Page 11 - Florida Sentinel 4-14-17

Local
Co-Chairs Named For 4th Annual Scholarship Breakfast
April Is Autism Awareness Month: Tampa Mayor
Unveils New Initiative
Yolanda Anthony and Ann R. Thompson have been elected as co- chairs for the Women’s Council Bay Area Association of Realtists Inc., 4th Annual Scholarship Breakfast.
The Women’s Council recognizes the value of providing the community with the knowledge needed to define their fu- ture through college scholarships, finan- cial education (for adults and teens), first- time home-buyers' education classes, and down payment assistance.
Ann and Yolanda have been in the real estate industry over 50 years com- bined. Ann as a Real Estate Instructor and Broker, and Yolanda as a Mortgage Broker. Both are also Property Managers and currently members of the Women Council, as well as very active in the com- munity.
Ms. Thompson earned her degree in Organizational Behavior Studies. She teaches pre-licensing real estate courses. She is the owner of Ann R. Thompson School of Real Estate.
Ms. Anthony has a MBA in Finance and currently runs a 372-apartment com- munity as the Property Manager of Tampa Park Apartments. She is also the
YOLANDA Y. ANTHONY
And ANN R. THOMPSON ...Co-Chairs For Scholarship Breakfast
owner of Trash Express of Tampa Bay, Incorporated.
Both ladies are committed to engag- ing, encouraging, and enriching others’ lives. Join them at The Women Council of the Bay Area Association of Realtists, Inc. 4th Annual Scholarship Breakfast on Saturday, April 22nd. The breakfast will start at 9:30 a. m. at 1495 Tampa Park Plaza, Tampa, Florida 33605 (corner of Nebraska Avenue and Scott Avenue).
Tickets are $15.00 and can be pur- chased at Tampa Park Corporate Office (1417 Tampa Park Plaza).
BY KENYA WOODARD Sentinel Feature Writer
There’s a new initiative under- way to make Tampa more friendly for autistic citizens and visitors.
During his State of the City ad- dress last week, Mayor Bob Buckhorn announced Autism Friendly Tampa, a program that will help make the Cigar City more inclusive.
Working with the University of South Florida’s Center for Autism and Related Disabilities, the city will make public spaces – such as city facilities and parks – as well as programs more friendly for those who fall on the autism spectrum.
Additionally, city staff will be trained to know how to handle autistic persons. That training will begin with first responders, Mayor Buckhorn said.
Autism – also known as autism spectrum disorder – is a develop- mental disability that can cause sig- nificant social, communication,
and behavioral challenges. One in 68 children is diagnosed as autistic, according to the Centers for Dis- ease Control.
A study released last year at the International Meeting for Autism Research found that despite rising awareness of the condition, Black and Hispanic children are less likely to get an autism diagnosis than white children.
Tampa’s initiative is receiving praise from those who are affected by autism.
Louise Vincent – whose son, Shaquille, 26, is autistic – said the initiative is “long overdue.”
And while she doesn’t expect the initiative to address every diag- nosis on the autism spectrum – which can range from gifted to se- verely challenged – Vincent said she is encouraged to see the city making an effort to embrace autis- tic people.
“I think that is awesome,” she said. “Anything that can help, I’m all for that.”
FRIDAY, APRIL 14, 2017 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY PAGE 11-A