Florida Sentinel Bulletin

Cur’Dericka Rice

Nationwide — Cur’Dericka Rice, a 17-year-old African American girl from Monroe, Louisiana, graduated valedictorian with a perfect 4.0 GPA and a remarkable 33 on her ACT. What’s more, she earned nearly $1 million in scholarships from 13 universities.

Rice attributes her success to the support and guidance of her teachers and parents.

“Walking into college, goals that I have are just to keep my head on straight and continue to make the people around me proud. But, as far as academics, I’m just up for the challenge because I’m ready to be challenged, and do the best that I can,” Rice told KNOE.

In the fall of 2024, Rice will begin her college career at Louisiana Tech University, where she plans to pursue a degree in chemical engineering. Her ambition is driven by a desire to combat environmental pollution and minimize its impacts.

Moreover, Rice encourages others to chase their dreams no matter what.

“Even if you don’t think it’s possible, you should still strive to excel and go beyond whatever the goal may be, because you never know what you can do. If you doubt yourself and count yourself out you won’t even be able to live up to that potential because you didn’t even try,” Rice said.

As she prepares for college, Rice looks forward to tackling the challenges ahead and continuing her academic success.

Kechi Okwuchi

Nationwide — Meet Kechi Okwuchi, a survivor of a devastating plane crash in Nigeria, who years later, successfully earned her Master of Business Administration (MBA) with distinction. Despite enduring severe burns covering much of her body, Okwuchi defied the odds and pursued her education with determination.

On December 10, 2005, a tragic plane crash caused the death of 107 out of 109 passengers. Okwuchi, only 16 at the time, sustained third-degree burns over 65% of her body and had only a 30% chance of survival.

Okwuchi was airlifted to Milpark Hospital in South Africa for urgent medical care, and later to Shriners Hospitals for Children in Texas, where she underwent more than 100 surgeries to reconstruct her injuries.

Wealthy white Baton Rouge residents have won a decade-long court battle to split from poorer neighborhoods and form their own city with plans for better schools and less crime.

The Louisiana Supreme Court ruled on Friday that the new City of St George could move forward with incorporation, splitting off from the rest of Baton Rouge.

St George will have 86,000 residents across a 60-square-mile area in the southeast of East Baton Rouge Parish and will have its own Mayor and city council.

Supporters of the new city say that the existing city-parish government is poorly run, with high crime rates and bad schools.

Opponents say the movement is ‘racist’ and will create a ‘white enclave’ as it separates a wealthy area of the city from the majority Black city and school district.

St George (pictured) will become a separate city to Baton Rouge

Another day, another recall.

The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced Wednesday that more than 16,000 pounds of ground beef sold at Walmart stores has been recalled over potential E. coli contamination.

Kansas-based Cargill Meat Solutions has issued a recall of approximately 16,243 raw ground beef packages shipped to Walmart locations in Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Hampshire, North Carolina, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Vermont, Washington D.C., and West Virginia.

“Out of an abundance of caution and in coordination with the USDA, we have voluntarily recalled approximately 16,000 pounds of our ground beef products that may potentially be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7,” Cargill said in a statement to USA Today. “No illnesses have been reported.”

The recalled products (below) all bear an establishment ID of “EST. 86P” and were produced between April 26 and 27.

• “93% LEAN 7% FAT ALL NATURAL LEAN GROUND BEEF”
• “PRIME RIB BEEF STEAK BURGERS PATTIES”
• “85% LEAN 15% FAT ALL NATURAL ANGUS PREMIUM GROUND BEEF”
• “80% LEAN 20% FAT ALL NATURAL GROUND BEEF CHUCK”
• “80% LEAN 20% FAT ALL NATURAL GROUND BEEF CHUCK PATTIES”
• “90% LEAN 10% FAT ALL NATURAL GROUND BEEF SIRLOIN PATTIES”

Nationwide — LM Flowers and her sister, Skie Harris have made history as the founders of Sis Art, the first woman-owned and artist-owned manufacturer of art supplies in the United States of America. Their journey, which commenced in 2019, has completely reshaped the landscape of the art supply industry.

Sis Art is an art supply brand that has become synonymous with innovation and quality among a growing number of artists. The sisters introduced paint brushes designed for lasting comfort, heavy paints with rich pigmentation, and art pads that complement every stroke. However, what truly sets them apart is their unique creations: the travel watercolor kit, the ‘Melanin’ pigment line celebrating diverse skin tones named after women whom they considered heroes, or the ergonomically designed Krayoni crayons. These products weren’t just tools; they were statements of empowerment and artistic freedom.

Learn more about their company via the official website at SisArtPaints.com

Also, be sure to follow their brand on Instagram @sis.artsupply

For press inquiries or media interviews, contact info@sisartpaints.com

Frank E. Tyson 

The family of an Ohio man who died while in police custody has retained legal representation as bodycam footage of the incident has been released to the public. The last words Frank E. Tyson uttered are eerily similar to those of George Floyd when he was killed by police in 2020 — “I can’t breathe.”

Tyson passed away on April 18 following his interaction with members of the Canton police force. Officers were called to the American Veterans (AMVETS) Post 124 social club after reports that the local resident had fled the scene of a crash. He is alleged to have knocked down a nearby utility pole. During an attempt to apprehend him, the man was involved in a scuffle with the arresting officers.

In the footage, the man was heard yelling “They’re trying to kill me” and “call the sheriff” before he was handcuffed and pinned face down on the ground. He repeatedly told the men, “I can’t breathe” and “you’re on my neck” as one law enforcement member was shown kneeling on his upper body. Once subdued, the 53-year-old cried out “I can’t breathe” once more and was told, “You’re fine. Shut the f**k up.”