Florida Sentinel Bulletin

ELECTED OFFICIALS DONATE CHECKS TO CHILDREN’S INITIATIVE

State Senators and Representatives led by State Representative Dianne Hart and other elected officials presented 2 checks in the amount of $950,000.00 each, from DJJ and DOA, to Children’s Initiative Recidivism Reduction and Prevention. This funding serves 5 communities. Sulphur Springs Neighborhood of Promise (SSNOP) is a member of Florida Children’s Initiative (FCI). Left to right are: Matt Mitchell, CEO of Tampa Metro YMCA; Jacqueline Coffie-Leeks, Executive Director of SSNOP, Inc.; Emery Ivery, Chief Impact Officer of United Way Suncoast; County Commissioner Gwen Myers, City Councilman Orlando Gudes, State Rep. Susan Valdes, State Rep. Dianne Hart, Jessica Muroff, CEO of United Way Suncoast; State Rep. Fentrice Driskell, and State Rep. James Bush. (Photograph by Tonya M. Lewis)

FRATERNITY MEMBERS, WIVES AND FRIENDS ATTEND BASEBALL GAME

                  On Sunday, August 22, 2021, the Tampa Bay Area Gamma Omicron Chapter of Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity, the nation’s oldest African American fraternity founded in 1904, celebrated summer and fun by attending the Tampa Bay Rays versus the Chicago White Sox American League baseball battle at the Rays’ Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, FL. More than 55 fully vaccinated members, wives and guests enjoyed private boxes, unlimited food and drinks, as they watched the Rays defeat the White Sox, 9-0. The event was sponsored by current Gamma Omicron President, Kevin Scott and his wife, Ramonita Scott.    (Photograph by BRUNSON)

ALLURE REALTY HOLDS GRAND OPENING AND RIBBON CUTTING

                  Allure Realty held a ribbon cutting to officially open the doors to its business on Wednesday morning, August 25, 2021. The business is located at 1315 E.  7^th Avenue, Suite 105 in Ybor City. Allure Realty is known for its upcoming Netflix showing of “Selling Sunset,” that focuses on the real estate agent squad of Tampa Bay’s Allure Realty, owned by Sharelle Rosado. Those who had a hand in cutting the ribbon are from left: Juawana Colbert, Allure realtor; owner, Sharelle Rosado; Mayor Jane Castor and State Representative (District 61), Dianne Hart. Reach Allure Realty on Instagram – @allurerealtyfl. (Photograph by BRUNSON)

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)