lence Project, along with a County Proclamation presented
by Miami-Dade County Deputy Mayor Maurice Kemp and
District 2 Commissioner Jean Monestine. Proclamations
from the City of Miami and the City of Opa-Locka were also
presented to honor our walking miracle, Bishop Victor T.
Curry along with others who showered Bishop with videos,
personal greetings and expressions of love and apprecia-
tion. “I am truly humbled and honored as I give God the glory for
60 years of life and the blessing of Gospel AM1490, New
Birth Baptist Church Cathedral of Faith International and
our newly launched WMBM Cares, Inc. which speaks to
the vision of perpetuating a legacy of youth in broadcast-
ing and communications and being an advocate for our
elderly, said Bishop Curry. “He continues to show Himself
faithful.”
The celebration continued on March 10th at the New Birth
Baptist Church with a Community Worship Experience,
where the Lamp of Knowledge Award was presented to
Bishop Victor T. Curry celebrating 25 years of visionary
guidance, knowledge and unwavering leadership while
recognizing his historic and selfless support and healing of
the local, national and global community with an empower-
ing legacy for generations to come. Highlights of WMBM’s
rich history, greetings from the WMBM 25th Anniversary
Chair, Attorney Larry Handfield and a high time of Praise
and Worship led by the Second Baptist Church Community
Choir accompanied a timely message delivered by Senior
Pastor Teacher, Rev. Dr. Alphonso Jackson, Senior Pas-
tor of Second Baptist Church of Richmond Heights and
Chairman of WMBM Cares, propelling WMBM into the
welcomed future! We are saddened by the devastation caused by the CO-
VID-19 Pandemic and encourage the faithful members of
New Birth and the community at-large, the listeners, part-
ners and advertisers to remain safe and prayerful during
these times. Gospel AM1490 along with WMBM Cares
will continue to do our best to assist everyone in navigating
through this season.
All paused in honor and appreciation during the twinkling
light celebration of the life and legacy of the late Pastor Joe
C. Johnson, the Inaugural Chairman of the Board, Gospel
AM1490 WMBM. The Spirit of Light Flame Award was pre-
sented posthumously to Queen Inez, the beloved wife of
Pastor Johnson and the entire Johnson family.
A Celebration highlight included the Pastors’ Band re-
union as Pastors from the original 15-member group along
with young Pastors, under the direction of Music Director,
Award winning Elder Marc Cooper took the celebration
into high praise. The Pastors’ Band featured Bishop Victor
T. Curry on drums!!!!
Sponsors of the weekend celebrations included John and
Kim Kirtley, New Birth Baptist Church Cathedral of Faith In-
ternational, WMBM Cares, Inc, The Handfield Firm, Com-
missioner Barbara J. Jordan, MDCC, District 1, Kenneth A.
Duke, Pastor, New Jerusalem Primitive Baptist Church, Dr.
Nelson and Effie Adams, Reverend Dr. Alphonso Jackson,
Sr., Pastor Second Baptist Church, Congresswoman Fred-
erica Wilson of Florida 24th District, 5000 Role Models of
Excellence, Law Offices of Robinson & Robinson, State
Attorney Katherine Fernandez-Rundle, Commissioner
Jean Monestine, MDCC District 2, Commissioner Dani-
ella Levine-Cava, MDCC, District 8, Commissioner Den-
nis Moss, MDCC District 9, Former Mayor Alex Penelas,
Commissioner Keon Hardemon, City of Miami District 5,
Councilman Erhabor Ighadoro, City Council-Seat 6, Miami
Gardens, Senator Oscar Braynon II, Florida Senate-Dis-
trict 35, NAACP Miami Dade Branch, Bishop W. Oshea
Granger & the Mount Calvary Missionary Baptist Church,
Greater Miami Convention & Visitor’s Bureau, National Af-
rican American Clergy Network (NAACN) and Tax Partners
USA.
Note: Photo credits – Kevin Lewis Photography