A Bad Look for Barry

Attention past and present Bucs...your school is in the news, and not in a good way. Miami New Times reported a few weeks ago that Barry University has had several complaints against them of racial discrimination. Some have even gone as far as the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) with their claims of racial tension at the university. Click HERE for the entire article, it's an interesting read. Of course, Barry University spokespersons have denied all claims of racism against them. It looks like Barry alum may need to get some answers.

(source: Miami New Times; Blogging Black Miami) Read more!

Best of the Best is back

On Sunday, May 24th, Miami will welcome THOUSANDS of reggae and dancehall fans onto Bayfront Park. That's right, it's time for Best of the Best 2009! Special performances include Mavado, Bounty Killer, Beenie Man, Spice and Elephant Man (Eeeeenergy!!!). A few Florida folks will hit the stage (Khaled, T-Pain, Rick Ross), but we know this show is all about di dancehall! Check out the official website HERE

Read more!

Miami-Dade NAACP battle confederate flag display

Bishop Victor Curry and members of the Miami-Dade NAACP are gearing up for a fight to keep the confederate battle flag from being displayed publicly. The uproar started 6 months ago when the Sons of Confederate Veterans paraded the flag in a Veterans' Day parade in Homestead. Curry and officials are strategizing the next move, which may include protests of Homestead chamber businesses. Check the full story out HERE

(source: MiamiHerald.com) Read more!

Updates on the way...

You don't have to say it...BND has been on a SERIOUS hiatus. Not to worry Miami peeps and visitors, we're in the process of getting back up and running. Hang tight while we tidy up. Read more!

Black Crossroads makes March debut at Historical Museum

Thanks to Vanessa over at Blogging Black Miami, I spotted the news on a GREAT exhibition set to open March 5th at the Historical Museum of South Florida Downtown. Black Crossroads will be featured at the museum from March until January 2010. The exhibition features historic photos, videos, audio and literature displaying the impact Africans in the Diaspora have contributed to Miami and South Florida.

Go HERE for more info on Black Crossroads, and be sure to check it out! Read more!

Get ready for Jazz in the Gardens 2009

This year's line-up for the 4th Annual Jazz in the Gardens is on the up and up! One of Chi-City's best lyrical representers, Common, has joined the slate to perform at the annual jazz festival hel at Dolphin Stadium in Miami Gardens (Carol City). Other acts include Maze ft. Frankie Beverly, Anthony Hamilton, Kenny G., the one and only Ms. Badu and many more! Jazz in the Gardens has had a huge turnout since its inception, but expectations are high this year, with 30,000 projected to attend. Check the details:

WHAT: 4th Annual Jazz in the Gardens

WHEN: March 28th & 29th

WHERE: Dolphin Stadium, click HERE for directions

Please visit http://www.jazzinthegardens.com/ for info on tickets, artist bios and more!

Read more!

Miami Herald video honors Overtown's musical history

Check out this video that includes interviews, live audio and music from back in Overtown's heyday. Here's something I didn't know...Sam Moore of Sam & Dave ("I'm a soooooouuul maaaaan!) was a Towner 4 life!


http://www.miamiherald.com/video/index.html?media_id=2994975 Read more!

Miami-Dade has a new Public Defender

Miami-Dade County has inducted its first Cuban-American Public Defender, Carlos Martinez. Martinez now takes over an office dealing with serious budget cuts from the state and an enormous amount of cases. How these cuts and previous reports of the PD's office having to refuse cases will affect the poor in need of defence remains to be seen under Mr. Martinez's leadership. Check out Carlos Martinez's story and rise to our county's top defender HERE in today's Miami Herald. Read more!

In Case You Missed It...

CBS-4 News had their I-team do a not-so-shocking expose on how our Commissioners are spending our money. Expenditures from tax-payer money, such as Dorrin Rolle's $10,000 Christmas cards (is he SERIOUS??!), other commissioners' personal bills (cell phones, satellite radio, etc.) were featured in the investigation.

Check out the I-Team's investigation HERE! Read more!