The Weekly Challenger : 2020 : 05 : 28
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University of South Florida Scholar Commons Newspaper collection The Weekly Challenger 2020-05-28 The Weekly Challenger : 2020 : 05 : 28 The Weekly Challenger, et al Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarcommons.usf.edu/challenger Recommended Citation The Weekly Challenger, et al, "The Weekly Challenger : 2020 : 05 : 28" (2020). Newspaper collection. 1254. https://scholarcommons.usf.edu/challenger/1254 This is brought to you for free and open access by the The Weekly Challenger at Scholar Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion in Newspaper collection by an authorized administrator of Scholar Commons. For more information, please contact [email protected]. The Weekly Challenger KEEPING YOU CONNECTED TO YOUR COMMUNITY VOL. 52 NO. 20 MAY 28 - JUNE 3, 2020 50¢ IN THIS Insult to WEEK injury Carl Lavender, chief equity officer at Foundation for a Healthy St. Petersburg, PAGE 3 Gypsy Gallardo, data analyst and community and Rev. Watson Haynes, president & CEO of PCUL. COMMUNITY NEWS To the Class of 2020 Goliath J. Davis ‘Equity Now’ on WTMP BY GOLIATH J. DAVIS, III, PH.D. Contributor ST. PETERSBURG – Time and highlights recovery in time again in America, white men in charge have injured people of color by direct hostile, violent acts and discriminatory public policies St. Pete’s post-COVID-19 and practices. And when people of PAGE 4 color and conscience complain or protest, they are told: “get over it.” COMMUNITY NEWS This is not an indictment of all St. Pete author economy white males — some of them are also persons of conscience, and strive to “do the right thing.” But as my grandparents would always PINELLAS COUNTY — health equity in population which specializes in designing say, “some white folk can sure add The “Equity Now” radio show health — especially for black and evaluating solutions ad- insult to injury.” on WTMP brings St. Peters- and brown people,” he added. dressing economic progress In other words, some are quite burg and Pinellas County com- Karen Chassin, chief influ- in low-income communities capable of offending with one munity members and activists, ence officer at FHSP, grate- and communities of color. As hand and without remorse or re- political and nonprofit leaders, fully acknowledged WTMP’s well as being CEO for One gret, turn around and insult with and social service and health general manager Howard Community and the 2020 Plan, the other. experts together to review Word for extending the half- she also publishes the Power Dr. Michael Grego, superin- current events through a lens hour slot for “Equity Now” on Broker magazine. tendent of Pinellas County District PAGE 4 of racial and health equity. Saturday mornings at 10:30 Gallardo shared that the Schools, the school board and The program is hosted by a.m. One Community coalition real- board members representing COMMUNITY NEWS Carl Lavender, chief equity of- On May 16, Lavender was ized early on that the shut- south St. Pete continue to offend Summer programs ficer at Foundation for a joined by data analyst and down would impact the community, its leaders/advo- at USF Healthy St. Petersburg community builder Gypsy Gal- African-American communi- cates, parents, volunteers and (FHSP), and is one of many lardo and Rev. Watson Haynes ties harder and faster, with partners who worked with them to ways FHSP is addressing com- of the Pinellas County Urban greater enduring economic develop Bridging the Gap, a plan munity needs and issues. League (PCUL) to discuss the impact than within white com- to close the achievement gap be- “Our purpose,” said Laven- ongoing initiatives supporting munities. The crisis would re- tween black and white scholars. der, “is to advance strategies post-COVID-19 recovery in St. sult in more African As I detailed in two prior that advance impact in the eq- Petersburg and the county. Americans unemployed, and columns, Grego and the board re- uity space. ‘Equity Now’ inves- Gallardo is the CEO for placed the most effective director of the Transformation Zone to date tigates “race equity to achieve Urban Market Aanalytics, See ECONOMY, page 3 with a white female (injury). The community nor the previously INDEX groups above or organizations were consulted, advised or al- I am because we are…the collective impact lowed to participate in the selec- tion process (injury). COMMUNITY BY NIKITA J. REED clergy, community leaders, and On May 21 and May 27, Grego Contributor parents to form a triangulation of added the insult. Meetings were success not previously witnessed arranged to introduce Nikita ST. PETERSBURG — It sad- in Pinellas County Schools. Reed’s replacement to the commu- NEWS dens me to announce that I will It was this match that nity. Imagine that if you will. We not be returning as the Transfor- sparked a new covenant between were not worthy of consideration mation Zone leader next year. the Transformation Zone Team when the unilateral decision was PAGES 2 - 5, 8 My heart was filled with inde- and “THE” ZONE Professional made to hire Dr. Webley, but now scribable joy when the St. Peters- Educators to successfully edu- that he has done so, she is pre- burg community accepted me cate our children. These sparks sented, and we are told, as Flip into their family with open arms. caused my heart to swell at the Wilson would say: “what you see The Transformation Zone’s sa- thought of endless relationships is what you get” (insult). CHURCH NEWS cred river of success included I have established with: I imagine, when scheduled to being scholar-centered, main- • Our Scholars & Families meet Webley, the snubbed educa- taining high levels of family par- • Men of Yesterday Today tional leaders, teachers, staff, etc. ticipation, and a community of and the Future, President Jack Nikita J Reed may feel just as individuals from PAGES 6 - 7 wonderful people who love their Fletcher the community should have felt — children. • Former Councilman Karl • Greater Mt. Zion AME insulted. However, the real issue is All children are geniuses, Nurse Church, Rev. Clarence Williams not how one feels or felt, but what waiting for adults to strike the • Journeys in Journalism Ad- • The Faith Based Ministers will one do. match of learning possibilities, visory Committee, President in south St. Petersburg I doubt employees will com- through the endless landscape of Gretchen Letterman • Former quarterback for plain for fear of reprisal. Commu- education. It was this match that • Local Business and Corner the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, nity advocates, organizational sparked an academic turnaround Store Owners Jamies Winston heads, and others from the in- at Melrose Elementary and • St. Petersburg Police De- • Parent Support for Educa- jured, insulted community are not within the Transformation Zone partment tion Council, Pastor Martin constrained by the issues facing Schools under my leadership. It • Mt. Zion Progressive Rainey was this match that sparked MBC, Rev. Louis Murphy Sr. See IMPACT, page 5 See INSULT, page 5 We Value Diversity | We Value Education | We Value History www.TheWeeklyChallenger.com • 727-896-2922 Are you interested in being a radio guest? Radio Personality Princess Denise Wright of Matters of the Heart Radio Ministry is looking forward to you being a guest on her global radio broadcasting network on 99.1 FM JAMS. Matters of the Heart Radio Ministry has been broadcasting for the past 16 years locally and internationally, all the way into Jamaica. For additional information about scheduling a guest interview or promoting your business, book, music CD or non-profit organization, please call 727-488-8818 or email [email protected] COMMUNITY NEWS 2 THURSDAY, MAY 28, 2020 www.theweeklychallenger.com The Weekly Challenger Pinellas: Apply by June 1 for individual, business assistance PINELLAS COUNTY – Individuals and families have until June 1, 2020, to request emergency help paying overdue rent, mortgage and utilities through the Pinellas CARES Financial Assistance program. Pinellas residents who have lost their job or significant income due to COVID- 19 can apply for one-time assistance of up to $4,000 by texting COVIDCARES to 898211. Those who have questions or need to speak to someone by phone can also call 2-1-1. A separate program providing one-time grants for qualifying small businesses will also remain open for new applications through June 1. Business owners can learn more or apply online at covid19.pinellascounty.org/pinellascaresbusiness. Both programs are funded through the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. Pinellas CARES Financial Assistance serving hundreds of people To date, Pinellas County has helped 156 households impacted by coronavirus pay for emergency overdue rent, mortgage and utilities with another 880 cases in progress expected to cover more than $1 million. All applications started by 11:59 p.m., Monday, June 1, will be processed. The County encourages applicants to make sure they send in all required documen- tation to ensure eligibility and faster service. Applicants can text pictures via mobile device of the following documents after starting the process by texting COVIDCARES to 898211. Required documentation Documentation is required for all requests. To expedite the request, applicants should submit all documents at one time. • Job or income loss directly related to the COVID-19 pandemic (i.e. your workplace shut down under state or local orders): Examples include paystubs, a letter from employer or proof of employer business closure. • Income level: During