Florida Sentinel Bulletin

One of the events of the 10-day celebration of the Tampa Bay Black Heritage Festival was the 12th Annual Martin Luther King Heritage Leadership Luncheon. This year’s Festival theme is “Keeping the Dream Alive – Something for Everyone.” The luncheon was held at the University Area Community Center. The featured speaker was Reverend Dr. Floyd H. Flake, Pastor of the Greater Allen A. M. E. Cathedral Church in Jamaica, New York. Dr. Flake, center, is shown with, from left, Dr. Samuel L. Wright, Sr., founder, Tampa Bay Black Heritage Festival, Inc.; Dr. Brenda Walker, Ruby Jackson, Co-Chair, Tampa Bay Black Heritage Festival, Inc.; Dale Felix, Program Host; Jessamine Cadenas, who rendered a musical selection; and William Sanders, Co-Chair, Tampa Bay Black Heritage Festival, Inc. (Photo by Lomax McIntyre)

A celebration of life gala event in honor of Frances Cheeks Jennings was held on Friday, December 30, 2011 at the Egypt Temple Shrine. The adult-only event was sponsored by her children – Michael and Edwenia Prayon of Augusta, GA, Cedrick Jennings, and Walter and Charmain Jennings of Tampa. Family and friends joined Mrs. Jennings  for the celebration. Cedrick and her cousin, Andrea Peppers, served as Master and Mistress of Ceremonies. Mrs. Jennings, seated, is shown with from left, son, Cedrick, her husband, Edward, daughter, Edwenia and son Walter. (Photograph by Streets and Streets)

 Family and friends joined Drs. S. David and Miriam Stamps as they recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary. The joyous occasion was celebrated at Tampa’s Brios Restaurant. The couple, seated, are joined by, from left, son, S. M. David Stamps, III, Belva Burney Pettiford, daughter, Monique Stamps, Joyce Anderson and Samuel Anderson. (Photography by BRUNSON)

 The Just Us Social Club held its Christmas Party last month at the Carver City/Lincoln Gardens Civic Center. Friends joined the members and enjoyed plenty of food, fun and music. There was a little socializing and a whole lot of dancing enjoyed by all. Members are from left, Jean Tim, Betty L. Kinsey, Joyce Balloon, Margaret Brookins, Ella Cusseaux, Linda Gilchrist, Doris Slater, Mary D. Lee, Selphenia Shields, Mickey Vinson, Eileen Wilford, Willie Mae Williams and Michelle Loango. (Photograph by Frederick Harris)

The Tampa Housing Authority Holiday Party for the senior residents of Bethune and J. L. Young Hi-Rise Apartments was held at the Marriott Waterside last month. Residents enjoyed the Kuumba Dancers and a Dance Contest. Music was by Randall ‘C’.  Judges and contest winners included: Commissioner Billie Johnson-Griffin, Annie Ortiz, Alton Herring, Tammy Elser, Commissioner Manny Alvarez, Jr. and Bridget Brown. In the rear are Kenneth Christie and Jerome Ryans, President/CEO of the Tampa Housing Authority. (Photo by Lomax McIntyre)

Retired and Proud, Inc. held its 7th Annual Holiday Gala at the Sheraton Suites. This year’s theme was “A Winter Wonderland.” One of the items on the agenda that evening was the introduction of the members of the 2012 Board. Members are left to right: Noryce Hill-Bell, Dolores McIntosh, Joyce Austin, Betty Baker, Troy Collier, LeJoan Franklin, Ruby French, Carolyn Crenshaw and Lorretta Cottman. The President is Joyce Turner Austin. (Photo by Lomax McIntyre)

A small group of African American business owners, present and past elected officials had breakfast at the Open Café on Tuesday morning with Joe Lopano, Chief Executive Officer of Tampa International Airport. During his first year, TIA has netted a $2 million profit; added two international flights to Cuba and Switzerland; and will be managing major renovations and overall expansion. Among those attending the breakfast on the first row from left to right: Attorney Elita McMillion, Director of Ethics, Compliance, and Diversity at TIA; State Rep. Janet Cruz; State Rep. Betty Reed; Joe Lopano, CEO of TIA; State Senator Arthenia Joyner; Mrs. Chloe Coney, District Director for U. S. Congresswoman Kathy Castor; and Rev. Thomas Scott. Standing left to right are: Wilbert Malphus, Mrs. Yolanda Anthony, Roosevelt Scott, Melvin Nelson, Michael Hadley, Jackie L. Hearns, Marvin Knight, breakfast host; Ernest Coney, Jr., Interim CEO of the CDC of Tampa, Inc., Ms. Janet Zink, Director of Communications at TIA; County Commissioner Les Miller, Jr., Mrs. Evangeline Best, Ms. S. Kay Andrews, breakfast hostess and publisher of the Florida Sentinel Bulletin;  and businessman Sol Davis, Sr. (Photography by Toby Scott, of Chow and Scott Keepsakes).

Recently, members of Greater Bethel Missionary Baptist Church hosted its Annual Christmas Celebration Program. This year, church members featured a skit entitled “The King Is Coming” during the program. Mrs. Marion Jones, a Tampa hair stylist, produced and directed the performance. Members of the Greater Bethel Mass Choir who performed during the skit were seated: Mrs. Marion Jones, Mrs. Janet Wright, Mrs. Mildred Watson, Mrs. Deborah Johnson, and Mrs. Willie Lee Brown. Standing from left to right are: Sandy Wright, DeArthur Godwin, Wanda Williams, Nadina Johnson, Fonda Holmes, Elmira, and Joe Reid. Rev. Oscar Johnson is the Senior Pastor of Greater Bethel Missionary Baptist Church. (Photography by Chow and Scott Keepsakes). 

To learn more about their interest in Journalism, students from Girls Preparatory Academy A. J. Ferrell Middle Magnet School took a field trip on Thursday morning that brought them to the Sentinel. They were accompanied by their teacher and the Media Specialist. Sentinel Publisher, S. Kay Andrews took the 6 young ladies throughout the business, where they met staff, learned the duties of each, saw the equipment in operation and asked questions. From left to right, Heather Naron-Hiller, Creative Writing Teacher, Savyon Toombs, Allaundra Ashley, Franita Henry, Briana Scalf, Jaquitta Carwell, Tatyana Salter and Mike Saltzgaver, Media Specialist. (Photo by BRUNSON)