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Influential African Americans in Tampa

Posted Jan 4, 2009 by Al Mccray

Updated Jan 4, 2009 at 08:02 PM

In observance of the up coming Black History month in February, I have decided to identify the 100 most influential African Americans in Tampa Bay. I must confess that this article will be difficult to write. I only know a few of these role models. There are literally tens of thousand of productive role models in the African American community here in Tampa Bay. They are making a difference every day. These individual take direct and engaging roles in the affairs of their neighborhood, the government and in the business community. They do not side on the sidelines.

The African American community is rich with beautiful and educated people living in great neighborhoods. The community is just not about the few thugs you see wearing their pants down to their knees, the pawn shops and the many liquor stores, empty and abandon properties, the one parent families, the high school drop out rates and Black the Black on crime numbers. It’s about good people who take tremendous pride in themselves, their communities doing great things, and contributing to the success of Tampa Bay. The community is blessed with an abundance of talents from all walks of life.

In Hillsborough County, there are roughly 200, 000 African Americans. They make up between 14.1% and 16.6% of the population, depending on the source of the statistics. African Americans play many intricate and key roles in the prosperity, peace and harmony in the Tampa Bay area.  African Americans can be found in all professions ranging from surgeons, electricians, bus drivers, school board member, prosecutors, mechanics, elected officials, judges, business owners, sports, attorneys, ministers, retail management, hospitality industry, master barbers, and police officers. They are in hundreds of professions; you need not look hard to find a capable and qualified African American among the staff and management. When you see an African American in a leadership role, his or her skin color did not get them there, especially here in Tampa Bay. It was their abilities and education.

African Americans are productive, law abiding, religious, gainfully employed and dedicated to providing for their families, and helping to better their community. There are role models setting examples every day. They can be seen with working and mentoring with children, feeding and providing shelter for the homeless, playing important parts in their professions, and being good neighbors. These role models, for the most part, are unrecognized and unknown outside their families, immediate peer groups, associations or communities. These influential individuals come from many diverse backgrounds.

So how did I select the first of these 100 individuals? First of all, I should not be the sole judge of choosing from this vast pool of incredible individuals. As I said earlier, it was difficult and tough indeed to name these individuals. I took into account the following qualifying criteria and factors in deciding.
They were the role models’ demonstration and commitments to;
1. Family values
2. Church or religious organization
3. Their neighborhood, Public schools and other involvements
4. Helping others to achieve a better life
5. Volunteerism
6. Being productive in their careers
7. Staying engaged in public affairs
8. Having good connections to get things done
9. Remaining dependable, reliable, and honest
10. Always being ethical
12. Always speaking their mind with out fear of the consequences.
13. Keeping their word when they agree or tell you something

I also examined their length of time and personal investments in the area. Their personal accomplishments were also a major factor. These people, along with thousands of others, are stakeholders in the area. They will play commanding leadership roles in the future development and prosperity of Tampa Bay and Florida.

I am fully aware and understand that by narrowing my list to just 100 individuals may not be doing justice to many role models. Many of my friends and colleagues who will not appear on this list may choose to delete my phone number and email address after this entire list is published.

Some of these influential people are very quiet and are productive behind the scenes. Others are up in your face and the public’s view and are very loud and vocal.

I will publicize this list of individuals periodically over the next few weeks.

Here are the first of the 100 most influential African Americans in Tampa Bay, Florida.

(L-R)  Dianne Hart,                  Otis Anthony,                  Norene Copeland Miller

Dianne Hart owns and operates Ms. Dees World of Beauty for 24 years, member of IBEW local 824, Vice President of Hillsborough County Democratic Black Caucus,CEO East Tampa Business and Civic association, Partnership annually with Warrick Dunn Homes for the Holiday.

Otis Anthony has been the host of his own television talk show, entitled “Keep the Dream Alive“ and the host of a popular radio talk show in Tampa. He is a published poet and the author of Black Tampa, The Roots of a People, and A History of African-Americans in Tampa.  His record of service to the community has also been featured in La Gaceta, the well-known Hispanic newspaper.Mr. Anthony has served as the Executive Assistant to the Mayor of Kansas City, Missouri and to the Mayor of Tampa, Florida.

Norene Copeland Miller is Asst. Director of Admissions and Recruitment, Adjunct Professor at Springfield College, School of Human Services, Tampa Bay Campus.  She has 25 years of government experience in the social services field. 
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(L-R) L. Anthony” Tony” Collins,    Michelle Patty,    Eddie Adams Jr.

L.Anthony Tony Collins is vice president of Tucker/Hall, works with corporations, government agencies, non-government agencies and non-profits, as a public affairs and communications strategist. Prior to joining Tucker/Hall, Collins headed the Department of Economic Development for the City of St. Petersburg, the fourth largest city in Florida.

Michelle Patty is a Civic Activist in her Community. She was the Co-Founder and Past President of Concerned African American Citizens. She was very instrumental in the getting suspended kids back in school. She was the founder and host of Black Talk and is an entrepreneur of a Black owned legal and medical Referral Service.

Eddie Adams Jr.own business Adams & Associates Residential Design.  Eddie is a member of the Temple Terrace Chamber of Commerce, the Temple Terrace Golf and Country Club, Tampa Toastmasters 1810, on the Board of Directors of Central City YMCA and School Board member for King’s Kids Academy. Recently ran for the U.S. Congress as a Republican and received over 70,000 votes. He was also the co-founder and organizer of the Black History Week Celebration at Tampa General Hospital which later evolved into Multicultural Week. 

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(L-R) Eliabeth Liz Straight,  Dwight McDonald,  Chloe Coney

Frank Reddick is currently the President & CEO of the Sickle Cell Association, president of the Northview Hills Civic Association, member of the Hospital Authority Board at Tampa General Hospital, former interim City Councilman for District 5, past member of the executive board of the East Tampa Partnership, immediate past chairman of the Lee Davis Neighborhood Center Advisory Board, past member of the Hillsborough County Civil Service Board,

Again, I am requesting the public’s help in naming individuals to this list of distinction. A church or religious affiliation is not required to be nominated.
Just make a ““COMMENT BELOW” to me to nominate someone for recognition.