Florida Sentinel Bulletin

ATTORNEY JOYNER RECOGNIZED FOR 50 YEARS OF SERVICE

            On January 6, 2020, family, friends, and well-wishers gathered at TPepin Hospitality Centre to pay tribute to Attorney Arthenia Joyner. The tributes were to honor her 50 years of service. She has built a storied career, starting as a high schol student, followed by 50 years as an attorney, and the years of public service as a State Reppresentative and State Senator. Senator Joyner, seated in front with De’Ja McNish, is joined by other family members. From left to right: Sonja L. Billups, Brenda Joyner, Ingrid Green,   Sonja Bexley, Troy Bexley, Makiyah Posey, Sabrina Billups, Donna Cason, Sequenis Pye, Kylan Billups,   Arthenia Billups, and Katrina Billups. (Photograph by Tonya Lewis)

WOMEN’S COUNCIL OF REALTORS HOSTS HOMEBUYER EXPO

                        The Bay Area Women’s Council of the National Association of Real Estate Brokers (NAREB) held a Homebuyer FUNDamentals Expo on Saturday, January 11, 2020. The Expo was held at Tampa Park Plaza with several presenters. Those who attended were able to learn about the different aspects of owning a home. Among the presenters were: seated, from left, Patti Bonner (Bank of America), Ransome Peterman (NACA), Dawn Perkins (Solid Rock Inspections), Norman Harris, Esquire (Moderator/Champions For Justice), Ivette Rivera (Third Federal Savings & Loan), Tamara Shamburger (Allstate Insurance), Shana Jones (The Federal Savings Bank), and Katie Hughes (BB&T). Standing from left are Women’s Council members: Hope-Owens Henry, Brenda Greenway, Aidza Antonio-Thomas (1^st President), Ida Campbell (Madam President), Lashaun Milton, Latasha Hicks (3^rd President), Porcher Williams, Ursula Bell (Secretary), and Samarion Pitts-Marshall (2^nd President). Photograph by BRUNSON

33 ORGANIZATIONS TO RECEIVE ‘MLK DAY OF SERVICE’ GRANTS

                        More than 30 organizations were represented recently at Hillsborough Community College Ybor Campus to receive the Martin Luther King, Jr. ‘MLK Day of Service’ grants. Each of the organizations offers a service to the community with the grant they receive. Organizations represented were: Kingdom Kids, CDC of Tampa, Inc., South Shore United Methodist Church, Allen Temple AME/Interfaith Service, Greater Bethel M. B. Church, Tampa Bay Black Heritage Festival, Inc., HOPEFUL, Inc., Alpha Alpha Theta Omega Chapter, Urlinked Charities, Inc., National Coalition 100 Black Women, Voice The Movement, Inc., Gamma Theta Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., East Tampa Business and Civic Assoc., D. E. L. T. A., Inc., Men of Vision, TOBA, Bethel AME Church, Tampa, 100 Black Men of Tampa Bay, Inc., Women Centered 4 Success, Progress Village Civic Council, Inc., Tampa Guide Right Foundation of Kappa Alpha Psi Frternity, Inc., Manifestation Worldwide, Love First Christian Center, Brain Expansion Scholastic Training (BEST), One Church, Now Faith Fellowship Church, Inc., Caribbean Community Assoc., Inc., Abundant Life Enrichent Church, Project LINK, Inc., Gentleman’s Quest of Tampa, Inc., Jackson Heights Neighborhood Assoc., Tampa Bay Mission of Hope, Inc., and League of Women Voters of Hillsborough County.

HOWARD W. BLAKE CLASS OF 1967 HAS 70^th BIRTHDAY GALA

            The Howard W. Blake High School, Class of 1967, celebrated their 70^thbirthday party in elegance on December 13, 2019. The celebratory event was held at the Tampa Park Community Center in Tampa Park Plaza. Among those in attendance, were seated, left to right: Eileen Moore, Yolanda Dennis, Mary Williams, Brenda Lindsay, Sarah Hodge, Lorraine Wiley (Hostess), Leila Washington, Rosita Baker, Valerie Pearce, Rhudine Poole, Willie Mae Charles, Martha Crouch (Hostess) and Bertha Johnson. On the second row are: from left, Douglas Sampson, William Taylor, Monica Wolf, Sandra Myers, King Davenport, Reeche Wise, Lee Reddick, Arthur Taylor, Willie Wright, Lonzo Williams, Larry Arenas, Shirley Matthew, Gloria Casteel, Marlene Monroe, Samuel Brookins, Ida Dunbar, Gloria Giddens and Leroy Mack. And, on the third row are: Joe Powell, Samuel Jackson and Andrew Spain. (Photograph by George Streets of Streets & Streets Photography)

FABULOUS SENSATIONAL 70^th BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION 

            The Downtown Hilton Hotel was the site of the Fabulous Sensational 70^thbirthday celebration honoring Ofelia Stubbs. Family members and friends were on hand to help her celebrate. Mrs. Stubbs is shown with some of the friends who helped her to celebrate the occasion, from left: Mary Larkins, Sara Richman, Gayle Maney, Mrs. Stubbs, Pat Toombs, and Shellie Coatman. (Photograph by Julia Jackson)

MIDDLETON HIGH SCHOOL CLASS OF 1966 CHRISTMAS GALA

            The Middleton High School Class of 1966 held its Christmas Gala at the Embassy Suites-USF on Friday, December 20, 2019. Those in attendance seated left to right: Annie Robertson, Estella Clark, Rhudine Hopkins, Irene Newberry, Luvator Nelson, Jacqueline DuPree, and Christine Moore. Standing on the second row are: Mary Hobley, Paulette Andrews, Carolyn Watkins, Brenda Reese, Ophelia Ball, Vicki Sabree, Elizabeth Belton, Carolyn Williams, Tyrone Brown, Joyce Harris and Elizabeth Lewis. In the rear are: Gary Ellerson, Bernard Reese, and Carolyn Russ-Alexander. (Photograph courtesy of Carolyn Russ-Alexander)

PASSING THE MANTLE OF MINISTRY

                  New St. Paul African Methodist Episcopal Church held a ceremonial service, “Passing The Mantle Of Ministry,” to introduce their new Pastor. The service was held on Saturday, December 7, 2019. Ministers who participated in the ceremony are from left: Rev. Ricky Polk, Pastor, Bethel AME Church, Temple Terrace; Rev. Byron Pressley, Sr., Pastor, First Mt. Carmel AME Church; Presiding Elder J. O. Williams; Rev. R. J. Stevenson, new pastor, New St. Paul AME Church; Rev. Cheryl Ferrell, New Bethel AME Church, Sulphur Springs; and Rev. Bryant Fayson, Pastor, Greater Mt. Carmel AME Church. (Photograph by Julia Jackson)

PRAYERLINE MINISTRY ANNUAL CELEBRATION

                  The Mary E. May Intercessory Prayerline Ministry held its annual celebration recently. The ministry celebrated 28 years of “Joy To The World Brunch.” The brunch was held on Saturday, December 7, 2019 at the Hilton Airport Westshore Hotel. This year’s theme was: “Being Strengthened Through The Fruit Of The Spirit.” Among those joining the celebration were, seated: Lady Carol Bafford, First Lady Amber Singletary, Evangelist Cassandra Granville, Crystal Tutber, Edwina Fields, Missionary Mary Smith, Reverend Valerie Polnitz (not shown, Angela Mott.) In the middle are: Minister Sylvia Leonard, Wynie Anderson and Founder/President, Mary E. May.  On the top are: Dr. Pamela Hill, Dr. Gwen Crumbly, Twyla Hall, Pastor Lillian Yvonne Jones and Evangelist Jacqueline Bell. (Photograph by George Streets of Streets & Streets Photography)

MAYOR DISCUSSES BUDGET WITH SENTINEL BOARD

Recently, The Keep Tampa Bay Beautiful organization held its 31^st Annual Awards Ceremony at TPepin Hospitality Center. During the ceremony, several students, community partners and other organizations were recognized for the roles they play as environmental stewards. Six members of the Men Of Vision, Inc., organization were among the nine students who received awards. Each member of the organization completed 50 or more hours of community service cleaning Rowlett Park, on N. 22^nd Street along with the East Tampa community. Some of those who attended the ceremony are from left to right: Ross Anderson, founder of Men Of Vision, Inc., Adam Andrews, Middleton High School; Derrick Andrews-Powley, Tampa Bay Technical High School; Amarion Paynes, Tampa Bay Technical High School; Commissioner Kimberly Overman, Mayor Jane Castor, Eric Ward, Men Of Vision, Inc., Board member, Joe Langlois, Armwood High School; David Dor, Middleton High School; and Joshua McDonald, Middleton High School.