Page 14 - Florida Sentinel 9-16-22

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Dr. Xernona Clayton In Town For 92nd Birthday To Help Family
As part of her annual birthday celebration, Dr. Xernona Clayton makes it to Tampa each year. She was in Tampa last week to give back. She and a group of friends visited Metropolitan Ministries, where she dropped off several supplies. She also visited her partners at the Gwen Miller Community Center in East Tampa where she blessed a family – a mother and her daughters with food and clothing items.
Dr. Clayton, a Civil Rights activist, worked with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. for many years. (Photos courtesy of Visit Tampa Bay)
Dr. Clayton with many of the volunteers at Metropolitan Ministries. Jalem Robinson, Commu- nity Collaboration for Metropolitan Ministries, is second from right, and Sherri Brown of Visit Tampa Bay is second from left.
Dr. Clayton found the ‘perfect family’ to bless, Marleny Ortiz and her three daughters. Dr. Clayton gave the family an assort- ment of food and clothing while at the Gwen Miller Community Center.
For her 92nd birthday, Dr. Clayton partnered with Metropol- itan Ministries in Tampa to donate an assortment of food and other items. It was her first stop while in town.
The color for this day was shades of yellow and gold. Left to right are some of those who travel with Dr. Clayton: Mami Kisner, Pearl Morgan, Diane Pollard, Xernona Clayton, Sheri Brown, Dr. Marjanita Ripley, Phyllis Gillespie, Esquire, Dr. Joseph Ripley, Dr. April Ripley.
Robert Dell, Site Supervisor of the Gwen Miller Community Center, with the center’s namesake, former City Councilwoman, Gwen Miller. Both played a major role with assisting to confirm the family for Dr. Clayton.
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