Florida Sentinel Bulletin

On April 23rd members of the community gathered at the Surf’s Edge on MacDill Air Force Base to recognize and pay tribute to the 2011 “Top Ladies Of Distinction.” The organization’s mission is to enhance and enrich the lives of youth and adults through national and community-based programs. This year, the honorees were Janice Carter-Collier, Donna Douglas, Doretha W. Edgecomb, Margaret A. Fisher, Ed. D, Lucille Franklin, April Griffin, Bertha M. Kemp, Vivian Kitchen, Sharon Miller, PhD, retired Councilwoman Gwendolyn Miller, Elder Michelle Patty, Rep. Betty Reed, Thelma K Shuman, and Maria Singfield. Among those on hand for the event shown standing from left to right were Elizabeth McQuay, Bertha M. Kemp, Lorretta Cottman, Delores Taylor, Ruby French, Luvator Nelson, Lejoan Franklin, Ora Chester, Janette Spencer-Davis, and Antonia Barber. Seated from left to right were Dawnette Frazer-Woods, President, Christine Frazer, Organizer, and Jean Miller. (Photograph by Maurice Kemp).

Hillsborough County held its Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Scholarship Reception on April 17, 2011 at the West Tampa Branch Library. On the program were: Tresa Boykin, Board of Trustees; Vivian Walker, Treasurer; Joyce A. Russell, President, Dr. MLKing Scholarship Fund; Stephanie Losurdo, Hillsborough County, who introduced the speaker, Belinthia Berry, Hillsborough County; Velma Glover, HCSO; Antonia Barber and Wally Anderson, Esquire.
Hillsborough County employees established the Scholarship Fund in 1988 to commemorate the life and legacy of the slain Civil Rights leader. Donations are made through payroll deductions.  City of Tampa employees joined the effort in 1992. A total of $15,000 was awarded to 15 high school seniors who plan to further their education at a college of their choice. The 2011 recipients are shown with Antonia Barber, left, Scholarship Chairperson, and County Commissioner Kevin Beckner, right. The recipients are: Antonio Booth, Armwood High School; Amber Brooks, Middleton High; Jessica Craig, East Bay; Corey Engel, Chamberlain; Max Girling, Plant City High; Analise Griffith, Steinbrenner High; Jordan Kinsey, Tampa Bay Tech; Diandra Latibeaudiere, Freedom High; Michael Lowe, Newsome; Dominique Mapson, Gaither; Andres Plato, Durant; Allazandra Reddick, Durant; Jasmine Roberts, Wharton; Anais Rodriguez, Leto High; and Randell Stephens, Lennard High.

On March 12th, members parents, family members, and friends gathered at the Embassy Suites Hotel for the 8th Annual Tampa Cotillion-Debutante Ball. The theme for this year’s event was “Celebrating 50 Years of Education, Legacy, & Cultivation.” Mrs. Mary Telfair Cooper is the Directress, Ms. Carolyn Plummer Riley was the Mistress of Ceremonies, and Attorney Norman A. Harris served as Master of Ceremonies. Each of the young ladies was escorted by a young man. The Magnificent Escorts for the gala affair were Samuel Culbreath, Ayele Gibson, Michael Davis, George Messer, Jr., Aaron L. Peoples, Tevin Newman, Terrence A. Peoples, David Summers, James Staten, Jr., and Richard Russell. Daniel Dorsey is not shown. (Photography by George Streets).

The Progress Village Civic Council partnered with the Feed Our Children Ministry for a Solidarity Program on April 10th to assist the homeowners of that community following the storm that ripped through their homes on March 31, 2011, leaving many devastated. Several area groups presented a concert to help the community. More than $3,000 was raised. Members of the Progress Village Civic Council in attendances were, left to right: Twanda Bradley, 1st Vice President; Delaney Pittman, Recording Secretary; Linda Washington, President; Jackie Mix, Corresponding Secretary; Leslie Jackson, 2nd Vice President; and Hilrie Kemp, Jr., President Emeritus. (Photograph by Julia Jackson)

The Pastor’s Aide Ministry of New Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church gave leadership to a recognition program on Sunday, April 10, 2011, to honor three of its retired members with more than 2oo years of service. Reverend Foster Garvin (97 years old) joined New Mt. Zion in 1942, Sister Delores Wheeler (89) joined in 1945 and Brother Nathaniel Green (94) joined in 1938. All three have been very active in their church and retired from some of those duties just recently. Family, friends, and church family joined them for the recognition program and dinner after the 11 a. m. worship. From left to right: Nat Green, Delores Wheeler and Rev. Foster Garvin. The pastor, Rev. Dr. Walter J. Williams is in the back. Linda Mitchell is president of the Pastor’s Aide Ministry and Sherryl Cusseaux was the program chair and mistress of ceremony. (Photography courtesy of Cheryl Clark)

The Sensational Seniors and Blue Revue annual pageant of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., Tau Pi Zeta Chapter, was held on March 26, 2011 at the College Hill Conference Center. The Sensational Seniors Program recognizes a non-degreed woman who has made an impact on the lives of young people. The Blue Revue pageant is the scholarship event of the youth group. The Miss Blue Revue contestants are: left to right, Cornelia McClennan, Ionia Knott, 2010 Miss Blue Revue; Ny’a Crum (seated), 2011 Miss Blue Revue; Jessica Clark and A’Sherah Mills. Marlene York-Monroe is the President. (Photo by Treasured Moments – Sylvester Harris)

Students from Hillsborough County Public Schools gathered for the Manuel-Griffin-Fraundorfer Track and Field Relays. The event was held at Hillsborough High School on March 26th. Among those in attendance was Ms. Theresa Manuel, one of the individuals the event is named for. Ms. Manuel was the first woman from Florida to compete in the Olympics. In 1948, she ran the 80-meter hurdles and ran the third leg in the 440-yard relay. The 1948 Olympics Games took place in London. Ms. Manuel is shown with members of the Durant High School Track Team and Coaches Gursky and Constance Wharton. The team members are: Tiara Sullivan, Cordata McCloud, Alex Williams, and Di’Anjah Claytool. (Photograph by Sylvester Harris).

Robert (Bob) Buckhorn, Jr. took the Oath of Office on Friday, April 1, 2011 as the new mayor of Tampa. Mayor Buckhorn and 7 City Council Members participated in the Oath of Office Ceremony which was held at the Tampa Convention Center. Mayor Buckhorn is shown with his wife, Dr. Cathy Lynch Buckhorn and 2 daughters, Colleen and Grace. On the right is Rev. Dr. T. W. Jenkins, Pastor of New Hope Missionary Baptist Church, who gave the benediction. (Photo by Lomax McIntyre)

The Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for the newly built Moses White Estates was held on Friday, March 25, 2011. The new development replaces the former Moses White Estates that was demolished in 1999. Family members of Tampa businessman and philanthropist, the late Moses White, attended the ribbon cutting in large numbers. Seated on the front row, Allison White, Joyce White, Gerald White, Sr., Bernadine White King, Amanda Anthony and Alton White, Sr. Standing, Bridgid White, Jenelle Ross, Shana Johnson, Robyn White Gordon, Andre R. White, Andre Moses White, Raquel White, Alton White, Jr. and Chester White, Jr. (Photo by Lomax McIntyre)