Page 2 - Florida Sentinel 1-21-22

Features
Mayor Castor Apologizes For Black Graveyards
TAMPA MAYOR JANE CASTOR
... Initiates New Safeguards for Black Cemeteries
Past City of Tampa ad- ministrations had a direct role in erasing at least two of the historic Black cemeteries that have been discovered in recent years.
On Friday, January 14, 2022, Tampa Mayor Jane Castor apologized for past administrations role in the erasure. She outlined detailed plans to ensure that Tampa cemeteries are better pro- tected
“We can’t right past wrongs but certainly we can acknowledge those and apol- ogize for the wrongs of our community in the past,” she said.
Yvette Lewis, president of the Hillsborough County branch of the NAACP, has
been requesting that apology since 2019. That is when the segregation-era Zion Ceme- tery for Black burials was dis- covered under Robles Park Village, warehouses, and a tow lot.
Lewis was quoted as say- ing, “I accept the words, but now we need action to back up those words. People suf- fered. The African American community suffered. What will the city do?”
“The time is always right to do what is right,” Castor said, quoting Martin Luther King Jr.
Her administration has formed a City of Tampa Cemetery Task Force charged with studying the issue.
Tampa has implemented one of their task force’s rec- ommendations by changing the land use category for city- owned cemeteries to park lands and open space.
The new designation re- stricts development on the properties.
The city has already changed the land use for Woodlawn Cemetery and Oaklawn Cemetery and for its piece of Marti-Colon Ceme- tery. They are in the process of changing Jackson Heights Cemetery’s category.
Woman To Host ‘Life Seminar’ To Talk About Life Insurance Among Young People
BY GWEN HAYES Sentinel Editor
Mrs. Patrice L. We- ston grew up in Tampa. The current business owner in the Sarasota-Venice area is saddened by the number of deaths among young people that she sees in her home- town and all around. What’s alarming is that the age of those dying is getting younger.
“When it happens among our young people, most fam- ilies don’t have insurance, so we have to host fish fries to get enough money for bur- ial,” she explained. “We don’t think of young people dying.” She believes that a little edu- cation on these matters will make a difference.
Mrs. Weston, owner of State Farm Patrice L. Weston Agency, Insurance and Fi- nancial Services, wants to ed- ucate people, especially the African-American commu- nity, on how to get reason- able life insurance for their families and be prepared when death comes. “This is a part of legacy building,” she stated.
She is hosting a Life Sem- inar this Saturday, January 22,2022,10a.m.–2pm.,at
PATRICE L. WESTON ...To host Life Seminar this Saturday
the DoubleTree by Hilton, 3050 N. Rocky Point Dr. W. (Tampa 33607). See ad in this edition.
This is the second Life Seminar she has held and she is looking forward to holding more in different areas of the state. She is passionate about making a difference in peo- ple’s lives and being a voice for so many whose voice is not being heard.
Prior to becoming a busi- ness owner in 2006, Mrs. Weston worked for State Farm Insurance for 15 years. A graduate of the University of Florida, she recently opened a second office in Nokomis.
“My greatest strength is my leadership abilities. I
have had the opportunity to work in many different lead- ership roles within State Farm Insurance Companies,” she stated.
Mrs. Weston said her personal goal is to continue her relationship with Christ, by putting Him first in every- thing, and continue being the best mother and wife. She is the mother of 2 – Katrelyn, a UF graduate, who is being groomed by her mother in the Insurance industry; son, Myles, is a senior at Venice High School.
Mrs. Weston also works closely with her husband, Rhondy, a former Tampa Bay Buccaneer, who founded Education and Athletic Ex- cellence (EAE) in 2011. The focus is to provide financial assistance to underprivileged students who have a desire to attend college.
She currently serves on the Board of Directors for the SKY Family YMCA and is a member of the National As- sociation of Insurance and Financial Advisors (NAIFA).
The daughter of Tampa residents, James Martin and Mattie Martin, Mrs. Weston also enjoys reading, shopping and just relaxing when time permits.
City Awarded $2 Million For Housing Affordability
The City of Tampa has been awarded nearly $2 million to put toward one of its affordable housing programs.
On Wednesday, January 12, 2022, the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Develop- ment (HUD) announced it will distribute more than $100 million to non-profit organizations, and state and local government agencies, to pro- tect children and families from home health haz- ards.
The City of Tampa will dedicate these funds to its Owner-Occupied Rehabilitation Program, and more specifically, to pay for home inspec- tions and a new set of repairs that address home health hazards.
Through this program, income-eligible homeowners can receive repairs and replace- ments valued at up to $50,000, that bring their homes into compliance with the City's Florida Building Code and Housing Quality Standards. The scope of work includes roofing, air condi-
tioning, electrical, and plumbing. Not only will the additional HUD grant cover the initial in- spections where home health hazards are iden- tified, but it will also expand the program to include remediation for mold, lead-based paint, and radon.
"Helping families remain in their existing homes is part of our affordable housing initia- tive," said Mayor Jane Castor. "This program has allowed us to improve living conditions and bring peace of mind to hundreds of homeowners who, otherwise, could not afford to pay for ex- pensive repairs. We are ecstatic to learn of HUD's generous grant and are excited it will also result in a more resilient and sustainable hous- ing inventory."
During Fiscal Year 2021, 42 homes received repairs through the City's Owner-Occupied Re- habilitation Program. The HUD grant is ex- pected to cover remediation for an additional 90 homes.
PAGE 2-A FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY FRIDAY FRIDAY, JANUARY 21, 2022