Page 10 - Florida Sentinel 11-24-17

Local
First ‘VIBES’ Social For Entrepreneurs Planned
Teenage Jam Skater Wants To Teach Youngsters
BY IRIS B. HOLTON Sentinel City Editor
On Friday, December 8th, an event will take place that is designed to bring entrepre- neurs together. Ms. Tareva McCray, its creator, felt the holidays would be the perfect venue.
She hopes to attract entre- preneurs in the Tampa Bay Area so that they can con- nect, get to know each other, and create an atmosphere of support among themselves. Entitled “The V.I.B.E.S. So- cial,” it will take place at the Dreams Banquet Hall, 11106 N. 30th Street from 8 p.m. to midnight. “VIBES” is an acronym for Very Important Black Entrepreneurs Social. During the four-hour time span, Ms. McCray hopes that others will realize that there is strength in numbers.
“Different vendors will have an opportunity to show- case their business, and hopefully, Black businesses can come together to circu- late Black dollars in the Black community. I’m very pas- sionate about Black busi- nesses getting over the stigma. There are a lot of Black businesses out there,
MS. TAREVA McCRAY ... Tampa Entrepreneur
people just don’t know about them,” she said.
An entrepreneur herself, Ms. McCray is a licensed barber who is passionate about what she does. She cur- rently works in the Fadeology Barber Shop, 14607 Liv- ingston Avenue. She’s been at the barbershop for the last 2 years, having earned her cer- tification at Fortis Barber In- stitute, in Jacksonville. After
finishing her training, she re- turned to Tampa to pursue her goals.
“The shop is very diverse, professional, and clean cut. I’m the only female in the shop, but there are quite a few female barbers in the community who are actually very good.”
However, her future had a different beginning. For sev- eral years, she worked as a Fi- nancial Aid Advisor. But some changes took place in her life and she decided to pursue her passion and be- come a barber. And she has no regrets.
Ms. McCray also said the support she has received to host the social has been overwhelming. “The support and interest has been amaz- ing. It is more than I could have imagined,” she said.
She’s encouraging all en- trepreneurs to come out and have a good time. However, those planning to attend must obtain their tickets early because there will be no sales at the door.
To learn more about ticket information visit https://vibestampa.eventbrit e.com/ or contact Ms. Mc- Cray at (813) 614-5164.
BY IRIS B. HOLTON Sentinel City Editor
By definition, jam skating is a combination of dance, gymnastics and skating. The style of skating has its roots in traditional roller disco, but has been influenced by breakdancing, artistic skat- ing, gymnastics, and modern dance.
The free-style skating phe- nomenon is sweeping the nation with competitions all over the country. And, for the past two years, Gio- vanni Ramos has gone to various cities to compete in regional competitions. He has come home with first- place trophies on three sepa- rate occasions.
Now, the 16-year-old is ready to share his knowledge with the youngsters of Tampa. He wants to teach youngsters how to master the craft as he has. “I want to have kids get involved in it because it is a fun activity, instead of having nothing to do, running the streets, and getting into trouble,” the young man said.
“I have competed against and with the best roller skaters. I have performed with the Honor Roll Skaters and have become very pol- ished in the art. I also plan to open my own rink.”
He is willing to teach kids interested in learning the sport between the ages of 10 and 18. But, he says it’s not just for children, many adults participate in the ac- tivity as well.
Giovanni began skating at the age of 5. He got into jam skating because he saw the old-school skaters break- dancing on skates and wanted to try it. Once, he did, the young man was hooked. After years of prac- tice and perfecting his tal- ents, Giovanni began competing.
GIOVANNI RAMOS ... Roller Jam Skater
Attending parades and competitions keeps his par- ents, Angelo and Gina Ramos busy because the competitions are held in cities all over the country. However, they support the fact that their son is doing something positive, so the family accumulates a lot of travel time.
In addition to skating, Giovanni keeps himself busy doing other things. Once he graduates from Chamberlain High School, the 10th grader plans to at- tend Florida State University and pursue a degree in Sports Medicine.
His next move after that is to pursue a career in model- ing and movies. But, in the meantime, the aspiring artist has designed his own shirts, hats, and skates.
Giovanni also plays mu- sical instruments, partici- pates in black belt tae kwon do, basketball, and he is ac- tive at St. Lawrence Catholic Church. He also spends much of his time volunteer- ing at nursing homes and at the Veteran’s Hospital.
PAGE 10-A FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2017