Florida Sentinel Bulletin

   Front row – left to right: 

Ayden Klaiber, Payton Ward, Devon Miller, Blaylin Blalock, Shelby Fulse. Back row – left to right: Coach Robert Blalock, Sharai Roberts, Coach Brian Miller, Adiyah Jones, Charlotte Stringer, Coach Patrick Roberts, Anya Amin, Hannah Beal and Coach Melonesse Beal.

  Rising 9^th graders – Sharai Roberts, Blaylin Blalock, Payton Ward, and Shelby Fulse.

  Blalock Family – Michelle, Robbie, Blaylin  and Robert .

By MONIQUE STAMPS

Sentinel Staff Writer

      While we all cheer for our favorite football teams and players at every level, girls are largely left out of traditional football. However, the eleven Tampa teen girls on the South Tampa Saints are garnering attention for their feats on the football field.

    The young ladies are headed to the 2024 Spring RISE National Championship Tournament in College Park, MD. on Thursday, July 18, 2024.

      RISE Flag Football powered by Under Armour is a new youth flag football experience for boys and girls ages 5-15. As one of Under Armour’s premier youth sports partnerships, RISE Flag Football integrates fun, competition and football skills to build confidence and leadership for youth athletes nationwide.

    Saints coach, Robert Blalock says that invitations were sent to the four top teams; FL (South Tampa Saints), PA, CA, and VA. RISE or U-RISE is currently in ten states and growing rapidly. Coach Blalock said that flag football is currently the fastest rising sport in the country.

    The young ladies will have pool play, where they compete against the other three teams, then play for the semi-finals, and on Sunday, the finals.

   Coach Blalock says that he wasn’t sure that he would take the job when fellow coach Melonesse Beal and her husband Damian asked him to come aboard.

    “The first thing that I noticed was the South Tampa Saints was the only flag football team that had any Black players. That piqued my interest.”

    “I also noticed that a few of the girls needed guidance and exposure to organized sports, while developing strong Christian values. We strive to guide these young ladies to reach higher and achieve their goals.”

   Coach Blalock is the COO and CIO at Benebay, a health risk management company, and Zaxby franchise owner. He lives in Tampa with his wife, Michelle, and daughter Blaylin, who plays on the Saints team. Son Robbie is a student at Tennessee State University.

  STEM Camp participants: Terrance Philidor, Bryson Williams, Marques Thompson, Joshua Perez, Jaylen Coleman, Dedrick Henderson, David Ojo, Daniel Davis, Zayden Sampson, Kevuntae Poe, Jordan Williamson, Kahlil Baker, Emmanuel Jackson, and Alex Penaloza.

   (Row 2) Kenneth Brown, Sharod Ford, Xavier McGuirre, Avery Sheffield, Jaiden McFadden, Dayvin Fisher, Klijah Wilson, Maurice Wormack, Cohen Allen, Deitrick Wright, Terrance Taylor, and Ronnie Andrews .

  (Row 3) Trenton Philidor, Antoine Orr, Joshua Edwards, Reshod Bludsaw, Mekhi White, and Zion Simpson

    1st Place Winners:  David Ojo, Kevantae Poe,  Jordan Williamson, and 

Daniel Davis.

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  2nd Place Winners:  Sharod Ford, Terrance Philidor, Brys0n Williams and Ronnie Andrews.

   3rd Place Winners:  Dayvin Fisher, Kahlil Baker, Emanuel Jackson, and Kenneth  Jaden Brown, III.

BY MONIQUE STAMPS

Sentinel Staff Writer

       Gentlemen’s Quest of Tampa Inc. recently hosted the annual STEM Camp and Community to highlight the incredible achievements of several students in STEM education.

     The STEM Camp provided 32 participants with an immersive learning experience, focusing on projects that addressed challenges faced by local businesses.

     Tavis Myrick, founder and Executive Director of Gentlemen’s Quest, said that one initiative involved the creation of energy-efficient vehicles, demonstrating the students’ ingenuity and commitment to sustainability.

     The event was made possible by generous support from the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners, The White Family Foundation, DeBartolo Family Foundation, and Regions Bank,

       Hillsborough County School Board Member Jessica Vaughn, a strong supporter of STEM education, said that the STEM Camp is one of her favorite events to attend each year.

      “I am always impressed by how much the kids accomplish in such a short amount of time,” she relayed in a statement.

     Linette “Starr” Brookins and University of South Florida Professor Dr. Stephanie Arthur also attended the event, highlighting the community-wide support for programs that empower young minds in STEM fields.

      Myrick emphasized the impact of programs like the STEM Camp on youth development. He said, “When our youth have the resources and access to opportunities like this, they can accomplish anything they set their heart and mind to.”

       “These programs not only educate but also inspire young people to pursue careers in STEM, contributing to the growth and innovation of our community.”

       Ms. Kiawanna Davis, parent of Middleton High School 10^th grader Ronnie Andrews, stated, “I can see my son as an engineer now after seeing him present at the showcase.”

      Ronnie Andrews himself expressed gratitude to Mr. Myrick for his mentorship and the opportunity to participate in the STEM Camp, where his team earned 2nd place.

     Parents interested in enrolling their young men in Gentlemen’s Quest during the school year are encouraged to apply at www.GQTampa.com.

     There will be 25 students in this cohort. The organization remains committed to providing mentorship, educational opportunities, and community engagement to empower young men to succeed academically and professionally.

     Myrick said, “The success of the STEM Camp and Community Showcase underscores the importance of investing in STEM education and youth development. As Gentlemen’s Quest continues to inspire and support future leaders, the impact on the community’s innovation and growth promises to be profound and enduring.”

    For more information, visit https://gqtampa.com.

Christopher King, Human Rights Activist and Founder of Gentlemen’s Course

By MONIQUE STAMPS

Sentinel Staff Writer

     Christopher King, the grandson of the legendary Blues musician B.B. King, has carved out a space for doing what he was called to do – fight for human rights.

    King, the son of B.B. King Jr., was born in Dallas, but raised in Savannah, GA. After graduating from high school, he enlisted in the Marines where he was deployed several times around the world, including Afghanistan.

  After leaving the Marines, King spent some time in the private sector before working for his famous grandfather as one of his road managers and his valet.

    King moved to Tampa in 2013, and was here when B.B. King passed away in 2015. Since then, he has made a big impact aiding victims of sexual and labor trafficking.

     While he managed his grandfather’s tour, he was also a fashion stylist and his valet. After his grandfather’s death, King needed to focus his talents in another direction.

    He was putting on fashion shows when he was introduced to the devastating losses brought on by human trafficking.

     King’s special fashion show for Miracles Outreach, an agency that provides foster care and support for girls aged 12 – 17 who have been victimized, opened his eyes.

     “They introduced me to the problem of human trafficking. Through inspiration from Miracles Outreach, I started a mentoring program now called the Gentlemen’s Course,” said King.

     The course is a purposeful program that can be delivered to any young person. It’s usually delivered in classrooms, with King getting contracts for middle schools to prevent human trafficking. Kids are taught etiquette, social skills, and human rights.

    “A lot of kids who are rescued from sexual and/or labor trafficking can’t just go back into the world. We want to provide materials and information for them as they return to their lives,” says King.

   “With incorporating human rights into our curriculum, we are hoping to educate youth with the proper tools to make better decisions as they mature and grow in today’s society.”

     King holds regular Gentlemen’s Courses for youth in schools and libraries. He also holds a Gentlemen’s Ball twice a year in support of humanitarian groups such as the Florida Coalition Against Human Trafficking and She Helps to Empower.

     King is also the president of the Florida chapter of the United for Human Rights Florida, working with groups like NAACP chapters from the area.

PI IOTA PRESIDENT AL SHERIFF AND OMEGA PSI PHI GRAND MARSHALL

TAMPA MAYOR JANE CASTOR WELCOMES OMEGA PSI PHI

BY MONIQUE STAMPS

Sentinel Staff Writer

       Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated, hosted their 84th Conclave in Tampa last week to much fanfare. The city rolled out the purple carpet for the gentlemen of Omega, highlighting hospitality and gratitude for the fraternity’s visit.

   While the city is tallying final figures, it is estimated that over 60,000 Omegas, registered and unregistered, were in Tampa.

    Al Sheriff, Basileus of the Pi Iota graduate chapter, has been enthusiastic about the treatment of the brothers.

   “We’d like to thank the mayor and city for their hospitality. We had a great conclave.”

    Omegas are known for their signature party events and stepping; however, they also displayed a thoughtful approach to community engagement. Several community forums and programs addressed the Omegas’ goals for the Conclave, including voter information, legal issues, and organizing to get things done in the community.

Kaleena McQueen

By MONIQUE STAMPS

Sentinel Staff Writer

     Kaleena McQueen, District Administrator for Non-Traditional Programs at Hillsborough County Public Schools, has written a children’s book about bullying. Titled How To Become Bullyproof, the book explores young Titan as he and his friends deal with bullying.

       McQueen is from Broward County but was raised in Haines City. She graduated from the University of Central Florida for both undergraduate and graduate school.

   McQueen spent over 10 years in Orange County in exceptional education. After reconnecting with her now husband, she moved to Tampa.

     She currently supports all non-traditional schools, including career centers, alternative schools, and schools for children with profound disabilities. Her area also includes the educational aspect of youth detention and Falkenburg Jail.

    McQueen has always loved to write. In high school, she wrote a student column for the Lakeland Ledger.

    “In 2016, my father was being treated for lung cancer. I was teasing him about being so confident. My father was a very dapper and intelligent man. He said that he wasn’t always this way. He had been bullied as a child. It moved me and I kept that memory.”

    McQueen’s father passed away, but she treasured his story of overcoming bullying,

   “I sent the short story to an editor who encouraged me to expand the story to a full book. It took me three years to get back to her, but the editor was still enthusiastic about the project.”

    The book explores the bullying of a middle school student and his father.

    “Titan is afraid of going back to school after the summer because of a bully who has targeted him and his friends.

     “Titan talks to his father about it, who goes to the school. Titan and his father come up with a plan for Big Bully Ben.”

   McQueen lives in Tampa with her husband, DeWitt Jones, and two children, Khalind and Dakota.

      The book is currently on book sites in the United Kingdom, Australia, Demark, and Canada. It can be purchased through Amazon Worldwide in all countries that receive Amazon orders.

     To purchase How To Become Bullyproof in the USA, visit one of these sites:

Amazon – https://a.co/d/12d9GJj

 Barnes and Noble

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/how-to-become-bully-proof-kaleena-mcqueen/1145643603?ean=9780228843832

Walmart 

https://www.walmart.com/search?q=9780228843832