Page 15 - Florida Sentinel 2-5-16 (2)

Features
Family Of Teen Killed At Fair Continues To Seek Justice
Mr. and Mrs. Andrew (Deanna) Joseph and a framed picture of their son, Andrew Joseph, III.
Plant City Black Heritage Celebration Covers Weekend
BY LEON B. CREWS Sentinel Staff Writer
It will soon be two years since the tragic death of 14- year-old Andrew Joseph, III. His death sparked a lot of conversation of how the safety of children attending certain venues is taken for granted.
Mr. and Mrs. Andrew (Deanna) Joseph, Jr. have created the Andrew Joseph Foundation in their son’s honor and have sched- uled a series of events that began February 4th with a panel discussion on police brutality.
“We have formed alliances with families from around the United States who have suffered the unimaginable loss of a child and dear loved one gone too soon,” said Mrs. Joseph.
The families include members of: Emmett Till, Michael Brown, Jr., Tamir Rice, Oscar Grant, Trayvon Martin, Kendrick Johnson and many more.
“Our events will be com- memorating and remember- ing stolen lives and our need to stand firm on the premise that justice and liberty is de- served by all,” said Mrs. Joseph.
“We, along with our Foun- dation, are committed to the unsounding resolve that no other family should ever suf- fer the painful death of a child.”
Other events the Joseph family has planned for this month are:
Friday, February 5th, 1 p. m.: Protest of Student Day at the Florida State Fairgrounds. Assemble on outside parameter of
Wing House, and park on fairgrounds prop- erty. Also at 7 p.m., a meet and greet mixer at Trattoria Restaurant / Lounge, 2701 Fowler Avenue (inside the Clar- ion Hotel, corner of Fowler and Bruce B. Downs)
Saturday, February 6th, 9 a.m.: Peace Walk and Concert/Stolen Lives Remembrance – All victim families are welcome to attend and bring signs and posters of their loved one whose life was stolen – 4101 North 22nd Street. At 8 p. m., “A Night To Remem- ber” reception at the University of South Florida – Marshall Cen- ter Plaza Ballroom, 4202 East Fowler Avenue. The keynote speaker will be U. S. Representative Alan Grayson.
Sunday, February 7th 8:30 a. m.: Two-year an- niversary of the death of 14-year-old Andrew Joseph, III. Breakfast, prayer and healing serv- ice – Love First Chris- tian Center, 11311 Boyette Road, Riverview (candle lighting and bal- loon release).
The efforts of the Joseph family and the invitation to the community to attend this outreach action will aid in confronting the issues sur- rounding social injustice and lack of equality within the community and around the world.
If anyone wants to sup- port the efforts of this social justice initiative, you may visit the website: an- drewjosephfoundtion.org to contribute your resources.
Plant City will have its Black Heritage Celebration on Friday, February 12, 2016, Saturday, February 13, 2016 and Sunday, February 14, 2016.
The 13th Annual Black Heritage Banquet will be held on Friday, 6:30 p. m., in the Trinkle Center of Hills- borough Community Col- lege, 1902 Bond St., Plant City, co-sponsor of the event. The banquet theme is “Celebrating the Essence of the African American Spirit.”
Tia Young, co-owner and founder of Tia Young Image & Etiquette, LLC, will be the Mistress of Cere- mony, and Otis Anthony, President/CEO of Anthony Community Consultant, will be the keynote speaker. Tickets are being sold for the banquet. th
On Saturday, the 13 An- nual Black Heritage Jazz Festival will be held at the Dr. MLK Recreation Center, 2p.m.–8p.m.Thecenter is located at 1015 Dr. MLK
SHARON MOODY ...President, Plant City Black Heritage Celebration
Blvd., Plant City (33563). Prior to the 2 p. m. Jazz Festival, a Youth Summit starts at 9 a. m. and contin- ues until 12 noon, followed by the parade, which starts
at1p.m.
Among the expected
guests for the Jazz Festival are: NJ Lady Fingers, sax- ophonist Marlon Boone, Standing 8 Count, Ab- nique, Nathan Mitchell and featuring the Blake High School Jazz Band.
On Sunday at 4 p. m., the Black Heritage Gospel Con- cert will be held at Mt. Olive Baptist Church, 604 W. Ball St., Plant City. Program par- ticipants include: Alkoya Brunson, Heavenlyetts, LA Red Ministries Gospel Choir and the Mt. Olive Baptist Church Gospel Choir.
Ms. Sharon Moody,
President, Plant City Black Heritage Celebration, invites all of Plant City and sur- rounding areas to join them during their Black Heritage Celebration.
For more information, contact Sharon Moody (813) 453-7134, Marion Cole, (813) 759-8581 or Cynthia Bailey (813) 258- 0223.
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