Florida Sentinel Bulletin

The Tampa Metro Section of the National Council of Negro Women installed new officers earlier this month. Retired City Councilwoman, Mrs. Gwendolyn Miller conducted the installation service. Ms. Electa Davis passed the mallet to Ms. Tempress (Tee) Solomon. Members eated from left to right, Francis Jennings, Edna Berryhill, Rosalie Jones, Gloria W. Davis, and Josephine Townsend. Standing: Tempress Solomon, Christy Jacobs, Cynthia Chipp, Mary Forbes-Williams, Saderia James, Charlotte Smith, JoAnn Harris, Toni Gipson, Sukela Roberts and Electa D. Davis. (Photograph by BRUNSON)

More than 200 participants, parents and supporters were at the Wilbert Davis Boys and Girls Club Wednesday afternoon, July 25, 2012 for the Community Talent Showcase. All of the groups gave a great performance, but there were only three prize winners. The first place winner was Sigma Psi Nu Sweethearts; 2nd place, the Star Divas of the Wilbert Davis Boys and Girls Club, coached by Ms. Tina; and 3rd place, Soul Steppers. One of the participating groups was the Undisputed Divas of Destruction (shown above). Members of the group are: Alexis, Charlia, Jayle, Kaala, Cara, Tati, Rayvin, Mareciauna, Rakiya and Sharil. Jason Jenkins is Director of the Wilbert Davis Boys and Girls Club. (Photograph by BRUNSON)

Last Friday, several students graduated from the Hillsborough County Youth Fire Rescue Summer Academy.    The purpose of the Summer Camp is to spark a career interest in at-risk middle and high school students to become firefighters, emergency medical technicians and paramedics. The two-week academy was held July 9th, through July 20th, at the Fire Rescue Training Facility, 3210 S. 78th Street.     The graduates received training in disaster preparedness, fire behavior, CPR, and first aid.     Shown in this photograph kneeling from left to right are: K. Morgan, J. Taylor, J. Del Rio, Z. Gates, K. Callahan, J. Taylor, F. Francedo, and A. Gillen. Standing from left to right are: B. Zelaya, D. King, J. Apploney, S. Arrington, T. Jenkins, V. Miller, A. Collins, A. Wilson, K. Franklin, D. Robinson, and K. Smith. B. Simmons is shown at the top on the fire truck.

    Last Sunday, members of the community from all walks of life gathered at the Riverfront Park for the First Annual Bridge The Generational Gap Campaign. The event was sponsored by Project S. A. W. Show Another Way, Inc., and Children With A Vision, Inc. Colonel Alvin B. Drew, Jr., an Astronaut from NASA, was the special guest. The theme for the event was, “It Takes A Village To Raise A Child.” Among those in attendance were NASA Astronaut Col. Alvin B. Drew, Jr., State Representative Betty Reed, Tampa Police Chief Jane Castor, School Board member, Doretha Edgecomb, Col. E. J. Otero, Elder Michelle B. Patty, Pastor Michael Price, Pastor Antonio R. Hawkins, Pastor Charles Perkins, Bishop Robert Register, Ricky Gallon, of Boys & Girls Club of Tampa, Inc., James E. Williams, Project S.A.W. founder Oliver Sutton,  founders Jerome Young, Lesley Young, and Tonya Lewis, founder of Children With A Vision, Inc.

More than 200 family members and guests joined Carolyn J. Banks to celebrate her retirement July 7, 2012. Guests were in attendance from Washington State, Dallas, Chicago and Gary, Indiana. The event was held at the USF-Gibbons Alumni Center on the campus of the University of South Florida. Renee Brown was the Mistress of Ceremonies. Mrs. Banks held several positions over the years at State Farm Insurance Company. She is affiliated with numerous business, professional, social and civic organizations. She is an active member of New Hope Missionary Baptist Church. Mrs. Banks, seated, is shown with her sisters: Maxine Jackson, Norma Reese, Vivian Reese, Shirley Reese, Janice Reese and Ruby Bunts. (PHOTOGRAPH BY JULIA JACKSON)

The Middleton High School All-Class Reunion was held in Tampa June 15-17, 2012. Part of the celebration included 10 years of the re-birth of Middleton Senior High School. The theme was “Maroon And Gold Runs Deep.” The reunion was held for 3 days and included Get Acquainted evening on Friday; Saturday evening, dinner and dance with Randall ‘C’ as the DJ; and Sunday the picnic was held at Al Lopez Park Hunt Center. Members of the Class of 1968 shown seated are Ms. Aleatha Shaw Filer, Calvin Simmons, Class President, and Ms. Jodie J. Hines. Standing from left to right are: John Robinson, Ms. Carol Brookins, Ms. LaVern Logan, Ms. Yvonne Douglas, Ms. Cynthia Brady, and Ms. Sandra Nelson. Standing on the back row are: “W.C.”, Gloria Andrews, Patricia Cooper, Henry Washington, and Isaiah Jones.

Just recently, Racquel Watson followed in her mother’s footsteps to become the 2012 Miss Alumni for Bethune-Cookman University. Her mother, Betoria Watson held the title in 1998. This year’s convention was held in Daytona Beach.  In addition to Miss B-CU coming from Hillsborough County, the Hillsborough County Chapter of B-CU won the title of “Chapter of the Year” for the outstanding work it does for the university. Members of the chapter who joined Racquel at the convention are Elaine Sledge, Diane Diggs, Jocelyn Vickers, Gina Petty, Birdie Underwood (Racquel’s aunt), Racquel, her mother, Andra Diggs, president of the local chapter, Johnny Douglas, Julia Jackson and Michelle Brundridge. (Photo courtesy of Julia Jackson)

The membership at Peace Progressive Missionary Baptist Church celebrated its pastor’s third anniversary in June. Reverend and Mrs. Albert (First Lady Wilma) Gallmon, Jr. were joined by family and friends. The guest speakers for Anniversary Sunday were: Reverend Eric Gallmon of Agape Church, 7:45 a. m. and at 11 a. m. the Reverend Sylvester Robinson, Pastor of St. Mark Missionary Baptist Church, Quincy. Among those assisting with the special services were members of his Ministerial Staff. From left to right are: Minister Barbara Harris, Minister Juanita Ford, Minister Diane Jackson, Rev. and Mrs. Gallmon, Jr., Reverend Terry Slayton and Minister Alfred Carswell. (Photograph by Julia Jackson)

The Urban Teaching Academy held a reception Monday to recognize graduating seniors from Blake, Hillsborough and Middleton High Schools. The reception was held at the Hillsborough Education Foundation’s headquarters at the Centro Espanol de West Tampa. Young people in attendance were: Whitney Burke, Victory Fipps, Leonel Garcia-Maestrey, Dontey Jones, Mekka Mason, Adalberto Robles and Caitlin Visnovec, all of Blake High School; Cynthia Curbelo, Ashley Danley, Monique Manlapig, Gelissa Mann, Rossanna Marquez, Kayla Rodriguez and Lakiya Thompson, all from Hillsborough High School; and Latrice Adams, Latifah Brown, Adrienne McLean, Heather Nelli, Justice Tribling and Magalia Vance-Peterson, all of Middleton High School. (Photo by BRUNSON)