Bradenton Nine Devils - Honoring The CCRA's Past

It's always exciting to work with community partners on events that honor the people and events who were important in the history of our CRA. The Bradenton Nine Devils was Bradenton’s Black baseball team that thrived in the independent Florida State Negro League from 1937 to 1956. The team was made up of players from Manatee and Sarasota counties.

On October 22nd, come out and learn about our Bradenton history at this event held to honor these Bradenton (and Sarasota) athletes.

CCRA Board Member Recipient of NAACP Lifetime Achievement Award

Longtime Central Community Redevelopment Agency Board Member, Lynette Edwards, received the Manatee County Branch NAACP Freedom Fund Awards Banquet on August 17, 2011. Ms. Edwards has been a true leader on our board, and exemplifies the same characteristics seen by friends and colleagues throughout her professional career as an educator.

We extend heartfelt congratulations to Ms. Edwards for this honor.

An article from "The Bradenton Herald" about the event is below.

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Inspiration at NAACP event: ‘Our young people need dreams’
Published: Wednesday, Aug. 17, 2011
Updated: Wednesday, Aug. 17, 2011
By RICHARD DYMOND
rdymond@bradenton.com

BRADENTON -- Law enforcement agencies across the state of Florida would like to hire more African-American men and women as deputies and police officers.

State attorneys would like more young African American prosecutors.

Chief justices in circuits across Florida often speak out about the need for more African-American judges.

But the keynote speaker who made these statements during Tuesday’s Manatee NAACP 2011 annual Freedom Fund and Awards Banquet also said young African-American men and women are not going to fill these positions unless they graduate from college.

“We have access,” Nathaniel Glover Jr., president of Edward Waters College in Jacksonville, told an enthusiastic crowd of 250 at the Bradenton Municipal Auditorium that later rewarded him with a standing ovation.

“Now, give our young people an opportunity,” Glover added. “There is a whole class of young people who need a little help. Don’t be put off by their haircuts and how they wear their pants. Under that, they are intelligent. They need someone to reach out to them and say, ‘I’m going to help you.’ We should leave here tonight with the assumption that tomorrow we are going to go out and help a stranger.”

Glover, who was the first elected African-American sheriff in Florida during his tenure in Jacksonville, told the audience that African-American males comprise 50 percent of Florida’s prison population.

“Yet, we are about 17 percent of the entire population of Florida, so something is not right,” Glover said.

Glover also said that 75 percent of the babies born to African-American women in Florida are born to single parents. He implored the audience to commit to making a difference.

“Our young people need guidance,” Glover said. “Our young people need dreams. Some of these young men will never get out unless you all in this room step up. These young men have to get into higher education. You can’t navigate this society without it.”

Glover’s speech was part of a stunning NAACP banquet this year that featured not only five special award winners, but also a powerful opening invocation from the Rev. Kenneth Irby of Turner Chapel A.M.E. Church.

There also were two soulful musical performances -- one by Shantel V, Norman and a bluesy rendition of “A Change Will Come” by Zelda Mercado.

It is not often that a blessing of the food is a highlight of a banquet, but Irby was on fire with his prayer.

“Help us, Lord,” Irby prayed. “You are the God of our silent tears, our weary years and of our righteous indignation. Let us come together and turn to you regardless of whether we identify as Democrats, Republicans, tea party members or Libertarians. Protect us all from overt terrorism and quiet racism.”

Lifetime achievement

Lynette “Hayes” Edwards, assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction for the School Board of Manatee County, won the NAACP’s 2011 Lifetime Achievement Award.

She dedicated the award to her mother, Mary Alice Shipp, who served the NAACP for 40 years. “I am most proud of my work in the community,” said Edwards, who is a mentor with two children’s organizations within Delta Sigma Theta Sorority.

The Rev. James T. Golden won the Community Service Award.

“I am hoping my father, The Rev. James C. Golden, is looking down on me tonight,” he said.

Sabrina Crain-Sweeney received the Unsung Heroine Award.

Crain-Sweeney, who started the highly successful Gulf Coast Window Cleaning business 21 years ago, has been the passion behind the four-year-old Learn to Fish nonprofit, which helps disadvantaged women and children.

“My heart is for those who have suffered pitiful and incomprehensible demoralization,” Crain-Sweeney said.

Megan Zoller, an infant-swimming resource instructor, has helped numerous infants survive falls into pools.

“Her work has saved our babies,” said Sylvia Archie, chairwoman of this year’s NAACP banquet.

Kathyrn Houston Jones won the Presidential Award for her mentoring of young women in the community during the past 57 years.

Houston Jones is a charter member of the Sara-Mana Club, which, for the past 43 years, has put on a Debutante Ball, preceded by weeks of teaching young women “the social graces.”

Richard Dymond, Herald reporter, can be reached at 748-0411, ext. 6686.

© 2011 Bradenton.com and wire service sources. All Rights Reserved. http://www.bradenton.com

CCRA Celebrates 10 Years in Bradenton

Check out this great article about the CCRA in "The Bradenton Herald."
http://www.bradenton.com/2011/07/25/3369919/redevelopment-takes-off-in-south.html

CCRA Receives Grant From Wachovia Foundation to Provide Financial Literacy and Business Assistance

http://www.bradenton.com/2010/12/15/2813315/local-bank-provides-grant-to-help.html

We are excited to announce that the Wachovia Foundation has provided $10,000 for the second year to assist with financial literacy and small business training. Read about it here at this "Bradenton Herald article."

November Community Calendar

Many new events are starting in November--check out our calendar to see which classes will be of interest to you!


Please call JoAnn at (941) 744-2362 to have your event added.

October Community Calendar

Some exciting events are happening in October--please check out the community calendar for this month!

To have your event added, please contact JoAnn at (941) 744-2362.

September & October Money Smart Classes

We're offering these financial education classes in September and October. The September classes are in Spanish, and the October classes are in English. Each class can be taken separately, but taken together, the classes make a comprehensive course offering that can make attendees money savvy! Call (941) 744-2362 to register.

September Community Calendar

Check out these September events throughout the community! To have your event added, please call JoAnn at (941) 744-2362.

Business Plan Class - Starts September 16th

The Central Community Redevelopment Agency (CCRA) is excited to be offering the Business Plan class again. Designed as a follow-up to the Business Basics Course that Starts on September 9th. Call our partner organization Suncoast Community Capital at 309-9043 and speak with Bob to register!

Business Basics Class - Starts September 9th!

We're excited to be offering our Business Basics class again through our partner organization, Suncoast Community Capital Corporation. Please contact Bob at (941) 309-9043 to sign up!

August 2010 Community Calendar

If you would like your event to be added to the calendar, please contact JoAnn at (941) 744-2362.

Manatee Sarasota Workforce Funders Collaborative Receives Positive Press

The CCRA is the operational lead of the Manatee Sarasota Workforce Funders Collaborative. The project's new director, Mireya Eavey, just gave a great interview in this story on WWSB/ABC7 news. Check it out!

July 2010 Community Calendar

Check out these community events in July!


Please contact JoAnn at (941) 744-2362, ext 101 to have your event added to the calendar!

Business Plan Class - Starts July 15th

The Business Plan class is a follow-up to the Business Basics class. It helps business owners create a plan for every aspect of business operations in a 3 week course. Call Bob at (941) 309-9043 to sign up.

Business Basics Class - July 8th

Dreaming of starting a small business? This class will tell you about everything you need to know about small business ownership. Call now to reserve your seat in the class, and as for Bob at (941) 309-9043.

Hurricane Preparedness Seminar - July 17, 2010

Come join the residents of the CCRA on July 17th from 10AM to 12PM as they prep for hurricane season!

This event will be held at the brand new, 13th Avenue Dream Center at the corner of 9th Avenue East and 24th Street East in Bradenton.

For more information, call JoAnn at (941) 744-2362.

MoneySmart Classes Start June 22nd!

Get MoneySmart this summer through these FDIC classes on consumer rights, credit, savings, checking, and so much more! Held at the CCRA offices, these classes are jammed packed with information that will help you leave this summer on a sound financial footing.

These are also great for your high school or middle school student to start them out right.

Call (941) 744-2362 to register.

Exciting Money Management Classes in June!

We are excited to offer these financial education classes, which offer money management, planning, and saving information, to help give you the tools to own your money, instead of letting it own you!

These classes have been filling up quickly, so please give us a call at (941) 309-9043 to reserve your seat!

Washington Park Neighborhood Association High Tea

The Washington Park Neighborhood Association had a high tea the Saturday before Mother's Day to honor the mothers in the community. The Bradenton Police Community workstation was transformed into a high tearoom with china and fine linens.

June 2010 Community Calendar

Check out these upcoming community events!


To add your events to the calendar, contact the CCRA at (941) 744-2362 and ask for JoAnn!