I would like to say this was forward to me by a concerned person in the black and latino gay community here is South Florida and i though i would take the opportunity to post transcript of both parties and see does Dwight Powell give a damn about his own community that he lives in instead of ATL where he isnt from. please post comments at the bottom of the article where the lil pencil is. Thanks and good reading people.
I was one of the few black men in the life that participated in both the Miami and Ft. Lauderdale Aids Walk with some of my good friends. When the walk was over we sat back and reflected on this great event. We all wondered why there was very few black people that participated in the walk. And even more, the VOICE of the black/latino population Clik/Sizzle Inc. So, I decided to write Mr. Dwight a letter. My one and only regret was not asking my friends if in fact the word "Colored" (as I thought I heard) was used to define us. I didnt realize how impacting the word "Colored" can upset some people. So, my apologies for possibly misqouting the founder/organizer of Aids Walk Ft. Lauderdale. Since Dwight houses his business in S. FLorida and lives here, I felt it should have been their good part to participate in a local community affair. Im not looking to start anything with him nor am I trying to bring any bad publicity to his company, but I feel deeply that they can learn from this, because I know I did. This is what I wrote Dwight and his response to me:
On 5/2/06 8:37
On Sunday April 30th, I had the privilege, good health and the great company of my most closest friends to endure a 5 K walk along the most beautiful streets of S. Florida, to show our support in the fight against AIDS. As, we all know, it affects the lives of many men, women and innocent children throughout the globe. The day could not have been any better, it was like a tropical vacation advertisement in a magazine. Soft clear blue skies, a wonderful nice breeze and at one point in the walk the view of the ocean. I had a moment where I said to myself that nothing will spoil my day, joining my community on a walk in support of so many people. There were several celebrity speakers & activist and one unforgettable poet (Asha Bandele) who had the entire crowd on there feet giving her a thunderous applause, after one of her magnificent poetry readings. When the founder of AIDS Walk Ft. Lauderdale gave his speech, he said something that woke up the inner thoughts that I had been thinking of in the back of my mind. The founder mentioned that this walk could be more effective but he hears that "colored people are in denial", instantly I applauded that statement. I looked around and said to myself where are the colored people? Where is Sizzle/Clikque? Could it be that everyone is so unraveled by what is going to occur in a few weeks that they could not have taken a half a day to show their support? Sizzle/Clikque offered to be in Atlanta's gay pride and you were not accepted. You fought and spread the word to our community about your disappointment, I supported you sending an email to Donna . So, why did Sizzle/Clikque not participate in an event that took part in their own back yard? An event for the cause in which you are now sending emails to poll on who is responsible for the AIDS epidemic. Which leads me to question your integrity, your reason for being a voice for Black/Latino Gays, Lesbians, Bisexuals and Transgendered in OUR community. Are you for profit gain only or are you truly interested in investing in your support for a cause that ravages our friends and families?I plead with you that you become more involved within our community where you are generating more awareness in this fight; not just in your magazine, but in OUR community locally. I would be more than willing to represent your organization and gather the necessary reinforcements to aid in such a task.Significantly concerned,AngelDwights response:Who are you to question my integrity? You don’t know me or my history. What you are doing now, I’ve done many years ago. I have done my share of community service. Clik Magazine nor Sizzle Miami Inc are community base, non-profit, or charity establishment. Both are businesses. In 2006, you are in support of someone, in a public forum using the word “colored” to reference a group of people is unforgivable. At Clik I produce a monthly lifestyle publication, and have more than enough work that keeps me busy. There are people that do what you do. My responsibility to the Black gay community is to produce the best publication possible. We are not spokes people for our community. You ask why did we not participate. Well for one, I didn’t know about it. And if I didn’t know about it, I am quite sure that many of the other “colored” people didn’t know about it either. However, I am sure that they [organizers] advertised their events in the non-colored publications and in the non-colored communities. Maybe if they did a bit more to reach out to that community [colored], there would be more support. This year we will have a team for AID Atlanta – they sought us out and asked us to participate. I put the message of HIV/AIDS out there in each of my magazine. Without being too preachy, we do what we can to help get the information around.You mentioned my poll on the site. Yes we do care, our June issue is dedicated to HIV/AIDS and Phil Wilson from the Black AIDS Institute is on the cover. The poll is just one of a few topics in the magazine. You see you are barking up the wrong tree. Next time you want to deal with an issue with me, let me suggest that you use a phone. Yes, Sizzle is about business, that’s it. All about business. Showing our guest a great time while here in Miami and making money like most businesses attempt to do... Like you are attempting to do on Fridays and in your other ventures.I have done the AIDS WALK thing, I have done the community thing, and like I said I am not an activist, nor do I care to be one. I am a businessman with goals of producing a quality publication and events. You do your job and I will do mine. Please NO NOT EVER refer to me as “colored people” again. You don’t know me like that.Dwight--
Dwight Powell, Promoter
Telephone 954-455-3394
http://www.sizzle2006.com
dpowell@sizzlemiami.com
Office Address
Sizzle Miami Inc.
1001 North Federal Hwy
Suite 305
Hallandale Beach, FL 33009
Controversy with AIDS WALK Ft.Lauderdale 2006 and Sizzle Inc.