Florida Sentinel Bulletin

A SURPRISE 75^th BIRTHDAY CELEBREATION FOR CHARLES CONEY, SR.

           The family of Charles Coney, Sr., along with many friends gathered at the Palm River Community Center on January 31^st for a surprise celebration in honor of his 75^th birthday. Charles Coney, Sr., seated, is joined by his children: Charles, Jr., Deana, Chavrenda, Christy, and Charlton. (Photograph by Fred Harris)

CITY OF TAMPA BLACK HISTORY COMMITTEE 38^th CELEBRATION

           The City of Tampa Black History Committee held its 38^th Annual Black History Program last Friday, February 6, 2026, at the Tampa Convention Center. The theme was “Honoring Our Veterans: Celebrating 250 Years of Service and Strength.” The guest speaker was Chief Barbara Tripp, Tampa Fire Rescue Chief and U. S. Navy Veteran. Joined by Mayor Jane Castor, Tampa City Council, community leaders, family and friends, the committee welcomed two new chairs – Amicho Joseph and Sandra Williams.  Committee members in attendance were, seated: Regina Lock-Depass, Tampa Fire Chief Barbara Tripp, Katrina House (City of Tampa Black History Committee President), Candice Cowen, Dr. Veronica Lee, Shirley Foxx-Knowles and Christine Glover (Ret., National Guard). Standing, Frank Woodard, JC Hudgins, Amicho Joseph, Jillian Howard, Bobby Bowden, Lenoir Russell, Michelle Thompson, Sharika Jones, Darlene Johnson, Sandra Williams, Jaida Clark and Frank Crum. (Photograph by BRUNSON)

MLK BREAKFAST SPEAKER DELIVERS POWERFUL MESSAGE AT BEULAH BAPTIST ON SUNDAY

        The 46^th Annual Tampa Organization of Black Affairs Breakfast was held Monday morning with the keynote speaker, Dr. DeForest Soaries. However, before delivering his message to thousands, on Sunday morning he delivered a powerful message to congregants at Beulah Baptist Church. Shown from left are: Beulah’s Pastor Alan Harris, Ernest Coney, Jr., Sentinel Publisher and Beulah member, Kay Andrews, Dr. DeForest Soaries and his wife, Dr.  Donna Soaries, and Pastors Ernest and Chloe Coney.

INSTALLATION OF OFFICERS FOR TAMPA BAY COALITION OF CLERGY

       The Tampa Bay Coalition of Clergy, Inc. held its Installation Service on Sunday, January 4, 2026, at Allen Temple AME Church. The guest speaker was Bishop Anthony W. Gilyard. Superintendent Clethen Sutton was installed as Chairman of the Coalition. The reception honored Chairman Emeritus, Bishop Thomas Scott. Those installed included: from left, Dr. Moses Brown, Executive Board Member, Pastor Carolyn Riggins, 2nd Vice Chair, Reverend Jacqueline Co?e-Leeks, Executive/Financial Secretary, Superintendent Clethen U. Sutton, Chairman, Dr. Glenn Dames, Vice Chairman, and Pastor Joseph Sykes, Treasurer. (Photograph by Tonya M. Lewis)

Drs. John and Juel Smith Honored At Preserve Vision Florida Award Dinner

         On Thursday, November 20, 2025, Dr. John and Dr. Juel Smith were honored as the 2025 Persons of the Year at the 46^th Annual Preserve Vision Florida Awards Dinner. From left to right, Kenneth Shannon, Rohan Preston, Angela Shannon Preston, Lorna Taylor, Dr. Juel Shannon Smith, Dr. John Smith, Doug Williams, Dr. Lisa Shannon, Gina Shannon Spicer, and Oliver Spicer.

MAYOR JOINS TAMPA DEVELOPERS AT RIBBON CUTTING CEREMONY

       On Monday morning, Mayor Jane Castor celebrated the grand opening of affordable housing complex, Casa Maceo with the Tampa developers, Kevin Johnson and Dontavious Pittman, both of PDG-Shacres. The complex sits at the corner of N. 22^nd St. and E. Columbus Dr. Joining the ribbon cutting are: City of Tampa Housing Department’s Candice Cowen and Michelle Boone, Kevin Johnson, Mayor Jane Castor, Dontavious Pittman, Councilwoman Naya Young and City Council Chair Alan Clendenin. (See full story on Page 9-A) Photograph courtesy, City of Tampa.

KAPPA ALPHA PSI FRATERNITY HOSTS BLACK AND WHITE BALL

      The Tampa Alumnae Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., held its annual Black and White Ball at Higgins Hall. From left to right are: Vice Polemarch Kevin Jackson, Polemarch Darrell X. Johnson, honorees County Commissioner Gwen Myers, Visit Tampa Bay Vice President Sherri Brown, Hillsborough County NAACP President Yvette Lewis; Mistress of Ceremonies, Kathy Times; and Black and White Ball Chairman, Edwin Narain, Esquire.  (Photograph by BRUNSON)

CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION TO HONOR MRS. DOROTHY ANTHONY WILLIAMS

     Family members and friends gathered in the Rev. Oscar Johnson, Jr. Educational and Fellowship Hall at Greater Bethel Missionary Baptist Church, Inc., on Sunday, August 31, 2025, to celebrate the 100^th birthday of Mrs. Dorothy Anthony Williams. Her actual birthdate was August 27, 2025. Mrs. Williams, seated left, is shown with her daughters: Carolyn Williams, seated, right; and standing, Commissioner Gwen Myers, Dorothy Flowers, Norma Gilbert and Rosalyn Wise. (Photograph by BRUNSON)

OFFICIALS ATTEND NEW MT. ZION M. B. CHURCH RE-ENTRY SERVICE

      Several elected officials were guests at the Re-Entry Service at New Mt. Zion M. B. Church on Sunday, September 7, 2025. For the past 7 months, services have been held in the Rev. Dr. Walter J. Williams Life Center while major renovations were taking place in the sanctuary. Standing from left: Mayor Jane Castor, assisted Pastor Larry L. Roundtree, II, and others with ribbon-cutting; former Mayor Bob Buckhorn, and County Commissioner Gwen Myers gave remarks. (Photograph by Tonya M. Lewis)