Page 10 - Florida Sentinel 4-3-18

Local
Michael Strahan Is
Queen Of Hearts
Scholarship
Guest Speaker At Black,
And Community
Brown Luncheon
Service Gala Set
BY KENYA WOODARD Sentinel Feature Writer
“If you want to achieve success in life, you have to do three things: take on opportunities, have the right attitude, and believe in yourself.”
That’s the message Pro Hall of Fame football- player-turned-television- star anchor, Michael Strahan delivered as keynote speaker last Mon- day at the Black, Brown & College Bound’s Sylvia Marion Carley Signature Luncheon.
The Summit – now in its 12th year – is designed to help Black and Latino young men overcome challenges in higher edu- cation.
An estimated 300 stu- dents from almost two- dozen different states attended the five-day con- ference.
Hundreds listened as Strahan, a former defen- sive end with the New York Giants, talked about his journey from lacklus- ter high school football player to co-anchor with Robin Roberts on the top-rated morning show Good Morning America and co-anchor with NFL greats on Sunday.
Strahan said he barely understood the rules of the game when he started playing football in high school.
But his potential talent was strong enough to cap- ture the attention of a re- cruiter at Houston’s HBCU, Texas Southern University, which offered him a scholarship.
“I had an opportunity and that’s what this is all about,” he said.
Strahan accepted, but the adjustment to athletic and college life proved dif-
The Tampa Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., (DSTTA) Queen of Hearts Committee, in collabora- tion with D.E.L.T.A., Inc., presents Cirque Du Soiree.
The evening of excite- ment under the Big RED Top will be held on Satur- day, April 7, 2018, 6-10 p. m. at Armature Works, 1910 N. Ola Ave., Tampa (33602).
Armature Works will be transformed into a magi- cal atmosphere of fun, music and circus acts per- formed by Moving Arts Tampa Bay. There will also be stilt walkers and uni-cy- clist during the reception hour.
The excitement of the evening will continue into the ballroom with Mistress of Ceremony, Jamel Lanee’ and mesmerizing performances as aerialist twist and turn to the sounds of Marlon Boone and City Groove. Danc- ing and laughter will con- tinue throughout the night with sounds from guest DJ, Esque Dollar.
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. is a private, not-for-profit or- ganization whose purpose
JAMEL LANEE
... Mistress Of Ceremony, News Channel 8
is to provide assistance and support through es- tablished programs in local communities throughout the world.
The Tampa Alumnae Chapter was chartered as Gamma Mu Sigma on April 9, 1947. For more than 70 years, the women have continued the legacy of the founders by provid- ing dedicated and commit- ted service to the Tampa Bay community.
Over the last 5 years, DSTTA has raised more than $100,000 in scholar- ship money.
Tickets may be pur- chased online at dstta.com or please connect with a Tampa Alumnae member.
The Chair is Angela Brown.
Guest speaker Michael Strahan with former City Council- woman Gwen and County Commissioner Les Miller. (Photo- graph by Frederick Harris)
ficult. After one semester, Strahan said he was ready to quit, but changed his mind after talking with his father, an Army major who pointed out that Strahan didn’t have a plan beyond quitting.
It was an eye-opening experience where Stra- han said he realized “I can’t depend on my par- ents for everything. I have to do it.”
Strahan returned to school and applied him- self, becoming a standout on the field. His senior year, he broke the univer- sity’s record for sacks in a season with 19, and still holds the career sacks record with 41.5.
After college, he was the 40th pick in the 1993 NFL draft. He soon be- came a strong performer, racking up sacks, breaking records, and named to seven Pro Bowl teams. In 2008, he helped the Gi- ants win Super Bowl XLII.
Those achievements were the result of persist- ence and determination, Strahan said.
“If you’re willing to do the work and believe in
yourself, you can make it happen,” he said.
After retiring from football in 2007, Strahan embarked on a career in television. He joined Fox NFL Sunday as an analyst and produced and starred in a sitcom, Brothers.
The transition to ana- lyst was successful, but the show bombed. It was a tough, but necessary, les- son, Strahan said.
“It was a new experi- enceformetogointodo the whole acting thing,” he said. “I took the advice of everyone else and de- ferred (to them) instead of trusting myself and listen- ing to myself.”
Today, Strahan has added more wins includ- ing a four-year stint as host of Live! With Kelly and Michael, host of the $100,000 Pyramid game show, and recipient of two Daytime Emmy Awards.
Strahan advised stu- dents to “find inspiration wherever you can get it,” if they want to see their dreams come true.
“Nobody’s going to give you anything,” he said. “You have to work for it.”
PAGE 10 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY TUESDAY, APRIL 3, 2018