Volume 97 Number 30 | MARCH 11-17, 2020 | MiamiTimesOnline.com | Ninety-Three Cents Global pandemic won’t stop jazz festival Mayor Oliver Gilbert says coronavirus is a low threat PENNY DICKERSON [email protected] The new coronavirus has created panic across America. The death toll continues to rise and hit home with four deaths confirmed in Florida. Travel advisories have docked cruise ship travel and economic peril has ensued with threats that Wall Street may shut down. Despite widespread frenzy, Miami Gardens mayor Oliver Gilbert said his renowned Jazz in the Gardens music festival will not be cancelled. The show will go on. “Jazz in the Gardens will not be cancelled. We consulted with the Gilbert dept. of health, CDC and county mayors before making a deci- sion,” said Gilbert. “We are a year away from a vaccine, so we have to learn to live with coronavirus.We made an educated decision and moved down the field that way.” Jazz in the Gardens is scheduled to take place March 14-15 at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. The music festival SEE JAZZ 6A Lyn Johnson Rich Black Black influencers EMAN ELSHAHAWY [email protected] converse with Biden A Black woman’s legacy of education and civil-rights and a renowned Carib- bean woman’s talent to sculpt figures Vice President Joe Biden invites Black have merged to make history. Mary Mcleod Bethune will be the Press Association of Florida, Inc. to first Black and 17th woman inducted into National Statuary Hall, a two-story have a seat at the table. chamber in the U.S. Capitol devoted to sculptures of prominent Americans. GAYLE ANDREWS or national campaign politics. Florida’s Senate voted unanimously in Black Press Association of Florida, Inc. Many pundits chalk it up to 2018 to replace the state’s statue of Con- Biden’s partnership with pres- federate general Edmund Kirby Smith When vice president Joe ident Barack Obama. The latter with Bethune. The decision is consistent Biden launched his presiden- is a tremendous asset. with governments across the state and tial campaign, he made it clear You can discern Biden’s com- nation that have decided to remove or Blacks would play a prominent mitment by looking at his 40- move Confederate memorials. role in his appeal for candida- plus year record of advocacy “Dr. Bethune’s life and values rep- cy. on issues that have exclusive- That may not seem like a ly impacted Blacks. Members resent the best of Florida,” said state revelation now that everyone of the Black Press Association Sen. Perry Thurston, a Fort Lauderdale talks about the “pragmatism,” of Florida, Inc. talked with the democrat who sponsored the bill. “Vot- the “conservative perspective” vice president about restoring ing for this legislation underscores that and the loyalty of Black voters and strengthening safeguards Floridians recognize our rich history to the democratic party. protecting health, voting rights, and celebrate our diversity.” But last spring, Biden led the HBCU’s, immigration, and eco- SEE MARY 4A way by acknowledging Black nomic equity for Blacks. Here Caribbean sculptor Nilda Co- American’s significance in the are excerpts of their conversa- mas, 65, works on the model greatest nation in the world. tion. for Mary Mcleod Bethune set The appeals to Black voters Rich Black, publisher of have traditionally gone under ONYX magazine and first vice to appear in the National Stat- the radar, so it is rare when president of BPAOF posed a uary Hall, located at the U.S. the public embraces statewide SEE BIDEN 6A Capitol in Wasington, D.C. BUSINESS................. ................................. 8B FAITH & FAMILY ...................................... 7D Today CLASSIFIED ............................................. 12B FAITH CALENDAR ................................... 8D Miami Gardens welcomes 78° IN GOOD TASTE ......................................... 1C HEALTH & WELLNESS ............................. 9D 1C LIFESTYLE HAPPENINGS ....................... 5C OBITUARIES ............................................. 12D 15 years of jazz 8 90158 00100 0 INSIDE Editorials Cartoons Opinions Letters VIEWPOINT BLACKS MUST CONTROL THEIR OWN DESTINY | MARCH 11-17, 2020 | MiamiTimesOnline.com MEMBER: National Newspaper Periodicals Postage Credo Of The Black Press Publisher Association paid at Miami, Florida Paid sick leave protects (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, Miami-Dade’s workers 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 s coronavirus (covid-19) turns into a global pandem- legal rights. Hating no person, fearing 7 percent sales tax for Florida residents 33127-0200 • 305-694-6210 ic, Miami-Dade County Commissioners made a deci- H.E. SIGISMUND REEVES Founder, 1923-1968 no person, the Black Press strives to sion on February 12th to delay a policy proposal that GARTH C. REEVES SR. Publisher Emeritius help every person in the firm belief that A GARTH C. REEVES JR. Editor, 1972-1982 all persons are hurt as long as anyone is crucial to stemming the spread of this virus. As doctors, the is held back. RACHEL J. REEVES Publisher and Chairman techniques we rely upon to stop the spread of this virus and other global diseases are basic - frequent handwashing, staying home from work when sick and quarantining potential cases. Ending workforce discrimination is up Yet, in refusing to vote on a proposal for Paid Sick Leave, the Miami-Dade County Commission left us all more vulnerable to DWAYNE SAMPSON, founder and president of the Transportation Diversity Council dangerous infections. Workforce discrimination A recent proposal for paid sick and parental leave, intro- exists because we often fail to duced by County Commissioner Daniella Levine-Cava, would disengage from our own bias- ensure at least 7 days of paid sick leave for employees of cer- es. In every industry and in tain companies that contract with the county. This proposal every sector, headlines glar- would apply to companies with at least 15 employees and coun- ingly reflect on the grievances ty contracts greater than $100,000. of the 21st century workforce: County employees already benefit from paid sick leave, gender pay inequity, racial which is based in public health science and basic decency. At discrimination and ageism. the February Miami-Dade County Commission hearing, we All act as adversarial realities in the fight for economic op- had the opportunity to testify as representatives of our union, portunity and equality. the Committee of Interns and Residents, alongside union orga- Advocacy against discrimi- nizers and workers currently denied paid sick leave. We were natory practices could not be in my field to deter workforce national youth. and live up to levelling that ashamed that our elected officials cut each person's speaking more prescient today as far as discrimination led me to cre- Today, TDC is also mak- playing field by working ar- time to just one minute and then subsequently derided this working men and women are ate the Transportation Diver- ing cross-country strides and duously for equal opportu- proposal that uplifts human rights and public health. concerned. Today, the Ameri- sity Council (TDC) in 2010 demonstrating its workforce nity for the most disenfran- As doctors, every day we see the harmful effects of work- can worker faces many chal- in New York. The big idea development model in key chised worker—there are ers denied sick leave. We are reminded of the mother of our lenges as more corporations welded together community geographies. Local engage- thousands of individuals six year-old patient just diagnosed with cancer, who was con- corrode the promises of a de- partnerships with transpor- ment in communities like like Jason across the United cerned about being able to take her son to weekly follow-up mocracy and global competi- tation agencies and business- Anniston, Alabama, is one States just waiting to have tion strips them of a decent es — to merge the demands of TDC’s markers of success that one chance to triumph appointments for his cancer treatments. Missing work might living wage. The playing field and needs of a sector with with New Flyer of America, and excel after unimaginable risk losing her job and losing the insurance paying for her son's is not level and the absence individuals who were hungry the largest transit bus manu- hardship. We are here for life-saving treatments. of diversity is central in pre- to work. The lucrative sector facturer in the states. them. We hope to build upon We think of our young patient in his thirties who frequent- serving the status quo of sys- had room for a creative re- In various regions, we have our success stories where ly misses appointments in the clinic for his diabetes because temic discrimination. positioning to benefit com- been able to help formerly mentoring, work readiness, missing work might mean losing the job that enables him to During my tenure at the panies and workers, and this incarcerated workers, like life skills training and sup- provide for his family. However, in being unable to care for Conference of Minori- called for dedicated and pur- Jason Webster, have a shot port, all factor in to help a his health, he is risking far graver complications from poorly ty Transportation Officials poseful action. at turning their life around. worker get their foot in the controlled diabetes to premature death. (COMTO), it became clear Bronx Design and Con- Previously behind bars for door to contribute to society.