Page 8 - Florida Sentinel 6-14-19

Local
Black Wall Street Revisits Historic Event
BY KENYA WOODARD Sentinel Feature Writer
The triumphant and tragic story of Greenwood, Okla., – also known as Black Wall Street – has been told in many ways, including a documentary and numerous newspaper and magazine articles.
On Friday evening, the tale takes on yet another format: a play, written and directed by Hallie Balbuena.
That’s when “Black Wall Street” will make its Tampa debut at the Tampa Hillsbor- ough Action Plan, Inc., as part of the Black Wall Street Expe- rience & Expo.
The event is hosted by THAPgroup, THAP 5508 Co- Working & Collaboration Ex- change, Tampa Bay Black Heritage Festival, and All City Productions.
This will be the seventh production of the interpretive drama, which was initially staged in Palm Beach County,
Black Wall Street Cast
the play.
That’s where the stories of
J. B. Stradford, an entrepre- neur who owned the opulent Greenwood Hotel, and Califor- nia Taylor, a woman of means so great she had her clothes custom-made in Europe, come to life.
“These were millionaires back in 1921,” Balbuena said. “They were very prominent people.”
Twenty-six characters tell Greenwood’s story via song and dance as well as dramatic vignettes of every day town life.
Balbuena said she hopes that young people especially draw inspiration from the play. “Young people don’t see it, but success can be done by work- ing hard and taking care of your money,” she said. “That’s the story being told here: If you invest as a people, you can have something.”
If You Go
There will be three presen- tations of the stage play during the Black Wall Street Experi- ence & Expo, which will be held at 5508 N. 50th St., Tampa.
On Friday an evening mixer and dinner social will take place at 6 p.m. followed by the showing of the “Black Wall Street’’ play at 8 p.m. The cost is $65 and $120 per cou- ple.
At 9 to 11 a.m. on Saturday, June 15, an Entrepreneurship and Real Estate forum, which includes breakfast, cost is $12 per ticket and $95 for a table of eight.
The Business Expo is scheduled from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on June 15. A showing of the play is set for 2 p.m. ($10 in advance and $15 at the door) and 7 p.m. ($20 in ad- vance and $25 at the door). For more information on THAPgroup you may call 813.325.2539 or visit website: www.thap-inc.org.
said Balbuena.
It chronicles the founding,
building, and destruction of Greenwood during the Tulsa race riot which occurred over 18 hours on May 31-June 1.
White mobs attacked resi- dents, killing hundreds of Black men, women and chil- dren. The attack on the com- munity led to the destruction of 36 blocks of prosperous businesses and beautiful homes owned by African
Americans in Greenwood. While the tragedy of the riots that destroyed all Green- wood is well known, many are not aware of the full story. At its peak, the community boasted 40 groceries stories, multiple hospitals, movie the-
aters, and its own bus system. Balbuena said the lack of a well-rounded historical knowl- edge about Greenwood’s downfall and its wealthy resi- dents prompted her to write
Local Retired NFL Players Present Scholarships
BY KENYA WOODARD Sentinel Feature Writer
Being a student athlete has paid off for Temper- ance Paris.
The recent Strawberry Crest High School graduate’s position as a cornerback on the football team helped him earn a scholarship from the Tampa Chapter of the NFL Players Association that he can put toward college in the fall at Florida State Univer- sity.
Paris is one of six stu- dents awarded scholarships ranging from $2,500 to $500.
They also received a lap- top and backpacks and were feted on Tuesday by more than a dozen retired players at a dinner.
About 120 students were nominated by their athletic
Shown in the photograph from left to right are: Attorney Tom Parnell, Temperance Paris, Cameron Kitchiner, Marisa Yanger, Haylie Corcho, and Madelynn Gordon. Shown on the back row ared: NFL Retirees, Jerry Bell, James Harrell, and Harold Hart. (Photograph by Lomax McIntyre).
said he’s hanging up his cleats and turning his atten- tion to his studies.
“I’m done,” he said. “I’m trying to focus on my aca- demics.”
Marisa Younger, a King High School graduate, said she may play intramural soccer, but won’t formally keep up the sport once she gets to the University of Florida.
And that’s ok, Bell said. It’s not required that stu- dents commit to playing sports in college to receive the scholarship, he said.
“We’re awarding (Paris) for what he’s done, not what he’s expected to do.”
directors and coaches to apply for the scholarships, said Chapter Vice-President, Jerry Bell.
“We really look forward to hearing good things about you,” he said.
Paris said he’s grateful for the assistance.
“Every little bit helps,” he said.
But don’t expect to see the teenager on the field in a Seminoles uniform come fall. The future forensic analyst
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