Florida Sentinel Bulletin

School Board Unanimously Votes In ‘Juneteenth National Freedom Day’ Proclamation

         On Tuesday, June 15, 2021, the Hillsborough County School Board unanimously approved the Proclamation, “Juneteenth National Freedom Day.” The Proclamation was presented by School Board member, Henry “Shake” Washington. Workman’s Design and Children With A Vision presented shirts in commemoration of ending slavery, June 19, 1865, to Superintendent Addison Davis, Atty. Jim Porter, and School Board members. The shirts were designed by Gerald Vickers, owner of Workman’s Designs, LLC. Shown from left to right are: Gerald Vickers (Owner of Workman Designs, LLC), Superintendent Addison Davis, Attorney Jim Porter, School Board Members Karen Perez, Nadia Combs, Stacy Hahn, Board Chair Lynn Gray, Melissa Snively, Jessica Vaughn, Henry “Shake” Washington and Tonya Lewis (Founder of Children With A Vision). (Photograph by Tonya Lewis)

PROUD GRAUDATES OF HILLSBOROUGH HIGH SCHOOL WITH THEIR FAMILIES

                        Proud graduates of Hillsborough High School gathered with their families outside the Florida State Fairgrounds Expo Hall, where 14,000 Hillsborough County high school students received their diplomas. The graduation ceremony for Hillsborough High was held on June 1.  Shown enjoying the proud moments are: Shantal Washington, Daniel Cabrera, Maria Lotayo, Shere Jefferson, Kierre Washington and Willie Jefferson. (Photograph by BRUNSON)

MORE THAN 14,000 STUDENTS IN HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY GRADUATE

            After a very challenging school year, more than 14,000 students from the Hillsborough County School District have been graduating over the past several days. Ceremonies were held at the Fairground. This year, there has been in-person ceremonies, but each graduate only received two tickets for guests to attend the ceremony. This graduate from Howard W. Blake High School is shown with her family. From left are: Mr. Brandon Jones, Jordyn Jones, proud grandmother, Margo Hall, graduate, Daryn Jones and proud teacher–mom,  Mrs. Khadijah Jones. (Photograph by Gilbert Brinson)

ANNUAL MEN OF VISION, INC., SCHOLARSHIP

AND AWARDS PROGRAM HELD

Last Saturday, members from the community gathered at Carter G. Woodson K-8 School for the Annual Men of Vision, Inc., Scholarship and Awards Program. During the event, each of the young men are presented scholarships, book stipends, and other awards as they make their transition from high school to the next phase of their lives. This year, there are 30 members of Men of Vision, Inc., who are graduating. The organization was founded nearly 20 years ago to offer an alternative to at-risk young men. The program is now found on the campuses of middle schools and high schools. Among the graduates who attended the program are on the front row: Quintin Montgomery, Kyron Defreitas, Jaedon Bush, and Eric Littlejohn, III, all graduates of Jefferson High School; Angel Mendoza, Anthony Gutierrez, all graduates of Hillsborough High School; Jessaun Hodges, and Nicholas Jervis, MOV Valedictorian, Middleton High School. Shown on the second row: Ross Anderson, Founder, Men of Vision Inc., Avriel Harris, Middleton High School; Jadarious Kitchen, Armwood High School; Jalen Patty, Brandon High School, AJ Boodoosingh, Cristo Rey High School; Ja’Von Ford, Howard Brookins, Zion Wright, all of Hillsborough High School; Cory Connor, MOV Salutatorian, Wharton High School; and Khalil Bradley King High School. Shown on the third row are: Sergio Bogan, Hillsborough High School; Tae Williams, and Cedric Ellis, of Brandon High School; Akimio Pickering, Cristo Rey High School; and Zachary Walls, Florida Virtual School. (PHOTOGRAPHY BY TONYA LEWIS).

CITY OF TAMPA BLACK HISTORY COMMITTEE HOLDS SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS CEREMONY

            The City of Tampa Black History Committee, Inc., held its 23^rd Annual Scholarship Awards Ceremony on May 11, 2021. The event was held at the Tampa River Center at Julian B. Lane Park. Mark Wilfalk, Director, City of Tampa Solid Waste Department, was Master of Ceremonies. The guest speaker was N’Jhari “Jay” Jackson, a student at the University of Florida. He was introduced by Shirley Foxx-Knowles, City Clerk. The Scholarship recipients are shown with: Regina Lock-Depass, Education/Scholarship Chair; Bobby Bowden, Mayor Jane Castor; and Celeste Gibbons-Peoples, President, City of Tampa Black History Committee, Inc. The scholarship recipients are: Robert Blount, Bobby Bowden Scholarship; and Quentin Johnson, Janett S. Martin Scholarship. Presidential Scholarships were presented to Howard Brookins, La Tatiana Beasley, Cameron Hall, Devin Harris, Isiah Johnson, Chad Jones, Acacia Sallis, and Shekinah Steele.    (Photograph by BRUNSON)

SORORITY CELEBRATES 2021 SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS 

The Tampa Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, in collaboration with DELTA, Inc., and Kevin Knox, II Scholarship Fund, celebrated the 2021 Scholarship Recipients. The organization held a contactless, drive-by event at Allen Temple AME Church, while honoring 41 seniors and dispensing $66,000! View the scholarship presentation at DSTTA.com, and click on scholarship flyer. Those who assisted with the drive-by: Tina Fernandez, First Vice President; Yolanda Lee, Scholarship Committee Chair; Iwona Whitman-Tims, DELTA, Inc. Foundation Board Chair; Brenna Fields Taylor, Walinda McKnight Green, Janette Spencer-Davis, Aretha Morrow, Theresa Jean-Pierre Coy, Patricia Ryan and Gloridine McNair.    (Photograph by BRUNSON)

CHILDREN WITH A VISION HONORS GRANDMOTHERS

             Tonya Lewis, founder of Children With A Vision, honored several grandmothers last Sunday, May 2, 2021. The ‘White Pearls Outside Concert’ was held at Allen Temple AME Church. Several partners assisted Mrs. Lewis with the 9^th Annual Grandmother’s Gala. Dr. Samuel Wright, Sr., was the Master of Ceremonies and The Beat Down Band provided the music. The event honoring grandmothers is normally held in February around Valentine’s Day. However, the pandemic pushed the celebration up. “These grandmothers have been shut up for more than a year. I wanted those who were vaccinated to get outside, social distance themselves, while laughing and dancing,” Mrs. Lewis said. Shown here in front are: Lesley Richardson-Price (HOOTERS Rep), and Tonya Lewis, founder of Children With A Vision; in the rear, from left, Colleta Henry, Glory Tiller, Minster Yvonne Jackson, and Pastor Ingrid Daniels. (Photograph by BRUNSON)

GROUP OF BIKERS RIDE WEEKLY TO ‘GET KIDS ON BIKES’

            During the COVID-19 pandemic, Sean Bell, Sr. had to stop his job of cutting hair. He started bike riding and before long, others had joined him. He eventually founded “Get Kids On Bikes” to provide bikes for kids who wanted them and to help with those who needed repairs. The group now has about 25 riders. Bikers join Bell in Ybor City on Saturdays where they strategize and map out their 2-hour bike ride for Sunday. They also interact with kids along the route. He posts photos on FaceBook and Instagram and receives donations for bikes through alllovetampa@hotmail.com. This group of men was captured in Ybor City recently. They are: Kay Jay Harris, Sean Bell, Sr., Greg Young, Nick Friedman and Johnathan Fuller. (Photograph by BRUNSON)

TAMPA’S BLACK BUSINESS BUS TOUR HAS RETURENED

            After more than a year away, Tampa’s Black Business Bus Tour has returned. Candy Lowe, founder, hosted the event Saturday, April 16, 2021. The group departed from Al’s Finger Licking Good Soul Food in Ybor City with 50 different shoppers. The group visited 5 different businesses in Ybor City, East Tampa and surrounding neighborhoods. Among those on the tour were: seated in front, Travia Anderson, Juanita Mitchell, Delores Grayson, Candy Lowe, her grandson, Ken, III, and Ken McKinnon, Jr. Second row, Sherry Wilkins, Jarvis El-Amin, Connie Melton, Celeste Mona Judge, Kay’Lisse Mitchell, Beth Shoup, Rhonda Wright, and Twanda Bradley. Third row, Connie Burton, Jacqueline Reynolds, and Cecelia Mitchell, Delia DeCaprio Gadson, and Deanna Hardey-Joseph. (Photograph by BRUNSON)