Page 8 - Florida Sentinel 3-29-19

Local
Young, Aspiring Art Enthusiast Dies Suddenly
Free Community Concert Planned To Help Save Lives
BY IRIS B. HOLTON Sentinel City Editor
A 23-year-old active col- lege student died suddenly last week. Her death has left her family and friends devas- tated by the loss.
Ms. Jayln Imani Stall- worth was a Tampa native. She was the oldest of three children born to the union of Dr. Dexter and Dr. Sophia Stallworth (Pharm D). Her father, a medical doctor, said the family is waiting on the medical examiner’s cause of death. But, she had no known history of heart problems.
“She was a beautiful, ac- tive, healthy young lady who enjoyed working out and who was passionate about art,” Dr. Stallworth said.
Ms. Stallworth attended the public schools of Hills- borough County. She was a cheerleader all four years
MS. JALYN IMANI STALLWORTH
Nov. 29, 1995 - March 19, 2019
while at Hillsborough High School, serving as the team’s captain the last two years.
She graduated from the Hillsborough High School IB Program with high honors. She continued her education at the University of Florida, where her major was African American History and her minors were Art History and Anthropology. She graduated with honors in 2018.
Ms. Stallworth en- rolled in the American Uni- versity, in Washington, D. C., where she was nearing the end of her first year in the Art History Master’s Degree Pro- gram.
Her father said she was a very active member of Iota Lambda Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
“She was very active in social issues and passionate about art. Her goal was to be- come the Director of the Na- tional Museum of African American History and Cul- ture. She was set to begin an internship there this sum- mer. She also wanted to own her own art gallery,” he said.
Ms. Stallworth had a blog where she talked about art and social issues. She fea- tured young African Ameri- can artists in her blog and on Instagram.
She wanted African Americans to learn about art and the beauty of it. She also wanted to encourage African Americans to purchase art as an investment as well.
“She said that people could collect art and enjoy it. If the artist became famous, then that art could be worth millions in future years. She had many followers on her blog, including people my age.
“She loved her friends and was well loved. She will be greatly missed. We are greatly appreciative of the outpouring of love shown to us since her passing,” Dr. Stallworth said.
In addition to her par- ents, Ms. Stallworth is sur- vived by her sister, Sydney, brother, Dexter, II, grand- parents, other family mem- bers and friends.
Funeral services for Ms. Stallworth will be held on Saturday, March 30th, at Beulah Institutional Baptist Church, a 11 a.m. Ray Williams Funeral Home is in charge of handling arrange- ments.
LifeLink of Florida and Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., partner to share the Donate Life message
LifeLink of Florida and Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., will host a free gospel concert on Saturday, April 6, 2019, at 4 p. m. at First Baptist Church of Progress Village, 8722 Progress Blvd., Tampa, FL 33619. This event will cele- brate the gift of life and pro- vide information about organ and tissue donation to atten- dees.
Musical guests through- out the state of Florida have accepted the invitation to at- tend this event. Confirmed performers include, Bethune- Cookman University Inspira- tional Gospel Choir, Janice Nunn-Nelson – solo per- former; Omari Dillard- vio- linist; Jordan Bolds – saxophonist, Florida Fellow- ship Super Choir, the Gospel Legends and several others.
“This will be an evening filled with praise and educa- tion,” said Daniel Smith, President, Gamma Eta Sigma Chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. “This concert is one of several events we have partnered with LifeLink to host. We have several brothers who have received a transplant and we are aware of others who are in need of organ transplantation in our community. We support Life- Link and its mission and value our partnership with the or- ganization.”
In addition to performing artists, organ recipients and a donor family member will share how their lives have been impacted by organ and tissue donation. Guests will also obtain first-hand knowl- edge of the need for organ and tissue donation from LifeLink Foundation senior leadership.
“With the overwhelming number of myths that sur- round the topic of organ and tissue donation, we felt it was important to present this life- saving message in an uplifting way,” said Liz Lehr, Senior Vice President/Executive Di- rector, LifeLink of Florida. “We are grateful to the men of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., who have played a tremendous role in planning this event as well as all of the performers and volunteers who will make this concert memorable.”
For more information about this event visit www.LifeLinkFoundation.org or call (813) 253-2640.
LifeLink is the non-profit, community service organiza- tion designated by the federal government to facilitate organ and tissue donation in west and southwest Florida. We have been serving this com- munity for more than 30 years, and during that time we have worked with scores of families whose loved ones saved lives. LifeLink of Florida serves fifteen counties in west and southwest Florida, includ- ing Martin County on the east coast.
PAGE 8-A FLORIDA SENTINEL-BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY FRIDAY, MARCH 29, 2019