Florida Sentinel Bulletin

BY IRIS B. HOLTON
Sentinel City Editor

The first woman to play golf in Tampa during the segregation era died. Mrs. Gwendolyn “Honey” Tucker, who was 90, passed on Monday.

Mrs. Tucker moved to Tampa as a youngster and attended the public schools of Hillsborough County. She graduated from Middleton High School in 1936.

Mrs. Tucker married James Tucker and they became the parents of two daughters.

Her daughter, Mrs. Arletha Davis said Mrs. Tucker became involved in golf during the construction of the Rogers Park Golf Course in the late 1940s and early 1950s.

“The professional golfers who visited Rogers Park would teach and that is how she learned the game. She would partner with my husband, the late Equilla Davis, and they would be others teams,” Mrs. Davis said.

Mrs. Tucker became the first African American woman to play at Rogers Park Golf Course. She continued to play for several years until her health failed, her daughter said.

Fellow golfer Rufus Lewis said, “She was very good and would beat the men. None of the women wanted to play her.”

In addition to playing golf, Mrs. Tucker was active in the community. She often narrated fashion shows and organized the Golden Angels Club, a social organization involving women in the church.

Mrs. Davis said her mother also worked with teenagers teaching them how to speak in public.

Mrs. Tucker was a member of New Salem Missionary Baptist Church for several years. She later moved her membership to First Baptist Church of West Tampa, her daughter said.

Funeral services for Mrs. Tucker will be held on Saturday, March 3. Ray Williams Funeral Home is in charge of handling arrangements.

BY IRIS B. HOLTON
Sentinel City Editor

On Tuesday, March 6th, at 6:30 p.m., members of the community will have the opportunity to meet Mrs. Lorita Shirley, Executive Director of Eckerd Youth Alternatives (EYA). EYA was awarded the contract after nine children died and HKI (Hillsborough Kids Inc.,) was stripped of it. The meeting will take place at the College Hill Church of God In Christ, 6414 N. 30th Street.

This is the first of several planned community-based Child Welfare and Foster Care Community Forums. Beginning on July 1st, Mrs. Shirley and her staff at Eckerd Youth Alternatives, will replace Hillsborough Kids Inc.

“Our goal is to align the community forums with the high removal areas. I want to talk to the people and allow them to tell me their concerns. My goal is to make folks aware of the services available,” Mrs. Shirley said.

“We are committed to the children. Our kids are pulled from their homes, placed in the system, raised in foster homes and don’t connect with relatives or the community. If we don’t deal with the problem now, then just put your hands in the air when they come back to rob you as teenagers. This is our problem to solve, these are our kids, and I want to hear from the members of the community.”

Mrs. Shirley further stated that the first meetings are going to take place in the zip codes with the highest number of children removed from homes. She feels that in order to address the problem, the agency must not only be connected to the community, but it must also accept feedback from the residents on how to remove obstacles for improved performance.
In addition to working within the community, Mrs. Shirley wants to connect with the churches as well. “We believe in God and respect for all. I want to reach out to the churches. It’s time for them to step up. I’m also looking for sororities and fraternities who are looking for something to wrap your arms around. We need mentors and places that will offer temporary care for the children.

“I have a vision that every child should have the opportunity to succeed. I want to know about what is going on. I want to know if people are not being given the services they need to care for the children and any other problems they may encounter. I need to hear from you,” she said.

Elder Charles Davis, senior pastor of College Hill Church of God in Christ said, “We are not only pleased, but honored, to co-host the first of many Community Forums that Eckerd is planning over the next several months.”

Under the guidance of Elder Davis, College Hill Church of God in Christ has a long history of supporting initiatives that strengthen and support families Hillsborough families.

For more information, contact Ms. April Putzulu at (727) 461-1236 x. 3331 or visit www.eckerd.org/hillsborough.

BY GWEN HAYES
Sentinel Editor

A third-year student at the University of Florida is seeking support from his hometown family to help him fulfill his lifelong dream.

LaVaughn King would like the opportunity to study abroad, Paris specifically, in the summer, May 19 to June 29, 2012 during its UF Hip Hop Culture in Paris Program. “It has been a dream of mine since I was 6 years old,” he said via telephone.

The son of Ms. Shannon (Mona) Jamison, LaVaughn said his mom always told him “that education is the key to success and with that key I could unlock any dream,” he says. The Tampa Bay Tech graduate is currently pursuing dual degrees in Marketing and Information Systems Technology. He currently holds a 3.59 GPA.

During this trip, LaVaughn will have the opportunity to earn 8 credits, attend 3 hip hop concerts, visit hip hop stores and museum among other activities.

To get started, LaVaughn needs $250 to be paid by March 1, 2012. The total cost of the program is $5,785.00, but does not include the round-trip airfare, some meals and additional travel expenses.

Because of its theme, LaVaughn is more than prepared for the music.

“Music is used to convey the struggle and search for love. Now, everyone in the industry is trying to ‘ball so hard.’ I recently established AO Lovers, a musical organization devoted to embracing all walks of life, enlightening human beings about endless possibilities and empowering the youth to work harder and become more innovative than any generation that has come before us, while spreading the love of our Father.

“I wish to spread the love from the Projects to Paris. I pray that I’m able to unlock the dream that I have during UF Hip Hop in Paris,” he said.

Donations can be sent to LaVaughn at: LaVaughn King 2611B, 4640 SW 18th Place, Gainesville, FL 32607. For additional information on him or the program email vaughnkingh24@gmail.com.

Pictured: LAVAUGHN KING And fellow Gator, Shayla C. Davis

Tampa Police are looking for a suspect in the shooting of a Tampa man early Thursday morning.

According to a report, Derrick B. Grady, Jr., 24, and another man were involved in a verbal confrontation at 9410 North 13th Street. During the dispute, Grady was shot by the suspect.

Grady was transported to a local hospital where he was later pronounced dead. Detectives interviewed possible witnesses at the scene and the investigation is ongoing.

Grady’s grandmother, Ms. Dorothy Grady, said Derrick had celebrated his 24th birthday on the 19th, and talked about just having a good time with his friends.

“Derrick was a young man who wasn’t afraid of work, and performed a lot of different tasks. He also talked a lot about going into business with his dad, Derrick, Sr., who owns a trucking company.

“Above all, Derrick talked a lot about how badly he wanted children.”

Derrick, Sr. said you can give your kids the world, but what they really need is time.

Ms. Grady said Derrick enjoyed reading his Bible, and graduated from Gary Adult School. “It is a mystery to us as to why he was in that part of town,” said Ms. Grady.

“Derrick never went to the Sulphur Springs area, and he left my house with a girl he had been having problems with. That was the last time we saw him, and we are at a lost as to what really happened.”

Although Derrick lived with his grandmother, he spent a lot of time with his mother, Tracy Bristol, who had dropped him off at his grandmother’s house earlier Wednesday night.

Derrick’s uncle said he had just gotten a new tattoo that read, “Only God Can Judge Me.”

Grady has 8 siblings, and no funeral arrangements have been finalized at this time.

The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office reported that on Monday night at 8:50 p. m., Eric Lewis, 43, was hit by an unknown vehicle as he walked in the roadway on 79th Street near Fir Drive. Deputies said the impact was low speed, with the suspect vehicle causing fatal upper body trauma to Lewis.

Deputies said due to the low speed of the impact, it is doubtful there was major damage to the suspect vehicle. Tire evidence at the scene indicated it may have been a vehicle with dual rear wheels.

Early Tuesday morning, Steven Rickert contacted the Sheriff’s Office and said after watching media reports of the incident, he believed he may have been responsible for the fatal pedestrian incident.

Rickert told deputies he is employed as a bus driver for HART, and was driving a mini-bus during the time the accident occurred.

Detectives have met with Rickert and examined the bus. During the examination, detectives identified physical evidence that has linked the bus to Lewis.

During the interview with Rickert, deputies said he told them he was driving west on Fir Drive and turned onto 79th Street. He said he was not aware he had struck someone until he saw the news reports Tuesday morning.

Detectives will continue conducting interviews and analyzing forensic evidence. Once the investigation is complete, all information will be turned over to the Hillsborough County State Attorney’s Office for further review.

The accident victim, Lewis was born in New York City, and came to Tampa in 1983, and graduated from Brandon High School in 1986. He also attended Florida A&M University from 1986 until 1988 studying political science.

Eric’s mother, Ms. Mildred Lewis, said her son was diagnosed with a bi-polar disorder in 1994, and wasn’t employed. “He loved to write and talked about doing that for a living. He also enjoyed reading.

“Eric and I did a lot of traveling together, and we spent 12 days in Europe in October 2011. He was so thrilled, especially when we went to Paris. He was really in awe of the Eifel Tower.”

Ms. Lewis said Eric knew everyone in the Progress Village area, and although she doesn’t have all the details, she believes he was on his way home when the accident occurred.

“Someone in the area said they saw him getting off the bus, so he had probably gone to the store.

Eric Lewis has no children, and only one sibling, Gwendolyn, who lives in Atlanta. His father, Eugene Lewis, lives in New Jersey.

Eric is also the nephew of WTMP 1150AM legend, Tom Hankerson.

Ms. Lewis said she and her son were members of Revealing Truth Ministries.

Aiken’s Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

Cooley Law School Associate Dean Jeff Martlew has announced the school’s initial Tampa Bay campus faculty, who will be in place when classes start this spring.  Joining Cooley’s staff is prominent Florida attorney Carolyn House Stewart, and three current Cooley professors from the school’s Michigan campuses: John Scott, Brendan Beery and Ronald Sutton.

“We are excited to have top-notch legal professionals join Cooley at our Tampa Bay campus, as we educate the next generation of practice-ready attorneys,” said Martlew. “Carolyn House Stewart has more than 34 years of experience in the legal profession, and John Scott, Brendan Beery and Ronald Sutton bring more than 63 years of practical, legal teaching skills.”

Atty. Stewart will teach Contract Law to Cooley’s incoming class at Tampa Bay. She is currently a shareholder in Macfarlane, Ferguson & McMullen, one of Florida’s oldest law firms. She has been with the firm since 1994, handling cases in the firm’s civil litigation, casualty and labor law sections.  Stewart received her Juris Doctor from the University of South Carolina and was admitted to the Florida Bar in 1978. She has practiced before the U. S. District Courts for the Middle and Southern Districts of Florida and the U. S. Court of Appeals for the 5th and 11th Circuits.

Stewart is also licensed to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court and recently completed a five-year term on the Florida Board of Bar Examiners.

BY IRIS B. HOLTON
Sentinel City Editor

Congresswoman Kathy Castor and her staff will host their annual Black History Program on Friday, (today) at 3 p.m. The program will take place at Beulah Institutional Baptist Church.

As part of the program, Congresswoman Castor will honor Mrs. Ann Porter for her accomplishments in the community. On February 13, 2012, Congresswoman Castor said, “Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and accomplishments of Mrs. Ann R. Porter — and to acknowledge her contributions to education, social progress, and the Tampa Bay community.”

As a young adult, Mrs. Porter entered the workforce as the Administrative Secretary for the Tampa Urban League. It was while serving in this capacity, that she discovered her passion for the community. She served as President of the Tampa Urban League Guild and organized a group of teenagers to serve in the Urban League Group.

Mrs. Porter obtained employment with Hillsborough County and worked in several capacities. During her 32 years of service, she became the first Head Start Director under the Board of Hillsborough County Commissioners.

Mrs. Porter became a member of the Tampa Branch NAACP as a teenager. Today, she is a Heritage Life Member. “I stayed after the NAACP merger for a year. Dr. Sam Horton was one of my vice presidents and he became president after me. I learned under the Old Guard,” Mrs. Porter said.

Mrs. Porter and the late Mrs. Geraldine Barnes organized the “537 Get Out The Vote Campaign.” Under the local Democratic Party. The two women, along with other volunteers, registered countless new voters, including visiting high schools and educating teenagers about the election process.

When informed during church service that she would be honored during the program, Mrs. Porter was shocked. “I don’t know what I have done to deserve this honor.

“Everything I have done has been my passion. My work has been a labor of love. I love my community,” Mrs. Porter said.

Tampa Police were called Sunday morning by the mother of a 8-year-old boy who reported him missing. Police said the boy, Torry Brown, was last seen at 6 p. m. Saturday playing, and on Sunday, his mother told police he did not come home from playing outside.

Brown was found Sunday morning at a neighbor’s apartment where he spent the night. The neighbor told police she thought Brown’s mother knew he was spending the night, because he brought a change of clothes for church.

Police said when they responded to the North Boulevard Homes Public Housing complex after receiving a call from the child’s mother, Tylarnda Anderson, they found her apartment to be in bad shape, with roaches and soiled diapers on the floor, and three children who had no beds or adequate clothing.

The children, between 2 and 8, were routinely left unsupervised and allowed to stay out until midnight, police said.

Police brought Brown back to the apartment, and Anderson was arrested and charged with four counts of child neglect. She was released Sunday afternoon from jail on a bond of $8,000.

A neighbor reported receiving calls from the Department of Children and Families making inquiries about Anderson.

“This started almost as soon as she moved in a couple of years ago.  She would never cooperate with them. Her children would come downstairs and cause problems for the other residents, and if you tried to talk to her about it, she would get angry.”

The neighbor said Anderson would sometimes retaliate by tossing dirty diapers from the second floor onto the backyard, or tossing a pan full of cooking grease on the wall.

“She would get into arguments with her neighbors, and even the housing supervisor was called on occasion to come out and deal with her? “I’ve seen workers with DCF at her house before. I remember one night I heard a child crying, and when I looked at the clock, it was 2:30 a. m. I peeked out of my door, and saw one of her children sitting outside the door crying. I tried to go to bed, but I just couldn’t with that little child sitting out there alone crying. I called the police, and they came and went inside to talk to her. This wasn’t the first time they’ve come out here to talk to her.”

The Florida Department of Children and Families took custody of all four children.

In recent weeks, the Hillsborough Education Foundation had the task of selecting one person to become the recipient of “The Teacher of the Year” Award.

The five finalists, all outstanding educators, were Ms. Yolanda Whitehead Driskell, of Hillsborough High School; Ms. Elizabeth Denison Babin, of Dowdell Middle School; Ms. Katy Cortelyou, of Kenly Elementary School; Ms. Sue Creekmore, of Kingswood Elementary School; and Ms. Christine Danger, of Robles Elementary School.

After interviewing all of the candidates, a district committee selected Ms. Whitehead Driskell for the honor.

She was surprised with the honor at the annual Excellence In Education Awards presentation last Thursday.

The “Teacher of the Year” Award recognizes outstanding teachers nominated as the Teacher of the Year for their school site.  All schools in the district are invited to nominate one teacher they feel is the most well-rounded and professional.

As the Hillsborough County representative, Ms. Whitehead Driksell will compete for Florida State Teacher of the Year honors, and potentially the national Teacher of the Year.