Page 2 - Florida Sentinel 2-14-17

Features
First Time Author To Participate In ‘Local Read’
City Wide Evangelistic Prayer Band Celebrates Black History Month
BY IRIS B. HOLTON Sentinel City Editor
Mrs. Cynthia Junious Jones has written her first book and released it on Ama- zon nearly a year ago. She is currently in the process of writing two other books.
Mrs. Jones will appear with other authors at the Robert W. Saunders, Sr., Public Library, 1505 N. Ne- braska Avenue, February 20th. The program is entitled “Local Read,” from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., as part of the Library’s Black History Celebration.
Her first literary contri- bution is entitled “Un- claimed Lives.” She has two other books in the works and her goal is to finish both before year’s end.
“As a child, I was very passionate about writing, which spanned into adult- hood. I retired from the for- mer General Telephone (Verizon), where I held many positions and writing was an essential requirement. I am now a Systems Analyst with T-Mobile, USA,” Mrs. Jones said.
Once she decided to be- come a full time author, she completed her first book. “It has been a journey writing and getting the book pub- lished. I have learned a lot through the process. But, like anything, you learn along the
MRS. CYNTHIA JONES ... First time author
way.
“Now, I am excited about
sharing experiences and viewpoints with the world.”
The daughter of Mrs. Ernestine Wynn, of Tampa, and the late Adam Junious, of Monticello, Mrs. Jones attended the public schools of Hillsbor- ough County. She graduated from King High School in 1973.
Married to Hiram Jones, they are the parents of 7 adult children, as well as several grandchildren and great grandchildren. They are members of Allen Tem- ple A. M. E. Church.
She credits her husband with providing the inspira- tion for writing the book.
Mrs. Jones has had 3 book signings and can be found on YouTube. Her book is available at Barnes and Nobles Book Store and Ama- zon on the internet.
The City Wide Evangelis- tic Prayer Band celebrated Black History Month Satur- day, February 11, 2017, by fo- cusing on one of its members and his entrepreneurial con- tributions to the community. The program of prayer and praise was held at the 5508 Co-Working and Collabora- tive Exchange, 5508 N. 50th St.
Honoree Abdul Merida believes he was born with en- trepreneurial DNA, states, Mrs. Ruth Jefferson, pres- ident of the prayer band. His entrepreneurial genes were inherited from his father, the late W. D. Merida, who
owned a number of busi- nesses.
Early on, Abdul learned the values of hard work, inno- vative thinking, creative thinking, positive thinking, problem-solving, persistence and passion. He lives by the philosophy, “entrepreneurs pursue opportunities without regard to resources they cur- rently control.”
Like his father, Abdul has owned several businesses: Universal Trade Network (UTN), Caribbean Interna- tional, Merida Business Asso- ciates, MBA Transportation, and he recently opened Am- merida Coffee Company, a
gourmet coffee shop located in the Co-Working Collabora- tive complex at 5508 N. 50th St.
Abdul is passionate about sharing his more than 30 years of experience as an en- trepreneur. His son, Abdul (Jacquay) and grandson, Jaziah, are following in his footsteps, along with a host of young men he has mentored over the past two decades.
Ms. Jefferson shared this thought with those in at- tendance: “no man owes me anything, I owe it to myself to be the best I can be; by being my best, I maintain my pride and dignity.”
Rep. Sean Shaw Busy In Tallahassee
BY GWEN HAYES Sentinel Editor
Going back to a commu- nity where he grew up, as the representative for District 61 in the Florida Legislature, State Representative Sean Shaw has found himself quite busy.
Although returning on a limited basis when the ses- sions are open during the year, the local attorney has actively involved himself, having been busy with Com- mittee Week and preparing for the session to open in March.
He talked about some of the things he has been work- ing on and some things he plans to do.
“I have drafted a bill that would greatly limit the felonies for which your rights would be taken away. I do not believe that your rights should be taken away for ALL felonies. My bill limits those felonies to LIFE and VIO- LENT felonies.”
However, he has concern for those whose rights would not be completely taken away.
“Those same persons need more opportu- nities once they have paid their debt to society. That is why I have co-sponsored leg- islation that will provide in- centives for businesses to hire people that have been convicted of a felony.”
Rep. Shaw said he is in- terested in alternatives for sending juveniles to prison.
“I will also be pushing for major reform to the criminal justice system. Finding alter- natives to prison for juveniles is something that I believe should be expanded and I will work to do so.
REP. SEAN SHAW District 61
He also plans to present legislation that will increase the amount of affordable housing for families by mak- ing it easier for affordable housing entities to obtain in- surance.
“I also believe that there
should be different pathways for students to receive a high school students’ diploma and I would stand behind legisla- tion that gave our student more options to be successful coming out of high school.”
Rep. Shaw is currently working with the following committees: Commerce Committee, Energy & Utili- ties Subcommittee, Insur- ance & Banking Subcommittee, Government Appropriations & Technology Appropriations Subcommit- tee and Civil Justice & Claims Subcommittee.
Rep. Shaw is the son of the late Leander Shaw, who served 20 years on the Supreme Court.
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