Florida Sentinel Bulletin

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.

CITY OF TAMPA BLACK HISTORY COMMITTEE PRESENTS SCHOLARSHIPS TO GRADUATES

The City of Tampa Black History Committee (COTBHC) presented scholarship awards and book stipends to graduating high school seniors. The 25^th Annual City of Tampa Black History Committee, Inc. Scholarship/Education Awards Ceremony was held at the Julian B. Lane River Center on May 9, 2023. They awarded over $20,000 in scholarships and book stipends. Scholarship recipients on the front row are: Shayla Jones, Moya Vernon, RaeMarie Parks-Royal, Madison Castro, Chanel Victorian, and Neriah Williams. On the back row are: Katrina House (COTBHC President), Deanne King (News Chanel 8), Marvin Martin; scholarship recipients: Earl Knighten, Sammie Randle, III, Ty Andrews, Kyler Browning, Corey Curry; Regina Lock-DePass (COTBHC Scholarship Chair); Don Johnson, and Bobby Bowden (founder). (Photograph by BRUNSON)

MEN OF VISION HOLD 17^TH ANNUAL CLASS OF 2023 SCHOLARSHIP CEREMONY

    On Saturday, May 13, 2023, the Men of Vision held their 17^th annual celebration for scholarships at Middleton High School. High school and college scholarship recipients came together to enjoy an afternoon of inspiration.  Front Row; Camerin Galye, Jefferson HS, Michael Speight, East Bay HS, Adrian Freeman, Middleton HS, Jonathan Lucas, Blake HS, Justin Young, Pasco HS, Nathaniel Chance-Chin, Middleton HS, and David Parrott Sickles HS. Second Row: Isaiah Isidore, Hillsborough HS, Sage Marshall, Middleton HS, Kyler Browning, East Bay HS, Alexander Washington, Tampa Bay Technical HS, Ty Andrews, East Bay HS, Dontrell Lane, Kidz Cove Academy, Jackson Hopkins, Sumner HS, Alumni  Devin Johnson, FAMU graduate, Sammy Randle, III, Lennard HS, Alumni Pierre Alsint, FAMU graduate, Julius Hayden, Middleton HS, Terrell Brown, Brandon HS, Jaquarius Fagan, Brandon HS, Christopher Haunte De Pena, Middleton HS, Zion Alexis, Brandon HS, Jadeon Glover, Middleton HS, Toluwanimi Bankole, Middleton HS,  and TJ Need, Sumner HS. 

 (Photograph by Tonya Lewis)

DELTA SIGMA THETA FUNDRAISING GOLF TOURNAMENT

The Tampa Metropolitan Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta held their first annual fundraising Golf Tournament at historic Rogers Park on Saturday, May 6, 2023. Chapter President Dedra Henderson stated that the fundraiser assists the organization in supporting their many scholarship opportunities. This year, the chapter has given away more than $20k on scholarships.

Sorority sisters shown are Kenya Sutton, Carla Johnson, Ajene Snow, Jenelle Bell, Kandria Keller, Dedra Henderson, Chapter President, Angel Long, Carrie Hurst, Dacia Oglesby, Cheri Wright-Jones, and Gladys McKinzy.

 (Photograph by BRUNSON)

8^th ANNUAL GOLF TOURNAMENT TO BENEFIT SCHOLARSHIPS

            The 8^th Annual City of Tampa Black History Committee, Inc. Golf Tournament was held at Rogers Park Golf Course. All proceeds from the tournament go towards scholarships. The 2023 Scholarship Ceremony will be held at the Julian B. Lane River Center on Tuesday, May 9, 2023, 6 p. m. The COTBHC will be awarding 21 scholarships to graduating African-American high school seniors within the Hillsborough County School District. Among those in attendance, seated: Desha Small (COTBHC), Arthur Parker (COTBHC, Vice President), Ferraro Jacobs (COTBHC), Michelle Thompson (COTBHC), and Candice Cowen (COTBHC). Standing, from left: Latoya Randolph (COTBHC), Raquel Pancheo, Shirley Foxx-Knowles (COTBHC Advisor), Lenoir Russell (COTBHC, Retired), Celeste Gibbons-Peoples, (COTBHC, Past President), LaChone Dock (COTHC, Treasurer) Bobby L. Bowden (COTBHC, Founder), John Jones, Jr., and Tony McGee (COTBHC). (Photographs by BRUNSON)

GEORGE S. MIDDLETON HIGH ALUMNI ASSOCIATION PRESENTS SCHOLARSHIPS

 The Alumni Association of George S. Middleton High School presented scholarships to graduating seniors last Thursday (April 20^th) in the school’s Media Center. Recipients seated from left are: Azia Jones, Braxton Whittington, Taylor Kentish, Ke’Davia T. Jacobs and Shania Clarke. Some alumni members are standing with other scholarship recipients: left to right: Phan Boston, Apolonia Mendoza, Christopher Knox, Jaedon Glover, Adeoluwe Bolaji, Nishaud Joseph, Sage T. Marshall, Albert E. Smith, Calvin Simmons and Tyler Tazwell. (Photograph by BRUNSON)

GRANDMOTHERS HONORED AT 11^th ANNUAL GALA

Tonya Lewis, founder of the non-profit, Children With A Vision, Inc., hosted the 11^th Annual Grandmother’s Gala. The elegant event was held Saturday, April 1^st, at the Shriners Temple. The grandmothers were treated to an evening of dinner, dancing and loads of fun. Among those in attendance were: Sherri Monger, Laverne Hills, Jackie Dupree, Ursula Dupree, Letitia Dupree, Kelia Siplin, and Sheila Henry. (Photograph by BRUNSON)