Florida Sentinel Bulletin

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)

Jack And Jill Tal Ten Group Tours Sentinel Office

            The Florida Sentinel-Bulletin hosted the Greater Tampa Chapter of Jack and Jill  Incorporated’s “Talented Tenth” group. The Talented Tenth group is composed of children from grades 6 through 8.

 The group toured the Sentinel office and talked to the Sentinel publisher and its CEO, Kay and Blythe Andrews. They also learned how the production of the paper is done during the tour by speaking with the Advertising and digital executive Terry Clark; feature writer Monique Stamps; graphic artists, Ronika Hughes and Sherita Woodard; photographer, Tonya Lewis and former worker as a child, Christine Irvin.

The group were also given backpacks and T-shirts.

  Pictured front row: Sophia Harding, Laila Brown, Anaya Clebert, Blaylin Blalock, Jastyn Cox, Payton Ward, Michael Stephens, Simone Stephens, Cohen Allen and Nyjil Lucas. Middle row: Blake Henson, Sydney Love, Sydney Armstrong, Ayana Clebert, Alexis McFarland, Jaden McNair, Blake Ballard, Camille King, Trey Dames, Hannah McDonald. Back row: Canon Pickett, Kelvy Noah Brown, Eric Jackson, Sloane Williams,  Zahara Narain, Londyn Andrews

(Photography by TONYA LEWIS). 

Men of Vision, Inc., (MOV)  led by Ross Anderson recognized 31 graduating seniors for their community service, academic achievement and fellowship. The senior class of MOV had a 100% graduation rate again for the 16th year. Men of Vision Inc. is currently mentoring (105) elementary, middle and high school young men.

 Members of the community attended the program where scholarships and gifts were present to the young men.

 Pictured front row: Phyllis Walters, Mayor Jane Castor, Tahj Barton, Sumner High School; Ashton Colson, Hillsborough High School; Chauncey Johnson, Gaither High School; Randall Hill, Brandon High School; Adolfo Acevedo, Brandon High School; James Colston, Carrollwood I.B. Day School; Issiah Rodriguiez, Wharton High School; Brandon Bethune, Tampa Bay Tech High School; Enzo Garcia, Jefferson High School; Jacob Rosson, Jefferson High School;  Hillsborough County State Attorney, Andrew Warren; Karen Perez- HCPS School Board,  and Tony Sadiku- Fox 13.  

 Second Row: Coloniel Melissa Moore, Mike Lwellyn- MOV Board Chair, Deshawn Houston, Brandon High School; Marcus Buckley, Brandon High School; Gabriel Brewer, Hillsborough High School; Peterson Duvers, Middleton High School; Alexandro Rendon, Jefferson High School; Jordan Haywood, Hillsborough High School; Anthony Walker, Spoto High School; Alexander Villata, Jefferson High School; Jormiel Phanord, Jefferson High School; JayLen Hill, Middleton High School; Corey Clegg, Tampa Bay Tech High School; and Ross Anderson, Founder – Men of Vision Inc. (Photography by TONYA LEWIS). 

80^th BIRTHDAY CELEBRATED

Ms. Gloridine McNair was ‘queen for the day’ when her family and friends gathered to celebrate her 80th birthday. The event was held at the Sons of Italy Hall. Ms. McNair, seated, is joined by Kenya Gross, Jonell Bonhomme, Abram Childs, Makal, Trichelle, Jerome Sutton, Jeremiah Sutton, Sia Bonhomme, Courtney Young Anderson, Deloris McNair, Wesley McMillan, II, Robert Young, Jr., James McNair, Aaden Childs, Alex Childs, Aaron Childs, Ronald Hills, Alana Jackson and Alicia Norton. (Photograph by Frederick Harris)