Florida Sentinel Bulletin

PETER CLAVER CATHOLIC SCHOOL INDUCTS FIRST HONOR SOCIETY 

        St. Peter Claver Catholic School held its first-ever induction ceremony for the Honor Society. Father Agustinus Seran and Deacon Ben Hooks assisted with the ceremony. Principal John Davidson and Lead Teacher, Yvonne Rogers are shown with the inductees: Elijah Martin, Legacy Joseph, Chaenne Charles, Cortez Anthony, Kyla Hicks, Auberie Letang and Kenya Brown. (Photograph by Julia Jackson)

SENTINEL AMONG BUSINESSES HONORED AT 2^nd ‘BLACK BUSINESS HALL OF FAME’

      The Sentinel was among several individuals and businesses honored this past weekend, August, 9^th at the Portico. Candy Lowe, the visionary of the “Black Business Bus Tour,” also became the visionary for the “Black Business Hall of Fame.” The event recognizes some extraordinary Black individuals and businesses throughout the community, who have contributed so much to the economic sustainability in the Bay Area, from 80 to 29 years of service. The 2^ndannual ceremony recognized, from left: David Burgess of David Burgess Photo & Video, 48 years; Natalie Rene Brown-Panko, Ladies of the Sea, 29 years; Candy Lowe-Jones (Founder), Ronald (Ron) Watson, Shades of Gray Studio, 45 years; Nicole McKnight, accepted for her father, Howard McKnight, P.A., CPA, 40 years; C. Blythe (Drew) Andrews, III, President, and Terry Clark, General Manager, Florida Sentinel Bulletin, 80 years, and not shown, Rev. Willie Dixon, COACH Foundation, 44 years. (Photograph by Tonya M. Lewis)

HOWARD W. BLAKE HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETES PRESEENTED JACKETS

       The 2024-25 basketball team at Howard W. Blake High School received their Lettermen’s Jackets a few weeks ago. The jackets were presented by the Blake High Athletic Boosters’ Club. The boys’ team was District Champions and Regional Runners-up. Among those present for this event were: seated from left, Dr. Lewis Brinson, former Blake student athlete (basketball), Principal of the new Blake and current member of the boosters’ club; Gwen Fisher, Frances Cheeks Jennings, Mamie C. Igles, and Rudene Igles, Sr. Standing: Toby Johnson, Coach Calvin Barrs, Fred Lewis, Jr., Shamar Council, Rashif Sinkfield, Jr., and Coach Fred Lewis, Sr. (Photograph by Frederick Harris)

CHLOE CONEY CELEBRATES HER 75^th BIRTHDAY 

       Family, friends and colleagues joined Mrs. Chloe Coney recently as she celebrated her 75^thbirthday. The event was held at the Skills Center. Chef Eric of Eve Catering prepared the meal. Joining Mrs. Coney, seated left to right:  Sartura Smith, Chloe Coney, Chamain Moss-Torres, and Adrienne Clark. Standing, Dr. Samuel L. Wright, Sr., Ancelyn Willis, Ernest Coney, Jr., Edwin Torres, Lafe Eastman, David Jones, and Maggie Sanchez. (Photograph by Tonya M. Lewis)

BETORIA WATSON HONORED AT RECEPTION FOR 50 YEARS OF SERVICE TO SORORITY

     Betoria Watson recently celebrated 50 years of service to Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. She and other sorority sisters were honored in a service in the Life Center of New Hope M. B. Church. Mrs. Watson’s daughter, Raquel, hosted a reception for her mom at 34^th St. Church of God with several of her sorority sisters, family, friends, and alumni from Bethune-Cookman University. Ms. Watson is a former “Miss National Alumni,” Principal of St. Peter Claver Catholic School and retired educator. Shown from left to right: Raquel Watson, Freddie Hudson, Julia Jackson, Sandra Myers, Twanda Jordan, honoree Betoria Watson, Jackie Grant, Desiree Jackson, Karla Moore and Mildred Harvey. (Photograph courtesy of Julia Jackson)

National Coalition Of 100 Black Women, Inc. Hosts 32nd Annual ‘Gourmet Gents: Harlem Renaissance Edition’

     The 32nd Annual Gourmet Gents: Harlem Renaissance Edition was filled with flavor, flair, and energy. The Tampa Bay Area Chapter hosted the event on Sunday, June 22, 2025 at Higgins Hall. From bold bites to bold style, this wasn’t just an event — it was the experience of the summer. And it’s all for a cause that matters: raising scholarship funds and fueling the mission of empowering Black women and girls across Tampa Bay. Seated on the front row (left to right): Angelique Lenox, Dr. Adrianne Wilson, President, and Kelly Jones. Second row, Autre Howard-Morgan, Inetta Bunn, Janice London, Dr. Lashunna McCall, Faith Pullen, and Yolanda Dean. Third row, Dr. Michelle Madden, Brandi Boyer, Nasia Williams, Sandra Frank, Telesia Chaney, Yolanda Molden-Verner, Qiahna Williams, Grace Smith and Andrea Daymond. (Photograph by Tonya Lewis)

MEN OF VISION, INC. HOSTS 2ND ANNUAL FATHER’S DAY BREAKFAST

     Men of Vision, Inc. hosted its 2nd Annual Father’s Day Breakfast on Saturday, June 15, 2025, at Dr. Carter G. Woodson School. The theme this year was ” The King.” Annual members from the Classes of 2011- 2018 brought their kids to have fellowship, eat breakfast, but most importantly to understand that they MUST be present in their son or daughter’s lives. The overall President of Men of Vision, Inc., MarQuavis Hamilton led the discussion and games. Among those in attendance, front row:  Lamar Woods, Carl Bradwell, Mezarson Cesar, Ross Anderson, founder; Mi’Keviyon Mack, Dedric Perry, Timothy Bryant. Second row: Cory Streets, Micheal Nedd, Jeffrey McFarland, Demetrick King, Steven Smith, Antiono Bradford, and Anderson Isaac.

SIGMA PI PHI FRATERNITY PRESENTS SCHOLARSHIPS TO NEW AND RETURNING RECIPIENTS

     On Sunday, June 8, 2025, the Tampa Bay Area Gamma Omicron Member Boule of Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity honored both existing and their most recent scholarship recipients along with their parents in a reception at the Tampa River Center.  Bruce Curry is the current Chapter President. Members of Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity (left to right) standing, Wendell Duggins, Kenyon Fort, D.D.S., Paul Sheehy, D.P.M., Lawrence Hamilton, M.P.A., Isaac Mckinney, M.B.A., Andy McCloud, D.D.S., Pete Peterson, M.B.A., Edwin Narain, Esq., Cedric Thornton, M.D., Byron Huffman, Lt. Col/USAF (Ret), Roderick French, Ph.D., Jerry Bell, M.B.A., Kevin Scott, M.D., Harold Nixon, Ph.D., James Brookins, M.D., Carlos Miller, M.B.A., Stanton Fears, Esq., Kevin Sneed, Pharm.D., George Banks, M.D., Jyric Simms, Ph.D., and Bruce Curry, Capt./US Navy (Ret).

     Returning and New Scholarship Recipients (left to right), sitting, Giovanni Almond, Kendrick Gordon, Bankston Joyner, Commissioner Gwen Myers, Mikal Morris, David Ojo, The Honorable Perry Little, and John Smith, D.M.A. (Photograph by BRUNSON)