Florida Sentinel Bulletin

NEW AUTHOR LAUNCHES BOOK – ‘FROM 0 TO 60 (A POETIC JOURNEY)’

                  Last month, Ms. Barbara Lewter-Speller, hosted the launching of her first publication – “From 0 To 60 – A Poetic Journey.” The event was held at the THAP Center. Ms. Lewter-Speller wrote her first piece the day President John F. Kennedy was assassinated. Over the years, she has collected enough for a 122-page publication. Ms. Lewter-Speller, seated, is shown with: left to right, Kenitra Martin, Valerie Johnson, Nicole Wright, Jamorie Wright, Mistress of Ceremony; Ingrid Daniels-Young, Sandra Lewter-Wilkerson, Edward Speller, Kayla Martin, Kenny Brooks, Sherika Bonner, Yolanda Lewter-Gainey, Otha Gainey, Stephanie Stanford, Renaldo Martin and Lisa Martin. (Photograph by BRUNSON)

FINALLY! AN OPERABLE TRAFFIC SIGNAL AT 26^TH ST. AND MLK BLVD.

                  After many years of complaints, accidents and discussion, an operable traffic signal has finally been placed at 26^th St. and E. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd. That intersection has been a busy, dangerous one for many years, as children have crossed the street going to Lomax Elementary School, and in more recent years going to C. Blythe Andrews, Jr. Library. A short ceremony to celebrate the traffic signal was held on Tuesday, August 10, 2021, the first day of school. Among those who participated in the ceremony, were from left: Fran Tate, President, Jackson Heights Neighborhood Association; County Commissioner Gwen Myers; David Gwynn, P. E., Secretary, District 7, Florida Dept. of Transportation; State Representative Dianne Hart; Natasha Goodley; Cynthia Few, President, College Hill-Belmont Heights Neighborhood Association; Tampa City Council Chair Orlando Gudes; and Regina Virgol, Hillsborough County. Not shown, Tampa Mayor Jane Castor. (Photograph by BRUNSON)

DR. DOMINIQUE RAQUEL BLANCHETTE AND MR. TRENTEN AKEEM TAYLOR EXCHANGE VOWS

                  The Wedding Ceremony for Dr. Dominique Raquel Blanchette and Mr. Trenten Akeem Taylor, was a 6 p. m. event on Saturday, July 31, 2021, in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. Reverend Keith Scott was the officiant. The bride is the daughter of Susan Andrews-Blanchette, M. D., and Ronald Thomas Blanchette, D. D. S. Mr. and Mrs. Marvin Earl (Violet) Taylor are the groom’s parents. Mrs. Gloria Adams Andrews is the bride’s grandmother. (Wedding photos will be published in next week’s edition.)

STREET RENAMING CEREMONY HONORS LATE PASTOR

        Grace Mary Missionary Baptist Church held a Street Renaming Ceremony last week to honor their former pastor, the late Elder Dr. Thomas Jefferson Reed. The new sign was posted at the corner of 37^th St. and 33^rd Ave. The 3800 block of 37^th St. will bear Elder Reed’s name. Among those attending the ceremony were: seated, Mrs. Mary Reed, Elder Reed’s widow; standing from left, Pastor Dwight Newkirk, Pastor of St. John Cathedral; former Fire Chief, Deacon Tom Forward of Grace Mary; Rev. Dr. Bartholomew Banks, Pastor, St. John Progressive M. B. Church, President, of Florida’s Progressive M&E Baptist State Convention, and Vice President At-Large, National Baptist Convention of America International, Inc.; Deacon Woodrow Simmons of Grace Mary; Dr. Jeffery Singletary, Central Regional Catalyst For Florida Baptist Convention and Huddle Touch CEO; Dr. Marilyn Loblack, Elder Reed’s daughter; Pastor Paul Buster, Pastor, New Macedonia M. B. Church; Pastor Victor Mack, Oak Park Baptist Church; City Council Chair Orlando Gudes; and Pastor James Reed, current pastor of Grace Mary M. B. Church. (Photograph by Tonya Lewis, Children With A Vision, Inc.)

SHERIFF PRESENTS DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD TO HONORARY MEMBER

                  Sheriff Chad Chronister, on behalf of the Florida Sheriffs Association, presented the “Distinguished Service Award” to Carl H. Norton. The award recognized his “loyal support…and efforts to provide the best possible law enforcement for the citizens of Florida.” Sheriff Chronister, left, even reminded Mr. Norton that 30 years ago, he taught him how to hold a weapon and shoot a gun. Joining the Sheriff and Mr. Norton are Mrs. Leigh Norton, his wife, and Dallas Norton Griffin, their daughter. (Photograph by BRUNSON)

KAPPAS HOLD DINNER MEETING AT LOCAL RESTAURANT

                  Members of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. gathered at the Columbia Restaurant on Monday evening for a dinner meeting. The fraternity members were in town for their Conclave, preparing for the national meeting in Tampa in 2023. Those in attendance were, seated, left to right: Gwen Miller, Sherri Brown, and Joyce Daniels. Standing, left to right: Ryan Tucker, Joe Lewis, Lesley “Les” Miller, Grand Polemach Reuben A. Shelton, III, Esq., Collis Ivery, Roland Daniels, Kevin Johnson, and John Burrell. (Photograph by Tonya Lewis)

UNDERGROUND RADIO PRESENTS JUNETEENTH BREAKFAST

         The Keepin’ It Real Underground Radio presented a Juneteenth Prayer Breakfast on June 12^th. The event was held at the Barrymore Hotel Banquet Room, and sponsored by the West Tampa Alliance, Inc. The guest speaker was Rev. Dr. James Leon Gallon. The theme for the event was “Celebrating Freedom.” Among those in attendance were: Alfred Pyles, Dianna Harris, Dwight Bolden, County Commissioner Gwen Myers, Ollie Maddox Carter, Patricia Baker and Michael Bolden. (Photograph by Frederick Harris)

TAMPA BAY COALITION JUNETEENTH FLAG RAISING CEREMONY HELD

         The community turned out on Thursday, June 17^th for the Flag Raising Ceremony held by the Tampa Bay Juneteenth Coalition. The event was held at the City Hall, a day after President Joe Biden signed a bill establishing June 19^thas Juneteenth, a federal holiday. Among the Royalty shown here are: Miss Juneteenth 2020, Helena Chambers; Miss Riverview USA 2021, Angelique Francois; Miss New Tampa USA 2021, Udeme Ikaiddi; Miss Valrico USA 2021, Ashli Small.  Pastor Moses Brown. Also shown are: members of the Buffalo Soldiers, Superintendent Clethen Sutton, Senator Darryl Rouson, Rep. Fentrice Driskell, Pastor Philetha Tucker-Johnson, Mayor Jane Castor, Councilman Orlando Gudes, School Board Member Henry and “Shake” Washington  (Photograph by Tonya Lewis)

ALLEN TEMPLE AME CHURCH RECOGNIZES ITS GRADUATES – FROM KINDERGARTEN TO COLLEGE

Allen Temple African Methodist Episcopal Church recognized its graduates – from kindergarten to college – on Sunday, June 11, 2021. The sermon was by Rev. Dr. Glenn Dames, Pastor, taken from Numbers 13:30-33, “Refuse to be Average.” Rev. Dames, left, is shown on the front row with: NyAja Hobley (Lake Gipson High School), Raigan Moragne (Jefferson HS), Ay’lese  Parker (Freire Charter School), Mikah-Dereck White (Pre-K), Dr. Yolanda White (Grad School), Rev. Olivia Gale Flowers  (College), Tristen Foxworth (Pre-K), J’Mi Limehouse  (Armwood HS), and My’Quasja Sawyer (Blake High School). On the back row: School Board Member, Henry Shake Washington; Angel Lalor (Blake HS), Joshua Crews (Pepin Academy), Dominic Simon (Freedom HS), Curtis Thomas (Bloomingdale HS), and Jordon Williams (Armwood HS). Not shown: Bryce Moragne (FAMU), Jayson Reddick (Plant HS), Allan Johnson, Artice “Trey” Holland (FAMU), Lisa Chevalier (Grad School), Skylar Robinson (Pre-K), and Rev.  Markus-Derek White (Seminary). Photograph by Lomax McIntyre.