Florida Sentinel Bulletin

MIDDLETON STUDENT IS POETRY JAM CHAMPION

On January 20, 2021, the 16^th Annual Hillsborough County Public School Poetry Jam was held. This year’s event was virtual with the student or team from each high school representing their school. The High School Poetry Jam Champion is Middleton High School’s Chadwyk “Wynni P” Sampson. He also tied for the Students’ Choice Award. Other winners were: Sarah Frank (2^nd), Blake High School; Gabrielle (Jamie) Lohn (3^rd), Hillsborough High School. The other Student Choice Award winner was Sophia McGregor, Steinbrenner High School. Above, Chadwyk, center, is shown with from left, Tonya Floyd, Middleton Magnet Lead, Mick Boddie, Middleton Principal, Katherine Kelly, Library Media Specialist, Middleton; and Kimberly DeFusco, Supervisor, Library Media Services, Hillsborough County Public Schools. (Photograph by BRUNSON)

590 SENIOR CITIZENS RECEIVED COVID VACCINE ON SUNDAY

                  Sunday, January 10, 2021, 590 senior citizens were able to receive the Pfizer vaccine for COVID-19. Persons gathered at St. John Progressive Missionary Baptist Church, where a team of healthcare providers administered the shots.  Among those who were there to support the seniors were, from left: Tampa’s Mayor Jane Castor; City Councilman Orlando Gudes; Acting Fire Chief, Barbara Tripp; State Representative Dianne Hart; host pastor, Rev. Bartholomew Banks; and Dr. Douglas Holt, Director, Florida Dept. of Health, Hillsborough County. (Photograph by Julia Jackson)

TAMPA CHAPTER OF BUFFALO SOLDIERS SHARES THE JOY OF CHRISTMAS

                  The Tampa Chapter of the Buffalo Soldiers shared the joy of Christmas with residents in Tampa and St. Petersburg. Mayor Rick Kriesman of St. Petersburg, and Mayor Jane Castor of Tampa assisted Santa and the chapter with the distribution of gifts to families in each city. Anthony “K-Smooth” Smith, President of the Chapter, is shown with other members and a family they presented with gifts a few days before Christmas.  (Photograph by Julia Jackson)

CDC Of TAMPA HOST RIBBON-CUTTING CEREMONY

One of the many goals Mrs. Chloe Coney, founder of the CDC of Tampa, Inc., (Corporation to Develop Communities of Tampa, Inc.), envisioned when she opened the doors of the CDC was to promote affordable homes and to provide avenues for residents to become homeowners. Utilizing a multitude of tools, and creating partnerships with other organizations, the dream became a reality more than 20 years ago. Recently, yet another Tampa resident became a property owner. Just days before Christmas, Ms. Sylvia Coleman and her family walked into their new home. Among those in attendance at the event were from left to right: Mayor Jane Castor, Ms. Coleman, the honoree, Ernest Coney, Jr., President and CEO of the CDC of Tampa, Inc., Tampa City Councilman Orlando Gudes, and Community Activist Connie Burton. (Photography by BRUNSON).

MEET AND GREET FOR ‘WE ARE EAST TAMPA’ CRA ACTION PLAN

A Meet and Greet event was held December 5, 2020, at Ragan Park, for ‘We Are East Tampa’ CRA Action Plan 2020. The purpose of the plan is to identify the needs of both residents and businesses in East Tampa. A Zoom meeting was held on December 3^rd, followed by the Meet and Greet. Among those in attendance at Ragan Park were: Darrick Fullwood, Jr., Nicole Suarez, Glenda Rivera, Angela Fullwood, City Councilman Orlando Gudes, Darrick Fullwood, Sherryl Cusseaux and Thomas Huggins. (Photograph by BRUNSON)

ART ON THE BLOCK MURAL DEDICATED AT ROBLES PARK

I. C. H. HOUSE

         Last month, Mayor Jane Castor, Chief Brian Dugan and the artist, Ya Levy La’Ford dedicated a new mural at Robles Park. La’Ford is a professor, installation artist, and muralist. The first generation American moves between her Jamaican heritage and vulnerable communities to try to find a universal language through her art. La’Ford maintains her studio practice in St. Petersburg, Washington, DC, and New York  (www.yalaford.com).

         The R.I.C.H. House, supported by the Tampa Police Department and RISE Tampa, Police Foundation, works to enhance neighborhood safety through collaboration between police and residents in high-crime areas. Among those who attended the dedication along with a group of children were: left to right, Ocea Wynn, Administrator of Neighborhood and Community Empowerment; Sherisha Hills, Director of Parks & Recreation; Ya La’Ford, the Artist; Tampa Mayor Jane Castor; and  Edwin Galvin, MPO. (Photograph courtesy City of Tampa)