Page 8 - Florida Sentinel 2-5-19

Local
Retired City Architect Is Speaker For 31st Black History Celebration
BY GWEN HAYES Sentinel Editor
The City of Tampa Black History Committee will have its 31st Annual Black History Celebration on Tuesday, Feb- ruary 12, 2019. The 11 a. m. event is free and open to the public. It will be held at the Tampa Convention Center, 333 S. Franklin St., in Ball- rooms C and D.
Ms. Celeste Gibbons- Peoples, President, said this year’s theme is “Ingenuity From The Black Community: STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math).”
“S.T.E.M. is so important and it makes such an impact in our everyday lives. It is en- couraging to see the schools implementing S.T.E.M. pro- grams to attract our African- American youth in these fields of study, especially our young African-American girls,” Ms. Gibbons-Peo- ples said.
The City of Tampa Black History Committee is pleased to have as its speaker, one of its own, James Jackson. Jackson recently retired from the City of Tampa after 21 years of service. He was the City’s first African American to hold the position of City Ar- chitect within the Contract
JAMES JACKSON, AIA ...Keynote Speaker
Administration Department. He is currently the Design and Construction Director for Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital in St. Petersburg. Additionally, he maintains a small architectural consulting home-based practice geared to helping young people with projects.
A native of St. Petersburg, Jackson is a graduate of Howard University. He has been a practicing Architect in the State of Florida for over 28 years.
Jackson’s storied career includes notable involvement in numerous capital improve- ment projects. Among those
within the City of Tampa are: Ragan Park Center, NFL Youth Education Town (YET) Center, Fire Stations 11, 13, 19, 21, 22 and 23, Seminole Heights Garden Center, Solid Waste Department Adminis- tration Building and Oak Park Community Center.
He oversaw the reimaging of Julian B. Lane Park, exte- rior of the Old City Hall and planning restoration effort of the Tampa Convention Cen- ter.
Prior to joining the City, Jackson practiced architec- ture with several firms. Among the projects he was in- volved in were: Blake High School, Durant High School, Florida A&M University Stu- dent Union Building, Tampa International Airport Trans- fer Level renovations, and Ft. Lauderdale International Air- port Concourse E.
Jackson holds member- ship in several professional organizations, one of which is the American Institute of Ar- chitects, where he participates in the Florida Educational Foundation that introduces Architecture to STEM at the Elementary School level in Hillsborough County.
He is the father of 4 adult children: James, II, Joshua, Jada and Julian.
Post Valentine Concert Features Urban Mystic
A Post Serenade Valentine Treat awaits fans of the neo soul recording artist Urban Mystic. Urban Mystic will be performing Saturday, Feb- ruary 16th, at The Lovers & Friends Post Valentine Con- cert, in Lakeland, Florida at the Polk Theatre.
Brandon Williams,
better known by his stage name, Urban Mystic, was born and raised the son of a church minister in Fort Laud- erdale, Florida. He devel- oped an interest for music at his father's church.
In 2003, Williams gave himself the name Urban Mystic, which reflects both his street mentality and his singing talent. His debut album, Ghetto Revelations, released on November 30, 2004, included the Bill- board R&B hit single, "Where Were You."
Urban Mystic released his fifth album, “Soulful Clas- sics” on July 31, 2015. It was preceded by the release of the singles "No Matter How High" and "Feel Good."
His new single “Computer Lover” off of his upcoming album, Underrated, is highly anticipated to be a number one hit.
When performing he loves to give the people what they want and a chance to provide an ambiance of him- self, with his vibe as he sere-
URBAN MYSTIC ...Brandon Williams
nades and strives through his audiences.
Urban Mystic says, he is “looking forward to giving the audience both romance and funk, not only for the lovers, but for the single ladies as well!”
The Lovers & Friends Post Valentine Concert is a concert you don’t want to miss. Urban Mystic will provide an intimate, once in a lifetime musical experience. The official after party will be held at the Rose Heights Elk Lodge, Lakeland.
For tickets and more in- formation about The Lovers & Friends Post Valentine Concert log onto www.polk- theatre.org, or call Too Smooth at 813-244-7474. (See advertisement in this issue)
Library News
Moving Forward: Job Search Training For Women
* Tuesday, February 05, 2019 10 A. M. - 1 P. M. Robert W. Saunders, Sr. - Ada T. Payne Community Room B
The Moving Forward Program presented by Dress for Success, Tampa Bay is a consecutive six week job search training program for women. Women can gain professional skills, accelerate their job search and build confidence through career coaching and networking in a supportive environment. Attendance of all classes is required for graduation certificate. Class size is limited and pre-registration is required. For information and registration call Dress for Success at 813- 259-1876.
Master Gardener: Seed Saving
Tuesday, February 05, 2019 * 6:30 P. M. - 7:45 P. M. * Riverview - Community Room
Learn the basics of saving seeds from vegetables and flowers. By saving seeds you can • Save money • Plant different varieties • Share and trade your seeds with others. Techniques such as collecting and fermenting seeds will be discussed. Participants will receive a small packet of as- sorted flower or vegetable seeds to take home and plant. Presented in partnership with the Hills- borough County Extension Service.
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