Page 4 - Florida Sentinel 8-28-20

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National Black Business Month:
The Power Of Four-Day Black Business Expo
SPEND $31+ Your WAY with a Black-owned Business
This year marks the 17th National Black Business Month Anniversary of the cru- sade launched by Frederick E. Jordan and John William Templeton in Cali- fornia in 2004. Both Jordan and Templeton’s goals were to draw attention to the needs of Black entrepreneurs, and for 31 days of August by challeng- ing local officials, community leaders, venture capitalist to focus efforts on creating a more hospitable environment in which black-owned business can grow.
SHERRYL CUSSEAUX
The Power of 31 – An Eco- nomic Stimulus Black Busi- ness Expo championed by Sherryl J. Cusseaux, and Ingrid D. Young challenges
the community to support Black-owned businesses in using The “Power of 31” Spend $31 Your Way with a black- owned business.
Cusseaux & Associates, Inc., in partnership with THAPgroup, Caspers McDon- ald’s Restaurant, Our Black Year Empowerment Experi- ence, BWBOEE, DSI Black Pages, Call Ricky Ask Ricky, N- Touch News, and others, invite the community to celebrate National Black Business Month.
For more information, to attend, be a vendor, or register your business, call 813.789.9658 or email Powerof31x3@gmail.com.
West Tampa Native Passes At The Age Of 99
Mrs. Ollie Mae (Baker) Blanchett, matriarch of 6 generations, was born on May 21, 1921 in West Tampa to Clarence and Viola (Mc- Call) Baker. She was the youngest of 4 girls, Rosa, Alma and Emma. Her family was the first to occupy the dwelling at 1912 N. Willow Av- enue, in North Boulevard Homes. Mrs. Blanchett resided at that address until Dec., 1966, when she and her family moved to the North Hyde Park area.
Mrs. Blanchett gradu- ated from Middleton High School’s Class of 1941. During which and after high school she traveled to NYC to work sea- sonally with her sister, Rosa as a live-in nanny. Mother Blanchett loved to dance. She would often retell stories about her adventures dancing to the music of Cab Calloway and learning to do the “Lindy Hop.”
She married Kenneth Blanchett, on March 16, 1946 after he returned from WWII. To this union 2 daughters were born, Kay Francis and Debra V. Blanchett. In addi- tion, they also welcomed two grandsons, Kenneth “Coddy” Blanchett, II, and Rodney “Doddy” Thomas.
She was baptized in the Hillsborough River at age 7 with other youths from the area neighborhood, all mem- bers of the Bethel Union Church as it was then known.
OLLIE MAE (BAKER) BLANCHETT
Her cousin, Bud Cason was one of the founders of the now Bethel A. M. E. Church. She remained a lifelong member for over 90 years. She was an active member serving on many auxiliary units and com- mittees, such as the Pastor’s Aide Board, Beautification Committee and Usher Board #2. She served as a Stewardess up until the time of the COVID- 19 pandemic.
She was also a lifetime member of the American Le- gion Auxiliary Unit #167, serv- ing over 50 years in many capacities. Secretary was the position she enjoyed the most and held the longest.
Her extended family mem- bers includethe Cason, Mc- Call, Williams, Taylor, Alexander and Washington families.
Mother Blanchett has touched the lives of many friends and family members and will be sadly missed.
(See Funeral Notices for information on her services)
PAGE 4-A FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY FRIDAY FRIDAY, AUGUST 28, 2020