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Features
Dress For Success Tampa Bay Gets ‘Be More Empowered’ Award
Parents Appealing To Legislature To Keep Guns Out Of Theme Parks
From left to right are: Jack Harris, 970 WFLA-AM; Board Members, Jessica Rivelli, Kelly Falconer- Miller, and Suzanne Neff-Mashburn; Katie McGill, Executive Director, Dress For Success; Amando Uliano, Board Member; Lissette Campos, WFTS TV, ABC Action News; Board Members, Terri Scarecelli, Karen Mertes, and Loretta Calvin; and Wendy Knowles, Volunteer.
“I believe they also have the ability to be a voice and liaison between the community and those in power whose atten- tion needs to be focused on these issues, so that solutions, not name calling or blame dis- placement, may be found.”
Atty. Cohen said he feels strongly about these issues and refuses to sit idly by and watch cultural deficits con- tinue to exist while they could be fixed through mutual re- spect and understanding.
“Together, I believe we could present a unique and fresh perspective that needs to be heard. I invite you to join me in this fight.
“I am fortunate in having
access to The Cohen Hall at the Stetson Law School’s Tampa campus, which would be an ideal forum in which to hold such a community dis- cussion. I will invite Mayor Bob Buckhorn, Sheriff David Gee, Police Chief Jane Castor, and United States Attorney Lee Bent- ley to join us in a town-hall type forum where these issues can be aired and discussed with a focus toward solu- tions.”
Atty. Cohen asks anyone interested in participating in such a forum to contact Ms. Molly Burchette at his of- fice. She can be reached at (813) 225-1655.
Dress for Success Tampa Bay was awarded the WEDU ‘Be More Empow- ered’ award! This is awarded to a small non- profit that best demon- strates the truth in statement that “big things come in small packages.” This award recognizes an organization that despite its modest size has a major positive impact on our com-
munity. The recognition was presented at a luncheon held recently at the A. La Carte Pavilion.
The mission of Dress for Success is to promote the economic independence of disadvantaged women by providing professional at- tire, a network of support and the career development tools to help women thrive in work and in life.
St. Petersburg Housing Authority Negotiates With City To Sell Woodson Museum
BY LEON B. CREWS Sentinel Staff Writer
Since the tragic death of their 14-year-old son last year near the Florida State Fair- grounds, Andrew and Deanna Joseph have sought support to change the way theme parks and events like the Fair operate.
The Josephs were some- what successful in bringing about changes at the 2015 Fair, and both have vowed to continue their effort to get more people involved, and that includes the Florida Leg- islature.
“What we’ve done is consult with our attorney, Barry A. Cohen, and he’s helping us prepare a document to send to the Legislature asking them to ban guns from the Fair and other family venues.
“We’re looking for support- ers to join us in this effort, es- pecially all of the local youth groups, colleges, community leaders, elected officials, par- ents, and just anyone who feels like things need to change.”
Atty. Cohen said he feels as community and religious leaders, he believes they are in a unique position to provide insight into these problems before they ripen.
ANDREW And DEANNA JOSEPH... inset ATTY. BARRY COHEN
BY LEON B. CREWS Sentinel Staff Writer
For several years, the St. Petersburg Housing Authority has been trying to sell its non- residential properties to re- coup funds lost due to federal budget cuts.
Housing Communications Officer, Audra Butler, said that’s the reason housing offi- cials approached St. Peters- burg College about taking over the Dr. Carter G. Wood- son, African American Museum, last summer.
The college backed away from the idea after they dis- covered museum board mem- bers weren’t told about the deal, and were left feeling like it was an attempt at a takeover.
In January, the Housing Authority Board, in a 4-3 vote decided to sell the museum building and told the opera- tors they had six months to vacate.
Federal officials have taken the stance that no matter who owns the building, it must re- main an African American museum.
Now, the city is negotiating with the Housing Authority to purchase the building.
Butler said although the building has been appraised at
The Carter G. Woodson African American Museum ... inset DR. CARTER G. WOODSON
$663,000, the city will be con- ducting their own appraisal after the building has been in- spected.
“The community knows all about this process, and the feedback has been very posi- tive.
“As a Housing Authority, we need to focus our funding on affordable housing, and that means we need to find al- ternative funding sources.
“We support a need for the library, and we’re confident the final decision will ulti- mately be made in the best in- terest of what the community wants and what’s best for the city and the housing author- ity.”
DR. CARTER G. WOODSON
Called the “Father of Black History Month,” Dr. Carter G. Woodson
was born in 1875 near New Canton, Virginia. In 1907, he obtained his B. A. degree from the University of Chicago. In 1912, he received his Ph.D. from Harvard University.
In 1915, Dr. Woodson and friends established the Association for the study of Negro Life and History. In 1926, Dr. Woodson pro- posed and launched the an- nual February observance of Negro History Week, which became Black History Month in 1976.
Dr. Woodson was the founder of the Associated Publishers, the founder and editor of the Negro History Bulletin, and the author of more than 30 books. His best known publication is “The Mis-Education of the Negro,” published in 1933.
Dr. Woodson died in 1950, but his legacy has lived on.
PAGE 2 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY TUESDAY, MARCH 17, 2015