Page 3 - Florida Sentinel 2-15-19

Feature
U. S. Rep. Honors Four During Black History Program
BY IRIS B. HOLTON Sentinel City Editor
On Tuesday, February 19th, U. S. Rep. Kathy Castor will host her Annual Black History Pro- gram. The event will take place at the Middleton High School Auditorium, 4801 N. 22nd
Street, beginning at 10 a.m. This year, Rep. Castor will pay tribute to four individ- uals who have made signifi- cant contributions in the
community.
She will recognize Mrs.
Doretha Edgecomb, Educa- tor; Harold Jackson, Com- munity Developer; Mrs. Betty Reed, former State Representative; and Dr. Juel Smith, Educator for their in- dividual commitment to their respective careers as well as the extraordinary contribu- tions to the community.
She will enter statements
into the Congressional Record pertaining to each honoree to forever mark their legacies in the U. S. Library of Congress.
A retired educator, Mrs. Doretha Edgecomb gradu- ated from
Middle-
ton High
School.
She con-
tinued
her edu-
cation at
Talladega College, in Tal- ladega, Alabama.
She returned to Tampa and became a classroom teacher. Mrs. Edgecomb retired from the Hillsborough County School District as a principal.
However, her concern for the welfare of the children did- n’t end with her retirement, and she continued to work in the field of education. Mrs. Edgecomb was elected as a member of the Hillsborough County School Board in 2004 and served three terms.
Harold Jackson, a Tampa native, has dedicated his professional life to the
health
and well
being of
our neigh-
bors. He
retired
from
Hillsbor-
ough County Parks, Recre- ation and Conservation Department after more than 30 years, rising to Recreation Area Supervisor, charged with planning, organizing and di- recting the overall operations of community-based recre- ation programs.
He has also served for nearly 30 years on the board of directors for Tampa Family Health Centers and currently as Community Relations Liai- son, he truly extends himself to help meet the needs of the medically underserved.
Rep. Betty Reed has served
Tampa Bayasa small business owner, higher
education administrator and eight years as an elected offi- cial representing citizens of District 61 in the Florida House of Representatives.
During her tenure as a leg- islator, she focused her atten- tion on education and health care.
Dr. Juel Smith received the Ph. D.
from the University of South Florida, serving in several positions.
She is the founder and Ex-
ecutive Director of the Insti- tute on Black Life and Center for Africa; founding Executive Director, Women in Leader- ship and Philanthropy; and adjunct faculty.
She served on Habitat for Humanity Board; The Links, Incorporated, International Programs Director (built schools in South Africa ) and United Nations NGO Director. She is past president of Athena Society, Leadership Florida participant and served on local community boards and com- mittees.
The event is free and open to the public.
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2019 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY PAGE 3-A