Florida Sentinel Bulletin

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.

ORGANIZATION SPREADS THANKSGIVING CHEER TO SENIORS

                  The Women’s Council of Bay Area Realtists partnered with the Tampa Park Apartments Complex to feed the seniors for Thanksgiving. This was the 2nd year the group has hosted this event, which took place on the November 21st at Tampa Park. The Buffalo Soldiers Motorcycle Club donated 20 turkeys to the seniors. Among those who assisted with the event were: from left to right, Tonya Hammond, Lashawn Milton, Gigi Best Richardson, Ursula Bell, Ida Campbell, President; Samarion Pitts Marshall, Porcher Harris, Yolanda Amos, Hope Owens-Henry; and back row: Shana Jones and Teresa Morning. (Photograph by BRUNSON)

GROUP REGISTERS VOTERS TO CELEBRATE NATIONAL ACHIEVEMENT WEEK

         Omega Psi Phi Fraternity brothers of Mid-Florida celebrated National Achievement Week by conducting voter registration drives throughout the Tampa Bay Area.  The group hosted a drive at Big John’s Alabama BBQ, and they also gathered for voter registration and tailgating prior to the Buccaneers/Saints football game.  The Brothers of Epsilon Mu Mu Chapter will also conduct a voter registration drive in conjunction with your event. Shown at one of the sites are, from left: Brothers Derrick Crowley, Sylvester Barnwell, Kevin Holmes and Darrel Harris.

FRATERNITY BLESSES FAMILIES FOR THANKSGIVING

          The Brothers of Gamma Eta Sigma Chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., blessed several families in the Rainbow Heights community with Thanksgiving Dinner. Tampa Alumni members who were on hand for the event, from left to right were: Dorian Franklin, Baxter Henderson, John Jackson, Maurice Horne, Luzon Dickerson, Adrian White, and Ron Rivera.

DSI BLACK PAGES 26^th ANNUAL SHOWCASING

         DSI Black Pages held its 26^th Annual Showcasing and Reception on November 14, 2019. The event was held at THAP’s 5508 Event Center. Among those who were recognized are: from left, Ricky Williams of Call Ricky Ask Ricky; Mrs. Jeanette “Diva J.” Hordge Smith, owner, DASH Marketing, LLC; Gary Hartfield, Serenity Village Insurance & Consulting, Inc.; Estrellita “Lo” Berry, President and CEO, REACHUP, Inc., recipient, Robert “Bob” Samuels Business of the Year; Donald Dowridge, author, DLD Motivational Moments; Dr. Shani V. Davis, Your Best You Clinic; Mrs. Carol Minor, Director, HCMBE, SBDC; and Derrick Blue, CEO, THAP Group. In the background is DSI Black Pages Publisher, Mrs. Sherryl Jennings Cusseaux. (Photograph by George Streets of Streets & Streets Photography)

GALLERY ON THE AVENUE AT SAUNDERS LIBRARY

         Shown here at the Robert W. Saunders Public Library on November 12, 2019 are, left to right: Shayla Mitchell, Marnese Mitchell, Artist Patrick Mitchell, Maria Mitchell, Mary James and Patricia Williams. They attended the Gallery on the Avenue program at the library, featuring some of Mr. Mitchell’s many paintings. His artwork will be on display at the library, 1505 N. Nebraska Avenue, until December 5^th. Different African American artists’ paintings are displayed there every few months. Mr. Mitchell, a native of Tampa, a 1967 graduate of G. S. Middleton High School, and a graduate of Bethune-Cookman University, is a retired graphic designer and senior editor at the Tampa Tribune. He and his wife, Maria (a retired art teacher) are mentors for several youth programs and teach painting and general life lessons. (Photograph by Fred Hearns)

A SURPRISE 80^th BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION

         Mrs. Ora Sledge-Chester was truly surprised when she entered the Embassy Suites-USF recently. The occasion was a surprise birthday dinner recognizing her 80 years. The dinner was hosted by her husband, Fred Chester and sister, Elaine Sledge-Saffold. In addition to family members, several guests included friends, fellow worshippers from 34^th Street Church of God and 1957 Middleton High School classmates. Mrs. Chester and her husband, Fred, seated, are shown with the classmates: Ruby French, LeJoan Franklin, Norlyn Hill (Nashville, TN), Ester Ervin and Barbara White. (Photograph by Julia Jackson)