Florida Sentinel Bulletin

COALITION OF 100 BLACK WOMEN HOSTS 25^th GOURMET GENTS FANFARE

    The 25^th Edition of “Gourmet Gents A Culinary Fanfare” was hosted by the National Coalition of 100 Black Women Tampa Bay Chapter on Sunday, June 25, 2017.  The Silver Anniversary Edition was held at the St. Lawrence Parish Catholic Church – Higgins Hall. The 2017 event honored Joseph Bunts and Marvin Knight. More than 300 patrons attended to feast on some popular main courses and mouth-watering desserts. Among the ‘Gents’ who pulled out their special recipes were some members of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.: Robert Irvin, Edwin (Ed) Narain, Rev. Dr. Jeffery Johnson, Rev. R. J. Stevenson and Cedric McCray. (Photograph by BRUNSON)

13^TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT HONORS JAMES TOKLEY

    The Thirteenth Judicial Circuit Court of Hillsborough County held a special ‘Celebration of Freedom’ ceremony to honor James E. Tokley, Sr., Tampa and Hillsborough County’s Poet Laureate. In 2004, Tokley wrote a poem, ‘A Modern Manifesto’ for the grand opening of the George Edgecomb Courthouse. The poem was engraved on a plaque and placed on the sidewalk in December, 2010. The plaque was damaged beyond repair in 2012. The ‘Celebration of Freedom’ ceremony honored Mr. Tokley and his poem. Shown from left to right: former State Attorney, E. J. Salcine, Public Defender, Julianne Holt, Mr. Tokley and Chief Judge, Ronald Ficarrotta. (Photograph by Frederick Harris)

Last Thursday City Councilman Frank Reddick and members of the Tampa City Council paid a special tribute to the CDC of Tampa, Inc., (Corporation to Develop Communities, of Tampa, Inc.). The organization celebrated its 25^th Anniversary in the spring of this year. The organization was founded by Mrs. Chloe Coney to improve the quality of life for residents of East Tampa. Since its inception, it has led the way for first time homeownership, business development opportunities, vocational training, and classes to teach pertinent skills to those seeking employment. Among those on hand for the recognition shown on the front row are: Ellen Stoffer, City Councilman Frank Reddick, and Ernest Coney, Jr., President and CEO of the CDC of Tampa, Inc. Shown on the second row are: Virgil Perry, Noelia Betances, and CDC of Tampa Inc., Board Members Denese Meteye-James, and  Evangeline Best. Shown on the back row are former City Councilwoman Lisa Montelione, Frank Cornier, and Georgeanne Gillett. (Photo courtesy of the City of Tampa).

HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATING CLASS HAS 55^th  REUNION

    The George S. Middleton High School Class Of 1962 held its 55^th Reunion recently at the Marriott Hotel. Coleman Bell chaired the committee that put together a fantastic event. Classmates in attendance were: seated left to right, Inez Foxworth Fordoms, Evora Wynn Pimento, Patricia O’Neal Williams. Alfreda J. Grady, Marion Fryson Cole, Mattie James Ford, Leola Williams Cole, Delores Boone Smith, Joretha McCall Capers, Jewel Byrd Warren and Flora Wynn Poitier. Those standing included: from left, Bobby Washington, Henry Streeter, Paul Creal, Charles E. Thornton, Maurice Tucker, Rudolph Gibson, Edward Moragne, Nathaniel Blackmon, Andre White, Coleman Bell, President; Jacqueline LaQue Ennis, Leroy Myrick, Manuel Mitchell, Isaac Young, Wilson Robertson, Daniel J. Colleton, Eugene Alfonso, John Scrivens, Walter Fuller, Claude Rhanes, Margaret White, Helen Bozeman Thompson, Alvin Pimento and James Clem. (Photograph by Lomax McIntyre)

FORMER BELMONT HEIGHTS LITTLE LEAGUERS AND FORMER ML PLAYERS CAME PREPARED FOR GAME

When the call went out to former Little Leaguers from the Belmont Heights Little League, Artis Gambrell, Jr., current president, was surprised at the response – overwhelming! Those who answered the call were willing to help the organization raise funds to revamp the facility and make some additional changes. The game on Saturday at USF Baseball Stadium was called in the 2^nd inning due to the threat of lightning. The score was 2-1 in favor of the Gold Team. Plans are to reschedule the game in the near future. Billy Reed and Ann Sullivan coached one team, and David Best and Artis Gambrell, Sr. coached the other team. James Williams was an Umpire. Former players who participated included: Derek Bell, Lonnie Benniefield, Reginald Coonce, Maurice Crum, Andre Darby, Ricky Davis, Kelvin Douglas, Andre Green, Ty Griffin, Sammy Jackson, Algerian Williams, Derrick Worrels, and Floyd Youmans. Also,  William Butler, Charles Davis, Carl Everett, Darius Ford, Carlton Gambrell, Jimmie C. Gardner, Felton Hayes, Keith Hopkins, Marvin Lancaster, Derrick Pedro, Michael Russ, Gary Sheffield, Vernon Slater, Flip Wilson, Shelldon McCarr, Reggie White, and Eugene Gilbert. (Photograph by BRUNSON)

TAMPA’S OLDEST AND LARGEST PUBLIC HOUSING COMPLEX DEMOLISHED 

The oldest and largest public housing complex owned by the Tampa Housing Authority (THA) was demolished last Thursday, June 29, 2017. The 44-acre North Boulevard Homes was built in 1940 and became home to more than 3,100 residents who resided in 832 units. The units were demolished to make way for the West River Development Project. Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn bulldozed the first unit at 1709 Butler Court. Among those joining him were: David Iloanya, Director of Real Estate Development for THA, Tony Del Pozzi, Vice Pres. of Finance for Related Urban, Brett Green, Director of Acquisition for Related Urban, Mayor Buckhorn, Jerome Ryans, President/Chief Executive Officer, Tampa Housing Authority and Leroy Moore, Senior Vice President/Chief Operating Officer. (Photograph by Frederick Harris) 

YOUNG MEN CLOSE DOOR ON HIGH SCHOOL AS THEY PREPARE FOR THE FUTURE

These young men who graduated from Hillsborough High School last month have closed the chapter on one section of their lives. They will now begin to prepare for the future as they go away to college, trade school or enter the workforce. These Terriers from “the Big Red’ are: Nate Dantley, Jr., Joshua Gonzalez, Duran S. Bell, Jr., Russell Booth and Leon Gatlin, III. (Photograph by Frederick Harris) 

HILLSBOROUGH  COUNTY BRANCH NAACP YOUTH COUNCIL HOSTS ACT-SO COMPETITION

The Hillsborough County Branch NAACP held its ACT-SO competition during “Sunday Showcase.” The event, on Sunday, June 11^th, was held in the Life Center at New Hope Missionary Baptist Church. Dr. Juwan Ayer-Cole was the ACT-SO Chairperson. Also during the dinner, officers of the Branch’s Youth Council were installed. Those competing in the ACT-SO competition are preparing for a trip next month to Baltimore, Maryland where the national competition will be held. From left to right, front row, are: Destinee Filmore, Committed Mentor Award recipient; Mrs. Clara McCalla, Dr. Juwan Ayer-Cole, Chairperson; Mahalia Brookes, and James Cole, NAACP Youth Council Advisor and Branch Youth Works Chair. On the back row are: Dr. Bennie Small, President, Hillsborough County Branch NAACP; Pierre Alsint, Alease Yo, Aiyla Harris, James C. Cole, Makayla Massey and Kyle Smith. (Photograph by BRUNSON)