Page 10 - Florida Sentinel 7-16-19

Local Purple Passion Ladies Preparing For Summer Event
Felon Organizations
The ladies of Purple Passion have finalized plans for their Summer Dance. The event will be held on Friday, July 19, 2019, 8 p. m. - 12 midnight,
at American Legion Post 5, 2810 W. Kennedy Blvd. (33609). There is a small admission fee.
For additional informa- tion, contact Gigi Styles,
(760) 547-6590, or Frances Williams, (813) 624-9557. Vaular Dene Rouse is Pres- ident.
Members shown are: Patricia Nellon, Frances McCored, Latricia Cobb, Jeanette Jackson, Jeannie Mickens, Alberta Harris, Frances Williams, Sandra Mills, Michelle Watkins, Rhonda Jones, Sylvia Johnson (Smitty), Gigi Styles, Robin Young, Rhonda Blocker and Fa- cunda Arenas.
Joanna “Flava” Williams, who dubs herself as the ‘Harriet Tubman of Felons,’ heads two organiza- tions – Jobs 4 Felons and T. O. P. S. (The Ordinary People Society). She says, yes, felons need their rights to vote back, but they also need jobs and much more to include hous- ing and fair wages.
“Flava,” as she prefers to be called, says that when Governor Ron DeSantis signed the bill requiring felons to pay restitution be- fore being restored their rights was an act of discrimi- nation.
“As a re-entry employ- ment specialist, I have had the pleasure to empower thousands of inmates, felons, teens and organizations on how to overcome, avoid and survive felon employment discrimination,” she says.
She added that politicians realize the voting weapon that freed inmates will have once their rights are restored.
JOANNA ‘FLAVA’ WILLIAMS ...Jobs 4 Felons/TOPS
“Felons are not tolerating anymore political discrimina- tion policies. Felons are tax- payers, too. We have to do what we can to restore these voting rights.”
Anyone formerly incar- cerated who wants to end felon discrimination, please contact (866) 909-2929, or mail to Jobs 4 Felons/TOPS, P. O. Box 172102, Tampa, FL 33672.
Say It’s More Than
Just Getting The
Right To Vote
PAGE 10 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY TUESDAY, JULY 16, 2019