Florida Sentinel Bulletin

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)

Tampa AKAs Showcase At Boule 

      From July 10, 2022, through July 15, 2022, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated held their National Boule in Orlando, FL. Twelve thousand AKAs were in town, including Vice-President Kamala Harris. Members of Tampa Chapter Gamma Theta Omega who attended were: Front row – Patsy Greene, Freddie Hudson, Monique Slater, President Tangela Dupree, Marcia Lewis Brown, Lo Berry, and Monica Harris. Second row – Elaine Saffold, Chloe Babb, Deidre Jones, and Commissioner Gwen Myers. Third row – Janice Jacob, Sarina Babb, Deb Barnes, Sandra D. Myers, and Susan Santos. Fourth row – Joyce Daniel, Monique Turley, Mervelle Sage, Salisa Berrian, and Donna Douglas. Fifth row – Betoria Watson, Rhonda Piggee, Blanche Turner, and Alicia McDowell.   (photo by Julia Jackson)

 Chandelier Transformations Youth Mentoring Hosts Mentoring Brunch 

      On Saturday, July 2, 2022, Chandelier Transformation Youth Mentoring hosted a brunch for board members and friends of the organization. Chandeliers Transformations Youth Mentoring (CTYM) was created to instruct young girls from low-income and minority communities to embrace their individuality and live boldly and confidently in who they were created to be. CTYM aims to empower our youth and their families with skills of self-advocacy, motivation, leadership, financial literacy, employability skills and so much more to light up the path to their future and every relationship encountered along the way. Seated – Shacara Sneed, Nikosha Fletcher, Tiffanie Tilley, Kathy Smith, Tacara Johnson, Belinda Glenn, Brittney Zenith (Adonis). Second row, Ross Anderson (Men of Vision), Joyce Christopher, Chaundra Gore, Anaya Bembow, Frances Whyte, Cheryl Roby, Ania Harris, Ayvia Allen, Geliyah Joseph, Anasia Harris, JeNiyah Allen, Anthony Smith, Jaelin Sneed. Third row, Nakio Jefferson, Anthony Harris, Naim Jefferson, Melissa Starks, Celeste, Lakavia Alexander, Damari Whyte, Mr. Johnny Johnson, Lakeyah Jefferson, Xenia Crapps , Adiyah Allen, Amarie Christopher, Tiendra Smith. Fourth row, Nikhil Jefferson, Tyree Smith. (photo by Tonya Lewis)

Millions Of Dollars Target Tampa Bay Social Programs

      On Tuesday, July 5, 2022, officials gathered at the North Tampa Community Center to receive over $6.7 million in aid allocated by the state. The money will specifically address three initiatives, food insecurity, job training, and child welfare. Those attending the presentation were: left to right, Reginald Burroughs, Nikki Daniels, Kimberly Miller, Emery Ivory, Pastor Curt McKay, Mayor Jane Castor Jacqueline Coffie-Leeks, Rep. Susan Valdez, Rep. James Bush, Rep. Dianne Hart, Harold Jackson, Megan Smithyman, Regina McBride Smith, Tonya Gallimore. (photo by Tonya Lewis)

GROUNDBREAKING OF NEW COCA-COLA FLORIDA FACILITY

Since founding Coca-Cola Beverages Florida, LLC  in 2015, chairman and CEO Troy Taylor has overseen significant investments in the company’s fleet, commercial real estate and manufacturing capabilities.  On Thursday, June 16^th, Coca-Cola FL broke ground on an 800,000 sq. ft., state of the art sales and distribution facility on 156 acres in Tampa. The new facility will have automated fulfillment capabilities. Pictured from left to right are: Percy Wells, Group Vice President, Government Relations, Public Affairs and Communications; Craig Richards, President and CEO, Tampa Bay Economic Development Council; Brian Ford, COO, Tampa Bay Buccaneers; Harry Cohen, Hillsborough County Commissioner, District 1; Jane Castor, Mayor City of Tampa; Troy Taylor, Coke Florida Chairman and CEO, with his family, Vonda Taylor, Erin Taylor, Joshua Taylor; Shannon Smith, Sales Director, Tampa Territory

Juneteenth Feed Yo Soul Fest 

On June 17, 2022, Feed Yo Soul Fest celebrated Juneteenth with “The Real Conversation” Panel Discussion and Concert. This event featured “The Craig Lewis Band” from Tyler Perry’s “Madea’s Big Happy Family” and panelists from the community. Feed Yo Soul Fest is a movement designed to ignite the holistic advancement of Black people in the Tampa Bay Area and beyond. @feedyosoulfest

Pictured from left to right – Maurice Allen Founder/CEO Feed Yo Soul Fest, Tammy Shamburger, County Commissioner Gwen Myers, Dr. Divina Jones, Ph.D, and Ernest Coney Jr.

(Photo by Tonya Lewis)

Juneteenth Flag Raising Ceremony and Proclamations

    On Wednesday, June 15, 2022, over 100 local citizens gathered with county officials and civic groups to hear Commissioner Gwen Myers award Juneteenth Proclamations after Wednesday morning’s Inaugural Juneteenth Flag Raising Ceremony at the Frederick B. Karl County Center.

    The flag raising and proclamation ceremony took place before the regular County Commissioners meeting. Commissioner Myers celebrated local organizations who have helped celebrate and promote Juneteenth. Recipients were: Maurice Allen, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Feed Yo Soul Fest; Reverend Willie G. Dixon, Founder, The Coach Foundation and host of an annual Juneteenth Celebration; Howard Harris and Robert Scott, Martin Luther King Jr. Parade Foundation; and Pastor Philetha Tucker-Johnson and Robin Lockett, Tampa Bay Juneteenth Coalition.

        Left to Right are Maurice Allen, Commissioner Gwen Myers, Reverend Willie R. Dixon, Howard Harris, Robert Scott, Jr., Robin Lockett, Norma Pierce, Delphine Jones, and Pastor Philetha Tucker-Johnson. (Photo by Tonya Lewis)