TAMPA, Fla.— The historic Black community of Progress Village held its annual community cookout, hosted by Progress Village’s own Sean Bell Sr. Progress Village was established in the late 1950s as one of the first affordable housing suburbs for Blacks in the Tampa area, created in response to segregation.
This family-friendly event provided the community with free food, an award ceremony, guest speakers, and music by DJ Blaze Rae.
Several organizations contributed as sponsors, including Hillsborough County Parks and Recreation; J.B. Printing (Janice Fitzgerald), who were responsible for making the awards presented; BayCare, which offered medical support;
of Mosque No. 47
speaks during community
gathering.
The Charmettes, a sisterhood dedicated to improving life through the support for cancer research provided book bags and school supplies; and All Love Tampa (Get Kids on Bikes), whose mission is to provide bicycles to empower youth and promote healthy lives, headed by Sean Bell.
The believers of Muhammad Mosque No. 47, located in Progress Village, distributed copies of The Final Call newspaper and donated school supplies.
Also in attendance were political candidates, Lady Venom Ryderz, a motorcycle club that promotes peace, Progress Village’s own rapper Kraze, music producer Jaxson McNeely, Pastor Andre Wright and a host of new and former Progress Village residents.
Student Minister Chad Muhammad of Mosque No. 47 in Tampa, Florida, a Progress Village native, was awarded 2025 King of the Year for his dedication, service, leadership, and impact in the community, which he credits to the believers.
As one of the guest speakers, he spoke briefly about unity and change, quoting from the Holy Qur’an, Surah 13:11: “Surely Allah does not change the condition of a people until they change their own condition.”
He also emphasized the importance of reading The Final Call newspaper and attending the Nation of Islam Friday Night Self-Improvement Study Group, quoting what the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan taught, which is: “Self-improvement is the basis for community development.”
Other honorees included Mimi Copeland, Joyce McNeal, Tasha Mingo, Jeff Key and Larry Sanders. The event, held on December 27, was impactful, uplifting, and a true reflection of unity and service within the Progress Village community.
—Submitted by Student Minister Chad Muhammad