4 questions with Cheryl Howell

Q+A with Cheryl Howell

The official has worked for the county for the past five years. | Photo from Cheryl Howell

This fall, Hillsborough County named Cheryl Howell its first Chief Assistant County Administrator of Equity and Community Impact. In this role, she will oversee a new department that will focus on affordable housing, health services, economic development + more.

What are some of your goals + what have you been able to do so far?

By the end of this month (Sept.) we’ll be bringing on a director of diversity and inclusion and laying that groundwork. What that looks like right now is more inclusion in contracting opportunities, for Black and indigenous people of color.

We’re also going to be looking at healthcare, really accuating the Hillsborough County healthcare program that’s currently in existence. This is a program that can be taken advantage of by a lot of people and many people don’t really know it.

What types of job opportunities do you hope to offer people?

I want to see people have access to jobs at all levels. Because, wouldn’t you say that’s what true equity is? I don’t think that it needs to be limited to just one or two areas.

Are there any other categories you want to look at?

We’re looking at safety issues. We’re looking at criminal justice issues. We’re looking at health issues, access to jobs. We’re looking at education and youth issues. Anywhere there is disparate impact, are areas that we certainly want to look at + address if we can.

What are some tangible things you would like to see by the end of your term?

I just think that the work that we have to do here is going to be organic in nature. Of course, we all would like to leave our footprint and change the world, but I just want to be able to change what I can to improve the lives of those that I’ve touched.

Click here to have your event featured.

Today

Children’s Theatre: Suzette Who Set to Sea | Mon., Oct. 10 | 11 a.m.-12 p.m. | Jimmie B. Keel Regional Library, 2902 W. Bearss Ave., Tampa | Enjoy this adventurous, imaginative tale exploring courage, community, and the possibility that sometimes it only takes the actions of a single person to change everything.
Tats for Tatas | Mon., Oct. 10 - Mon., Oct. 31 | 12 p.m.-12 a.m. | Atomic Tattoos, 1712 E 7th Ave, Tampa | Free | Visit any Tampa Bay Atomic location throughout the month of October and help raise money for breast cancer research.
‘The Visit’ by Yamandú Canosa | Mon., Oct. 10 - Sun., Oct. 30 | 10 a.m.-6 p.m. | The Dali Museum, One Dali Blvd, St. Petersburg | $10.00 - $29.00 | In the words of the artist, “The exhibition is intended as a visit that contemporary art pays to the house of Surrealism.”*

Tuesday

Macs Happy Hour | Mon., Oct. 10 - Sat., Dec. 24 | 4-8 p.m. | MacDinton’s Irish Pub, 405 South Howard Avenue, Tampa | Free | Get a weekly pick me up + enjoy 50% off drinks every day.

Wednesday

A Reading By Stephanie Burt | Wed., Oct. 12 | 7-8 p.m. | Tombolo Books, 2153 1st Ave S, St. Petersburg | Free | Meet + greet poet and professor Dr. Stephanie Burt as part of the bookstore’s ongoing poetry series co-hosted by Gloria Muñoz.
The Thing (1982) | Wed., Oct. 12 | 7:30 p.m. | Tampa Theatre, 711 N Franklin St., Tampa | $9.00 | Celebrate 40 years of this beloved cult classic.

Thursday

Art on the House | Thu., Oct. 13 | 4-8 p.m. | Tampa Museum of Art, 120 Gasparilla Plaza, Tampa | Free | Bring the family and celebrate 100 years of art in Tampa with exhibitions that emphasize ancient, modern, and contemporary art.

We have a monthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

100+ MORE EVENTS

Food

A cream come true 🍨

Chill Bros. Ice Cream has officially brought back a fan-favorite flavor — Fluffer Pumpkin. This spiced pumpkin ice cream is combined with cinnamon marshmallow fluff swirls + crispy brown sugar streusel, all delicious fall flavors to get you ready for the season.

If Pumpkin isn’t your flavorite, another option is the Malty Millionaire – a homemade twist on a Twix bar. This ice cream integrates a frosty malt base, bite-size millionaire’s shortbread squares, and swirls of thick salted caramel.

A hand holds up a cup of ice cream in front of a building with the sign "Chill Bros. Ice Cream" with a line out the door of people. — *Salty and sweet come together just in time for trick or treating.*

Fluffer Pumpkin + The Malty Millionaire are both available now until the end of fall. Check out any of the Chill Bros. locations to try these flavors yourself:

1910 E. 7th Ave.
3302 W. Bay to Bay Blvd.
1205 South Howard Ave.
1061 Water St.

MOVE IN

Weather

87º | Scattered showers | 30% chance of rain
The National Hurricane Center has identified Tropical Depression 13, which has formed with potential of becoming a Category 1 hurricane to watch. While the current trajectory shows it will not impact Florida, we are keeping a close eye on developments. (WFLA)

Sunrise + sunset

Rise: 7:27 a.m.
Set: 7:06 p.m.

Tide

Old Tampa Bay

High: 3:23 a.m. + 4:36 p.m.
Low: 10:01 a.m. + 9:52 p.m.

Clearwater Beach

High: 12:53 p.m.
Low: 6:30 a.m. + 6:37 a.m.

Edu

Hillsborough County Schools announced make-up dates for Hurricane Ian. To ensure students/teachers can enjoy one full week off for Thanksgiving, the following dates will be full school days: Mon., Nov. 7, Mon., Nov. 14, Mon., Nov. 28, Mon., Dec. 5, Mon., Dec. 12, and Mon., Dec. 19. 🏫 (Tampa Bay Times)

Eat

Calling all sweet teeth. Puerto-Rican owned, Oopsy Daisy’s, will be popping up at 7801 N Armenia Ave. on Sat., Oct. 29. The locally known vegan bakery will be serving up a delicious variety of plant-centric goods, such as panetela, or guava cakes. Stop by to grab your treats between 5-9 p.m. 🍰 (Creative Loafing Tampa Bay)

Today Is

Indigenous Peoples Day — a day to honor the past, present, and futures of Native American communities. Though it’s not a federal holiday, many cities + states observe this day. The University of South Florida’s Nelson Poynter Memorial Library put together a resource guide for residents to learn more about the impact of Native American history in Florida.
World Mental Health Day — a day created in 1992 by the World Federation for Mental Health. Acknowledging this day can be as simple as taking several deep, grounding breaths or phoning a friend. If you’re looking for local resources, you can find them here, provided by the National Alliance on Mental Illness. 🧠

Plan Ahead

Take me out to the ball game. The Savannah Bananas are bringing their live baseball circus experience to Tampa Bay next spring. On Fri., Apr. 29, 2023 the internationally-acclaimed baseball team will be performing eye-catching stunts and home-run choreography. ⚾ (That’s So Tampa)

Watch

It’s gettin’ spooky, guys + ghouls. The Tampa Theatre is bringing back a frightening favorite, “A Nightmare on Franklin Street.” The month is full of festivities including ghost tours showings of classic movies like “Hocus Pocus,” and “Rocky Horror Picture Show.” Get your tickets. 🎃 (Tampa Bay Times)

Development

Plans for redevelopment of Central Avenue’s 1700 Block in St. Petersburg has been given the green light. This $105-million project by Trammell Crow Residential will feature 18,000 square feet for commercial use + residential spaces. It will also continue to be the central hub for local businesses like Lolita’s Wine Market. 🏢 (Tampa Bay Business Journal)

Cause

A local Tampanian is choosing to give back by providing dresses to financially struggling teens in the area. Alicia Tew has started a nonprofit called Gowns for Girls, which gives girls in the community a chance to dress up without having to stress about the cost. 👗 (Fox 13 News)

Travel

In addition to beignets aplenty, New Orleans is home to a spectacular showcase of Creole cuisine, lively jazz bars, stunning French architecture, and historic ghost tours. Escape to the city for a weekend and experience it all while staying in this renovated condo complete with a charming private courtyard.*

Learn

Become bilingual — but make the learning process fun. Babbel’s bite-size, 10-minute lessons are designed to fit into your busy life, helping you learn a new language in as little as three weeks. Pro tip: Get 55% off your subscription for a limited time. 🗺️ *

Content marked with an * is brought to you by our advertising partners and helps make this newsletter free.

Fall flavors combine for the sweetest seasonal treat. | Photo by @chillbrosicecream

THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by Victoria.

Editor’s pick: ICYMI — There’s nothing like brunch in Tampa. My friends and I are always spending the weekends finding new brunch spots. Get inspo from our round up of 22 brunch spots.

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? Explore the history of Tampa’s Jackson House, here.

Connect with us.

Editorial: Bailey LeFever, Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto, Kaylee Holland, Ashlea Hearn, Emily Shea| Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

Sales: Kailey Burke | Advertise with us.

ADVERTISE | SHOP | CAREERS | ETHICS

Did a friend forward this free newsletter to you?

Content marked with an * is paid advertising. Content marked with an ^ is created by our content studio. The company may also generate commission from affiliate links in the newsletter.

Change your preferences or unsubscribe here.

P.O. Box 2505, Greenville, SC 29602

ADVERTISE | CAREERS | ETHICS | PRIVACY | THE BUY