Page 2 - Florida Sentinel 7-9-21

Features
Tampa Detective Featured On ‘Before The Badge’
BY IRIS B. HOLTON Sentinel City Editor
Several weeks ago, the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office launched a program that focuses on the lives of some of its personnel. The program is called “Before The Badge” and highlights some events that have taken place in the livIbh Det. Joe Conteh 7-9- 21es of deputies before they became deputies. An episode of the program is released each quarter.
The program focuses on some of the trials and tribula- tions deputies have survived, with many of them coming from different countries.
Sheriff Chad Chronis- ter said, "Deputies and civilian staff come from all walks of life and across the globe.
"It is my hope that 'Before the Badge' will serve as an- other reminder to everyone in Hillsborough County that our staff is just like them, in every way. They have moved from all over the world and faced unbe- lievable hardships, but perse- vered to make their dreams to work in law enforcement a re- ality. I am proud of the many backgrounds #teamHCSO rep- resents. Our diversity is our greatest strength."
The first episode of "Be- fore the Badge" featured Deputy Toya Adams, who dropped out of high school twice, raised a daughter as a teenager herself and faced mul- tiple instances of abuse while growing up.
Deputy Adams said, "I've seen what other life there is. Just because I didn't go to col- lege or graduate high school, that doesn't mean I couldn't be something. This changed my life, starting here. These are the people that gave me that chance to be who I am today and to be able to help others."
DETECTIVE JOE CONTEH
The second episode fea- tures Detective Joe Conteh. As a young boy, Detective Conteh was already in the fight for his, and his family's lives. He grew up in West Africa in the late 1980s when a civil war broke out there.
He remembers the adver- sity he and his family faced as they moved from country to country in order to escape, and survive, the war. To those who may also be struggling in their own lives, he also offers some advice to get through difficult times.
Detective Conteh said, "Don't look at life as a long race, it's not a marathon. It's a series of short races and you have 365 days in a year, all you have to do is work on your challenges, one day at a time."
Sheriff Chronster fur- ther said, "I hope the candor showed by Detective Con- teh, and all those featured on 'Before the Badge,' will offer in- sight and bring hope to every- one who watches this series.
"I can't say it enough: Our diversity is our greatest strength, and I believe 'Before the Badge' will serve as a re- minder to all those in Hillsbor- ough County that our deputies are just like them."
Tampa Native Featured In PBS Magazine
BY GWEN HAYES Sentinel Editor
She is featured as one of the ‘Ordinary People Living Extraordinary Lives’
A Tampa native, who has made her home in Polk County for the past several years, was featured in the summer 2021 edition of Growing Bolder – a maga- zine featuring events in the lives of senior citizens.
Belenda Stephen Cy- press, a current resident of Davenport, is a feature seg- ment of “Ordinary People Living Extraordinary Lives.” Prior to be featured in the magazine, in December 2020, she was chosen to be one of the seniors featured in WEDU-TV, Channel 3’s program, Growing Bolder (as opposed to Growing Older), that features vibrant and dedicated citizens.
The article explains Mrs. Cypress’ life with her hus- band, Deacon A. Jerry Cypress (now deceased), parents of 3 daughters, as- sisting her husband in his business ventures, while pursuing her own goals. She lost her husband on the date of their 45th Anniversary. She was devastated by the sudden death.
Describing herself as shy, Mrs. Cypress wrote 2 books of poetry that touched the lives of so many. She re- ceived positive feedback from those who read it. The title, Inspirations of a Sen- sitive Heart, Volumes 1 and 2. She reads to her family, church groups, and prison inmates at Bartow Prison.
Many of the books have been given away as a means of encouragement.
Mrs. Cypress has done so much more and still finds time to do more. To look at some of her accomplish- ments, one wouldn’t have to look far. Just this year, she donated funds for the Parkview Christian Life Center’s new baptismal pool in Haines City, which was dedicated on June 20, 2021; funded the drilling of a new well in Africa, 2021; donated to the Life Outreach Inter- national for its Mission Feeding, 2021; and for the past 5 years, she has funded an Educational Scholarship
at her church in memory of her husband. Currently, she is President and contractor with FedEx Ground in Or- lando, with10 employees and 7 semi-delivery trucks.
In addition to working with her husband’s 2 busi- nesses, Mrs. Cypress’ background includes work- ing in the Trust Dept. of Ex- change Bank & Trust Co., Tampa; City of Tampa Pub- lic Works; Cleveland Ele- mentary; federal government’s division of Resolution Trust; and her last outside employment was with Solomon Brothers, a brokerage firm.
She has been recognized on numerous occasions.
“The good Lord has truly had His hand on me throughout my life’s jour- ney. I am grateful. All I am, all I’ve done, and all I at- tempt to still do is for His purpose. He gets all the praise! I pray He continues to give me strength so I can be a blessing to everyone who my life touches,” she concluded.
MRS. BELENDA STEPHEN CYPRESS
(Photo by Jacob Langston from Growing Bolder Mag- azine)
PAGE 2-A FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY FRIDAY FRIDAY, JULY 9, 2021