Florida Sentinel Bulletin

TAMPA FIRE RESCUE EMPLOYEE RETIRES AFTER 33 YEARS

     Congratulations were extended to Ms. Dana Reid, center, last week when she retired from Tampa Fire Rescue Supply Division after 33 years. Ms. Reid retired as an Office Support Specialist III. Ms. Reid is presented a Certificate of Appreciation for her services from Fire Chief Barbara Tripp. Also shown with her from left: Chief Todd Alt, Vivian Shedd, Chief Christopher Shipp, Chief David Dittman, Chief Jim Billotte, Chief Robbie Northrop, Chief Milt Jenkins, Chief Robert Collins and John Antapasis. (Photograph by BRUNSON)

 CHIEF DEPUTY ANTHONY COLLINS PROMOTED TO CHIEF DEPUTY OF OPERATIONAL SUPPORT WITH SHERIFF’S OFFICE

     Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister announced last week the promotion of Chief Deputy Anthony Collins to Chief Deputy of Operational Support. Collins has been with the Sheriff’s Office since 2004. He is a husband and father of 2 children. The King High School and St. Leo University graduate will be more formally honored later in the month. (See full story on Page 2-A)

TRAILBLAZERS HONORED DURING CITY’S BLACK HISTORY CELEBRATION    

     The City of Tampa held its 37^th Annual Black History Celebration on Monday, February 17, 2025, at the Tampa Theatre. This year’s theme was “Trailblazers: Leading Change.” The guest speaker was Dr. Angela Hill (also an honoree), USF Health Taneja College of Pharmacy. Katrina House, President of the City of Tampa Black History Committee, welcomed guests; Mayor Jane Castor gave greetings and presented the Proclamation. Among the honorees presented were: Darrius J. Stallworth, City of Tampa Housing and Community Development; Jean-Rene’ Rinvil, Artist and Filmmaker; Vickie Oldham, M. F. A., Sarasota African American Cultural Coalition, Inc.; Antonio Brown, Central Station Barbershop and Grooming; Erica Hardison, One Community Co-Op; and Latonia Boykins, Annie’s Assisted Living Facility and Top 2 Bottom Builders. Honorees not in this photo are Arizona Jenkins, New Horizons Support Group; and Kehsi Inman, New Disabled South. (Photograph by Frederick Harris)

 MIDDLETON HIGH SCHOOL ALUMNI ASSOCIATION HOLDS ANNUAL GOLF TOURNAMENT

     The Middleton Senior High School Alumni Association, Inc., celebrated its 4th Annual MHS Alumni Golf Tournament on Saturday, February 8, 2025, at the Historic Rogers Park Golf Course. The event raises scholarship funds for Middleton students.  Among those attending the event were, left to right:  Sally Smith, Kimberly Johnson, Klisa Smith, Woodrow Simmons, Debra Smith, Calvin Simmons, Verdell Reaves, Patricia Cooper, Albert Smith, Reginald Smith, Ronita Durant; and kneeling,  Kalel Cadet, and Rayah Smith. (Photograph by BRUNSON)

TRENDING TREMENDOUS TAMPA DISTRICT HOLDS DISTRICT CONFERENCE AT MT. OLIVE AME CHURCH 

     The Trending Tremendous Tampa District of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, 11^thEpiscopal District, held the 2025 District Conference February 6^th and 7^th at Mt. Olive AME Church, Rev. Dr. Helen Johnson-Ford, Host Pastor.  The theme was “Dreams – Visions – Realities.” Ministers who participated were, first row: Rev. Dr. Tamira Bouie, Rev. Lashay Sanchez-Cabrera, Esq., Rev. Jackie Dennis, Rev. Carolyn Storer, Rev. Jacquelyn Bogen, Rev. Kimberly Flemings, Rev. Patricia Mosley, Presiding Elder Patricia S. Wallace, Rev. Dr. Helen Johnson-Ford, Rev. Deborah Nelson, Rev. Karen Jackson-Sims, Rev. Dr. Kenya Williams, Rev. Dr. Etta Owens, Rev. Sharon Smith and Rev. Jean Davis. Second row: Rev. Joseph Bunts, Rev. James Crews, Rev. Dr. Michael Bouie, Rev. Clarence Green, Rev. Dr. Glenn Dames, Rev. Ricky Polk, Rev. Kirk Bogen, Rev. Terry Williams, Rev. Patrick Crews, Rev. Kelvin Price, Rev. Odell Gordon and Rev. McRae Mangum. Bishop Marvin C. Zanders is the Presiding Prelate. (Photograph by Lomax McIntyre)

S. REPRESENTATIVE KATHY CASTOR HOSTED 2025 BLACXK HISTORY MONTH PROGRAM

S. Representative Kathy Castor hosted the 2025 Black History Month Congressional Record Statements on Monday, February 3, 2025, at Robert W. Saunders, Sr. Public Library. This year’s honorees were Eunice Butts and Carrie Hurst. Oral Histories in special remembrance honored Gladys Blount and Willie Mae Williams of the 6888^th Central Directory Postal Battalion. The program’s emcee was Mrs. Chloe Coney, described as ‘a woman who wears many hats.’ From left are: Chloe Coney, Congresswoman Kathy Castor, Carrie Hurst and Eunice Butts. (Photograph by Frederick Harris)

MEMBERS OF THE CLERGY WELCOME NEW PASTOR AT MT. OLIVE AME CHURCH

      Mount Olive African Methodist Episcopal Church in West Tampa has a new pastor. Last Sunday, a Meet and Greet Service was held to welcome Rev. Dr. Helen L. Johnson-Ford to the community. In addition to several clergy members and city officials in attendance, several of her sorority members of Alpha Kappa Alpha were present. Ministers from left to right, in front: Bishop Daran H. Mitchell, Evangelist Wanda Swift, Rev. Jacquelyn Bogen, Rev. Dr. Kenya Williams, Bertha M. Mitchell, Assistant to the Mayor; Rev. Dr. Anton G. Elwood, guest speaker, St. Phillip AME Church, Atlanta, GA; Rev. Dr. Helen L. Johnson-Ford, Pastor; Dr. Roderick Andrew Lee Ford, Esq., 1^st Gentleman; Overseer Vicki Devine and Prophetess Shirley Bolden. On top row: Rev. Dr. Maurice Harvey, Rev. McRae Mangum, II, Rev. Briana Robinson-Franklin, Rev. Chiquita Washington and Rev. Jean Davis. (Photograph by Julia Jackson)

HOWARD W. BLAKE HIGH SCHOOL INAUGURAL HALL OF FAME CEREMONY HELD

Howard W. Blake High School Black and Gold Gala was held Friday, January 17, 2025, at the Tampa River Center. This Inaugural Hall of Fame event honored 5 former students and a former faculty member. The Mistress of Ceremonies was Ms. Sylvia Salter, Class of 1970. Principal Valerie C. Newton gave closing remarks. Those in attendance were: Tarence Kinsey, Sr., in honor of his dad, the late Randolph Kinsey, Jr., Blake faculty member, 1961-1968; Ashaki Anthony, in honor of her father, the late Otis Anthony, Jr., Class of 1969; Christina Harris, Class of 2010; Adria Phyllise Johnson, Class of 2010; Arnold “Daddy Bo” Watson, Class of 1966; and Tarence Kinsey, Jr., in honor of his grandfather, Randolph Kinsey, Jr. (Photograph by Frederick Harris)

ANDREWS FAMILY JOINS FRATERNITY AND MUSEUM TO CELEBRATE LEGACY OF C. BLYTHE ANDREWS 

      On Tuesday evening, January 14, 2025, members of the Andrews Family joined the men of Gamma Zeta Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., at Tampa’s Black History Museum at Encore in a tribute to C. Blythe Andrews family, founders of the Florida Sentinel Bulletin, and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The Andrews, including Dr. W. W. Andrews, and Dr. King were members of the fraternity. Those in attendance included: seated, from left, Gayle Andrews, C. Blythe (Drew) Andrews, III, Dr. Torrez L. Grace, President, Gamma Zeta Lambda Chapter, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Kay Andrews and Dr. Nancy Andrews Collins. Standing, from left: C. Blythe Andrews, IV, Hermione Andrews, Claude Adams, Dr. Sharon Andrews Gray, Trenten Taylor, Dr. Dominique Blanchette Taylor, Allison Wells Clebert, Richard Clebert, Ayana Clebert, Richard Clebert, Jr. and Anaya Clebert (Photograph by BRUNSON)