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Local
Three Time Award Winning Educator, Author Releases 5th Children’s Book
BY LEON B. CREWS Sentinel Staff Writer
Local educator and author, Cynthia Gadson, known and recognized for publish- ing children’s books she uses to promote positive social change in children’s lives, has published her 5th book, “A Call For Character.”
“This was prompted by my observation in seeing a need of people enhancing and ex- hibiting positive character more often.
Ms. Gadson said the story sends a message that there is a fight of good char- acter verses bad character.
“Good character can lead to good consequences and bad character can lead to bad consequences.
Ms. Gadson published her first book, “Big Bully Bob” as a tool along with a new anti-bullying pledge song she wrote during her presentations and events during Anti-Bullying Aware-
Cynthia Gadson poses with a copy of her first book joined by her son and illustrator, Maurice Lindsey.
ness Month in October.
“I’m pleased that my anti- bullying campaign has gotten so much support and I learned when you’re working within the educational sys- tem, you have to be proac-
tive.
“You have to deal with
learned behavior, and get in- volved with the parents of the perpetrators and victims
Anti-bully pledgers: Quinen Lindsey, Sarari Lindsey Nakari Kay, and Ebony Shepperd.
of bullying. We want every- one to be safe from bullying.” Ms. Gadson said in her research, she’s found that there are various reasons a
child chooses to be a bully. “In most cases it’s insecu- rity, low self esteem, and just the need to fit in. Bullying is something that shouldn’t be tolerated on any level. It even occurs in the workplace be-
tween employers and em- ployees.
For parents, Ms. Gadson said they have resources to deal with bullying, like on- line help, a hotline, and school administrators.
Ms. Gadson said what it all comes down to is the need to talk about bullying, be- cause when you cover it up you run into situations where
kids get so depressed, they take their own lives.
“I’m passionate bout what I’m doing, and I was a victim of bullying when I was young. That’s when I realized bullies were people who were deflecting their own prob- lems onto others.
Ms. Gadson is currently at Clemmie James Elemen- tary School.
Heritage Festival Board Gearing
Up For 10 Days Of Music, Cultural Events
DR. SAMUEL L. WRIGHT, SR. ...Founder
RUBY JACKSON ...Festival Chairperson
WILLIAM SANDERS ...Festival Chairperson
MICHAEL FRED WASHINGTON MOORE
WILLIAM ‘BILL’ TROTMAN ...Corporate Liaison
CONNIE HICKS ...Sponsorship Coordinator
BY GWEN HAYES Sentinel Editor
With the Christmas holidays behind them, the members of the Board of Directors of the Tampa Bay Black Heritage Festival are ready to kick off the 16th music and cultural event. Since its inception in 2000, the festival has grown with participants and sponsors, and the music fest continues to bring in signature performers.
Dr. Samuel L. Wright, Sr., founder of the fes- tival continues to be a consultant as needed. Dr. Wright and the Tampa Bay Convention and Visitors Bureau had a vision to raise awareness of the African and African-American heritage within the Tampa Bay Area and surrounding community. Their com- bined efforts brought about increased exposure to African and African-American culture through pos- itive images and achievements.
The 2016 festival events kick of the 10-day event with a Financial Seminar with William Bill Trot- man of TD Bank. The free seminar will be held on
Thursday, January 14, 2016, 6 p. m.-9 p. m. at the Entrepreneur Collaborative Center, 2101 E. Palm Ave.
The festival dates are January 14-23rd, 2016. Visit the website for all of the events. This year’s festival is termed, “Sweet 16 Celebration.”
Those who have worked diligently behind the scenes as members of the Board of Directors are:
Ruby Jackson, who has served as the Chairper- son since 2010, is a Tampa native. She has worked with the festival for several years. Currently em- ployed by the University of South Florida, College of Education, Office of the Dean, Ms. Jackson is the mother of 2 sons.
William Sanders, Festival Chairperson (also since 2010) and Entertainment Coordinator, has worked with the festival since its inception and is re- sponsible for its Gospel component. Founder of Un- limited Gospel Expression (UGE), Sanders is described as a Gospel Historian. He is active in his church and the Tampa Bay religious community.
Michael Washington plays a very significant
role in the festival events. As the Logistics Adminis- trator, he plans the layout for the significant 2-day street festival. He has been involved with the Tampa Organization of Black Affairs (TOBA) and Habitat for Humanity; and he’s active in his church.
Washington has spent 7 years as an airport de- signer with the Hillsborough County Aviation Au- thority. He and his wife, Jacqueline, are the parents of one son.
The Sponsorship Administrator of the Tampa Bay Black Heritage Festival (TBBHF) is Fred Moore. He has been a member of the Board since 2009. His financial expertise to provide funds has made it possible to prevent unique cultural events.
William ‘Bill’ Trotman, TD Bank, N. A., Cor- porate Liaison, with his 10 years of experience in the finance industry, has been growing the financial seminars since he joined the Board.
Connie Hicks also serves a very important role as the Sponsorship Coordinator of the TBBHF. The Kingston, TN native has called Florida her home for the past 34 years. Currently employed by Florida
...Logistics Administrator
...Sponsorship Administrator
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