Volume 96 Number 46 | JULY 3-9, 2019 | MiamiTimesOnline.com | Ninety-Three Cents Governor signs new version Miami Times that is likened to a poll tax and unconstitutional again named best of the best Two years in a row, NNPA gives its work highest honor Staff and Wire Report The Miami Times successfully defended its title as the best Black newspaper in the country Thursday night at the National Newspaper Publishers Association annual convention in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Miami Times won 10 awards including the covet- ed John B. Russwurm Trophy, which is presented to the newspaper that accumulates the most points in the Na- tional Newspaper Publishers Association Foundation’s annual journalism compe- tition. The trophy is named for John Russwurm who, in 1827, co-founded Free- dom’s Journal, the coun- try’s first African-Amer- ican-owned and operated newspa- per. They coined the credo: “We wish to plead our own cause. Too long have oth- PHILIPPE H. BUTEAU ers spoken for Miami Times Contributor us.” "The recognition epublican lawmakers is indicative of the high standards we set for our- succeeded in making selves at The Miami Times," changes to Amend- said Vice President of Business ment 4 that voting Development Garth C. Reeves. rightsR advocates have begun to "The team is driven to providing fight. the best news and layout and beat Gov. Ron DeSantis followed advertising, circulation and digital through on his pre-inaugural threat services to all who come in contact to add what Republicans consider with us throughout our various platforms." structure to Amendment 4 when The Miami Times took the he signed the bill June 29. most awards in the compe- The Florida Legislature passed a tition and placed in five of measure that requires people who the 10 categories in which completed their prison sentenc- it won. It finished first in es to pay their court fees before overall General Excellence; being able to register to vote. Women's/Lifestyle and Youth sections; and Use of Photographs Advocates have mounted a and Best Editorial categories. fight against the extra step to the The award for Best Editorial was earned for "Inequi- restoration of rights of formerly ty noticeable when white kids die," written two weeks SEE TAX 6A after the Feb. 14, 2018 Marjory Stoneman Douglas High SEE BEST 4A THE RESURGENCE OF LIBERTY SQUARE Residents celebrate the competition of first phase of the former solely public housing project FELIPE RIVAS to the violence, shootings, ne- [email protected] glected and dilapidated hous- ing characteristic of Liberty After years of construction, Square. When she first heard community meetings, fears of the plans to revitalize the displacement and much skep- area, she was skeptical and ticism, some Liberty Square brushed off the idea of living families will be the first to in a new, clean public housing experience a new standard of apartment. living in the resurging Liberty “‘I promise, I promise,’ that’s City neighborhood. what we heard for a year or On Monday, Liberty Square two,” Gregory said. “But they residents, along with coun- kept their promises.” ty, city and federal officials One of the many fears for celebrated the completion the public housing residents of phase one of the “Liber- was not being able to come ty Square Rising” project, back to the renovated units a unique development that once the project was com- features units of public and pleted. County leaders and affordable housing, as well as developers explained the re- market rate and homeowner- location process at commu- ship units. nity meetings and by visiting On Saturday, Sharon Greg- residents to assure them they ory received the keys to her had the right to return to their new apartment, a quaint unit units upon completion. In the complete with new appli- meantime, residents were ances, intercom and hurri- relocated to rehashed units cane-proof windows. Tears in other parts of the Liberty swelled her eyes as she Square neighborhood. showed off her new kitchen. “It was worth it,” said Greg- She never thought that day ory of the relocation process. would come. Miami Times Photo/Felipe Rivas Liberty Square Rising is a For 17 years, she was used Residents and elected officials celebrate the grand opening of the new Liberty Square apartments. SEE PROJECT 4A BUSINESS ................................................. 11B YOU & YOURS ............................................ 7D Family Today CLASSIFIED ............................................. 13B FAITH CALENDAR ................................... 8D remembers 91° IN GOOD TASTE ......................................... 1C HEALTH & WELLNESS ............................. 9D Sherdavia LIFESTYLE HAPPENINGS ....................... 5C OBITUARIES ............................................. 12D 8 90158 00100 0 INSIDE Jenkins 7D Editorials Cartoons Opinions Letters VIEWPOINT BLACKS MUST CONTROL THEIR OWN DESTINY | JULY 3-9, 2019 | MiamiTimesOnline.com Credo Of The Black Press MEMBER: National Newspaper Periodicals Postage EDITORIAL Publisher Association paid at Miami, Florida (ISSN 0739-0319) The Black Press believes that America MEMBER: The Newspaper POSTMASTER: Published Weekly at 900 NW 54th Street, can best lead the world from racial and Association of America Send address changes to Miami, Florida 33127-1818 national antagonism when it accords Subscription Rates: One Year THE MIAMI TIMES, How do hundreds of Post Office Box 270200 to every person, regardless of race, $65.00 – Two Year $120.00 P.O. Box 270200 Buena Vista Station, Miami, Florida 33127 creed or color, his or her human and Foreign $75.00 Buena Vista Station, Miami, FL Phone 305-694-6210 legal rights. Hating no person, fearing 7 percent sales tax for Florida residents 33127-0200 • 305-694-6210 no person, the Black Press strives to graves just disappear? H.E. SIGISMUND REEVES Founder, 1923-1968 help every person in the firm belief that GARTH C. REEVES JR. Editor, 1972-1982 all persons are hurt as long as anyone hey all had names - these mothers, fathers, daugh- GARTH C. REEVES SR. Publisher Emeritus RACHEL J. REEVES Publisher and Chairman is held back. ters and sons - and they lived in Tampa during a Tperiod in history when Blacks carried their un- equal status to the grave. Now an investigation by the Tam- pa Bay Times has found that hundreds of African-Ameri- FAMU’s story is still being written cans who died last century may be buried in an unmarked LARRY ROBINSON, president, Florida A&M University cemetery north of downtown Tampa. The community has The Florida A&M Uni- to support initiatives that give medicine in America. an obligation to account for these remains and to honor versity story is one of prog- students the best possible op- Last week, Governor Ron these residents’ life stories. ress and triumph. It is filled portunity to complete their DeSantis signed into law a For two decades, Tampa’s Black community buried its with many chapters about degrees within four years, find state budget that includes dead along a stretch of North Florida Avenue that’s now struggle, courage, persever- gainful employment and $24.8 million to complete home to a restaurant warehouse and a public housing com- ance and success. Perhaps leave them with as little debt We are obliged to a state-of-the-art student plex. Zion Cemetery, the first African-American cemetery the two most important as possible. services center that is slat- chapters are titled “Wel- We are obliged to be good be good stewards ed for completion in fall recognized by the city, established in 1901, has been forgot- come” and “Thank You.” We stewards of the resources en- of the resources 2020. A 700-bed residence ten. There’s no sign today that a cemetery once occupied 2 welcome you to bring trusted to us. Real progress entrusted to us. Real and dining hall is also sched- ½ acres here, no hint of the squares plotted out on an old your talents and perspec- requires hard work, dedica- progress requires hard uled to be completed next fall. map showing nearly 800 graves. tives. There is room for you tion and, sometimes, a course work,“ dedication and, Of course, our most im- But acting on a tip last fall, the Times’ Paul Guzzo began on one of the “Highest of correction. Case in point: giv- sometimes, a course portant story is the success Seven Hills” in Tallahassee. en recent concerns about the of our students. We have set examining what became of it. After reviewing thousands of correction. historic records and conducting dozens of interviews, the “Thank you” to the countless inappropriate use of funds to challenging goals related to alumni, friends and support- support athletics, we have in- improving retention and grad- Times identified death certificates for 382 people who were ers who have embraced our stituted additional controls to uation rates and post-grad- buried at Zion from 1913 to 1920. There were likely many unique institutional mission ensure that we operate as re- Florida’s community and state uate outcomes. This year, more. Deaths were not always recorded in an era when no as the only public Historical- quired. That has meant chang- colleges. FAMU has witnessed an in- regulations protected graves and when African-Americans ly Black University in Flori- es in both personnel and busi- Companies have stepped up crease in the percentage of were treated as second-class citizens. The Times deter- da. And “thank you” to every- ness processes. We will have an their recruitment of FAMU bachelor’s graduates without mined 13 of the bodies were moved, most of them to two one who has contributed to the external set of eyes review this students. Those attending excess credit hours, a reduc- Tampa cemeteries. But what became of the others? No one excitement we share about the issue and provide the objec- career expos on campus in- tion in the actual cost of earn- university’s future.