Page 2 - Florida Sentinel 12-21-18

Feature
Childhood Friends To Host Joint Book Signing
BY IRIS B. HOLTON Sentinel City Editor
On Sunday, December 23rd, two young men with ties to Tampa will hold a joint book signing. The event will take place at Suite Occa- sion, 7402 N. 56th Street, Suite #504, from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m.
Those attending the event will have an opportu- nity to meet with two up and coming Black Millennials whose goal is to inspire oth- ers.
Douglas Trey Parker and Jeremy Blount be- came friends while attending school in Hillsborough County. The two have main- tained that friendship formed in 8th grade through life’s ups and downs. Both will introduce their new
books at the book signing. Jeremy Blount is a 29- year-old novice writer who is sharing a very personal story about the choices one makes. And, when the wrong choice is made, it can have dire consequences. How- ever, Blount is using this experience to empower and
educate others.
His new book is entitled,
“Football To The Feds.”
The book talks about his own choice that landed him in federal prison.
A former resident of East Tampa, Blount graduated from Middleton High School in 2008. He earned a foot- ball scholarship to the Uni- versity of South Dakota. In 2012, Blount signed a con- tract to play for the Win- nipeg Blue Boomers with the Canadian League.
DOUGLAS TREY PARKER
However, Blount didn’t stay focused on his future and while in school, he was introduced to drugs and al- cohol. He also became in- volved in an income tax fraud scheme. He graduated from school while under in- vestigation.
And, he was released by the team and indicted on federal charges. Blount went to prison in 2014 and was released in 2016.
Instead of grieving over what could have been, Blount decided to concen- trate on what could be. He returned home and became a better husband, a better fa- ther, and a better person.
Now, at 29, Blount is on his journey to rebuild his life, Blount serves as a liv-
JEREMY BLOUNT
ing example of overcoming adversity. He now seeks to educate youth about choices, consequences, power of stay- ing focused and “most im- portantly, your association.”
Blount is the son of Michael and Mary Thompson, and James Blount. He enjoys giving back to the community.
Douglas Trey Parker
is a seasoned writer that pinned his first book while in college entitled, “The Tea.” His first fictional book fol- lowed with a sequel, “Thy Cup Runneth Over.”
He also co-wrote, “Air: Success Tips For The Young, Fly, and Fool- ish,” with his fraternity brother. Now, Parker is in- troducing his latest rendi-
tion, “Naked Hustle.”
It is the story of a young woman who suddenly found herself broke, homeless, and miserable. Then, she stum- bled in the life of an exotic dancer in an Atlanta night- club. Although she is living life with the man of her dreams, LaToya, soon comes to realize that all that glitters is not gold. And her newfound life suddenly shows her its other side when she meets the wrong
people.
Parker lives by the
words, “Imagine what you can do, and then go do it.” A Tampa native, the 28-year- old graduated from Middle- ton High School and continued his education at Florida State University.
He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Business Marketing and received his M. B. A., from Florida Agri- cultural & Mechanical Uni- versity.
Parker said he uses his writing to “shed light on the untold stories and experi- ences that Black Millennials deal with while uplifting and inspiring the masses.”
Parker is the son of Roosevelt and Felicia Lawrence. He enjoys read- ing and giving back to the community.
PAGE 2-A FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY FRIDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2018