Page 25 - Florida Sentinel 12-24-21

Feature
Dr. Samuel L. Wright, Sr. Appointed To Straz Board
BY GWEN HAYES Sentinel Editor
Dr. Samuel L. Wright, Sr., is excited about his re- cent appointment to the Straz Board of Directors. Dr. Wright was appointed to the Board by County Commissioner Gwen Myers. He joined the board in October. He is excited about the work that lies ahead, and has already begun working with Fred Johnson, who works closely with the Straz, devel- oping and producing differ- ent events for the community.
Commissioner Myers, while attending a meeting with the Straz staff asked, “What is your diver- sity with African Americans
serving on the Straz Board? The reply was none.”
She further said, “I asked the Straz staff to allow me to appoint two African Ameri- cans to serve on their Board,” she said. “It was my honor to appoint Dr. Sam Wright. Dr. Wright is a very talented man who leads the Black Heritage Festival. He will help to ensure more Black Broadway shows and outdoor concerts will be held at the Straz Center in sup- port of diversity,” she said.
Being retired from the Florida Retirement System since 2013 after 35 years in government and the State University System, Dr. Wright has been just as busy as before retirement.
Dr. Wright spent 27- 1/2 years with the University
DR. SAMUEL L. WRIGHT, SR.
of South Florida, and be- came known for his ability to recruit students of color. He is credited with changing the dynamics of the campus for non-majority students in positive way, and because of that the Black Alumni Soci- ety gives an award in his
name each year.
He earned degrees from
the University of Florida and University of South Florida. Since retirement, he has be- come an entrepreneur and established Dr. Samuel L. Wright Consulting, LLC. Most of his work has been with Hillsborough Commu- nity College, where he serves as the Project Consultant for the Dr. Martin Luther King Day of Service, and CDC of Tampa, Inc.
Dr. Wright has been called upon to serve on sev- eral boards and with many other organizations, holding leadership positions. One event of remembrance is the Tampa Bay Black Heritage Festival, which he founded in 1999, after seeing a cul- tural void in the Tampa Bay
community. His leadership abilities have been shared with the NAACP, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., Hillsborough County Gov- ernment, Tampa Bay Con- vention and Visitors Association, among others. He currently serves on the Community Action Board, Dr. Martin Luther King Pa- rade Foundation, Inc.; and is a member of the African American History Task Force. He was highlighted in the Congressional Record by Congresswoman Kathy Castor for his service to Tampa Bay and USF.
The father of two adult children, Samuel Lamar, Jr. and Samaria Eliza- beth, Dr. Wright is also known for his phenomenal speaking and baritone voice.
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