Florida Sentinel Bulletin

The Tampa Bay Black Business Investment Corporation (TBBIC) was one of the recipients of Wells Fargo’s Neighborhood Grant Program. The purpose of the Grant funds is to revitalize Tampa. TBBIC will provide loans to small businesses in a Contractor Loan Program. These business owners will be Tampa residents. It is hoped that with these funds businesses can grow stronger and become part of the economic recovery by providing jobs. Shown at the Grant presentation from left to right are: Mariela Hurst, Albert Lee, Mayor Bob Buckhorn, Frances Wimberly, Larry Whiting, Ron Peterson and Machelle Maner.

The Silver Anniversary of the City of Tampa Black History Celebration was held on February 15, 2013 at the Tampa Convention Center. The theme was “25 Years of Excellence,” and highlighted the accomplishments of city employees, the efforts of the City of Tampa Black History Committee and the unity that can be found in diversity. Rod Carter, WFLA Channel 8 News Anchor, was the emcee. Among those in attendance were: from left, City Councilman Frank Reddick; City Clerk, Shirley Foxx-Knowles; Tonja Brickhouse, Director, City of Tampa Solid Waste Dept.; Heddie Sumpter, State Senator Arthenia Joyner, Bobby Bowden (retired), who started the Black History celebration and served as chairman of the committee for many years; School Board Member Doretha Edgecomb; Bettye Greene Johnson (retired), who followed Bowden as chair of the committee; Dr. Walter Smith, County Commissioner Les Miller and retired City of Tampa employee, Fred Hearns. (Photography by BURNSON)

The Radiant Jewels of Van Buren Middle School spent half of their day last week at Tampa International Airport as part of the Garret A. Morgan Shadow Day. The young ladies are one of 2 groups mentored by The Tampa Chapter of the Links, Inc., under the Services to Youth facet. Members of the organization accompanied the Radiant Jewels as they toured all areas of the airport and had lunch afterwards. The tour was organized by Link Kay Jefferson. Radiant Jewels shown with Tampa Chapter of The Links, Inc. are: sitting, left to right: Madeline Morgan, Jonbanique Gainous, Danielle Lassey, Michla Eliassaint, Angelica Carvajal, Jaisha Walker, and Kim Lee. Standing, left to right:  Mrs. Cynthia Forward, Van Buren School Liaison; Mrs. Ozepher Wilds, Tampa Chapter of the Links, Inc, Services To Youth Co-Chair; Caprice West, Ayanni Blackmon, Kayla Ruiz, Lina Nguyen, Mrs. Margarette Spears, Tampa Chapter of the Links, Inc., Services To Youth Chair; Ariel Watson, Sierra Fry, Alexis Jones, Saneicia Lowe, Aliajah Johnson, Charlizia Spraggins, Shanaya George, Daphney Jean-Baptiste, Tequasha Harvey, Quijuana Anderson, Mya Black, Antwoniq Hendricks,  Makizia Sanders, and Link Charlotte Cato, Visiting Link, Asheville, NC. (Photograph by Lomax McIntyre)

Dr. Samuel Lamar Wright, Sr. retired from the University of South Florida (Tampa Campus) recently after 27 years of service. As USF’s Student Ombudsman, he dedicated his career to recruiting students who had a desire to better themselves through education. His family joined him for a celebration on the campus of the University of South Florida. From left to right are: Samuel Lamar Wright, Jr., his son; Veoletta Wright, his sister; Samaria Elizabeth Wright, his daughter; Dr. Wright, and Mrs. Sherrina Ford, mother of his children. (Photograph by Lomax McIntyre)

Recently, members of the Tampa Chapter of The Links., Inc. held its 7^th Annual Read-In at Sheehy Elementary School. Several men from through Hillsborough County interrupted their day to read to the elementary school children. Link Ruth Duncan Bell is the President of the organization and Links Patricia Parker and Barbara Jackson chaired the event. Some of the readers who participated in the event were: from left to right, Jerry Parker, Lt. Col. Cedric Carrington, I. V. Spears, Ken Anthony, Dr. Samuel Wright, Sr., Rev. Dr. John D. Cato, and Howard F. Harris. (Photography by Toby Scott, of Chow and Scott Keepsakes).

The Tampa Police Department will celebrate its 25^th Annual Black History Program on Saturday, 23, 2013. This year, the Committee Members have stepped out of the box and will host the event at the Tampa Police Department’s P.A.L. Building on W. Diana. Their theme is “Meet Me At The Park.” Members of the Black History Committee shown from left to right are: Lydia Pizarro, Crime Prevention Program Coordinator; Ida Walker, Administrative Assistant to the Chief of Police; Carla Jackson, Neighborhood Liaison for the Office of Neighborhood and Community Relations; Janelle McGregor, Media Relations Assistant; Captain Rocky Ratliff, Major Diane Hobley-Burney, Deirdre Joseph, Accountant for the City of Tampa; Detective Sonja Wise, Crystel Sampson, Polygraph Specialist and Earl Silas Weed & Seed Site Coordinator.

The Tampa Housing Authority commemorated the start of Black History Month February 4th with the unveiling of memorabilia from Dr. Bernard Lafayette, a civil rights activist and organizer. The collection of pictures, awards and plaques chronicle his journey as a Freedom Rider and non-violent coordinator and trainer. A native Tampan, Dr. Lafayette became a civil rights activist and organizer during the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960. His most notable accomplishment was his role in the Freedom Riders movement of 1961. The Freedom Riders were civil rights activists, men and women, Black and white, who boarded buses to the Deep South to challenge the 1960 Supreme Court ruling that outlawed segregation. Dr. Lafayette, center, is shown with Joel Mezerowski, Construction Teacher; Carlisle Hamilton, Allen Thurman, Joshua Givens, Leonisha Williams, Demetrius Givens, Charles Weaver, Joshua Powell, and John Arroyo, YouthBuild Program Manager. Back row: Chris Ward, Clarence Jones, Damien Beal and Linwood Hall.  On the right are Stephanie Brown-Gilmore and Dr. Hazel Harvey, Housing Authority Board Chairman. Jerome D. Ryans is President/CEO. (Photo by Lomax McIntyre)

A 90th Birthday Prayer Breakfast honoring Mrs. Blondell Luellen Warmack Livingston Bright on Saturday, January 19, 2013. The breakfast was held at her E. North Bay St. residence. The event was hosted by her descendants, chaired by Gussie Louise Livingston.

For her 90th birthday, Mrs. Bright received letters and proclamations from President Barack and First Lady Michelle Obama, Senator Bill Nelson, Governor Rick Scott; a tribute from State Representative Betty Reed; County Commissioner Les Miller, Mayor Bob Buckhorn, and City Councilman Frank Reddick.

To her delight, the family prepared a program that uplifted her spirits. Program participants were: Reverend Earl B. Mason, Sr., Mrs. Juanita Gued, Deacon Ang Andy Faison, Sr., Dominic Kennedy (great-great grandson), Leandra Thomas Robinson (great niece), Joyce M. Marshall (eldest living daughter), Rev. Alphonso B. Livingston, Sr., Gloria Clark Polack Fleming, Lesley “Les” Miller, Delano Stewart, Esquire, Wallace McDonald (god brother), Millie Alalia Presley (granddaughter), Caleb Daymond (great grandson), Maurice J. Jackson, Donna Douglas, Gussie Livingston (daughter), Rev. Matthew James, and remarks from the honoree.

Mrs. Blondell Luellen Warmack Livingston Bright, seated, is shown with her children, standing: Joyce M. Marshall (Tampa), Donnell Livingston (Fayetteville, NC), Bessie M. Love (Winder, GA), Gussie L. Livingston (Tampa), Alfonso B. Livingston (Opa Locka), Maxine E. Daymond, and Cynthia D. Williams, both of Tampa.

Wednesday, February 6, 2013 was National Signing Day for a variety of sports. Although more focus is put on football signees, there are others who bask in National Signing Day.

Top photo, the 10 who signed from King High School are: seated, Dennis Meyer, Romario Dunbar, Tyrone Gonzales, all signed with Texas College; Malcolm Mosley, Crown College and Bien-Amie Wilson, Texas College. Standing, Alex Frederick, Webber International; Jose Gonzalez and Austin Long, Texas College; Reggie Butler, Fort Hays State; and Joseph Heyward, Texas College.

In the second photo are Tampa Bay Tech signees: Antonio Guerad, University of Central Florida; Richard (RB4) Benjamin, who signed with Louisville; and Jamaroz (JT) Thompkins, Bethune-Cookman University.

Not pictured: The Hillsborough High signees are: Jeremiah Green signed a Letter of Intent in track with Alabama; Jordan Sherit, University of Florida; Trevor Steinke, Webber International; and Nigel Harris signed with the University of South Florida. (Photos by BRUNSON)