PHOTO GALLERY

This night we honored four outstanding hard-working students with scholarships to help further their educational pursuits.

· Chazelle Edge is graduating from Hernando High School in Hernando County. She is a member of the National Honor Society and varsity girls’ weightlifting. She will major in Health Science and Pre-Physical Therapy at Florida A&M University.

· Asha’Riona Harrington also graduates from Hernando High School. She is an honors / AP student and received the top grade in her advanced placement research class. She will major in Biology at Bethune-Cookman University.

· Sa’Niya Smith is graduating from Springstead High School in Hernando County. Sa’Niya works with teachers assisting students with disabilities. She is vice-president and co-founder of her schools’ Black Student Union (BSU).  Her goal is to work in healthcare. Sa’Niya will be attending Nova Southeastern University (Florida).

· John Chapel III will graduate from Hernando High School. His favorite subjects are science and math. He is a member of the Key Club, Christian Athletes, and Rotary Club. He also tutors at Brooksville Elementary and coaches’ Special Olympics basketball in Hernando County.  His long-term goal is to open his own rehabilitation facility. He was recently accepted to attend Florida A&M University. 

 This year we were honored to have national known genealogist, Dr. Shelley Murphy, as our guest speaker via Zoom. She gave a very informative talk about how to get started tracing your lineage, the road blocks you will encounter, and how to get around them. She also showed us what the Slave Schedules were and how to interpret them. She told us about the history of the Freedmen Bureau and why it is so very important when tracing your lineage pass slavery. Her presentation lasted between 60-70 minutes and members were glued to the visuals on the screen and the information she was giving. Some members said it was one of the best Black History programs we've had. After the powerful presentation members feasted on a Black History dinner of pot roast and vegetables, ham, turkey chili, greens, mac & cheese, candied yams, stuffing, peas and rice, potato salad, and apple pie.

   The food was provided by the Men Who Cook in the Club (well, some of it was). We had ham, rotisserie chicken, dressing, gravy, cranberry sauce, greens, mac and cheese, candied yams, fried chicken, potato salad, green beans and deviled eggs. The desserts were very tasty, sweet potato pie, pound cake, cookies, key lime pie, and an apple cake with rum sauce that was to die for. The food was delicious and plentiful. The  fellowship was great.  We had one new members join and three guests in attendance.  

2023 gave us a record turn-out of members and guests for our Annual Day at the Races event, forty three to be exact.

 A plated lunch was served for us in the Skye Terrace at Tampa Bay Downs Racetrack that was very tasty. Throughout the nine races there were winners and losers. Some of the quotes that was said by guests and members were: 

"I really enjoyed myself";   

"The food was good";   

"Do you do this every year? This was great.";  

"I didn’t win anything, but this was fun."

Twenty two members of the AAC met at the Suncoast Broadway Dinner Theater to see and listen to "All Hail the Queen!" This musical tribute starred an immensely talented Charity Lockhart. She had one background singer, her daughter who was an accomplish singer in her own right. They performed some of Aretha's standards, and a few from other legendary performers. All in attendance felt the show was very entertaining.

Laissez Les Bons Temps Rouler (Let the Good Times Roll)! That’s what happened on January 21, 2023, as approximately 25 African American Club members visited a Taste of New Orleanz as part of our Support Black Business Program. Located in Brooksville at 809 S. Broad St. this restaurant serves delicious New Orleans style Cajun food. We had a great time! When you go tell the cashier Sam (Samantha) that the African American Club sent you.