Florida Sentinel Bulletin

BLACK PROFESSIONAL GROUP CELEBRATES BLACK HISTORY MONTH

           The Tampa Bay Black Professional Group (BPG) held its annual event to celebrate Black History Month. The event was held Thursday, February 28^th, at the Bank of America. The theme for the event was, “Courageous Conversation – To Protect and Serve.” The goal of this conversation was to promote inclusion, understanding and positive action. Among the guests in attendance were: from left, in front, Atty. Norman Harris, owner, Champions for Justice Law; Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister; retired Atty. Delano Stewart; Atty. Jeria Wilds, Assistant State Attorney, Hillsborough County;  and Ernest Hooper, Columnist, Tampa Bay Times. In the rear, from left: Chief Anthony Holloway, St. Petersburg Police Department; Bill Geode, and Darius Frazier, VP, Small Business Banker Manager, who coordinated the event. (Photograph by George Streets of Streets and Streets Photography)

COKE FLORIDA INVESTS IN COMMUNITIES

DURING BLACK HISTORY MONTH

Last month, Coke Florida celebrated Black History Month by investing back into the community. Coke Florida donated several laptop computers to community partners across the state to stimulate economic empowerment and to encourage education. One of the organizations selected as a community partner was the Men of Vision, Inc. Service organization. During the presentation, five high school students became the recipients of laptop computers. Shown in the photograph at the presentation were from left to right: Savon Watson, of Blake High School; Howard Brookins, Hillsborough High School; Ross Anderson, educator and founder of Men of Vision, Inc.;  Eric Ward, former Tampa Police Chief and current Coke Executive; Karrington Hickman, of Spoto High School; and Tyshawn Hatch, of Middleton High School.

BAR ASSOCIATIONS HOST RECEPTION HONORING ELECTORAL CANDIDATES

           The George Edgecomb Bar Association and the Fred G. Minnis, Sr. Bar Association presented their Black History Month Reception on Tuesday, February 26, 2019. The reception was held at the George Edgecomb Courthouse in Downtown Tampa. The event honored Electoral Candidates of Tampa Bay. Valeria Obi, Esquire, is President of the George Edgecomb Bar Association, and Carmen Miller, Esquire, is President of the Fred G. Minnis, Sr. Bar Association. Shaquana Harper, Esquire, Vice President of the Minnis, Sr. Association, recognized the African-American Electoral Candidates, from left: Attorneys Sean Shaw, former State Senator, who was the keynote speaker; Arthenia Joyner, former State Senator; Fentrice Driskell, Florida House of Representatives, District 63, who also brought greetings; and former State Representative, Edwin (Ed) Narain. (Photograph by Ricky Roberts)

AT&T HONORS SEVEN AS VISIONARIES

DURING ANNUAL LUNCHEON

Last Friday, AT&T Florida celebrated its Annual Black History Leaders at the UNCF Black History Month Luncheon. During the program, seven people considered as barrier-breaking visionaries were recognized for their respective contributions to the Tampa Bay Area. The program was held at the Tampa Marriott Westshore. Ms. Charlayne Hunter-Gault, Civil Rights activist and award-winning journalist delivered the keynote address. The honorees, shown with Ed Narain, far right, are from left to right: Dayle Greene, Rod Carter, Dr. Harold Nixon, Attorney Carolyn House Stewart, Reverend Bartholomew Banks, Dr. Tonjua Williams, Mrs. Gwendolyn Miller, and Ed Narain, Director of External Affairs for AT&T Florida. (Photograph courtesy of AT&T).

1. U. S. REPRESENTATIVE CASTOR HONORS 4 FOR CONGRESSIONAL RECORDS

                        The statements of 4 of Tampa’s citizens will be entered into the Congressional Records in Washington, D. C. United States Representative Kathy Castor (14^th Congressional District) hosted the Black History Month event on Tuesday, February 19^th at Middleton High School. The honorees from left are: Harold Jackson, the Honorable Betty Reed, Congresswoman Castor, Dr. Juel Smith, and the Honorable Doretha Edgecomb. (Photograph by George Streets)

CHURCH HOLDS BLACK HISTORY MONTH PROGRAM

                        Friendship Missionary Baptist Church, of Carver City, held its  Annual Black History Program on Sunday, February 10, 2019. Guest speakers for the 3 p. m. service were: retired State Senator, Arthenia Joyner, and retired Hillsborough County School Board Member, Doretha Edgecomb. Music for the program was by Greater Bright and Morning Star M. B. Church, along with Friendship M. B. Church. The Reverend Frank Watson, Jr., is the pastor. Shown with the speakers are from left: Mr. and Mrs. Osborn Odom, Mrs. Edgecomb, Atty. Joyner and Rosie Odom. (Photograph by Ricky Roberts)

STUDENTS ACROSS THE COUNTRY PARTICIPATE IN SIGNING DAY

                        Wednesday, February 6, 2019, was “Signing Day” for high school athletes all across the country to let it be known where they hoped to spend their college years. Students in Hillsborough County also signed letters of commitment. Most of those signing were football players. However, students from others sports signed as well. These are the student athletes from Tampa Bay Vocational Technical High School who signed letters of commitment. They are: Trevaughn Banks (DB), who signed with Eastern New Mexico University; Isaiah Stephens (WR), who signed with Charleston Southern University; Tyrese Hall (TE), Mississippi Valley State University; Chris Daniels (LB), Florida Technical; Rhia Snyder and Zaria Hicks, Cheerleaders, signed with Webber University; Jeremiah Brown (CB), signed with Campbell University in North Carolina; Joe Lewis (LB), Florida Atlantic University; and Joe Lock (OL), New Mexico Military Academy. (Photograph by Frederick Harris)

TEENS PARTICIPATE IN KING DAY OF SERVICE EVENT

            The Youth Ministry of Greater Bethel Missionary Baptist Church hosted a Teen Leadership Summit on Saturday, January 12, 2019. The Martin Luther King, Jr. event – ‘A Day On, Not A Day Off’ – featured several presenters and organization representatives. Those who participated are: front row: Ivory Cromortie, Raejean Underwood, Jakiyla Thompson, Tico Allen, Stacy McNair, Kaillyn Duenas, Charesia Brown, Aleyah Browne, Nija Capers, Abria Sanders, Bobby Harris and Jamel Hernandez. On the back row are: Gilbert Brinson, Charnell Williams, Angela Reeder, Renae Feacher, Chea Saunders, Gwen Myers, Coordinator, MLK Day of Service; Freddy Barton, Stephen Moore, Javed Morgan, Lynisha Thomas and Rechi Butler.  Rev. Dr. Brett Snowden is the Pastor. (Photograph by Frederick Harris)