Florida Sentinel Bulletin

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)

The Bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, Bishop Adam J. Richardson, was in town last weekend to spend time with the ‘Tremendous Tampa District.’ A native of Tampa, he hosted a conference, ‘A Conversation with the Bishop on Pastoral Ministry, Leadership Training and Empowerment Institute.’ He was also the guest of honor for a luncheon and a banquet. On Sunday morning, the Bishop and his wife, Supervisor Connie S. Richardson, worshipped at the first church he was assigned to, Mt. Pleasant AME Church, Odessa. Reverend Karen J. Sims is the pastor. Supervisor Connie Richardson was the speaker. Shown after the service are: Mary Scott, the Bishop’s aunt; Elder Jimmy Thompson, Presiding Elder; Evangelist Bessie Thompson, Reverend Matthew and Eva James, Rev. Karen Jackson Sims and Leroy Sims; Holly Allen and Ella Moorehead, rear; Mattie Ford, and Bennie Moorehead. (Photo by Lomax McIntyre)

Since its inception in 2009, Club 44 has work diligently for the causes of President Barack Obama. The members of the organization worked even harder this past election season to insure that he would return to the White House. The organization contributed more than 1,800 volunteer hours as well as made financial donations.  To celebrate the 2nd inauguration, Club 44 held its Presidential Affair in Traditions Hall at the USF Alumni Center. Members in attendance seated were: Pearlyne Wilson, Bernadette Yee, Grace Jones and Ruby Brown. Standing, Jean Collins, Barbara Jackson, Ruth Bell, Sonja Garcia, Frances C. Sykes, Evelyn Bethune, CaSandra Washington, Jacquelyn Wilds, Demoris Rhodes and Patricia Miles. (Photograph by BRUNSON)

Attorney Delano S. Stewart was the guest speaker Monday for the 33rd Annual Tampa Organization of Black Affairs (TOBA) Leadership Breakfast. He told those in attendance that his aim is to lift the organization so that it can become an organization for ‘all’ of the affairs of Tampa. Atty. Stewart, a co-founder of the organization back in 1979 along with Atty. Bob Morrison and David McQuay, CPA, told the audience to lift, love and make somebody’s life better. Seated, right, with his wife, Atty. Carolyn House Stewart, Atty. Stewart is joined by the breakfast co-chairs, Adrian Anthony, Sr., left, and Deidre Joseph, right, along with Atty. Bob Morrison, 2nd from left. He’s joined by other family members: Kollin Spain, Delsha Stewart, Thomas Bartley, III, Venita Stewart, Christopher Wilson, Keyshawn Spain, and Pastor Roy Young. (Photograph by Lomax McIntyre)