http://www.dbcflorida.org/blog/rss/feedsThe Democratic Black Caucus of Florida was established in 1983, to unite and increase the political power for Black Democrats who went unnoticed.Fri, 01 May 2026 18:35:57 -0700http://www.dbcflorida.org/blog/post/ap-was-there-the-assassination-of-martin-luther-king-jr-we-remember-the-life-of-the-civil-rights-leaderhttp://www.dbcflorida.org/blog/post/ap-was-there-the-assassination-of-martin-luther-king-jr-we-remember-the-life-of-the-civil-rights-leaderMEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — In the spring of 1968, the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. had won victories on desegregation and voting rights and had been planning his Poor People’s Campaign when he turned his attention to Memphis, the gritty city by the Mississippi River. In his support for striking sanitation workers, King wanted to lead marches and show that nonviolent protest still worked. But on April 4, at the city’s Lorraine Motel, he would be fatally shot. Here are three stories from The Associated Press coverage of the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. KING ASSASSINATED By Doug Stone MEMPHIS, TENN., APRIL 4 (AP)_Nobel Laureate Martin Luther King Jr., father of nonviolence in the American civil rights movement, was killed by an assassin’s bullet Thursday night. King, 39, was hit in the neck by a bullet as he stood on the balcony of a motel here. He died less than an hour later in St. Joseph’s Hospital. Gov. Buford Ellington immediately ordered 4,000 National Guard troops back into the city. A curfew, which was clamped on Memphis after a Kingled march turned into a riot a week ago, was reimposed. Police said incidents of violence, including several firebombings, were reported following King’s death. The 1964 Nobel Peace Prize winner was standing on the balcony of his motel here, where he had come to lead protests in behalf of the city’s 1,300 striking garbage workers, most of them Negroes, when he was shot. Two unidentified men who were arrested were released several hours later. Download pdfTue, 18 Apr 2023 22:26:00 -0700http://www.dbcflorida.org/blog/post/christian-worship-center-dedicates-new-computer-labhttp://www.dbcflorida.org/blog/post/christian-worship-center-dedicates-new-computer-labBY LOUIS C. WARD LEESBURG - Youth and adults who do not have access to a laptop computer will now be able to sign up for computer use at Christian Worship Center’s (CWC) new Computer Lab, where 10 brand new Lenovo desktop computers and keyboards will be available for their use thanks to a partnership between Christian Worship Center and Peacock Capital, a “forward thinking real estate investment and advisory firm focused on acquiring, renovating, building, and operating neighborhood multifamily properties in Central Florida.” The new computers were installed Tuesday at CWC’s Leesburg Campus at 1414 West Main Street. John Christian, Senior Pastor of CWC, officiated over the Dedication Ceremony Wednesday, March 22, 2023 while Kenneth Polsinelli, managing partner at Peacock Capital, Mina Robinson, a consultant, Mike Pederson, Leesburg, City Commissioner, Nathaniel Sanders, Polemarch of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, other civic and community leaders looked on with agreement forthe positive investment for residents of the Leesburg community. The partnership between CWC and Peacock Capital is nothing but a plus for our community, and the community has already benefited with the installation of 10 new computers with keyboards, said Pastor Christian. “There are many residents that do not have computer access when they have to apply for jobs, housing, or have to complete school assignments. Now, they can come to our church, CWC, and get that access.” Download pdfTue, 18 Apr 2023 22:21:00 -0700http://www.dbcflorida.org/blog/post/mlk-jr-from-page-a1http://www.dbcflorida.org/blog/post/mlk-jr-from-page-a1MLK, JR. FROM PAGE A1 through the stunned city, Negroes in scattered areas also looted stores, stoned police and firetrucks and tossed several firebombs. Two policemen were injured, mainly by flying glass when a shotgun blast broke their windshield. Four hours after King died, the city was quieting some, but police still reported sporadic outbreaks. Police also said they found a 30.05 rifle on Main Street about one block from the motel, but it was not confirmed whether this was the weapon that killed King. An aide who was standing nearby said the shot hit King in the neck and lower right part of his face. “Martin Luther King is dead,” said Assistant Police Chief Henry Lux, the first word of the death. Assistant Hospital Administrator Paul Hess confirmed later that King died at 7 p.m. of a bullet wound in the neck. The Rev. Jesse Jackson said he and others in the King party were getting ready to go to dinner when the shooting occurred. “King was on the second-floor balcony of the motel,” Jackson said. “He had just bent over. If he had been standing up, he wouldn’t have been hit in the face.” King had just told Ben Branch: “My man, be sure to sing ‘Blessed Lord’ tonight, and sing it well.” A shot then rang out, Jackson said. Jackson said the only sound King uttered after that was, “Oh!” Download pdfTue, 18 Apr 2023 22:15:00 -0700http://www.dbcflorida.org/blog/post/democratic-black-caucus-of-florida-elects-new-executive-officers-with-promises-to-rebuild-rebrand-the-political-organizationhttp://www.dbcflorida.org/blog/post/democratic-black-caucus-of-florida-elects-new-executive-officers-with-promises-to-rebuild-rebrand-the-political-organizationBY LOUIS C. WARD CENTRAL FLORIDA - Trevor Mallory is the new president of the Democratic Black Caucus of Florida (DBCF), a political organization representing almost 2 million African Americans in the sunshine state. Mallory, 49, a former president of Pinellas County Democratic Black Caucus, won 60 percent of the vote at its Zoom election held Saturday, June 5th, 2021. “We must change our approach to rebuild, rebrand, and reestablish the culture of this organization to make sure we garner the respect we deserve,” stated President Elect Mallory, who seemed very aware of what the immediate objectives of the political organization should be. President Mallory understands the power that the DBCF can wield when it’s organized and the executive committee is partnering and consistently communicating with other organizations to create one powerful force. “By improving the relationship with our leadership in the legislative and Congressional Black Caucus we can strengthen our ability to impact policy change,” emphasized President Mallory, a community activist of Pinellas County Download DBCF.PdfTue, 08 Jun 2021 14:46:00 -0700http://www.dbcflorida.org/blog/post/democratic-black-caucus-florida--floridas-democratic-black-caucus-supports-kamala-harris-as-vice-president-on-democratic-team-for-presidencyhttp://www.dbcflorida.org/blog/post/democratic-black-caucus-florida--floridas-democratic-black-caucus-supports-kamala-harris-as-vice-president-on-democratic-team-for-presidencyFor Immediate Release: Thursday, August 14th, 2020 For More Information: 352 552-7540 The Democratic Black Caucus of Florida (DBCFlorida) acknowledges the high caliber of successful, intelligent, and experienced candidates from which Joe Biden selected a vice president. It definitely took a lot of thought, time, interviews and discussions with his selection committee. His announcement on Tuesday, August 12, that California U.S. Senator Kamala Harris was his running mate was a good choice and Lydia Hudson, President of Democratic Black Caucus Florida, expresses her thoughts on the Democratic Team for the presidency. President Lydia Hudson said, “Joe Biden’s selection of California’s U.S. Senator Kamala Harris, a Black and Asian woman as his vice president, is historic, and the Democratic Black Caucus of Florida (DBCFlorida) is proud of our future president Joe Biden, who kept his word to choose a woman as his running mate.” “Kamala Harris was a good choice. Kamala Harris is a HBCU graduate, a member of AKA sorority, former California attorney general, a stepmom, a proven leader and a tough, strategic fighter for the people.” President Hudson continued. “Is there any wonder why we have already noticed the increased enthusiasm that Kamala Harris’s selection has created among black voters? “Our presumptive nominee has already provided insight into some of his plans for his first day when he’s elected, which include the coronavirus battered economy, getting the virus under control and getting an economic recovery bill passed. Kamala is already showing she will partner with Joe Biden to govern and help him to bring our country back from the chaos and division that Trump created to normalcy, power and respect,” emphasized President Hudson. “Now is the right time for a Black woman to be on a national ticket. There’s a national movement to change leadership in America. People of all races, genders, religions, and sexual identities are protesting against systemic racism, police brutality, injustice and inequality,” revealed President Hudson. When asked what about those who wanted a different person as VP, President Hudson responded "all of the candidates were qualified. Ultimately it was Joe Biden's decision and we should trust him. Now we must all come together and dump Trump. The reality is that another four years of Donald Trump’s leadership will ruin this country. So, I urge all people, Democrats, Republicans, Independents, progressives, conservatives, liberals, moderates and whoever to put aside personal differences and get on board if you want America to be a respected leading world power again.” “We’re going to win in November because we’re riding with Biden. Vote for Joe Biden and Kamala Harris in November 2020,” concluded President Hudson. Wed, 12 Aug 2020 14:55:00 -0700http://www.dbcflorida.org/blog/post/democratic-black-caucus-florida-commemorates-representative-john-lewis--rev-ct-vivian--warriors-for-civil-rightshttp://www.dbcflorida.org/blog/post/democratic-black-caucus-florida-commemorates-representative-john-lewis--rev-ct-vivian--warriors-for-civil-rightsFor Immediate Release: Monday, 7/20/20 For Information: 352 552-7540 Democratic Black Caucus of Florida President Lydia Hudson recognizes the recent deaths of two of our country’s greatest fighters for civil rights and equal and fair justice: U.S. Congressman John Lewis and Cordy Tindell “C. T.” Vivian. Both legends of the state of Georgia, Congressman John Lewis was 80 years old and Minister C. T. Vivian was 95. President Hudson issued the following statement: “Friday, July 17th, 2020 was a sad day for the struggle for civil rights and equal and fair justice,” said a mournful President Hudson. “The nation and the Black community have lost two glorious warriors. Congressman Lewis and Rev Vivian marched and protested with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and both were called home to glory within hours of each other.” Dubbed “the conscience of the U.S. Congress”, Representative Lewis was serving his 17th term in Congress,” continued President Hudson“A great orator with a sense of moral obligation, we could always count on Representative Lewis to keep it real. He publicly called Trump an “illegitimate president” before he even took office, citing Russian interference in the 2016 election.” President Hudson said, “Rev. C.T. Vivian helped galvanize support for the struggle for civil rights after he organized a march in Selma, Alabama. He also registered Black people to vote, telling Sheriff Jim Clark, who blocked the group, “We will register to vote because as citizens of the United States we have a right to do it.” The images of Sheriff Clark beating Rev. Vivian until blood dropped off his chin was picked up by rolling cameras, and as we know today, it went viral" Concluding, President Hudson stated, “President Barack Obama bestowed the President’s Medal of Freedom on Representative John Lewis in 2011 and Rev. C. T. Vivian in 2013. John Lewis and C. T. Vivian leave a legacy. They may be gone but their Spirits will help continue the fight for equal justice for all.” The Democratic Black Caucus of Florida (DBCF)’s main purpose is to elect Democrats to the state’s legislature and support Democratic values and legislation that improves the lives of Floridians.Tue, 21 Jul 2020 14:55:00 -0700http://www.dbcflorida.org/blog/post/intersection-democratic-black-caucus-of-florida-president-henry-crespo-srhttp://www.dbcflorida.org/blog/post/intersection-democratic-black-caucus-of-florida-president-henry-crespo-srhttps://www.wmfe.org/intersection-democratic-black-caucus-of-florida-president-henry-crespo-sr/68129 Sun, 05 Nov 2017 13:58:00 -0700http://www.dbcflorida.org/blog/post/democratic-black-caucus-of-florida-to-host-fdp-chair-candidate-meetinghttp://www.dbcflorida.org/blog/post/democratic-black-caucus-of-florida-to-host-fdp-chair-candidate-meetinghttps://www.washingtoninformer.com/democratic-black-caucus-of-florida-to-host-fdp-chair-candidate-meeting/ Tue, 10 Jan 2017 13:59:00 -0700