Florida Sentinel Bulletin

BLACK BUSINESS BUS TOUR PARK EVENT

            The Black Business Bus Tour hosted an event last month in the Park at Re-Birth Missionary Baptist Church. Several vendors gathered with founder Candy Lowe to present and share their goods. Those who assisted with planning this event were: Connie Melton, Vyundra Vinson, Beth Shoup, Cecelia Mitchell, Tia Jenkins, Candy Lowe, Celeste Mona Judge, Cametra Edwards, Rhonda Wright, and Twanda Bradley. (Photograph by BRUNSON)

MIDDLETON HIGH ALUMNI HOST GOLF TOURNAMENT FUNDRAISER

            The Middleton High School Alumni Association hosted a golf tournament fundraiser Saturday, October 22, 2022. The fundraising event was held at Rogers Park Golf Course to benefit the Eddie Smith, Sr. Scholarship Fund at Middleton. Smith, a Middleton grad, was an avid golfer, along with his siblings and other members of his family. Shown at the golf course are alumni: Pat Cooper, Woodrow Simmons, Albert E. Smith, Calvin Simmons, Denese M. James, Verdell Reaves, Yvonne Douglas, Phan Poston, Lisa Smith, Debra Smith, Sally Smith and Jo Abbot. (Photograph by BRUNSON)

TAMPA FIRE RESCUE COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY HELD

Congratulations to the Tampa Fire Rescue recruit class of 2022-23 on their recent graduation. The recruits were sworn in by City Clerk, Shirley Foxx-Knowles. Shown from left to right are: Fire Rescue Chief Barbara Tripp, Timothy Anderson, Austin Artis, Bryce Brazil, Evan Castro, Stephen Chang, Antwoine Gardner, Darryl King, Jr., Pablo Ramos, II, Olando Rivera, Jr., Joshua Ruiz, Aaron Senne, Mohammed Sharif, Alfredo Vega, Jr., Mark Willis, Jesse Wombacher, and Mayor Jane Castor, who offered words of encouragement. (Photograph by Tonya M. Lewis)

MIDDLETON HIGH EDUCATOR HONORED

    Middleton High School Counselor, Elmer Booth Rhone was recognized at the school recently as the “Hometown Hero.” Family, friends and staff were there to congratulate and shower her with flowers and lots of love. A Counselor in the District for more than 20 years serving at Blake and Middleton High Schools, Mrs. Rhone is described as “an excellent, caring person, who is interested in the kids succeeding.” From left to right are: Jackie Owens, Ida Booth, sister of honoree; Elmer Booth Rhone (honoree), Margaret Booth, honoree’s sister; Sandra Thomas, Ezekiel Thomas, Sandra Woodbury and Rosemary Buchanan. (Photograph by BRUNSON)

PI IOTA CHAPTER OF OMEGA PSI PHI Celebrates 76^TH CHARTERING DAY

    The gentlemen of the Pi Iota chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. celebrated their 76th Charter Day Anniversary with a church service at the First Baptist Church of Progress Village. Pi Iota’s Chaplain, Cornelious Bobo, delivered the Word Of God. Seated: Ray Johnson, Oscar Debardelben, and Jim Boyton. Standing 1st row: Darrell Brown, Andre Hubbard, Anvon Ferguson, Al Sheriff, T’Checoy Blount, Lavarous Johnson, Jr., Shaka Jasper,  and Andrew March. Standing 2nd row: Cory McWilliam, Jeremy Smith, Earl Morgan, Robert O’Connor, Cornelius Bobo, Stanley Gray, Jean Coleus, Craig Hall, Sr. Third Row: Lavarous Johnson, Sr., Dennis Douglas, Jermaine Mathis, Justin Goldsmith, Sean Shaw, Chris Brown, and Carlton Rice.

MEN OF VISION AT CENTER FOR ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT

    Ross Anderson, founder of Men Of Vision, makes sure the young men in his organization are well-rounded. They move about the county rendering service wherever needed. Safe and Sound and the Coalition of 100 Black Women joined Men of Vision for a visit to the Center For Academic Achievement. Men of Vision shown with Anderson, left, are: Daniel Buron, Michael Speights, Ty Andrews, Jakeel Smith (in wheelchair). Also in the photo are representatives of the sponsoring events and: Stacy Spencer, Program Director for Transition and Outreach; Arnez Wallace, Assistant Director for Transition and Engagement; Dr. DeOnte Brown, Assistant Dean of Undergraduate Studies and Director of CARE; and Tim Murray, FSU Black Alumni, Southwest Florida Board Member.  (Photograph by BRUNSON)

SOLID WASTE DEPARTMENT RETIREES GATHER AT ROWLETT PARK

    A group of retired employees from the City of Tampa Solid Waste Department gathered recently at Rowlett Park. The group invited former Tampa City Councilman Frank Reddick to join them.  The group gathers to keep in touch and celebrate any good news they may have.  Sitting in front are: Tara Smith, Sonya Bexley and Melany Jackson. Standing are: Clifford Daniels, Freddie Moore, Mike Jefferson, Frank Reddick, Rodney Reed, Leroy Lentz, Ira Bruton, Payton James, Victor Finley, Gerald Tribling, Calvin Newsome and Tom Streater. (Photograph by BRUNSON)

Local Church Host Law Enforcement Forum for Community Youth

     The College Hill Church of God in Christ recently held a meeting between local law enforcement officers and community youth. The purpose was to provide information to the youth of the community on ways to respond when approached by a law enforcement officer. Pastor Charles Davis, who was the host of the forum stated, “my reason for the meeting was to provide an opportunity for our youth and local law enforcement officers to establish a positive relationship.”

     Forum participants included from left to right: Officer Donald Jordan, HCSO; Pastor Charles Davis; Robert Davis, Retired Officer Edwin “Butch” Harvey, Department of Corrections; and Officer Craig Jordan, Tampa Police Department.

     Pastor Charles Davis plans to reach out to other faith based and community organizations to expand the youth forum. He believes that educating our youth will minimize negative responses when they are confronting by law enforcement officers. 

     The youth in attendance agreed that this type of forum allows them to have a positive relationship with officers in the community.

     If you are interested in joining this collaborative, please contact Pastor Davis by emailing:info@CHcogic.org.

80^th BIRTHDAY CELEBRATED WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS

Family and friends gathered on Sunday, August 15, 2022, to celebrate the 80^th birthday of Ms. JoAnn Harris. The celebration was held at the Egypt Shrine Center. Seated from left are: Willie Harris, Sr. (brother), honoree JoAnn Harris; her sisters, Ruby Nell Williams and Verdell Vickers, and friend, Dorothy Sneed. (Photograph by BRUNSON)