Page 3 - Florida Sentinel 10-30-20

Feature
Author/Artist Creates Legacy Wall At C. Blythe Andrews Apartments
BY MONIQUE STAMPS Sentinel Feature Writer
In the Tampa Housing Au- thority’s management office of the C. Blythe Andrews Apart- ment complex on Osborne Av- enue in East Tampa, stands a glorious tribute to a man who devoted his life to civil rights and furthering the advance- ment of African Americans. The apartment’s namesake, Mr. C. Blythe Andrews, Jr., was the owner and Pub- lisher of the Florida Sentinel- Bulletin newspaper and Grand President of Lily Security Ben- efit Association until his pass- ing in January of 2010.
Mr. Andrews followed in the footsteps of father, Mr. Cyril Blythe Andrews. Two of his children, S. Kay An- drews and C. Blythe An- drews, III, have in turn followed in their father’s foot- steps making an exceptional
Author-Artist Ersula Odom was commissioned by Tampa Hous- ing Authority to create a legacy wall at C. Blythe Andrews Apart- ments in East Tampa.
Foundation Board of the Uni- versity of South Florida. Mr. Andrews had re- ceived awards too numerous to name. He was a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., and a life member of the
NAACP.
When the Housing Author-
ity wanted to capture Mr. An- drews’ life and mission, they called upon local artist and historian Ersula K. Odom to create one of her legendary legacy walls. Viewing Ms. Odom’s murals, people re- live, remember and experience history. Ms. Odom’s careful study of Mr. Andrews’ life, and strategic positioning of photos and memorabilia cre- ate an impactful statement of the life of C. Blythe An- drews, Jr.
Ms. Odom states, “When someone approaches the wall, I want them to have an experi- ence with history. Meaning
that this is deliberate, the two brothers are looking at the plaque of their father. A daughter is looking at her fa- ther with admiration. It is the history, representing people that actually lived and people that continue to live.” She loves the juxtaposition of fa- ther and sons, and daughter and father showing the admi- ration and mutual love.
Ms. Odom is a writer, artist, actress, genealogist, and storyteller. One of her books is ‘African Americans of Tampa’, and she has written books big and small for clients. She writes and produces legacy information in any form a customer would like. Her work can be found on her web- site www.sulatoo.com. Her portrayal of the great Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune is well-known and a must-see for everyone from children to his- torians.
family legacy.
Mr. Andrews, Jr.,
served the community in a va- riety of capacities, including being the first African Ameri- can appointed to the Tampa Sports Authority and serving on the Hillsborough County Hospital Authority as well as
the City of Tampa Employ- ment and Training Council; Committee of 100, Greater Tampa Chamber of Com- merce; East Tampa Develop- ment Council, Talladega College Board where he was Member Emeritus; Talladega College Hall Of Fame; and the
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2020 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY FRIDAY PAGE 3-A