Page 13 - Florida Sentinel 10-23-20

FLORIDA SENTINEL FRIDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2020
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Black Girls Read, Inc. Appoints New President
BY IRIS B. HOLTON Sentinel City Editor
Recently, a local organization se- lected the next president to lead their organization. Black Girls Read, Inc., was created in 2012.
The award-winning book club has chosen Ms. Vanetta D. Vincent to lead its membership. Ms. Vincent has been with the organization since its inception in 2012 and has served in various capacities.
She brings to the table a deep love for reading. Ms. Vincent also be-
VANETTA D. VINCENT
New President of Black Girls Read, Inc.
lieves in promoting literacy and edu- cation in many different forms.
Ms. Vincent is a graduate of Southern University A&M College. She also holds a Master of Science de- gree in Educational Leadership from Nova Southeastern University.
Being a true lover of education, Ms. Vincent has been teaching for 15 years and was E.X.C.E.L. Acad- emy’s 2019-2020 “Teacher of the Year.” She exemplifies extraordinary classroom skills,
Ms. Vincent's class was chosen as a model classroom for the Henry
County School District for the past two years. She is the English Depart- ment's chairperson at E.X.C.E.L. and currently teaches elementary school at one of the state's premier evening academies.
She is a member of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. and also an entre- preneur of her own education con- sulting business called VinsanityLit.
Ms. Vincent is the mother of Nicholas Richard. She is excited to take over the helms of Black Girls Read and can't wait to see what the future holds for the organization.
Hillsborough County To Honor Former State Senator Arthenia L. Joyner With ‘Good Government Award’
The Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners presented the 2020 Ellsworth G. Simmons Good Government Award to former State Senator Arthenia L. Joyner. The virtual presentation took place on Wednesday morning, October 21, 2020, 9 a. m.
Born in Lakeland, Ms. Joyner became the first African American woman to practice law in Hillsbor- ough County. She was also the first African American to be appointed by a governor to the Hillsborough County Aviation Authority.
Her legislative accomplishments include serving as a member of the Florida House of Representatives and
FORMER STATE SENATOR ARTHENIA L. JOYNER
the Florida Senate. Ms. Joyner was the first African American woman se- lected as Democratic (minority) leader, and she passed legislation to compensate wrongfully incarcerated people, as well as the Prohibitionon Shackling of Incarcerated Pregnant Females, Infant Health Care Act, Task Force on Human Trafficking, and the Lead Poison Prevention & Education Act, among other measures.
A community leader whose legal career has spanned 51 years, Ms. Joyner has practiced law longer than any African American woman in Florida’s history.
The Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners and the
Tampa-Hillsborough Library Board celebrated her many contributions to Florida and the community by nam- ing the University Area Community Library in her honor.
In 1996, the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners es- tablished the Ellsworth G. Simmons Good Government Award, which is presented annually to an individual or group of individuals who played a sig- nificant role in improving govern- ment through leadership and vision.
Mr. Simmons was a respected government and civic leader who served 21 years on the Hillsborough County Board of County Commission- ers.
Multi-Faith Group To Host ‘Souls 2 Polls’ Event October 25th
BY MONIQUE STAMPS Sentinel Feature Writer
Times are tough for all of us. COVID is still spreading like wild- fire, the fight for Black Lives Matter continues, and the Presidential race has people on their knees praying for a change.
A new group, Faith in Florida, has come together to build a power- ful multicultural, nonpartisan net- work of congregational community organizations in Florida. Faith in Florida will address systemic racial and economic issues that cause poverty for African American fami- lies.
With multiple religious denomi- nations and faith traditions repre- sented, Faith in Florida seeks to provide a prophetic, interfaith voice on civil rights restoration, immigra- tion, and healthcare expansion.
RICKY ROBERTS
Faith in Florida will be hosting a Souls 2 Polls community event at Konan’s BBQ on Sunday, Octo- ber25thfrom1p.m.to4p.m.
The organizers, Ricky Roberts, Dr. Traci Thompson, and Joselynne Forde urge citi-
DR. TRACI THOMPSON
zens to come out to Konan’s BBQ, located at 1510 N. Hubert Ave., Tampa, FL 33607, on Sunday, Octo- ber 25th to enjoy the free food while listening to the speakers and live music. There will also be door prizes and photos for the first 100
JOSELYNNE FORDE
people.
This event is sponsored by
Konan's BBQ, Dr. Traci's House, The J. Forde Experience, Making Moves for Children (MMC), Mt. Olive AME Church, and Friendship Missionary Baptist Church.