Page 2 - Florida Sentinel 1-17-20

Features
TOBA’s Signature MLK Breakfast Reaches 40-Year Milestone
Tampa Organization of Black Affairs (TOBA) founders, Atty. Delano Stewart, Atty. Robert ‘Bob’ Mor- rison and CPA David McQuay.
BY KENYA WOODARD Sentinel Feature Writer
It all started in 1979 with three men – Attorneys De- lano Stewart and Bob Morri- son, and CPA, David McQuay – asking one question: how can young Black people coming to Tampa get involved with developing solutions for the African-American community?
Forty years later, the Tampa Organization of Black Affairs – or TOBA – is striving still to- wards an answer. Along the way it has birthed several initiatives and programs that have had a significant impact in the Tampa area, including the Minority Business Expo, youth oratorical contests, Leadership Institute, and community and public awareness projects.
Its signature event, is the an- nual Martin Luther King, Jr. Breakfast – also celebrating its 40th year. On Monday, more than 1,000 people will pack the Hilton Hotel in downtown Tampa to not only observe the life and legacy of the civil rights leader, but also honor local youth and community leaders.
This year’s keynote speaker is Eddie S. Glaude, Jr., the James S. McDonnell Distin- guished University Professor and Chair of African American Studies at Princeton University.
The breakfast serves as the organization’s most prominent platform for leadership develop- ment, said co-founder Bob Morrison.
Young professionals are se- lected to lead the planning and execution of the event, requiring them to engage both within and outside the community. This year’s co-chairs are business owner, Maya Brown and edu- cator, Remus Bulmer.
“We’re grooming the next leaders,” Morrison said. “You can’t train leadership until you put talent in leadership posi- tion.”
At the time of TOBA’s found- ing, the political landscape looked different compared to today.
There were no Blacks serv- ing in public office in the State Legislature, on the County Com- mission, or the City Council.
“Power was concentrated in the hands of whites who didn’t
want to share, Atty. Stewart said.
“I believe we had to get our own power,” he said.
And while African-Ameri- cans have made considerable gains politically, some of the challenges and issues the com- munity faced 40 years ago re- main, Morrison said.
“Are there still questions of achievement? Are there still is- sues involving small business growth and opportunity?,” he said. “Yes, those issues are still there.”
The rise of technology and the Digital Divide has brought about new obstacles, as well as redevelopment in neighbor- hoods that were historically pre- dominantly Black, Morrison said.
“Who would have thought in 1979, that in 2020 we’d be talk- ing about lost cemeteries that were designed for people of color where either the property was sold or ignored,” he said. “There are new matters that are worthy of our time and atten- tion.”
TOBA remains relevant be- cause “we’re not satisfied,” said longtime member, James Ran- som.
‘There’s more work to be done – such as pushing for more Blacks on public and private boards – and TOBA will con- tinue its strategy of using data and fact-finding to build its cases for change, as it did re- cently when advocating for more diverse suppliers at the Univer- sity of South Florida,’ he said.
“We’re focused on results,” he said. “We begin with the end in mind.”
‘And yet, there is still room for growth within TOBA,’ Atty. Stewart continued.
“I’m proud of what it’s done,” he said. “We have brought some good speakers to this town.”
Ministry’s Event Will Show God’s ‘Love In Action’
BY GWEN HAYES Sentinel Editor
Love In Action Ministry, along with Whole Heart Coun- seling present, “The Scales Are Falling – Moving Into 2020 Vi- sion!”
The event will be held on Saturday, January 18, 2020, 8 a. m. – 3 p. m., at Riverhills Church of God, 6310 E. Sligh Ave., Tampa.
Topics for the event will cover the Emotional Track ad Spiritual Track. Under the Emotional Track, the discus- sion will cover self-worth, boundaries and offenses. Under the Spiritual Track the discussion will cover idolatry, strongholds, and deliverance.
For a nominal fee, those in attendance will enjoy a conti- nental breakfast and lunch.
Ms. Shenita Terrell,
M.A., N.C.C.A., Licensed Clini- cal Pastoral Counselor Board Certified in Integrated Marriage and Family Therapy, and President of Love & Action Ministry Inc., said:
“I heard a statement re- cently that I found to be very true. Christians are more inter-
SHENITA TERRELL ...President, Love In Action
ested in God changing their cir- cumstances than in Him changing them. As a result of this, Christians tend to live double lives/ lives of dishar- mony.
“One side where they are very spiritual, but the other side where there is gossip, anger, bitterness, greed or un- forgiveness, etc. We want those who come wanting to bring a sense of har- mony in their soulS and spirit. We want to let them know, God can do this for you. This is what you can expect from this work- shop.”
For additional information, log on to love- actionministry.org, or call (813) 591-0020.
PAGE 2-A FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY FRIDAY, JANUARY 17, 2020