Florida Sentinel Bulletin

EDUCATORS HONORED AT RETIREMENT RECEPTION

 On Friday, February 26, 2016, Young Middle Magnet School held a reception for two highly respected teachers who retired. In addition to faculty and staff, about 35 people came out to celebrate and roast the retirees – Franklin Brooks and Bryant Haith. Brooks, who retired after 35 years as an educator, is shown with his family: Jonathan Hudson, Jeremiah Watson, Barbara Brooks, Michael Rucker, Jr., Irma Hudson, Franklin Brooks, Sr., Beverly Brooks, Tiffany Rucker with Elisha Rucker, and Michael Rucker, Sr. (Photograph by Frederick Harris)

TAMPA POLICE DEPARTMENT HOSTS

ANNUAL BLACK HISTORY PROGRAM

Recently, members of the Tampa Police Department held their 28^th Annual Black History Celebration at the Robert W. Saunders, Sr., Public Library, 1505 N. Nebraska Avenue. The program was held on Saturday, February 27^th. This year, the event paid tribute to teenagers in the community who have distinguished themselves inside and outside of the community. The recognition was the focus of the department’s Inaugural Teen Excellence Awards Ceremony and Dance. A total of 13 teenagers, in grades 8 through 12 were recognized at the event. Members of the Tampa Police Department’s Black History Committee shown from left to right are: Detective Sonja Wise, Officer Veronica Hamilton, PIO Janelle McGregor, Crystel Sampson, Chief Eric Ward, Major Rocky Ratliff, Earl Silas, Detective Talley Cooks, Deirdre Joseph, Lydia Pizarro and Zalavia Brown. Shown on the back row from left to right are: Captain Calvin Johnson, Lieutenant Randy Peters, Captain Ron McMullen, Officer Gig Brown, Officer Susan Bowers and Ida Walker.

CEREMONY HELD FOR JUDGE DARYL MANNING 

On Thursday afternoon, family, friends, co-workers, and members of the legal profession gathered at the Hillsborough County Courthouse, 6^th Floor for the Investiture Ceremony for Judge Daryl Manning. Judge Manning was appointed to fill a vacancy in the Hillsborough County Court, 13^th Judiciary Circuit, in November. Chief Justice Jorge Labarga, of the Florida Supreme Court, officiated. Shown in this photograph from left to right are members of his family: his daughter, Ms. Nicole Westmoreland, his father, Willie Manning, the honoree, Judge Daryl Manning, his mother, Mrs. Barbara Manning, his daughter, Danielle Manning, and his sister, Ms. Dawn Manning. (Photography by BRUNSON).

OFFICE OF SUPPLIER DIVERSITY BLACK HISTORY MONTH CELEBRATION

The School District of Hillsborough County Office of Supplier Diversity held its Black History Month Celebration on Friday, February 19, 2016. The event was held at the Dr. Sam Horton Instructional Service Center. Among those who attended the event were: from left, Consultant Robert “Bob” Morrison, Miranda Reiter, Certified Financial Planner, Raymond James; Stacey Banks-Houston, Director, Women’s Business Centre; Benjamin Moore, School District Manager of Facilities Maintenance Support; Superintendent of Hillsborough County School District Jeff Eakins; Albert Lee, Yvette Lewis, NAACP Political Action Committee Chair; and Joseph W. J. Robinson, Businessman and Chair, Community Action Committee. (Photograph by BRUNSON)

ALLEN TEMPLE AME CHURCH IS HONORED DURING BLACK HISTORY EXPERIENCE

  When the February ‘Black History Experience” was held at the Saunders Library, Allen Temple African Methodist Episcopal Church was the honoree. The Robert W. Saunders Library Foundation, Inc. hosts the monthly events. Among those from Allen Temple who attended and were program participants were: seated, Dr. Walter L. Smith, Panelist; Presiding Elder Rev. James O. Williams, Tremendous Tampa District; Rev. Dr. David W. Green, Sr., Pastor, who was presented the Lamp Of Knowledge Award by the R. W. Saunders Library Foundation; Mrs. Maxine Douglas, Panelist; and Mrs. Bettye Greene Johnson, Program Coordinator. Standing:  Capt. Bruce Curry, USN (Ret.) Panelist; Mrs. Carrie Williams, provided music, Mrs. Rosemary Hearns, R. W. Saunders Library Foundation and Charles Fred Hearns, R. W. Saunders Library Foundation President.

SORORITY TAKES ITS YOUTH GROUP TO ‘THE LION KING’ 

Youth Advisors of the Beta Sigma Zeta Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. recently accompanied its youth group, the Pearlettes, to the stage production of “The Lion King” at the David A. Straz, Jr. Center for the Performing Arts. The Pearlettes is one of three groups the sorority mentors. Youth Advisors, Ms. Tanya Bennett Shepherd and Dr. Michelle Lemons, accompanied Ariana Oden, MacKenzie Terry, Octavia Green, Mi’Kayla Eugene, Armari Burns, JasMia Banks, Addison Shepherd, Kara Lewis, and Ja’Nae Golden.

Men Of Vision Attend Lion King Presentation

Recently, local residents had the opportunity to attend the stage production of the Lion King. The event took place at the David A. Straz, Jr. Center for the Performing Arts. Among those on hand for the presentation were members of Men of Vision Service Club. The young men who attended the presentation are students ranging from 9^th grade to 12^th grade and attend both public and private schools of Hillsborough County. Men of Vision shown from left to right are: are Bryce Nichols, Victor Andrews Powley, Daniel Smithen, Henry Tillman, Jr., Norris Mertus, Ross Anderson, Hillsborough County Public Schools Community Advocate Liaison and founder of Men of Vision, Inc., Jaymon Jones, Devin Johnson, Calvin McClarin, and Eric Vincent.

BLACK HISTORY MONTH PROGRAM PAYS TRIBUTE TO MUSIC

The City of Tampa Black History Committee held its Black History Month Celebration on Monday, February 8, 2016 at the Tampa Convention Center. This year’s theme for the well attended event was “Celebrating the Power of Music: Past and Present.” Professor Lyman Brodie, center, a musician himself, was the guest speaker. Other local musicians who were honored were: from left, Isaac Ruffin, Myron Jackson, Carlton Burgess, Belinda Womack; Laura Harris, ABC Action News anchor, who served as Mistress of Ceremonies; Angela and Valencia (Vision of Harmony duo), Shawn Brown, and Ardill (Sam) Allen. (Photograph by Lomax McIntyre)

Organization Gives Pointers To Those Working On Airport Expansion

On January 21, 2016, the Tampa Bay Community Advocacy Committee (TBCAC) held a ‘Meet and Greet’ for prime and sub-contractors working on Tampa International Airport’s Expansion Project. The event was to prepare them for a job fair that will be held on Saturday, March 5, 2016 at the Robert W. Saunders Branch Library. In attendance were: left to right, Thomas Huggins, III, facilitator; TBCAC members, Virgil Perry, Bishop Thomas Scott, Quinetra Cromuel, Carla Lewis, Carla Williams; Facilitators Carolyn Seals and Simeon Terry; and TBCAC member Joseph Robinson. (Photograph by BRUNSON)