / Central Broward Captain Andrew Dunbar for leading a youth rehabilitation program helping at-risk teens, the now independent code compliance team for maintaining the city’s infrastructural stability, and the citizen observer patrol volunteer group for helping to keep the city safe.

In all, said Russell, the continued aim of the Lauderdale Lakes leadership is to create collaboration with all levels of the community. “Lauderdale Lakes is a four-legged stool, where business, schools, the clergy and the city must work together to stand firm and built upwards,” said Russell.

No chance for Gatlin against Bolt, says Boldon

TRACK AND FIELD

Famed Trinidadoan Olympic medalist, NBC track analyst and South Florida-based trainer Ato Boldon says Usain Bolt remains the man to beat at this summer’s much anticipated Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, despite challenges from U.S. top sprint Justin Gatlin. Boldon said Bolt is set to earn his third Olympic goal medals in the 100m and 200m meter events.

Boldon, who had picked Gatlin to beat Bolt at last year’s World Champions, says the factors for this year’s games are different. But after Bolt completed yet another sprint double, his third at World Championships, Boldon believes everybody else is running for the lesser medals.

“His road to gold in Rio in both events is easier than it was in London,” Boldon said in an interview at NBC Sports’ headquarters in Stamford, Connecticut.

He remarked that Bolt failed to earn the fastest time at the Jamaican Olympic Trials for the 2012 Games, finishing to Yohan Blake in both the 100m and 200m events. But in 2014, Blake underwent surgery on an injured hamstring. Since then, the second-fastest man of all time in both the 100m and 200m has not come close to matching his pre-injury times.

“That Yohan Blake [of 2012] is not the Yohan Blake that we’ve seen this year,” Boldon said.

American sprinter Justin Gatlin is the only man with a victory over Bolt since the 2012 Olympics, but at the 2015 World Championships, he finished second to Bolt in both the 100m at 200m.

“Bolt’s race model is going to always cause problems for Gatlin,” Boldon said. “He can’t get far enough away from Bolt to withstand his last 50m.”

This Day in History: Arthur Chung

Arthur Chung

On this day in caribbean history, June 23, 2008, the first President of Guyana, Arthur Chung , died. Chung was born at Windsor Forest, West Coast Demerara in Guyana and was the first ethnic Chinese head of state in a non-Asian country. During his time as President of Guyana, the office was that of a ceremonial head of state, with real power in the hands of Prime Minister Forbes Burnham.

Arthur Chung was awarded Guyana’s highest national award, the Order of Excellence. The was the youngest of Joseph and Lucy Chung’s eight children, he was educated at Windsor Forest, Blankenburg and Modern High School. In 1954, Chung married another Windsor Forest native, Doreen Pamela Ng-See-Quan, they had one daughter and one son.

Chung began as an apprentice surveyor and land surveyor. In the early 1940s, Chung entered the Middle Temple of London, England and qualified as a barrister in 1947. He returned to Guyana and was later appointed an acting magistrate in 1954 and a senior magistrate in 1960. Chung also served as Registrar of Deeds and of the Supreme Court. He then became a puisne judge and finally an Appeal Court Judge in 1963.

When Guyana became a republic under the leadership of Forbes Burnham in 1970, the National Assembly elected Chung as the country’s first President taking office on March 17, 1970. Ten years later, a constitutional revision transformed the presidency into an executive position, and Burnham succeeded Chung as President on October 6, 1980.  Thirty years later, Chung died at his home in Georgetown, Guyana. In the months prior to his death he had been hospitalized numerous times, and he was last released from the hospital three days prior to his death.

Upset! Albion unseats Blazers in CASA League

Upset! Albion unseats Blazers in CASA League

Upset! Albion unseats Blazers in CASA League

Proceeds to CASA finals against Lauderhill Lions

Going toe to toe through an intense showdown, Albion Plantation pulled out a surprise win in penalty round against tournament leaders, Ftl Blazers, this past Monday at the Caribbean America Soccer Association (CASA) Super League, at the Lauderhill Sports Park. Tied 2-2 going into the penalty round, Plantation finally seized a win 4 to 3 in the penalty shoot-outs.

The loss marks heartbreak for the Ftl Blazers, who has been dominating the standings throughout the Super League tournament, with 30 points in total. But it will be fourth ranked Albion Plantation (at 26 points) who will continue to the CASA finals against the Lauderhill Lions this Saturday, June 25, starting at 8:45 p.m.

This past Monday was also an upset win in the CASA Masters League, as the fourth ranked Oldtymers FC neatly defeated tournament leaders, Rockers United, 3 to 1. The Oldtymers FC go proceed to the Masters finals against the State Masters Champions, the Lions Masters, on Saturday, June 25, starting 7:30 p.m.

Celebrating this year’s breakout stars in the tournament, an all-star CASA League team Under 23 squad will also be facing the Fort Lauderdale Strikers Under 23 team in a special showcase before the finals at the Lauderhill Sports Complex at 6:15 p.m.

KTHS Alumni celebrate past and future at fundraiser

KTHS Alumni celebrate past and future at fundraiser

KTHS Alumni celebrate past and future at fundraiser

Celebrating the 120th anniversary of Kingston Technical High School (KTHS) in Jamaica, the KTHS Past Student Association of Florida held a special Family Fun picnic this past Saturday at the Central Broward Regional Park in Lauderhill.

This year’s event celebrated both Kingston Technical’s luminary past while gathering support for the school’s future. The event featured as special guests past teachers and students representing the school’s storied history, including KTHS teacher and son of Jamaica’s National Hero, Marcus Garvey Jr. Among the senior alumni were also Jean Garvey (Class of 1964), Thelma Werner (Class of 1958), and Phyllis Johnson (Class of 1956).

“In celebration of this milestone we were honored to have Marcus Garvey, Jr. and friends who travelled from far to join us,” said association President, Annette Corbett Gardiner.

The family-friendly event also sought to support the future of current Kingston Technical students, as the picnic also helped the association’s “fundraising efforts [to] provide scholarships and educational equipment to students at KTHS,” said Gardiner.

This year’s funds will supply 10 scholarships of US$500 each for current students to assist with school tuition and examination fees. This year’s gift marks an increase from 7 scholarships granted through last year’s fundraising efforts. The association’s past educational initiatives also include equipping the KTHS Textile and Needlework program as well as the Auto Mechanics Lab.

“We passionate about providing assistance to the chidlren, and the appreciation from the students and their parents is just amazing,” says Gardiner, who will also be speaking at this year’s KTHS graduation, honoring the association’s first class of scholarship recipients, among them this year’s class valedictorian.

The association’s anniversary celebrations will continue this Sunday, June 26 with a special commemorative Church Service at the Holy Sacrament Episcopal Church in Hollywood, FL, starting at 10:15 a.m. The Kingston Technical High School Past Student Association of Florida (KTHSPSA) is a non-profit organization. Incorporated in January 2014, the association reports that it 70 paid members around the world.

Caribbean Village 2.0

Marcia Griffiths

By: Cerone White

In celebration of Caribbean Heritage Month, the City of Lauderhill will host its second annual Caribbean Arts and Wellness Festival. This is a family-friendly event that will feature live performances from some of the Caribbean most recognized voices, cook-off competition with chefs from the different islands and much more. The Lauderdale Sports Park will be abuzz with excitement on Sunday, June 26, 2016, from 1pm – 9 p.m.

The line-up for this year’s festival will include Vincentian Soca artist Kevin Lyttle who is known for his worldwide 2004 hit “Turn Me On”, also on the line is the legendary Marcia Griffiths. Griffiths was a part of the “I Threes” a trio of backing singers, which supported Bob Marley and the Wailers. You will be certain some her hits like ‘Electric Slide”. “Electric Boogie”, among others from her list of hit albums. There will be artists from other Caribbean Islands that show will showcase their work.

In addition to the live musical performances, there will be the Jamaican Diaspora Swimwear Competition. There will also be a cooking demo showcasing the unique tasteful cuisine of the Caribbean diaspora. There will be fun and games for all ages.

This year’s Caribbean Arts and Wellness Festival is hosted by Commissioner Howard Berger of the City of Lauderhill, presented by the Galleon Foundation in association with the City of Lauderhill.

Wage Shaft: Corruption surrounding tip wage workers

Wage Shaft: Corruption surrounding tip wage workers

Wage Shaft: Corruption surrounding tip wage workers

Caribbean-American workers in restaurants are speaking out in protest about corruption often surrounding low minimum wages for tip-based employees. Current Florida law requires a minimum wage of $5.03 per hour with tip-base pay, in contrast to the state’s minimum $8.05 per hour required for salaried workers. While most Caribbean-American independent restaurants in South Florida pay by salaries, many working in national branded franchises receive the tip wage minimum, leaving them struggling to make up through tips. Though restaurants are required by law to make up the difference if servers fall short of the minimum wage in tips, many say this often leaves them vulnerable to be shortchanged by their employers.

“The customers at the restaurant I work in Lauderhill are very stingy tippers. So this [always] causing friction between me and management every time I am to get paid” said Trudie Masters, a Jamaican-American waiter. Smith said most of the customers are “Caribbean people who mostly one-dollar tippers.”

Tipped workers are also particularly vulnerable when tips are pooled, says Check Nevers, A Palm Beach labor attorney. Though tip-pooling is legal, “the tip pool is a magnet for violations and disputes over the amounts collected in, and distributed from, the tip pool,” says Nevers.

“The pool has to be copiously managed to ensure workers receive their fair compensation and the pool is not shared with workers who received non-tipped wages.”

This is often what fellow Caribbean-American restaurant worker, Wesley Morais, 19, experienced as a busboy in a Miramar restaurant, where the tips are pooled.
“Sometimes I get tips up to $20 in a hour and have to put this in the pool, and only receive about $3.00 per hour,” says Morais.

Some restaurants seek to combat the uncertainty by requiring customers pay a 15 gratuity. But this is also a situation ripe for potential abuse, says Nevers, as some abusers may at the tip wage rates despite the automatic gratuity. He says workers must be aware that if their restaurant includes this service charge on customer’s bills, they are entitled to the full minimum wage rate. and not part minimum wage/part tip.

“And the important thing that restaurant workers need to know is that they always have recourse to any pay dispute or violation under the FLSA and Florida law,” says Nevers.

Imprisoned Vybz Kartel lands on Billboard

By: Cerone White

Deejay Vybz Kartel latest album “The King of The Dancehall” debut number two on the Billboard Reggae Album chart. This is Kartel’s sixth album to chart on the Billboard Charts. This new album consists of 14 tracks and it contains the hit song “Fever and Western Union.”

Even though Kartel is imprisoned, he’s still making strides within the civilian world, with his newest album release, it is the biggest first-week sale for a dancehall artist since his predecessor dancehall artist Beenie Man “Undisputed” album which was released in 2006. This is not the first time that Kartel has landed on the Billboard Reggae Album Chart. In 2015 he peaked at number three with Vybz Is King; in 2011 and 2014 he peaked at number seven with his album Kingston Story and Reggae Love Songs and Other Things. The “Voice of the Jamaican Ghetto: Incarcerated But Not Silenced” peaked at number six and Kartel Forever: Trilogy peaked at number eleven in 2013.

Kartel whose real name is Adidjah Palmer was sentenced to life in prison along with three co-defendants in the August 2011 killing of Clive “Lizard” Williams, an associate killed over missing guns. The trial of Kartel is said to be the longest trial in Jamaican history, this trial lasted sixty-five days. Kartel must serve at least 35 years of his sentence before becoming eligible for parole.

Marion Hall, f.k.a. Lady Saw, performs at the White House

A look at some of the top stories making the news today, June 22nd, across your Caribbean-American community in South Florida.

Here’s a look at our top stories.

The Jamaica Diaspora Summit and the Caribbean American Heritage Month Committee will hold a weekend symposium at the Embassy Suites in Orlando. Highlighted during the Summit will be the impact of the Jamaican Diaspora in Media, Civil Rights, Politics, and Government Service.

The Caribbean diaspora is taking advantage of the new mobile passport app which is expanding into the U.S. Travelers in and out of the Caribbean can now skip the line and use the express lane for free by simply setting up a profile and re-using information for future trips.

Jamaican dancehall artiste, Lady Saw, now known as Marion Hall, announced on her Facebook account that she has been putout a list of musicians to perform at the White House this Friday, June 24. The event is in part of the 3rd annual Caribbean & African International Leadership Conference set to end June 24.

In Sports, in the CASA Super League, Albion Plantation battled and won against the Fort Lauderdale Blazers this weekend with a score of 4 to 3 after penalty kicks. Albion Plantation will play against the Lauderhill Lions this Saturday in the tournament finals match at the Lauderhill Sports Park starting at 8:40 pm.

Here’s a look at what’s Trending:

Shane Tomlinson, singer of Jamaican parentage, has been identified as one of the 49 people murdered in the Pulse night club shooting. Tomlinson was the front-man for the Orlando based band, ‘Frequency’. Tomlinson was born in the U. S and was the youngest of two children.

For Today’s Weather Forecast:

Isolated thunderstorms in Broward County with a high of 88 and a low of 77. Partly cloudy in Miami-Dade, with a high of 88 and a low of 78.

For more information on these and other stories, visit caribbeannationalweekly.com. Remember to pick up this week’s copy of our Caribbean National Weekly at your nearest Caribbean – American outlet.

National Diaspora Policy a priority at Jamaica Diaspora Summit

National Diaspora Policy a priority at Jamaica Diaspora Summit
Peter Bunting (L) and Minister Kamina Johnson Smith (R)

National Diaspora Policy a priority at Jamaica Diaspora Summit

Establishing the Diaspora’s role in Jamaica’ development will be top priority this weekend in Orlando at the annual Jamaica Diaspora Summit and Gala 2016. Set for Jun 24 to 26, this year’s conference gathers major stakeholders in formalizing Diaspora participation, including Jamaica’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Kamina Johnson Smith.

This follows the Minister’s speech at the recent Jamaica Diaspora North East Regional Gala, where she announced that the government would soon launch a National Diaspora Policy, to maximize the contribution of overseas nationals for Jamaica’s development. Johnson-Smith had also confirmed the government has been analyzing avenues to establish voting rights for the Diaspora. At this year Summit in Orlando, Minister Johnson Smith will outline further these plans in her keynote address, “Jamaica Diaspora Partnership – a formalized Policy.”

The current administration has been criticized for the decision not to appoint a Minister of State specifically dedicated to Diaspora affairs to lead such initiatives, as done so in the past. But former Advisory Board Member Leo Gilling argues that “since assuming responsibility for Diaspora affairs, Minister Johnson Smith has shown her commitment to continuing what those before her have done, in giving due attention to the Diaspora and its critical role in contributing to Jamaica’s development. Engaging the Diaspora as partners and in a constructive and integrated manner is always the best approach and she has so far been doing just that.”

“[The Minister] “is most welcomed and serves as an affirmation of the seamless commitment of Jamaica’s Government to real and substantial partnership with the Jamaican Diaspora in the Southern USA,” says Wayne Golding, Jamaica Diaspora Advisory Board Member of the Southern USA. “Considering the recent tragic events in Orlando, her visit also serves to demonstrate the solidarity with the people of that city. Although the Minister is slated as the keynote speaker at the Gala, her attendance is significantly substantive and by no means ceremonial.”
The minister will also participate in one of three symposiums at the Summit – “Effecting Diaspora Partnership between The Government of Jamaica, the Private Sector – Protocols and Mechanisms.”

These symposiums, says Golding, “highlight the intersection and interaction of our multi-generational Jamaican Diasporans.” He said the symposiums cover the media, elected office, government service, clergy, education, academia, entrepreneurship, philanthropy, culture, sports and entertainment.

Based on conference registration, hotel bookings, and general feedback, Golding reports an expected “good turnout” at this year’s Summit, which formally opens on Friday June 24 with a reception where former Jamaican Minister of National Security Peter Bunting is guest speaker.
Both local Diaspora leaders and Jamaican representatives will be participating at the symposiums, including Deputy Director of Public Works in Orlando, Florida, Charles Ramdatt, District Chief of the Orlando Fire Department Hezedean Smith, Public Private Partnership Manager of the National Education Trust in Jamaica, Latoya Harris, Ambassador Sharon Saunders, and Jamaica Consul General to the Southeast U.S., Franz Hall.

This Day in History: Empire Windrush

Empire Windrush

On this day in History, June 22, 1948, a German cruise boat, the Empire Windrush, traveled up the Thames to the Tilbury Dock, London, where she disembarked 492 settlers from Kingston, Jamaica. Many of the travelers were ex-servicemen, who had served in England during the war. This was the first wave in Britain’s post-war labour recruitment from the Commonwealth marking the start of modern immigration to the United Kingdom.

One of them was a future Mayor of Southwark, Sam King, who passed away June 19, 2016, served in England with the wartime RAF. In ‘Forty Winters On’, published by Lambeth Council, he recalled getting two wireless operators among the passengers to play dominoes innocently outside the ship’s radio room and eavesdrop on incoming signals. They heard on the BBC that Arthur Creech Jones, Colonial Secretary in the Labour government, had pointed out that: ‘These people have British passports and they must be allowed to land.’ He added that they would not last one winter in England anyway, so there was nothing to worry about.

The newspapers were already interested in the voyage of what they embarrassingly called ‘the sons of empire’ and the Colonial Office, the Home Office and the Ministry of Labour were busily engaged in trying to dodge responsibility for the newcomers, whose imminent arrival they viewed with alarm. Eventually the Colonial Office, defeated in these arcane bureaucratic maneuverings, reluctantly opened the deep air-raid shelter under Clapham Common and about 230 of the new arrivals moved into it. The labour exchange nearest Clapham Common happened to be the one in Brixton, in Coldharbour Lane, and it was this that made Brixton the first of London’s new West Indian ghettoes.

Broward Commission “Bans the Box”

Broward Commission "Bans the Box"

Broward Commission “Bans the Box”

The Broward County Commission has unanimously voted to “ban the box,” a phrase that refers to the check box on Broward County government employment applications that asks about a person’s past criminal wrong doing. The new law means that a person wouldn’t be asked about a prior criminal record or authorization for a background check until they’re among a pool of potential finalists for a particular job.

Commissioner Dale. V.C. Holness first brought the “Ban the Box” item before the commission at the December 1, 2015 meeting. Since last year, he has worked with community organizations and individuals who were in favor of Broward County adopting this policy.

“I think we are leading the way here by setting an example that we ought to ensure everyone has an opportunity to provide for themselves. We’re talking about people who have paid their dues, are back in society and want to provide for themselves and their families,” said Commissioner Holness.

Currently, 19 states and over 100 cities and counties, including Miami-Dade and Palm Beach, have taken steps to remove barriers to employment for qualified workers with records. Seven states, the District of Columbia, and twelve cities and counties extend their fair-chance hiring policies to local private employers. Major national employers, including Walmart, Target, Home Depot, Starbucks, and Bed Bath & Beyond, have all voluntarily adopted corporate ban-the-box policies.

The “Ban the Box” ordinance for Broward County government jobs does not apply if in conflict with federal or state law. Some jobs are exempt from the new ordinance, including positions at the airport, seaport or those that involve working with children and other vulnerable populations.

Community mourns victim of Orlando Shooting

Community mourns victim of Orlando Shooting
Jason Benjamin Josaphat

Community mourns victim of Orlando Shooting

Friends, family and community are mourning the loss of Haitian-American Jason Benjamin Josaphat, who was among those killed in the recent Orlando nightclub massacre.

His mother Myrlande Bebe reported that her son had called from the Pulse nightclub, telling her a shooting was taking place. His mother called 911 on another phone and told him to get out as the gunfire got closer. After an agonizing wait over Sunday, the family was not able to confirm his death until the following Monday.

The 19-year-old Orlando native was the second youngest victim in the shooting. A Computer Science at Valencia Community College in Orlando, he had just graduated two weeks ago from Southern Technical College’s business office specialist program. Martin Levert, the college’s executive director, called Josaphat “an exceptional student.” In his honor, the college hosts a OneBlood blood drive for victims of the shootings.

His other alma mater, Skyline High School, where Jason Josaphat had graduated, also held a candlelight vigil for him last Wednesday night, June 15, 2016.

Josaphat leaves behind two brothers, a sister, and mother Myrlande Bebe and father Jackson Josaphat.

“Everybody is just very, very hurt,” says Josaphat’s uncle, Christopher Long. “You never think it would be you until it is, until it happens to one of your family members,” Long said. “Right now, the whole family is grieving.”

He is among 49 victims dead from the shooting and 53 injured in what authorities are calling the deadliest-ever mass killing in the United States.

CPL launches Official Tournament App to engage growing global audience

CPL launches Official Tournament App to engage growing global audience


The Hero Caribbean Premier League (CPL) are set to launch an official App in time for the start of the fourth installment of cricket, which will take place between 29 June – 7 August across the Caribbean and Florida (July28-31 in Florida).

The CPL App, which is available to download now for IOS and Android devices, includes a host of new and exciting features including all of the latest news and information from across all of the competing teams – Barbados Tridents, Guyana Amazon Warriors, Jamaica Tallawahs, St. Kitts & Nevis Patriots, St. Lucia Zouks and Trinbago Knight Riders.

Fans will have the opportunity to access exclusive Video footage and Highlights, as well as Fixtures, Results, a live Match Centre, Tickets, Tournament statistics, Player and Team profiles as well as social Hub updates across Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

“We are delighted to launch the Official CPL App which will keep fans engaged and informed in the build-up to, and during, the CPL this summer. I know that fans of CPL across the Caribbean and beyond will enjoy the various fixtures, while fans will also be able to purchase tickets across the seven territories, which of course includes the Central Broward Stadium in Lauderhill for the first time. So whether you’re at the matches, or watching from work, home or on the move, there’s no reason not to keep up with all the latest goings on in the CPL.”said CPL COO, Pete Russell.

Sandals to pursue legal action against Gaston Browne

Sandals to pursue legal action against Gaston Browne
Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister Gaston Browne (L) and Sandals Resorts owner Butch Stewart (R)

Sandals to pursue legal action against Gaston Browne

The Sandals hotel chain says it intends to pursue legal action against Prime Minister Antigua and Barbuda, Gaston Browne, over allegations made in a letter as the war of words between the hotel chain and the island’s government took another twist over accusations of tax withholding.

In a lengthy press statement, Sandals called on Prime Minister Browne to withdraw his June 17th letter, noting “the contents of your letter have gone well beyond Antigua and have been picked up by social media, including Facebook and other international media. The potential irreparable damage is enormous and we are compelled to take the necessary legal steps to protect our sterling reputation and our brand.”

Last weekend, the main opposition United Progressive Party (UPP) called on the government to honor the agreement signed in 2009, providing a 65 percent concession of the Antigua and Barbuda Sales Tax (ABST) from the room rates the Sandals Grande Resort Hotel collects from its guests. The former UPP administration of then Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer, which signed the agreement, said the ABST concession is 100 percent legal.

“This concession was granted in order to secure the construction of the Sandals brand hotel, the economic impact of which is unquestioned,” the UPP said in a statement.

But the matter has come into public attention after the Browne government announced that it was discounting the concession, insisting also there was need for a level playing field within the industry. Prime Minister Browne wrote to the Jamaican hotelier, Gordon “Butch” Stewart, urging him to resume amicable negotiations with the government over ABST. Stewart, however, has said the hotel should be able to keep the tax as part of the seven year concession.

Carib Style Week takes over South Florida

A look at some of the top stories making the news today, June 21st, across your Caribbean-American community in South Florida.

Here’s a look at our top stories.

UK  based company, Caricoin Ltd, has partnered with security platform BitGo, to launch the first bitcoin mobile money app in the Caribbean. Created specifically with the Caribbean people in mind, it is an app that allows users to send and receive bitcoin and use them to pay for goods and services on a no-fee basis.

The Guyanese Civil Defense Commission will be developing an operating procedure for oil spills with help from the U.S. As part of its preparedness and response effort in the event of a leak, CDC Deputy Director, General Kester Craig, says that a disaster risk reduction program is important to reduce the impact of potential disasters in the country. Guyana is expected to start producing oil and gas by 2020.

Carib Style Week will begin to take over South Florida with a pop up shop and runway event at the Westfield Broward Mall. Style week will run from this Thursday, June 23rd to the 26th in Fort Lauderdale. FSU Law Graduate and civil activist, Jasmine Rand, is bringing her new line ‘Jasmine Swimwear’ to this years showcase hoping to inspire and empower women with her African designs.

In Sports, 29-year-old Timroy Allen, who plays for the US national cricket team has made it to the CPL draft. The Jamaican born bowler represented the ICC Americas team in the Regional Super50 tournament and will be competing in the 2016 Hero CPL T20 competition in July.

Here’s a look at what’s Trending:

Sam King, a Jamaican who arrived in the UK on the Empire Windrush in 1948, died Saturday at the age of 90. The Jamaican immigrant co-founded the Caribbean street festival in 1964 which grew into the Notting Hill Carnival known as one of Europe’s biggest street parties.

For Today’s Weather Forecast:

Scattered thunderstorms in Broward County with a high of 86 and a low of 76. In Miami-Dade, thunderstorms as well, with a high of 87 and a low of 78.

For more information on these and other stories, visit caribbeannationalweekly.com. Remember to pick up this week’s copy of our Caribbean National Weekly at your nearest Caribbean – American outlet.

 

You’ve been watching CNW90, I’m…

Spices and Spirits

Make summer sips shine

Sweet iced tea and sangria are as much hallmarks of summer as baseball and barbecues. Cocktails are a great way to cool off when temperatures climb, or they can help heat up any celebration. If you’re looking to add some fresh excitement to seasonal beverages, spices, spirits and fun presentations can make summer sips shine.

Here are three tricks to help make your summer cocktails unique:

Color your cocktails

Summer is bursting with color, from lush flowers and foliage to brighter hues in clothes and even the rainbow shades of children’s ice pops. Let the bounty of colors inspire your summer cocktails.

Create cheer with bright greens by muddling basil or mint in the clear spirit of your choice. Fire up your guests with brilliant reds courtesy of fresh summer tomato juice. Liquefied watermelon makes any cocktail pretty pink, while crushed raspberries or blueberries add a rich, textured appeal.

Spice it up

Whether you want to add a zing of heat to the coolness of a cocktail, or balance the sweetness of a mixed drink, spices and herbs are a great way to layer flavors in beverages. Herbs such as basil and mint are staples for summer cocktails, but experimenting with other spices and seasonings can yield some memorable combinations.

The heat of chipotle salt can be the perfect foil for sweet, fruit-based beverages. Cardamom adds an exotic flare to traditional cocktails like Moscow Mules, while traditional iced tea gets an Asian treatment with the addition of Five Spice Powder.

Try these two spice- and spirit-filled summer cocktails from Simply Organic, producers of premium-quality USDA certified organic spices and seasonings:

Watermelon Margarita with Chipotle Salt Rim

What’s cooler than watermelon on a sultry summer afternoon? Kicking up the heat with smoky chipotle salt, that’s what!

Ingredients:

4 cups frozen watermelon chunks

1/2  cup silver tequila

1/4 cup lime juice (about 3 to 4 limes, juiced)

2 tablespoons cane sugar

2 tablespoons sea salt

1/2 teaspoon Simply Organic Chipotle Powder

Directions:

In a blender, combine watermelon, tequila, lime juice and cane sugar. Blend until smooth.

On a small plate, combine salt and chipotle powder. Wet the rims of the glasses with a piece of watermelon or water, then dip them in chipotle salt. Serve immediately.

Five Spice Iced Tea Cocktail

The classic summer beverage, iced tea gets an Asian-inspired treatment in this recipe.

Ingredients:

6 cups water

2 large oranges, quartered, plus more for garnish, sliced

5 black tea bags

1 tablespoon Simply Organic Five Spice Powder

1/4 cup honey

1 1/2 cups Triple Sec

Simply Organic Cinnamon Sticks, for garnish

Directions:

In a pot over high heat, bring water to a boil. Squeeze juice from oranges into the water, then add squeezed oranges.

Add tea bags, five spice powder and honey. Gently whisk tea and let steep for 10 minutes.

Into a half-gallon pitcher, strain tea through a fine mesh sieve. Add Triple Sec and serve over ice. Garnish with fresh orange slices and cinnamon sticks.

Playful presentations

Summer cocktails are all about cool fun, and you can underscore that theme by serving your unique summer sips in creative containers. For example, instead of pouring sangria in a wine glass, try serving it in a clear dessert bowl to show off the bright colors. Plus, the wide bowl will make it easier to access and eat the fruit when the sangria is gone.

Serve your spiced ice tea in mason jars with a lemon slice for garnish. Or, queue up your Cardamom Moscow Mule in a copper mug to give guests the cooling visual effect of condensation on metal.

For more spice-infused summer cocktails, visit http://summer.simplyorganic.com/summer/.

 

 

 

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This Day in History: Augustus Pablo

Horace ‘Augustus Pablo’ Swaby

By: Cerone White

On this day in Caribbean history, roots reggae, June 21, 1954, dub record producer, Melodica player and keyboardist, Horace Swaby, a.k.a Augustus Pablo, was born in St. Andrew, Jamaica. Swaby popularized the use of the Melodica, a wind instrument with a small keyboard controlling a row of reeds with a mouthpiece at one end.

In the 1980’s Swaby’s career began to slow down but that didn’t stop him from being featured on the soundtrack of the documentary D.O.A. A Right of Passage,  a rockumentary film directed by Lech Kowalski, gave Swaby a rise in the American audience giving him the edge he needed to capitalize on the moment releasing Rising Sun in 1986.

Swaby has contributed to what Reggae music is today with his genius, uncommon musical instruments. He has helped provide the soundtrack to some of our most beloved songs including “Higgi Higgi” and “East of the River Nile”. He has released over thirty albums before his death on May 18, 1999 in Kingston, Jamaica. Swaby suffered from a nerve disorder called Myasthenia Gravis; his lungs collapsed as a result of this illness.

 

The truth about Alzheimer’s

Early detection makes a difference

It’s the sixth-leading cause of death in the United States, affects more than 5 million Americans and one out of every three seniors will die from it. Yet misconceptions surround Alzheimer’s disease.

Contrary to what many people think about Alzheimer’s, it’s not a normal part of growing older. And while there’s not yet a way to prevent, cure or even slow the progression of the disease, people with Alzheimer’s can benefit from detecting it early. During June – Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month – the Alzheimer’s Association is encouraging everyone to learn the truth about Alzheimer’s disease.

“Misunderstanding crucial facts about the disease can have consequences that can lead to stigma, delayed medical attention and inadequate support for caregivers,” says Ruth Drew, director of family and information services, Alzheimer’s Association. “Greater understanding of Alzheimer’s is urgently needed given the dramatic impact of the disease. It devastates too many families for it to remain a mystery. We need everyone to know the truth about Alzheimer’s so we can bridge current gaps and build greater support toward advancing treatments and finding a cure.”

Debunking common myths

Alzheimer’s is most often associated with memory loss, but the truth is the disease can appear through a variety of signs and symptoms. A progressive and fatal disease, Alzheimer’s attacks the brain, killing nerve cells and brain tissue, which affects a person’s ability to remember, think and plan.

While the majority of people who have Alzheimer’s are seniors, it can also affect people in their 30s, 40s and 50s – a form of the disease known as younger-onset Alzheimer’s. About 5 percent of people with the disease have younger-onset Alzheimer’s. Everyone is, technically, at risk of developing Alzheimer’s, but certain groups have elevated risks; African-Americans are twice as likely as whites and Hispanics one and a half times as likely to develop Alzheimer’s. Nearly two-thirds of all people who have Alzheimer’s are women.

Empowering information

Every 66 seconds, someone in the U.S. develops Alzheimer’s, according to the Alzheimer’s Association. Detecting the disease early may help the person with Alzheimer’s, caregivers and loved ones in multiple ways.

People who receive an early diagnosis may have more time to explore treatments that could help relieve some symptoms, and help them stay independent longer. They may be able to participate in a clinical drug trial to help advance Alzheimer’s research. Resources such as Alzheimer’s Association TrialMatch can help you find current studies.

Detecting Alzheimer’s early can also give people with the disease, their caregivers and loved ones more time to plan for the future. If you are diagnosed in the early stages of the disease, you may be able to participate in decisions about your care, living arrangements, and financial and legal matters.

Only a doctor can accurately diagnose Alzheimer’s disease, but the Alzheimer’s Association has developed 10 warning signs and symptoms that may help you decide it’s time to consult a physician, including:

* Memory loss that disrupts daily life.

* Challenges in planning and solving problems.

* Difficulty completing familiar tasks.

* Confusion over time or place.

* Trouble understanding visual images or spatial relationships.

* New problems with spoken or written words.

* Misplacing things and not being able to find them by retracing your movements.

* Decreased or poor judgment.

* Withdrawal from others at work or in social situations.

* Changes in mood or personality.

“If a person is having trouble doing something that they routinely did for years or they demonstrate a significant shift in personality that lasts over time – those are warning signs that need to be explored,” Drew says. “Too often people dismiss these changes as stress or having too much to do, but when they persist over time, it’s best to get it checked out. Ignoring the situation is the worst way of handling it.”

To learn more about Alzheimer’s disease and to find resources for caregivers, families and people living with the disease, visit www.alz.org, the website of the Alzheimer’s Association.

 

 

 

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County commissioners voted unanimously to “Ban the Box”

With a look at some of the top stories making the news today, June 20th, across your Caribbean-American community in South Florida.

Here’s a look at our top stories.

Broward County commissioners have unanimously voted to “ban the box” on Broward County government employment applications; this was the box that asked applicants about a person’s past criminal record. The new law means that a person wouldn’t be asked about a prior criminal activity until they are among potential finalists for a particular job.

South Florida based nonprofit ‘Live Fresh’ has launched their new Mobile Shower and Personal Hygiene Facility. This ‘shower truck’ offers the local homeless population the opportunity to manage their personal hygiene and works to open possibilities for building self-esteem and gaining employment. The organization also offers a fresh set of clothes and hygiene kits to each person who uses their facility.

Miss Caribbean UK has chosen finalist in the first of four heats which will conclude in London at the end of the year. Lorell Boyce and Jodie Hodgson of Barbados, and Georgette Pratt of the Bahamas, stunned judges at the regional competition held at the Broadway Casino in Birmingham, England. The next regional heat will be in Nottingham on July 2.

In sports, South Florida was well represented at the first day of the U.S. Olympic diving trials Saturday. Former UM diver Samuel Dorman and Michael Hixon took a big lead in the men’s synchronized 3 meter event finishing the semifinals with a combined score of 871 point 53. The finals in both the men’s and women’s events will be held this Wednesday, June 22nd. Only the winners will qualify for the American team heading to Rio.

Here’s a look at what’s Trending:

Dancehall artist Beenie Man and former Dancehall Queen Carlene Smith took to social media this weekend to congratulate their daughter on graduating high school. Beenie Man posted a picture of the grad on Instagram captioning ‘Hashtag Ready for College’ and ‘Hashtag Daddy’s Girl’.

For Today’s Weather Forecast:

Partly cloudy in Broward County with a high of 84 and a low of 73. In Miami-Dade, Partly Cloudy as well, with a high of 86 and a low of 78.

For more information on these and other stories, visit caribbeannationalweekly.com. Remember to pick up this week’s copy of our Caribbean National Weekly at your nearest Caribbean – American outlet.

3 tips to land a job after college

BPT) – America’s unemployment rate recently hit its lowest level in seven years. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, that’s just in time for 2.8 million graduates with bachelor’s, master’s and doctorate degrees to enter the workforce.

However, a college degree does not always lead to gainful employment. Millennials make up 40 percent of the unemployed in the United States, according to Anthony Carnavale, a director and research professor at Georgetown University’s Center on Education and Workforce.

Now, more than ever, it is imperative that students select a college or university with the resources to land them a job. While it is important to consider proximity, cost, accreditation and atmosphere, you also want to keep the end goal in mind – a career.

So what else should you look at when researching a school?

1. Make meaningful industry connections.

It’s all about connections in today’s job hunts, and it’s likely the same will be true for the class of 2020 and beyond. In fact, 80 percent of jobs aren’t advertised according to Steven Rothberg, founder of CollegeRecruiter.com.

A search on a university’s LinkedIn page will reveal the cities, companies and industries in which alumni work. Access to a strong alumni network will help prepare students for a career by opening doors to internships and jobs.

A network of trusted and connected professors is equally as important as a network of successful alumni. During the campus visit, students should ask about the faculty’s experience and reputation and make introductions early.

2. Gain real world experience. 

Today’s employers are on the lookout for students who have found their niche and demonstrated leadership skills in real-world scenarios.

For example, students thinking about a career in engineering should look for schools with programs like EcoCAR 3, a premier collegiate competition grooming the next generation of advanced engineers trained across disciplines — from engineering to marketing. Public relations majors can participate in the Bateman Case Study Competition, where college teams create and implement a full public relations campaign to raise awareness on a selected topic. The National Collegiate Cyber Defense Competition offers students interested in information assurance or computer security the opportunity to defend a commercial network against common outside threats.

“More and more we’re seeing today’s top companies request students from our program because they’ve gained the hands-on experience that the classroom doesn’t offer,” says Kristen De La Rosa, EcoCAR 3 program director at the U.S. Department of Energy’s Argonne National Laboratory. “We give students the opportunity gain access to millions of dollars of cutting-edge technology and top industry experts to solve complex engineering and marketing challenges. For this reason, almost 100 percent of our participants land a job immediately after graduation.”

3. Position yourself close to the action.

While a beautiful campus is nice to look at, that alone isn’t enough to justify years of time and money. It helps to be close to an industry hot-spot where internship and volunteer opportunities are plentiful and easy to access.

Studying near industry hubs will help students gain access to mentors, networking events and international conferences, furthering their competitive advantage and adding value to their degree.

Tech-savvy students who dream of launching the next big start-up should position themselves near the action in Silicon Valley, Boston or Austin. For those looking to create the next head-turning design it is best to study fashion and design in New York City or Los Angeles.

Physical proximity to an industry, participation in extracurricular activities and third-party recommendations can help make a student’s dream career a reality. Parents and high schoolers should keep these tips in mind throughout the college application process to make the most of college and hopefully land that first job.

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