Florida Sentinel Bulletin

FIRST ANNUAL ‘YOU DESERVED TO BE LOVED’ GIRLS SUMMIT IS SUCCESSFUL

The first annual “You Deserve To Be Loved” Girls Summit held in Brandon at Hillsborough Community College on Saturday, April 30^th has been deemed successful. There were 50 young ladies who were in attendance. Among those in attendance were, from left: Veronica Blakely, Taylor Moore, Whitney Kyles, Natasha Brown, Rana Ellison, Dr. Jeffery Johnson, Jacqueline Coffie-Leeks, Shayla Cason, Sartura Smith, and Luelonda Monroe. (Photograph by Frederick Harris)

 USF’S KENTE AWARDS HONOR ALUMNI, COMMUNITY LEADER

Dr. Judy Genshaft, President of the University of South Florida, and the USF African American Advisory Committee hosted the 2016 Kente Awards and Scholarship Reception on Thursday, April 28^th in Gibbons Alumni Center Traditions Hall on the Tampa campus. This year’s event honored Senator Arthenia Joyner as the Community Leader and Bernard Batson, who received the USF Alumni Award. The 2016-2017 student recipients of the Dr. Israel “Ike” Tribble, Jr. Endowed Scholarship were announced. From left to right at the reception were: Dr. Marian Lauria-Gibson, LaDessa Mitchell, Bryanna Price, Bernard Batson (USF Alumni award recipient), President Genshaft, Senator Arthenia Joyner (Community Leader award recipient), Alexis Hannah, Ziporah Snell and Mrs. Joyce Russell. (Photograph by Frederick Harris)

SEMINOLE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CELEBRATES 100^TH ANNIVERSARY

Seminole Elementary School celebrated its 100^th anniversary on Thursday, April 21, 2016. Officials from the School District of Hillsborough County, community persons, parents, friends and supporters of the school were in attendance to help the students celebrate the grand event. Among those on hand to enjoy the celebration were: Henry ‘Shake’ Washington, Area IV Superintendent; Mrs. Doretha Edgecomb, School Board member; former Principal and student, Ms. Ruth Ann Reynolds, and current Principal, Ms. Jackie Masters. (Photograph by Frederick Harris)

Second Annual Community Impact Awards Ceremony Held

            On Wednesday night, members of the community gathered for the presentation of the Annual Community Impact Awards Ceremony. The Community Impact Awards is an initiative of State Representative Ed Narain (D) Tampa, designed to recognize individuals who have made a positive and lasting impact on the community. The program was held at the Tampa Park Plaza. This year, Representative Narain paid tribute to five Tampa residents for their contributions. Shown in this photograph award recipients from left to right are: Mrs. Evangeline Best, Mrs. Jacqueline Coffie Leeks, State Representative Narain, Mrs. Gwendolyn Miller, and Dr. Walter L. Smith. Mrs. Queen Miller, who was also recognized, is not shown. (Photography by BRUNSON).

BETHUNE AND FAMU HOST 4^TH ANNUAL HBCU ROUNDUP

The Hillsborough Alumni Chapter of Bethune-Cookman University and the Tampa Chapter of Florida A&M University sponsored the 4th Annual Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) on Saturday, April 16, 2016. The event was held at the George M. Steinbrenner Boys and Girls Club. In addition to offering information on HBCUs, there was health screenings, games, vendors, food, fellowship and door prizes.  Among the proud alumni in attendance were: Sydney Knowles, Qiana Boyd, Ashley McKenzie, Tiara Jackson, Rondrea Mathis, Desmand Washington, Tameka Roberts and Jasmine Miles. (Photograph by Frederick Harris)

TOWN HALL MEETING HELD TO DISCUSS BULLYING

           Hillsborough County officials gathered at Howard W. Blake High School on Monday evening to discuss bullying. The town hall meeting was a collaborative effort to promote anti-bullying throughout Hillsborough County with the mission to Teach One, Save One – Together, let’s make Hillsborough County bully free. Commissioner Sandra L. Murman, who championed the idea of an anti-bullying session, was the moderator. Panelists were: actor Quinton Aaron, anti- bullying advocate and star of the Academy Award winning film “The Blind Side;” Hillsborough County Schools Superintendent Jeff Eakins, law enforcement representatives, mental health professionals, and community partners. In attendance were: from left, Jessie Salter, Blake Principal; Supt. Jeff Eakins, Dr. Shandale Terrell, Quinton Aaron, and Tampa’s Chief of Police, Eric Ward. (Photograph by Frederick Harris)

PRETTY GIRL WORLD PRESENTS FREE WOMEN’S FORUM

The Tampa Bay organization of Pretty Girl World recently presented a free women’s forum, “Bringing the U into Community – Pretty Girls Pray.” The forum was held at the Center For Manifestation, Mark T. Jones, Pastor. Among those who participated in the forum were: from left Vernell Howard, Catherine Jones, Dr. Tamarrah Tarver, founder of Pretty Girl, who was the speaker; Vonecia Carswell, Miss Black New York USA, and Tonya Lewis. In the rear, Lorenzo Carswell, father of Miss Black New York, teacher and CEO of 3C, Inc; and Jessie McNeil, speaker. Evangelist Hope Drew was also a speaker. (Photograph by BRUNSON)

CARIBBEAN CULTURAL EXCHANGE CROWNS NEW ‘MISS INTERNATIONAL’

The Caribbean Cultural Exchange held its “Miss International Pageant” at the Marshall Center at the University of South Florida. This year’s winner, Shamara Spencer, represents Jamaica. The Caribbean Cultural Exchange launched the Miss International Pageant in 1984 to assist the organization in achieving its goal to promote multicultural diversity at the University of South Florida. Over the past 25 years, more than 40 countries have been represented at the pageant. Among this year’s participants were: Josani Schneider, Tatiana Isidore, Rose Rodriguez, Isabelle Monique Arroyo Acevedo, Shamara Spencer, Shereese Fagan, Dadavi Anthonio, Saika Viard, Samantha Thompson and Angelique Jackson. (Photo by Chow & Scott Photography)

TRAINING AND JOBS GRANT HAS POSITIVE AFFECT IN BAY AREA

Three years ago, Hillsborough Area Regional Transit (HART) and the CDC of Tampa, Inc., were one of 17 recipients throughout the country to receive an FTA Innovative Transit Workforce Development grant to implement “Meeting Today’s and Tomorrow’s Job Needs in Mass Transit.” U. S. Rep. Kathy Castor  talked about the progress the grant has kick started when it comes to training for green jobs and the track record the region has set for putting federal investments to good use as Tampa Bay seeks future jobs grant opportunities.  Among those who joined Rep. Castor last week at the HART Operations Center were from left: Nick Snapp, Lisa De Jordy, Ernest Coney, Jr., CDC Chief Executive Officer; Rep. Castor; HART Official Chester Simon, Katharine Eagan, CEO, HART; and HART Official, Ken Burk. (Photograph by BRUNSON)