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FOB guests reveal what’s best about Miami-Dade Urban Debate League

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Words, not violence.

That’s the creed of the Miami-Dade Urban Debate League, which teaches young people the art of the argument – the art of discussing issues without resorting to violence.

It’s been three years since MDUDL began its work in Miami-Dade County, and some of its best representatives were in the Fried On Business studio recently to give us an update.

Cliff Schulman, a Partner at Weiss Serota, Miami, FL, is an Advisor for MDUDL, which is the local chapter of the National Association for Urban Debate Leagues (NAUDL).

There are 22 Urban Debate Leagues hosting some 10,800 inner-city kids nationwide. Some 80% of those who participate will go on to college, according to stats compiled by the organization, he said.

In addition to teaching the art of the argument, Cliff said, MDUDL teaches kids how to organize their thoughts, to speak publicly and to collaborate with others in the program.

MDUDL is involved in 17 middle schools and high schools in Miami-Dade County and works with the University of Miami, Florida International University and Miami Dade College to host debates.

Cydney Edwards, program director for MDUDL, said the organization has seen strong growth, which has culminated in 2018 being the first year the group has gone to the national championships in Washington, D.C.

Dwayne Martin, a local high school junior and captain of his debate team, has also been the Financial Literacy Debate champion for Miami and represented the city in the recent national championship.

A Miami native, Dwayne said the need to education oneself was a big draw to the organization. For instance, during his first year with MDUDL, the topic at hand was the national surveillance state and whether it should be curtailed.

This required learning a great deal about the operation of the federal government – and listening to the voices for and against these intelligence programs.

Dwayne hopes to double-major in international business and political economy. He’s been to London, South Africa and Namibia as part of the MDUDL program.

In the last 3 years, Cliff said, about 400-500 Miami-Dade children have participated in various aspects of the program. MDUDL just completed a five-day debate camp at the University of Miami where 60 young people participated.

Cliff said the biggest challenge to date has been fundraising. Support comes from, among other sources, law firms, private grants and Community Development Block Grants.

If you want to help, visit mdudl.org for more information.

“These kids are our future. If you don’t make the investment now in the future, then things are going to be a lot worse,” he said.

Cydney said many participants go on to attend university in Florida, but debate is becoming more popular, so some cast their eyes toward larger debate schools like:

– Northwestern University
– Emory University
– Wake Forest
– The University of Texas at Austin
– The University of Michigan
– The University of Miami
– The University of Florida

These institutions actually send out scouts to recruit young people like Dwayne, she said.

Debate, Dwayne said, offers a chance to be heard that might not exist otherwise. And by being heard, change can begin.

The discussion should begin at the micro level instead of the macro level, he said. What’s happening with us as individuals contributes to the larger problems that we observe.

That said, Dwayne added, some individuals face societal pressure and, often, persecution that others do not face – like black transsexual individuals.

There are bright spots, however, he said. Youth are better able to represent themselves these days, and local leaders have shown a willingness to listen to their concerns.

This was a fantastic interview, one that’s well worth your time. Click here to listen to the entire conversation about the Miami-Dade Urban Debate League.

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Fried On Business: From Lawyer to Bestselling Author: James Grippando’s Journey and Writing Process
Episode 795 | 11.20.24

What makes Miami the perfect setting for a legal thriller? In this episode of Fried On Business, Jim interviews bestselling author James Grippando about his latest novel The Goodbye Girl, his writing journey, and his love for the Miami Book Fair. Don’t miss this insightful conversation! 🎧 

📚 Catch James Grippando at the Miami Book Fair! 🎉
Join James on November 24th at 2:30 PM in Room 8203 for a fun, informative and entertaining Q&A. Don’t miss the chance to hear from this master storyteller and get insights into his journey from law to literature. 

And join Fried On Business's own Jim Fried at the Miami Book Fair on Saturday, 11/23 at 3 PM. Jim will be moderating an exciting conversation between Justin Reynolds, author of Clutch Time, and Yamile Saied Méndez, author of The Beautiful Game. It all happens at Miami Dade College/Wolfson Campus. Don’t miss out on this dynamic discussion about their latest books and the journeys behind them!  

Go to MiamiBookFair.com for more information. See you there!

**********About Our Guest: 
James Grippando is a New York Times bestselling author with more than 30 novels of suspense to his credit, and the winner of the Harper Lee Prize for Legal Fiction. His latest, Goodbye Girl (HarperCollins 2024), is No. 18 in his popular series featuring Miami criminal defense lawyer Jack Swyteck. His books are enjoyed worldwide in 28 languages. James is also a practicing attorney and teaches Law & Literature at the University of Miami School of Law. He lives and writes in south Florida. Visit his website at www.jamesgrippando.com

#RealEstateNews #Podcast #JamesGrippando #MiamiBookFair #PodcastShow #MiamiBookFair #JamesGrippando #TheGoodbyeGirl #AuthorEvent #BookLovers #LiteraryMiami #BookFair2024 #MiamiBookFair #JimFried #ClutchTime #TheBeautifulGame #AuthorEvent #BookLovers #LiteraryMiami #MiamiEvents

Fried On Business: From Lawyer to Bestselling Author: James Grippando’s Journey and Writing Process
Episode 795 | 11.20.24

What makes Miami the perfect setting for a legal thriller? In this episode of Fried On Business, Jim interviews bestselling author James Grippando about his latest novel The Goodbye Girl, his writing journey, and his love for the Miami Book Fair. Don’t miss this insightful conversation! 🎧

📚 Catch James Grippando at the Miami Book Fair! 🎉
Join James on November 24th at 2:30 PM in Room 8203 for a fun, informative and entertaining Q&A. Don’t miss the chance to hear from this master storyteller and get insights into his journey from law to literature.

And join Fried On Business's own Jim Fried at the Miami Book Fair on Saturday, 11/23 at 3 PM. Jim will be moderating an exciting conversation between Justin Reynolds, author of Clutch Time, and Yamile Saied Méndez, author of The Beautiful Game. It all happens at Miami Dade College/Wolfson Campus. Don’t miss out on this dynamic discussion about their latest books and the journeys behind them!

Go to MiamiBookFair.com for more information. See you there!

**********About Our Guest:
James Grippando is a New York Times bestselling author with more than 30 novels of suspense to his credit, and the winner of the Harper Lee Prize for Legal Fiction. His latest, Goodbye Girl (HarperCollins 2024), is No. 18 in his popular series featuring Miami criminal defense lawyer Jack Swyteck. His books are enjoyed worldwide in 28 languages. James is also a practicing attorney and teaches Law & Literature at the University of Miami School of Law. He lives and writes in south Florida. Visit his website at www.jamesgrippando.com

#RealEstateNews #Podcast #JamesGrippando #MiamiBookFair #PodcastShow #MiamiBookFair #JamesGrippando #TheGoodbyeGirl #AuthorEvent #BookLovers #LiteraryMiami #BookFair2024 #MiamiBookFair #JimFried #ClutchTime #TheBeautifulGame #AuthorEvent #BookLovers #LiteraryMiami #MiamiEvents

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Fried On Business: From Lawyer to Bestselling Author: James Grippando’s Journey and Writing Process

Jim Fried 11 views November 20, 2024 5:20 pm

Fried On Business: From Lawyer to Bestselling Author: James Grippando’s Journey and Writing Process
Episode 795 | 11.20.24

What makes Miami the perfect setting for a legal thriller? In this episode of Fried On Business, Jim interviews bestselling author James Grippando about his latest novel The Goodbye Girl, his writing journey, and his love for the Miami Book Fair. Don’t miss this insightful conversation! 🎧 

📚 Catch James Grippando at the Miami Book Fair! 🎉
Join James on November 24th at 2:30 PM in Room 8203 for a fun, informative and entertaining Q&A. Don’t miss the chance to hear from this master storyteller and get insights into his journey from law to literature. 

And join Fried On Business's own Jim Fried at the Miami Book Fair on Saturday, 11/23 at 3 PM. Jim will be moderating an exciting conversation between Justin Reynolds, author of Clutch Time, and Yamile Saied Méndez, author of The Beautiful Game. It all happens at Miami Dade College/Wolfson Campus. Don’t miss out on this dynamic discussion about their latest books and the journeys behind them!  

Go to MiamiBookFair.com for more information. See you there!

**********About Our Guest: 
James Grippando is a New York Times bestselling author with more than 30 novels of suspense to his credit, and the winner of the Harper Lee Prize for Legal Fiction. His latest, Goodbye Girl (HarperCollins 2024), is No. 18 in his popular series featuring Miami criminal defense lawyer Jack Swyteck. His books are enjoyed worldwide in 28 languages. James is also a practicing attorney and teaches Law & Literature at the University of Miami School of Law. He lives and writes in south Florida. Visit his website at www.jamesgrippando.com

#RealEstateNews #Podcast #JamesGrippando #MiamiBookFair #PodcastShow #MiamiBookFair #JamesGrippando #TheGoodbyeGirl #AuthorEvent #BookLovers #LiteraryMiami #BookFair2024 #MiamiBookFair #JimFried #ClutchTime #TheBeautifulGame #AuthorEvent #BookLovers #LiteraryMiami #MiamiEvents

Fried On Business: From Lawyer to Bestselling Author: James Grippando’s Journey and Writing Process
Episode 795 | 11.20.24

What makes Miami the perfect setting for a legal thriller? In this episode of Fried On Business, Jim interviews bestselling author James Grippando about his latest novel The Goodbye Girl, his writing journey, and his love for the Miami Book Fair. Don’t miss this insightful conversation! 🎧

📚 Catch James Grippando at the Miami Book Fair! 🎉
Join James on November 24th at 2:30 PM in Room 8203 for a fun, informative and entertaining Q&A. Don’t miss the chance to hear from this master storyteller and get insights into his journey from law to literature.

And join Fried On Business's own Jim Fried at the Miami Book Fair on Saturday, 11/23 at 3 PM. Jim will be moderating an exciting conversation between Justin Reynolds, author of Clutch Time, and Yamile Saied Méndez, author of The Beautiful Game. It all happens at Miami Dade College/Wolfson Campus. Don’t miss out on this dynamic discussion about their latest books and the journeys behind them!

Go to MiamiBookFair.com for more information. See you there!

**********About Our Guest:
James Grippando is a New York Times bestselling author with more than 30 novels of suspense to his credit, and the winner of the Harper Lee Prize for Legal Fiction. His latest, Goodbye Girl (HarperCollins 2024), is No. 18 in his popular series featuring Miami criminal defense lawyer Jack Swyteck. His books are enjoyed worldwide in 28 languages. James is also a practicing attorney and teaches Law & Literature at the University of Miami School of Law. He lives and writes in south Florida. Visit his website at www.jamesgrippando.com

#RealEstateNews #Podcast #JamesGrippando #MiamiBookFair #PodcastShow #MiamiBookFair #JamesGrippando #TheGoodbyeGirl #AuthorEvent #BookLovers #LiteraryMiami #BookFair2024 #MiamiBookFair #JimFried #ClutchTime #TheBeautifulGame #AuthorEvent #BookLovers #LiteraryMiami #MiamiEvents

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Fried On Business: From Lawyer to Bestselling Author: James Grippando’s Journey and Writing Process

Jim Fried 0 views November 20, 2024 5:00 pm

Fried On Business: Dolphin Great Ed Newman - Author Of Warrior King 
Episode 794 | 11.13.24

NFL legend and retired judge Ed Newman joins Jim on Fried On Business to share his story of resilience and strength. From his football career to the courtroom, Ed’s insights on family, faith, and overcoming challenges are a must-listen."🎧 

📚 Join Ed Newman at the Miami Book Fair!
On Saturday, 11/23 at 4 PM, Ed will be discussing his book Warrior Judge in Room 8302. Come hear his inspiring journey and get an inside look at his life lessons in tenacity, leadership, and justice!

And join Fried On Business's own Jim Fried at the Miami Book Fair on Saturday, 11/23 at 3 PM. Jim will be moderating an exciting conversation between Justin Reynolds, author of Clutch Time, and Yamile Saied Méndez, author of The Beautiful Game. It all happens at Miami Dade College/Wolfson Campus. Don’t miss out on this dynamic discussion about their latest books and the journeys behind them!  

Go to MiamiBookFair.com for more information. See you there!

*************************************

About Our Guest:

Ed Newman
 
The “Perfect Season” Miami Dolphins selected Ed in the sixth round of the 1973 NFL draft. Ed went on to play 12 seasons (1973 to 1984) for Coach Don Shula, during which time he participated in one winning Super Bowl and two American Conference championships. Ed earned All-Pro recognition four times and played in 167 games, of which he started in 113. Ed reluctantly broke from the Dolphins after a knee injury that occurred in 1985.

Ed went on to pursue a law degree and served as a civil litigator from 1987 to 1994. After a successful election campaign, Ed was commissioned as a County Court Judge in and for Miami-Dade. Ed first served in the Domestic Violence Division, and over the span of 28 years, he rotated to preside over thousands of cases in the county’s Civil and Criminal Courts. 

In recognition of his charitable contributions, the South Florida Blood Service had “N.W. 17th Street” renamed to “Ed Newman Street.” The Miami Dolphins inducted Ed into their Walk of Fame in 2014, for his contributions to the team and the community. The following year, he was honored as one of the “Top 50” Miami Dolphins to have played within the first 50 years of the franchise. 

#RealEstateNews #Podcast #PodcastShow #EdNewman #WarriorJudge #NFLLegend #Resilience #MiamiDolphins #AuthorEvent #BookLovers #LiteraryMiami #BookFair2024 #MiamiBookFair #JimFried #ClutchTime #TheBeautifulGame #AuthorEvent #BookLovers #LiteraryMiami #MiamiEvents

Fried On Business: Dolphin Great Ed Newman - Author Of Warrior King
Episode 794 | 11.13.24

NFL legend and retired judge Ed Newman joins Jim on Fried On Business to share his story of resilience and strength. From his football career to the courtroom, Ed’s insights on family, faith, and overcoming challenges are a must-listen."🎧

📚 Join Ed Newman at the Miami Book Fair!
On Saturday, 11/23 at 4 PM, Ed will be discussing his book Warrior Judge in Room 8302. Come hear his inspiring journey and get an inside look at his life lessons in tenacity, leadership, and justice!

And join Fried On Business's own Jim Fried at the Miami Book Fair on Saturday, 11/23 at 3 PM. Jim will be moderating an exciting conversation between Justin Reynolds, author of Clutch Time, and Yamile Saied Méndez, author of The Beautiful Game. It all happens at Miami Dade College/Wolfson Campus. Don’t miss out on this dynamic discussion about their latest books and the journeys behind them!

Go to MiamiBookFair.com for more information. See you there!

*************************************

About Our Guest:

Ed Newman
 
The “Perfect Season” Miami Dolphins selected Ed in the sixth round of the 1973 NFL draft. Ed went on to play 12 seasons (1973 to 1984) for Coach Don Shula, during which time he participated in one winning Super Bowl and two American Conference championships. Ed earned All-Pro recognition four times and played in 167 games, of which he started in 113. Ed reluctantly broke from the Dolphins after a knee injury that occurred in 1985.

Ed went on to pursue a law degree and served as a civil litigator from 1987 to 1994. After a successful election campaign, Ed was commissioned as a County Court Judge in and for Miami-Dade. Ed first served in the Domestic Violence Division, and over the span of 28 years, he rotated to preside over thousands of cases in the county’s Civil and Criminal Courts. 

In recognition of his charitable contributions, the South Florida Blood Service had “N.W. 17th Street” renamed to “Ed Newman Street.” The Miami Dolphins inducted Ed into their Walk of Fame in 2014, for his contributions to the team and the community. The following year, he was honored as one of the “Top 50” Miami Dolphins to have played within the first 50 years of the franchise. 

#RealEstateNews #Podcast #PodcastShow #EdNewman #WarriorJudge #NFLLegend #Resilience #MiamiDolphins #AuthorEvent #BookLovers #LiteraryMiami #BookFair2024 #MiamiBookFair #JimFried #ClutchTime #TheBeautifulGame #AuthorEvent #BookLovers #LiteraryMiami #MiamiEvents

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Fried On Business: Dolphin Great Ed Newman - Author Of Warrior King

Jim Fried 6 views November 13, 2024 5:25 pm

Fried On Business: From Pulitzer Prize to Novelist: Leonard Pitts’ Journey and New Book 54 Miles
Episode 793 | 11.06.24 

Pulitzer Prize-winning author Leonard Pitts Jr. joins Jim on Fried On Business to discuss his latest novel, 54 Miles. Set during the Civil Rights Movement, this powerful story explores justice, resilience, and family. A must-listen for anyone interested in history and storytelling!"🎧 

📖 Meet Pulitzer Prize Winner Leonard Pitts at the Miami Book Fair on Saturday, 11/23 at 2 PM in Room 2106. Join the conversation as Mr. Pitts shares insights into his writing, his thoughts on crafting engaging narratives, and his experience as one of America’s most celebrated authors. Don’t miss this chance to hear from a literary legend!

And join Fried On Business's own Jim Fried at the Miami Book Fair on Saturday, 11/23 at 3 PM. Jim will be moderating an exciting conversation between Justin Reynolds, author of Clutch Time, and Yamile Saied Méndez, author of The Beautiful Game. It all happens at Miami Dade College/Wolfson Campus. Don’t miss out on this dynamic discussion about their latest books and the journeys behind them!  

Go to MiamiBookFair.com for more information. See you there!

*************************************
About Our Guest:

Leonard Garvey Pitts Jr. (born October 11, 1957) is an American commentator, journalist, and novelist. He is a nationally syndicated columnist and winner of the 2004 Pulitzer Prize for Commentary. He was originally hired by the Miami Herald to critique music, but quickly received his own column, in which he has dealt extensively with race, politics, and culture from a progressive perspective.
Raised in Los Angeles and educated at the University of Southern California, Pitts currently lives in Bowie, Maryland. He has won awards for his writing from the Society of Professional Journalists, the American Society of Newspaper Editors, and the National Association of Black Journalists, and he was first nominated for the Pulitzer Prize in 1993, eventually claiming the honor in 2004.
Pitts' first book, Becoming Dad: Black Men and the Journey to Fatherhood, was published in 2006. His first novel, Before I Forget, was released in March 2009, and earned a starred review from Publishers Weekly. The novel centers on a faded soul singer whose early-onset Alzheimer's disease compels him to reconnect with his father and son. Pitts's third book, Forward from This Moment: Selected Columns, 1994–2008, was published in August 2009. It is a selection of his columns from the Miami Herald.
Pitts gained national recognition for his widely circulated column of September 12, 2001, "We'll go forward from this moment", in which he described the toughness of the American spirit in the face of the September 11 attacks.

#RealEstateNews #Podcast #PodcastShow #CivilRights #MiamiBookFair #HistoricalFiction #54Miles #AuthorEvent #BookLovers #LiteraryMiami #BookFair2024 #MiamiBookFair #JimFried #ClutchTime #TheBeautifulGame #AuthorEvent #BookLovers #LiteraryMiami #MiamiEvents

Fried On Business: From Pulitzer Prize to Novelist: Leonard Pitts’ Journey and New Book 54 Miles
Episode 793 | 11.06.24

Pulitzer Prize-winning author Leonard Pitts Jr. joins Jim on Fried On Business to discuss his latest novel, 54 Miles. Set during the Civil Rights Movement, this powerful story explores justice, resilience, and family. A must-listen for anyone interested in history and storytelling!"🎧

📖 Meet Pulitzer Prize Winner Leonard Pitts at the Miami Book Fair on Saturday, 11/23 at 2 PM in Room 2106. Join the conversation as Mr. Pitts shares insights into his writing, his thoughts on crafting engaging narratives, and his experience as one of America’s most celebrated authors. Don’t miss this chance to hear from a literary legend!

And join Fried On Business's own Jim Fried at the Miami Book Fair on Saturday, 11/23 at 3 PM. Jim will be moderating an exciting conversation between Justin Reynolds, author of Clutch Time, and Yamile Saied Méndez, author of The Beautiful Game. It all happens at Miami Dade College/Wolfson Campus. Don’t miss out on this dynamic discussion about their latest books and the journeys behind them!

Go to MiamiBookFair.com for more information. See you there!

*************************************
About Our Guest:

Leonard Garvey Pitts Jr. (born October 11, 1957) is an American commentator, journalist, and novelist. He is a nationally syndicated columnist and winner of the 2004 Pulitzer Prize for Commentary. He was originally hired by the Miami Herald to critique music, but quickly received his own column, in which he has dealt extensively with race, politics, and culture from a progressive perspective.
Raised in Los Angeles and educated at the University of Southern California, Pitts currently lives in Bowie, Maryland. He has won awards for his writing from the Society of Professional Journalists, the American Society of Newspaper Editors, and the National Association of Black Journalists, and he was first nominated for the Pulitzer Prize in 1993, eventually claiming the honor in 2004.
Pitts' first book, Becoming Dad: Black Men and the Journey to Fatherhood, was published in 2006. His first novel, Before I Forget, was released in March 2009, and earned a starred review from Publishers Weekly. The novel centers on a faded soul singer whose early-onset Alzheimer's disease compels him to reconnect with his father and son. Pitts's third book, Forward from This Moment: Selected Columns, 1994–2008, was published in August 2009. It is a selection of his columns from the Miami Herald.
Pitts gained national recognition for his widely circulated column of September 12, 2001, "We'll go forward from this moment", in which he described the toughness of the American spirit in the face of the September 11 attacks.

#RealEstateNews #Podcast #PodcastShow #CivilRights #MiamiBookFair #HistoricalFiction #54Miles #AuthorEvent #BookLovers #LiteraryMiami #BookFair2024 #MiamiBookFair #JimFried #ClutchTime #TheBeautifulGame #AuthorEvent #BookLovers #LiteraryMiami #MiamiEvents

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YouTube Video VVU4aS1uUXJ0T1VrQmVOeGNhODFzaHV3LjVVV24tc3pYM0hF

Fried On Business: From Pulitzer Prize to Novelist: Leonard Pitts’ Journey and New Book 54 Miles

Jim Fried 11 views November 6, 2024 5:22 pm