Page 3 - Florida Sentinel 10-17-17

Feature
NAACP Leaders Talk Tampa And Race Relations
BY KENYA WOODARD Sentinel Feature Writer
Think race relations in Tampa have come a long way? It’s true – but there’s still more work to be done.
That’s the message Hills- borough Branch NAACP President Yvette Lewis de- livered Friday to rapt audi- ence at The Oxford Exchange.
About 100 people sipped coffee and nibbled on egg sandwiches while listening to Lewis talk at Café Con Tampa, a weekly meeting that brings together neigh- borhood and community leaders.
Lewis, who earlier this summer was elected to lead the local branch of the 108- year-old civil rights organiza- tion, dived right into talking about a host of issues the group is tackling.
The city’s police depart- ment still has not apologized for the “biking while black”
Those attending the Cafe’ Con Tampa were, Amy Martz; Hills. NAACP Vice President, Albert Fields, NAACP President, Yvette Lewis, and former City Councilwoman, Linda Saul-Sena.
can – is “jeopardized” be- cause Blacks make up only 33 percent of residents in that district, Lewis said.
“If we lose that seat, we lose that voice,” she said.
Lewis also implored the council implement a local preference rule for construc- tion jobs.
Doing so could enable more citizens to participate in the current building boom and help reduce crime, she said.
Other areas for improve- ment include relations be- tween the Black community and the University of South Florida.
Lewis said both Black students and faculty have filed statements with her of- fice regarding racial inci- dents.
Improving the racial cli- mate on the campus can start with a sit-down between Lewis’s group and the uni- versity’s president, Judy Genshaft and her adminis-
tration.
“USF has done this com-
munity wrong,” she said. “And it’s time for USF to be held accountable for what they are doing.”
Despite the challenges, improving the quality of life for all of Tampa’s residents is within reach, said Albert Fields, who serves as the branch’s first vice president.
“The first step is to say, ‘I want Tampa to be better’,” he said. “What will it take to get all of Tampa together?”
Accountability isn’t just for local leaders – residents also have a role, Lewis said.
“I’m pointing the finger at ourselves too, because we’ve got work to do to,” she said.
Retired educator, Ar- lessa Kubon said the gath- ering was a great start to improving, but more needs to be done.
“It’s not just Black peo- ple,” she said. “People of all colors need to be part of this.”
ticketing program that – in its 72-page report – the De- partment of Justice said did not curb crime and was a “burden” for Black cyclists.
And while elected officials never miss an opportunity to visit Black churches and communities while cam-
paigning, “we have to fight tooth and nail to have our voice heard,” once they are sworn in, she said.
It’s a fight that could be- come more difficult next year since the seat occupied by Frank Reddick – the city council’s lone African Ameri-
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2017 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY PAGE 3