ONYX on the Move

BIKERZ READY FOR JAMBOREE

Visit Tampa Bay and the City of Tampa kicked off the upcoming United Bikerz Jamboree in April. Our friend Sherri Brown, the vice president of Multicultural Sales and Development at Visit Tampa Bay, was successful in booking the gathering, which will host 10,000+ bikers in July.

Tampa Mayor Jane Castor applauded Jamboree organizer Chris “Top” Hill for safely hosting a scaled down version of the event during the pandemic in 2020.

“Since then, we have shown how…we can have safe events. We can look out, first and foremost, for the health of our community and we can also, not only lift up economically, but lift our spirits up as well,” she said.

The City estimates the event will bring about $8 million in revenue. Bikers from clubs across the nation will attend the Jamboree. One is Retired U.S. Army Sergeant Major Anthony Smith who joined the Buffalo Soldiers Motorcycle Club in 2011.

“I’ll tell you, it’s an experience,” Smith said of belonging to the club. “We have been all over the world.” The Buffalo Soldiers have 122 chapters across the world, including eight in Florida. The club gets its moniker from the 1866 Black Calvary of the same name. Dubbed “Buffalo Soldiers” by the Native Americans who fought in the Indian Wars, the six all-Black calvary and infantry were a part of the 10th Calvary Regiment of the United States Army, formed at Fort Leavenworth, Kan.

Bikers are not only known for riding, but also for their philanthropy. They donate food, clothes, toys, and money throughout their communities.

The Jamboree will be held July 1-4, 2021, and admission will be $40.

First baseman, manager and the first Black Major League Baseball coach who became one of the game’s brightest stars, Buck O’Neil returned home to Sarasota in February in an exhibition. Titled “Buck O’Neil: Right On Time,” the presentation was on loan to the Sarasota African American Cultural Coalition (SAACC) from the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in Kansas City. And while reception guests had to say goodbye to the late Kansas City Monarch’s player when the show closed, they got to say hello to an MLB outfielder: Ian Desmond.

Desmond, a former Colorado Rockies player, grew up in Sarasota. COVID-19 brought him back to the area. Struck with a desire to give back, he recently created Newtown Connection, a baseball program in Newtown Estates Park for kids 6 to 12 years old.

“Walter Gilbert was my coach. Buck O’Neil’s a coach,” he said, pointing to Kansas City Monarchs player Leon Harris, who was coached by O’Neil. “And now I’m coach to kids in Newtown Estates Park. The way that we’ve all intertwined and the way that Buck O’Neil is at the center of this is exactly who Buck was. No one is talking about Buck’s stats and hopefully one day no one’s talking about my stats. We’ll be talking about the men that we are and the men that we’ve raised up.”

SAACC will host more traveling exhibits. “Beaches, Benches and Boycotts,” a show about Civil Rights history in Tampa Bay presented by the Florida Holocaust Museum, is upcoming. An exhibition and series of workshops featuring Florida Highwaymen artists will be showcased in partnership with Selby Botanical Gardens in Sarasota.

Story By Vickie Oldham. Photos courtesy of Sarasota African American Cultural Coalition

Visit Tampa Bay President and CEO Santiago Corrada stands in front of a Polaris Slingshot, a three-wheeled motor vehicle.

Bikerz Chris “Top” Hill and “Duba D”

Visit Tampa Bay VP Sherri Brown, Tampa Mayor Jane Castor and Buffalo Soldiers Motorcycle and Troopers President Anthony Smith.

BASEBALL GREAT BUCK O’NEIL EXHIBIT BRINGS FOLKS TOGETHER

Dr. Lawrence Miller, Mrs. Laura Harris, Leon Harris, Kansas City Monarchs player during the 1953-54 season, and Colorado Rockies Major League Baseball player Ian Desmond attended the reception.

ONYX MAGAZINE PRESENTS A STELLER VIRTUAL CELEBRATION: 2021 WOMEN ON THE MOVE

ONYX MAGAZINE STAFF REPORT

Ayear of the coronavirus pandemic did not stop ONYX Magazine from presenting 18 of Florida’s trailblazers, women who make significant strides every day in their communities and professions. In March, ONYX Magazine’s sixth annual Women on the Move (WOTM), with Founding Partner Orlando Health and Presenting Sponsor Mercedes-Benz of Orlando, recognized these impactful and influential Black women during a virtual awards celebration which can now be viewed on ONYX Magazine’s YouTube Channel and Facebook page. Keeping the Women’s History Month theme, “Refusing to Be Silent,” the event stressed the importance of women standing together for our communities while recognizing women who have shattered the glass ceiling in their professions and persevered against all odds. ONYX Magazine was excited to collaborate with its sponsors to present these phenomenal women—trailblazers who are leading major businesses to succeed on national and international levels in several professional disciplines. “These powerful and innovative achievers are contributors to a thriving economy every day,” said Richard “Rich” E. Black, ONYX Magazine’s Publisher, CEO and Editor-in-chief. “Our sponsors and other supporters are pivotal to making Women on the Move one of the most prestigious events to recognize women across Florida.” ONYX Magazine’s Women on the Move gave a special Woman of the Year salute to Carolyn Fennell, a communications leader who is responsible for external and internal media and public relations at Orlando International Airport and Orlando Executive Airport. In her role as primary spokesperson, she oversees all domestic and international media relations, including crisis communications for both airports. At the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority, she has held various roles in international marketing, customer service and community outreach.

During the virtual presentation, each honoree thanked ONYX Magazine for the special recognition and said a few words about the importance of giving Black women the credit they deserve for contributing to society in critical ways.

Orlando City Commissioner Regina I. Hill, District 5, was a special guest during the show. She encouraged viewers to take steps to make positive differences in their own communities.

“When ONYX Magazine Publisher Rich Black founded Women on the Move, he did so in a spirit of excellence so that the presentation of each honoree would inspire another Black woman to do more, to be more. Each of us can commit to making a difference: but it’s not enough only to commit; we must execute,” she said. “So, I encourage each of you watching to identify one thing you can do every day to make your communities stronger—and then do it. To be silent is to stand in agreement. Speak up and change the status quo. Each of us could be a woman on the move.”

Orlando City Commissioner Bakari Burns, District 6, promoted the significant strides Black women have made to reach back and bring others along.

“Black women have long been vital to the quality of life for their families and critical to the impact their communities make. Through their enormous

Saxophonist Ricky Jackson gets ready for his performance during the recording of the show. WOTM host Sarah Vaughn rehearses.

Woman of the Year Carolyn Fennell with Orlando City Commissioner Bakari Burns, District 6, at the filming of the virtual show.

efforts, they create opportunities for others and influence groundbreaking change. Yet, their significance often goes unnoticed; their work pushed aside while they are marginalized by others. That’s why Women on the Move is so important,” he stated. “This is our chance to put our sisters on a pedestal and show the whole world what they have accomplished. We also take the time to note that excellence among Black women is the norm.”

Perhaps the most poignant words came from Woman of the Year, Carolyn Fennell.

“Now, more than ever, we need the presence of strong women to address the core issues of our country: economic parity, violence against women and children, racial justice,” she said. “All of these women can make a difference in them and help to solve the issues. Every year, I set aside a mantra, an affirmation that guides me throughout the year, and that mantra is, ‘I am.’ There’s work to be done in many areas and women can do it. Start by saying I am.”

She closed by quoting 2021 Presidential Inauguration Poet Amanda Gorman. “…The new dawn blooms as we free it, for there is always light if only we are brave enough to see it,” she quoted. “So, I say to you, Women on the Move, you are brave and bright enough to pursue it.” This year’s leadership was WOTM Chair Nancy Port Schwalb, the president of Schwalb Public Relations, and the WOTM Committee. To see the honorees and event sponsors, visit www.onyxwotm.com.

Founding Partner

Orlando Health

Presenting Sponsors

Mercedes-Benz of Orlando Disney Parks, Enterprises and Products Sodie Doces Visit Tampa Bay

Event Sponsors

Baptist Medical Center Health Becker Commissioner Bakari Burns, District 6 Commissioner Regina I. Hill, District 5 FAMU College of Law Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau Greater Orlando Aviation Authority Homes Direct Orlando Magic The Sisterhood University of Central Florida University of South Florida Office of Supplier Diversity West Lakes Partnership 90.7 WMFE

2021 WOTM COMMITTEE

Rich Black

ONYX Magazine Publisher, President and CEO

Nancy Port Schwalb

2021 WOTM Chair

D. Shenell Reed, M.B.A.

ONYX Magazine Managing Editor

Tanika Bango Maria Barnes Sherri Brown Laura Dorsey Marianne Eggleston, M.B.A. Judie Gilliam Donna Gilmer Barbara Hartley Lenny LaRusso Tzvia LaRusso Brenda March Bertha Cooper Rousseau Samuel L. Wright, Ed.D.