Page 13 - Florida Sentinel 10-18-19

FLORIDA SENTINEL FRIDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2019
‘Central Avenue Remembered’
James E. Tokley, Sr.
was honored for his poem, “Central Avenue Remembered.”
“Central Avenue Remembered,”
produced by WEDU PBS television, fea- turing Mr. James E. Tokley, Sr., was held on Tuesday, August 27, 2019, at the Robert W. Saunders Sr. Public Library. Tokley penned the poem of the same name in 2005.
The event was funded by the Ada T. Payne Friends of the Urban Libraries.
Ms. Ersula K. Odom was the Mis- tress of Ceremonies for the program that included program participants: Carrie Hurst, Administrative Librarian, Tampa- Hillsborough County Public Library; mu- sical selection by Mrs. Darele Campbell, accompanied by Quincy Jennings; WEDU Staff; speakers, for- mer Mayor Dick Greco, Uwezo Sudan, Myron Jackson, and the Tok- ley family.
The special presentation and unveil- ing of the newest addition to “The History of Central Avenue” hallway, at the Robert W. Saunders, Sr. Public Library, an inter- active poetry reading featuring Mr. Tok- ley’s award-winning prose, was unveiled by Latasha Harrison and Carrie Hurst.
The WEDU PBS original documentary “Central Avenue Remembered,” ex- plores the history of Tampa’s Central Av- enue as a destination for Black businesses. During its hey-day between, 1930-1960, many important figures appeared on Cen- tral Avenue, such as: Hank Ballard, Butterfly McQueen, James Brown, Ray Charles, and many others.
Appointed as both Tampa’s and Hills- borough County’s Poet Laureate, among the numerous works of James E. Tok- ley, Sr., is the acclaimed poem, “Central Avenue Remembered.” He recited it in the WEDU Emmy award-winning documen- tary of the same name.
Tokley and his wife, Joanna, are the parents to 7 children and 29 grandchil- dren.
A reception followed the program.
(Photographs by Julia E. Jackson)
WEDU TV Channel 3 staffers, sponsor of the program, congratulate Mr. Tokley: Spencer Briggs and Joyce Cotton.
Administrative Librarian Carrie Hurst presents a plaque with the poem engraved to Mr. Tokley.
Mr. and Mrs. James (Joanna) Tokley stand before the poem he penned.
Longtime friends who spoke, Myron Jackson and Uwezo Sudan.
Former Mayor Dick Greco was in attendance.
Tokley’s sisters and daughter talked about him: LaToya Tokley (daughter), Carolyn Seals, Dawn Brown-Vostrirancky, Iris Janine Miller, and Enoree Cummings.
Members of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., who supported the program shown with sorority sister, Joanna Tokley, were: Cora Dunkley, Delores Lewis, Mrs. Tokley, Soraya Rouse, Betty Baker, Maria Mitchell, Latoya Carter and Avia Goddard. Second row, Bertha Baker, Gail Williams, Darele Campbell, Yvonne Vaas, and Tempress Solomon.
FAMU’s 7th President, Dr. Walter Smith, attended the program to honor James E. Tokley, Sr.
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