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All About You!
5th Annual Central Park Village Reunion Planned
ALI MUHAMMAD Reunion Organizer
BY IRIS B. HOLTON Sentinel City Editor
In 1954, several Tampa families moved into a new federally funded public hous- ing unit. Known as Central Park Village, the new com- plex was built in what was re- ferred to as “The Scrubs,” and was adjacent to downtown Tampa.
The last families living there were relocated in 2007. The units were replaced by a mixed subdivision and are now known as “Encore.”
Some former residents of the complex come together each year in remembrance of the old “Central Park Vil- lage.” On Sunday, October 15th, the organizers of the Central Park Village Reunion Committee will host their 5th Annual Reunion.
The event will feature en- tertainment, food, a “twist” contest, and other activities. The theme for the reunion this year is, “Bridging the Gap: Central Avenue --- Central Park --- Encore!”
Ali Muhammad, one of the organizers said, “After taking the lead from the late Jessie “Jet Set” Hudson and Ruth Jenkins, we started having annual re- unions. This year, it will be
The former Central Park Village Public Housing Complex
held at Rowlett Park, Shelter #218, from 12 noon until 6 p.m.
“We are also going to have a Memory Table honoring our past residents this year. We are inviting all former residents of Central Park Vil- lage to come out and join us. Some of the former residents of Central Park have gone on to become greater leaders,” he said.
For more than 50 years, the complex, which sprawled 28 acres, was “home” to Tampa families. However, in 2005, the Tampa Housing Authority obtained funding from the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Develop- ment (HUD) to demolish and rebuild the outdated com- plex.
Muhammad is asking all former residents who have become efficient as cooks to come out and bring their best covered dishes. Tee shirt sales are also underway.
About Central Park
According to the organi- zation’s website, freed slaves founded the Scrubs in the late 1800s. In 1891, residents constructed their own
church, the St. James Episco- pal Church with $100 of building supplies the resi- dents had saved up. Soon the area built a school and a repository.
It had become home to approximately 21,000 African Americans by the 1920s. It bordered Central Avenue, the main strip for African Americans of the time.
The African American population in this area be- came self-sufficient over the years. They built and opened shops, stores, clubs, restau- rants, theaters, hotels, and more on Central Avenue.
Eventually, the area un- derwent reconstruction. In 1954, the first families moved into the newly constructed Central Park Village Public Housing Complex. Families continued to live in the com- plex for the next 53 years until they were uprooted and relocated to make way for The Encore.
Anyone wishing to obtain additional information can reach Muhammad at (813) 451-0806 or visit www.cen- tralparkreunion.webs.com.
Local
Happy Anniversary
One year down. A lifetime of happiness to go. Happy Anniver- sary!
GREEDY & LISA
Our Military Men & Women
Reserve Airman Completes Basic Training
Reserve Airman 1st Class Mar- tinique M. Sheppard graduated after completing an intensive, 8-week course in the Air Force Academy. Her graduation ceremony took place at the Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, in San Antonio, Texas.
She also earned four credits and As-
sociate in Applied Science Degree
through the Community College of the MARTINIQUE SHEPPARD Air Force.
Airman 1st Class Sheppard is the daughter of Mary and Reggie Wilkins of Tampa; sister of Alexis Pratt, of Riverview, and wife of Velendo Sheppard, of Eglin Air Force Base.
She graduated from Robinson High School in 1997.
AIRMAN 1ST CLASS
PAGE 8 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY TUESDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2017