Page 31 - Florida Sentinel 2-4-22

Black History: The History Behind The Names
Audrey Spotford Youth And Family Center
A Tampa native, Mrs. Audrey Spotford attended the public schools of Hillsbor- ough County. She graduated from Middleton High School in 1944, and continued her education at Grady School of Nursing, in Atlanta, Georgia.
Upon returning to Tampa, Mrs. Spotford became ac- tive in her community and took part in many ventures to improve the neighborhoods of East Tampa. She worked with then Senator James Hargrett, Jr., to establish the Lee Davis Neighborhood Service Center.
Mrs. Spotford served on various committees and or- ganizations including the Lee Davis Advisory Board.
Mrs. Spotford also called on local officials to
MRS. AUDREY SPOTFORD
eliminate undesirable ele- ments from the community.
Mrs. Spotford died on December 4, 1996, following an illness. In 2008, the Au- drey Spotford Youth and Family Center was named in her honor.
The Chloe Coney Urban Enterprise Center
While working as the Cen- ter Manager for the Lee Davis Neighborhood Service Cen- ter, Mrs. Chloe Coney felt she could make a difference in East Tampa.
A Tampa native, Mrs. Coney graduated from Hills- borough High School and continued her education at Florida A & M University, where she earned her B. A. in Sociology. She also earned her Master’s Degree from Florida Beacon Bible College, in Largo. She received an Honorary Doctorate Degree from Blessed Hope Bible Col- lege.
Mrs. Coney returned to Tampa and became the first African American female Pro- bation and Parole Officer in Hillsborough County in 1972.
She launched a campaign to instill pride in the commu- nity and led marches to elim- inate drug use, loitering, and advocated revitalizing East Tampa.
She served as the Weed & Seed for the U. S. Justice De- partment. Mrs. Coney stepped out on faith and es- tablished the Corporation To Develop Communities, of Tampa, Inc., in 1992.
Since opening the doors of the CDC of Tampa, Inc., Mrs.
MRS. CHLOE CONEY
Coney has successfully re-es- tablished neighborhoods by focusing on homeownership and business ownership. She has instituted several busi- nesses in the East Tampa area including the Nehemiah Coin Laundromat, the Audrey Spotford Youth and Family Center, One Stop Capital Center, 29th Street Open Air Market and the Business In- cubator.
Under her guidance, the CDC of Tampa, Inc., has also a homeownership program and developed the Osborne Landing Apartment Complex.
Mrs. Coney retired as CEO and President of the CDC of Tampa, Inc., in 2006. The following year, she ac- cepted the position of District Director for U. S. Congress- woman Kathy Castor.
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