Florida Sentinel Bulletin

STATE REPRESENTATIVE SEAN SHAW OPENS OFFICE

Newly-elected State Representative (Attorney) Sean Shaw held the opening of his Tampa office on Saturday, December 17, 2016. The office is located at 503 W. Martin Luther King, Jr., Blvd. Several persons from the community stopped by to wish him well. Among those who attended the grand opening were, from left: Ross Anderson, Kerrick Williams, Gary Hartfield, Garrett Hartfield, Representative Shaw, James Ransom and Pierre Alsint. (Photograph by BRUNSON)

SCHOOL BUS DRIVERS DONATE BIKES TO MINISTRY

Hillsborough County Public Schools magnet school bus drivers and transportation employees have been fundraising for months and have raised enough money to buy more than 80 new bikes for children this Christmas. On Wednesday, December 14, drivers delivered the bikes to the Metropolitan Ministries tent located at 905 Governor St., Tampa. The employees arrived in buses with the bikes on board. The drivers purchased the bikes, helmets and other accessories which were delivered to Metropolitan Ministries.  Those who participated in the bike presentation were: Connie Hollash, Joanna Dawson, Lorraine Boone, Katrinka Davis, Julia Berry, DelFrancio Buchanan, Tonja Cobb, Malika Sanks, Leta James, Teresa Reynolds, Linda Tarsellino, Laural Dear, Gary Nappier, Tamiko B. Henry, and Steve Bethelmy. (Photograph by BRUNSON)

COUPLE CELEBRATES SEASON WITH HOLIDAY BASH

Eric Starks and Kandace Smith hosted 300 people at the Letter Carriers Hall on Saturday, December 3, 2016 for their annual holiday bash, celebrating the Christmas season. Among those in attendance who assisted with details are from left to right: Gerald and Vida Starks, Reggie and Anndra Bean, host and hostess, Eric Starks and Kandace Smith; Loretta Hicks and Cydreia Starks. (Photograph by BRUNSON)

STREET RENAMED AFTER LONGTIME 

EAST TAMPA BISHOP

                Recently, members of the community gathered for the renaming of a street in honor of a longtime Tampa minister. Bishop Eddie Newkirk, Jr., Way, (a portion of E. 25^th Avenue in front of the church), was dedicated on Sunday, November 13, 2015, at 10 a.m. Bishop Newkirk led the congregation of St. John Cathedral for more than 45 years. He passed away on February 14, 2015. Among those in attendance at the renaming ceremony were from left to right: former State Representative Ed Narain, Pastor Tony Parker, First Lady Artest Newkirk, Pastor Dwight Newkirk, Mayor Bob Buckhorn, Mrs. Kaye Morgan, Okaye Morgan, Sr., Okaye Morgan, Jr., and Ms. Autre’ Morgan.

CARIBBEAN COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION

CELEBRATES 25^TH ANNIVERSARY

                Last month, members of the Caribbean Community Association gathered to celebrate 25 years of providing service to the Tampa Bay community. The group celebrated by hosting its Annual Fundraiser Gala. The event was held on November 17, 2016. The gala is held to bring together the diverse Caribbean cultures in the Tampa Bay Area and to support numerous educational and humanitarian projects. Among those on hand participating in the gala and celebration were from left to right: Ms. Allison Padmone-Haynes, First Vice President, Ms. Carol Price-Anderson, Treasurer, Ms. Caroline Seignion, Health Chairperson, Ms. Gretel Graham, Secretary, Ms. Carolyn Gayle, President, Ms. Theresa Hoyes, Entertainment and Hospitality Chairperson, and Ms. Vincia Mitchell. (Photograph by ISAAC PARSONS).

50^th BIRTHDAY CELEBRATED IN ST. PETERSBURG

On Friday, November 25, 2016, Black Friday, Bonita Wright celebrated her 50th birthday in St. Petersburg with family and friends. The extravagant event was an all-black affair, that included dinner, dancing and roasting of Bonita. Her sons along with her grandson, performed a mime skit. Joining the birthday honoree were faculty and staff members from Robles Elementary School: Samrat Antigua, Beverly Humbert, Antionette Casale, Marneese Mitchell, birthday honoree, Bonita, Natasha Artis, and Antonette Smith. (Photograph by Frederick Harris)

FOSTER CHILDREN, AT-RISK FAMILIES SERVED TRADITIONAL THANKSGIVING DINNER

Donatello’s Restaurant hosted its 30^th Annual Thanksgiving Dinner last Thursday. The dinner benefited 1,000 foster children and at-risk families. In addition to the meal, each child, ranging in age from infant to 18-year-olds, received a special gift. Kitty Daniels and Majid Shibazz provided holiday music, while athletes signed autographs, and character actors dressed in costumes to make the holiday more enjoyable. Those who supported the event were from left: Rex Sano, Donatello family member Alessandra Tiozzo, Marvin Knight, Greg Roberts, Bobby Bowden, Council Rudolph (rear), Guido Tiozzo, restaurant owner, Gino Tiozzo, family member, and Jerry Bell. Kneeling in front is Albert Owens (Bucified Bert). (Photograph by BRUNSON)

SURPRISE BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION FOR 85-YEAR-OLD MOTHER

Over 100 family members and friends attended the surprise birthday party for Ms. Hattie Byrd “Madea” White, who turned 85 years young! The “Big” Surprise was seeing her granddaughter, Dr. JaMia L. Washington of Cleveland, Ohio; nephew, Bob (Linda) Davis and son, Jamal, former co-workers from County Hospital, Allen Temple AME Church members/Senior Ministry, Williams Park Senior Ministry, friends, and being serenaded by Saxophonist, Marcus Boothe. Family members shown with the honoree are: Amajah Malphus, Cheryl Byrd Washington (daughter), honoree, Hattie Byrd White, Allen Byrd, son, Tauvia Ivery, Henry ‘Shake’ Washington, Dr. JaMia Washington, Jennifer Byrd, Jamal Davis, Anna ‘Bonnie’ Ivery Buford, James Buford and Angel Lalor. (Photograph by Lomax McIntyre)

A POSITIVE IMAGE COMMITTEE PRESENTS $10,000 TO 4 ORGANIZATIONS

A Positive Image Committee presented a total of $10,000 to four organizations. The committee held its ‘Unity in the Community’ event last month for the public in Centennial Park. Checks were presented to the organizations earlier this week. Those in attendance, seated left to right: Ronnie McCullough of G3 Foundation; Rosette Dupree, who represented St. Peter Claver Catholic School; Joseph Capitano, Sr., Unity In Community organizer; MPO Susan Bowers, RICH House; and Dr. Craig Butts, Pepin Academy. Standing, Krystal Davis, Kendra Goosby, Marchelle Burgess, Chief Thomas Forward, Edward Washington, Greg Reynolds, Joey Blaisdell, Marvin Knight, Carolyn Cooper Jarrett, Officer Gig Brown, Trienicia Washington, Major Willie Parker, Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office; Scott Blaisdell, Sonya Williams, Carl Graham-Lofton, Vivian Heyward, and Joe Blaisdell. (Photograph by BRUNSON)