Florida Sentinel Bulletin

       FAMU National Alumni Association will host its 2024 Convention: “One FAMU: Stronger Together In Tampa, Florida. 

      The excitement is building as the Florida A&M University National Alumni Association (FAMU NAA) gears up for its highly anticipated 2024 Convention, scheduled to take place from May 30 to June 2, 2024, in vibrant Tampa, Florida.

      With the theme, “One FAMU: Stronger Together,” the four-day convention promises to be an immersive experience designed to reinforce our commitment to our beloved alma mater. The Convention Committee has been hard at work crafting an exceptional convention that blends informative workshops with engaging activities, all aimed at reigniting pride amongst alumni.

     From thought-provoking discussions to interactive sessions, attendees can expect to leave inspired and empowered to make a difference in the FAMU community.

      “This convention is more than just a gathering of alumni – it’s a celebration of our shared heritage and a call to action,” said President Curtis Johnson. “We’re excited to bring alumni together in Tampa to strengthen our bonds and reaffirm our dedication to Florida A&M University.”

      In addition to educational sessions, the convention will provide ample opportunities for participants to engage with key figures within the FAMU community, including the FAMU NAA Executive Board, FAMU Senior Leadership and Administrators, the FAMU Foundation Board, and current and prospective FAMU students. This interaction will foster connections and pave the way for collaboration on future initiatives.

      “We’re thrilled to welcome alumni from across the country to Tampa for this special occasion,” says Paula Goodman, President of the FAMU NAA. “This convention is a chance for us to come together, share ideas, and chart the course for the future of our alma mater.”

       The FAMU NAA Florida Region and the Tampa Alumni Chapter are proud to serve as hosts for this prestigious event. While attendees will be immersed in convention activities, they are also encouraged to explore all that Tampa and the surrounding areas have to offer.

       For more information and to register for the convention, please visit: FAMUnationalconvention.com.

About FAMU NAA:

      The Florida A&M University National Alumni Association is dedicated to fostering lifelong connections among alumni, students, and friends of the university. Through advocacy, engagement, and philanthropy, the FAMU NAA works to support the mission and vision of Florida A&M University.

bokeh interior of modern lutheran, christian church

REV. DR. ZACHERY S. HUDSON

      The Reverend Dr. Zachery S. Hudson, a leader, pastor, and community activist, passed away into eternal life on Wednesday, May 1, 2024. He was 74 years old.

      He was born Monday, March 6, 1950 in Columbus, GA to a strong single mother, Mary Hudson, who later married the Reverend Willie Thompson, who became a father figure to young Zachery. He was the only child to his nurturing parents.

      In June 1960, he was baptized at the Greater Beulah Missionary Baptist Church in Columbus, GA by Reverend G. W. Mitchell.

      Reverend Dr. Hudson was educated in the public schools of Columbus/Muskogee County and graduated in 1968 from Spencer High School in Columbus, where he played football and was a very good student. Upon graduating, he entered Albany State University on a full scholarship. After one year he enrolled into Columbus College, now known as Columbus University in Columbus, GA.

      His college career was interrupted by being drafted into the United States Army, where he served in the Vietnam War. After his tour of duty in the War, he returned to Columbus and completed his studies at Columbus College where he attained a Bachelor of Science in Psychology. Later, he received the Masters of Divinity from Morehouse School of Religion Interdenominational Theological Center (ITC). Finally, he earned the Doctor of Divinity from United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio.

     Reverend Dr. Hudson was licensed to preach the Gospel on December 24, 1978, and ordained on May 5, 1979 in Columbus, GA at the Greater Beulah Missionary Baptist Church. His pastoral experience began at Bethel #1 Missionary Baptist Church in Opelika, AL, from 1980 until 1988 when he received “The Call” to pastor New Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church in Tampa, FL.

     While at New Mount Zion, he focused on Christian Education, Leadership Development, Youth Nurturing, and empowering men to engage in ministry and leadership. Under his leadership the church grew. Phase I and Phase II of the interior renovations were completed. Also, while at New Mount Zion he was active in the First South Florida Baptist Association, the Progressive M&E Baptist State Convention under the leadership of the Reverend Ned Sanders, and the National Baptist Convention of America.

     His tenure at New Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church ended in 1992.

      In 1994, he became the Founder/Senior Pastor of the Re-Birth Missionary Baptist Church. The church was affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention.

      His vision for Re-Birth was for her to lay a foundation for future generations spiritually, socially, and educationally.

     The Church matured and prospered through strong Christian education and sincere commitment, under his leadership and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. For thirty years as Pastor of Re-Birth Missionary Baptist Church, he established numerous ministries, property purchased, a charter school from K to 5th grade was started and a certified day care was opened.

      As a result of his work in the Kingdom, he was highly recognized with countless awards and recognitions. He was once active with the Masonic Lodge in Georgia. While living in Tampa, he was involved with many community and religious organizations. He has served with the NAACP, a member of the Gamma Theta Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated, taught the pastoral class at the Tampa Baptist Seminary and the State Baptist Congress, bestowed the honor of a Samuel DeWitt Proctor Fellow at the School of Theology of Virginia Union University in Richmond, Virginia, and the Tampa Bay Clergy Association under leader Bishop Thomas Scott.

    He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great- grandfather, pastor, preacher and friend. His hobbies were sports and reading.

      Tentative funeral arrangements are scheduled for Friday, May 17th and Saturday, May 18^th. Aikens Funeral Home is handling arrangements for the family.

Hillsborough County Commissioner Gwen Myers

Rendering of new African American Arts and Cultural Center

By MONIQUE STAMPS

Sentinel Staff Writer

          Hillsborough County Commissioner Gwen Myers wants to hear from the Black community.

    Residents are invited to provide feedback on the plans showing the layout of Hillsborough County’s new African American Arts and Cultural Center (AAACC) located at 2103 N. Rome Ave., Tampa, FL 33607.

     Residents will have the opportunity to participate in three public meetings starting on May 6, 2024.

      The AAACC features permanent and temporary exhibitions, dedicated studios for performing and literary arts, and areas for events and festivals. There will be community spaces providing a home for clubs and social activities that promote creativity and engage the Tampa metro area’s 350,000+ African American community members and school children.

   Many in the Black community are pleased and excited that the future and past of our communities in a way that displays the many talents of the rich history in Hillsborough county.

       “The AAACC will focus on the importance of creating community outreach programs and building networks and strategic partnerships with regional groups such as County School Board, Library Services, Children Services, Head Start, Children’s Board and other non-profits to co-host events,” says Commissioner Myers.

    The three meetings will be held in convenient locations for community members.

• On Monday, May 6, 2024, 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM at the C. Blythe Andrews, Jr. Public Library, 2607 E. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Tampa
• On Thursday, May 16, 2024, 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM at the Emanuel P. Johnson Recreation Center, 5855 S. 78th St., Tampa
• On Monday, May 20, 2024, 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM at the West Tampa Community Resource Center, 2103 N. Rome Ave, Tampa.

        Residents can also see the progress of the cultural center by visiting the county’s engagement and education hub, at https://HCFLGov.net/HCEngage. 

     The Tampa Bay History Center is set to host two significant events in May to mark the historical impact of the Emancipation Proclamation in Florida, starting with Tampa Emancipation Day on Monday, May 6, 2024.

      Scheduled from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at St. James at ENCORE^®, located at 1202 North Governor Street, Tampa, this free community event promises an engaging program filled with music, food, and insightful research from the University of South Florida (USF).

     Keynote speakers for the evening include Dr. Elizabeth Horge-Freeman, Dr. Cheryl Rodriguez, and Dr. Tomaro Taylorfrom USF, alongside Fred Hearns, Curator of Black History at the Tampa Bay History Center.

      A highlight of the event will be a special reading of the Emancipation Proclamation by several local dignitaries, aiming to foster a deeper connection to this pivotal moment in history. The list of readers includes Tampa City Council District 5 Council MemberGwendolyn Henderson, Tampa Housing Authority Board of Commissioners Commissioner Robert P. Edwards, Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners District 3 Commissioner Gwen Myers, District 63 State Rep. Dianne Hart, Hillsborough County Public Schools District 5 Board Member Henry “Shake” Washington, Natajha Tompkins representing the University of South Florida Black Student Union, and Malachi Brown from the Afro-Academic, Cultural, Technological and Scientific Olympics (ACT-SO).

      The program also features performances by local artists and speakers, supported by partnerships with the Tampa Housing Authority, USF Racial Justice Initiative, and WEDU PBS.

      Continuing the celebration, Florida Emancipation Day will take place at the Chinsegut Hill Historic Site located at 22495 Chinsegut Hill Road, Brooksville, FL, on Saturday, May 18, starting at 10 a. m., with discussions on the historical significance of the location by Dr. Gary Ellis and Rodney Kite-Powell, and commentary on local archaeological findings by Dr. Michael Jones. Dr. Jesse Pisors, President of Pasco-Hernando State College, will welcome guests to free hourly tours of the historic house, courtesy of the college, starting at 11 a.m.

These events are part of the Center’s ongoing efforts to educate and inspire the public about Florida’s rich history, particularly the liberation of its enslaved population on May 20, 1865, when Union General Edward McCook read Abraham Lincoln’sEmancipation Proclamation in Tallahassee.

     For more details, visit www.tampabayhistorycenter.org. The Tampa Bay History Center, located on Tampa’s Water Street, offers a comprehensive look at Florida’s 12,000-year history through interactive exhibits and educational programs.

Photo in 5-3

     Tampa’s Emancipation Day to be celebrated May 6, 2024.

MORRIS LEE WILLIAMS, SR.

BY GWEN HAYES

Sentinel Editor

     A longtime educator, who was also very popular with his fraternity, passed away last Saturday, April 27, 2024. Born and raised in Port Tampa City, Morris Lee Williams, Sr. was 88 years old. His twin sister, Dr. Doris Williams Campbell, preceded him in death by 8 years.

     Williams’ son, Myron, spent several hours interviewing his dad, gathering a wealth of information. Some of it is shared here.

      The twins’ elementary school years were spent at Frederick Douglass Grade School. Following in the footsteps of older siblings, the twins went on to G. W. Carver Jr. High School, where they were at the top of the class, with the highest GPA, and awarded valedictorian and salutatorian honors.

      It was on to high school (10^th grade) at George S. Middleton High School in the Tampa neighborhood of Belmont Heights. Students from Port Tampa City were bused to G. S. Middleton High School.

      Morris Williams played guard on the football team playing offense and defense. Williams graduated from Middleton in 1953 with honors.

     In the fall of 1953, Morris and Doris headed to Atlanta, Georgia to attend college. Doris attending Clark College and Morrisattending Morehouse College. Their older sister, Marjorie and older brother, Kelly attended Florida A&M University in Tallahassee, Florida.

     Williams transferred from Morehouse College to Florida A&M University for the 1954-55 school term.  At FAMU he majored in Biology, minored in Chemistry. He also joined the ROTC Program.

     While attending FAMU, he pledged Omega Psi Phi Fraternity – Upsilon Psi Chapter, completing the process in 1955. He has been an active member of Omega for nearly 70 years. He has held all offices of the fraternity and has headed most committees. He has received many awards and honors from the fraternity, becoming a Life Member.

      Williams graduated from FAMU in 1957, married Ernestine White of Winter Haven, Florida and began teaching at Ochlocknee Colored School in Ochlocknee, Georgia. His union with Ernestine White lasted some 25 years and produced four children: Morris, Jr., Myron, Gina, and Marcus. After one year, his teaching career continued at Magnolia Colored High School, before he transferred to Middleton High School in 1960.

      At Middleton, he taught Biology, Chemistry and Physiology. When schools began to integrate in 1962, he transferred to East Bay High School in Gibsonton, Florida. During this time, the integration of schools was not off to the best start. So Hillsborough County Schools recruited Black educators to become Human Relations Specialists.

      During the civil rights era, he and other students were involved in the downtown lunch counter sit-ins, etc.

     Also while working at East Bay High School as a Human Relations Specialist, he began to pursue his Masters of High School and Administration Degree at the University of South Florida. After completing his master’s degree in the mid-seventies, he was transferred to Horace Mann Jr. High School as Dean of Students, Assistant Principal of Administration and Assistant Principal of Curriculum. He spent the last 3 years of his 40-year career serving as Assistant Principal of Franklin Jr. High School, Tampa. He also taught in the Night School Program for Adult learners at Middleton High School for 25 years.

     His years of hard, dedicated work also led him in another direction.

      In 1982 he married Christine Dillard Beasley of Greenville, South Carolina. Christine had two daughters, Audra and Stephanie, who immediately began calling him ‘Pops.’ They have been married for 36 years.

       The unions produced 6 successful children as well as grandchildren and great grandchildren.

       His childhood church was Mount Zion AME Church, Port Tampa City, Florida. He later worshiped at a Methodist Church in Thomasville, Georgia, St. James AME Church (Progress Village), and Harris Temple United Methodist Church, in Progress Village. Williams and his wife, Christine became faithful members of Keeney Chapel which was located in Clair Mel City.

      Funeral services for Williams are Saturday, May 4, 2024, 10 a.  m. at New Hope Church, 213 N. Knight Ave., Brandon 33510. (See Funeral Notice for additional information)

ED DWIGHT

    In 1961, Edward Joseph (Ed)  Dwight hoped to become the first Black astronaut in space. But he never made it. Now, at 90 years old, Dwight will get the chance to finally experience space onboard Blue Origin’s upcoming mission into Earth’s atmosphere.

    Dwight was selected by President John F. Kennedy in 1961 to enter an Air Force training program known as the path to NASA’s Astronaut Corps.

         After completing the program in 1963, the Air Force recommended he join the corps, but he wasn’t selected and entered private life in 1966.

       His dream of going to space fell by the wayside for more than 60 years. But Dwight has been selected as one of the six civilians to travel to the edge of space on the next Blue Origin flight in June.

     After his flight training and subsequent leave from the Air Force, Dwight dedicated his life to creating sculptures that depict iconic figures in Black history. More than 130 pieces of his work have been exhibited in museums and installed in public spaces.

     His seat on the Blue Origin flight – which is believed to cost $250,000 – is sponsored by the nonprofit Space for Humanity, which helps send citizens to space.

    The space trip takes the civilians about 62 miles away from Earth and into the atmosphere for a few minutes of weightlessness and a view of space and Earth.

     Verneka L. Rhodes, center, graduated from The Links, Incorporated Leadership Academy (LLA) as a Cohort V Fellow on April 19, 2024 in Washington, D. C. Verneka is pictured with The Links, Inc.  National Vice President, Shuana Tucker-Sims, PhD., and the National President, Ethel Isaacs Williams, Esq.

     Also graduating from a different leadership program were,  Scott Hawkins Leadership Institute (SHLI) grads, April Curry,  daughter of Tampa Link, Casey Curry and Ret. Navy Captain Bruce Curry; and Dr. Jeresia Choice, cousin of Tampa Link Joselynne Forde.  SHLI is for The Links members 45 and under and the LLA is for those 45 and older. April and Jeresia are congratulated by Verneka.