Page 2 - 3-27-15 Friday's Edition

Features
Racism Complaint Filed Against Starbucks Employee
BY LEON B. CREWS Sentinel Staff Writer
According to Attorney Nathan Carney his client, Ronell Levatte, was a regu- lar patron of a Starbucks in Wesley Chapel. However, after an incident on September 10, 2014 involving one of its em- ployees, Levatte was forced to file a complaint of racism against the popular coffee chain.
Professionally known as Big Gates, Levatte, a music producer, businessman, and brother of rapper Plies, said a Starbucks employee sent out a racist tweet while Levatte was in the business being served.
“The employee also made racist comments about the beverage Mr. Lavette used to order on a regular basis, a white mocha.
“We are complaining that the employee has used the n- word in his tweets on numer- ous occasions, and Mr. Levatte has been embar- rassed and humiliated by the racist, slanderous and defam- atory actions of the employee.”
Atty. Carney said he has represented Levatte in legal matters for years, and when they contacted Starbucks’ cor- porate headquarters, they an- ticipated the employee would be fired.
“Not only did they not fire him, but they told us there was nothing they could do about it, and the guy got a promotion.
“We don’t understand why this guy wasn’t fired. He’s also
RONELLE LEVATTE
made derogatory statements against women.”
Atty. Carney said a com- plaint has been filed with the Florida Commission on Human Relations, and they will be seeking compensatory damages in the future.
“We expect that to come through a federal lawsuit.
“We were surprised to find out the CEO of Starbucks, Howard Schultz, was en- couraging his employees to help improve race relations by discussing racism through their “Race Together” cam- paign. How is that leading by example when you allow your employees to get away with this kind of behavior?”
Atty. Carney said he’s ex- tended an invitation for Schultz to come to Tampa to discuss the incident, but hasn’t gotten a response.
Schultz has faced intense criticism for asking his em- ployees to engage customers in conversations about race in America.
After only seven days, Star- bucks wrapped up its widely mocked campaign.
Schultz said while there has been criticism of the initia- tive, “let me assure you that we didn’t expect universal praise. This was not a marketing or public relations exercise.”
Schultz joined other CEO activists like Goldman Sachs’ Lloyd Blankfein, Duke En- ergy’s Jim Rogers, and Google’s Eric Schmidt.
Family Needs Help To Bury 14-Year-Old Murder Victim
BY IRIS B. HOLTON Sentinel City Editor
On Saturday, a candlelight vigil will be held in memory of a 14-year-old killed last week- end. The vigil will take place at the scene of the shooting, 8105 9th Avenue, at 8 p.m.
Richard Newton, the second of 5 children born to Ms. Danielle Williams, had planned out his life. His mother said he was already rapping and into music. He wanted to grow up, graduate, and have a family and career.
In addition to being an as- piring rap artist, Newton played football with the Bucca- neers, and he was a 7th grade student at Van Buren Middle School.
But those dreams were shattered last Saturday night when Newton was fatally wounded. His death has not only devastated his family, but has left the community screaming for an end to gun vi- olence.
Ms. Williams said during an interview with the Sentinel, someone invited her son to the
RICHARD NEWTON 9/20/2000 --- 3/21/2015
party. “He hadn’t been gone 40 minutes before it hap- pened.
“I just want justice for my son. This needs to stop. They (officials) need to do some- thing about the guns out there. Too many kids are being taken from their parents through gun violence.
“When things like this hap- pen, the police can’t tell you anything. They really need to do something to stop all of these kids getting murdered.”
According to police, a fight broke out before the shooting. There were about 40 people at the party before the shooting
started. Newton died at the scene.
The investigation into the shooting remains open and police are asking anyone with information about the shoot- ing to come forward.
Family Needs Help Newton is also survived by his father, Robert Bel- lamy Miller, several siblings, other family members and
friends.
Ms. Williams has chosen
Ray Williams Funeral Home to handle funeral arrangements. However, the family is in need of help with the expenses. Anyone wishing to make a do- nation can send it to the fu- neral home.
Funeral services for New- ton will take place on Satur- day, April 4th, 11 a.m., at Ray Williams Chapel.
Police are asking anyone with information about the shooting to call (813) 231-6130 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800- 873-TIPS (8477). Callers can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a reward of up to $3,000.
FYI
Traffic Detoured Off Southbound I-275 Friday Night
Southbound I-275 will be closed to all traffic from the Hillsborough River to west of West Shore Boulevard between 11:30 p. m. Friday (March 27th) and 5:30 a. m. Saturday (March 28th). No vehicles will be allowed to enter southbound I-275 at any ramp from downtown to Lois Avenue during that time. Westbound I-4 traffic merging onto southbound I-275 will also be directed o the same detour. If the detour/traffic switch does not take place Friday night, due to rain, it will be moved to Saturday night or the next suitable night thereafter.
Traffic will be detoured off at Exit 45A and directed south on Jefferson Street/Orange Street/Pierce Street. Drivers will then turn right onto Kennedy Boulevard and proceed west.
PAGE 2-A FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY FRIDAY, MARCH 27, 2015