Florida State University students voted overwhelmingly to make their campus a “sanctuary” for undocumented immigrants.
The vote, which is not binding is a strong indication of student opinion on the issue of whether to allow campus officials to aid in the potential deportation of students who are undocumented.
According to FSU News, it is unclear whether the FSU SGA will lobby the university to make the decision binding.
According to the student newspaper, if FSU became a sanctuary campus then the Immigration Customs Enforcement would not be allowed to conduct operations on FSU grounds.
66.9% of students who voted in the referendum, voted to make FSU a sanctuary campus.
Here was the language put to the student body:
“We the students of Florida State University believe in maintaining equality of access to higher education for all students. We therefore support the classification of Florida State University as a sanctuary campus for undocumented students. In particular, we want the FSU administration to guarantee that no FSU agencies will release the immigration status of students to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) or allow ICE to come on campus. We also want the FSU administration to guarantee that undocumented students residing in Florida will continue to receive instate tuition waivers. We also want the FSU administration to guarantee that any tuition assistance for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) or undocumented student that has already been awarded will not be withheld or revoked on the basis of their legal status.”
RISE NEWS is a grassroots journalism news organization that is working to change the way young people become informed and engaged in the world. You can write for us.
Cover Photo Credit: librarianfinsen/ Flickr (CC By 2.0)
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Rise Readers Can Win Free VIP Tickets To Absolut Vodka’s Art Basel Miami Beach Party
By Lissette Calveiro
Absolut’s handcrafted luxury vodka, Elyx, and non-profit organization Water For People, are celebrating their five year partnership on the opening night of Art Basel at the exclusive art-deco Delano Hotel in South Beach (1685 Collins Avenue) on Thursday, December 3rd from 7 to 10 p.m.
The charity event is limited to VIPs, but we’ve scored a pair of tickets exclusive to Rise News readers. To enter, follow @RiseNewsNow on Twitter and Retweet our original Tweet and share our Art Basel First Timer’s Guide on your feed to enter.
Want to win 2 free passes to the @ABSOLUTvodka_US VIP party at #ArtBasel? RT this and read: https://t.co/iHGeFokOPo pic.twitter.com/EJGGNc68D5
— Rise News (@RiseNewsNow) December 2, 2015
We will notify one lucky winner on the evening of Wednesday, December 2nd.
Pioneering gallerist – Sean Kelly, world-renowned art curator – Jérôme Sans, Paddle8 cofounder and art-world disrupter – Alexander Gilkes, international marketer and Absolut Elyx CEO – Jonas Tåhlin and Water For People’s CEO – Eleanor Allen will co-host the outdoor gala, featuring a barbecue and bespoke cocktails.
During the event, guests will have the opportunity to view a sculpture created by artist Antony Gormley, which will be sold to raise funds for Water for People by online auction house Paddle8.
Widely acclaimed for his sculptures, installations and public artworks that investigate the relationship of the human body to space, Antony Gormley is a world-renowned artist.
The auction of Gormley’s sculpture will begin on Tuesday, November 24 and conclude on Wednesday, December 9. Two experiential lots – a private group tour of the Sean Kelly Gallery and a cocktail class at the new brand home, the Elyx House, in New York – will also be up for auction.
The celebration is part of a five-year partnership between Absolut Elyx and Water For People to provide safe water to more than 100,000 people worldwide. Proceeds from the auction could provide over 10,000 people with access to safe water for generations to come.
READ MORE: Definitive Guide For A First Timer At Art Basel Miami Beach
The event will also feature an exciting music line-up with a DJ set from Jasmine Solano and a live performance by Elliphant.
Jasmine Solano’s solid track record includes soundtracks for New York Fashion Week runway shows and the MTV World’s Scratch the Surface show that she produced and hosted. Swedish buzzworthy artist Elliphant has already amassed an impressive 40 million+ Spotify plays, 28 million+ video plays and an incredible 55k+ Shazam tags.
She has worked with Grammy Award nominees and winners Skrillex, Dr. Luke, Diplo, Major Lazer and Joel Little, the man responsible for producing Lorde’s critically acclaimed debut album.
For every bottle of vodka sold, Elyx will provide access to one week of safe water (140 liters) to someone in need through Water For People’s work.
“We are thrilled to partner with a host of luminaries for the benefit at Art Basel to raise awareness of the global water issue,” said Jonas Tåhlin, CEO of Absolut Elyx. “Through art, we hope to inspire others participate in this global dialogue in putting an end to water poverty within our lifetime. Our partnership with Water for People, Sean Kelly, Antony Gormley, and Jérôme Sans will shine a spotlight on the campaign while raising money to affect real change.”
The philanthropy partnership with Water For People launched in September. For every bottle of vodka sold, Elyx will provide access to one week of safe water (140 liters) to someone in need through Water For People’s work; for every copper pineapple drinking vessel sold, access to one month of water (560 liters) will be provided. Elyx’s new pop-up water truck and copper pineapple boutique will conclude its three city tour in Miami following stops in New York and Los Angeles during Art Basel.
Photo Credits: Submitted
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GB: A Unique Hip-Hop Hopeful Hailing From Boca
When I first met GB three years ago, I didn’t know at the time of his ambitions and goals nor of the immense level of talent he had.
I only knew him as a young man looking to get initiated into the fraternity that I was advising at the time.
Flash forward three years later and he’s on the cusp of reaching the next level.
GB is the definition of a millennial artist using the resources at his fingertips to put his music out there and take advantage of the open web to leave his mark. It was important for me to use the platform I have elevate GB to a larger audience.
I remember distinctly hearing GB play his guitar here and there and I thought, man this kid has talent. Of course I didn’t know what was yet to come. From performing at sorority philanthropy events to performing at actual nightclubs for the first time, his future is brighter than ever.
I asked GB, who is now in his senior year at Florida Atlantic University if he wouldn’t mind me speaking with me to share his story, his ideas and his passion.
RISE: First off, tell the readers something you want them to know about you?
Something you should know about me is that I do my best to keep out negative energy. Positivity is the answer to life, you can do and be anything in the world. If you believe in yourself and set your sights on goals that incorporate your passions and talents, you will be successful.
RISE: When did you know you wanted to pursue music?
I knew I wanted to pursue music the day that I turned 20. I released my first album “Phenom” along with 20 tracks that featured my rap and singing debut. I could feel in my heart everything seeming to fall into place, each time I write, reminisce or think up something new. Music is truly my love and passion, no matter what comes out of it, I feel accomplished in knowing that.
RISE:When you dropped your first album “Phenom” what did that feel like?
It felt nice dropping my first album “Phenom” with 20 tracks because it was [and is] something that rarely anyone is doing. The doubt of my peers really pushes me harder and harder everyday, support definitely builds you the most though. I released my second album “The Bakery” with 21 tracks just to prove to people I could do it again and come even hotter. With my third album release “TRILLA G,” it was all about capturing the best aspects of my artistry. I released 8 tracks that all pushed for futuristic style and vision. My main goal now is to just keep pushing singles in hopes of making that one hit song that everyone falls in love with.
RISE:Who are your musical influences?
My biggest musical influences at the moment would have to be Bryson Tiller, Jeremih, Chance the Rapper & Frank Ocean. My passion for music started with John Mayer but I really enjoy listening to music that enhances my ear for R&B influenced hip hop.
RISE:Who are you listening to right now?
I am really selective with what I am listening to, I have been listening to Frank Ocean’s new album “Blonde.” I am in love with the pop influenced vocals; With this type of sound coming back into the mainstream, as well as influencing myself, my own music is being taken with ease to listeners of all genres.
RISE:Who would be your dream collaboration?
I would love to make a dope R&B influenced track with Bryson Tiller or a party influenced hit with Chance the Rapper.
RISE:Who are other up and coming artists that you have worked with in South Florida that you hope make it big?
My favorite artists in Boca Raton are Mansa, Vaughny Vo & Ali Embry. I have worked with plenty of producers & engineers that deserve credit too: MaClean Studios, Influence Studios, Lykia, Equus & more. They have all been big parts of my evolved sounds and I appreciate all their efforts and advice. Other than that, I have worked with so many artists, going on 100 hip hop songs in the past two years. I really enjoy working with people and making music that people can enjoy and possess as their own as well. That is what it is all about.
RISE:Tell me about what it’s like working with other people who are also trying to break into the music scene?
It is great finding those artists that have the same mindset as you. A lot of people are really only focused on breaking into the music scene and don’t have the talent or work ethic that comes with that success. The best collaborations are when the music comes from the heart, you should take each confrontation and learn from it. Each artist I have made music with has taught me something whether it be what to do or what not to do.
Listen to one of GB’s songs:
RISE:How would you describe your sound?
The sound that I am consistently working towards in my own mind is a mix of positive catchy lyrics, a marketable theme throughout, hard-hitting instrumentals topped with impressive pop vocals that could impress any listener with soothing melodies. I am very persistent on my new sounds being based around my singing.
RISE:How often do you go into the studio to record?
I record at least a couple of times a week. I have 4 studios in Boca that I flip flop between and make my music at. When it comes down to it, I built my own recording studio in my room and I am able to record literally at any moment of the day. Whenever I am feeling something heavily, I will not wait around, I definitely feel at home in the studio.
RISE:Do you ever feel creatively stifled? If so how do you combat that?
Most definitely, it happens to the best of us. Whenever I am feeling stuck on something, I will just put it away and work on another topic. It always seems to brighten a new light when I come back to something at another time with a fresh mind and full attention.
RISE:What is the headspace you put yourself in when you go into the recording studio?
I really just put it in my head to be comfortable. You never want to push it too hard or blurt something too loud, studio recording is a lot different than singing live. By the time I get in the studio I know the lyrics so well that I really try and focus on the pronunciation of every word and melody.
RISE:If you wish you wrote any one specific lyric or bar, what would it be and why?
There are countless lyrics that I love to be honest? In every song there is something that I probably enjoy most about it, but when I first started rhyming I said “Like a foreign student way he study abroad, know the heavens must be the real the way she shaped by the gods, GB must stand for Gary Blessed…” and that was how I was stuck with “Gary Blessed” being the acronym for my initials GB. Before that song, GB just stood for Gary Baker.
RISE:What was it like to take the stage truly for the first time at Crowbar in Tampa, your hometown?
It felt so nice to be on stage performing the sounds that I had been working so hard on. I had been on stages before considering I have been making music since I was 16 and played in my own band in high school, but this was definitely the first time it was 100% my music. It felt like the start of destiny.
RISE:What is your end goal with your music?
I have really grown an obsession with music, my first end goal started out just getting a feature with my favorite rapper at the time, Cam Meekins. My ultimate end goal would be me as a major recording artists, the executive of my own label, have a few businesses that incorporate my own brand and different lifestyle aspects, and consistently release music that is noticed and perceived by the world in a positive way. In the least, I want to be recognized in the music industry and make a living from it.
You can check out all of GB’s music here: https://soundcloud.com/garyblessed
RISE NEWS is a grassroots journalism news organization that is working to change the way young people become informed and engaged in the world. You can write for us.
Cover Photo Credit: GB/ Instagram
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Managing Debt: The Lesson College Grads Don’t Learn In College, But Can’t Survive Without
By Bernard Hampton, Bank of America Region Executive
In a few weeks, nearly two million graduating college students across the country will be clutching their degrees and entering the workforce.
But an estimated two out of three will start out with the looming hardship of paying off student debt as they launch their post-college lives. In fact, the 2014 graduating class from Florida colleges saw debt increase 32 percent compared to the debt carried in 2004.
So while graduates may have immersed themselves in computer engineering, business and political science, few have earned even a single credit on what is likely their most immediate and toughest test: their financial burdens.
To combat this challenge, decision makers in our community must be called on to help manage student debt and find solutions to financially empower and strengthen the next generation.
The only effective way to make a difference is to acknowledge that by the time we address the needs and challenges that college grads face, it is already too late.
The tenants of financial literacy should be learned at a young age in order to arm people with resources and knowledge to set them up for financial success as an adult.
It’s critical that the public, private and nonprofit sectors join forces in this endeavor.
In fact, last summer the Florida Legislature made an amendment to the Next Generation Sunshine State Standards to include financial literacy in Social Study Standards for K-12 grade students.
Bank of America’s partnerships with organizations like Year Up Miami, City Year, Teach for America and the I Have a Dream Foundation of Miami also help bring critical financial literacy to disadvantaged youth, offering students a unique opportunity at a young age to learn the basics of managing money.
In addition, the United Way’s ALICE Report (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) is an excellent tool local United Way teams use to better understand the needs of the communities they serve as well as the reasons people may be struggling financially.
Through this resource report, the organization is working to better understand those that are falling short and the immense challenges that they are facing in effort to better serve them and provide realistic and viable solutions to help them succeed.
Today, many young people, including college graduates, are living paycheck-to-paycheck and just trying to stay afloat, working long hours, or are single parents and they tend to not seek out help until they are facing a crisis.
The bottom line is, most of them haven’t been given the tools needed to be effective at budgeting, saving and eliminating credit issues. Instead, they tend to get deeper into a hole that becomes harder and more overwhelming to get out of.
BetterMoneyHabits.com is a great resource, providing real, practical knowledge in order to support those that want to begin making confident decisions when it comes to money and debt.
That’s why it is so critical to help break down intimidating topics and talk through simple steps to take – such as creating an action plan for getting out of debt or what one’s options are in an emergency cash situation.
Aware of the support our local partners provide to those living paycheck to paycheck, we’re working at the grassroots level to distribute this content directly to them.
This issue will remain one of the most critical for the next generation, and we will all need to continue to think about how we can work together to ensure students’ financial success.
RISE NEWS is a grassroots journalism news organization that is working to change the way young people become informed and engaged in public affairs. You can write for us.
Cover Photo Credit: Cory M. Grenier/ Flickr (CC By 2.0)
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