Florida Sentinel Bulletin

Popular Bay Area musician, Shawn Brown hosted an elegant New Year’s Eve event to benefit cancer research and awareness. The event was held at the Embassy Suites Hotel-USF. Lawrence Hires and Jo Mama Johnson of WBTP radio station (95.7, The Beat) were emcees for the event. Brown, a prostate cancer survivor, invited a host of Bay Area musicians to participate. Proceeds went to the American Cancer Society. In attendance were, from left, Fire Rescue Chief Tom Forward and his wife, Cynthia; Shawn Brown, Adrian “Mr. Clean” Wright and businessman, Marvin Knight. (Photo by Julia Jackson)

The Middleton High School Class of 1967 held its holiday event at the Eddie Newkirk Event Center. Class members enjoyed a fun time reminiscing, enjoying music and re-acquainting themselves. Class officers in attendance were seated, Osa Russell and K. C. Williams; standing, left to right, Barbra Davis, Linda Williams, Ora Williams, Frank Hough, Cheryl Collins and Joe Floyd. (Photo by Sylvester Harris)

The touring production of The Color Purple did more than entertain Bay area residents during its recent stop at the Straz Center for the Performing Arts in Tampa.  It also helped make a difference in the lives of children.  Proceeds of some of the ticket sales for the January 8th evening performance will benefit the Jack and Jill of America, Foundation, Inc.  The Foundation is the philanthropic arm of Jack and Jill of America, Inc.  Programs funded by the Foundation include improving academic test scores, raising reading and mathematical skills, and instilling moral and social responsibility in America’s youth.  The organization’s National President, Tara Joseph-Labrie, traveled to Tampa for The Color Purple performance, as well as other high ranking leadership within the organization.  Among those in attendance were, left to right, Jack and Jill National President, Tara Joseph-Labrie; Greater Tampa Chapter President, Tangela Dupree; Southeastern Regional Director, Joli Cooper-Nelson, and Regional Member-At-Large, Sharon Bourges-Jones. (Photo courtesy of Ishmon Johnson)

The Hillsborough County Public Schools Office of Supplier Diversity and the Hillsborough County Branch of the NAACP hosted its “End Of Year Celebration On December 17, 2010 at Pepin’s Hospitality Centre. The lunch/networking event was held 11 a. m. – 1:30 p. m., with a program that began at noon. Special invited guests were the Tampa Bay Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. Celebrities in attendance were: from left, School Board Member Susan Valdes, Hillsborough County Branch NAACP President, Carolyn Collins; Hillsborough County School Board Chairman, Doretha Edgecomb; Kathy Valdes, School District Chief Facilities Officer; School Board Members Jack Lamb and Carol Kurdell; Hillsborough County Superintendent of Schools MaryEllen Elia; and Henry Ballard, Director, Hillsborough County Public Schools Office of Supplier Diversity. (Photo by BRUNSON Photography)

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On Wednesday, December 22^nd, members of the Mount Sinai African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, Young People’s Department (YPD) held their Annual Christmas program. Reverend Lillian Zakay is the senior pastor. Mrs. Latrice Scott was the author of the program that included praise and worship, praise dancing, skits, and other forms of expression in the retelling of the Christmas story. Among those taking part in the presentation, shown in this photograph were from left to right: Akacia Nelson, Ladia Reason, Ashley Nelson, Kia Small, Ayawna Dorsey, and Asia Nelson. (Photograph by Toby Scott).

The Top Teens Of America Induction Ceremony was recently held at the Ivy Academy. The youth organization in under the leadership of Top Ladies of Distinction. Dawnette Frazer-Woods is president of Top Ladies and Gary Graves-Barnes is president of Top Teens. Young people recently inducted are: Nicholas Green, Jessie Pollard, Natasha Orford and Nakya Ellison. Each was presented a plaque. (Photo by Julia Jackson)

A group of 40 4th and 5th graders from Sheehy Elementary were treated to a field trip and lunch by the Services To Youth (STY) facet of the Tampa Chapter of The Links, Inc. The club at Sheehy is called the Royal Jewels. The Jewels are mentored monthly by the Links. The December activity was a visit to the UT Museum’s Christmas Victorian Stroll. The Jewels were also treated to a buffet lunch, and a tour of the campus by two UT students.  The chaperones for the field trip were: Links Kay Jefferson, Sonjia Little, Demoris Rhodes, Ozepher Wilds, Ellie Gilder, Margarette Spears, STY chair, and Evelyn Bethune, UT Museum board member.

For the first time in the history of the school, the Jefferson Dragon Football Team is now a state champion, after winning the 4A Championship over Miami Norland 44-34 last Saturday in Orlando. (Photo By Toby Scott)

City of Tampa employees gathered Thursday, December 16, 2010 at Ragan Park Auditorium to distribute Holiday Food Baskets. The baskets contained items for a traditional holiday meal, grocery store gift card to purchase perishable items and new toys for the children. Employees helping with the distribution were: JoAnn Blount, Viola Pryor, who has been the coordinator for 25 years; Joyce Stevens, Althea Baker and Felix Rosario. (PHOTOGRAPHY BY BRUNSON)