Tampa African-American council making a comeback

By Ernest Hooper, Times Columnist
In print: Saturday, April 26, 2008

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The Mayor's African-American Advisory Council is sponsoring a daylong symposium today for small and minority businesses at the Hillsborough Community College Ybor City campus.

If you're wondering what the Mayor's African-American Advisory Council is, you're not alone.

The council serves as a liaison between the city's African-American community and Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio, and it promotes positive race relations among all people in the community. It consists of 25 mayoral appointees. Isell Denson serves as the chair.

Though the council came into being back in 1981, it has been a fairly quiet organization in recent years. Vice chair Yolanda Anthony said the council needs a shot of promotion and publicity.

"I said, 'How are we going to do this if they don't know we exist?'" Anthony said. "I would like to know what is it we can do to let folks know they can come to us. You have to put your name out there to let them know."

In March, the council held its inaugural annual luncheon with the theme of "Investing In Our Community." Proceeds benefited the construction of a Riverwalk statue of legendary nurse Clara Frye, who opened Tampa's first hospital for African-Americans.

Anthony said some people cautioned the council not to set its expectations too high. After all, the Hispanic Advisory Council had only 25 guests at its inaugural luncheon.

More than 200 people came.

"We were very proud of the turnout," said Carla Jackson, who works in the city's Neighborhood and Community Relations Office and serves as the council's liaison. "Our goal was to brand MAAAC, reintroduce it to the community.

"In '81, the council was reactive when there were tensions in the community. Now, with a diverse group of people in the community, we want to be proactive and work through problems before they start. We want to plan things around what our community needs in this environment."

Today's symposium, a response to a 2006 disparity study, clearly addresses a need. The study indicated the city falls short in hiring minority and female business owners for major contracts. The council convinced the mayor the symposium could play a role in bringing more minority and women-owned businesses into the city network.

It's also hoping to network with other government entities, private sector companies and the businesses themselves.

Turnout is expected to be significant, thanks in part to the fact the council now has a weekly presence in the Florida Sentinel Bulletin newspaper. It's another step taken to promote its resurgence.

Anthony was quick to credit Jackson.

"Before Carla came aboard, we had four people doing the job that Carla does," Anthony said. "When they told us that they were leaving and we were going to get one person, my heart sunk. I thought, 'oh my God, this is not going to work.'

"But I'm here to tell you Carla was the best thing to happen to MAAAC. I'm not trying to downplay the others, but Carla has a passion. I can see it, I can smell it and I can taste it. It is awesome working with her."

Between Jackson, Anthony and Denson, the council is poised to gain relevance. It's so much better than existing in name only.

That's all I'm saying.