Be Strong International Hosted its Annual Hearts in Rhythm Charity Event – A Celebration of Philanthropy

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April 1, 2024

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Surprise Performance by renowned Artist Young Wylin; Community Leaders Awarded during the Event, Presented by Amazon

Be Strong International, an award-winning and local nonprofit, hosted its annual Charity Event on Thursday, March 14th at The Rusty Pelican, located in Key Biscayne, FL. This occasion was a celebration of philanthropic spirit, as guests networked during a fabulous night filled with fun, moving testimonials, exquisite cuisine, and live entertainment. As part of their ongoing fundraising efforts, Be Strong International’s Hearts in Rhythm Annual Charity Event is where Miami’s philanthropists met to celebrate the tremendous impact their donations have among the most vulnerable populations living in South Florida.

“Our annual Hearts in Rhythm Charity Event helps us continue all the services we have brought to the community for more than 30 years. We aim to become a national service provider that focuses intently on seeing individuals, families and communities become whole”, said Michelle Shirley, CEO of Be Strong

International. “Teaching the importance of Heart SkillsTM education is our main goal, and only with community support, can we continue to make this goal a reality”, Shirley added.

This year, the highlights of the night included several live performances such as Miami Carol City High School marching band, Eclectic Movement dance group, and a surprise performance by Yung Wylin, a young artist on the rise, who makes a positive impact through positive music; where he got the party started by singing his new hit song “Good Energy.” Guests enjoyed a delicious dinner with picturesque views of the Miami skyline and waterfront, LED light show, and a powerful testimonial from Aaliyah Harvell, a standout student of their Be Strong After School Club, where she was presented with the Rising Star Award and a $500 scholarship by Be Strong International for her excellent grades and resilient spirit. The presentation of the “Stronger Together” Awards, hosted by the presenting sponsor, Amazon, also took place where five community leaders were honored for their selfless dedication to their community.

“At Amazon, we are committed to being a great employer and a great neighbor. Supporting the communities we call home is central to what we do every day,” said Angelica Santibanez, Community Engagement Senior Manager for Amazon. “For the second year, Amazon is thrilled to partner with Be Strong International as the Presenting Sponsor of this worthwhile event. We commend all the community leaders who were recognized and received the award this year.”

TD Bank’s Felipe Basulto had the honor of being the Master of Ceremonies for the evening, with a fantastic intervention that kept the audience engaged and entertained. Mr. Basulto also introduced the Stronger Together Award. The honorees for this year’s awards were Jorge Arauz – Editor in Chief & Editorial Director, TAG Media, publishers of Brickell Magazine and Key Biscayne Magazine, Dr. Anthony Cruz – President of Miami Dade College Kendall Campus, Michelle Johnson – Faith and Community Leadership Officer, Equity and Engagement Miami-Dade County Office of the Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, Liliam Lopez – CEO & President of South Florida Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, and David Pruna – Regional President, SouthState Bank Miami-Dade and Monroe Counties.

Proceeds from ticket sales and all donations that were made are going directly to benefit the youth and families. Be Strong International aims to invest in the expansion of programs and services that serve low-income communities in Miami-Dade and Broward counties, through improved organizational capacity and reach.

This event was made possible by all sponsors, especially the Presenting Sponsor – Amazon, the Community Champion’s sponsors – FedEx and Mastercard, and the Reception Sponsor – SouthState Bank, among other institutions.

For inquiries about the event or to arrange an interview, contact Monika Sanchez at monika@bestrongintl.org or Nathalia Tasama at nathalia@bestrongintl.org.

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About Be Strong International

Be Strong International is an acclaimed nonprofit organization that delivers comprehensive educational services and resources to families residing in Broward and Miami-Dade counties. Their mission is to guide individuals from brokenness to wholeness by fostering healthy relationships and instilling Heart Skills™. Established in 1992 by Mrs. Althea McMillan, a retired Miami-Dade County Public Schools teacher, the organization is presently led by Michelle Shirley, CEO and Chief Heart Officer. In addition to Be Strong International’s Heart Skills™ programs, which empowers families to make informed decisions concerning relationships, money, work, and family life, the organization offers family success coaching. These crucial offerings provide personalized support that addresses each family’s unique needs, ensuring a holistic approach to their wellbeing. Furthermore, Be Strong International collaborates with institutions to provide resources such as food drives and back-to-school supply drives. Known for its transformational workplace culture, Be Strong International has been selected as one of the Best Places to Work by the South Florida Business Journal and provides Healthy Culture training to corporations and universities. For more information and updates, follow Be Strong International on social media @bestrongintl or through their website https://bestrongintl.org

About Amazon

Amazon is guided by four principles: customer obsession rather than competitor focus, passion for invention, commitment to operational excellence, and long-term thinking. Amazon strives to be Earth’s Most

Customer-Centric Company, Earth’s Best Employer, and Earth’s Safest Place to Work. Customer reviews, 1-Click shopping, personalized recommendations, Prime, Fulfillment by Amazon, AWS, Kindle Direct Publishing, Kindle, Career Choice, Fire tablets, Fire TV, Amazon Echo, Alexa, Just Walk Out technology, Amazon Studios, and The Climate Pledge are some of the things pioneered by Amazon. For more information, visit amazon.com/about and follow @AmazonNews.

Host Michael Miller speaks with Frank Calderon from the Miami-Dade Solid Waste Dept.

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Community Press Releases

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April 1, 2024

Host Michael Miller speaks with Frank Calderon from the Miami-Dade Solid Waste Dept. about pick-ups, bulk waste dumping, and hurricane season.

ABOUT US:

For more Miami community news, look no further than Miami Community Newspapers. This Miami online group of newspapers covers a variety of topics about the local community and beyond. Miami’s Community Newspapers offers daily news, online resources, podcasts and other multimedia content to keep readers informed. With topics ranging from local news to community events, Miami’s Community Newspapers is the ideal source for staying up to date with the latest news and happenings in the area.

This family-owned media company publishes more than a dozen neighborhood publications, magazines, special sections on their websites, newsletters, as well as distributing them in print throughout Miami Dade County from Aventura, Sunny Isles Beach, Miami Beach, Coral Gables, Brickell, Coconut Grove, Pinecrest, South Miami, Kendall, Palmetto Bay, Cutler Bay and Homestead. Each online publication and print editions provide comprehensive coverage of local news, events, business updates, lifestyle features, and local initiatives within its respective community.

Additionally, the newspaper has exclusive Miami community podcasts, providing listeners with an in-depth look into Miami’s culture. Whether you’re looking for local Miami news, or podcasts, Miami’s Community Newspapers has you covered. For more information, be sure to check out: https://communitynewspapers.com.

If you have any questions, feel free to email Michael@communitynewspapers.com or Grant@communitynewspapers.com

For more news, be sure to go to https://www.communitynewspapers.com #thatscommunitynews #communitynewspapers #miamidade #miamidadecounty #thatscommunity #miamiwomenwhorock #providencehealthcare #healthcare #miamicommunitynews #coralgables #palmettobay #southmiami #doral #aventura #pinecrest

For more news, be sure to go to https://www.communitynewspapers.com

#thatscommunitynews #communitynewspapers #miamidade #miamidadecounty #thatscommunity #miamicommunitynews #coralgables #palmettobay #southmiami #doral #aventura #pinecrest

Host Michael Miller welcomes Stephanie Silva of Miami Dade College Student Parents Program

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Community Press Releases

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April 1, 2024

Host Michael Miller invites Stephanie Silva of Miami Dade College Student Parents Program for a discussion about the powerful initiative.

ABOUT US:

For more Miami community news, look no further than Miami Community Newspapers. This Miami online group of newspapers covers a variety of topics about the local community and beyond. Miami’s Community Newspapers offers daily news, online resources, podcasts and other multimedia content to keep readers informed. With topics ranging from local news to community events, Miami’s Community Newspapers is the ideal source for staying up to date with the latest news and happenings in the area.

This family-owned media company publishes more than a dozen neighborhood publications, magazines, special sections on their websites, newsletters, as well as distributing them in print throughout Miami Dade County from Aventura, Sunny Isles Beach, Miami Beach, Coral Gables, Brickell, Coconut Grove, Pinecrest, South Miami, Kendall, Palmetto Bay, Cutler Bay and Homestead. Each online publication and print editions provide comprehensive coverage of local news, events, business updates, lifestyle features, and local initiatives within its respective community.

Additionally, the newspaper has exclusive Miami community podcasts, providing listeners with an in-depth look into Miami’s culture. Whether you’re looking for local Miami news, or podcasts, Miami’s Community Newspapers has you covered. For more information, be sure to check out: https://communitynewspapers.com.

If you have any questions, feel free to email Michael@communitynewspapers.com or Grant@communitynewspapers.com

For more news, be sure to go to https://www.communitynewspapers.com #thatscommunitynews #communitynewspapers #miamidade #miamidadecounty #thatscommunity #miamiwomenwhorock #providencehealthcare #healthcare #miamicommunitynews #coralgables #palmettobay #southmiami #doral #aventura #pinecrest

For more news, be sure to go to https://www.communitynewspapers.com

#miamidadecolleg #mdc #opportunity #thatscommunitynews #communitynewspapers #miamidade #miamidadecounty #thatscommunity #miamicommunitynews #coralgables #palmettobay #southmiami #doral #aventura #pinecrest

Cadillac Escalade Sport Platinum Is Fun Driving Experience

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Grant Miller, Publisher

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April 1, 2024

Grant Miller

Starting at more than $114,000, the 2024 Cadillac Escalade Sport Platinum is the ultimate in luxury.

You quickly realize the quality of the SUV when you step into the cabin. There is leather-wrapped interior trim in places where you don’t expect it like on the instrument cluster, console and upper-door panels.

I really like the big, 38-inch total diagonal display, with the industry’s first curved OLED display that is twice the pixel density of a 4K TV. No kidding – it’s big and sharp. There is also Cadillac’s integrated vehicle navigation system that has “viewing mode,” a projection system that places directions right on the cluster display in front of the driver. For me this is a big deal because I sometimes mess up directions and miss my exit.

With the Cadillac Escalade Sport Platinum, you can also choose a full-color head-up display that projects information, including speed, navigation, phone and music details, onto the windshield in your line of sight, helping you remain focused on the road ahead. This is also a big deal because otherwise you have to look off the road to see what is happening elsewhere inside the cabin.

There is 16-way power driver and front-passenger heated and ventilated seats with 4-way lumbar and get this – a massage function. And, it’s good, too.

For the passengers in the Cadillac Escalade Sport Platinum, there is lots of customization including a rear seat entertainment system with dual independent 12.6-inch diagonal infotainment displays. The available AKG Studio Reference 36-speaker audio system is fantastic and immersive no matter where you sit, creating a 360-degree sound experience.

Moving across streets and highways, you get a whole other experience particularly because of the standard “touring package” that includes air ride adaptive suspension, front and rear soft-close/cinching doors and illuminating sill plates. All of this makes the Escalade a very special experience.

But everyone will love the basic features the Escalade offers including a 6.2-liter V8 engine that produces 420 horsepower and delivers 14 miles per gallon in the city and 19 miles per gallon on the highway.

Here are some other great features that really make the Escalade a standout: There is an available refrigerator with freezer mode that places ice-cold drinks easily within reach. The ambient lighting inside the cabin is a fun feature that works well with the available ultraview sunroof, which offers panoramic views. The cargo capacity is also fantastic, with 121 cubic feet of cargo.

For me, the 2024 Cadillac Escalade Sport Platinum is a very special vehicle that is among the top SUVS offering luxury and comfort. Give it a spin and let me know what you think.

Fuji music in Nigeria: new documentary shines light on a popular African culture

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Florida International University

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April 1, 2024

file-20240314-20-5sao64 — The late Sikiru Ayinde Barrister. Nigerian Tribune

The late Sikiru Ayinde Barrister. Nigerian Tribune

Saheed Aderinto, Florida International University

Nigerian singer Síkírù Àyìndé Barrister (1948-2010) pioneered fújì, a Yorùbá genre of popular dance music. In February 2024, historian Saheed Aderinto’s documentary on the musician’s life and times premiered. The Conversation Africa’s Wale Fatade asked Aderinto about the film and the music it brings to our attention.

What is fújì music?

Fújì fuses Islamic philosophy and wordsmithing with Yoruba poetry and meaning-making to create sound, idioms and recreational habits. It does this across social classes, from the wealthy in the corridors of political power to the poor at the fringe. Its messages, politics, performance styles, space and sophistication reflect a wide range of realities.

However, fújì did not begin as a secular and commercial sound. Its musical ancestor, wéré, was a seasonal Islamic performance during Ramadan. Wéré’s origin dates to the 19th century or earlier when Islam established firm roots among the Yoruba. The Yoruba are one of the numerous ethnic groups in Nigeria.

From the early 1970s, Ayinde Barrister began to expand the domain of wéré’s performance. He turned it into an all-year-round commercial secular music drawing from established secular forms. By the mid-1970s, fújì emerged as a distinct genre through his pioneering efforts. He combined numerous elements of existing music, such as sakara, apala, juju and Afrobeat, to create a hybrid sound that also borrowed from Yoruba aesthetics of praise singing.

By the mid-1980s, fújì was a staple in the Nigerian soundscape. As the 20th century eclipsed, it was one of the most dominant popular music styles across the African diaspora.

Today, fújì exhibits all the conventional elements of global entertainment music. Its beat-making, computer-based production technology, new electronic and digital circulations, and eclectic performativity all align with similar global forms such as Afrobeats. And fújì is not immune to common criticisms of popular music: sexualising women, portraying unrealistic notions of socio-economic mobility, and promoting obnoxious ideals of self-making.

How does it live on in Nigeria today?

Today, fújì is the most dominant of the Yoruba musical traditions. A large number of professional singers self-identify as fújì artists and perform the genre in its identifiable form. It has overtaken all other Yoruba forms and even influenced contemporary Afrobeats. For example, Afrobeats artist Olamide’s song Omo Anifowose is deeply influenced by K1 de Ultimate’s song of the same name.

From big parties in African diaspora communities in Europe and North America to obscure events in the inner city of Ibadan, fújì is a central musical form.

Musicians range from the sophistication of Kollington Ayinla, K1 de Ultimate and Sefiu Alao Adekunle (Baba Oko), among others, to aspiring artists like Muta Jero of Bodija in Ibadan. Fújì draws fans and practitioners not only because of its flexible playing styles, but also because the sound, message and performance connect with people’s everyday realities.

Fújì is how people remember their family stories.

The global audience of the documentary can easily connect with issues that cross cultures, such as the religious origins of the music, the grass-to-grace stories of superstars, love, gender and erotic passion. Similarly, trials, triumphs and tribulations, forgiveness and reconciliation, public politics and protest art, creativity, global travels, fandom and stardom, self-making and identity construction, sickness, death and immortality. It is fújì’s transculturality, which doesn’t lose sight of specific historical and cultural contexts, that fascinates me.

Why did you choose the story of Sikiru Ayinde Barrister?

He pioneered the genre. It’s logical for the first episode of The Fuji Documentary to focus on him. He dominated and defined fújì sound and performance. Even his politics was the most sophisticated. This changed from preaching against bad democratic leadership in 1983, to supporting the military incursion into Nigerian politics in 1984, to protesting against military dictatorship in the 1990s, and extolling democratic principles in the first decade of the 21st century.

His albums such as Nigeria (1983); Military (1984); Current Affairs (1989); The Truth (1994); Precaution (1995); Adieu MKO Abiola (1998); and Democracy (1999) combine all the elements of political theorisations that we find in some of the best works on African politics.

Unlike other musicians who mostly commented on public politics, Ayinde Barrister turned fújì into a political ideology. He did this by creatively tapping into indigenous perspectives on politics to speak to the 20th century crisis of political leadership in Nigeria.

The Fuji Documentary, First Episode: Mr Fuji: Barry Wonder.

What do you want viewers to take from the documentary?

Fújì is more than sound. It’s a way of life for millions of Yoruba people. It’s how they see the world around them.

The first episode preserves the legacies of Barrister through the medium of a film. It connects the public with university-level research or allows academic research to serve public interest. It creates knowledge in new ways and shapes how people remember the past. The Fújì Documentary takes the name of fújì into academic domains where it didn’t exist until now.

To shoot the documentary in public libraries, cultural centres, galleries, art theatres, museums and facilities on university campuses, I wrote formal letters and lobbied to convince people that the story is a collective story that everyone should own. Allowing people to own a narrative doesn’t necessarily mean they are familiar with the narrative — it’s connecting that narrative to what they are familiar with.

When I look at the array of people involved in this first episode, I come to realise that what makes a history public history is not just telling a story that the public can relate to in an accessible manner, but also getting the public to be part of the creation and to own the process.

And the public in this sense is not just one public, but multiple publics who don’t necessarily share the same perspectives about anything. Bringing these multiple publics together to create a single public for the documentary is an unending process.

Saheed Aderinto, Professor of History and African and African Diaspora Studies, Florida International University

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.