From l to r; Sheilah Belle, Freezy, Tracy Martin, Sybrina Fulton, (Trayvon Martin’s parents), Flo Rida, Michel Brown’s father, Michael Brown Sr., Mrs. Brown,
Pastor Carlton Lee and Mrs. Lee and Apostle Veryl Howard
(Photo credit: aFreemanPhotography)
By Sheilah Belle
TBR — While America, the land of the FREE, is once again forced to deal with reality, RACISM, along with creditable evidence, thanks to today’s technology that makes it extremely impossible to ignore, there is one community that has taken a different approach in speaking out.
Thanks to the concert host IMG International Music Group and visionary, Platinum Artist Rapper Flo Rider, the Miami Gardens Community in Ft. Lauderdale was treated to an outdoor concert that included some of the biggest names in Gospel. The idea was birthed by “Flo Rida” and his team as a way to give back to the community and stop the youth violence.
This year’s lineup included LeAndria Johnson, J Moss & 21:03 and their ALL GIRL BAND, Michelle Williams, Wess Morgan, Casy J, Tye Tribbett, Brian Courtney Wilson, Kierra Sheard, Ruth LaOntra, Prosperity and many more.
Michelle Williams
J Moss
(Photo credit: The Belle Report)
Earlier this year, the rappers foundation “Big Dreams for Kids” sponsored 7,000 students with the Florida Youth football team and cheerleaders. Each year the foundation also supplies back to school bags and equipment for underprivileged youth in hopes of them fulfilling their dreams. Murder and dream snatchers are not an option with this team.
The 3rd Annual Gospel Explosion Concert took place at the Betty Ferguson Recreation Complex in Miami Gardens in Ft. Lauderdale.
During the middle of the event, the atmosphere shifted as Apostle Veryl Howard and other supporters of the event, came together for a special prayer over the parents of Michael Brown and Trayvon Martin, who were all in attendance. Apostle Howard also prayed a special prayer over Flo Rida, who was moved by the success of the event, marking his third Gospel Explosion for the Community.
Trayvon Martin’s parents also took some time out to talk to Michael Brown Sr., and offered words of encouragement.
This meeting of the two parents actually marked the second time that they had met. The first time was at Brown’s funeral.
Much controversy, along with protests, riots and event arrests has swirled about following the fatal death of 18 year-old Michael Brown. Brown was gunned down with six bullets, hitting him four times in the arm, once in the left eye and a final blow to his brain by Ferguson, Missouri Police Officer Darren Wilson.
However it was on last Monday when a grand jury in Missouri decided that the fatal shots that took Brown’s life, who was unarmed, was justified by a white police officer and as a result, will not be charged. Incidentally the 12 members of the grand jury included 9 whites and 3 Blacks, and 9 votes is what was needed to make the final decision.
As a result, millions of people watching, listening, waiting and finally hearing the results late on Monday night were in total disagreement with the grand jury’s decision. Following have been debates, outrage, protests, riots, destroyed businesses, and another policeman who has taken a young man’s life, now walking the streets as a free man. This time he is Officer Darren Wilson.
Amazingly, while Officer Wilson was facing charges and was said to be deeply concerned about his life, he found time to get married only one week before the grand jury made its decision. Additionally it was on Saturday, November 29, 2014 when news broke that Wilson had turned in his letter of resignation. However let us not forget, there had been news reports already swirling in the air, weeks prior, that Wilson would be resigning.
According to many though, had the prosecutor in the case, made a serious effort to prosecute Officer Wilson, the country would not be dealing with such a serious racial divide that is evidently still prevalent.
When we here at The Belle Report, spoke directly to Michael Brown’s father about how he was dealing with everything he said, “It’s going to take some time.” That time will also include two on going investigations by the Justice Department into the August 9th shooting, including if Wilson should face civil rights charges and a closer look at the Ferguson Police Department practices.
May we continue to keep these families and our country in prayer.
Courtesy of http://www.thebellereport.com http://www.twitter.com/thebellereport http://www.youtube.com/thebelletv
Gospel Explosion 2014 and Prayer Vigil with Special Guests; Michael Brown’s Father and the Parents of Trayvon Martin was originally published on praiserichmond.com
