A huge rift in the Broward Democrat Party opened earlier this month when prominent African-American leaders urged residents to vote out key Democrats on the Broward School Board. These leaders told viewers of local video podcasts to vote against Broward School Members Debbi Hixon and Jeff Holness as well as several Democrat candidates for the Board. Hixon and Holness are on the August 20th primary ballot.

In late July, local attorney and Democrat activist Sandra Cherfrere voiced her concerns about School Board Member Debbi Hixon. In addition to leading a local Democrat club, Cherfrere hosts the Race And The Races webcast on Facebook. The show regularly hosts debates and discussions of school board issues.

On the July 31st show, Cherfrere voiced her strong displeasure with Hixon’s treatment of a school administrator facing a disciplinary action. Cherfrere told her viewers that Hixon repeated false allegations against Dr. Carletha Shaw-Rolle. Chefrere believed Hixon’s behavior had a racist component.

Cherfrere said Hixon’s attack on Dr. Shaw-Rolle, an African-American, was “pattern and practice.” She said that is “how [Hixon] rolls.”

Cherfrere said Hixon would “walk on glass to protect white woman and their jobs.”

Because of Hixon’s behavior, Cherfrere told her viewers this would be the “first time that I am going to cross party lines and vote for somebody that’s not perceived to be true blue.”

WESTSIDE GAZETTE

The next night, Cherfrere appeared on a webcast hosted by Bobby Henry, publisher of The Westside Gazette. Started in 1971, The Westside Gazette is the largest African-American newspaper in South Florida. Henry is married to Bertha Henry, the former chief administrator of Broward County.

Like Cherfrere, Henry told viewers he was tired of the actions of several Democrats on the Broward School Board. Henry stated he had similar issues with Debbi Hixon as well as her fellow School Board Member Jeff Holness.

In a editorial published days later, Bobby Henry, a staunch Democrat, urged his readers to uphold “integrity and equity” by voting for Torey Alston and Tom Vasquez. Both men are Republicans.

“The recent events within our school board have highlighted concerning disparities and biases that demand urgent scrutiny and action,” Henry wrote. “[I]t has become abundantly clear that critical principles of fairness, transparency, and justice have been compromised. As a community, we cannot afford to turn a blind eye to the concerning actions of certain board members, particularly in matters where clear biases and dismissive attitudes have marred the decision-making process.”

Henry wrote the African-American community was concerned certain Board Members “may be unduly influenced by agendas that prioritize certain communities over others.”

“Every marginalized community deserves equitable treatment, respect, and consideration in the decision-making processes of our educational institutions,” Henry wrote.

Henry stated, “The implications of allowing individuals like Hixon to continue exerting influence on our school board are far-reaching and detrimental to the welfare of our students, educators, and communities. It is imperative that we vote for candidates who prioritize fairness, ethics, and inclusivity in their governance.”

Henry urged his readers to support Alston and Vasquez because they demonstrated a “commitment to upholding ethical standards and advocating for the well-being of all stakeholders in our educational system.”

School Board Member Debbi Hixon is running against Tom Vasquez.

School Board Member Torey Alston is running against Rebecca Thompson, the former president of the Broward Young Democrats.

School Board Member Jeff Holness is running against Reverend Windsor Ferguson.

School Board Member Daniel Foganholi is running against Maura Bulman and Chris Cantor.

School Board Member Sarah Leonardi is running against Jason Loring.

Early voting in Broward continues through Sunday. Election Day is Tuesday August 20, 2024.