The Courier Eco Latino Newspaper

31/07/2025

31/07/2025

The Courier Eco Latino Newspapers 20th year Celebration Saturday July 26, 2025 green Island Country Club

29/07/2025

r. B.J. McBride Outstanding Youth Award
Recipient: Jabari Leake

For three decades, Dr. B.J. McBride was an essential force behind the success of The Courier Eco Latino. A consummate professional, she played a pivotal role in bringing many of our initiatives—including this very awards program—to life. Her dedication to excellence ensured that everything we presented to the community reflected the highest standards. Dr. McBride passed away in August 2020, leaving behind a legacy of service, vision, and unwavering commitment to our youth. Having devoted 41 years to the Muscogee County School District, she deeply loved and championed the potential of every child. In her honor, we proudly present the Dr. B.J. McBride Outstanding Youth Award.

This year’s recipient, Jabari Leake, exemplifies courage, perseverance, and excellence. Born with a congenital short right femur, Jabari underwent his first hip and knee surgery at the age of 2. Since then, he has endured approximately 14 surgeries—including five limb-lengthening procedures. Yet none of these obstacles deterred his dreams. Inspired by a middle school career project, Jabari set his sights on aviation. On April 24, 2024—just weeks before his high school graduation—he earned his Private Pilot’s License at just 17 years old. He is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Aviation Technology at Middle Georgia State University and is a proud member of the Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals. With each flight, he gets closer to his goal of becoming a commercial pilot—and inspiring others to soar beyond their limitations.

29/07/2025

A 2025 Lift Him Up Awardee
Roland Huff
Our Courier Eco Latino Lift Him Up Awards honor men in our community whose strength, perseverance, and unwavering commitment serve as a beacon for others. These distinguished honorees inspire, encourage, and uplift those around them—especially fellow men—by walking in purpose, leading by example, and empowering others to rise.
Roland Huff is a living example of that mission. Born in Camden, Alabama, as the tenth of twelve children, Huff learned early the values of resilience and hard work. After high school, he joined the United States Army and served his country honorably for 20 years, retiring with the rank of Sergeant First Class. While in the military, he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from Western State University in Springfield, Missouri. His service also included roles as a Drill Sergeant and Certified Master Fitness Instructor, emphasizing the importance of both physical and mental strength.
Following retirement, Huff turned his passion for fitness into a lifelong purpose. For over two decades, he has worked as a personal trainer and competed in bodybuilding at the highest levels—making history as the first International Federation of Bodybuilding (IFBB) Pro Bodybuilder from the state of Alabama.
In 2004, he planted roots in Columbus, Georgia, and opened Body Be 1 Personal Training Studio on August 1 of that year. Through his work, Roland Huff continues to transform lives—not only through physical fitness but also by modeling discipline, dedication, and the power of believing in oneself.

25/07/2025

A View From a Pew “This Ain’t the Ring—This Is the Corner”
As I sat listening to the message Sunday, I looked around the sanctuary at all of the people gathered and I thought, why do people come to church?
I started equating the church with boxing. And then it hit me. The church is not the ring. It’s the corner.
People don’t come to church to be talked down to. They don’t come to be looked at sideways, judged, or whispered about. They come to church to get straight… so they can get back in the ring.
Life—that’s the ring. That’s where the fight is. The struggle is real, and it’s out there—on the job, in the home, in the streets, in our minds, in our marriages, in our finances, and sometimes even in our own flesh.
So when we step into the sanctuary, we’re not there to spar. We’re there to recover. The church is the corner, and in every fight worth winning, the corner matters.
Just like a boxer comes off the ropes—bloodied, weary, and worn—we come through those doors bruised by betrayal, battered by burdens, and exhausted from trying to just make it through the week.
And when we do, we don’t need drama—we need direction. We don’t come to be picked apart—we come to be poured into. We don’t need judgment—we need Jesus.
Luke 5:3 tells us Jesus sat down and taught the people from the boat before He worked a miracle. Instruction came before inspiration. Before He multiplied their fish, He multiplied their understanding.
That’s what the corner does. It prepares you before you go back into the ring.
Because the shout at 11:00 only has power if you’ve learned something by the time you leave there. A shout without knowledge is just noise. But a praise backed by truth? That’s spiritual warfare.
The pulpit is not a platform for personal therapy—it’s the trainer’s stool. It’s where leaders wrap your wounds, wipe your brow, and remind you, "You’ve still got fight left in you."
I don't know about you but I don’t come to church to play—I come to prepare. I don’t come to throw punches—I come to catch my breath. This is where I get my spirit checked, my soul lifted, my heart mended. This is where I get bandaged, built up, and believed in.
Because once I step back into the ring, life will swing again.
It’ll come with disappointment. It’ll jab with grief. It’ll uppercut your joy and try to knock out your peace. So don’t waste my corner time. Don’t preach to impress me—preach to equip me. Don’t sing to showcase—sing to strengthen.
This ain’t the ring. This is the corner. And I’m just trying to make it to the next round.

18/07/2025

Dr. Cathy Cook Announces Candidacy for Muscogee County District 9 At-Large Council Seat
Dr. Cathy Cook, a longtime Columbus resident, military veteran, and small business owner, has officially announced her candidacy for the Muscogee County District 9 At-Large City Council seat.

11/07/2025

“My Declaration of Intent filing today is intended to be a clear message to the citizens of Columbus - it’s time for leadership that listens, innovates and unites. My vision is simple but bold - A Columbus that works for everyone. Now the work begins!”

10/07/2025

Breaking News

Former City Manager Isaiah Hugley filed paperwork Thursday, July 10, 2025, signaling his intent, as he explores his options, to entering the May 2026 mayoral race in Columbus.

Hugley, who led the city for nearly two decades before his abrupt dismissal by a 7–3 vote of the Columbus City Council in late May, submitted the requisite notices with the Elections and Registration Office, triggering the start of qualifying for the municipal election.

Hugley was terminated effective May 27, 2025, after council members cited “a pattern of sustained dysfunction and operational breakdown” in departments under his oversight — including animal control and finance — that drew criminal investigations He will continue to receive his salary and benefits through Dec. 31, 2025.

Mayor Skip Henderson is term‑limited and ineligible for re‑election. With Hugley’s organizational efforts now underway, the field of potential contenders is likely to take shape in the coming months.

04/07/2025

View from the Pew: When they Hand You the Scissors
Let me speak from the heart today — because somebody needs to hear this truth and hear it plain.
Not everyone who walks into your life comes with love in their heart or purpose in their steps. Some are not sent by God — they’re distractions disguised as destiny. They come to consume, not to contribute. They come to take, not to build. They don’t see your soul — they see your shine.
They’re not in love with you — they’re in love with your potential. Your kindness. Your access. Your resources.
And I know this, because I’ve walked that road. I’ve showed up for people who never returned the favor. I’ve prayed for folks who never whispered my name in their own prayers. I’ve carried the weight of others while silently sinking under my own.
Let’s be real — some people aren’t loyal to you, they’re loyal to the benefits of being around you. That’s why they disappear when the favor dries up. That’s why they get quiet when the attention shifts. That’s why they’re always reaching for your hand — but never extending theirs.
But the Bible is clear:
“Do two walk together unless they have agreed to do so?” — Amos 3:3
You can’t walk with everyone. Some people were only meant to be in your life for a season, but you tried to make them lifelong. You kept giving, hoping they’d one day see your heart — not realizing they were never looking in that direction.
So do yourself a favor, stop breaking your back for people who won’t even bend theirs. Stop rowing the boat while they sit dry, arms crossed, critiquing your stroke. Stop keeping people in your circle who vanish every time it’s not about them.
You are valuable. Your love, your loyalty, your energy — that’s kingdom currency. And you’re not called to waste it on those who treat it like pocket change.
Ask yourself: if your talent disappeared — would they still be here? If your name wasn’t known — would they still answer your call? If all you had to give, was you — would that still be enough?
Because sometimes, the people you give the most to… will do the least for you.
Don’t let their absence break your belief. Don’t let their betrayal break your spirit. You are not their loss — they are yours.
There are people, God-sent people, waiting to pour into you. People who aren’t trying to climb on your back but walk beside you. People who won’t drain you — but develop you.
“Surround yourself with elevators, not opportunists. With sharpeners, not leeches.
And when you finally do what needs to be done — when you cut off those who were never really for you — don’t be surprised when they call you the villain.
Let them talk. Because here’s the divine truth: You should never feel guilty for cutting off someone who handed you the scissors.
Protect your peace. Guard your purpose. And honor your worth.
You don’t owe anyone your presence. You don’t have to carry what was never yours. You don’t have to stay connected to people who were only sent to distract you from destiny.
Finally let me say this:
If they’re not supporting, they shouldn’t be important.
If they’re not praying for you, they shouldn’t be weighing on you.
If they can’t clap for you when it’s not their turn — let them go.
Choose peace over pressure. Choose growth over guilt.
And above all else, choose you — because God already did.

02/07/2025

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