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Local
Organization Plans 8th Annual MLK Community Festival
Women’s Council Feeds Seniors During Holidays
The Women’s Council of Bay Area hosted a Christmas Luncheon and presented gifts to senior citizens in Tampa Park Apartments. “Feeding the seniors for the Holidays was an initiative of the Women’s Council of Bay Area,” stated Ida Campbell, President.
Members of the Council from left to right are: Ida Camp- bell, Dianne Hart, Aidza Thomas, Cece Nathan, Latasha Hicks, Denise Waite, Brenda Greenway, and Yolanda An- thony, Tampa Park Property Manager.
PASTOR PAUL BUSTER Master of Ceremonies
MINISTER ISAAC RUFFIN Master of Ceremonies
PHYLLIS WONG Psalmist
DEACON DARRIOUS BRYANT Guest Speaker
MS. SHELIA UPSHAW
BY IRIS B. HOLTON Sentinel City Editor
On Monday, January 15th, the East Tampa Business & Civic Association will host its 8th Annual Martin Luther King, Jr., Community Festi- val. The event will take place at the Belmont Heights Little League Park, 2101 E. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Boulevard, from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m.
This year, the duties of Master of Ceremonies will be shared between Pastor Paul Buster and Minister Isaac Ruffin. Radio per- sonality Ebone Cruz will also be in attendance.
Once again, Deacon Darrious Bryant will de- liver his rendition of the fa- mous speech, “I Have A Dream,” by Rev. Dr. Mar- tin Luther King, Jr.
The Annual Gospel Ex- plosion is once again being dedicated to the memory of Ms. Shelia Upshaw. Ms. Upshaw was a local gospel performer who achieved na- tional recognition as a tal- ented performer. Ms. Upshaw passed in August 2015.
This year’s “Shelia Up- shaw Gospel Explosion”
will feature performers will include local talent such as: Ebou Howard, Psalmist Phyllis Wong, Minister J. Mime, and Ms. Iris Collins, Christian Lance Ministries, United Line Dancers, Ms. Yolanda Monge, and the Mime Team, among others.
Pastor Antonio Hawkins, of Exciting Faith Alive, will be a participant the program.
Ms. Dianne Hart, CEO of the East Tampa Business & Civic Association said, “We are having a full day of gospel because with all of the things going on in our community, we all need to pray and praise God. We want every- one to come out and enjoy themselves. We have events planned for every segment of the population.
“This is a family-oriented event featuring various artists, choirs, dancers, and other performers committed to sharing their talents.”
Ms. Hart further said that all who attend the event will have an opportunity to win gifts or cash prizes. The activities earmarked for chil- dren will include the Bounce House, the children’s identi- fication program, face paint-
ing, and balloon animals. Ms. Hart further stated that the organizers of the event are looking for some
gospel rappers.
Anyone interested in ob-
taining additional informa- tion is encouraged to contact Mrs. Paulette Upshaw- Wells at (813) 732-9949, or paulette@gmail.com; or De- rick Levy can be reached at (813) 458-2272, or minister- drlevy@gmail.com.
TUESDAY, JANUARY 9, 2018 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY PAGE 9