Page 12 - Florida Sentinel 4-13-18

Local
Operation Conversation
BY KENYA WOODARD Sentinel Feature Writer
Last year, the rash of vi- olent interactions between Black men and law enforce- ment officers had gotten to be too much for Antina Mobley.
While none of the in- stances had taken place in Tampa, they had a ripple ef- fect. For Mobley, it became apparent that it was time to be proactive and address these situations. And she had an idea on the best way to do that.
“We got tired of that hap- pening so often, so the idea started as a small basketball game with my church,” said Mobley, an attorney with the public defender’s office.
What began as a small event it now expected to boom in its second year when Operation Conversa- tion takes place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, May 5, at the NFL YET Center at Jack- son Heights, 3310 E. Lake Ave., in Tampa.
Sponsored by the office of Hillsborough County Public Defender Juilanne
Holt, First Baptist Church of College Hill, Safe & Sound Hillsborough, the Tampa Police Department, and Tampa Parks and Recre- ation, Operation Conversa- tion is a chance for teens to engage in discussions about events and happening to them and in their commu- nity.
That includes interac- tions with law enforcement and how to prevent those encounters from escalading, Mobley said.
“(Teens and officers) can ask questions and see that they have more similarities than differences,” she said. “I’d much rather (the teens) talk first than be clients later.”
Topics on manhood and career exploration also will be hosted for young men who participate.
This year will feature a break out session for young ladies, who will hear speak- ers discuss domestic vio- lence, self-defense, and etiquette.
Those topics came at the request of the teens, Mob- ley said.
Talking about domestic violence and self-defense is especially as girls enter dat- ing age, she said.
“There are a lot of girls who don’t report it,” she said. “They have boyfriends who hit and who use verbal abuse.”
Knowing what to do to protect themselves can help them identify warning signs and prevent them from be- coming victims, Mobley said.
A basketball tournament between the teens and offi- cers will cap the event.
“The grown boys really think they can play ball,” she said. “Why they think they can out play the teens is hi- larious.”
Operation Conversation will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, May 5, at the NFL YET Center at Jack- son Heights, 3310 E. Lake Ave., in Tampa. It features discussion sessions, lunch, dodgeball game, and basket- ball tournament. The event is free but registration is re- quired by April 30 at mob- leya@pd13.state.fl.us.
IN THE SPOTLIGHT
ERICA
This week’s Spotlight features the lovely Erica, and as you can see, she has no problem gaining at- tention wherever she goes. Erica is determined to be successful and she’s definitely not afraid of hard work. She understands nothing in life comes easy, and requires a degree of sacrifice. Erica has a unique quality about her that will mark her as a favorite, not just by the public, but by industry professionals. Congratulations to Erica as this week’s Spotlight fea- ture.
Young Lions To Host 17th Annual Sports Camp
On Saturday, April 14th, the Young Lions will host their 17th Annual Basketball and Cheerleading Camp. The event will take place at the University of Tampa, from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m.
The University of Tampa is located at 312 N. Blvd., Tampa, FL 33606.
The Young Lions is a not- for-profit organization estab- lished in 1997. It was created to help prevent the juvenile delinquency of inner-city children.
The organization provides positive activities for children ranging from 5 to 18 years of age. The goal of the organiza- tion is to help to disadvan- taged youth in hopes of making a difference in their lives. The event is free and open to the public.
Dexter Bryant is the founder and president of the Young Lions Youth Organiza- tion, Inc.
PAGE 12-A FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY FRIDAY, APRIL 13, 2018