Priceless Vol 11 Number 3


Personal and Professional Empowerment www.hamptonroadsmessenger.com


The beauty of the 'Battle of the Bay '


Page 9


Caucus supports efforts of developer Bruce Smith for inclusion in Virginia Beach


Community unites for Hampton University


Page 6


Free December 2016 Serving Norfolk, Portsmouth, Chesapeake, Hampton, Newport News, Suffolk, and Virginia Beach since 2006


Local owners celebrate 50 years in business


Page 8


Loved by those who mattered, Fidel Castro dies at 90


Developer Bruce Smith speaks to press and minority business owners about points outlined in a letter he wrote to Virginia Beach's mayor. Read Smith's letter at hamptonroadsmessenger.com. Photo: A. Bruce Williams


BY CHRIS PARKS Black


The Virginia Legislative Caucus


released statement support for Virginia a


announcing its Beach


resident and developer Bruce Smith. The NFL hall of famer recently Virginia


wrote a letter


is African American. The VLBC release the


in support of Smith: The


Virginia Legislative Black Caucus supports the efforts of Bruce Smith as he seeks redress in the City of Virginia Beach regarding disparity in oceanfront development opportunities. In a letter to the mayor and other city officials, Mr. Smith


raised issues relative


and meaningful questions and


pertinent to


the


city's willingness to engage in business with minority developers and contractors,


to Beach mayor, Will


Sessoms questioning if he was shut out of doing business in Virginia


Beach because he following


notably on the oceanfront. The response was a deflection and claim that Virginia Beach is open and welcoming to diversity


and receptive to


minority businesses. Yet, the City of Virginia Beach chooses not to do a disparity study which would demonstrate just how welcoming the city the really is.


The City of Virginia


Beach has fallen below its own established goal of ten percent in awarding minority owned business contracts in fiscal year 2016. Thus, Bruce Smith is right regarding equitable


to contractual raise


the fairness and distribution


questions of


opportunities in


the city, especially given his own attempts over the years to do business with the city. The VLBC recognizes Mr. Smith's business acumen and appreciates and supports his efforts to bring this matter to the attention of the public.


This Edition’s Highlights


Health Editorial Your Opinion Matters Hampton Roads Upcoming Events Scholarships Watch


Public housing to be smoke free 5


Why we can 'keep calm and carry on' when Trump is President 4 6


How the Old Dominion spurs new technology 189 new jobs are coming to Hampton Shiloh's Christmas Jubilee Concert Dell Scholars Program Class of 2016


12 13 11


Losing a job is stressful, plain and


simple. Looking for a new one is no easy task either, especially if you worry about how to pay the bills. But take a deep breath. Here are some tips to help you get back on your feet professionally and financially.


Look to your employer for help. Your company may offer a range of services, from


workshops to retooling your resume to classes on how to look for jobs.


Contact your State Unemployment


Insurance Office for information about applying for unemployment insurance benefits in your state.


Make a budget. Add up your monthly JOB LOSS PAGE 14


Fidel Castro fought for the disenfranchised throughout the world. In Africa, he sent troops to free those still oppressed under colonialism. Above Castro chats with Nelson Mandela after addressing the South African Parliament on September 4, 1998. Mandela visited Cuba and Castro when he was released from prison. Castro was one of the first world leaders to oppose apartheid before it was popular to do so. He said Mandela was a "source of inspiration to all freedom-loving people." Photo: Reuters


The Cuban President Fidel Castro was loved and respected by the people who knew him best. His list of admirers ranged from the Cuban people who received free health care, free education, free utilities,


and freedom from discrimination --to world leaders.


Castro offered free medical training to people of color in the United States. He offered to send doctors and other personnel to New Orleans to assist with recovery from Katrina. Cuban citizens were always protected during natural disasters. These are just a few of the


CASTRO PAGE 14


Dealing with job loss: How to keep your head above water


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