Florida Sentinel Bulletin

LOVE FIRST CHRISTIAN CENTER PRESENTS SCHOLARSHIPS TO GRADUATES

      The Jennifer Newman Memorial Scholarship Fund at Love First Christian Center presented scholarships to its graduates recently. The Scholarship Fund was established to provide financial grants to students pursuing their academic goals. Since the fund was established in 2011, they have had 73 recipients and awarded $58,950. This year’s recipients are: Ty Mariano Andrews, Sydney Brown, Kyler Browning, Jaedon Glover, Earl Knighten, Jada LeTrice McDowell, Frank Pyrtle, IV, Madison Sheriff, Tyana Tibby, Dallas Williams, and Kayla M. Williams. (Photograph by BRUNSON)

East Tampa CRA Summer Youth Career Exploration Program Holds Ceremony

      The City of Tampa East Tampa CRA Youth Career Exploration Program held its end of summer completion program on Monday, July 31, 2023, at the C. Blythe Andrews, Jr. Library. The Summer Youth Career Exploration Program focuses on employment skills, job exposure, and college preparation.  Ed Hundley and Rugina Castillo were coordinators of the program. The keynote speaker was Ernest DuBose. Summer participants were: Ahmad Bacon, Mikesha Clarke, Mekhi Clarke, Sevion Daniels, Emarion Everett, Serenity Foster, Anaye Girven, Alonzo Godwin, Aarlynn Gray, J’Lyn Green, Daqua Hall, Yvonne Hawkins, Zaniyah Hawkins, Jeremiah Henry, Khalil Henry, Jayla Larzabal, Joshua Lester, Gerimiah Ramos, Jimarri Simmons, Donald Walker, Donnel Walker, Dontre Walker, and E’montre Washington.  Also there to support ther young people were: Mayor Jane Castor, City Councilwomen Lynn Hurtax and Gwen Henderson, School Board Member Pattie Rendon,k and Cedric McCray, East Tampa Development Manager, Community Redevelopment, City of Tampa. (Photograph by BRUNSON)

Buffalo And Soldiers Troopers Motorcycle Club Holds Convention In Tampa

      The National Association of Buffalo Soldiers and Troopers Motorcycle Club is in Tampa this week for its 2023 National Convention. Elected officials were on hand to welcome the group of more than 3,000 visitors to the city. The group kicked off the week with a community block party on Monday, July 24^th, at Konan’s Bar-B-Q. Michael Trigg, owner, served more than 300 meals of sumptuous grilled chicken, ribs, hot, dogs, burgers and all the trimmings. Shown at the kick-off event were: Jerry Boone Allen, Commissioner Gwen Myers, Michael Trigg, Owner of Konan’s Bar-B-Q; Councilwoman Gwen Henderson, Tracy Nuubian Lawton, Janelle McGregor, Director of Community Engagement and Partnerships, Neighborhood & Community Affairs, City of Tampa; and Nathan “Motown” Mack, National President of Buffalo Soldier. (Photograph by Tonya Lewis)

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE AWARDS YOUTH ORGANIZATIONS

      Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister and community partners continue to support opportunities for youth within the community to thrive. Last week, he presented $45,000 in charitable donations to three organizations that work directly with youth: Junior Achievement of Tampa Bay, Gentlemen’s Quest of Tampa, Inc., and Children With A Vision. At the presentation were:

Chief Deputy Thomas St. John, HCSO, Ms. Melissa Moore, retired Colonel, HCSO, Mr. Olivea Millour (Junior Achievement), Mr. Richard George (Junior Achievement), Colonel Frank Losat, HCSO, Mr. Tavis Myrick (Gentlemen’s Quest), Major Chris Rule, HCSO, Sheriff Chad Chronister, Mrs. Tonya Lewis (Founder of Children With A Vision), Colonel Mike Hannaford, HCSO, Mr. Oliver Sutton (Children With a Vision), Mr. Telvin Mexile (Gentlemen’s Quest), Mr. Donovan Terry (Gentlemen’s Quest), and Chief Deputy Joe Maurer, HCSO. (Photograph by Tonya Lewis)

FAMILY PRESENTS $2,500 CHECK TO MOFFITT CANCER CENTER

Multiple Reasons presented a check to Moffitt Cancer Center in the amount of $2,500 to honor their father, Ivory K. Haywood, “who is now cancer-free with the help of Moffitt Cancer Center. We are honored to have an impact towards health disparities amongst our community for African Americans living with   Multiple Myeloma Cancer,” the family says.  Shown from left, Latosha Hoskins, Ursula Dupree, Apryl Haywood, Sherral Haywood, honoree Ivory Haywood and Dr. Lee Green, who accepted the check for Moffitt Cancer Center. (Photograph by BRUNSON)

 TAMPA BAY AFRICAN AMERICAN ARTS AND CULTURAL CENTER, INC. JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION

Hillsborough County Commissioner Gwen Myers, Vice Chair, Board of County Commissioners, and District 3 Representative, chose Juneteenth, June 19, 2023, to introduce the Board of Directors for the upcoming Tampa Bay African American Arts and Cultural Center, Inc.  The ‘Juneteenth Celebration of Freedom’ was held at the site of the cultural center, 2103 N. Rome Ave, former site of the West Tampa Community Resource Center. Members of the Board of Directors present, from left: Joe Gentry, the Honorable Les Miller, Jr., Nichelle “Nikki” Foster, Jaide Beverly, Commissioner Gwen Myers, Santiago Corrada, Bemetra Simmons, Craig Richard, and the Honorable Ed Narain. Not shown, Ronald Christaldi, Esquire. (Photograph by BRUNSON)

100 BLACK WOMEN, INC. TAMPA BAY CHAPTER HOSTS ‘PASSING THRE TORCH’ LEADERSHIP AWARDS

The 100 Black Women, Inc. Tampa Bay Chapter held its “Passing the Torch in Leadership Awards: Lighting the Way to Greatness” last month. The brunch ceremony was held at the David M. Barksdale Center at MacFarlane Park. The featured speaker was Valerie Goddard, CEO and Chief Strategist of the Goddard Group. Passing the Torch Leadership winners were: from left, Danielle Weaver-Rogers, Esquire, Avril Stinson, Dr. Danica Donaldson, Jermia Smith, LMHC, Joycelyn Carpenter, Natalie Freeman, Stevonia Allen ,and State Representative Fentrice Driskell. Winners not shown, Sonya Collins and Dr. Charmaine Cousins. (Photograph by BRUNSON)

WILSON FUNERAL HOME MANAGER IS NAMED ‘MORTICIAN OF THE YEAR’

The Florida Morticians Association, Inc. 2^nd Regional District Association met in Tampa last weekend at St. Lawrence Catholic Church Higgins Hall. Jeffrey Rhodes, co-owner of Ray Williams Funeral Home is President of the Association. Wayne Bright, seated center, was named ‘Mortician of the Year.’ Mr. Bright is shown with members of his staff at Wilson Funeral Home: seated, left to right, Patricia Robinson, Paulette Thomas, Sharon Wooten and Esther McGruder. Standing, left to right: Horace Drew, Carrington Smith, Brenda Lee DeWindt, Beverly Hill, Timmy Williams, Robin Paschal, Jimmy Williams, Jared Green, Lisa Allen, Kathryn Floyd, Tony Harris, Ronald Matthews and J. D. HiSmith. (Photograph by Tonya M. Lewis)

SGT. JAMES JOHNSON RETIRES AFTER 24 YEARS WITH ARMY RESERVES

Sgt. James Johnson was joined by many of his family members and friends at his Retirement Ceremony last weekend. The ceremony was held at Lassing Park in St. Petersburg. (See Full Story On Page ?-A) Sgt. Johnson has been a dedicated soldier for the past 24 years. Shown with him from left to right are: Aria Hawkins, Lomont Owens, Jeremiah Woods, Calvina Lee, Carlos Johnson, Dr. Sheryl Johnson, Willamena Johnson, Pastor Dr. Antonio Hawkins, Sgt. James Johnson, Ivy Hawkins, Maressa St. Germain, and April Hawkins.