Marvin Knight
By MONIQUE STAMPS
Sentinel Staff Writer
The 509 Committee, led by Commissioner Gwen Myers, is asking the community to come together once again to celebrate and host a Unity in the Community Event on June 23, 2024.
The last event was held on December 10, 2023, at Perry Harvey Park and was tremendously successful, with hundreds of attendees.
This year, the event will be held at Al Barnes Park, 2902 N. 32nd Street, from 1 PM until 5PM. The event will be alcohol-free to be more welcoming to families.
“I am urging the community to come together again, and work with us to uplift our families and youth. We value our youth and will provide opportunities for them, while rewarding them with community service hours. The 509 Committee is all in when it comes to our youth and helping them to become future leaders,” says Commissioner Myers.
“We are focused on our youth so that they have alternative ways to spend their time and have good experiences in school and life. We have to make sure that they are getting their diplomas as well.”
To help celebrate and encourage young people to attend the event, every middle school or high school student that is 18 or younger will receive 20 community service hours, and a free meal ticket for food at the event, up to a limit of 250.
Panels on gun violence, diplomas vs. certificates of completion, and mental health will also be held.
The unity event will have entertainment by Motown Imitators Plus, and there will be games, face-painting, community resources, vendors, and fancy cars and slingshots.
All children attending will have a chance to win a brand-new bicycle. There will be 20 bicycles available for the giveaway.
Event coordinator and community leader, Marvin Knight, is getting everybody ready for the huge event, “This will be a 1st class happening for our community. Great food, entertainment, and clean family fun come together.
“We will of course, have gun violence education and other things for our kids. Our last gathering was momentous. We want to keep that going. There will be more unity events in the near future.”
Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister is a huge supporter of the Unity in the Community events.
“At the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, we believe in empowering our youth.”
“We also invest in partnerships with local leaders like County Commissioner Gwen Myers to deepen our roots in the community. This event provides a valuable opportunity for our team to connect with families in a safe and fun environment. We’re proud to be a part of building a brighter future for Hillsborough County’s youth. An important part of this effort is the work of our Black Community Relations Committee, who are dedicated to outreach and positive engagement within the Black community.”
The goal is emphasizing the youth as a group to be uplifted, the 509 Committee has arranged for all middle school and high school students to receive 10 community service hours, and an $8 meal ticket for food at the event.
“We will also have raffles, food trucks, and of course, Shawn Brown Entertainment. We also have people to advise young people on careers, and mental health specialists to provide guidance in that area,” explained Knight.
Guidance will also be provided by pastors on an hourly basis. There will be games, face-painting, community resources, vendors, and fancy cars and slingshots.
Knight says, “Bring the family and bring your friends. Carpool if you have to. Bring your neighbors out too. Bring everybody. You will have a good time and help to build up our community.”
For more information, please contact Marvin Knight at 813-453-5690.
