Florida Sentinel Bulletin

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)

AWARDS PRESENTED TO ACTIVE CITIZENS DURING INTERFAITH SERVICE

            As part of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday events, the annual Interfaith Service was held at Allen Temple A. M. E. Church. Television personality, Rod Carter served as Master of Ceremonies. Several religious groups participated in the service. The guest speaker was Atty. Kendal T. Moore of the Brevard County law firm, Moore and Baughan. The Robert W. Saunders and Patricia (Pat) Spencer Awards were presented during the service. From left to right are: Anddrikk Frazier and his wife, Atty. Rena Frazier, community servants, who received the Robert W. Saunders, Sr. Award; Queen Miller, retired educator and community activist, recipient of the Patricia (Pat) Spencer Award; guest speaker, the Honorable Kendall T. Moore; and Reverend Glenn Dames, Host Pastor. (Photograph by Lomax McIntyre)

CORPORATION TO DEVELOP COMMUNITIES OF TAMPA, INC. HOSTS 5^th SUIT UP & SHOW UP

            As part of its Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service, the Corporation to Develop Communities of Tampa, Inc., hosted its 5^th “Annual Suit Up & Show Up” event. The event was held on Friday, January 19, 2018, in the Student Services Center at Hillsborough Community College, Ybor Campus. This year’s leadership retreat touched the lives of 80 minority male youth through referrals from Hillsborough County Schools. Among the participants who shared encouraging words were, from left: David Carmena, David White, Dr. Samuel Wright, Sr., Ernest Coney, Jr., President/CEO of CDC of Tampa, Inc., Brian Butler and Randall Woods. (Photograph by Frederick Harris)

1. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. PARADE FOUNDATION HOSTS 2^nd GALA

            The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Parade Foundation held its 2^nd Annual Fundraising Gala and Dinner on Thursday, January 11, 2018. The event was held at TPepin Hospitality Centre. The event was chaired by Sherryl Cusseaux. Honorary Chairpersons were: Hillsborough County School Board Vice Chair, Tamara Shamburger and Mr. Bob Conigliaro, VP of Community Relations, Caspers Company McDonald’s. The gala was the prelude to this year’s Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Parade, which was held on Monday, January 15^th. Robert Scott and Howard Harris are Chairpersons of the Parade Foundation. Among those who attended the gala were: Rosalie Jones, Keyshawna Johnson, Kayla Chandler and Gwen Myers. (Photograph by BRUNSON)

TAMPA ORGANIZATION OF BLACK AFFAIRS HOLDS 37^th ANNUAL LEADERSHIP BREAKFAST

            The Tampa Organization of Black Affairs (TOBA) held its 37^th Annual Leadership Breakfast on the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday. This year the event was held on Dr. King’s birthday, January 15^th. The Breakfast theme was: “Our Journey, Our Voice, Our Destiny.” Among those who participated on the program were, first row, sitting left to right: Belinthia Berry, TOBA Board Member, Hon. Frank Reddick, Tampa City Council, District 5; Hon. Kathy Castor, U.S . Congresswoman; Kourtney Berry, TOBA Breakfast Co-Chair; Rev. Janae Pitts-Murdock, TOBA Breakfast Keynote Speaker; Donovan Celerin, TOBA Breakfast Co-Chair; Hon. Tamara Shamburger, Vice Chair, Hillsborough County School Board; and Hon. Mayor Bob Buckhorn, City of Tampa. Back row, standing left to right: Roland Daniels, TOBA Board Member, James Ransom, TOBA Board Member; Rev. Dr. Bartholomew Banks; Dr. Glenn Cherry, TOBA Board Member; Pastor Brett Snowden;  Jeffrey Rhodes, TOBA Board Member; and Attorney Clint Paris, TOBA Board Member. (Photograph by Lomax McIntyre)