We were blessed to attend the 42nd Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Breakfast at the Marriott Waterside in Downtown Tampa as guests of Power couple Darrick and Angela Fullwood, owners of AAA Restoration Construction Company.
The 6:45 am start may have deterred a few but not the long list of Tampa dignitaries. I was truly impressed with the turn out.
Gabrielle Morrison, Daughter of Bob Morrison ESQ and Dr. Jacintha Buggs Morrison delivered the occasion with eloquence.
Musician Larson Washington moved the audience with the gospel song, “I am anchored in the Lord.” The keynote speaker was Rev Emanuel Cleaver who reminded us that our voting rights and our democracy is being challenged. He reiterated that we must call and write our congressional leaders.
TOBA annually presents scholarships to deserving Black students. N-Touch Radio host and TOBA Chair of Youth Development, Attorney Clinton Paris proudly announced 4 recipients:. Isaiah Alfred & Indya King of Blake High School and JaMario Hargrove & Autumn Hamilton of Middleton High School all will attend HBCUs.
After breakfast, we hurried home, changed clothes, did a bit of work on the Newspaper, and went on to the MLK foundation parade.
Yes! The City of Tampa Dr. Martin Luther King Parade was on again after a year layoff due to COVID 19. This was the first year that both FAMU Marching 100 and the Bethune Cookman University Band were in attendance The parade started at Cuscaden Park located at 2900 N. 15th Street in the heart of East Tampa at 1:00 and ended at Middleton High School next door to the Skills Center.
Thankfully We were invited to tailgate with Power Couple Ken and Celeste Roberts at their newly acquired Skills Center Building. Lunch and drinks were provided. Family and friends were encouraged to hang out and unwind. We laughed and networked as the parade participants passed by throwing beads, playing music and just having a great time. and it was a much needed outing.
Coming from a family of Kappa Alpha Psi Men, I must share the proud moment I experienced witnessing the large turn out of my fraternity brothers (old and young) stepping in the parade. I was so moved I am considering strolling right along with them next year and inviting my brother and nephew to join us. The Dr. Martin Luther King Parade Foundation, Inc. is a certified charitable 501c3 non-profit organization established in 2014, whose purpose is to honor and celebrate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., while providing a lasting and positive impact throughout the Tampa community.
