Page 8 - Florida Sentinel 1-16-18

Local
NAACP President Outlines Plans For Upcoming Year
ZORA! - A Celebration
Of African American
African American arts,
Culture
BY IRIS B. HOLTON Sentinel City Editor
During the first month of the year, people set personal goals for themselves. And, in many instances, the heads of organizations set goals as well.
Ms. Yvette Lewis, Pres- ident of the Hillsborough County Branch of the NAACP has a list of accomplishments for the organization.
Her first goal is to estab- lish and maintain more col- laboration with organizations and businesses in Hillsbor- ough County.
“With this being an elec- tion year, one of our goals is to increase voter registration and voter education. This will allow those who can vote the opportunity to cast their bal- lots,” she said.
She also has a focus on es- tablishing a better working relationship with law en- forcement on a local, state
MS. YVETTE LEWIS
... President, Hillsborough County Branch NAACP
and federal level. The agen- cies she noted were the Tampa Police Department and Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office.
On a state level, she plans to build a relationship with the Department of Correc- tions. And, on the federal level, she will concentrate her efforts on working with the Department of Justice and the Federal Bureau of Inves-
tigations.
Ms. Lewis wants to
make Tampa a ‘seamless city.’ “Tampa should not be divided by a street, red light, or railroad track. I want to create a report card on all elected officials and hold each of them accountable.”
Other initiatives on her agenda include membership and volunteerism. “I want to have a stronger voice in the community. I want to en- courage more people to vol- unteer, and more people to join.
“I want to make sure members receive their mem- bership cards and that they receive information and progress on the branch.”
She also plans on launch- ing a new project this year. Ms. Lewis hopes to start publishing a NAACP newslet- ter to keep the public in- formed about the activities and achievements of the branch,” she said.
music, dance, culture and more come together the weekend of January 26-28, 2018 during the annual ZORA! Festival, a world- renowned celebration in Cen- tral Florida’s historic town of Eatonville.
A celebration of the life of American novelist Zora Neale Hurston, who fa- mously authored Their Eyes Were Watching God as well as other stories set in her hometown of Eatonville, of- fers a variety of activities. ZORA! is an experience- packed event commemorat- ing African American culture. The festival regularly attracts more than 125,000 atten- dees.
Festival weekend high- lights include an evening af- fair with Grammy Award-winning music pro- ducer, artist and cultural
ZORA NEALE HURSTON
commentator, David Ban- ner, an outdoor arts festival honoring African American heritage, live funk and Mo- town music, a line dance showcase (bring your dancing shoes!), Hattidue for the ladies, and much more.
For more information about ZORA! Festival go to www.zorafestival.org.
FYI
Youth And Parent Empowerment Session
Jackson Heights Neighborhood Association in partnership with Advocates for Humanity, College Hill Neighborhood Association, Rainbow Heights Neighborhood Association and Robles Park Neighborhood Association, will host a morning of youth and parent empowerment entitled, “You Are Important, Empow- ering East Tampa’s Youth!”
The event will be held on Saturday, January 20, 2018 8 a. m. until 12 noon at the Jackson Heights NFL YET Center, 3310 E. Lake Avenue.
Motivational speakers and published authors John S. Rollins, President/CEO of MOTIV8U/U*R IMPT (Gainsville) and Dwayne Peter Dyce, M.A., M.Ed (Young Middle Magnet Science Instructor) will be the presenters.
Elementary and middle school students along with their parents are encouraged to attend this explosive and dynamic morning of motivation, inspiration and education.
There will be prizes for all students, as well as giveaways for the parents. Refreshments will be served. RSVP NEEDED.
Contact Robert Smith (813) 465-1924 or F. Tate (813) 675-7532.
PAGE 8 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY TUESDAY, JANUARY 16, 2018