Page 9 - Florida Sentinel 12-9-16 Online Edition

Local Tampa Bay Natives Assist With Production Of Movie, ‘The Turnaround’
Two African Americans Among 6 Busts Unveiled Thursday
BY GWEN HAYES Sentinel Editor
Orlando was the site of a ‘red carpet’ event held on Sat- urday, December 3, 2016, for the open- ing of a new movie, “The Turnaround.” The two shows of the world premiere were ‘sold out.’
Two Tampa area
natives played im-
portant roles in the production of the
movie, working alongside the Writer/Producer, James Hunter. Robyn Jones, a Tampa native and current resident of Virginia, and Lorenzo Carswell, an educator at Hillsborough Community College, as- sisted Hunter both of whom are among the execu- tive producers.
“The Turnaround” is a faith-based movie about the power of faith.
“The event was wonderful and people really came out dressed for the event. My family and friends enjoyed the movie and they were very emotional about my journey as producer. When Isawmynameonthe screen, I remember my mom always saying trust God,” Ms. Jones stated. “When the movie was over people really wanted to stay and see it again it was so good. That spoke volumes about James and his vi-
Two African-Americans were among the 6 busts un- veiled on Thursday morning, December 8, 2016, for the Historical Monument Trail at the Riverwalk.
Mayor Bob Buckhorn,
in conjunction with the Friends of the Riverwalk, un- veiled the 4th group of Tampa’s greats who are me- morialized. More than 30 have been honored along the trail.
Edward Daniel Davis,
Education & Florida Civil Rights Movement Hero/Cen- tral Life Insurance Company President: fought for Black students and teachers’ rights. He founded the Florida Vot- ers League, served as presi- dent of the Florida State Teachers Association and served two terms as presi- dent of the Florida State Con- ference of the National Association for the Advance- ment of Colored People. He retired in 1978 as president and board chairman of the 67-year-old Central Life In- surance Co., the only Black- owned insurance company in the state.
Francisco Aristides Rodriguez, Jr., was born in Tampa to Cuban parents who were members of Marti- Maceo. He started his career as a teacher, but decided to go to law school at Howard University after returning from World War II to a seg- regated South, where nothing had changed.
At Howard he became in- volved with the National As- sociation for the Advancement of Colored People and was appointed Special Counsel for the
Crime
ATTY. FRANCISCO A. RODRIGUEZ, JR.
southeast region in 1952, when he returned to Tampa. In 1954, following the
Brown decision, he filed nu- merous legal actions to de- segregate schools and recreational facilities in Florida. He unsuccessfully ran for office as juvenile court judge and member of the City Council.
Busts were also unveiled of: Meroba Hooker Crane, Businesswoman: President of Board of Lady Managers and the Ladies Memorial Society created Tampa’s first hospital and preserved Tampa’s first cemetery, Oaklawn; Ignacio Haya, Founder of Ybor City & Cigar Industry: First to sell cigars, Founding President of El Centro Espanol Hospital & Cemetery for Spanish immi- grants; Norma Tina Russo, Tampa’s First Lady of Opera: Music teacher and producer of operas that at- tracted national divas; and Mack Ramsey Winton, MD, Tampa Physician: Provider of medical care to Black and Spanish-speaking patients, including at Clara Frye Hospital and Santorio del Centro Espanol Hospital, Sponsored and Credentialed first Black nurse.
Jay Gourdine, James Hunter and Robyn Jones on the red carpet in Or- lando.
Lorenzo Carswell on the red carpet.
nursing students and coor- dinator for new nurses’ ori- entation. She is also a consultant for hemodialysis, surgical unit and spinal cord unit.
Carswell, the son of Ms. Nita Henderson, grew up in Ponce de Leon and Col- lege Hill Homes public housing units. He and Ms. Jones were next door neighbors. He met Hunter through Erik Grey from Hunter’s previous movie, “Breaking Point.”
Currently, Carswell is an instructor of reading/writ- ing at Hillsborough Com- munity College and an advocate for education and community service.
Hunter was paralyzed from the waist down from a gunshot 11 years ago. While being paralyzed, he has earned a BA in Film and MBA in Business. His goal is to show people that through God anything is possible.
sion,” she continued.
Her mom, Ms. Erma
Griffin, was in awe of the production. “The movie cov- ered all spectrums – com- edy, drama. Mr. Hunter did a marvelous job,” she said.
James Hunter: said on Sunday, “Yesterday, I woke up to 400+ FB messages in my inbox congratulating us on The Turnaround. Today, I woke up with 150+ mes- sages in my inbox. For me, this a testament to the hard work put in by the entire team. The movie was inspi- rational and moving. I really was so honored for the op- portunity,” Hunter stated.
Ms. Jones is a Nurse Educator for the McGuire VA Hospital in Richmond, VA. She has been in nursing for more than 25 years, spe- cializing in Renal Disease as a Certified Dialysis Nurse. In her role as educator, she is Valor Coordinator for
Armed Gunmen Forcibly Enter Apartment During Home Invasion
Police are currently looking for three men responsible for a home invasion last month.
One of the suspects has been identified and a warrant has been issued for his arrest. When police locate by AJ Whaley, 22, he will be charged with four counts of false imprisonment, four counts of armed robbery, armed burglary, and aggra- vated battery.
According to the Hillsbor- ough County Sheriff’s Office, three men forcibly entered an apartment at 6903 Society Drive around 10 p.m., on No- vember 4th. Once inside, the suspects forced the four people inside the apartment at gun- point to sit in the living room while they ransacked the en- tire apartment, police said.
The suspects, who were all armed with handguns, fled the
scene with several cell phones and cash.
AJ Whaley has been identified as one of the sus- pects in-
volved in the home invasion. Police said Whaley is armed and dangerous and anyone coming in contact with him should use extreme caution.
The other two suspects have not been identified. How- ever, anyone with information about this home invasion is asked to contact the Hillsbor- ough County Sheriff’s Office at (813) 247-8200; or Crime Stoppers of Tampa Bay at 1- 800-873-TIPS, or www.crimestopperstb.com.
AJ WHALEY
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2016 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY PAGE 9-A