ONYX ON THE MOVE
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COMMUNITY HERO
he Tampa Bay Lightning honored Samuel Lamar Wright, Sr. as the Lightning Community Hero this evening during the first period of tonight's game against the Colorado Avalanche. Wright, who received a $50,000 donation from the Lightning Foundation and the Lightning Community Heroes program, presented by Jabil, will donate the money to Tampa Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc./GuideRight Foundation, Tampa Black Heritage Festival, CDC of Tampa Bay, Voice the Movement, and the NAACP/The Tides Foundation. Dr. Wright, a member of ONYX Magazine’s Advisory Committee, is a well-known community activist and public servant who has been influential in numerous ways to better African American students and the Tampa Bay community. He has spent 27 years working in various roles at University of South Florida, where he has used his leadership roles to advise student organizations about diversity and urged their involvement in communities of color. His work has directly led to a diversification in roles not only at USF but throughout our community.
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VALENTINE’S DAY BIRTHDAY PARTY
he seniors of West Lakes community in Orlando really know how to throw a party! Each Valentine’s Day, they gather for food, dancing and a great time at the L. Claudia Allen Center in Orlando. They also always have cake and balloons in celebration of ONYX Magazine Publisher Rich Black, who was born on the day of love!
52 ONYX MAGAZINE
O Founded in 1870, St. Paul African Methodist Episcopal Church, one of the longest standing, and most important African American churches in Tampa, is now a part of Soulwalk. Photo courtesy of City of Tampa.
a city that honors its history, a city that is not afraid to confront its challenges of the past, and a city that highlights the Black voice and the accomplishments that helped shape our community.” Brown is the Multicultural Business Development executive at Visit Tampa Bay. The Soul Walk is scheduled to open in 2024.
HIGHWAYMEN HISTORY
SIXTH ANNUAL COLLARD GREEN FESTIVAL
TAMPA LAUNCHES THE SOUL WALK
ampa Mayor Jane Castor and other city leaders launched an exhibit called, Soul Walk in February to highlight African American contributions from the past to the present. The walkable exhibit spans 46 miles and 25 neighborhoods within the city of Tampa. Along the routes, visitors can take in nearly 100 stops from lenticular prints at the Perry Harvey Sr. Park to historical landmarks, churches, and murals that highlight the Black communities. ONYX Magazine’s 2019 Women on the Move honoree Sherri Brown said, “this walk will be attributed to the people who built this great city and to the challenges that they overcome,” she said. “The Soul Walk represents
BE A PART OF
NYX Magazine joined the sixth annual Tampa Bay Collard Green Festival (TBCFG) in St. Petersburg in February. TBCGF Inc. engages the community by hosting the Publix 2023 Tampa Bay Collard Green Festival in partnership with the Dr. Carter G. Woodson African-American Museum. Collard green festivals are on the rise nationwide, however, this one has a unique twist! From fresh produce, plant cultivation, exploring diverse cooking methods, to dietary enlightenment and so much more, TBCGF embodies a communal and holistic focus toward living healthier lifestyles. Also, the streets around the festival were lined with vendors selling their products. The photo shows festival founders Boyzell Hosey and Samantha Harris; and vendor Howard Gunn.
Order your Florida Highwaymen Specialty License Plate Voucher
www.flhsmv.gov Proceeds from the sales of Highwayment specialty license plates will help fund the construction of the Highwaymen Museum and African-American Cultural Center, as well as art education projects in St. Lucie County.
