Florida Sentinel Bulletin

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