Florida Sentinel Bulletin

YOUNG MEN ATTEND LUNCHEON FEATURING ACTIVIST DICK GREGORY 

The Tampa Bay Black Heritage Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Leadership Luncheon was held on January 20^th at the University Area Community Development Center. The keynote address was delivered by civil rights activist Richard “Dick” Gregory. The audience was overwhelmed with his speec. Among the young men who attended the luncheon were: Doyer Brown, Lonnie Bryant, Maney O’Bryant, Gary Oliver, Rod Ifil and Lonnie Bryant. (Photo by Lomax McIntyre)

WOMEN’S ORGANIZATION HOSTS VISION BOARD WORKSHOP

A popular activity in the community is the Vision Board. Participants are encouraged to pull together the vision of their lives. Those who attend the events come with magazines, photos, poster board – whatever is needed to prepare your vision board. On Sunday, January 24, 2016, Successful Women Around Tampa (SWAT) hosted a Vision Board Workshop at the Carver City/Lincoln Gardens Community Center. The theme was “Visualize Your Victory: Dreams Don’t Work Unless You Do!!” The speakers were Reshell Smith, MBA certified Financial Planner, TM Media Finance Expert, and Pastor Rob Carpenter, Motivational Speaker. These ladies who attended the event are: Lalita Lovett, Johnita Sherrell, Valerie Scott Cherry, Yolanda Jones, Kailaia Grant, Laquanda Mallard, Nikki Miller Rocque, Reshell Smith, Carla Griffith, Ayanna McBride, and Lisa Wright. (Photograph by Chow and Scott Keepsakes)

FORMER ELECTED OFFICIAL INDUCTED INTO HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY 2016 WOMEN’S HALL OF FAME

          Recently, the Hillsborough County Commission on the Status Of Women selected two residents as members of their 2016 Class of the Women’s Hall Of Fame. Each of the inductees were presented a commendation by members of the Hillsborough County Board of Commissioners recognizing them for their achievements. The two inductees were Mrs. Betty Reed, former State Representative and former University of South Florida Administrator, Mrs. Lee Leavengood, who was instrumental in several programs for women and students. Family members and friends of the honorees attended the recognition ceremony held in the County Commissioners Board Room. Shown on the first row from left to right are: Hillsborough County Commission Chairman Les Miller, Jr., Michael Reed, son of the honoree, James Reed, Sr., her husband, Mrs. Betty Reed, the honoree, Ms. Delores Grayson, Ms. Kim Johnson, and her son, Lorenzo Reed. Shown on the back row are: Hillsborough County Commissioners Ken Hagen, Sandra Murman, Victor Crist, Stacy White, Kevin Beckner, and Al Higginbotham.

TOBA’S 36th ANNUAL LEADERSHIP BREAKFAST

The 36^th Annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Leadership Breakfast, sponsored by the Tampa Organization of Black Affairs (TOBA), was held on Monday, January 18, 2016. The breakfast is always held on the national holiday that celebrates the Civil Rights leader. More than 1,000 attended the breakfast held at the Hilton Hotel Downtown. The theme was “Remembering The Past, Honoring The Present, Paving The Future.” Keynote speaker, Bishop Adam Jefferson Richardson, Jr., Presiding Prelate, 11^th Episcopal District, African Methodist Episcopal Church, spoke from Judges 2:10. Among those on the podium as program participants were: seated, left to right, Congresswoman Kathy Castor, County Commission Chair, Leslie ‘Les’ Miller, Jr.; School Board Member, Doretha Edgecomb; Keynote Speaker, Bishop A. J. Richardson, Jr.; State Senator Arthenia Joyner, Atty. Warren Hope Dawson, Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn; and City Council Chair, Frank Reddick. Standing, from left, Belinthia Berry, Atty. Clinton Paris, Rev. Jeffery Griffin, Sr., Greater Bethel Missionary Baptist Church; James Ransom, co-chairs, Gary Hartfield and Kari Knowles; Roland Daniels, Jeffery Rhodes, Presiding Elder James O. Williams, Tampa District; and Dr. Glenn Cherry. (Photograph by Lomax McIntyre)

MEN COME TOGETHER TO ADDRESS CRIME AMONG THE YOUTH

A group of men who are involved in a variety of organizations came together on Wednesday, January 13, 2016, to discuss ways to combat crime among youth. The event was organized by Ms. Tonya Lewis of Children With A Vision. They met at the Golden Corral to introduce their organization, how they impact the community, their mission and to form an alliance on what can be done to help the youth. The men are: Leroy Clark, Tyrone Walker of Miracles Outreach CDC; Patrick Sneed of Tampa Heights Jr. Civic Association; Joseph Lundy, Male Inc.; Jessie McNeil, The Walk Group; Ross Anderson, Men of Vision; and Kenton Young with The Walk Group and KJ Consultants. Standing, Donald Dowridge, Jr., DLD Enterprises; Wali Shabazz, National Trust for the Development of African-American Men; Gilbert Brinson, Prof Grant and Mary Brinson Education Foundation; Darren Watson, Rechi Butler, founder, and Minister James Bryant, all of Get It Straight Foundation. Also in attendance were: Keith Babb of 2^nd C. H. A. N. C. E. Center 4 Boyz; Pastor Keith Muldrow, Sports Kid Underwood Foundation; and R. V. Brown, Step Up To The Plate, Dad. (Photograph by BRUNSON)

BISHOPS FROM AROUND COUNTRY IN TOWN FOR BISHOPS’ CONFERENCE

 Bishops left to right:

Reginald Jackson, Jeffrey Leath, Adam J. Richardson, Philip R. Cousin, Sr., James Davis, John Bryant, Wilfred Messiah, McKinley Young, Robert Webster, Vashti McKenzie, John White, Clement Fugh, David Daniels, Preston Williams II, William Deveaux.

HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES SECRETARY VISITS BAPTIST CHURCH

          Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia M. Burwell visited the New Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church on Sunday to address the congregation after worship and encourage residents to enroll in health coverage before the final health insurance deadline on January 31, 2016. Ms. Burwell, second from right, was joined at the enrollment event by from left, County Commission Chair Les Miller, Congresswoman Kathy Castor, Rev. Larry L. Roundtree, II, pastor, and City of Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn. (Photograph by BRUNSON)

COMMUNITY GATHERS FOR EMANCIPATION DAY SERVICE

Allen Temple African Methodist Episcopal Church, Rev. Dr. David Green, Senior Pastor, was the site of the 2016 Emancipation Day Service on New Year’s Day. The service was hosted by the Tampa Bay Coalition of Clergy. The guest speaker was Bishop A. J. Richardson, Bishop of the 11^th Episcopal District of the AME Church. His message was from Amos 5:23, 24. From left to right are: Florida State Representative Ed Narain, Bishop Thomas Scott, President, Tampa Bay Coalition of Clergy; Mrs. Connie Speights Richardson, Bishop A. J. Richardson, State Senator Arthenia Joyner; Consultant Evelyn Williams and Rev. J. O. Williams. (Photograph by Lomax McIntyre)