Florida Sentinel Bulletin

URBAN LEAGUE OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY HOLDS SUCCESSFUL ‘ROARING TWENTIES’ EVENT

     The Urban League of Hillsborough County held its March Forth Annual Gala on Saturday, March 9^th. The “Roaring Twenties” event was held at Red Door No. 5. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Urban League of Hillsborough County. Among those enjoying the evening were: Admiral Larry and Mrs. Sarah Chambers, Stanley and Dr. Sharon Gray, Nicholas and Mrs. Katelyn Glover, and C. A. and Dr. Annazette Houston.  (Photograph by BRUNSON)

INAUGURAL HEART & SOUL BE THE BEAT BALL HELD

      The Inaugural Heart & Soul Weekend Be The Beat Ball was held Saturday, February 24^th, at Ybor Square. Events to bring attention to heart health disparities in Tampa’s African American communities were held February 23rd through February 25^th. Proceeds from the Saturday event benefit the American Heart Association. Among those in attendance were, left to right: Dr. Sabrina Winters, Sherryl J. Cusseaux, 2023 Tampa American Heart Association’s Woman of Impact; Henry Bell, Jr.; Dr. Shani Davis, 2024 Tampa American Heart Association’s Woman of Impact nominee; and Willie Beard. In front: Keisha Pickett-Boyd of Pickett PR; and Qiana Cressman, VP and Director of Community Development with the Tampa American Heart Association. (Photograph by BRUNSON)

THE FELLAS GET TOGETHER TO CELEBRATE THE LIFE OF ‘MOMA ANDREWS’

      The fellas got together to celebrate the life of Mrs. Gloria Andrews last Friday at 7th and Grove restaurant after the beautiful Wake ceremonies by the Links, Inc. and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.’s Ivy Beyond The Wall Ceremony.  Everyone talked about how Mrs. Andrews affected their lives during the early years.  Standing (left to right), Dan ‘Dapp” Bingham, Pete Murphy, C. B. (Drew) Andrews, Myron Williams. Kneeling, from left: Bennie Kelly and Atty. Tom Bell – Newark, N. J. Sitting, from right to left: Michael Hodges, Jose Lara, Rev. Cecil Williams – Ft. Walton, FL, Charles Harvey – Detroit, MI, and Rev. James Johnson.  Not shown in picture:  Terry Clark, Gilbert Brinson, Claude Adams, Robert Dooley, Joe Bongiorno, Teddy P. Thurmond, Mark Hart, Jerry Brunson, Richard ‘Bula’ Cass, Sol Davis, Derrick ‘Smoke’ Best, Johnny Watson, Keith George, Marvin Knight, Larry Johnson, Willie Luke, Mike James, Charles Reid, and Tony Barron. (Photo by BRUNSON)

BREAST CANCER JOURNEY IN MIDDLE EAST CHRONICLED IN BOOK  

      On Saturday, February 17^th, Barnes and Noble on West Shore Blvd. in Tampa, hosted a book signing for Ronnie Laughlin. Ronnie is the author of An Atypical Journey-Facing Breast Cancer Alone in the Middle East with God and My Tribe. Ronnie tells her story of how she navigated her breast cancer diagnosis during the pandemic while living and working in the Middle East. She drove herself to chemo because of pandemic restrictions. Ronnie persevered and wrote a book that chronicles how she was able to keep moving forward; survive and thrive during this episode in her life. The book signing was well attended by many former colleagues and students, friends and family. Her book, as well as the companion book My Appointment Notebook (the cancer patient takes this to appointments to keep track of medical information) is available on Amazon. Joining her at the book signing were: Janae Rosario, Dr. Daphne Thomas, Dr. Cheryl Rodriguez, Theo Valentine, Dr. Deirdre Cobb-Roberts, Ronnie Laughlin, book author; Clemmie Perry, Colette Glover-Hannah, Mikki Chambers, Achille Laurenceau, and Claudine Ja-Laurenceau. (Photograph by BRUNSON)

PASTOR AND PEOPLE SECOND YEAR CELEBRATION BRUNCH

       The Beulah Baptist Institutional Church Pastor and People Second Year Celebration Brunch was held on Saturday, February 3, 2024, at the Rusty Pelican Restaurant. The theme of the celebration was, “Leadership Worth Following,” Hebrews 13:7 (NIV). Frank Crum was the Master of Ceremonies, and the keynote speaker was Mr. Lee Rainer, President and Chief Executive Officer, LR-Associates, LLC. Pastor Alan Harris is the Lead Servant. Members of the Host committee were: from left, Kim Brown, Cynthia Sumay-Eaton, Lillian Dupree, Sandra Davis Myers and Annette Pelermon. (Photograph by Ricky Roberts)

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS MENTORING COLLABORATIVE

        Hillsborough County Public Schools held its first HCPS Mentoring Collaborative Breakfast on Saturday, January 13th. The HCPS Mentoring Collaborative is the vision of and falls under the leadership of Mr. Owen Young, Chief of Student, Family, and Community Engagement. The collaborative is led by our Volunteer Services Department, under the leadership of Debra Blossom. In attendance were, seated: Owen Young, Chief of Student, Family, & Community Engagement, Nadia Combs, School Board Member, Karen Perez, School Board Chair, Henry Washington, School Board Member, Stevonia Allen, Executive Director, Transformation Network, and Debra Blossom, Asst. Department Manager, Volunteer Services and Organizer of Event. Standing from left to right: Marie Whelan, Chief of Staff, Romaneir Johnson, Chief Financial Officer, Dr. Tracye Brown, Chief of Student Support & Federal Programs, Anna Corman, Hillsborough Education Fund, Dr. Felita Lewis, Executive Director, SFACE, Jaraux Washington, Elevate Tampa Bay, and Ralph Johnson, Elevate Tampa Bay. (Photograph by BRUNSON)

YAYA, NEW SOUL FOOD RESTAURANT HAS OFFICAL GRAND OPENING

YaYa Southern Cuisine, a new soul food restaurant in East Tampa, held its Official Grand Opening ceremony on Saturday, January 6, 2024. The restaurant is located in Eastgate Shopping Plaza at 22^nd St. and E. Hillsborough Ave. (2301 E. Hillsborough Ave.). Among staffers on hand to greet you are in front: Mary Hardy, Laverne Lynn Madir, (AKA YaYa), Fahkir Hardy, Antonae Johnson and Kristian Doward Hardy. From left, Gerard Cummings, Quiana Johnson, Senovia Johnson, Kyshan Johnson and DJ Worm, Tampa. (Photograph by BRUNSON)

MIDDLETON HIGH SCHOOL CLASS OF 1966 CELEBRATED 75^thBIRTHDAYS/CHRISTMAS

      The Middleton High School Class of 1966 celebrated their 75^th birthdays and Christmas Party on December 1^st. Seated on the front row, left to right: Estella Clark, Charlsetta Arline, Rhudine Hopkins, Verlyn Crumpton, Jackie Dupree, Chairperson; Harold Rice, Elaine Johnson, Christine Moore, and Carolyn Brooks. Standing, second row, left to right: Fred Hearns, Annie Robertson, Paulette Andrews, Carolyn Williams, Tyrone Brown, Carolyn Russ, Cynthia Few, Rubin Padgett, Mary Hobley, Barbara Curry, Linda Arenas, Ophelia Ball, Rhutelia Bradford, Joyce Harris, and Eva James.  Third row, standing, left to right: Fredrick Chatham, Curtis Walker, Elizabeth Lewis, Linda Roberson, Blanch Turner, Carolyn Watkins, Linda Hodges, and Milton Early.   Not shown, Gary Ellerson. (Photograph by BRUNSON)

MIDDLETON HIGH SCHOOL CLASS OF 1967 HAS CHRISTMAS PARTY

      The Middleton High School Class of 1967 held its Christmas Gala on Saturday, December 9, 2023, at the Hilton Garden Inn, Riverview/Brandon/Tampa. Among the classmates who attended were: 1^st row (left to right), Arnold Cousin, Mattie Brown Smith, Sandra K. Livingston, Sandra Lester Barr, Ouida Brown, Linda L. Williams, Shirley Sherman Wilson, Verna Lewis Jordan, Pamela Scott Edgecomb, Cheryl Williams Collins, and Kenneth Andrews. 2^nd Row (left to right): Debera Devard, Ruthie Durr Sampson, Deborah Jones Harris, Barnell Edward, Linda J. McCray, James Haywood, Willie C. Miller, K C Williams, Deborah Washington, Louis S. Culpepper, Roseland Wilson Scriven, Howard Rich, Osa Crawford Russell, Vivian Davis Franklin, Linda McMillan Adejumo, Jacqueline Williams Jones, and Clarence Mann. Absent from the photo:  Charlene Anderson and Ora B. Johnson Williams. (Photograph by George Streets, Streets & Streets Photography)