Page 13 - Florida Sentinel 12-8-17

FLORIDA SENTINEL
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2017
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NAACP To Celebrate 100th Anniversary At Freedom Fund Dinner
BY IRIS B. HOLTON Sentinel City Editor
The Hillsborough County Branch of the NAACP has been in existence for 100 years. Members of the organization will celebrate the milestone at its Annual Freedom Fund Dinner.
The dinner will be held on Thursday, February 8, 2018. Ms. Yvette Lewis, President of the Hillsborough County Branch said the Fundraiser was initially slated to be held in November. However, the impending arrival of Hurricane Irma caused the event to be can- celled. “This seems to be working out better for us,” she said.
Rev. Larry J. Mouton, Jr.,
Senior Pastor of New Hope Mis- sionary Baptist Church will deliver the keynote address.
He graduated from the U. S. Army Field Artillery and earned a Master’s Degree in Theology and
MS. YVETTE LEWIS
... President, Hillsborough County Branch NAACP
Administration, from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, in Fort Worth, Texas.
He became the Senior Pastor at Pleasant Mount Gilead Missionary Baptist Church, in Fort Worth,
REV. LARRY J. MOUTON, JR. Keynote Speaker
Texas, in July 2012. He later relo- cated to Tampa and accepted the role as Senior Pastor at New Hope Missionary Baptist Church.
The Annual Freedom Fund Din- ner is the largest fundraiser for the
organization for the entire year. Through it, the organization is capa- ble of supporting various initiatives that affect the community in the areas of education, health, employ- ment, housing, justice, and the ad- vancement of opportunities for success.
In addition to an anticipated moving address by Rev. Mouton, the NAACP will also pay tribute to various members of the community for their outstanding volunteerism.
“These champions are the ones who keep hope alive in circum- stances where there is very little to hope for. They reach across cul- tures, nationalities, races, and gen- ders to form a bridge to help people move from where they are towards the fulfillment of the American Dream,” Ms. Lewis stated.
For additional information on the Freedom Fund Dinner visit: http://naacphillsborough.org.
Spelman Graduate Celebrates 100th Birthday
BY IRIS B. HOLTON Sentinel City Editor
Recently, a Brandon resident cel- ebrated her 100th birthday with fam- ily and friends. Relatives and friends also traveled from throughout the country to take part in the celebra- tion.
In addition to her biological fam- ily, Rev. Dr. Glenn B. Dames, Jr., Senior Pastor, and Rev. Rod- erick J. Stevenson, Associate Pastor of Allen Temple A. M. E. Church, were on hand to wish Mrs. Billings a happy birthday.
A native of Americus, Georgia, Mrs. Billings was born on Septem- ber 17, 1917. She graduated from Fort Valley Normal School.
After completing her high school education, Mrs. Billings enrolled at Spelman College, in Atlanta. She was very active in Music and Drama, participated in plays and played the piano. In 1938, she graduated from Spelman College. Mrs. Billings earned her M. S. W. Degree from At- lanta University, in 1950.
Mrs. Billings married Dr. Richard Billings in 1942, and to that union four children were born. The couple lived in the Atlanta area and became grandparents of 13 chil- dren, great grandparents of 24, and
Mrs. Anna (Anitra) Celestine Taylor Billings, a Spelman College graduate, center, recently celebrated her 100th birthday. She is shown with Mrs. Anna Ivery Beauford, class of 1979, left, and Ms. Andrea Thompson, class of 1997.
great, great grandparents of 4. They attended St. Paul A. M. E. Church and participated in various church, social, and community organiza- tions.
Mrs. Billings continued to re- main active and live in Atlanta after Dr. Billings died in 1968. She re- tired as Administrator of Pineview Convalescent Center in 1984.
Mrs. Billings moved to Bran- don to live with her daughter, Ann (Bert) McClain in 2010. She now attends Allen Temple A. M. E. Church.
Community Workshop To Be Held In Plant City
BY IRIS B. HOLTON Sentinel City Editor
State Attorney Andrew H. Warren, Hillsborough County State Attorney for the 13th Judicial District will continue his goal of reaching out to various segments of the population through community workshops. This method is being used to meet with communities throughout Hillsborough County.
State Attorney Warren will meet with the residents of Plant City on Thursday, December 14th. The meeting will take place from 6 p.m. until 7:30 p.m., at the Church On The Rock, 301 E. Alsobrook Street, Plant City.
His continuing theme for this se- ries of workshops is, “Together We Will Make A Difference.”
There are several purposes for the workshop. They include giving the general public an opportunity to meet State Attorney Warren, ask questions, and voice your opinions and suggestions.
Those attending the workshop will also have the opportunity, to learn about the changes imple- mented at the Hillsborough County State Attorney’s Office under this new administration. One of those
ATTORNEY ANDREW WARREN Hillsborough County State Attorney
changes includes the County’s Civil Citation Program.
The meeting is open to the public and no identification is necessary to attend.
And, for those who are unable to attend, they can watch the workshop via live stream on Facebook @SAO13TH or follow the office on- line at www.SAO13TH.COM.
The workshop will also be translated in Spanish. Those planning to attend are not re- quired to have identification.