Page 13 - Florida Sentinel 2-5-16 (2)

FLORIDA SENTINEL
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2016
Celebration Is Monday:
8th Grader To Sing National Anthem As City Of Tampa Pays Tribute To Music During Black History Month Program
Y’mani Hickmon, an 8th grader at Rampello Magnet School, will sing the National Anthem on Monday, February 8, 2016, when the 28th Annual City of Tampa Black History Celebration will be he held. She will be accompanied by Jada Dickens on the violin.
The program’s theme is “Celebrating the Power of Music: Past and Present.” The event hosted by City of Tampa Black History Committee, Inc. (COTBHC), willbeheldat11a. m.atthe Tampa Convention Center -
Ballroom C, 333 South Franklin Street. This community-oriented event is free and open to the public. Parking is available for a fee in the Tampa Convention Center Garage.
This celebration empha- sizes the contributions that Black music has made to American culture. Through- out the celebration, exceptional musicians and performers with a connec- tion to Tampa will be recognized.
Joining Mayor Bob Buckhorn on the program will be Tampa City
Y’MANI HICKMON ...To sing National Anthem
Council Chair Frank Reddick. The keynote address will be delivered by Lyman A. Brodie, Associate Dean of the College of Arts and Human- ities, and Professor of the Music at the University of Central Florida in Orlando.
There will be entertain- ment by the Robles Elemen- tary World Drummers; and the Black National Anthem will be sung by Clarissa Thornton.
During the program, the following people will be rec- ognized for their commit- ment to excellence across
the musical spectrum. They will also be featured in the 2016 City of Tampa Black History Celebration Calendar. The calendars are free to all attendees.
They are: Belinda Womack, Carlton Burgess, Shawn Brown, Eric Darius, Nat Adderley, Cannonball Adderley, BK Jackson, George “Buster” Cooper, Maurice Jackson, Myron Jack- son and the KUUMBA Dancers, Ardail “Sam” Allen, Isaac Ruffin, and Vision of Harmony.
Tampa Heights Barbershop
To Host HIV Awareness Campaign
BY LEON B. CREWS Sentinel Staff Writer
On Saturday, February 13th at 3 p. m., Power Circle Barbershop, on the corner of Florida Avenue and Colum- bus Drive, will be hosting an HIV awareness campaign.
Power Circle owner, Reginald Preston, said a client and student, Harrison F. Stubblefield, has been coming to his shop frequently over the past few months, and the two of them talked about what Stub- blefield is doing.
“That’s when I realized there weren’t enough people being tested for HIV. Harrison, through his Youth Education Services (Y.E.S.) Program, has been trying to spread the word about getting tested for HIV, as well as educating young people.
“According to recent numbers, there are more HIV cases in the zip code areas of 33612, 33610, and 33619 than anywhere else in Hillsborough County.”
Stubblefield said through Y.E.S., he’s performing outreach through area barbershops.
“The reason I wanted to do this through barbershops is because they are the places where everything is discussed by men, personal or other- wise. They are social media outlets, and there’s always a steady flow of customers. It’s also the place where the wisdom of the elderly is passed down to the next generation.
“Barbers wear an assortments of
Reginald Preston, Barbershop Owner, and Harrison Stubblefield, client and Y.E.S. Founder.
highest diagnosed HIV population in the country, and it is highest in the 13-to-24 age group.
“The lack of sex education in our schools and young people learning from the streets are the biggest obstacles I face. I’ve had parents refuse condoms because they think it’s sending out the wrong message.
“I think parents need to teach their children abstinence first, then talk to them about prevention. My mission is to educate the youth and link them to the free health services available.
Stubblefield said he thinks by using area barbershops to spread the word about awareness is perfect, because it alleviates transportation problems.
“People need to understand that HIV is no longer a death sentence. It can be treated.
“I am partnering with DACCO and Metro Wellness, who will bring their bus to any location for testing. We will also have a display table set up with vital information for the young people.”
Stubblefield said there is a lot of denial when it comes to HIV, and people have to get past that and con- vince themselves that this is a serious health issue that has to be addressed.
Beginning Monday, February 8th through Friday, February 12th, individuals can sign up to be tested. Anyone between the ages of 13 and 24 who signs up and is tested will get a free haircut, compliments of Power Circle Barbershop.
hats in dealing with their customers and are a vital source of information. Most men share stories with their
barbers they won’t talk about with anyone else.”
Stubblefield said Florida has the
B