Page 3 - Florida Sentinel 5-14-21

Feature
Activist , Pastor And Businesswoman Wears Many Hats
BY MONIQUE STAMPS Sentinel Staff Writer
Bishop Michelle B. Patty ini- tially became involved in community affairs in West Tampa when the county threatened to close West Tampa Head Start #2 where her daughter was enrolled.
The county wanted to open a new Head Start location in Robles Park. She made her first of many appear- ances before the Hillsborough County Commission.
Since then she has advocated at numerous city council, county com- mission, and school board meetings.
In 1989, Patty was involved in a car accident and was injured. She was already active in community affairs and thought she could handle the de- tails. She soon learned that despite having full insurance for every con- ceivable occurrence, she was at a loss when it came to handling her acci-
“This is a ministry for me. Every time I can educate someone or keep them from getting involved with firms that do not care about them, it is a win. Plus, my service is free,” she states.
“My clients can call me 24/7, even on holidays.”
In 1996, her efforts earned her a spot carrying the Olympic Torch through Tampa.
In 2005, she was called to the ministry. In 2013, she was elevated to Bishop, one of the few women to reach that level. She has organized her own church, Trinity and Faith Ministry.
Bishop Patty says her referral business will have a big announce- ment later this year. As for her church, she continues to have Zoom services.
Once everything opens, the church will be reopening as well. She has been doing outings with the youth of
the church to keep them active and engaged.
Her talk show What’s Really Hap- pening airs on WTMP radio on Satur- day mornings.
Bishop Patty was born and raised in Tampa, graduating from Howard W. Blake High School. She is married to Deacon Jesse Patty.
They enjoy spending time with their children and grandchildren.
Bishop MICHELLE B. PATTY ... Bishop and business owner
dent.
She called an attorney she saw on
TV, but soon learned that they did not care about her health or welfare.
This led her to the start of the Michelle B. Patty Auto Accident Referral Service in 2001.
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