Florida Sentinel Bulletin

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)

PETER CLAVER CATHOLIC SCHOOL INDUCTS FIRST HONOR SOCIETY 

        St. Peter Claver Catholic School held its first-ever induction ceremony for the Honor Society. Father Agustinus Seran and Deacon Ben Hooks assisted with the ceremony. Principal John Davidson and Lead Teacher, Yvonne Rogers are shown with the inductees: Elijah Martin, Legacy Joseph, Chaenne Charles, Cortez Anthony, Kyla Hicks, Auberie Letang and Kenya Brown. (Photograph by Julia Jackson)

SENTINEL AMONG BUSINESSES HONORED AT 2^nd ‘BLACK BUSINESS HALL OF FAME’

      The Sentinel was among several individuals and businesses honored this past weekend, August, 9^th at the Portico. Candy Lowe, the visionary of the “Black Business Bus Tour,” also became the visionary for the “Black Business Hall of Fame.” The event recognizes some extraordinary Black individuals and businesses throughout the community, who have contributed so much to the economic sustainability in the Bay Area, from 80 to 29 years of service. The 2^ndannual ceremony recognized, from left: David Burgess of David Burgess Photo & Video, 48 years; Natalie Rene Brown-Panko, Ladies of the Sea, 29 years; Candy Lowe-Jones (Founder), Ronald (Ron) Watson, Shades of Gray Studio, 45 years; Nicole McKnight, accepted for her father, Howard McKnight, P.A., CPA, 40 years; C. Blythe (Drew) Andrews, III, President, and Terry Clark, General Manager, Florida Sentinel Bulletin, 80 years, and not shown, Rev. Willie Dixon, COACH Foundation, 44 years. (Photograph by Tonya M. Lewis)

HOWARD W. BLAKE HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETES PRESEENTED JACKETS

       The 2024-25 basketball team at Howard W. Blake High School received their Lettermen’s Jackets a few weeks ago. The jackets were presented by the Blake High Athletic Boosters’ Club. The boys’ team was District Champions and Regional Runners-up. Among those present for this event were: seated from left, Dr. Lewis Brinson, former Blake student athlete (basketball), Principal of the new Blake and current member of the boosters’ club; Gwen Fisher, Frances Cheeks Jennings, Mamie C. Igles, and Rudene Igles, Sr. Standing: Toby Johnson, Coach Calvin Barrs, Fred Lewis, Jr., Shamar Council, Rashif Sinkfield, Jr., and Coach Fred Lewis, Sr. (Photograph by Frederick Harris)

CHLOE CONEY CELEBRATES HER 75^th BIRTHDAY 

       Family, friends and colleagues joined Mrs. Chloe Coney recently as she celebrated her 75^thbirthday. The event was held at the Skills Center. Chef Eric of Eve Catering prepared the meal. Joining Mrs. Coney, seated left to right:  Sartura Smith, Chloe Coney, Chamain Moss-Torres, and Adrienne Clark. Standing, Dr. Samuel L. Wright, Sr., Ancelyn Willis, Ernest Coney, Jr., Edwin Torres, Lafe Eastman, David Jones, and Maggie Sanchez. (Photograph by Tonya M. Lewis)