Page 16 - Florida Sentinel 3-9-18

Birthday Celebration
Community Events
Man Celebrates 50th Birthday With Mixed Emotions
BY GWEN HAYES Sentinel Editor
Last month, Marvin Lancaster, Jr., celebrated his 50th birthday. As most people do, Lancaster cele- brated the milestone with a party.
“This was a really touch- ing thing for me, having my 50th birthday party on the same weekend of my son’s second-year memorial an- niversary,” he said. “I had mixed emotions about even having a party, being that he passed on my birthday.
“The first thing someone says on your birthday is, ‘happy birthday’. Then I thought to myself, ‘how am I gonna ever be happy again,” he explained.
“My wife said, ‘what would Lil Marvin want you to do?’ I know him (son, Marvin Lancaster, III) and he liked to party and have fun. So, I kinda pictured him talking to me and that’s what made me go through with it and I’m glad I did because I enjoyed partying with family and friends, thanks to my wife,” Lancaster further ex- plained.
Following through on the advice of his wife, Nina, and the thoughts of his son, Lan- caster followed through and entertained family and friends at The Barn at Winthorp in Riverview. “My wife really outdid herself!”
The Lancasters lost their son 2 years ago when shoot- ing broke out in a nightclub on Nebraska Ave. called “Club Rayne.” No one has been charged with his murder. (Photographs by BRUN- SON)
Micro Grants Available For Small Businesses
The Women’s Business Centre and the City of Tampa have partnered to provide the opportunity for qualified small busi- nesses to get micro grants. The grants range from $500 to $5,000. The deadline to qualify is May 15, 2018.
To qualify the small business must be at least 51% women- owned; in business less than 5 years; business located in a low-income census tract within incorporated Hillsborough County; complete an online application; submit financial doc- uments; attend at least 2 training classes; and additional doc- uments may be required.
The micro grant gives the small businesses the opportunity to elevate their businesses and create jobs.
Donna Obernberger is the Director of the Women’s Business Centre; and Ann W. Madsen is the Executive Di- rector for the Helen Gordon Davis Centre For Women, Inc.
Public Invited To Juneteenth Meeting
The next Tampa Bay Juneteenth Coalition public meeting will be Monday, March 12th, 6:30 P. M. at Miracle Temple C. O. G. I. C., 2001 N. Albany Ave.
Vendors are also invited to participate in the “Heart of Freedom Music and Street Festival” on Saturday, June 16,. 12- 7 p. m. on Main St. (Albany Ave. to Rome).
For the first time, there will be a Miss Juneteenth and a Jr. Miss Juneteenth. The categories are: 6-8th grades compete against each other, 9-11th, and seniors have their own category.
The first annual Miss Juneteenth Pageant will be held on Friday, June 22nd at TPepin Hospitality Centre. There will be cash prizes and scholarships. Please apply at tampabayjune- teenth.com or call (813) 384-0474 or (813) 547-9529, for more information.
Black History Month Program
On Monday, February 26th, the Democratic Women’s Club of Lakeland held its Black History Month Program.
Keith Ward, Sr., 1st Vice President of the Lakeland Branch NAACP brought greetings from the Lakeland Branch NAACP, and spoke about the history of the National Associa- tion for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), which was founded on February 12, 1909.
He also spoke about the diversity of the organization and the positive difference the NAACP is making in communities. Dr. Shandale Terrell, spoke about the great contribu- tions African Americans made throughout history, and the importance of educating the youth about Black History Month. Dr. Terrell also introduced the keynote speaker of the program, William Boss - Sr. Pastor of Greater Faith
Christian Center Church Inc., Lakeland, Florida.
Pastor Boss spoke on the importance of African Ameri- cans making great contributions to the United States of Amer- ica in: K-12 Education, Higher Education, Fortune 500 Companies, and additional organizations in the United States
of America.
William Boss also spoke on, how African Americans had
to work hard in the Civil Rights Movement in order to have equal rights and effective change in: education rights, equality rights, voting rights, living wage and quality of life rights for all citizens.
Mr. and Mrs. Marvin (Nina) Lancaster are with guests Gary and DeLeon Sheffield, center.
Taniqua Roberts (Marvin’s daughter) and her boyfriend, Rashad were at the party.
Harry and Val Gordon were among the guests.
Lancaster’s brother-in-law, Derek Graham.
One of Lancaster’s friends, Eric Fullwood.
Henry and Jackie Dupree with birthday honoree.
PAGE 4-B FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY FRIDAY, MARCH 9, 2018