Over 400 members of the Tampa Bay community attended the 2007 African American Achievement Community Service Celebration at the Fort Harrison in downtown Clearwater last month in honor of Black History Month. The event was organized by Ebony Awakening, a group whose mission is: "to restore dignity and self respect in Black communities by eradicating drug abuse, illiteracy and criminality, so that people can live in peace and prosperity without the constant threat of loss," through the rehabilitative and educational technologies developed by American humanitarian, L. Ron Hubbard.
 | | Pride in one's heritage was the keynote of the African American Achievement Community Service Awards Event hosted by the Church of Scientology Flag Service Organization at the Fort Harrison Hotel in Clearwater. |
With the tone of the evening set by the energy of a gospel choir and the drama of a troupe of African musicians and dancers, six men and women were acknowledge for their stellar contribution to the community and the example they set of the effect individual men and women can have on the lives of others.
Ms. Pat Harney, the Public Affairs Director of the Church of Scientology Flag Service Organization, was master of ceremonies of the event, the theme of which was personal commitment.
The first awardee, Donald Hallback, has taken on the responsibility of preserving the culture of Bealsville, Florida, a town that is a testament to what free men and women can accomplish no matter the odds.
At the end of the Civil War, freed slaves with no training or skill were thrust into a hostile society where lynching and broad scale persecution was common and went unpunished. Twelve families of freed slaves settled near Alafia River and created a self-sufficient and self-supporting close-knit community where people could live in safety and dignity.
Mr. Hallback, who is often referred to as "an ancestral son of Bealsville," dedicated himself to preserving the heritage of this town because it serves as an example to other African American communities of what families can do to make life better.
 | | Donald Hallback was awarded for his work to preserve the heritage of Bealsville, Florida — where twelve families of freed slaves created a self-sufficient and self-supporting close-knit community where people could live in safety and dignity. |
Yolanda and Jimirra Kennedy were the next two awardees. The wife and daughter of Rev. Charles Kennedy, they were honored for their work at the Kennedy Community Center where, in the past year alone, they have helped over 300 children and adults increase their literacy and improve the quality of their lives through morality and character improvement programs.
Brothers, Dr. Charles and attorney Glen Cherry, owners of TAMA Broadcasting, the largest African American radio and print network in Florida were the next recipients of this year's award, not only for the example they set for youth just by what they have personally achieved in life but because they have given the African American community a voice in the media.
The final awardee was Sgt. Jason Thomas. Living in New York in September 2001, Sgt. Thomas rushed to Manhattan to volunteer his help as soon as he heard about the first terrorist attack. He and fellow Marine Staff Sgt. Dave Karnes teamed up to save the lives of survivors. The story of their near-miraculous discovery and rescue of two NY Port Authority police officers was the dramatic climax of the recent Oliver Stone film, "World Trade Center."
 | | Marine Sgt. Jason Thomas was awarded for his courage and selfless contribution at Ground Zero where he saved the lives of victims of the disaster. |
L. Ron Hubbard once wrote, "Respect is a recognition of inspiration, purpose and competence and personal force or power." The men and women honored at the American Achievement Community Service Awards Event have earned and truly deserve the respect of their community.
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