School starts for students here in Broward County on Tuesday, August 16th. There are numerous Back-to-school events happening to ensure students in need get the supplies they need for a successful start. Check with your city, religious institution or local not-for-profit to find one near you.

Here is the annual Back 2 School event hosted by the New Mount Olive Baptist Church. My office will be there to serve and to answer any questions you may have regarding state issues or agencies.

Don't forget to take advantage of the Back to School tax savings this year on necessary school supplies. The Back to School 2022 Sales Tax Holiday ends August 7th!

A full list of qualifying items can be found on the Florida Department of Revenue website by clicking here!
MENINGITIS B ON THE RISE ON COLLEGE CAMPUSES
With students going back to school this month it is very important for parents to be aware of the increase in cases of Meningitis B on colleges and universities here in Florida and across the country.

Currently the more common Meningitis Vaccination for the ACW & Y strains of the infection are recommended by the CDC and many colleges and universities require the vaccine, which is for all of those strains. The cases or these strains are going down as more children are being vaccinated.

The lesser known Meningitis B strain, which is a separate vaccine, is not required on the majority of campuses but parents and young adults should discuss the vaccine with a doctor, especially if the student will be living in campus housing or at a fraternity/sorority.
MEET THE TEAM
Meet the woman powered team of Senate District 33!

I am fortunate to have put together a team of dynamic ladies to help serve our District. Each brings a unique focus and set of skills to the office which makes us a power to be recognized. I invite you to get to know each of them.

Here is a very brief bio on these powerful and dynamic team members

Julie Fishman (District Chief Legislative Aide) grew up in the southern portion of Miami Dade County. Julie comes to the team with over 20 years of community advocacy and legislative process knowledge. In addition, Julie served as a Commissioner in the City of Tamarac. Her knowledge of local and state government will be invaluable to the constituents on the District.

Cyntay Terez Matthews (District Legislative Aide) is originally from a small town located on the Delaware River, Burlington, NJ. She is 5th generation to serve in the Armed Forces and a proud Veteran of the World’s Greatest Navy. Cyntay earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice from The Rutgers State University (Camden, NJ) and her Master’s degree in Criminal Justice from Saint Thomas University (Miami, FL). Her career consist of over 20 years in public service and hopes to bring her expertise in social justice, veterans affairs, and policy and procedure to serve the constituents under the direction of The Honorable Dr. Rosalind Osgood. 

Dominique Ritchie (District Senior Legislative Aide) from Ft. Lauderdale, FL, and a FAMU alumni. Currently, she is a Juris Doctor candidate at St. Thomas University College of Law (“STU”) who will graduate Spring 2023. Dominique has completed the intensive John J. Brunetti Human Trafficking Academy, and aspires to be an International Law Attorney to resolve complex legal issues, create advancement of peace and respect for human rights. 

McKenzie Samuels (District Intern) is Bronx, New York native, and while a sophomore at the University of Virginia (UVA), majoring in Public Policy and African & African-American Studies, she is the Executive Chair Of the Student Organization of Caribbean Awareness (SOCA). McKenzie is also one of only five poets on UVA’s competitive slam poetry team, a peer advisor through the Office of African American Affairs (OAAA) and a Resident Assistant (RA). As the first intern of Senator Rosalind Osgood District 33 Office, McKenzie has provided research, contributed to special projects, and community events. As she navigates through her interest in law and policy, she hopes to take her mentorship, leadership skills and networking opportunities gained during her internship to pursue her aspirations of becoming a future lawyer.
FEDERAL GRANT RESOURCES
The Federal government has many grants available, especially for businesses. Click here to access the resources available. The following resources are for people seeking information or assistance applying for Federal Grants. If you need additional assistance, please contact the office of Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick at 954-733-2800.
BLACK BUSINESS MONTH
August is National Black Business Month, and Black-owned businesses are recognized across the country. Created in
in 2004 by historian John William Templeton and engineer Frederick E. Jordan Sr. to bring attention to the needs of more than two million Black-owned businesses operating across America.
 
Black business owners account for about 10 percent of U.S. businesses and about 30 percent of all minority-owned businesses. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, that amounts to approximately two million companies owned by African Americans.
 
Nearly 40 percent of black-owned businesses are in health care and social assistance, repair and maintenance, and personal and laundry services. Other categories include advertising firms, auto dealerships, consulting services, restaurants, barbershops, beauty salons, and more.
  
Support and encourage African American-owned businesses in your community by using #NationalBlackBusinessMonth in social media correspondence.
PRIMARY VOTING UNDERWAY
By the time you get this newsletter, many will have already received their mail-in-ballot. August is Primary Voting with Early Voting from Saturday,
August 13, 2022 through Sunday August 21, 2022 from 10am to 7pm each day. During Early Voting you can vote at any site in the county you are registered in. Click here for a list of the sites in Broward.

Primary Election Day is Tuesday, August 23rd and you must vote at your assigned precinct on that day. Click here to check on your precinct as many have changed.

Click here for additional information on elections, including checking your voter status.

It is vital to participate in elections no matter your party affiliation as part of your responsibilities as a citizen. GO VOTE!
As always, thank you for your interest in what's happening in your District. Staying informed and involved is the key to our partnership!

Warm Regards,

Rosalind Osgood

Rosalind Osgood, DPA
Senator, District 33