Page 33 - Florida Sentinel 6-17-22

Local
City Of Tampa, Community To Celebrate 3rd Annual Juneteenth
This year’s event features cul- tural exhibitors and youth per- formers. It will be held on Friday, June 17th, at the Tampa Munici- pal Office Building, 306 E. Jack- son Street, beginning at 10:30 a.m. Mayor Jane Castor and members of the Tampa Bay June- teenth Coalition will raise the Juneteenth Flag over Old City Hall for the third time in the City’s history.
The event will take place from 9 a.m., until 1 p.m. There will also be a vendor showcase. Commu- nity members are invited to take part in the City of Tampa’s Third Annual Juneteenth Flag Raising Ceremony and Festival on Friday, June 17, 2022. The event will take place at Old City Hall, 315 E. Kennedy Boulevard, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Mayor Jane Castor and the Tampa Bay Juneteenth Coalition
will raise the Juneteenth Flag over Old City Hall during an out- door ceremony at 10:30 a.m.
This year, the City is expanding the flag raising ceremony to in- clude an arts and cultural vendor festival along Franklin Street next to City Hall. Local vendors in- clude: Gloria Jean Stories, the Tampa Bay Black Excellence Challenge, Sula Too LLC, LTM Styles Clothing at Creative Lounge, God is Inkredible, and Sweet Mama’s Ice Cream.
The City is also debuting its plans for Soul Walk—an engaging African –American cultural and heritage trail.
“We’re excited about piloting this exhibitor concept as part of this year’s flag raising,” said Janelle McGregor the City of Tampa’s Director of Community Engagement and Partnerships. “It will give attendees a chance to
JANELLE McGREGOR City of Tampa’s Director of Community Engagement and Partnerships
support local artists and busi- nesses who offer Juneteenth themed t-shirts along with art- work and historical merchandise while they are downtown for the flag raising ceremony.”
PHILETHA TUCKER- JOHNSON Tampa Bay Juneteenth Coalition President
The ceremony will also feature new additions this year thanks to the Tampa Bay Juneteenth Coali- tion’s work to involve and educate more youth. The Blake High School ROTC, saxophonist
Jamal Harris, and the Jones Boys will participate in the pro- gram alongside the Coalition and the Buffalo Soldiers.
Tampa Bay Juneteenth Coali- tion President Philetha Tucker- Johnson shared the importance of increasing youth participation. The local pastor states, “We can- not continue to allow the world to build our children. We must build our children to live in an ever- changing world. Beginning cor- rectly, is winning collectively."
In addition to raising the June- teenth flag over Old City Hall, Mayor Jane Castor is issuing a proclamation recognizing June- teenth’s historical significance to the City of Tampa. Old City Hall, Curtis Hixon Park and the down- town bridges will shine yellow, red, and green throughout the week to further commemorate the importance of this occasion.
Retired Principal
Dies Suddenly
Mrs. Juanita Underwood, a retired Hillsborough County edu- cator, died suddenly on Monday.
Mrs. Underwood was born November 16, 1950, in Tampa, FL. to the parents of Rubin Padgett, Sr. (the first African American elected to Hillsborough County's Board of County Commissioner) and Mrs. Richiedeen Padgett (Accountant & Healthcare Provider).
Growing up amongst her broth- ers James, Earl, Rubin, Jr., and Nolan, she was a tomboy at heart. As a member of First Bap- tist Church of West Tampa, her soprano voice was loved in the church choir.
During many weekends, she would spend time with her grand- mother Susie at the first black- owned nursing home, Padgett Nursing Home. As a youth see en- joyed traveling and spending time at the segregated beaches, movie theater, and local sporting events.
Mrs. Underwood attended Middleton Highs School one of two segregated High Schools in Tampa in the 60s. She left the Tampa Area to attend Talladega College (Alabama’s oldest private historically Black Liberal Arts col- lege founded in 1867) on a full ac- ademic scholarship.
Mrs. Underwood pursued her love for education by majoring in Physical Science Education grad- uating with honors. Her interests remained singing in the school’s choir and dedication to service as a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha, Inc.
Mrs. Underwood married her high school sweetheart, Ralph Underwood in Georgia and they returned to the Tampa Area. The two of them started their family with the birth of their daughter, Tracie Lowe, and Ralph Un- derwood, II.
Mrs. Underwood dedicated
MRS. JUANITA UNDERWOOD
over 40 years of her life as an edu- cator in Hillsborough County Schools. She began her career at Tomlin Middle School as a PE teacher. Continuing her love for education, Mrs. Underwood went back to school to pursue her master’s degree in Administrative Education at the University of South Florida.
After obtaining her Graduate Degree, she was promoted to As- sistant Principal and transferred to Sligh Middle School. She even- tually became that school’s Princi- pal. She spent over 20 years at Sligh Middle School and was often teaching the second and third gen- erations of her former students..
Mrs. Underwood became ac- tive in her children’s businesses after retiring.
She continued, “Juanita did not stay retired long from Hills- borough County Schools. She was called back and joined Hillsbor- ough County Schools as a Hearing Master for another five-year tenure. Her goal was to ensure that all children received an edu- cation and a second chance to set goals to further their education.” She was an avid bowler, movie- goer, dancer, card player, & trav- eler. She will be known not only for her leadership but her always willingness to bring the life to the party.
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