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Computer Mentors To Celebrate Its 20th Anniversary
BY IRIS B. HOLTON Sentinel City Editor
More than two decades ago, Ralph Smith was em- ployed in corporate America earning a lucrative salary. He was satisfied with his job, but had a desire to help bridge the digital divide between inner-city children and the ever-changing world of tech- nology.
He launched Computer Mentors in 1997, with 5 stu- dents who met once a week at the then Ybor City Public Li- brary (Robert Saunders, Sr., Public Library), 1505 N. Ne- braska Avenue.
On Thursday, August 3rd, the organization will cele- brate its 20th Anniversary with a luncheon. It will be held from 11:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m., at the New Hope Family Life Center, 3005 E. Ellicott Street.
Garrett Johnson is a Tampa native, and alumni of Computer Mentors. When he completed the training pro- gram offered by the organiza- tion, he was given a computer to take to college with him. Johnson will de- liver the keynote address.
He is the co-founder of Lincoln Network, a company that focuses on bringing civic organizations and govern- ment institutions into the 21st Century. An entrepreneur, Johnson is also the co-
RALPH SMITH Founder and Executive Director of the Computer Mentors Group
founder of SendHub, which has been acquired by Cameo Global, a Y Combinator backed startup launched in 2011.
The son of Nat Johnson and the late Mrs. Carmen Brown Johnson, John- son graduated from Tampa Baptist Academy and contin- ued his education at Florida State University. Johnson is a Rhodes Scholar and ex- celled in track and field.
Its Beginning
Computer Mentors was born during a conversation Smith had with an investor. He was asked what he would do if he were to win the lot- tery. At the time, Smith was an Assistant Vice President at a local bank.
Without hesitation, he an- swered that he would create a company to bring the digi-
GARRETT JOHNSON ... Keynote Speaker
tal divide for inner city chil- dren. The investor asked the cost of starting such a project and Smith answered $7,000. He was given the funding and created The Computer Mentors Group, Inc. Since that time, other in- dividuals and organizations have kept the organization viable through contributions and donations of equipment.
Computer Mentors has provided computer training to nearly 2,000 children in the 20 years it came into ex- istence.
Its signature program fo- cuses on training teenagers between the ages of 14 and 18. Once they complete the program, they each receive a computer and computer training certification.
Smith has continually added different programs to benefit everyone from the age of 10 to senior citizens.
Smith said, “We con- tinue to see a great need to educate youth and provide them with hands-on skills and real world experience in the IT industry. Through the programs that Computer Mentors offers, we are able to open the door for students and put them on a track to- ward an information technol- ogy career.”
The luncheon is open to the public. For more infor- mation contact Computer Mentors at (813) 236-1191, or www.computermentors.org.
Childhood Experience Propels Woman’s Political Aspirations
BY GWEN HAYES Sentinel Editor
The memory of a trip to the voting booth at age 7 is enough for woman’s desire
to enter the political arena.
DeAnna Hall recalls going with her mother, Mrs. Ruth Hall (a retired educator), to cast a ballot. She was a 7-year-old child. She is also the daughter of Dr. Roderick Hall.
That experience is em- bedded in her mind and after much experience in political activity, she’s now trying her hand at a seat on the Durham, North Carolina City Council.
“There was a booth espe- cially for children at the polling location. I received my ballot and punched in my choices for the Presi- dent, United States Repre- sentative and State Representative. I was so proud of what I had done,” she said with a smile.
A candidate for Durham City Council Ward 2, Ms. Hall says making a differ- ence in the community by serving the people will be- come her priority.
“I began working with the city government by serv- ing on the City of Durham Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Commission for 2 years. She also served as Co-Chair of the Development Review Committee and has been the secretary for the past year,” she stated.
These experiences have contributed to her desire to run for City Council of Durham.
Ms. Hall is not only ac- tive in the political arena.
MS. DEANNA HALL ...Candidate For Durham (NC) City Council
She’s a volunteer for Habitat For Humanity, Black Girls Code, Inc., Bible Study Leader for the youth, play- ing the piano and singing in the gospel choir and on a special praise team.
Ms. Hall, 40, is a grad- uate of Chamberlain High School and she attended the University of Florida and University of South Florida, earning a degree in Com- puter Engineering. She moved to North Carolina to pursue her professional ca- reer at Duke University, where she is a Senior Ana- lyst in the Office of Informa- tion and Technology (OIT) and Co-Chair of Diversify IT.
In Tampa, Ms. Hall was very active. She sang in the Youth and Young Adult Community Choir and was active in the Young People’s Division of the AME Church; and pianist for sev- eral churches in the area. She was also a member of Jack ‘N Jill and a Girl Scout.
Those wishing to reach out to Ms. Hall, may visit her website at: https://www.facebook.com /DHallforCityCouncil, P. O. Box 14131, Durham, NC 27709, or call (919) 225- 9095.
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