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Florida Senators Book, Thompson, Jones, Osgood, Powell React to New Black History Standards

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Tallahassee, Fla. – This week, the Florida Board of Education approved new Black history standards that will now include instruction on “how slaves developed skills which, in some instances, could be applied for their personal benefit.”

Senate Democratic Leader Lauren Book (D-Davie) – ‘These new African-American history standards approved by the Board of Education unacceptably skew the darkest points of the history of our nation and state — forcing schools to misinform students about horrific realities of slavery. What’s next? Suggesting some Jews benefitted from the Holocaust by learning perseverance from their trauma? We cannot spin these atrocities and must instead name them for what they are: black spots in history which we must learn from and must never repeat.

    This implementation of the misguided so-called ‘Stop WOKE Act’ runs at odds with actual history. I was proud to stand with my colleagues in the Black Caucus to sponsor a bill ensuring the truth about the Ocoee massacre is taught in Florida schools — but this new rule denies those victims of segregation and racism in the Jim Crow South any justice or recognition. We have unacceptably taken several steps back in history.’

    Senator Geraldine Thompson (D-Orlando) offered her own testimony during the Board of Education’s public comment at the meeting, saying, “If I were still a professor…I would give this a grade of ‘I’ for ‘Incomplete’. It recognizes that we have made an effort, we have taken a step, however, this history needs to be comprehensive, it needs to be authentic, and it needs additional work.

    In 2020 the Legislature passed a bill championed by former Senator Randolph Bracy, Leader Book and Senator Geraldine Thompson to begin the process to add the Ocoee Election Day massacre to Florida’s K-12 education curriculum. On the impact of these new standards to the teaching of the Ocoee Massacre, Thompson said, “When you look at the history currently it suggests that the [Ocoee] massacre was sparked by violence from African Americans. That’s blaming the victim, when in fact it was other individuals who came into the Black Community and killed individuals, and burned homes, schools, lodges, etc. So we want to tell the whole story.”

    After releasing a statement on the Florida Department of Education “whitewashing African American history and chipping away at LGBTQ+ youth safety in schools”, Senator Shevrin Jones (D-Miami Gardens) was featured on MSNBC’s Katy Tur Reports, saying, “The Florida Department of Education has set our state back years with the passage of these new education guidelines…Slavery was NOT a benefit to the enslaved. If we want to teach accurate African-American studies, don’t start our history at slavery. Talk about the land we were taken from – where we were kings and queens and owned land. I was a teacher for nearly a decade and I can tell you, teachers are not indoctrinating students. Teachers are teaching what the truth is, which we should be teaching children when they come into the classroom. That’s not ‘woke-ism’. That’s called history and that’s called facts.”

    Other responses by members of the Senate Democratic Caucus include an appearance by Senator Rosalind Osgood (D-Tamarac) on CBS News Miami to share her thoughts on what Black history education in Florida should include and Senator Bobby Powell (D-West Palm Beach) joining elected officials in a town hall this weekend in Haverhill to discuss, in part, the new education standards.

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    Business

    Florida National News YouTube Channel Surpasses 1 Million Views, Matches Facebook’s 1M Milestone in 2025

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    ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN) — Florida National News (FNN) has reached a major digital milestone, surpassing 1 million views on a 20-minute YouTube video, marking a significant moment in the network’s continued audience growth and online impact.

    The video has shown renewed momentum over time, trending twice—first in August 2017 and again in April 2026, when it gained an additional 470,000 views.

    Florida National News (FNN) continues to experience a strong and steady rise in digital viewership across its social media platforms, including YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram. Audiences are increasingly engaging with FNN’s trusted news coverage, community storytelling, and original video content.

    On February 12, 2025, FNN also surpassed 1 million views on Facebook, with a 30-second video reaching over 1.2 million views, further highlighting the network’s expanding digital footprint.

    Today, both FNN’s YouTube and Facebook platforms have achieved million-viewer status, solidifying FNN’s position as a growing digital news leader.

    This milestone reflects FNN’s expanding reach and impact, connecting with millions of viewers and delivering content that informs, engages, and empowers communities.

    VIEWERSHIP MILESTONE SIGNALS EXPANDING DIGITAL REACH

    FNN officials say the 1 million-view benchmark represents more than just a number — it signals growing trust and interest from audiences across Florida and the nation.

    While individual FNN videos have consistently generated tens of thousands — and in some cases hundreds of thousands — of views, surpassing the 1 million mark underscores a broader trend of rising visibility and relevance in a competitive digital media landscape.

    The network’s Instagram platform has also seen strong performance, recently exceeding 350,000 views, further reinforcing FNN’s multi-platform growth strategy.

    WHAT’S NEXT FOR FNN?

    Building on this momentum, FNN plans to:

    • Expand original video programming and live coverage
    • Increase audience engagement across all social platforms
    • Strengthen partnerships and community-based storytelling
    • Accelerate growth toward the next milestone beyond 1 million views

    Network leaders say the goal is not just higher numbers, but deeper impact — connecting with audiences in meaningful ways while continuing to grow as a trusted digital news source.

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    Entertainment

    Orlando International Fashion Week Partners with Orlando Fringe Festival for 35th Anniversary Avant-Garde Showcase

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    Orlando International Fashion Week

    ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN)Orlando International Fashion Week (OIFW) has announced a new creative partnership with the Orlando International Fringe Theatre Festival as the festival celebrates its 35th anniversary this May.

    As part of the collaboration, OIFW will present a special avant-garde fashion showcase on Saturday, May 16, 2026, from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., during the two-week festival. The curated runway will feature bold, experimental designs that reflect Fringe’s spirit of artistic freedom, individuality and innovation.

    PARTNERSHIP CELEBRATES CREATIVE COLLABORATION

    Organizers say the partnership reflects a natural alignment between two nonprofit organizations committed to supporting artists and expanding access to creative spaces.

    “Fringe and OIFW share a commitment to creating platforms where artists can take risks and express themselves freely,” said Rob Henlon, executive director and co-founder of OIFW. “This collaboration allows fashion to exist within a broader artistic conversation.”

    John Payne-Rios, an OIFW advisory board member, added that the partnership strengthens Orlando’s creative ecosystem by bringing together fashion, theater and community engagement.

    Festival organizers echoed that sentiment, noting the addition of fashion enhances the Outdoor Stage experience and introduces new artistic energy to the event.

    DESIGNER CALL AND MODEL CASTING UNDERWAY

    In conjunction with the partnership, OIFW has opened its designer registration call for creatives interested in participating in the Fringe showcase.

    Designers are encouraged to submit collections that emphasize:

    • Avant-garde concepts
    • Artistic storytelling
    • Bold, experimental design

    Models can also audition for both the Fringe showcase and upcoming OIFW runway shows. Casting calls are scheduled for April 12 and April 19 at CityArts Gallery in downtown Orlando from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The casting is open to ages 4 and up, with no prior experience required.

    FRINGE FESTIVAL MARKS 35 YEARS OF ARTISTIC FREEDOM

    For 35 years, the Orlando International Fringe Theatre Festival has provided an inclusive platform for artists to present original work in an unjuried and uncensored environment. The festival is the longest-running Fringe festival in the United States and returns 100% of ticket sales directly to artists.

    Each May, the festival transforms Orlando into a hub of live performances, visual art, music and interactive experiences that celebrate diverse voices and creative expression.

    What’s Next for OIFW?

    The Fringe collaboration serves as a lead-in to OIFW’s signature summer event, Orlando International Fashion Week Presents: 626 Euphoria, scheduled for June 6, 2026, at the Winter Park Events Center.

    Organizers say the upcoming season will continue to focus on:

    • Expanding fashion as a cultural platform
    • Strengthening cross-industry partnerships
    • Elevating emerging and diverse designers

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    Entertainment

    Trick Daddy Threatens Tiffany Moore Russell Mayoral Race After AKA Show Shut Down

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    ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN) — A performance by Miami street legend rapper Trick Daddy ended abruptly Friday night during the 73rd South Atlantic Regional Conference of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated after event organizers said the artist ignored agreed-upon performance guidelines.

    The incident, which occurred after the conference’s Step and Stroll competition, has sparked debate online about event vetting, audience expectations, and artistic responsibility.

    The event was overseen by South Atlantic Regional Director Tiffany Moore Russell, who also serves as the elected Clerk of Courts for Orange County, Florida and is currently a candidate for Orange County mayor.

    Conference Performance Ends Early

    Conference attendees from across the South Atlantic region gathered in Orlando for the sorority’s five-day leadership and networking event.

    Friday evening’s program featured step teams and strolling performances before transitioning to live entertainment. Organizers booked Trick Daddy, the Miami rapper known for hits including “Nann” and “Thug Matrimony,” to perform a curated list of songs.

    However, the performance ended mid-set after organizers said the rapper used language and lyrics that violated previously discussed guidelines.

    Russell addressed the incident in a statement distributed to conference attendees.

    “We met several times with him and his team to detail our requirements, including attire, language, and specific songs,” Russell said. “Unfortunately, our requirements were ignored. The language, lyrics, and comments made by the artist were not acceptable. I ended the performance because of the disrespect for our organization and our brand.”

    Viral Video Fuels Online Debate

    Videos posted on social media showed audience members reacting with surprise and discomfort during the performance.

    In one clip, attendees could be seen leaving the room as the rapper used explicit language and interacted with the crowd in a manner some attendees described as inappropriate for the event.

    The video quickly spread online, fueling debate over whether the performer or the event organizers were responsible for the mismatch between the artist and the audience.

    Some critics argued the booking itself raised questions about vetting.

    Questions About Booking and Vetting

    The controversy has prompted broader discussion about event planning and audience expectations.

    Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated is one of the nation’s oldest historically Black sororities, known for its emphasis on scholarship, leadership, and community service.

    Critics on social media questioned why an artist known for explicit hip-hop lyrics was booked for a conference audience largely composed of professional women and long-time sorority members.

    Supporters of the organizers say the issue was not the booking itself but whether the performer honored the agreed-upon content guidelines.

    Russell emphasized that the step teams and conference participants represented “creativity, discipline, and excellence,” adding that she regretted the performance overshadowed their work.

    Trick Daddy Responds: “They Booked Me, Trick Daddy Dollars” [VIDEO]

    Following the incident, Trick Daddy posted a video response denying that he violated the agreement and accusing organizers of damaging his reputation.

    Trick Daddy video responding to AKA Director statement telling her not to give him a playlist, this isn’t her wedding and not to defame his characte, according to the video.

    the video further that he states that anybody in there that was saddity and sanctified should not have been in there once I grabbed the MF’in mic.

    He also referenced Russell’s political ambitions, saying: “I heard you’re running for some type of office or something. I’ll get on you every day until you don’t win. Don’t play with me.”

    The comments intensified the controversy as the incident shifted from a performance dispute to a potential political crisis for Russell’s Orange County mayoral campaign.

    What Happens Next? Reputation, Politics and Public Reaction

    For Trick Daddy, the dispute raises questions about how the controversy could affect his public image and performance bookings.

    For Tiffany Moore Russell, the issue arrives as she prepares for a campaign for mayor in Orange County, Florida, potentially drawing political scrutiny to the situation.

    Whether the rapper follows through on his pledge to publicly attrack Russell’s mayoral campaign remains unclear.

    For now, the moment stands as a cautionary tale about entertainment programming at professional events—where audience expectations, artist identity, and brand reputation must align.

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