Mayoral Proclamations recognize the non-profit at the 30th Anniversary Impact Awards

Tampa, Fla. (October 11, 2019) – Tampa Bay Businesses for Culture & the Arts, “Tampa Bay BCA” celebrated three decades of successfully uniting the private sector in support of arts and culture at the October 10, 2019 30th Anniversary Impact Awards. Marking this milestone, the non-profit organization’s signature event drew over 500 business, elected officials, higher education and community leaders from across the bay.

The honorable Jane Castor, mayor of the City of Tampa, issued a proclamation to TBBCA for ‘providing advocacy, funding resources and support for arts education, artists, and arts and cultural organizations and their programs’ and reflecting ‘on all that has been accomplished over the years’. Dr. Kanika Jelks-Tomalin, deputy mayor, recognized TBBCA with a proclamation on behalf of the City of St. Petersburg.

Stephen Gay, president and chair of TBBCA board of directors, shared the organization’s storied history and impactful programs. “For thirty years, the Tampa Bay BCA has carried out this pivotal role of private sector champion for arts and culture as vital economic drivers, catalysts for creativity, innovation, transformation, and essential contributors to quality of life,” he remarked. Gay credited the organization’s past presidents and chairs as Tampa Bay BCA founding visionaries “who held the conviction that businesses coming together in support of our community’s artistic and cultural and creative industries would give Tampa Bay better opportunity to develop into a thriving regional economy with enhanced offerings that stimulate development, and attract and retain businesses and a talented workforce.”

The evening’s full program kicked off to fanfare with ‘fireworks’ video and live performance by TBBCA board director Jeff Wooldridge, who is an accomplished composer/musician and jazz trumpeter. Jeff is executive vice-president and regional retail manager for TBBCA Chair’s Circle pARTner and Impact Awards Signature Sponsor Bank OZK.

This year’s featured artist, Ya La’Ford, was introduced as the creator of the original works of art that were awarded to the honorees.

The Impact Awards honored Michael Connelly, NYT #1 best-selling author of thirty-two novels, with over 70 million copies of his books worldwide, was celebrated as one of the most successful writers working today. Connelly is currently producing a TV series for Amazon Studios called Bosch, based on his novels. Its 6th season is currently in production. Connelly was honored with the TBBCA 2019 Lifetime Achievement Impact Award.

Honoree Kalup Linzy, internationally exhibited multi-disciplinary artist, a double alumnus of University of South Florida, was recognized with TBBCA 2019 Innovation in the Arts Impact Award.

Lorna Taylor, President and CEO of Premier Eye Care, was lauded for her visionary leadership, strong advocacy and generous support with TBBCA 2019 Patron of Culture & the Arts Impact Award.

The video presentations on the three honorees were created in collaboration with Glenn Horn, Creative Director of ChappellRoberts and TBBCA board director. The honorees’ videos debuted at the event can be viewed on TBBCA’s website at www.tbbca.org/programs-events/impactawards2019

The Impact Awards benefit TBBCA Charlie Hounchell Art Stars Scholarships and programs. Young Angellina Fedullo, this year’s scholarship recipient for vocal music, had the opportunity to showcase her talent and perform live. The Bloomingdale high school senior brought guests to their feet with her soprano rendition of Mozart’s La Nozze de Figaro. To learn more about Angellina and the other scholarships recipients https://www.tbbca.org/programs-events/art-stars-scholarships/

About TBBCA
Tampa Bay BCA is a non-profit founded in 1989, the first in Florida national Business Committee for the Arts, part of the private sector network and national pARTnership Movement of Americans for the Arts. For three decades, TBBCA has united Tampa Bay businesses to champion arts and culture for a prosperous community, because the arts are good for business, and business is good for the arts. TBBCA is a 501 (c) (3) #CH32681 www.tbbca.org Executive Director contact: susanaweymouth@tbbca.org