Page 4 - Florida Sentinel 1-15-19

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Dr. King Parade Foundation Preparing For 30th Celebration
‘We Shall Overcome:
A Celebration Of Martin Luther King, Jr.’ Coming To The Straz
BY GWEN HAYES Sentinel Editor
The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Parade Foundation is down to its final days lead- ing to the parade on Mon- day, January 21, 2019.
The City Of Tampa’s 30th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Parade is con- tinuing the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
The City of Tampa’s Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Parade has been an annual event for the citizens of Tampa for the past 30 years. Beginning as a walk to City Hall organized by Tampa’s African American civic and municipal leadership, the Parade has consistently grown in attendance and size over the years.
The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Parade Foundation, Inc., a 501(c)3 not-for-profit, was formed in 2014 for the expressed purpose of ex- panding, improving, and strengthening efforts to make the City of Tampa’s Martin Luther King Jr. Day Parade an event the City
ROBERT SCOTT, JR.
could be proud of year after year, and the premier MLK Parade and Celebration in the United States of Amer- ica.
The Parade has moved to several different locations around Tampa over the years, but in recent years has settled on its present Parade route of deliberately winding through the heart of Tampa’s African American Community. The Parade route is in direct response, to Tampa’s African American community’s strong request that the Parade traverse Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
HOWARD HARRIS
Where To Celebrate Dr. King
To honor Dr. King Jr.’s life and legacy, many events are planned throughout the Tampa Bay Area, and the City of Tampa’s Martin Luther King Jr. Day Parade has an exciting component of activities that display the diversity and community spirit of the Tampa Bay Area.
On Friday, January 18, 2019, there will be an Old School/New School Step Show & Stroll at Jefferson High School gymnasium, 7 p. m.
On Saturday, January 19th, 8 a. m., there is the MLK Bounce, Rock, Skate, Roll 5K Walk for Sickle Cell at the USF MLK Plaza.
On Sunday, January 20th, 4 p. m., there will be the Original Battle of the Bands event at Chamberlain High School Football Stadium.
Finally, on Monday, Jan- uary 21st, the parade kicks off at 12 noon, beginning at Cuscaden Park, 2900 N. 15th St.; head North on 15th Street to MLK Blvd., turn right on MLK, head East on MLK to 22nd Street. Turn left on 22nd St., heading North and ending at George S. Middleton High School, 4801 N. 22nd St., Tampa, 33610.
The parade will feature several floats representing various organizations, churches and individuals; several bands and numerous walking organizations.
Robert Scott, Jr. and Howard Harris are Co- Chairs of the foundation.
For additional informa- tion, go to www.mlkjrpa- rade.com.
Later this month the Straz for the Performing Arts will be the site of a thrilling pro- duction showcasing the life of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
The event is being held on Thursday, January 31, 2019, 8 p. m. in Ferguson Hall. Tick- ets are available.
In this thrilling, emotional tribute inspired by the words of Dr. King, producer and musical director Damien Sneed showcases repertoire from across the African- American music traditions that have electrified genera- tions of civil rights activists and defenders.
Pulling together a concert of works by Nina Simone, Duke Ellington, Aretha Franklin, Wynton Marsalis, and more includ- ing traditional gospel, mod-
DAMIEN SNEED ...Producer of event honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
ern gospel, jazz and Broadway tunes, Sneed interweaves these musical flashpoints with King’s impassioned or- atory from recorded historic speeches. The end result is a stand-up-and-cheer celebra- tion of one of America’s great- est heroes.
Parents Encouraged To
Attend 2
BY GWEN HAYES Sentinel Editor
Ms. Kaneshia Williams, 5th grade teacher at Paul L. Sheehy, M.D., Ele- mentary School, is reaching out to parents of students at the school to attend the 2nd Annual E. S. P. N. event.
Not to be confused with the television network, this ESPN is “Empowering Sheehy’s Parents Night.” The event is Thursday, January 17, 2019, 3-6 p. m. at the school, 6402 N. 40th St.
According to Ms. Williams, there will be a va- riety of agencies on hand with information and resources to benefit parents and the stu- dents.
“I believe that the school is in the heart of a community and should be looked upon as a place for all stakeholders to come together to better our- selves for the sake of our stu- dents,” she said. “The night will be filled with educational resources, financial literacy, health and mental wellness support, music, food and give aways.”
Ms. Williams, the Event Coordinator, has invited Spo-
ESPN Event At
nd
Sheehy Elementary
KANESHIA WILLIAMS Event Coordinator
ken Word artist, Walter Jennings, several ministers and churches, tax prepara- tion persons, grief coun- selors, life insurance agencies, fitness people, credit repair persons, Hills- borough County Children’s Board, Center For Autism Re- lated Disabilities (CARD), and many others will partici- pate.
“This is year 2 and we want to do this bigger and better than before,” Ms. Williams said.
Ms. Williams has served the students of Hillsborough County for 18 years. How- ever, 14 of those years have been at Sheehy.
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