Neighborhood News Bureau

Category: Religion, Faith & Philosophy

  • Gallery celebrates second year, highlights Florida-born artist

    Gallery celebrates second year, highlights Florida-born artist

    REPORTING BY KATIE CALLIHAN AND MARLA KORENICH
    PHOTOS BY KATIE CALLIHAN
    NNB Reporters

    MIDTOWN-During February of 2014, a massive snowstorm known as PAX froze and shut down the entire heartbeat of the city of Atlanta.

     

    Mitchell, 33, talks with a Guest about her art pieces. She says, “ I usually say a prayer at the beginning of the week and then come up with paintings I want to do. The Lord never disappoints.”
    Mitchell, 33, talks with a Guest about her art pieces. She says, “ I usually say a prayer at the beginning of the week and then come up with paintings I want to do. The Lord never disappoints.”

    The major power outages left more than 100,000 people in the dark without heat for days, and for some, weeks. (source: http://time.com/6747/over-200000-without-power-in-georgia-as-winter-storm-descends/)

     

    During that snowstorm two years ago, Melissa Mitchell was one of the many stuck inside. With nothing else to do, her curiosity peaked and she decided to pick up a paintbrush for the first time.

    Within the first two weeks of her new painting career, Mitchell had sold 20 pieces. This was clear evidence that she had something special worth pursuing.

    Mitchell said, “I was always colorful and creative, but I never painted before because I didn’t think I could.”

    Little did she know that just a couple years later, she would be the featured artist at Gallerie 909’s second year anniversary celebration this past Sunday in Midtown, St. Petersburg.

    Walking into the gallery, natural light bounced onto her collection from a large window next to the front door.

    Many laughs were shared as stories were told about the different pieces of art displayed.
    Many laughs were shared as stories were told about the different pieces of art displayed.

    Her vibrant pieces covered the main entry white wall on the right-hand side of the room.

    They added life that displayed bold, black lines contrasted by a pop of bright colors.

    “My pieces are organized chaos. The black lines give balance,” Mitchell said about her painting style.

    Spread across a white shelf and scattered under her wall of paintings, Mitchell was also selling handmade earrings. Mitchell said that she started to make earrings for herself because she couldn’t find anything else to buy that matched her bright clothes.

     

    “Chanel West came all the way down from Boston to Tampa in August. She now bakes from her home to support her two daughters.”
    Chanel West came all the way down from Boston to Tampa in August. She now bakes from her home to support her two daughters.

    Mitchell has already sold over 300 pieces of jewelry without any traditional advertisements. She said that she only executes Facebook and Instagram as her network and marketing tools.

    “I’m definitely a millennial,” said Mitchell. “All of my business is either from social media or word of mouth.”

    This was not Mitchell’s first time in the hot seat. Since day one, Mitchell has already participated in about seven art shows and has sold over 150 pieces total.

    Bright fabric like orange sherbet ice cream was wrapped around Mitchell’s head.“This is my artwork too,” she said. She explained that printing her paintings on fabric is another project she’s going to start working on for others to purchase as well.

    Patrick Collins, neighbor to the gallery and owner of Deuces BBQ, poses with one of his cooks smoking ribs and shrimp during the peak of lunch hour.
    Patrick Collins, neighbor to the gallery and owner of Deuces BBQ, poses with one of his cooks smoking ribs and shrimp during the peak of lunch hour.

    During the celebration at Gallerie 909, Mitchell sold at least 12 pieces, but she said that wasn’t her biggest success of the day.

    “I spoke to an artist that is now ready to restart. If I encourage anyone, it is a good trip,” Mitchell said.

    Mitchell was just one of the many artists that were welcomed by Carla Bristol, Gallerie 909’s owner and event curator.
    Gathered around tables of plates with fresh baked mini-cheesecakes and BBQ pork sandwiches painters, musicians, sculptors, and friends all shared one reason for being there.

    They just love Carla Bristol.

    Annie Tyrell, owner of Annie’s Beauty Supply, gave Bristol credit for her success.

    Annie Tyrell, owner of Annie’s Beauty Supply, poses with her niece Brenda Jackson.
    Annie Tyrell, owner of Annie’s Beauty Supply, poses with her niece Brenda Jackson.

    Tyrell moved her beauty supply store to be Bristol’s neighbor. Their storefronts now face each other on the Deuces. Tyrell said that Bristol found the new location for her.

     

    Tyrell followed Bristol’s advice.

    “At my old location, I was dead, and now, I am alive,” said Tyrell. “She is the life behind the Deuces.”

    Creative Pinellas executive director Barbara St. Clair, was one of many in the crowd and said, “She’s a dynamo. Every time she does something, it’s great.”

    “This is a place for connecting,” said Bristol.

    Bristol hopes to expand the gallery to even include art that people can wear.

    Bristol also mentioned that she wants larger workshop classes for the future.

    Gallery owner and event curator, Carla Bristol, demonstrates how she greets every guest with a hug.
    Gallery owner and event curator, Carla Bristol, demonstrates how she greets every guest with a hug.
  • Mt Zion YAFC January 31st Church Announcements

    Mt Zion YAFC January 31st Church Announcements

  • As Midtown changes, this church remains a constant

    As Midtown changes, this church remains a constant

    Story and Photos BY INDHIRA SUERO
    NNB Reporter

    ST. PETERSBURG – It’s called the Avenue of Faith. It’s where the 20th Street Church of Christ stands. There are other nearby places of worship here in the heart of 9th Avenue South that serve as a symbol of the resilience in Midtown, a once vibrant African-American neighborhood during the era of segregation.

    “I don’t remember those times because I’m not that old, but that’s the only church I know, the only (one) I ever been affiliated with. From a baby and I’m 67 years old now,” said Lawrence Dorn, a church member who grew up in Jordan Park. “We have gone through a lot of good changes, every minister we get has an impact on building the church,” he added.

    According to the African American Heritage Project, this historical place —with six other major black denominations, Queen Street Church of God in Christ, Greater Mount Zion African Methodist Episcopal Church, Stewart Memorial CME Church, Mount Zion Primitive Baptist Church, Elim Seventh Day Adventist Church and Mount Zion Progressive Missionary Baptist— played a role in the moral and social development of the neighborhood. The churches survived the integration that occurred in the city during the sixties and membership is up.

    “At one time, we had 127 members now we have pretty close to a 1,000,” said Dorn about 20th Street Church of Christ membership. “A lot of people have come and a lot of people have gone, but this is a non-denominational church.”

    People from Midtown and other locations attend to the Sunday worship.
    People from Midtown and nearby areas attend Sunday worship at 20th Street Church of Christ in St. Peterburg.

    Resilience

    This house of worship has been a silent witness to the changes that the area has faced during its 88 years.

    Its origins date to 1927 when, according to the church records, two brethren with the surnames of Richardson, and Dye enlisted the evangelistic services of brother Marshall M. Keeble of Nashville, Tenn. A tent meeting was constructed in which pastor Keeble baptized 92 people.

    After its founding, Luke Miller became the first minister of the 20th Street Church and, according to church files, “divided his time between congregations in St. Petersburg, Lakeland, and Tampa.” Today, the Robert E. Smith leads the church.

    While a newer main sanctuary for the congregation was built in 1989, the original building is still part of the church complex and houses the Police Athletic League of St. Petersburg.

    According to historians, since its inception this congregation has experienced unprecedented growth. For example, in 1962, there where 149 baptisms.
    According to historians, since its inception 20th Street Church of Christ, located in St. Petersburg (FL), has experienced unprecedented growth. For example, in 1962, there were 149 baptisms.

    Salvation

    The place of worship does various ministries as evangelism, benevolence, personal work, baptism, education, youth services, prison, Seniors, Singles, Support Group, Outreach, Women of Faith, and Food Pantry. As well it offers the services of Nurses Guild, Bus, Nursery, Technology, Kitchen, Unity and Voices of Praise, and Bible study.

    Every Sunday, members and visitors put together a choir of devotees that sing: “On my knees, bowed in prayer/ I take all my trials to God/ and gently lay them there/ He still bears, dries my tears/ only Jesus give me strength/ through all my trials…”

    After this song, Dorn makes his own request for help by saying he would like to see Midtown come back to life.

    “Everything changed with the interstate highway. Lots of buildings are gone,” said Dorn. “Things aren’t the same, but I hope that it changes someday.”

    Lawrence Dorn goes every Sunday to the Twentieth Street church and with pride and joy welcomes every visitor.
    Church member Lawrence Dorn goes every Sunday and greets nearly every visitor to the 20th Street Church of Christ in St. Petersburg.

     

  • Residents want action, not promises, for Midtown

    Residents want action, not promises, for Midtown

    Story and Photos BY INDHIRA SUERO
    NNB Reporter

    ST. PETERSBURG – Equality. Infrastructure. Employment training.

    Without a doubt, Midtown women demonstrate that they are aware of the needs of their community. Most of them do not hesitate when addressing them, especially with upcoming elections Nov. 3.

    Some of them — like Angela Rouson, the president of the National Council of Negro Women of St. Petersburg  — wish that elected officials continue work to make the city a level playing field. So, someone living in South St. Pete does not have to travel downtown to take advantage of shopping and entertainment resources.

    IMG_1694
    Advocates. A group of Midtown women during the reunion of the National Council of Negro Women in St. Petersburg, Fla.

    “That there are no barriers for you to go to see a movie, or go to the library. South St. Pete didn’t even had a post office at one time and in the last few years they have established one,” said Rouson. “The community rally for us to keep it. Simple things like that make a huge difference. That you can take a four minute trip to go to the post office, not a 15-minute trip to have a package delivered.”

    Dianne Speights, vice-president of the Negro Council, considers education issues extremely important and demands help for the vast percentage of African American students who are failing.

    “Whatever that route is that is hindering our children’s success, we must find where it is and fix it,” said Speights.

    Others, as Negro Council member Katheryn Read, agree.

    Everything starts with the school system and by providing adequate education for children, she said.

    “One of the focuses is educating our children and giving them same opportunities as others individuals,” said Read. “They don’t have the same resources or the adequate teachers so just sharing a will, going into the school system because we know if they’re not adequate educated that could affect the community, eventually.”

    Read — who also works in employment training — highlights the importance of job placement training.

    “I know they have the 2020 Plan, but we need to go out and partner with different businesses so they can go out and take some young people under their wings and train them for their jobs, or let them go there for the summer to work. If they can’t work or sustain their way of life then Midtown isn’t going to change,” said Read.

    Churches

    For Deborah Green, the first African-American female to pastor a Missionary Baptist church in St. Petersburg, the candidate who wins should care about Midtown and to continue city efforts to renew 22nd Street South.

    “The way they implemented and upgraded Downtown St. Pete is what they have to do with Midtown,” Green said.

    One other thing that the pastor addresses is juvenile delinquency and the need for more work programs for students who are out of school in the summer.

    IMG_1638
    Growth. Women of South St. Petersburg, FL, highlighted the importance of education and economic development for their community.

    “The new chief is trying to find ways to pardon some of these minor offenses that some of the kids are getting because if a kid ends up with a charge they can’t go to college,” Green said. “College is not accepting children with certain types of charges.”

    Bishop Clarice Pennington, of Christian Generation Center of Hope Church, would like to see more educational and recreational opportunities available in Midtown. He said children have to go to the north side of the city for activities such as a skating rink. Pennington also sees a disparity in the types of recreation centers and amenities available.

    Promises

    Candidates in the upcoming election include Lisa Wheeler-Brown, Winthrop “Will” Newton for District 7; and Philip Garrett and Steven L. Kornell in District 5.

    Residents don’t want to be left with empty promises.

    “A lot of times, too often, we see the politicians out there, campaigning and coming to the churches, yet when the campaign is over and it’s time for them to work they disappear,” said Read. “So we need someone that will represent the community from the beginning to the end and a lot of times we don’t have that.”

     

  • Resource Center Reinvigorating Lives

    20150902_092418

    BY BRIGITTE TOULON and CHOYA RANDOLPH
    NNB Reporters

    MIDTOWN– Nearly 21,000 people have walked through the doors of the Pregnancy and Family Resource Center in Midtown, and received help with more than they anticipated.

    Originally built in 1992, the center received grants and donations from the community and Suncoast Baptist Church to help them help the community.

    The Resource Center is a place where individuals can receive information on preventing pregnancies, contraception, alternatives to abortion and general counseling for individuals in these kinds of situations.

    “The center is orientated around the value of life, parents understanding their roles and love for babies, before and after the womb,” said Carole Alexander, director of the center.

    Before becoming a resource center, it was a condemned house that was donated to the Suncoast Baptist Association. The church allowed the fire department to use the home for fire drills. After being burned down, the land was cleared and built into the center in 1992 and began serving the community in 1994.

    Prior to the building being completed, the center began serving people through Pleasant Grove Baptist Church off 9th Ave S, for about a year. The center went from serving roughly 600 people in its first year to now almost 1,000 people a year.

    The center now offers programs such as the Gaining Opportunity and Achieving Life Success (GOALS). This program teaches families about hard work by having members earn points through activities including group activities, one on one’s, watching DVDs and participating in other programs. The points earned could be used at the Mother’s and Baby’s Boutique for parents to buy diapers and other necessities.

    Another program offered is the Baby Love Support group which is a six-week program for parents to bond with the child and each other and learn about prenatal care. For parents that have received abortions and may have lingering feelings about the experience, the center provides the Post Abortion Recovery Ministry.

    In 2010, the center began to struggle fiscally and was about to shut down because of the economic recession. Due to a letter the center sent out to the community which stated their financial needs, they were able to keep their doors open due to the flood of support and donations they received.

    “We give to the church, and the church gives to us,” said Alexander.

    The church provides help by way of financial donations and by encouraging their members to volunteer at the center. In turn, the workers of the center give back by volunteering for the church at different functions, in particular by giving vital information to the members of the church.

    Alexander, has a personal connection to the centers’ work, partly because she was faced with an unplanned pregnancy in her youth. Due to the lack of resources prior to her pregnancy, she is now committed to helping others understand the importance of life.

    “Here’s our vision, when we’ve accomplished and done all that we’ve been called to do, we want to see vibrant families in communities, whole and complete lacking nothing through Christ,” said Alexander.

    For more information:

    What: The Pregnancy and Family Resource Center

    Where: 1210 22nd St. S

    Contact: (727) 896-9119 or email: pcenter1@msn.com.