Vaccinations provided at East Gainesville Church
By Voleer Thomas
Residents had the opportunity to get their first or second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.
“We believe that the sooner we get vaccinated, the sooner we get together for in-person gathering,” said COGBF Pastor Dr. Erta Livingston of Gainesville Church of God by Faith. “It will be very good to communicate with one another in fellowship.”
With that spirit in mind, residents had the opportunity to get their first or second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine Saturday at Gainesville Church of God by Faith, 735 SE 15th St. that was distributed by staff from University of Florida’s Medicine Mobile Outreach Clinic.
50th anniversary of Black Thursday at UF recognized
By Voleer Thomas
The University of Florida celebrated and discussed the historical, cultural and institutional impact of a protest that shaped the Black community on campus.
This year marks the 50th anniversary of Black Thursday which happened on April 15, 1971 when 70 students marched into President Stephen C. O’Connell’s office with a list of demands, including having the university address the shortage of Black faculty and students at UF.
“What I admired most about the students who protested 50 years ago was their courage of conviction.,” said David A. Canton, Ph.D., director of African American studies at UF. “Many of the students paid the ultimate sacrifice when they withdrew from UF. The students protesting at UF were part of an international movement for freedom and equality.
Business promotes travel diversity
A consultancy was created to help travel brands serve a more diverse group of travelers through its tourism marketing efforts and staff training.
Gainesville-based and female founder, Courtnie Nichols, launched Compass Collective in January to work with travel brands to authentically connect with Black travelers.
“The travel community has a diversity problem,” Nichols said. “There was something I can do in the space I’m in. I wanted to create a bridge for more diversity.”
Nichols’ love for travel led her to take her passion full-time.
Since her first solo flight at age 10, she has lived in Europe and explored the world.
Dozens of people celebrated the birth of their savior on the weekend before Christmas.
PASSAGE Family Church hosted “Christmas in the Park” at Oak Tree Academy located at 1414 NE 23rd Ave. to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ with songs, dancing and prizes. The academy is operated by PASSAGE.
The event was a drive-in concert on the field east of the academy to ensure that attendees socially distanced in their cars.
Senior Pastor George B. Dix, co-pastor and co-founder of the church with his wife Lady Michele Dix, said the church normally hosts the Christmas cantata in the sanctuary but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, coordinators scheduled the celebration to be hosted outside.
Christmas bikes instead of Christmas songs is how a local internet radio station helped residents get in the holiday spirit.
SoulNet WKDH, a southeast Gainesville-based internet radio station, hosted a bike giveaway at the Goodbike Trailside Bike Shop located at 210 NW Tenth Ave. on Saturday.
SoulNet WKDH General Manager Kenneth Harden said he created the giveaway to help lift the spirits of children this holiday season, especially during the pandemic.
“With the COVID-19 pandemic and people being out of work, we’re trying to help the community,” Harden said. “Parents may be out of work and may not have the support to pay for a bike.”