NAACP Town Hall in Callaway, “A Conversation Addressing Inequities & Disparities

CALLAWAY, FL - Mrs. Frances Gordon welcomed dignitaries and elected officials to the Bay County Branch NAACP (BCBN) Town Hall, on March 11th, at Love Center Missionary Baptist Church, and said that we must have God in the right place, that we must unite.

Dr. Adora Obi Nweze, President of Florida State Conference, NAACP, was presented with a key to Panama City by Janice Lucas, Commissioner, Ward 2, who said that she has heard Dr. Nweze say many times, “Wrong is Wrong and we must fight because everyone deserves to be free in this country.” She told Dr. Nweze, “It is my pleasure this evening to thank you and ask that, when you come again, use your key.”

Mayor Pamn Henderson, City of Callaway, accompanied by Callaway Commissioner Bob Pelletier, presented a Proclamation by the City of Callaway to Dr. Adora Obi Nweze, formerly known as Johnnie R. McMillan, declaring March 11th to be “Johnnie R. McMillian Day,” recognizing her work in civil rights, leadership, and humanitarian areas.

Mr. Matthew W. Shack, Sr., Chair, Civic Engagement Committee, BCBN, an engaging historian of Black History, gave a moving snapshot of history. He said that in 1941, Florida was the first state in the nation to form an NAACP state conference. This June, BCBN will celebrate 80 years as a certified branch. He said that the branch was formed in response to the Ku Klux Klan marching in white sheets down what is now MLK Boulevard. Mr. Shack asked everyone to, “Join us because we have a lot of work to do. You’re already members, you just haven’t paid your dues. Please participate.”

Topic 1, “Health,” was addressed by Ms. Kristy Johnson, Bay County Health Department, Minority Health Liaison, who said they are trying to identify ways to combat health disparities and to make the county better for everyone. Her job is to ensure that she does not create any disparities for any “minority” group, whether the people are elderly or children, aged zero to 100.

The department’s Health Equity Team identified five top priorities of mental health, intentional self-harm and substance use, access to care, transportation, and housing. In response to a disparity in diabetes, they are doing diabetes education and are working with the University of Florida to conduct adult cooking classes so that people can cook and eat healthy food. They are trying to get more services into the county to address mental health, self-harm, and substance use in NW Florida. To improve access to care, Uber Health direct passes are available, allowing Uber to pick a person up and bring them back, so they don’t have to sit at a bus stop for hours. All-day Bayway passes are available, with 360 given to Bay District Schools for parents to use. These passes allow a person to go to the doctor, then to the grocery store, their church, a pharmacy, their kid’s school, etc., all on the same day. Avicenna Health Care and the LEAD Coalition also have passes for clients. To address housing issues, the Health Equity Task Force is trying to find a way to put a cap on what landlords can charge for rent and they are educating people about the available programs.

Ms. Johnson said that Glenwood has been a food desert since Hurricane Michael, meaning access to food is difficult, so they are working to bring farmer’s markets to within walking distance of the area, and working diligently to enable farmer’s markets to accept SNAP benefits. Tanya’s Garden already accepts SNAP benefits and has trolley stops near her stand.

Topic 2, “Criminal Justice,” was presented by two individuals who are passionate about helping kids in our schools. Mr. Ed Bell, representing Mr. Larry Basford, State Attorney, 14th Judicial Circuit; and Captain Myron Guilford, Community Service Division, Bay County Sheriff’s Office.

Mr. Bell, always an energetic presenter, said that at the State Attorney’s Office, “We take care of the victim, and we take care of the defendant.” We give our funds to the victim, but I make sure, as a probation officer, that you do what you’re supposed to do with the $2,500 that came out of taxpayers’ pockets. He insists, “You have to get involved.” You have to go to school board meetings, City Commission meetings, and County Commission meetings. “It’s not about color. It’s about heart.”

Captain Myron Guilford gave an informative talk about school resource deputies in middle and high schools. He said that there are twenty-one (21) school resource deputies, 2 in each high school and 1 in each middle school, 9 chaplains, and others, plus all the volunteers at the Sheriff’s office. They have taken the role of community partnership and need more involvement from the community. He said that the more kids see positive role models in the schools, the less likely they will have a bad outcome. When selecting young deputies as school resources deputies, he looks for those who have an investment in our schools and our kids. If they don’t have that commitment to the program, they’re not allowed to join. There are black male officers in key positions in the Sheriff’s office, who also work with community involvement. Since it’s hard to get people into law enforcement, they need people to help recruit young men.

Dr. Nweze challenged attendees to stop making excuses, stop saying that you don’t have time or don’t have money, or that people need to take care of their own children. The problem is that people are NOT taking care of their children. They have to depend on all of us to help.

Dr. Nweze said that one way to help is to get out and VOTE in November, that you have a right to ask for more, that you have got to demand it. People are needed who will come out here to the community, to bring services out here, who can make the changes, make a difference, who will put people on the ground, to come here and talk to you about what you need.