Florida Sentinel Bulletin

CITY OF TAMPA WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH CELEBRATION

The City of Tampa held its Women’s History Month Celebration on March 21st at the Tampa Convention Center. The theme was “Honoring Trailblazing Women In Labor And Business. The Special Award was the MacDill Air Force Base Women’s Appreciation Award, presented to Civilian Nicole M. Tompkins and 1st Lt. Col. Amy B. Bartee, Chaplain. Jeanette LaRussa Fenton introduced Regina McBride-Smith, recipient of the 2017 Josephine Howard Stafford Memorial Award. The award was presented by City of Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn. Seated from left to right: Heather Erickson, Diedrea Anthony, honoree Regina McBride-Smith, Sonya Street and Hope Kiriisa. Standing, Alvin Holder, John Grimsley, John Allen and Marlin Hall. (Photograph by Frederick Harris)

MT. OLIVE AME CHURCH RECOGNIZES CITIZENS DURING BLACK HISTORY PROGRAM

Mt. Olive African Methodist Episcopal Church, 1902 W. LaSalle St., held its Black History Month Program on February 26, 2017. One of the featured events during the service was Donald Dowridge, Jr.’s portrayal of Frederick Douglass. The highlight of the service was the recognition of Community Trailblazers. Presiding Elder, James O. Williams and Reverend Gregory V. Gay, Sr., Pastor, standing in the rear are shown with the honorees: Jeffery Rhodes, Fannie Stone, City Councilman Frank Reddick, Attorney Delano Stewart, Retired Judge Perry Little, Judge Barbara Twine-Thomas, Chloe Coney, and Harriett Carter-Manning. (Photograph by Frederick Harris)

BLACK NURSES OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY HISTORICAL ORGANIZATION, INC. SCHOLARSHIP LUNCHEON

The Black Nurses of Hillsborough County Historical Organization, Inc. (B. N. H. H. O.) held its Scholarship Luncheon on Saturday, February 25, 2017. The luncheon was held at the American Legion Seminole Post #111. James Tokley was the Master of Ceremonies and Joanna Tokley and Kathy Hamilton were the guest speakers. The theme was “The Plight of Black Nurses In Hillsborough County: What a Difference A Day Makes.” Nursing students who received scholarships at the luncheon are shown with their parents: Cynthia, DeJa (University of Tampa, scholarship recipient), and Marcus Suttle, left, and Arthur Sr., Nicole, and Arthur Shepherd, Jr. (FAMU, scholarship recipient). The organization was founded by Reverend Pauline Morgan Cole in 2007. (Photograph by Frederick Harris)

BUSINESSWOMAN TELLS AUDIENCE ‘TO THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX’

An audience of mostly women listened attentively last Friday as billionaire  businesswoman, Dr. Sheila Johnson shared with them ways they should “think outside the box.” Dr. Johnson, guest speaker, shared with them some of her own experiences that prepared her for the role she now stands in. Dr. Johnson, a former owner of BET, is currently owner of Salamander Hotels & Resorts, which includes the golf spa resort, Innisbrook in Palm Harbor. Dr. Johnson and former Tampa Mayor Sandra Freedman were the honorees at the annual luncheon hosted by the Helen Gordon Davis Centre For Women. Among those in attendance were: Veronica Life, Stephanie McNeal-Brown, Alice Thompson, Satura Smith, Stacey Banks-Houston, speaker and honoree,Dr. Sheila Johnson, former model, Beverly Johnson, and Nancy Vaughn. (Photograph by BRUNSON)

On Saturday, March 5^th, five Tampa sisters held a launch party to introduce a new product in the beauty industry that appears to be the first of several. In support of her daughters, Ms. Fatima Clanton offered her beauty salon, Sistah Sistah Beauty Salon, 1949 W. Cass Street, for the young ladies to showcase their new product. Shown in this photograph at the launch party are from left to righ are: Everlecia, Ever, Everquicia, Evernecia, Auntie Sana, Everkesia, and their mother, Fatima Clanton. (Photography by BRUNSON).

HART HOSTS RECEPTION FOR ITS RETIREES

Hillsborough Area Regional Transit (HART) held a reception for its retirees to share time together and enjoy refreshments. The reception was held on Tuesday, February 21, 2017 at the Robert W. Saunders, Sr. Library. HART CEO, Katharine Eagan was there to personally greet the retirees. From left to right are: Carla Williams, Senior Community Relations Specialist; Ms. Eagan, HART CEO; Bill Jones, who retired after 42 years with HART; Jeanie Satchel, retired after 22 years with HART; Jim Wallace, retiree; Kenyatta Lee, Chief Administrative Officer; and Ruthie Reyes Burckard, Chief Operating Officer. (Photograph by BRUNSON)

SOUTHWESTERN JURISDICTION COGIC HOSTS 50^th HOLY CONVOCATION

Bishop Matthew Williams, Jurisdictional Prelate, General Board Member, COGIC and Pastor, Brown Memorial COIGIC, and his congregation hosted the 50^th Anniversary of the Southwestern Jurisdiction COGIC Holy Convocation. Several speakers and teachers of the Church of God in Christ were in town to participate, February 18, 20-26, 2017. Bishop John Drew Sheard, Michigan-North Central Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction, General Board Member, was the Wednesday evening speaker. Bishop Sheard, left, is shown with his wife, Grammy award-winning gospel artist, Karen Clark Sheard, and Bishop Matthew Williams and his wife, Mother Gail Williams. (Photograph by George Streets of Streets and Streets Photography)

4^th ANNUAL SUIT UP AND SHOW UP INITIATIVE HELD

The   Corporation To Develop Communities of Tampa (CDC), Inc. held its 4^th Annual “Suit Up and Show Up” Initiative on Friday, February 24^th.. The event was held at the Hillsborough Community College Ybor Campus, 2001 N. 14^th Street, in the Student Services Building. Each young man who attended the event received a business suit. The theme for the event was “Be Inspired To Reach Greatness.” Gentlemen who attended the event from left to right: Captain Calvin Johnson, Tampa Police Department; Pastor Ernest Coney, Sr., Dr. Chloe Coney, founder; Jamall Anderson, speaker; Ernest Hooper, columnist for local daily; Albert Lee, Board Member; Pastor Chip Luter, and Shawn Robinson, HCC Ybor Campus President. (Photograph by BRUNSON)