Florida Sentinel Bulletin

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)

LYNCHING MARKER TO HONOR ROBERT JOHNSON UNVEILED

On Monday, August 29, 2022, elected officials and others gathered on the Tampa Riverwalk just south of the Madame Fortune Taylor Street Bridge following the unveiling ceremony of an Equal Justice Initiative (EJI) Marker. The marker honors five black victims of lynchings in Hillsborough County during the Jim Crow era (1870s – 1930s). This marker honors Robert Johnson. The marker sits on land where black female Madame Fortune Taylor owned 33 acres in the late 1800s. Local EJI committee members and elected officials shown here are, left to right: Tampa Bay History Center Curator of Black History Fred Hearns; Tampa Mayor Jane Castor, Tampa City Councilman Orlando Gudes’ Aide,  C. T. Harris, Abe Brown Ministries CEO Robert Blount, III; Tampa City Councilman Luis Viera, State Representative Fentrice Driskell’s Aide, Skoervitch Emile, Hyde Park United Methodist – Portico Pastor Rev. Justin LaRosa, State Representative Dianne Hart, Allen Temple African Methodist Episcopal Church Senior Pastor Rev. Dr. Glenn B. Dames, Jr.; and Community Tampa Bay member, Atty. Tammy Briant Spratling.  (Photograph by BRUNSON)

DERRICK BROOKS CHARITIES AND PARTNERS HOST ‘BACK TO SCHOOL BASH’

      Derrick Brooks Charities and its partners, City of Tampa and East Tampa Business and Civic Association, held their “Back To School Bash” on Saturday, July 30, 2022. The event was held at the NFL YET Center. Those who assisted with the event were, from left: Darrell Daniels, Executive Director, Derrick Brooks Charities Youth Programs; Major Rocky Ratliff, Tampa Police Dept. (retired); Colonel Melissa Moore, Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office (retired); Mrs. Melissa Johnson, Deputy Chief Calvin Johnson, Tampa Police Dept.; and Major Anthony Collins, Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office.   (Photograph by BRUNSON)

PASTOR PEELER CELEBRTES 60^th BIRTHDAY

      Pastor Darnell Peeler, center, celebrated his 60^th birthday with family and friends. The birthday celebration was held at American Legion Hall Post 5, on Saturday, July 23, 2022.  Shown with Pastor Peeler are: Darnita Peeler Williams, Lady Lanice Peeler, Yvonne Peeler Heard, and Dexter Givens. Pastor Peeler is the pastor of United Hearts In Christ COGIC. (Photograph by BRUNSON)