Florida Sentinel Bulletin

The Wilkes and McHugh 26th UNCF All Star High School 2011 Basketball Classic was held Friday, March 11, 2011 at Jefferson High School. The East Squad, coached by Dexter Bryant, Head Coach at Brooks-DeBartolo Collegiate High School, won the game, 45-33. Senior players from the west side of the county went up against girls from the east side of the county. Members of the team and the schools they represented are: Shaunice Hobbs, Tampa Bay Tech; Caitlin Doone, Chamberlain; Taylor Broadnax, Durant, 3-point contest winner; Layla Johnson, East Bay; Keyann Powell, Brooks-DeBartolo; Raven Quarterman, Brooks-DeBartolo; Shamaria Engram, Strawberry Crest; Diana Mitchell, Wharton; Tashana Bludsaw, Hillsborough High; Liana Pugueno, Spoto, and Brianna Thomas, Spoto, East MVP. The winning girls’ squad is shown with coaches Bill Richardson, Brooks-DeBartolo assistant; Curtis Folsom, Middleton High girls’ coach; Dexter Bryant and George Kimbell, Brooks-DeBartolo assistant. (Photograph by Toby Scott)

Hillsborough Community College hosted the Black, Brown and College Bound Summit last month at the Renaissance Hotel. The theme for the conference was “Courageous Conversations: Taking it to the Next Level with African American and Latino Males.” The summit is designed to bring together national experts and practitioners to discuss programs and strategies to increase the academic achievement of underrepresented males. Among those in attendance were, from left: Dr. Joan Holmes, Tim King, Esquire, guest speaker and founder of an all-male school with 99% of the grads attending college; Dr. Ken Ray, Jr., and Dr. Sylvia Marion Carley. (Photo by BRUNSON)

The 4th Annual Black Diamond Awards event was held in the theater at Howard W. Blake High School on February 26, 2011. Awards were presented to the following winners: in front, Rev. Dr. C. P. Epps, Religious Leader of the Year; first row, left to right, Dr. Carolyn Collins, who accepted for the Hillsborough County Branch NAACP, Civic Organization of the Year; Ross Anderson, Humanitarian of the Year; Robert (Bob) Samuels, Citizen of the Year; Aminta, of WTMP’s Mid-Day Vibe, Mistress of Ceremony; Andre White, who accepted the Lifetime Achievement Award for his brother, Alton White, Sr.; Sherryl Cusseaux, who accepted for DSI Black Pages, Business of the Year; Quentin Williams, Amateur Male Athlete of the Year; and Jarvis El-Amin, Community Activist of the Year. On the back row, Jasmine Roberts, Student of the Year; Audrey Glymph and David Denson, both recipients of Chairman’s Special Award; Ralph Smith, Unsung Hero of the Year; and Deputy James Gallon, Law Official of the Year. Also receiving awards were Carolyn Hill, Educator of the Year and Amber Henson, Amateur Female Athlete of the Year. (Photo by Frederick Harris Photography)

‘A Night of Kings And Queens Community Awards Recognition: A Celebration of the African American Culture” was held Friday evening, February 25, 2011, at Pepin’s Hospitality Center. Several area businesses co-sponsored the event. Radio personalities Jomama Johnson and his wife, Prophetess B. Shepard were the Master and Mistress of ceremonies. Award recipients seated left to right: James Johnson accepted the Community Impact Merit Award for the Florida Sentinel; Pastor Moses Brown, Th.D., of Feed Our Children Ministries received the MLK Humanitarian Award; Rev. Thomas Scott, of the Tampa City Council, received the Adam Clayton Powell Award; Ms. Evangeline (Vann) Richardson Best, of the East Tampa Community Revitalization Partnership, was presented the Marcus Garvey Community Development Award and Sol Davis of Sol Davis Printing received the African American Business Merit Award. Standing, left to right, Thomas Huggins, Tameca Johnson, Julia Jackson, Henry “Shake” Washington, Sr., recipient of the Mary McLeod Bethune Distinguished African American Award; Jomama Johnson, Prophetess B. Shepard and Lawrence Hires, event planner. (Photo by Julia Jackson)

The Tampa Chapter of the Links, Inc. hosted its 5th African American Read-In on the last day of February at Sheehy Elementary. The Links, and their girls group at the school, the Royal Jewels welcomed 31 guest readers.  The majority of the readers were African American male professionals in the community. The Read-In is the organization’s national initiative that promotes the reading of African American authored books.
The Tampa Links donated 85 books to the school as well. On hand for the event were:  Mike Butler, Walter Niles, Charles Thybulle, Links, Dr. Jacentha Buggs, the event chair; Janice Carter Collier, chapter president; and Margarette Spears, chair of Services to Youth facet and the event sponsor; Kevin Bryant, Atty. Robert Morrison and Jerry Bell.

Family and friends of Mrs. Catherine R. Smith joined her recently at the Blaise Alfano Center to celebrate her 70th birthday. Guests were treated to a program honoring Mrs. Smith, great food and lots of conversation. Mrs. Smith is shown with her family: seated, Ben Smith, Jr., standing, Ruby A. Smith, Katrina A. Smith, Maya Dee Smith and the honoree, Mrs. Catherine Smith. (Photo by Lomax McIntyre)

Last week, the Howard W. Blake High School Yellow Jackets came from behind to win the Class 4A, District 9 Championship in front of a standing room only crowd. On Saturday, the young men will travel to Fort Myers where they will take on the Fort Myers Greenies. The Greenies are the defending 4A state champions and this game will determine which team will advance to the state tournament.
The team has been playing with extra emotions due to the life-threatening illness of their Coach. Team members, Chris Tomlinson, Curtis Fountain, Andre Smith, Brandon Chandler, Xavier Alston, Quentin Brewer, Joe Morris and Deshay Williams are shown with their latest game trophy. (Photograph by Toby Scott).

On Wednesday, February 16th, the City of Tampa Black History Committee held their 23rd Annual Black History Celebration. The event was held at the Tampa Convention Center. This year’s theme was ‘Enter to Learn, Depart to Serve: The Importance of Historically Black Colleges and Universities.’ The keynote speaker for the event was Dr. Walter L. Smith, former president of Florida A & M University. Edward Waters Concert Choir provided the entertainment. Among those in attendance at the event were from left to right: Tampa Fire Chief Thomas Forward, Ms. Lenoir Russell, Ed Johnson, East Tampa Development Manager; Dr. Walter Smith, keynote speaker; Mrs. Barbara Smith, Rev. Thomas Scott, Chairman of Tampa City Council, Frank Crum, CTTV Producer/Director; Ms. Tonja Brickhouse, Director of Solid Waste; and Rod Carter, Channel 8 News Anchor. (Photograph by Lomax McIntyre).

The Hillsborough County Black History Committee presented awards last Friday, February 11, 2011 during its Black History Program at Joe Chillura Park downtown Tampa. The program honored the 6 oldest African-American businesses in Hillsborough County. Awards were also presented to the sponsors and the Legacy Award was presented to a retired employee. Seated left to right: Gloria Adams Andrews and S. Kay Andrews, who accepted awards for the Sentinel as one of the oldest businesses and sponsor; Joyce Russell, African-American Liaison for Hillsborough County; Andrea White, Bright House sponsorship; Curtiss Wilson, Wilson Funeral Home; and Robert Cole, Sr. and James Cole, Cole’s Barber Shop. Standing, left to right, Marvin Knight, Oriental Fish Market, sponsor; Valerie Goddard, former Executive Director and Sunday Taylor, Administrative Assistant, Helping Hand Day Nursery; Gregory Fleming and Darele Campbell, College Hill Pharmacy; Spencer Albert, Legacy Award recipient; David Northern and Jeffery Rhodes, Ray Williams Funeral Home; Wayne Bright, Wilson Funeral Home and Anthony (Tony) Cole, Cole’s Barber Shop. (Photography by BRUNSON)