Mansion bouncers under scrutiny again

It's about to be a busy year for Club Mansion's legal team! In today's Miami Herald, the club has denied the account of hip-hop artist Granddaddy Souf where he stated he was severely assaulted by several bouncers at last year's Ozone Awards afterparty. Miamians have already heard the warnings about Miami Beach and it's club bouncers. Mansion is looking at 5 different lawsuits now. The most recent suit stems from the beating of 3 patrons, one of them being a former Mansion bouncer.

Check out the full report HERE. Read more!

Nas & Kelis v. City of Miami?

Not sure how much truth there is to this. Several blogs out there (Media Take Out, the Miami New Times) have reported that there may be a lawsuit against the City of Miami by Nas (yes Mr. Nasir Jones, the Illmatic one) and his wife Kelis after Mrs. Jones was arrested in Miami. Asking amount? 100 million dollars. Reason? Racial profiling. We are in Dade, and no disrespect to the authorities, but we know that racial profiling in this County is a reality. We'll be checking on the validity of this and see the outcome.

Check out the Miami New Times post HERE. Read more!

Hialeah PD gets new Chief, promotes Black Commander

Last Wednesday, the Hialeah Police Department held the confirmation ceremony for new Chief Mark Overton. Promotions among the top ranks included Commander Raleigh Flowers, who is now the highest ranking Black officer in the department. Other moves up also included Commander Kimberle Warren, now the highest ranking female officer.

Congratulations to Hialeah PD on its new administration. Let's see what the new crew has in store for continuing to protect and serve the Hialeah community in the future! Read more!

Two brothers killed near Charles Drew schools

Within blocks of Charles Drew Elementary and Middle schools, Rashawn (22) and Deon (21) Beneby were gunned down Thursday afternoon, forcing both schools on temporary lockdown. According to the report in today's Miami Herald, Rashawn was shot execution style, and Deon shot and killed while fleeing on foot as described by witnesses.

These two shootings bring Miami-Dade's homicide rate to 81 since January of 2008. And according to statistics, 37 of those homicides were BLACK MEN AGES 35 AND YOUNGER. This is not one of the charts we should be on top of! People, we have got to grab hold of our youth ASAP. It is obvious that if we don't take the time to care, who will? These are our children and young adults killing each other. Fortunately, students at both Charles Drew schools were in no danger, but within blocks? Someone's innocent child (maybe your child!) could have been caught in the cross-fire.

We've been listening to some of the airwaves in town, and frankly it is disappointing. There is MUCH time spent talking about what other groups, ethnicities, social classes, government entities are supposedly doing to us. All this must be put on the table at some point, because there is much truth to the biases we face in this County. But WE MUST HOLD OURSELVES ACCOUNTABLE AS WELL for what is going down up the street and 'round the corner from us, across the street from our schools, at our markets and all over our community. These young men have just been added to a saddening statistic, and we send condolences to the family and friends, despite what reports say regarding their status or suspected criminal activity; they were still someone's brothers, children, and friends. They are two more examples of what is ultimately happening to many of our young people on these streets. Read more!

Haitian Senators calling on PM to quit

More in disturbance in Haiti is being reported all over the news, as 16 Haitian Senators have called on Prime Minister Jacques-Edouard Alexis to resign. A new report indicates these Senators are threatening to fire Alexis if he does not resign by today.

You all have probably seen national and international news of coverage of the outrage and violent protests in Port-Au-Prince and other Haitian cities over extreme hikes in food prices. The economic situation has worsened in the past weeks, food shortages threaten the livelihood of many Haitians and several international service organizations scramble to send emergency aid to the country.

More to come...any organizations sending aid to Haiti, please contact us so we can get the word out!

(Source) Read more!

Uncle Luke vs. The BM

50 Cent, MC Breed, Sean Levert (RIP) and now Miami's own? Looks like the child support suit bug got down to the crib. Affectionately known as the "King of Miami Hip-Hop," Uncle Luke (real name Luther Campbell) has got a case of his own now.

According to a report on today's Miami Herald website, one of Luke's BMs (that's baby's mother for you all not familiar with certain lingo) is requesting that his license be suspended because she claims he owes back child support of over $38,000. Luke's daughter, Lutheria Campbell, is now 20 years old, taking college classes and working part-time.

Lutheria is legally an adult (she has been for 2 years now!), therefore most people assume that Luke is no longer responsible for paying child support for her. It is well known, however, that when the child in question seeks to further their education once turning 18, then child support must resume (am I right legal heads?). We'll let the REAL judge figure this one out...

On to a brighter note: check out the official website for Luke's National Youth Football League HERE! The website has information on activities for boys and girls, as well as charter information, schedules and team stats. Keep it positive Uncle Luke!!! Read more!

RIP - Mother Cedella Marley-Booker

News has gotten all over the internet that Cedella Marley-Booker (mother of legendary artist and humanitarian Bob 'Nesta' Marley) has passed away. According to reports over at YardFlex, Mother Booker passed away at her home in Miami with her family around her.

(Source) Read more!

Charges against 7 Red Raiders DROPPED (Edison High fiasco update)

More developments have come for the students that made nationwide news a few months ago. 7 of the students from Miami Edison High charged after the protest-turned melee at the school received word today that all state charges were dropped. You may remember our previous post about the incident, stemming from a protest of the arrest of a student allegedly assault by assistant principal Javier Perez, that quickly turned into chaos. A subsequent protest, held a week later at M. Athalie Range Park across from the school, resulted in students voicing their frustrations, getting community attention, and returning to classes without incident.

The 19 remaining students (all minors) have upcoming court dates to decide the fate of their charges.

(Source) Read more!

We're killing each other...Two teens gunned down within days

Two teens have been killed in the Northwest area within the past couple days...if that doesn't sadden you enough, wait until you see the motives (straight foolishness!)...

Deandre Anderson, 14, was killed on Thursday near 7th Ave and 112th after he hit another car with the car he was driving in and fled the scene of the accident. The driver of the other vehicle decided to gun him down in a hail of bullets. Let's see...raising your insurance rates over an accident and letting juvenile justice take care of an underage driver vs. TAKING A 14 YEAR OLD CHILD'S LIFE! Decisions, decisions...HERE is the full report in the Miami Herald.

Yesterday, 16 year old Davon Smith was killed in front of his mother after an altercation on Friday night. His mother was also shot in the arm while trying to break up the scuffle between Davon and the gunmen, who according to family accounts, grew up with Davon. According to the Herald's REPORT, Davon was shot in the face in front of his mother, and his twin sister was inside of the house.

A group of children shooting another child in the face in front of his mother, as well as shooting his mother indicates that THERE ARE SEVERAL PROBLEMS HERE. So you can go in your house, lock the door and shut off the news if you'd like...hate to bust your bubble, but you live here too. If we don't come together for some solutions FAST, it could be your family next. Read more!

Miami-Dade jails probed...

Check out this POST over at Blogging Black Miami (Shout out to Ms. VByers!). The U.S. Department of Justice is investigating the Miami-Dade County jails system for "possible civil rights violations." This is, of course, right after the fed take over of the Miami-Dade Housing Agency.

Just in time for election year, right County officials?

Now let's not get it twisted, jail is not supposed to be like a visit to Merrick Park, or a stay at the Ritz Coconut Grove. But if we are to be a County, similar to our country as a whole, that respects and protects the basic human rights of our citizens, that needs to apply to EVERYONE. That should be regardless to anyone's feelings about those convicted of a crime.

(Photo is of Metro-West Detention Center) Read more!