Florida Sentinel Bulletin

Pictured from left to right are: School Board Member Henry “Shake” Washington, Board Vice Chair Jessica Vaughn, Hillsborough County Commissioner Gwen Myers, Superintendent Van Ayres, Board Member Lynn Gray, and Delano Stewart, the son of Garland V. Stewart, who is the namesake of the middle school.  

      Leaders from Hillsborough County Public Schools and the local community gathered at a press conference on Thursday, February 29th to share plans for two new state-of-the-art schools at the site of Just Elementary School and Stewart Middle Magnet School in Tampa.

     The new schools will serve roughly 1,500 students and will continue to honor the legacy of Dr. Ernest E. Just and Garland V. Stewart.

     The next steps are for the district to advertise for a design professional and a construction manager. Any changes to current school boundaries and the construction costs to build the schools will come before the School Board at a later date.

     During the next few months, school administrators and community leaders will work together to scope out plans for the curriculum at Just Elementary School to best serve this fast-growing area of Tampa. Stewart Middle, a popular magnet school, will remain a STEM school with a NASA focus.

     “Our goal is to honor the legacy and history of Dr. Ernest Just and Garland Stewart, and to provide our children and families with the best educational experience possible to position them for success in life,” said Hillsborough County Public Schools Superintendent Van Ayres. “I am especially excited because these new schools represent a $70 million investment in our children and are the first new schools built in Tampa’s urban core since the establishment of Blake High School 30 years ago.”

      These new schools will be independent but connected to each other to provide students with a seamless education from pre-kindergarten through 8^th grade. Students can then attend Blake High School, allowing them to attend school on the same local campus, from kindergarten, all the way through high school.

      Funds to build this new school will come through the current school budget, including sales tax revenues and the Community Investment Tax (CIT). The district already owns the land, so there will not be any additional assessments, taxes, or fees.

    This campus sits on the Hillsborough River, so school leaders will work with City of Tampa leaders as they look to further expand the Riverwalk.

     Hillsborough County Branch NAACP President, Yvette Lewis, said the idea of joining the schools is a “victory for the community.”

     Ms. Lewis added that she and Al Sheriff, Basileus of Pi Iota Chapter Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., saw down with Supt. Ayres, Owen Young and others on his staff and hammered out how they could preserve the 2 schools and their historic names. “I’m so glad they opened their eyes and listened to us. The schools will still be close to the river and won’t be up for sale so quickly.”

(Photo and school renderings courtesy of the School District of Hillsborough County)

     The Just Task Force will determine the curriculum for the school.

     Construction of Just Elementary School and Stewart Middle Magnet School is planned to begin in the summer of 2025. Just Elementary is anticipated to open in fall 2027. Information on when Stewart Middle Magnet students will transition into the new building will come as the construction nears completion.

REGINALD GRIGSBY

…Fundraising Chair

BY GWEN HAYES

Sentinel Editor

     The Tampa Alumni Chapter, Inc., Guide Right Foundation is preparing for its 3^rd Derby Day Party. The event is about 2 months away, but Reginald Grigsby, Fundraising Chair of this year’s event, is encouraging those who plan to attend to ‘save the date’ and start preparing to enjoy the event.

     The third Derby Day and Casino Night will be held on Saturday, May 4, 2024, starting about 3 p. m. and lasting to about 8 p. m. The “Bowties, Hats & Bourbon III Exclusive Derby Day Party” will be held at the Venetian Center, 9724 Cross Creek Blvd., Tampa 33647. A single ticket will cost about $80, however there are also other prices. Visit www.TAMPADERBYDAY.COM for additional information.

     The Guide Right Foundation focuses its fundraising efforts around two signature events – The Annual Scholarship Golf Tournament and the Tampa Derby Day Party and Casino0 Night. Both events are designed to be fun, informative and community encompassing events with the ultimate goal set on investing in youth.

     The foundation is hoping to raise more than $30,000 for the Derby Day Party and Casino Night. These funds help to support a variety of youth development programs and scholarships awarded by the foundation.

      In addition to being in attendance, there are several ways to support these programs. The foundation is reaching out to businesses to invest as sponsors, and donate items for the silent auction and raffle.

     Grigsby, a Life Member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., says, “As attendees of the upcoming Tampa Derby Day + Casino Night Fundraiser, we understand the significance of our collective impact. Each ticket purchased, every moment shared, and every donation made contributes to a powerful narrative of community strength. This event isn’t just a night out; it’s an investment in the future of our local
youth through the Tampa Alumni Guide Right Foundation’s transformative
programs. Join us in this celebration of giving, where every contribution resonates as a commitment to building a stronger, more
empowered community for generations to come.”

     This year’s event is at a new location, Venetian Center. The casino-styled gaming event is an addition to the event; and as always, guests get to enjoy the “Red Carpet.”

     Visit the website for additional information.

Mayor Jane Castor presented the 2024 Josephine Howard Stafford Memorial Award to OCEA WYNN, Administrator of Neighborhood and Community Affairs.

     The City of Tampa held its 27^th Annual Women’s History Month Celebration on Tuesday, March 5, 2024. The 10:30 a. m. free event was held at the Tampa Bay History Center.

     Speakers for the event were Mayor Jane Castor and City Councilwoman Gwendolyn Henderson.

     Mayor Castor presented the 2024 Josephine Howard Stafford Memorial Award to Ocea Wynn, Administrator of Neighborhood and Community Affairs.

      Ms. Wynn has served the City of Tampa for nearly 20 years. As an Electrical Engineer, with a Master’s Degree in Public Administration, she has been a trailblazer in fields where women are often underrepresented.

     The 2024 Women’s History Month theme is Women Who Advocate for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion. As the City of Tampa’s First Chief Diversity Officer, Ms. Wynn has embodied that theme throughout her career.

    The Josephine Howard Stafford Award was created to honor a current or former City of Tampa female employee who demonstrates outstanding commitment to her position and the community.

     The award is presented in memory of Josephine Howard Stafford who served as an Assistant City Attorney for 24 years. Ms.Stafford was the first female judge in Hillsborough County and a pioneer for women’s issues, both professionally and in the community.

CITY COUNCILMAN LUIS VIERA

BY GWEN HAYES

Sentinel Editor

     Tampa City Councilman Luis Viera (District 7) spent several months speaking with community organizations and members of the community about his idea to propose to his fellow City Council members the establishment of a “Racial Reconciliation Committee.”

     Last Thursday, February 22, 2024, the Council members agreed with Viera’s proposal and passed the proposal 7-0 to establish the committee, which is in the planning stages. Viera and the Council are looking to do this in a collaborative effort with Tampa Mayor Jane Castor. Hopefully, over the next 30 days they will have discussed the proposal with Mayor Castor.

    “I do believe this is something that, if done correctly, can yield good results for our city and a much-needed continued discussion on pivotal issues,” Viera stated.

      Viera believes there should be specific issues addressed and he suggested the following 6:

1. Affordable and accessible housing.
2. Returning citizens.
3. Economic development, empowerment, and entrepreneurship (and this can include training/apprenticeships, small business growth, capital access, contracting, etc.)
4. The school to prison pipeline and our youth (and this can include youth employment and training).
5. Civic engagement and restoration of rights.
6. Historical “truth telling” (much like the Equal Justice Initiative project, this involves having a good discussion on our painful and ignored Tampa history as it pertains to African Americans with public education on same.)

     When asked about members of the committee, Viera said there can be discussion on this; however, his idea is that each council member recommend one person, the mayor recommend a person, a couple of core organizations in the community recommend a person; and one person will serve as a facilitator.

     Viera explained that the proposed committee is in the planning stages, and “I look forward to a good discussion on these issues.”

Club Managers Mr.Gambeeno I.J.U & Raylo with Lucky winner Tracy Green At The New Lounge (Photography by SURE SHOT PHOTOGRAPHY)

    Keith (Mr. Gambeeeno) George, and DJ Raylo, owners and operators of The New Lounge are giving away televisions as a way to give back to the community.

   Three TVs have already been given out, and more will be distributed in the upcoming Saturdays.

   People get a free raffle ticket before midnight, and then the raffle ticket are $5 each.

    The New Lounge is located at 10008 N. 30^th Street, Tampa, FL 33612