Vol. 29 #10 October 2023
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Publishers: Tampa Bay Tammy & DJ CEO
Tampa • St. Petersburg • Clearwater • Largo • Tarpon Springs . Brandon • Bradenton • Sarasota • Lakeland Plant City
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Power Couples’ Creed
Power Couples are upbeat couples who are visible in the community doing positive things. Power Couples implement positive change and their community is a better place because of them. Power Couples play different roles in their communities, some work with children and others with adults. Power Couples are some times entrepreneurs, stepping out on Faith making it happen, creating jobs and opportunities for others. Power Couples Couple are often times the lenders, and not the borrowers, it has nothing to do with how much money they make but everything to do with being a good shepherd with what God has given them. Power Couples may be decision makers who hold executive positions and are responsible for the livelihood of others Power Couples are helpful and people have a tendency to come to them in times of trouble for advice and encouragement. Power Couples make a personal decision to walk a positive walk. Power Couples are not perfect. They are not immune to trials and tribulations and some temptations. They may have made some mistakes and bad decisions in their past but that does not define them. Power Couples press forward and learn from their mistakes, because they know they are stronger together than they are apart.
Dear Girlfriend , I slept with a man who is married. I know it was wrong but all I do is think of him. I did not know he was married, at first. When we first met, I looked him up on Facebook to check, but did not find him. A co-worker had your paper and there he was,... with his wife. I was crushed and furious but held my composure. After my co worker said his wife’s name, I looked at her facebook page. From their pictures, he seem to have a nice family. I called him and blasted him on his voice mail. He called back and kept calling but I would not accept his calls. The next day he was waiting in the parking lot of my job saying he needed to talk to me and explain his situation. We had not done much of anything at that time except phone conversations and texting. Well, we went to a bar and had our discussion over drinks but I had not eaten, so I got tipsy. He convinced me not to drive and he drove me home. My roommate was out of town, the place was dark, so he walked me in and checked the house for me. I slept with him that evening but I have not heard from him since. I swore I would never do a married man and I had no intentions of sleeping with him. I know I was wrong but he was wrong too. I am going to blame it on the alcohol. Last week, I was walking through International Mall and there he was sitting on the patio of the Cheesecake Factory with his wife and some friends. He looked. I looked. Neither of us spoke, but his wife looked at me real hard. I am tempted to message his wife on Facebook and let her know what kind of dog she has. Where do you stand on married men doing these things, and what should I do. My sister says nothing, let it go. My friends says to message his wife on facebook. What would you do, You will be the tie breaker. Wanting to Tell On A Married Man Dear Wanting to Tell On A Married Man, It sounds like you want revenge to me and “Vengeance is mine saith the Lord.” If you try to take what God has declared is His, then you are out of order. If I were you, I would not want to be out of order with the Lord anymore than you already are. You decided to go have a drink with a man you were attracted to and you knew he was married. You should have run like a German Shepherd dog was chasing you. You should never put your self in compromising situations. A many men and women have found themselves in bad situations behind drinking. Now what is telling his wife is going to do, hurt her? Why would you want to hurt her? Maybe telling her would break up his marriage?. Do you know that when you destroy a marriage, you sometimes destroy the kids too?. Don’t do that. You know what goes around comes around. Would you want to message her on facebook if he had called you and wanted to get with you again? Check yourself and your motives. Do you think if you tell his wife and destroy her trust, he is going to come running to you? Girl, don’t let the devil use nor fool you! All that went down between the two of you is irrelevant because he is still married with children. Maybe he did like you, but like is not enough. He tried it and it he didn’t like it better than what he had at home. I am not judging you but I am gving it to you straight, to help clarify the situation, so you can think rationally. You are a grown azz woman and you allowed it all. As far as married folks cheating, there’s nothing new under the sun. Men and women are not immune to temptations. Some of us are more selfish than others and make more selfish decisions than others. Those of you without sin cast the first stone. There is enough drama that goes into a marriage without you. Hopefully he will mature and change but if he does not, that’s between him and his God. . We cannot control what others do but we can control ourselves. Respect the sanctity of marriage and leave that man and woman alone. You should be on your knees thanking God he allowed you to be faultless. Yes Faultless! She could have caught you with her husband and shot you. You could have become pregnant by a man who already has a family and does not want you. You could have a (STD). He could have taken a picture of you and shared it with others. For all you know, he could be bisexual and HIV positive. The real deal is you had casual sex, you were easy. If this is what you do, expect for this to happen to you again and again. I know you want to say everyone does it. Well, everyone is not doing anything. There are always some people doing this and some people doing that. You choose what YOU do. What you do does define you, your moral compass, and the quality of your life! Chalk that up as a lesson learned. “What God has joined to together let no man put asunder.” Be strong and stay sweet. Page 3
You Heard It From ME
By Publisher Daryl Johnson
Tampa Bay Businesses for Culture & the Arts Impact Awards Program If you’ve ever wanted to make an impact in your life or someone else’s life, just know it’s never too late. The Tampa Bay Businesses for the Cultural Arts held their annual Impact Awards gala this month at Armature Works ballroom in downtown Tampa. President and Chair, Leslie Wager Hudock welcomed those to the event by outlining the uniting of this regions’ art and business community with the work being done to stimulate their support of the arts. Throughout her welcome, she repeated the mantra, “Art is good for Business and Business is good for the Arts.” Dalia Colon, an award winning journalist with WEDU hosted the
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event. She co-hosts and is an associate producer of WEDU’s Arts Plus on Tampa Bay’s PBS Station. She graced the stage and handled the introductions with ease and poise. The winners of the night however were the stars of the evening and the Impact Award winners. Dr. Alex Harris, Maureen and Doug Cohn and Strategic Property Partners/Water Street Maureen and Doug Cohn were the Lifetime Achievement Impact Award winners. Honored for their philanthropic support of the arts since 1970, for over 50 years they have given to the American Red Cross, The Tampa Jewish Federation & Community Centers and the Tampa Museum of Art.
Strategic Property Partners/ Water Street (SPP) were the Business Impact Award recipients. They were recognized for their transformation of the Tampa Skyline with its development of Water Street Tampa. Through a collaboration with local, national and international artists, SPP scattered their artwork throughout their development showcasing and creating cultural values and inclusivity giving the entire development a vibrancy of artscapes. Lastly, Dr. Alex Harris received the Artist Achievement Impact Award. A multifaceted art-
ist and dedicated philanthropist, Dr. Harris is also the brother of Attorney Norman Harris who also lives in the Bay area. Dr. Harris has a global presence and has performed for the Prime Minister of Ireland’s Gala and The Premier Bermuda Gala. He has also collaborated with Aretha Franklin, Al Green, Alicia Keys, H.E.R., Tyrese Gibson, John Legend and Kirk Franklin to name a few. His performance for the Impact Awards capped off the night with an exciting rendition of his song that reminded everyone of just a bit of Al Green, James Brown, Otis Redding and a bit of Phillipe Wynne of the Spinners, all wrapped up in one. Other award winners were Kennedy Engasser for Literary Arts, Phillip Woodside for Visual Arts, Alana Hagan for Theater, Lauren Scotch, Kaia Owens for Vocal Music and Myra Sexton for Instrumental Music.
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Business Spotlight : BARDA HAIR BRAIDING COLLEGE & MUSEUM Barda Hair Braiding College & Museum sponsors in part its Annual Tampa Bay Area Hair Braiding Battle on January 13, 2023, Martin Luther King Jr. Weekend. Comprised of a Diaspora Beauty Refocus Business Brunch to kick things off, this event is stellar and features a silent auction of fine art and sculptures from Black Artisans in the US and Abroad. Some of the Beauty Industry’s most trending, talented hair braiders & Loctitians will battle in 4 categories: Speed, Runway looks, Originality and Precision. Both Hair Braiders & Loctitians will battle for the coveted Best Braider in the Tampa Bay Area & Best Loc-titian in the Tampa Bay Area. Hair Braiders & Loctitians from Tampa, New Tampa, Wesley Chapel, Bradenton, Palmetto, Saint Petersburg, Sarasota, New Port Richey, Holiday, Largo, Clearwater, Riverview, Sun City, Lutz, Gulfport, Saint Pete Beach, Pasadena are welcome to submit an
Entry portfolio by email to Ernisabmedia@gmail.com become a Contestant. To enter the contest, email your portfolio with a picture of yourself and your work to Ernisabmedia@gmail.com $1000 Cash prize and Crowning to 1st place, 2nd place - recives $500 Visa gift card and trophy, 3rd Place - $250 Visa gift card. Enter by 11:59 pm December 28, 2023. Barda Hair Braiding College & Musem is the only legislated Digital Hair Braiding College in the world. We are a Vocational, Digital & Technical College. Hair Braiding Starlets aka Hair Braiding Scholars youth program address youth girls age 9-17. ESE up to age 22. Literacy is addressed by K-12 English Lit workout program funded in part by the Florida Department of Education. To apply or for admission or more information call (877) 2723136 . Check us out on the at www. Bardaintl.com
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Al Sharpton, President of the National Action Network, Inc.,& MSNBC Host to Speak in Tallahassee at Church Anniversary Al Sharpton, President of the National Action Network, Inc., and MSNBC Host will speak in Tallahassee, FL Sunday, October 29, 2023, at the Bethel Missionary Baptist Church, 224 N. M. L. King, Jr., Boulevard Theme: “Moving Forward By Faith: Teaching Our Own History!” The culminating activities for the commemoration of the historic Bethel Missionary Baptist Church’s 153rd Anniversary and the 37th Pastoral Anniversary of Reverend Dr. RB Holmes will be held Sunday, October 29, 2023. The schedule of events for the day is as follows 10:00 AM Bethel Missionary Baptist Church Worship Service *Keynote Speaker: Reverend Al Sharpton *Special Recognitions of leaders and
activists committed to “Writing Our Own History” and achieving social justice for all citizens 12:30pm: Press Conference with Rev. Al Sharpton, Dr. RB Holmes, Attorney Ben Crump, Attorney Mutaqee Akbar, Ms. Martha Ervin, Community and Faith Leaders (Main Sanctuary of the Bethel Baptist Church) 1:30pm: Invitational Reception for Rev. Al Sharpton at the Four Points Tallahassee Downtown, 318 West Tennessee Street. Special Remarks by Rev. Al Sharpton, Dr. RB Holmes, and Community Leaders Ms. Martha Ervin, the senior Citizen who was falsely arrested for exercising her right to vote is a special Honoree. Charges against Ms. Ervin were dropped by the State Attorney, Jack Campbell. Special Recognition of Community leaders committed to sustaining and enhancing Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Initiatives in Florida will be observed Reverend Dr. RB Holmes, Pas-
Naaman Johnson Jr.
tor of the Bethel Missionary Baptist Church and President of the Tallahassee Chapter of the National Action Network stated “Sunday will be another historic moment at Bethel Missionary Baptist Church. After all of the attacks on black history, voter suppression laws, affirmative action, the dumbing down of our colleges and universities, dangerous gun laws, and a plethora of social, cultural and political issue, we wanted Rev. Sharpton to preach to this church and community to encourage us to never give in to the hateful and hurtful policies of some far right political leaders.” Attorney Benjamin Crump stated, “We are thrilled to welcome Reverend Sharpton to Bethel Missionary, a place of faith, hope, and solidarity for so many. Together, we stand united, committed to dismantling barriers and creating a future where everyone is treated with dignity and respect. Reverend Sharpton’s and Reverend Holmes’ tireless work in civil rights continues to inspire, re-
minding us that change is not just possible, but inevitable when we join hands and hearts in the name of justice.” Dianne Williams-Cox, Mayor Pro Tempore of City of Tallahassee stated, “How appropriate it is to have Reverend Sharpton to speak at Bethel Missionary Baptist Church following FAMU’s festive homecoming celebration! We must stay woke! Attorney Mutaqee Akbar, President of the Tallahassee chapter of the NAACP added “We are excited to have Rev. Al Sharpton to come speak to our community. It is important that we continue to highlight the atrocities of policies that our Governor continues to implement while we also continue to motivate our community to be a part of the electoral process. The arrest of Marsha Ervin for voting is a prime example of the extent our Governor will go to continue to disenfranchise and intimidate voters. Sharpton has always been instrumental in speaking out and speaking for our community.”
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Go Ahead And Get Your Laugh On The Check up
During my check-up I asked the Doctor, “Do you think I’ll live a long and healthy life then?” He replied, “I doubt it somehow. Mercury is in Uranus right now.” I said, “I don’t go in for any of that astrology nonsense.” He replied, “Neither do I. My thermometer just broke.”
God’s Time
A guy said to God, “God, is it true that to you a billion years is like a second?” God said yes. The guy said, “God, is it true that to you a billion dollars is like a penny?” God said yes. The guy said, “God, can I have a penny?” God said, “Sure, just a second.
The Delivery Room
Four men are in the hospital waiting room because their wives are having babies. A nurse goes up to the first guy and says, “Congratulations! You’re the father of twins.” “That’s odd,” answers the man. “I work for the Minnesota Twins!” A nurse says to the second guy, “Congratulations! You’re the father of triplets!” “That’s weird,” answers the second man. “I work for the 3M company!” A nurse tells the third man, “Congratulations! You’re the father of quadruplets!” “That’s strange,” he answers. “I work for the Four Seasons hotel!” The last man is groaning and banging his head against the wall. “What’s wrong?”, the others ask. “I work for 7 Up!”
The Taxi Ride
Mother’s Day.
A taxi passenger tapped the driver on the shoulder to ask him a question. The driver screamed, lost control of the car, nearly hit a bus, went up on the footpath, and stopped inches from a shop window. For a second, everything was quiet in the cab. Then the driver said, “Look, mate, don’t ever do that again. You scared the living daylights out of me!” The passenger apologized and said, “I didn’t realize that a little tap would scare you so much.” The driver replied, “Sorry, it’s not really your fault. Today is my first day as a cab driver — I’ve been driving a funeral van for the last 25 years.”
Two children ordered their mother to stay in bed one Mother’s Day morning. As she lay there looking forward to breakfast in bed, the smell of bacon floated up from the kitchen. But after a good long wait she finally went downstairs to investigate. She found them both sitting at the table eating bacon and eggs. “As a surprise for Mother’s Day,” one explained, “we decided to cook our own breakfast.”
The Island
Two elderly women were out driving in a large car--both could barely see over the dashboard. As they were cruising along, they came to an intersection. The stoplight was red, but they just went on through. The woman in the passenger seat thought to herself 'I must be losing it. I could have sworn we just went through a red light.' After a few more minutes, they came to another intersection and the light was red. Again, they went right through. The woman in the passenger seat was almost sure that the light had been red but was really concerned that she was losing it. She was getting nervous. At the next intersection, sure enough, the light was red and they went on through. So, she turned to the other woman and said, "Mildred, did you know that we just ran through three red lights in a row? "You could have killed us both!" Mildred turned to her saying, "Oh crap, am I driving”?
The Weekend
Why are Saturday and Sunday the strongest days of the week? The rest of the days are weak days”
Friends to the End En
A cruise ship passes by a remote island, and all the passengers see a The Doctors Visit Putin is held hostage by a terrorist. A A 6 foot handsome young man with bearded man running around and Russian truckdriver stops at the back bleached blonde hair and blue con- waving his arms wildly. of a long queue on the motorway. He “Captain,” one passenger asks, “who tact lens sat patiently waiting. sees a policeman walking down the is that man over there?” Doctor: What’s ailing you? line of stopped cars to briefly talk “I have no idea,” the captain says, Patient: “Doc, my bum hurts...” to the drivers. As the policeman apDoctor: “Where specifically does it “but he goes nuts every year when proaches the truck, the truckdriver we pass him.” hurt?” rolls down his window and asks, Patient: “Right around the entrance.” The Burglar “What’s going on?” Doctor: “Yeah well that’s the exit. A parrot who attempts to warn a burPoliceman: “A terrorist is holding As long as you think it’s an entrance, glar that Jesus is watching him as he Putin hostage in a car. He’s demandit’ll continue to hurt.” steals from his home. The burglar ing 10 million rubles, or he’ll douse asks the parrot who he is, and the Putin in petrol and set him on fire. So Custody Court bird responds that his name is Mowe’re asking drivers for donations.” A Husband and Wife at Custody ses. When the burglar asks the parDriver: “Oh, ok. How much do peocourt. The judge looks sternly at the rot what kind of crazy people named ple donate on average.” ex wife. him Moses, the parrot tells him that Policeman: “About a gallon.” Judge: “Why do you think you de- the same kind of people that named serve custody of the child?” him Moses named their 150-pound The Lawyer Ex wife: “I brought him into this dog Jesus. A guy asks a lawyer about his fees. world so I should have custody of “I charge $50 for three questions”, the lawyer says. hat’s awfully steep, him.” First Day of School Judge: “That is a simple yet good isn’t it?”, the guy asks. Kid going to his first day of school, reason.” “Yes, I suppose so”, the lawyer Then the judge looks towards the Ex he looks worried, his dad asks him, replies. “Now what’s your final “What’s wrong?” husband. question?” NOTICE Judge: “Why do you think you de- Nervous, the kid asks, “How long do I have to go to school for?” Notice is hereby given that the underSalary serve custody of the child, sir?” “Until you’re 18,” says the father. signed, desiring to engage in business My boss was honest with me today. The ex husband thought long and The kid nods, and thinks about this under the fictitious name of Envision He pulled up to work with his sweet hard about his response, after a brief quietly. When they get to the front Resolutions intends to register the new car this morning and I compli- moment of silence, he replies, “If I gates of the school, the kid says, said name with the Florida Departmented him on it. He replied, “Well, put money into a Pepsi machine and “Dad, you will remember to come ment of State, Division of Corporaif you work hard, set goals, stay de- a Pepsi comes out. Is it mine or the and get me when I’m 18, won’t tions, Tallahassee, FL and/or Clerk of termined and put in long hours, I can machines?” you?” the Court of Hillsborough County, FL get an even better one next year.” Casey & Antionette Davis Keep on Laughing...Laughter Heals! Envision Resolution
The Hostage\
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