Page 9 - Florida Sentinel 10-25-16 Online Edition

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Eckerd Kids To Hold Community Forum
Author With Tampa Ties Writes Explosive Book About Rapper T. I.
BY CLARENCE BARR, II
Eugene X. Larry has been in the business of cutting hair for over 20 years. And it was the mastery of his craft that af- forded him the opportunity to become the personal barber for rapper T. I. during both of their incarcerations at Forrest City Federal Correctional Insti- tution in Forrest City, Arkansas.
According to Larry, his weekly interactions with the popular Atlanta entertainer eventually led to the two men developing a casual friendship. It was an association that, Larry says, allowed him to en- gage in deep, open conversa- tions about politics, religion and the state of social affairs with the recording artist known more for his gritty street lyrics.
A native of Tallahassee, whose entire family resides in the Tampa Bay Area, Larry says those conversations in- spired him to write a book that would give the world a differ- ent view of the man who he came to know. "I wanted peo- ple to know the truth and not get caught up in the false- hoods," Larry said. "I saw an- other side of him that was different than what I read in the media and what people were saying. I wanted to end the speculation and get the truth out there."
In the book, Inside Talks With The King T. I., Larry holds no punches as he writes about the rumors surrounding T. I.'s alleged cooperation with federal authorities, the drama he had with other in- mates at the institution and the extreme ways that his wife,
Tiny, held him down. To make the book even more interest- ing, Larry cleverly intertwines topics such as mass incarcera- tion, the influence rap music has on young Black men and even history lessons through- out the story.
When asked if T. I. was aware of his plans to write a book based on their time to- gether Larry responded with an emphatic, "OF COURSE." "He gave me his address and I sent a copy to his attorney," Larry stated.
"I never heard anything back from him. And, typically, if he doesn't like something he'll let you know it."
Larry claims he isn't wor- ried about people who may label him an opportunist be- cause of his decision to publish a manuscript. As Larry put it, that wouldn't be surprising. "I would expect unconscious peo- ple to view me as an oppor- tunist in the classic sense. However, I would also expect a conscious person to view my actions as a potential step to- wards resurrecting our mental condition."
Along with Inside Talks With The King, Larry has also published two other books entitled: A Nation Within A Nation/The Prophecy and The Proof and American Anger, which are both sched- uled to be released in Decem- ber. All of his books are and will be available on CreateA- Space.com, Amazon.com, Booksamillion.com and Barne- sandnoble.com
The author can be reached by email at Kareemha- keem1877@gmail.com or write him at Kareem Ha- keem P.O. Box 4016 Win- ter Haven, Fl 33885.
BY IRIS B. HOLTON Sentinel City Editor
Last month, the Sentinel published an article entitled, “Tampa Zip Code Ranks Highest In State For Child Removals.” The article fo- cused on the fact that more children are removed from the 33610 zip code than any other in the state.
The statistics were pro- vided by Eckerd Kids Commu- nity Alternatives in hopes of finding more foster parents and community assistance. Since the publication of the ar- ticle, the Northeast Commu- nity Civic Association, Inc., has contacted the agency to pro- vide assistance.
On Thursday, October 27th, a Community Forum will be held at Rock Church of God by Faith, 4323 E. Henry Avenue.
The forum will be held from 6:30 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. The purpose of the forum is to de- velop viable solutions to this and other issues impacting children in the welfare system.
Representatives from sev- eral agencies including Eckerd Community Alternatives, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, and the Children’s Board of Hillsborough County will be in attendance.
Ms. Adrienne Drew, Ex- ternal Relations Manager for Eckerd Kids is asking members of the community to attend the forum and help to make a dif- ference in the lives of the chil- dren and their families involved in the welfare system.
When children are re- moved from their homes be- cause of reports of abuse or neglect, they are placed with family members if possible. If
not possible, they are placed in foster homes.
Once a child is removed, if he or she cannot be placed in the area, the agency has to place them in unfamiliar sur- roundings, which means they may be required to change schools and leave the area that is familiar to them.
There is a need for more foster homes to accept chil- dren, especially siblings and older children. The ultimate goal is to reunite the families. But when it becomes necessary to terminate the parents’ rights, the child becomes avail- able for adoption.
Anyone interested in get- ting involved as a foster parent, or seeking more information on adoption is asked to attend the meeting. If the person can- not attend the meeting, he or she can call 1-800-554-4357.
October Financial Seminar Focuses On ‘Protecting Your Assets’
The October Financial Seminar hosted by the Tampa Bay Black Heritage Festival will focus on “Protecting Your Assets.” The seminar will be held on Saturday, October 29, 2016, 10 a. m. Doors open at 9:30 a. m. The seminar will be held at Entrepreneur Collabo- rative Center, 2101 E. Palm Ave. (Ybor City).
Saturday’s speakers are: Shaunette Stokes, an At- torney at Stokes Law Group, PLLC, and Rolanda Mc- Duffie, a Certified Public Ac- countant.
Ms. Stokes is a practicing attorney, who is licensed in the state of Florida. She grad- uated in 2013 from North Carolina Central University School of Law in Durham, NC. Prior to law school, Atty. Stokes earned her bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Florida A&M University in Tallahassee.
She subsequently obtained her master’s degree in Public Administration from Florida A&M, where she graduated Magna Cum Laude.
Atty. Stokes has sub- stantial experience in contract law, corporate law, business transactions, and intellectual property law.
Currently, she works with a diverse group of clients, as- sisting them in understanding and navigating the law so that they can effectively manage their respective businesses.
Ms. Rolanda McDuffie
has provided tax and account- ing services to businesses and individuals for over 15 years. The accounting firm was es-
ATTY. SHAUNETTE STOKES ...Practicing Attorney
tablished to provide efficient, expert solutions to businesses and individuals.
Her professional services are enhanced by personal at- tention to client needs. She provides prompt responses to inquiries with a continuing mission to serve by providing the highest level of expertise and professionalism possible.
Ms. McDuffie graduated from North Carolina Agricul- tural and Technical State Uni- versity and holds a MBA, with a concentration in Computer Resources and Information Management, and a Master’s degree in Accounting and Fi- nance.
Rolanda is a member of the AICPA and NABA.
The Financial Seminar is a series of FREE professional business seminars hosted by the Tampa Bay Black Heritage Festival and the Entrepreneur Collaborative Center. The se- ries takes place throughout the summer and fall months with the larger seminar taking place during the annual
Tampa Bay Black Heritage Festival in January.
The Tampa Bay Black Her- itage Entrepreneur Advisory Board is comprised of local professional business owners who encompass a vast amount of knowledge and skills to help better ones busi- ness.
The purpose of these sem- inars is to provide informa- tion and direction to small and aspiring business owners on how to build their business for the future.
William (Bill) Trot- man, TD Bank, N.A., Corpo- rate Liaison, is coordinator of the Financial Seminars.
Registration and atten- dance is open to the public and all are FREE to attend. Parking is FREE across the street in the Sheriff’s lot.
For additional information about vending opportunities, this workshop or future work- shops, visit www.Tam- paBlackHeritage.org/seminar s or contact Bill Trotman at (813) 507-1014.
ROLANDA MCDUFFIE ...Certified Public Accountant
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