Page 2 - Florida Sentinel 12-29-15 Edition

Features
Man May Have Had
A Seizure In Tragic Motorcycle Accident
ROBERT JAMES JONES
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, at 2:42 a. m. De- cember 17th, Robert James Jones, 46, was killed in a motor- cycle accident.
According to the report, Jones was traveling west on the on- ramp to Interstate 4 from I-75. For an unknown reason, while Jones was negotiating a curve, he went off the road, rotated clockwise, causing the left side of his motorcycle to be facing east. The tires then dug into the dirt, and the motorcycle over- turned several times before coming to a final rest.
Jones was transported to a local hospital where he was pro- nounced dead.
Troopers said according to Jones’ wife, Eulisa, he suffers from seizures. Troopers said it is unknown if he had a seizure leading up to the accident.
State Fair To Host First Black History Month Celebration
BY IRIS B. HOLTON Sentinel City Editor
In 1904, the concept of bringing the Florida State Fair to Tampa was initiated. The first Tampa event was held on a 27-acre plot of land adjoining the Henry B. Plant’s Tampa Bay Hotel in West Tampa.
Through the years, the name changed from the South Florida Fair to the Florida Mid-Winter Festival. In 1975, it officially became the Florida State Fair.
This year, the fair will have a new exhibit when it opens on February 4th. For the first time in its history, it will celebrate Black History Month.
The idea came about dur- ing discussions of making the fair more inclusive and to pre- vent events of past years, in- cluding the ejection of nearly 100 teenagers two years ago. One youngster who had been ejected, Andrew Joseph, III, was killed after he at- tempted to cross Interstate 4, in 2013.
Lewis Brinson, Chief Di- versity Officer for the Hillsbo- rough County School District said, “We started planning and reflecting on the past and the Authority asked what else could they do?
“Last year, there was a con- cert, but it wasn’t very success- ful. I said let’s make it something worthwhile, some- thing relevant. We’re talking about education, why not cele- brate Black History?
“There is a misconception about Cracker Country, but when you visit it you under- stand. That’s the same thing with African American His- tory. This is the first time in history that there will be “A Salute to Black History Month” and it should become an an- nual event.
“It’s something overdue. Charles Pesano and the State Authority realize this is a golden opportunity to include the contributions African Americans have made to the state, nationally, and interna- tionally. We need to embrace it, support it, and act responsi- bly.
“It’s time to tear down all barriers and work together. It’s a win-win situation. The fair authority is reaching out and
LEWIS BRINSON Chief Diversity Officer, Hillsborough County School District
MS. DORETHA EDGECOMB Member, Hillsborough County School Board
we should build on it this year and make it better.”
Brinson said the exhibit is currently in its final stages and encourages individuals who have artwork, collections and other projects to submit them for consideration.
“The space is filling quickly so everyone’s contribution may not be accepted. But, they should have a theme for the entry.”
Ms. Doretha Edge- comb, member of the Hills- borough County School Board said, “We think the time has come for not just the Black community, but the entire community to know about the contributions and sacrifices African Americans have made. We hope that people will come out to the exhibit and enjoy themselves, but most of all, learn and appreciate this his- tory and that’s our goal.”
Hillsborough County
Commissioner Les Miller, Jr., said, “We’ve been dis- cussing events to diversify the fair and working with the com- mittee established from the in- cident in the past.
“The Fair Authority has
CHARLES PESANO Executive Director of the Florida State Fair Authority
LES MILLER, JR. Hillsborough County Commissioner
given the space for the first Salute to Black History Month and everything that talks about Black History Month will be accessible. We have been working to get this accom- plished and this is a start.
“We are not where we need to be, but, we are not where we used to be.”
Charles Pesano said, “The Florida State Fair Author- ity is excited to partner with the Hillsborough County School District in a brand new ‘Salute to Black History Month’ exhibit that will debut at this year’s Florida State Fair. The new exhibit will be one of our special highlighted features at the 2016 Fair, which will be held February 4th through Feb- ruary 15th.
“We hope that all of our Fairgoers will make plans to visit this special exhibit in the Florida Center.”
The deadline to submit items for the exhibit is Friday, January 8, 2016. Anyone inter- ested in submitting items for consideration, contact Lewis Brinson at the Hillsborough County School District at (813) 273-7125.
FYI
Volunteers Needed
The Tampa Bay Black Heritage Festival will be celebrating its 16th year in January. With the num- ber of events they have planned, several volunteers will be needed, starting with the Financial Seminar on January 14, 2016.
The next orientation meeting for volunteers will be held on Saturday, January 9, 2016, 10 a. m. – 12 noon, for volunteers at Seminole Heights Branch Library, Room B, 4711 N. Central Ave.
Volunteers 14-17 years old must have the permission of a parent or legal guardian.
Visit the website, www.tampablackheritage.org for more information on terms and conditions.
PAGE 2 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY TUESDAY, DECEMBER 29, 2015