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Education AME Church Common is Not Great Shocked with Core Education Youth Pastor, Standards Equalizer T’Juan, Using for Black Music Like Still a Americans Never Before Major Issue Page 4 Page 2 Page 10 Do Pharrell PRST STD 50c U.S. Postage PAID Williams and Jacksonville, FL Robin Thicke Permit No. 662 Really Have to RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED Pay $7 Million to Marvin Gaye’s Family? Page 9 50 Cents Detroit-area Man Who Walked Volume 28 No. 19 Jacksonville, Florida March 19-25, 2015 Miles to Work Gets New Apartment Black Lives Matter Vote Could Swing Some Key Elections DETROIT — A man who said he walked 21 miles to and from work each day is settling into a new, suburban Detroit apartment after receiving thou- By Charles D. Ellison perceive as lacking needed political landscape in several key states. sands of dollars in online donations. (NNPA)—There are now five teeth. Location, it seems, is everything. James Robertson said he feels more secure in Oakland County's Troy after presidential battleground states in That status, also put on slight The five battleground states identi- moving north from his Detroit home to escape people asking him for money. 2016 that could be heavily impact- hiatus by a much more frigid than fied are also the same spots where The 56-year-old gained celebrity after the newspaper reported earlier this ed by the #BlackLivesMatter move- normal winter, just got complicated tragic shootings of unarmed Black year that he began walking to a job at an auto parts factory when his car ment. with last week’s shootings of two men have taken place in recent stopped working in 2005 and bus service was cut back. Of course, it depends on a vari- Ferguson, Mo., police officers dur- years: Florida, Missouri, Ohio, A local college student launched a modest crowdfunding campaign to a buy ety of factors and where the politi- ing an otherwise peaceful protest Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. a new car. It led to $360,000 eventually being raised and Robertson receiv- cal winds blow. And many marking the resignation of police Three of these states are already ing a new, $35,000 Ford Taurus from an auto dealership. observers are in wait-and-see mode chief Thomas Jackson. launching pads for three prospec- "I may have been born there, but God knows I don't belong there anymore," over the exact status of a scattered, Yet, despite the challenges, there tive Republican presidential candi- Robertson said about his old neighborhood near Detroit's New Center area. yet burgeoning “Second Civil are signs the movement could dra- dates. He still works at the same factory in Rochester Hills, which pays him Rights Movement” some experts matically shake up the political All five states are also places $10.55 an hour, but the hours-long walking trip now is done in a 20-minute where Democratic presidential pri- drive. Most of his money now is in a trust that has a principal amount of maries, statewide gubernatorial and $351,000. The earnings from the trust should be enough to keep Robertson's senatorial races and general elec- nest egg untouched until he retires, said Rebecca Sorensen, a UBS Financial tions find campaigns occasionally Services senior vice president for wealth management. declaring all-out electoral war when known political bellwether greatly wooing Black voters. influencing presidential primaries In Florida, the African-American and the general election cycle. It Mo'ne Davis Designs Sneaker Line community is still uneasy and upset just recovered from a caustic guber- to Benefit Underprivileged Girls over the needless so-called “Stand natorial election in which the state’s Your Ground” defense slayings of controversial Republican Gov. Rick Mo'ne Davis, the 13-year-old little league star whose incredible pitch land- Black teens Trayvon Martin and Scott won a second term and one of ed her on the cover ofSports Illustrated, is continuing to impress. M4D3, in Jordan Davis, in which the former’s its U.S. senators, Republican Marco connection with organization Because I'm a Girl, will release a line of limit- killer, a troubled George Rubio, is openly mulling a 2016 ed edition Mo'ne Davis-designed sneakers and donate 15% of proceeds to Zimmerman, was acquitted. But, presidential bid. Florida is also 20 impoverished girls around the globe. the Sunshine State is also a well- percent African American. "I never thought at the age of 13 I'd be a role model, but having young girls look up to me is pretty cool," Davis said. "If I can inspire them to reach their goals, that would be even cooler. Designing shoes with M4D3 is exciting and Jax Embraces Their Roots I wanted them to support Because I am a Girl to help girls and give them a chance at a better future." The shoes are designed to match the stitching on a baseball. Creflo Dollar Seeks Donations from Ministry for Pricey Private Jet Megachurch pastor and evangelist Creflo Dollar, who teaches that God wants to bless Beaches Honor City Advocates the faithful with earthly riches, is seeking Shown above is honoree JuCoby Pittman and Lillie Sullivan, donations to buy a luxury jet valued at more President of the Jacksonville Beach Elementary Preservation Fund. than $65 million. Supporters and friends enjoyed viduals for their tireless efforts in The website of Creflo Dollar Ministries the Nostalgic Night on the Hill supporting the facility’s after asked people Friday to "Sow your love gift Gala last week at the Rhoda Martin school extension program. The of any amount" to help the ministry buy a Cultural Heritage Center in after school program tutors reading Gulfstream G650 airplane. Dollar and his Jacksonville Beach. and math free of charge to parents wife, Taffi, are co-pastors of World The Rhoda L. Martin Cultural to students in grades 3-5, Mon- Changers International Church in College Heritage Center celebrated the life Thurs, 3:30 - 5:30 p.m.. The pro- Park, just south of Atlanta. and legacy of Rhoda Martin, a for- gram has increased reading and Dollar is one of the most prominent African-American preachers in the mer slave who started the first math scores from 2-3 grade levels. country who have built successful ministries on the prosperity gospel. school for people of color in 1928 Awardees included JuCoby Ministers in this tradition often hold up their own wealth as evidence that the in her kitchen in Jacksonville Pittman, Bishop Perry Golden, teaching works. Beach. The center’s staff provided Samuel Thompson and Debbie Host Kumasi Aaron, Lisa Knott and The ministry's current plane, acquired in 1999, was built in 1984, has trav- historical tours for guests. Wotiz. “These individuals continue Ms. Corporate America Dennelle Hickson eled more than 4 million miles and is no longer safe, spokesman Juda The Clara White Mission culi- to support the center and provide Engelmayer said. On a recent trip overseas, one of the engines failed, but the The North Florida Simply Natural Hair and Beauty and Wellness Expo nary school students and staff pro- help when needed and as needed pilot was able to land safely and no one was injured. came to town over the weekend and celebrated the natural hair frenzy with vided the food for the evening. without any questions asked. I am "(W)e are asking members, partners, and supporters of this ministry to assist the theme “Embrace your Roots.” From 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Hyatt Lillie Sullivan, President of the thankful for their help and the help us in acquiring a Gulfstream G650 airplane so that Pastors Creflo and Taffi Regency, 225 E. Coastline Dr. over 500 natural hair warriors participated Jacksonville Beach Elementary of the Jacksonville Beach and World Changers Church International can continue to blanket the globe in free workshops, hair demos, and perused vendors for hair products, Preservation Fund presented com- Community and the surrounding with the Gospel of grace," the ministry's website says. holistic healing and jewelry. The show stopper was the fashion that incor- munity service awards to four indi- counties” said Sullivan. KFP Photo porated natural hair with spring and summer fashions. Six Cities Chosen for Project Sickle Cell Banquet Awards Local Students for Excelling on Curbing Racial Bias Six cities will participate in a federal pilot program aimed at reducing racial Two of Jacksonville’s most praised the scholars for their bias and improving ties between law enforcement and communities, courageous students were awarded courage in academic success. Attorney General Eric Holder said Thursday. college scholarships in the fall of This event is one of several annu- The cities are Fort Worth, Texas; Gary, Indiana; Stockton, California; this year at the Northeast Florida al fund-raisers of the 64 year old Birmingham, Alabama; Minneapolis; and Pittsburgh. Chapter Sickle Cell Disease SCDAA chapter to support sickle The announcement of their selection came six months after Holder revealed Association of America’s annual cell disease families and decrease the National Initiative for Building Community Trust and Justice, in the dinner. De’Ja Pettiford, 17, a senior the number of people born with it. aftermath of the Ferguson, Missouri, police shooting last August. at Sandalwood High School, and The North Florida Chapter is the As part of the $4.75 million project, researchers will study data and conduct Chrishea Cummings, 18, a senior at only” registered corporate agency interviews to develop plans for curbing bias and strategies for building trust Charleston High School received for sickle cell advocacy in the area” between residents and law enforcement.

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