Florida Sentinel Bulletin

PALM RIVER CHURCH CELEBRATES 47 YEARS

         The New Palm River Church of God in Christ celebrated 47 years of existence recently. As part of the celebration, on Friday, March 13, 2020, the church held a program to honor, Mother Lillie Mae Mills, who co-founded the church with Pastor Ollie Mills. Pastor Mills died about 30 years ago. Mother Mills, seated, is shown with her family: daughter, Sis. Effie Bateman, son, Deacon George Streets; and daughters, Janet Humphrey and Minister Elise Davis. (Photograph by George Streets)  

COKE FLORIDA PRESENTS LAPTOPS TO HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS

       Coca-Cola Beverages Florida (Coke Florida) is committed to giving back to the community as well as embracing the youth of the community as they navigate through the education process to become the leaders of tomorrow. The laptop presentations take place during the months of February and March throughout the State of Florida. In Hillsborough County, some high school members of Men of Vision, Inc. became the recipients of the laptop computers during the Black History Celebration. Shown in this photograph from left to right are: David Dor, Angel Mendoza, Joshua McDonald, Eric Ward, Senior Director of Security for Coca-Cola Beverages, Florida, and Men of Vision Board Member, Ross Anderson, Community & Educational Advocate Liaison, Hillsborough County Public School District, and founder of Men Of Vision. Inc., Kyron Defreatias, and John Johnson.

TAMPA CHAPTER OF THE LINKS, INC. HOSTS 5^th GOLF TOURNAMENT

                  The Tampa Chapter of The Links, Incorporated, hosted its annual Golf Tournament at the historic Rogers Park Golf Course on Saturday, March 14, 2020. Bianca Taylor-Heard was chair of the event. Members from the First Place Team – G. T. Brown, Denis Minefel, Kendall Lindsey, and Tahir Rivers – are shown with Marsha Lewis Brown, left, President, Tampa Chapter of The Links, Inc., and Ms. Taylor-Heard, right. (Photograph by Julia Jackson)

RED HATTERS TAMPA TRIPLE D’S PRESENTS ‘HATITUDE’

                  The Red Hat Society Tampa Triple D’s – Dazzling, Daring Divas – presented its Hatitude, “The Life and Hats of Dorothy Height” and a Show of Hats. The event was held on Saturday, February 29^th at The Bridges in Riverview. The ladies of the Red Hatters Society are: Gloria Johnson, Betty Walker, Lessie Turner, Susie McArthur, Annie Washington, Barbara Jones, Queen Shelia Harden, Novelar Cherry, Emma Jackson, Ann Gordon, Twanda Woodall, and Cassandra Howard. (Photograph by George Streets – Streets & Streets Photography)

WINE AND SPIRITS EVENT FEATURING BLACK-OWNED BRANDS HELD

         “Wine Down Wednesdays” took a different twist last Wednesday (March 4^th) when an Ybor City venue, Ybor’s 7^th & Grove, partnered with Wine & Spirits Noire. The event featured Black entrepreneurs who are influencing the wine and spirits industry. Among those in attendance were: left to right, Chima Burey, Founder and CEO of Duke and Dame Whiskey; Stephanie Love, Epicurious One, LLC; Anji Degante, Wine Curator; Jerred Carter, Founder and CEO of The Red Lady Rum Punch; and Anthony Price, CEO of Price Enterprises. (Photograph by BRUNSON)

BLACK HISTORY PROGRAM IS A CONVERSATION ON ‘EDUCATING OUR CHILDREN’

                  The Friendship Missionary Baptist Church in Carver City, held its Black History Month Program last month. The theme was based on a Conversation: ‘Educating Our Children – Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow.’ The Reverend Frank Watson, Jr., is the host pastor. Special guests were: Ms. Sheila McCants, District Manager Diversity & Special Programs, Equity & Diversity, Hillsborough Community College; and Professor Joseline Jean-Louis Hardrick, WMU Thomas M. Cooley Law School, Tampa Bay. Professor Hardrick, left, and Ms. McCants, right, are shown with Friendship members, Mr. and Mrs. Ricky (Jeannette) Rogers. (Photograph by Ricky Roberts)

AT&T RECOGNIZES 7 AFRICAN AMERICAN TRAILBLAZERS

            Each year, AT&T recognizes African American Trailblazers from throughout Florida in its Annual African American History Calendar. The tributes take place during Black History Month. This year, seven African American Trailblazers with ties to the Tampa Bay Area were honored at the UNCF Tampa Black History Month Luncheon. The event was held at the Tampa Marriott Westshore. Shown in this photograph from left to right are: NASA Astronaut Captain Winston E. Scott; AT&T African American History Calendar honorees Anthony “Booger” McFarland, Dr. Walter Smith, Ann Porter, Machelle Maner, and Ernest Hooper; AT&T Director Edwin Narain; AT&T African American History Calendar honoree, The Honorable Doretha Edgecomb; and Tampa Mayor Jane Castor.

CONGRESSWOMAN CASTOR ISSUES BLACK HISTORY MONTH CONGRESSIONAL RECORDS

                  On Monday, February 24, 2020, U. S. Representative Kathy Castor (14^th Congressional District) issued Congressional Record Statements during her 2020 Black History Month Program. The program was held in the auditorium at Middleton Senior High School. Honorees were: Ross Anderson, the Honorable Marva L. Crenshaw and the Honorable Perry A. Little. Shown from left to right are: Hillsborough County State Attorney Andrew Warren, Middleton Principal, Tiatasha Brown; Chloe Coney, Mistress of Ceremonies; Congresswoman Castor, Lauren Matthew, Middleton’s Valedictorian, who sang “Lift Every Voice And Sing;” Judge Perry A. Little, Ross Anderson, Judge Marva L. Crenshaw; and School Board Member Tamara Shamburger. (Photograph by Frederick Harris)

MEN AND WOMEN IN BUSINESS SHOWCASE

                  The Men and Women in Business Showcase hosted an event at the Seminole Heights Branch Library to honor several individuals. Kia Wells founded the organization and Regina Breed is the Executive Director. From left to right are: Kia Wells, Pearl Knapp-Chirenza, Scott Werner, Grand Prize winner; Terrell Manning, winner; Regina Breed, Steve Sapato, 1^st Runner-Up; Arthur Brown, Mariah Peterson and Lamonte Gwynn, winners. (Photograph by BRUNSON)