Florida Sentinel Bulletin

CHILDREN WITH A VISION 21^st BOOK BAG DISTRIBUTION

         Children With A Vision hosted its 21st Annual Back To School Drive-Through Book Bag Giveaway. The event was held on Sunday, August 2, 2020, at Ragan Park Community Center. Mrs. Tonya Lewis, founder of Children With A Vision, stated she almost cancelled the event because of Coronavirus (COVID-19). However, a few days before the event she was able to pull together sponsors and volunteers, to prepare more than 1,000 book bags with school supplies. Those who came out to help her to serve the community in the rain were: front row, Teneca Williams, Buffy Allen, Mayor Jane Castor, Tonya Lewis, Founder, Nikki Taylor, and Sky White. Back row: Teresa Jenkins, Larry Lane, Shelly Frank, Nancy Millan, Irma Millan-Hernandez, Daniel Santizabel, Keren Moaney, Algie Baptist, and Kella McCaskill. (Photograph by BRUNSON)

NAIL TECHS OF TAMPA UNITE

The Black Nail Techs of Tampa Bay United  is a group of 20 Black nail techs who organized to support each other in promotions, client retention, visibility, customer service, and economics. Our model of Cooperative economics has some similarities to Kwanzaa’s principle Ujamaa: to build and maintain our own stores, shops, and other businesses and to profit from them together.. Shown in the photograph from left to right are: Diamond Robinson, Rhonda Willingham Robinson, Kim Taylor-Mallard, India Alexis Owens, and Portia Davis.

2020 MISS JUNETEENTH CROWNED IN VIRTUAL CEREMONY

         COVID-19 changed so many community activities. They events were either postponed, cancelled, or held virtually. So it was with the “Miss Juneteenth Pageant.” The “2020 Miss Juneteenth Pageant,” sponsored by the Tampa Bay Juneteenth Coalition and partners, was held virtually on June 19, 2020. The winners were: “Miss Juneteenth,” Helena Chambers and “Jr. Miss Juneteenth,” Adaria Norton. The winners and runners-up are shown with the judges: left to right are: judges, Robert Scott, Jr., Barbara Harden, and Pastor Celeste Chiles; 3rd runner-up, Carry Desulme; 2nd runner-up, Ay’rreka Gilchrest; 1st runner-up, Kyla Walden; Miss Juneteenth, Helena Chambers; and Jr. Miss Juneteenth, Adaria Norton.

Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., Hosts Day Of Service

On June 27, 2020, members of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Incorporated, Nu Upsilon Zeta Chapter, held its Annual Global Day of Service. The event was held at the Village of Excellence Charter School in Temple Terrace.  During the program, the organization recognized Ms. Candy Lowe, of the Black Business Bus Tour, and Dr. Camertra Edwards, of the Village of Excellence. Both ladies were presented the Blue Light of Distinction Community Service Award for their unyielding commitment to servicing the community. Several members of the organization were in attendance. Among them, shown from left to right are: Zeta Javita Richardson, Zeta Katrina Wrisper-Williams, Honoree Cametra Edwards, Honoree Candy Lowe, and Zeta Samantha Crews. 

MIDDLETON ALUMNI ASSOCIATION WELCOMES NEW PRINCIPAL

                  The Middleton High School Alumni Association met with the school’s new principal, Mickey Boddie, on Tuesday morning, June 23^rd, in the Dr. Frankie A. Berry Media Center to welcome him to ‘The Land of the Tigers.’  Those who were present, front row, left to right are: Jeannette Williams, Vickie McCoppin Sabree, Yvonne Douglas, Phan Boston, and Patricia Cooper. Standing, back row: Henry “Shake” Washington, Fred Hearns, Albert Smith, Mr. Boddie, Woodrow “Woodie” Simmons and Calvin Simmons. Alumni Association President, Luvator Nelson is not shown. (Photograph by Joan Franco)

‘DIVINE NINE’ MARCHED TO PROTEST POLICE BRUTALITY

                  On Sunday, June 14^th, 200 members of the Tampa National Panhellenic Council and their families gathered in downtown Tampa to protest police brutality and the recent murders of Breonna Taylor, George Floyd and Ahmaud Arbery. The “Divine Nine” marched for 8:46 seconds from Curtis Hixon Park to Kennedy Blvd. and back. State Representative Fentrice Driskell and former State Representative Ed Narain addressed the crowd. Representing their particular organization were: from left, Kareem Mabry (Alpha Phi Alpha), Nikki Lockett (Alpha Kappa Alpha), Dexter Lewis (Kappa Alpha Psi), DeAngelo Fletcher (Omega Psi Phi), Sasha Oliver (Delta Sigma Theta), Chris Johnson (Phi Beta Sigma), Andrea Hankerson (Zeta Phi Beta), Jasmine Thompkins (Sigma Gamma Rho), and Esset Tate (Iota Phi Theta). (Photograph by Ashley Canay) 

BLACK BUSINESS BUS TOUR SUPPORTS DAMAGED BUSINESSES

                  During its most recent Black Business Bus Tour, the event culminated at 7^th and Grove in Ybor City. The tour group viewed 2 businesses owned by African Americans that were damaged during civil unrest a few weeks ago. The Black Business Bus Tour shared their support for Shoe Mountain and Health Matters Pharmacy. Among those who were on the tour: Ischolina Williams, Candy Lowe, founder of the Black Business Bus Tour; Beth Shoup, Dr. Vondalyn Wright, Kaylisse Sellers, Rhonda Jackson, Juanita D. Mitchell-Adams and Cookie Butler. (Photograph by BRUNSON)

MEN OF VISION HOLDS GRADUATION

         Men Of Vision, “Preparing Students For Life,” held its graduation last week at Carter G. Woodson School. Several of their Board Members and Mayor Jane Castor were there to congratulate the young men. Shown in front of the group, seated, is, Men Of Vision Founder, Ross Anderson. Standing, from left are: MOV Board Member, Darryl Manning; Principal, Ovett Wilson; Board Member, Phyllis Walters, holding sign of Hezekiah Walters; Timothy Lewis, Hillsborough High School;   Quincy Francios, Tampa Bay Tech High School;  Adam Andrews, Middleton High School; Sammie Lee,  Gaither HS; Tampa  Mayor Jane Castor, John Johnson, Middleton HS; David Dor, Middleton HS; John Bell, Sickles HS; Taishawn Hampton, Spoto HS; DeMaar Hinton, Spoto HS; John McDonald, Middleton HS; MOV Board Members, Nichelle Brown and  Eric Ward. On the second row:  Jorge Vasquez, Hillsborough HS; Derrick Andrews-Powley, Tampa Bay Tech; Amarion Payne, Tampa Bay Tech; and Aaron Smith, Middleton HS. (Photograph by BRUNSON)