On The Cover Profiles
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RODNEY LOPEZ worked in his family’s barbecue business a number of years before deciding to go out on his own. He ran a landscape company and drove a tractor trailer for awhile to save up enough to start his own place. In 1999, he opened Uncle Rodney’s Rib House on Gandy Boulevard, and then moved to his current location on South MacDill Avenue in 2004. Nothing fancy-picnic tables and a screen porch, and the best barbecue you ever tasted, served in Styrofoam containers. Only a mile north of the entrance to MacDill Air Force Base, Rodney’s attracts a regular clientele from the Base as well as the surrounding neighbor- hood. He’s on a first-name basis with most of them. Rodney’s sumptuous barbecue ribs are the kind you dream about and wake up in the morning craving. Tey are so tender you can peel the layers of meat off the bone with a plastic fork. He uses only fresh (never frozen) full-slab pork ribs, which he washes, trims and coasts with is own recipe dry rub (even his pals from Central Com- mand don’t know the secret ingredients). Ten he grills them for two-and-a-half hours over an oak and pecan-wood fire. Rodney explains, “Real barbecue deserves real wood.” His sauce, which he makes fresh each morning, goes on the side or on top after they are cooked. He also makes all of his side dishes fresh-including his famous collard greens. Try to save a little room for sweet potato pie.
Uncle Rodney’s Rib House 5712 South MacDill Avenue, Tampa, FL 813-837-1727. Uncle Rodney – Uncle Rodney’s Rib House – (813) 837-1727
YOLANDA YVETTE ANTHONY is a native of Tangerine, FL. She received a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance and Management from Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU) in 1977. In 1994, she obtained an MBA from NOVA Southeastern University. As a licensed Mortgage Broker, Yolanda believes in finding the “right” mortgage for her clients. She offers FHA loans, VA loans and Conventional loans. She also offers programs for First Time Homebuyers, people looking to refinance, and those that need debt consolidation.
Yolanda is an active member of Living Faith Assembly of God. She is, or has been a member of the Bay Area Apartment Association, Florida Association of Mortgage Brokers, Tampa Organization of Black Affairs, Tampa Chapter of Te Links, Inc., National Association of Black Accountants, National Association of Female Executives and several other organizations.
Yolanda’s tenacity and business savvy as an entrepreneur positioned her in 1993 savvy to launch Trash Express of Tampa Bay, Inc. Trash Express is a full service landscape, design and trash hauling company. Today, Yolanda combines both businesses, thus exceeding her client’s expectations in helping them manage and maintain their beautiful homes inside and out.
Yolanda is married to Ken Anthony, State Farm Insurance agent. Tey have three children, Ken II, Adrian, and Kenitra. Website address:
www.manhattanmortgageusa.com / Email:
yolandaintpa@aol.com.
Yolanda Anthony – Manhattan Mortgage – (813) 223-6151
A commitment to excellence, a passion for the Arts, and the love of dance are part of the character that defines the owner and operator of Brandon’s premier African-American owned dance studio. Leonard Mardis is the owner, director and lead instructor of Leonard’s Academy of Dance (LAD) in Brandon, Florida LAD offers instruction in many disciplines including Jazz, Ballet, Tap, African, Hip-Hop, Lyrical, Modern, Liturgical, Tumbling, Technique, Musical Teater, Ballroom, Weddings, Quincea- ñera, and Belly Dancing. Leonard, a native of Grenada, Mississippi, brings over 20 years of experience, diversity, and a global perspective to his style of dance and arts education. A 21 veteran of the military, Leonard studied, instructed, performed and choreographed for plays, galas, competitions, and entertainment events in America, Europe, Asia, and Africa. Leonard who lived in Germany for 12 years was recently invited back to Frankfurt January 2010 to dance and act in the world premier event “Hope-Te Musical”, a play celebrating the election of Barack Obama, the 44th President of the United States. A seasoned professional with a strong sense of community and family, Leonard has been a dance educator in the Brandon com- munity for over eight years. He is also the founder and creative director of the musical performance troupe, United Nations of Dance (UND). UND consists of over 100 entertainers and supporters representing 23 countries & 5 continents. January 2007, Leonard’s vision to have a school of dance and traveling performance company under one roof became a reality with the opening of Leonard’s Academy of Dance & Centre for the Arts (LAD). April 2010, Leonard accepted an invitation from the US Embassy & Ministry of Cultural Affairs in Moscow, Russia to host workshops and perform during their International Dance Celebration.
www.LADBRANDON.com.
Leonard Mardis - Leonard’s Academy of Dance & Center For the Arts - (813)-653-0400
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