Florida Sentinel Bulletin

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)

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)