Florida Sentinel Bulletin

SISTERS HOST PRE-THANKSGIVING LUNCHEON FOR SENIOR CITIZENS

The Gadson Sisters held their 6th Annual Pre-Thanksgiving Luncheon for Seniors on Wednesday November 15, 2017 at Temple Crest Community Center. The invitation-only luncheon was free and there was plenty of good food for the 60 plus guests, and lots of gospel entertainment. Among the singers on program were: Darlene Brooks, Alberta Jackson, The North Bay Singers and Leroy Carnegie. Rev. Carnegie is the only surviving member of the Original Dixie Hummingbirds. The sisters who hosted the luncheon are: from left, Johnnie Mae Harris, Betty Broadway, Yvonne Douglas and Henrietta Walton. They all are active members of New Mt. Zion M. B. Church, where Rev. Larry L. Roundtree, II, is pastor. (Photograph by Frederick Harris)

COMMUNITY CARE AND CONNECTIONS EVENT IN SULPHUR SPRINGS

Derrick Brooks Charities, the City of Tampa and Fifth Third Bank hosted a Community Care and Connections Event for the community earlier this month. The event was held on November 8, 2017 at Springhill Park Community Center. Several vendors participated. Those in attendance received information about financial literacy and how to use their credit in positive ways. There was also information on housing and health resources, a raffle and gift bags for attendees. Those in attendance from left were: Darrell Daniels, Derrick Brooks Charities; Deputy J. Footman, Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office; Esther Marshall, Fifth Third Bank; Dan Allen, Brooks-DeBartolo Collegiate High School; and Derrick Brooks, Founder/CEO, Derrick Brooks Charities. (Photograph by BRUNSON)

BLAKE HIGH SCHOOL CLASS OF 1965 CELEBRATES 70^th BIRTHDAY

The Howard W. Blake High School Class of 1965 celebrated their 70^th birthdays this year. The class came together last Saturday, November 11^th, to enjoy food and fellowship at Lee Roy Selmon’s Restaurant. Earlier this year, members of the class cruised on the Oasis of the Sea to celebrate their birthdays. The class is a strong supporter of the Blake Boosters Club. Officers of the class who attended the birthday dinner were: from left, Quida Hilton, Chaplain; Ray Palmer, 2^nd Vice President; Betty F. Johnson, Secretary; Raymond Powell, Financial Secretary; Corinne Collins, President; Julia Mae Starling, Sergeant-At-Arms; Sharon McKinnon, Historian; Johnny Johnson, 1^st VP; and Henry  Dupree, Treasurer. (Photograph by Lomax McIntyre) 

OMEGA PSI PHI FRATERNITY, INC. FOUNDERS’ DAY AWARDS GALA

The Pi Iota Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., Tampa, held its Founders’ Day Awards Gala on Saturday, November 11, 2017. The gala was held at the Crowne Plaza Tampa-Westshore.  Among chapter members and their spouses in attendance were: front row, seated – Schantel Bobo, Deveda Scott, Joycelyn Henson, Phoebe Crenshaw, Cindy Blount, Carolyn Johnson, and Sharon Andrews Gray. Standing – Cornelius BoBo, Tedd Scott, Jr., Michael Crenshaw, Tchecoy Blount, Sr., Christopher Johnson, and Stanley Gray. (Photograph by Ricky Roberts)

CDC OF TAMPA, INC. CELEBRATES 25^th ANNIVERSARY

Corporation To Develop Communities (CDC) of Tampa, Inc. celebrated its 25th Anniversary with a Gala on Friday, October 27, 2017 at TPepin Hospitality Centre. Entertainment was by Avery Sunshine, recording artist. The proceeds will benefit CDC of Tampa, Inc. programs. The 25^th Anniversary theme was, “Building on our Legacy: Creating Economic Opportunities Everyday #365 WINS.” In attendance were: from left, Denese Meteye James, former Executive Director/CEO Toni Watts; President/CEO, Ernest Coney, Jr.; founder and first President/CEO, Chloe Coney and Evangeline Best.

NEW COMMUNITY RADIO STATION GETS DONATION

Tampa’s newest community radio station was recently gifted with a $10,000 donation. WURK – 96.3 FM – is just 8 months old and has a limited range, however, people are starting to pay attention, the founders say. On Monday, October, 30, the founders and volunteers gathered downtown to accept a corporate donation. David Carmena, Real Estate Agent of Carmena and Associates, made the presentation. In attendance from left: Sam Gilmore, Rebecca Washington, Pastor Sylvia Lee, and Harold Bailey (founder). In the rear, David Carmena and Dee Jackson (founder). (Photograph by Frederick Harris)

‘ART IN THE PARK….AFTER DARK’ GALA HELD

The “Art in the Park…After Dark” Gala, the 6^th annual event, was held Friday, Nov. 3^rd, from 6 to 10 p. m. at the new University Area Park Pavilion. Organized by the University Area Community Development Corporation (University Area CDC), the event raised funds for the organization’s Prodigy Cultural Arts Program.  The Prodigy Cultural Arts Program, which spans six counties, serves youth ages seven to 17. A ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Pavilion was held during the gala. The $350,000 Pavilion was funded by a community development block grant. Cocktails, dinner, dancing and desserts completed the evening. Among those in attendance were: Nestor Ortiz, University Area CDC Chief Programs Officer; Leon Paige, Paulette Role Lesnik, Sarah Combs, University Area CDC Executive Director/CEO; and Rod Carter, WFLA (Channel 8) News Weekend Anchor, who was the Master of Ceremonies. (Photograph by Frederick Harris)

A SURPRISE RETIREMENT CELEBRATION

Mrs. Mavis Brown hosted a surprise Retirement Celebration for her husband, Jackie. The event was held October 21, 2017, at The Galleria at Embassy Suites. Mr. Brown retired after 35 years with Hillsborough County. Mr. Brown, second from right, is shown with his family: from left, Denzel Brown, Derrinica Brown, Mrs. Mavis Brown, Denzel, II, and Devin Brown. (Photograph by BRUNSON)

GULF HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT IS CROWNED ‘FUTURE MISS B-CU’

Ms. Janicia Jordan, a student at Gulf High School, was crowned the 2017 “Future Miss B-C-U.” The 30^th Annual Coronation ceremony was held on October 8, 2017, at the College Hill Conference Center. Raquel Watson-Hunter was the Coronation Chairperson. Shown on the front row, from left to right are: Michelle Brundidge, Helen Young, Queen Janicia Jordan, and Molbert Scrivens. Second row: John Douglas, Nita Black James, queen’s aunt; Ma’Caria Wilson, queen’s sister; and Mrs. Diane Diggs. On the back row are: the queen’s grandmother, Janice Person; the queen’s mother, LaShawn Jordan; Desiree Jackson and Andra Diggs, President, Hillsborough County Chapter of Bethune-Cookman University National Alumni Association. (Photograph by Sylvester Harris)