Florida Sentinel Bulletin

RECEPTION FOR MLK DAY OF SERVICE RECIPIENTS

                  Through a grant spearheaded by Attorney Darryl Rouson through the Florida Legislature, residents in the Tampa/St. Petersburg community have been able to do more than take the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday as a Day Off. The motto of the MLK Day of Service is, ‘A Day On Not A Day Off.’ In the Tampa community, Hillsborough Community College with Dr. Joan Holmes has been the administrator for the MLK Day Of Service. Dr. Samuel L. Wright, Sr. has been the consultant. On Thursday, February 22, 2018, a reception was held for the many organizations and individuals that participated. Dr. Sam Wright, left and Dr. Joan Holmes, right, stand with young men representing Iota Beta High School Fraternity: Remus Bulmer, Jr., Eduardo Flores, and David Denson. (Photograph by Ricky Roberts)

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY HOSTS BLACK HERITAGE CELEBRATION

         “Celebrating Our Royal Heritage” was the theme of the Black Heritage Celebration hosted by Hillsborough County. The celebration was held on Friday, February 16, 2018, in the Joe Chillura Courthouse Square. Program participants included, from left: Albert Coleman, Hillsborough County Community Affairs, who gave closing remarks; Rev. Francis M. Maxwell, International Harvest Center Church of God, Invocation; Tamara Shamburger, Hillsborough County School Board Vice Chair, Mistress of Ceremonies; County Commissioner Les Miller, who introduced special guests and presented a Proclamation; James Ransom, Hillsborough County Solid Waste, who recognized sponsors; and James Tokley, Hillsborough County (and Tampa’s) Poet Laureate, Spoken Word. (Photograph by Frederick Harris)

HIDDEN FIGURES: HONORING TRAILBLAZERS IN TAMPA BAY

         The United States District Court Middle District of Florida – Tampa Division hosted a celebration, entitled, “Hidden Figures: Honoring Trailblazers in Tampa Bay.” Hosted by the Historical, Education, and Public Outreach Committee, the program was held on February 8, 2018, in the Floridan Palace Hotel, Downtown Tampa. Several Distinguished Trailblazers of Tampa Bay were recognized. Among them were from left: Atty. Warren Hope Dawson, Justice Peggy Quince, Atty. Susan Johnson-Velez, Atty. Carolyn House Stewart, Atty. Delano Stewart and Atty. Arthenia Joyner. Each received the copy of a portrait inspired by Charlotte E. Ray, the first African American Woman Lawyer in the United States in 1872. (Photograph y Lomax McIntyre)

CITY OF TAMPA BLACK HISTORY COMMITTEE CELEBRATES 30 YEARS

         The City of Tampa Black History Committee (COTBHC) held its 30^th Black History Month Celebration on Friday, February 2, 2018 at the Tampa Convention Center. The committee was founded by Bobby L. Bowden. Those who attended the celebration were from left to right: Pastor Moses Brown, Feed Our Children Ministries, Inc.; Bridgett Gordon, Rod Carter, WFLA-TV, Master of Ceremonies; Darius Wallace and Quincy Jackson, both of Men of Vision; Eric Vincent,  Fred Hearns, Keynote Speaker; Mayor Bob Buckhorn, Roshard Jackson, Men of Vision; Councilman Harry Cohen, Celeste Gibbons-Peoples, COTBHC President; James Cole, Pierre Alsint, Men of Vision; Congresswoman Kathy Castor; and Bobby L. Bowden, Founder/1^st Chair, COTBHC. (Photograph by Lomax McIntyre)

STUDENTS HONORED AT NAACP FREEDOM FUND BANQUET

                  The Hillsborough County Branch NAACP held its Freedom Fund Banquet last Thursday at the Downtown Hilton Hotel. The organization honored a number of individuals, including students. Britnee Blake, a 9^th grade student at Howard W. Blake Magnet High School was a Performance Art winner for high schools. Chloe Waddington, Hammond Elementary, and Aurora Stuckey, Orange Grove Middle Magnet, were also Performance Art winners. Britnee, center, is shown with from left: School Board Members, Susan Valdes and Tamara Shamburger; Britnee’s mother, Bridgette Blake (her dad, not shown, Aaron Blake); Superintendent of Schools, Jeff Eakins; and Mrs. LaDessa Mitchell, the teacher who inspired Britnee. (Photograph by Frederick Harris)

FRATERNITY’S FOUNDATION HOSTS ‘DAY OF SERVICE’ FOR STUDENTS

                  GZL Educational Foundation and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. hosted a Community Empowerment and Social Justice Symposium for middle and high school students. The Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service event was held at Hillsborough Community College, Ybor Campus, on Saturday, January 20, 2018. Participants and prize winners included: Jonathan Gaines, Sheldyn Jones, Donald McPherson, Jahaziel (JJ) Bentley, Dariah Metellight, Robin Coley, II, and Alphonse Stewart, GZL Director of Educational Activities. (Photograph by BRUNSON)

FIRST BLACK HOCKEY PLAYER SPENDS TIME WITH KIDS AT BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB

                  Willie O’Ree, the first Black to play in the National Hockey League (NHL), was in town two weeks ago for the NHL All-Star Weekend, which included the game that was in St. Petersburg. While in the area, Mr. O’Ree spent time with the kids at the Wilbert Davis Boys and Girls Club, sharing information about his career. Canadian born, Mr. O’Ree played for the Boston Bruins. Children kneeling are: Keilyne Davila, Michael Clark, J’onnie Johnson, Amaurie Anderson and Micquiaz Newsome. Standing, from left, Rick Gallon, Brenda Hobdy, DeQuan Wilson, Barbara Norton, Willie O’Ree; Jamarya Grady, Destiny Howell, Shiovahn Gustave, Tony Jefferson and Teena Williams. (Photograph by BRUNSON)

37-1/2 YEARS OF LAW ENFORCEMENT SERVICE RECOGNIZED

            During its Holiday Meeting last month, Derrick Brooks Charities, Inc. recognized 37-1/2 years of Law Enforcement service. Major Willie Parker, Jr. retired from the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office. Derrick Brooks Charities presented him a plaque and thanked him for the years of service. Congratulating his years of service are from left: Senator Darryl Rouson, Jackie Coffee-Leeks, Deidra Anthony, Major Willie Parker, Jr., retired, Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office; Derrick Brooks, Founder, Derrick Brooks Charities; Darrell Daniels, Executive Director, Derrick Brooks Charities; Chief Brian Dugan, Tampa Police Dept.; and Milt Jenkins, Assistant Fire Chief, City of Tampa. (Photograph by Frederick Harris)

CHURCH’S ‘DAY OF SERVICE’ INCLUDES TEEN LEADERSHIP SUMMIT            

                  Several organizations in the community utilized their ‘Day of Service’ in a variety of ways to honor the life of Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Many of the organizations hosted events aimed to reach the youth. Greater Bethel Missionary Baptist Church, Rev. Dr. Brett Snowden, Pastor, hosted a Teen Leadership Development Summit on Saturday, January 13, 2018. Youth groups provided entertainment and there were guests to discuss the Juvenile Civil Citation Program. Among the guests were: James Barnum and GQ. Young men involved in the program are: Michael Bell, Devonta Jennings, Alex Butler, Gabriel Medina, Nicholas Carlton, Kanyea Sutton, Quentin Silas, David Aeyo, Adrian Ibarra, Guadalupe Martinez, Aria Nuevo, Luis Bonillo, Hausi Miller and Avalon Holley. (Photograph by Frederick Harris)