Collision in Overtown injures 7

A major crash between a police squad car and a Ford Escort caused a stir along 3rd Avenue last night. All 7 injured parties (2 police officers, 5 passengers in the Ford) were taken to Jackson Memorial Hospital. A pregnant woman, a passenger in the Ford, is currently in critical condition. A report in today's Miami Herald says that the police car was "responding to an emergency call" when the crash took place. Of course, this just happened last night, so the investigation continues, and hopefully it is a very fair and THOROUGH one (updates will be posted when made available). BND wishes all 7 injured parties a speedy recovery.

(Source: The Miami Herald) Read more!

Assistance needed for West Grove track team members

Everybody should know by now about the athlete talent that is bred from Coconut Grove's Village West community. Several young athletes from the Coconut Grove track club could be among the ranks of those names out of the Grove. They are set to travel to the AAU Junior Olympic Games this weekend to compete, but are short on funding. The track club has been around for many years, and has molded the talent of many of West Grove's young people. Check out this STORY in today's Miami Herald about the Coconut Grove track club's trip.

For those wishing to help, send donations payable to The Miami Coconut Grove Track Club, c/o the Cocoanut Grove Village Council, 3250 Mary Street, Suite 302, Coconut Grove, FL 33133.

Special shout out to their coach, Carl Springer, for doing a wonderful job all these years! Read more!

Miami scholar and mentor missing off of South African coast

Please continue to keep the family and friends of Seraphin Bernard in your thoughts and prayers. This 22-year-old brother, a Miami native and 2004 Silver Knight award winner for art, has been missing off of South Africa's "Wild Coast" since this past Sunday. He is a graduate of DASH of Miami and recently graduated from Pratt Institute of Art and Design's Advertising program in New York. He is a mentor for young members of our community, and developed a program to spark their interest in art while he was a student at DASH. His family and friends, although receiving disheartening news about his disappearance, are still keeping the faith for Seraphin's return home. Go HERE to see Seraphin's portfolio.

Check out the full report in today's Miami Herald HERE. Read more!

Who is...Senator Frederica Wilson?

Ok, it's time again for some Dade County history! I don't think there is enough room in this post to describe the MANY accomplishments this wonderful woman born and raised in Miami-Dade County! But she is most definitely a great figure in Dade County history who should be known. Check her out:

• Democratic member of the Florida Senate, 33rd District


• Minority (Democratic) Leader Pro Tempore, 2006-2008


• Former Member, Miami-Dade County School Board


• Founder and Executive Director, 5000 Role Models of Excellence (Miami-Dade County Schools)


• Former Regional Director, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.


• Advocate for probe into the death of Martin Lee Anderson (Bay County Boot Camp)

This brief synopsis most certainly does not include the numerous awards Senator Wilson has received, nor does it sum up the many years of service and advocacy she has dedicated to Miami-Dade County and the State of Florida. The Role Models program has been beneficial in the lives of thousands of Miami-Dade's young males, including in my own high school alma mater. For more information about Senator Wilson, please visit her Florida Senate official website HERE, or check out the 5000 Role Models of Excellence website HERE. Thank you Senator Wilson for your dedication of service to our community!

Dade County history, pass it on!

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Booker T. players will sit out Adidas Tourny

Alright Tornadoes, what is the problem? The coaching staff of Booker T. Washinton High School's football team has decided that players will not participate in an Atlanta tournament. The class 4A champs got into a serious fight with Pahokee High School players, and as a result will be punished by not participating in the upcoming tourny. Coach Earl Tillman (former Miami High head coach) suffered a broken leg in the melee that costs the guys a trip to Atlanta.

Ok champs, let's keep it positive. You accomplished so much last season, there is no need for the violence on or off the field.

(Source: The Miami Herald) Read more!

The secret is out...

Well, maybe. So the internet is now going somewhat nuts over a video of Rick Ross being asked about whether he used to be a Corrections Officer. You know, the Rick Ross who's music includes A LOT of gun and drug talk. Of course, Miami-Dade has heard rumblings of this since oh about 2006! The interviewer stated that "Trick Daddy had said that you used to be a prison guard." If that ain't some "he say she say" then who knows what is! Check it out for yourself...


First of all, it is a sad day when someone is denying that they had a legal occupation (or went to college, hmm) before becoming a rapper, as if that is something bad, just to maintain an image. Secondly, it is disheartening to see the Miami "movement" somewhat unravelling in the media over hearsay; it has not even been confirmed that Trick Daddy made this statement, so why not reply to the interviewer that this needs to be resolved man to man with the homie T-Double instead name-calling over what somebody say he said! Thirdly, please Rick Ross don't tell me this is the first time you have heard this "rumor" (or fact). The allegation that Rick Ross was a Corrections Officer has been around Miami (and Florida for that matter) since before Port of Miami, he cannot be that shocked. Looks like what I stated in a previous post rings true; the Miami Hip-Hop "movement" has some serious issues. What happened to handling things like an adult? Like how about find out if the man even made the allegation before declaring somebody "green." Read more!

Live from Main Street tour stops in Overtown

This weekend, the spotlight will be on Overtown as the National town hall meeting tour makes at stop in the historic neighborhood. The five-city tour visits Overtown's Historic Lyric Theatre in a town hall meeting appropriately titled "Magic City, Hard Times." Check out the full story in The Miami Herald. A variety of Miami representatives are scheduled to attend, including County commissioners, social activists, and authors. Here's the breakdown for those wishing to attend:

WHEN: Saturday, July 12th
WHERE: Historic Lyric Theatre, 819 NW 2nd Avenue (Overtown community)
TIME: 3:00 pm
COST: FREE! but organizers would like guests to please RSVP, Go HERE to reserve your spot!

Hopefully, this event be a great success filled with discussion and action plans brought to the table for some of our most pertinent issues in Miami-Dade. If you attend, don't hesitate to share your thoughts! Read more!

Who is...Dr. Robert Ingram?

This series could not exclude the incredible Dr. Robert (Dr. Bob) Ingram! I have great memories of Dr. Ingram tellin' it like it is and giving a great speech at church banquet I attended years ago. He was a powerful, progressive, and compassionate leader in Miami-Dade, and his work will never be forgotten. Some highlights of Dr. Ingram's life and leadership are:

• FIRST Black officer assigned to the Miami Police Dept's motorcycle unit
• FIRST Black officer assigned to all-white dowtown Miami area
• FIRST Black City Manager, City of South Miami
• Former Mayor and Police Chief, City of Opa Locka
  
• Miami-Dade County School Board Member, District 1 (until time of death).
• Dr. Robert B. Ingram Elementary School (formerly Opa Locka Elementary) named in his honor.
  

Dr. Ingram passed away on September 5, 2007. He will always be remembered for his tremendous contributions to our community and paving the way for us all. For Dr. Robert Ingram's bio, visit the website in his honor HERE.

Dade County history, pass it on!


(Photo source: Blogging Black Miami)
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