Page 8 - Florida Sentinel 11-24-17

Local
Grandmom Disputes Claim That Child Ran Into Path Of Car
Woman’s Pain And Need To Heal Led To The Creation Of Hive Over Matter
BY KENYA WOODARD Sentinel Feature Writer
Seven years ago, Jomil Bell was a well-known commu- nity activist with a great job, strong network of family and friends, and amazing boyfriend.
Then one day, her world collapsed.
Her father, a prominent pas- tor, had been accused of mo- lestation. Eventually, he would be convicted and imprisoned.
Recovery from such trau- matic events required Bell to pick up her life – and a pen.
“Literally...everything was gone,” she said. “I had to break down everything that I knew to be good and true and redefine it.”
Bell moved to Tampa to start again: New job, new friends, new network.
Throughout the ordeal, she kept writing, spilling her pain and rage into poetry. Writing would be the balm necessary for her to heal and move forward with her new life.
Bell soon realized that the outlet she’d used since age 11 to sort out life – the written word – could help others, especially women.
She created Hive Over Mat- ter, a storytelling company that empowers women by helping them discover unique and cre- ative ways to tell their stories.
Writing down our dreams, visions, and emotions is one of the most effective – and thera- peutic – art forms, Bell said.
“Life was created with words,” she said. “You see slow down and see what’s in your mind and your heart and you manifest it.”
JOMIL BELL
Hive Over Matter now has blossomed into a thriving online business and virtual community with a strong social media fol- lowing.
On Sunday, Hive Over Matter hosted its first event at the Tampa Heights Junior Civic Association that featured artists sharing their experiences – love, injustice, empowerment – through spoken word artists and music.
The goal of Hive Over Mat- ter is to offer its community a space where members – whom Bell affectionately calls “honey- bees” – can share their stories through the written or spoken word and find release or heal- ing.
“I believe that we have every resource we need to heal one another, help one another, and grow one another,” she said. “As we inspire one another and we collect our stories that we create...that helps us...emo- tionally.”
For more information about Hive Over Matter, visit www.hiveovermatter.org.
BY IRIS B. HOLTON Sentinel City Editor
Last Thursday, an eleven- year-old student died after being struck by a car. The ac- cident occurred on Orient Road, just north of 29th Street.
According to the Hills- borough County Sheriff’s Of- fice, the accident took place at approximately 4:45 p.m. Ms. Sabrina Ann Buster, 47, was driving southbound on Orient Road. Brandon Heard, Jr., reportedly ran into the path of the car.
However, his grand- mother, Mrs. Kimberly Ali, said the accident was witnessed by Brandon’s sis- ters, cousins, and neighbors. She stated that the child did not run into the path of the car.
“The other children had crossed the street and they were waiting for Brandon. His old bus driver saw him and turned on the lights and extended the arm for traffic to stop. The woman who hit him did not stop for the school bus lights. She was speeding and there were no skid marks on the street. Brandon died instantly,” she said.
BRANDON HEARD, JR. 2/28/2006 --- 11/16/2017
A Tampa native, Brandon was the only son and the mid- dle child of Ms. Shamica Baldwin. Prior to attending Mann Middle School, Bran- don attended Lockhart Ele- mentary School from kindergarten through 5th grade.
“He loved dancing and sports, especially football. I’m sitting here looking at his trophies. He played at Jack- son Heights Parks and he kept you laughing. He was a good student. He was very polite and he kept us going.
He was an angel. God has called His angel home,” his grandmother said.
In addition to his mother, Brandon is survived by his father, Brandon Heard, Sr., stepfather, Kivaughn Polite, sisters, grandparents, and other family members and friends. Funeral services for Brandon are tentatively set for Saturday at the Center of Manifestation.
Mrs. Ali said the family is having a Candlelight Vigil at her home each night at 7 p.m.
Tampa Housing To Give Away Turkey Dinners At Workshop
The Tampa Housing Au- thority Youth & Family Serv- ices will host its 5th Annual Parent Workshop on Wednesday, November 22nd. The event will take place at Oaks at Riverview Community Center, 110 E. Kirby Street, 33610.
The workshop, which will begin at 10 a.m., is enti- tled, “iFamily: Keys to Help- ing Families in a Tech-Savvy World.” The event is free and open to the public.
The first 60 people to
register and participate will receive a Thanksgiving bas- ket, complete with a turkey and the trimmings for a fam- ily meal. In order to receive the basket, the parents must have school-aged children.
In addition to the food basket, lunch will be pro- vided along with raffles and other prizes.
The event is designed to give parents an opportunity to learn the pros and cons of social media, including ways to disconnect from devices
for quality family time. This will be done through the use of guest speakers and inter- active discussions.
The workshops are held annually and cover a variety of topics, ranging from bul- lying to mental wellness.
The doors for the event will open at 9:30 a.m. The event will conclude at 1 p.m. In order to attend the event, parents must register by contacting Allie Steele at (813) 644-2215 or Diane Lindsay at (813) 267-9257.
PAGE 8-A FLORIDA SENTINEL-BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2017