Florida Sentinel Bulletin

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE AWARDS YOUTH ORGANIZATIONS

      Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister and community partners continue to support opportunities for youth within the community to thrive. Last week, he presented $45,000 in charitable donations to three organizations that work directly with youth: Junior Achievement of Tampa Bay, Gentlemen’s Quest of Tampa, Inc., and Children With A Vision. At the presentation were:

Chief Deputy Thomas St. John, HCSO, Ms. Melissa Moore, retired Colonel, HCSO, Mr. Olivea Millour (Junior Achievement), Mr. Richard George (Junior Achievement), Colonel Frank Losat, HCSO, Mr. Tavis Myrick (Gentlemen’s Quest), Major Chris Rule, HCSO, Sheriff Chad Chronister, Mrs. Tonya Lewis (Founder of Children With A Vision), Colonel Mike Hannaford, HCSO, Mr. Oliver Sutton (Children With a Vision), Mr. Telvin Mexile (Gentlemen’s Quest), Mr. Donovan Terry (Gentlemen’s Quest), and Chief Deputy Joe Maurer, HCSO. (Photograph by Tonya Lewis)

FAMILY PRESENTS $2,500 CHECK TO MOFFITT CANCER CENTER

Multiple Reasons presented a check to Moffitt Cancer Center in the amount of $2,500 to honor their father, Ivory K. Haywood, “who is now cancer-free with the help of Moffitt Cancer Center. We are honored to have an impact towards health disparities amongst our community for African Americans living with   Multiple Myeloma Cancer,” the family says.  Shown from left, Latosha Hoskins, Ursula Dupree, Apryl Haywood, Sherral Haywood, honoree Ivory Haywood and Dr. Lee Green, who accepted the check for Moffitt Cancer Center. (Photograph by BRUNSON)

 TAMPA BAY AFRICAN AMERICAN ARTS AND CULTURAL CENTER, INC. JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION

Hillsborough County Commissioner Gwen Myers, Vice Chair, Board of County Commissioners, and District 3 Representative, chose Juneteenth, June 19, 2023, to introduce the Board of Directors for the upcoming Tampa Bay African American Arts and Cultural Center, Inc.  The ‘Juneteenth Celebration of Freedom’ was held at the site of the cultural center, 2103 N. Rome Ave, former site of the West Tampa Community Resource Center. Members of the Board of Directors present, from left: Joe Gentry, the Honorable Les Miller, Jr., Nichelle “Nikki” Foster, Jaide Beverly, Commissioner Gwen Myers, Santiago Corrada, Bemetra Simmons, Craig Richard, and the Honorable Ed Narain. Not shown, Ronald Christaldi, Esquire. (Photograph by BRUNSON)

100 BLACK WOMEN, INC. TAMPA BAY CHAPTER HOSTS ‘PASSING THRE TORCH’ LEADERSHIP AWARDS

The 100 Black Women, Inc. Tampa Bay Chapter held its “Passing the Torch in Leadership Awards: Lighting the Way to Greatness” last month. The brunch ceremony was held at the David M. Barksdale Center at MacFarlane Park. The featured speaker was Valerie Goddard, CEO and Chief Strategist of the Goddard Group. Passing the Torch Leadership winners were: from left, Danielle Weaver-Rogers, Esquire, Avril Stinson, Dr. Danica Donaldson, Jermia Smith, LMHC, Joycelyn Carpenter, Natalie Freeman, Stevonia Allen ,and State Representative Fentrice Driskell. Winners not shown, Sonya Collins and Dr. Charmaine Cousins. (Photograph by BRUNSON)

WILSON FUNERAL HOME MANAGER IS NAMED ‘MORTICIAN OF THE YEAR’

The Florida Morticians Association, Inc. 2^nd Regional District Association met in Tampa last weekend at St. Lawrence Catholic Church Higgins Hall. Jeffrey Rhodes, co-owner of Ray Williams Funeral Home is President of the Association. Wayne Bright, seated center, was named ‘Mortician of the Year.’ Mr. Bright is shown with members of his staff at Wilson Funeral Home: seated, left to right, Patricia Robinson, Paulette Thomas, Sharon Wooten and Esther McGruder. Standing, left to right: Horace Drew, Carrington Smith, Brenda Lee DeWindt, Beverly Hill, Timmy Williams, Robin Paschal, Jimmy Williams, Jared Green, Lisa Allen, Kathryn Floyd, Tony Harris, Ronald Matthews and J. D. HiSmith. (Photograph by Tonya M. Lewis)

SGT. JAMES JOHNSON RETIRES AFTER 24 YEARS WITH ARMY RESERVES

Sgt. James Johnson was joined by many of his family members and friends at his Retirement Ceremony last weekend. The ceremony was held at Lassing Park in St. Petersburg. (See Full Story On Page ?-A) Sgt. Johnson has been a dedicated soldier for the past 24 years. Shown with him from left to right are: Aria Hawkins, Lomont Owens, Jeremiah Woods, Calvina Lee, Carlos Johnson, Dr. Sheryl Johnson, Willamena Johnson, Pastor Dr. Antonio Hawkins, Sgt. James Johnson, Ivy Hawkins, Maressa St. Germain, and April Hawkins.

CITY OF TAMPA BLACK HISTORY COMMITTEE PRESENTS SCHOLARSHIPS TO GRADUATES

The City of Tampa Black History Committee (COTBHC) presented scholarship awards and book stipends to graduating high school seniors. The 25^th Annual City of Tampa Black History Committee, Inc. Scholarship/Education Awards Ceremony was held at the Julian B. Lane River Center on May 9, 2023. They awarded over $20,000 in scholarships and book stipends. Scholarship recipients on the front row are: Shayla Jones, Moya Vernon, RaeMarie Parks-Royal, Madison Castro, Chanel Victorian, and Neriah Williams. On the back row are: Katrina House (COTBHC President), Deanne King (News Chanel 8), Marvin Martin; scholarship recipients: Earl Knighten, Sammie Randle, III, Ty Andrews, Kyler Browning, Corey Curry; Regina Lock-DePass (COTBHC Scholarship Chair); Don Johnson, and Bobby Bowden (founder). (Photograph by BRUNSON)

MEN OF VISION HOLD 17^TH ANNUAL CLASS OF 2023 SCHOLARSHIP CEREMONY

    On Saturday, May 13, 2023, the Men of Vision held their 17^th annual celebration for scholarships at Middleton High School. High school and college scholarship recipients came together to enjoy an afternoon of inspiration.  Front Row; Camerin Galye, Jefferson HS, Michael Speight, East Bay HS, Adrian Freeman, Middleton HS, Jonathan Lucas, Blake HS, Justin Young, Pasco HS, Nathaniel Chance-Chin, Middleton HS, and David Parrott Sickles HS. Second Row: Isaiah Isidore, Hillsborough HS, Sage Marshall, Middleton HS, Kyler Browning, East Bay HS, Alexander Washington, Tampa Bay Technical HS, Ty Andrews, East Bay HS, Dontrell Lane, Kidz Cove Academy, Jackson Hopkins, Sumner HS, Alumni  Devin Johnson, FAMU graduate, Sammy Randle, III, Lennard HS, Alumni Pierre Alsint, FAMU graduate, Julius Hayden, Middleton HS, Terrell Brown, Brandon HS, Jaquarius Fagan, Brandon HS, Christopher Haunte De Pena, Middleton HS, Zion Alexis, Brandon HS, Jadeon Glover, Middleton HS, Toluwanimi Bankole, Middleton HS,  and TJ Need, Sumner HS. 

 (Photograph by Tonya Lewis)

DELTA SIGMA THETA FUNDRAISING GOLF TOURNAMENT

The Tampa Metropolitan Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta held their first annual fundraising Golf Tournament at historic Rogers Park on Saturday, May 6, 2023. Chapter President Dedra Henderson stated that the fundraiser assists the organization in supporting their many scholarship opportunities. This year, the chapter has given away more than $20k on scholarships.

Sorority sisters shown are Kenya Sutton, Carla Johnson, Ajene Snow, Jenelle Bell, Kandria Keller, Dedra Henderson, Chapter President, Angel Long, Carrie Hurst, Dacia Oglesby, Cheri Wright-Jones, and Gladys McKinzy.

 (Photograph by BRUNSON)