Page 2 - Florida Sentinel 2-19-19

Feature
Retired City Architect Is Keynote Speaker At The City Of Tampa Black History Program
BY KENYA WOODARD Sentinel Feature Writer
On Tuesday, February 12th, James Jackson was the keynote speaker at the 31st Annual Black History Celebration held at the Tampa Convention Center.
Taking a cue from the event’s theme, Ingenuity: STEM from the Black Com- munity, Jackson high- lighted the achievements of African-Americans in sci- ence, technology, engineer- ing, and mathematics, including Ophthalmologist, Dr. Patricia Bath, inven- tor of the Laserphaco Probe, and Euphemia Lofton Haynes, the first Black woman to earn a Ph.D. in Mathematics.
There also are local STEM heroes working in sev- eral city departments who help keep Tampa function-
JAMES JACKSON ...Guest Speaker
ing, Jackson said. Jackson is currently re-
tired, but said his STEM ca- reer began with his parents – a science teacher and an at- torney – who studied biology in college. It was in a wood- shop class that Jackson said he first was exposed to archi-
Members of Men of Vision – with their founder, Ross Anderson, left, and Tampa’s Mayor Bob Buck- horn – served as ushers for the program.
tecture. From then on, he fo- cused intensely on studying the science and math neces- sary to become an architect.
By the time he got to col- lege, he had another revela- tion when he stumbled
Dwayne Mallory, Community Outreach Director, Office of Con- gresswoman Kathy Castor; Theresa Baillou and Atty. Ed Narain at- tended the City of Tampa Black History Program.
Fraternities and sororities were represented at the program. These members of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. with Mayor Buckhorn (center) are: from left, Jestina Cox, Christine Glover, Idelia Phillips, Sandra Davis Myers, Gwen Myers, Barbara White, Tempress Solomon, Donna Cason, Donna Douglas and Joyce Daniels.
across a classical architecture book.
“I came to realize...that art has a role in STEM,” he said.
In his career, Jackson said he’s been able to do what he loves working within the Dick Greco, Pam Iorio, and Bob Buckhorn administrations.
When speaking with stu- dents, he points out how a
STEM education can be ap- plied to the real world and encourages them to pursue related careers.
“The STEM fields are wide open,” he said. “Don’t let people tease you about being smart. If you like Math, Science, Engineering, trying to figure something out – align yourself with STEM.” (Photos by Julia Jackson)
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