Page 9 - Florida Sentinel 10-23-15 Edition

Local
West Tampa Historian Concerned About New Development Plans
BY LEON B. CREWS Sentinel Staff Writer
After attending a meeting on October 20th at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Recreation Center, West Tampa historian and activist, Dwight Bolden, said he was concerned about preserving the history of West Tampa.
“From the plans they showed us, and from the comments made during the meeting, it appears the future of the Mar- tin Luther King, Jr. Center is in doubt.
“From the days when the gymnasium was known as the Trailer Park Gym, and the recreation center was called the Sugar Shack, West Tampa residents have embraced that history.”
Bolden said he thinks the proposed plans for the center and gymnasium is an inten- tional plan to erase even more Black history from the area.
DWIGHT BOLDEN
“For the sake of redevelop- ment, there always seems to be a need to come into African American communities, erase everything, and start over.
“It’s important that the citi- zens of West Tampa attend the meeting scheduled for Tues- day, October 27th, 6 p. m. at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Recreation Center.”
Bolden said what’s happen- ing in West Tampa is an effort to change everything and not have it as a place where
African Americans can afford to live.
“I think efforts are under- way to repopulate West Tampa from North Boulevard to Ar- menia with the downtown working corps and non- African Americans.”
Bolden pointed out that decades ago, the gymnasium was under the arm of the Tampa Housing Authority until desegregation when it was handed over to the city.
“I’m in favor of beautifica- tion and the idea of building a new community center. But those things shouldn’t come at the expense of the history of West Tampa and the people who have called that commu- nity home for generations.
“I think the people deserve to be told the whole story and what the real intentions are, instead of being wined and dined with pictures and prom- ises that to this point have not been kept.”
Choral Extravaganza
First Baptist Church of Tampa, 302 W. Kennedy Blvd., will be the site of “SINGspiration: A Choral Ex- travaganza,” on Saturday, Oc- tober 24, 2015, 6 p. m.
The event will feature an
evening of music and song as the Academy Prep Tampa Choir joins with other Bay area musicians and choirs for a concert under the direction of internationally-acclaimed composer and conductor,
Roland Carter.
This event will benefit the Student Scholarship Fund and arts pr2ogramming at Academy Prep Centers of Tampa.
Community Health Seminar
On Saturday, November 7thfrom9a.m.to1p.m., First Baptist Church of Col- lege Hill and their Health and Wellness and Jolly Seniors Ministry will host a commu- nity health seminar to im- prove home management
skills for people with diabetes and their loved ones.
With the topic, “Good Liv- ing, Diabetes With A Smile,” the seminar will how people can stay full and stay fit by managing their diabetes be- tween doctor visits.
Keys to moving forward with activity and nutrition will also be discussed, as well as ideas on better food prepara- tion and servings.
For more information, call (813) 248-6600.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2015 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY PAGE 9-A