Meet Commissioner Reggie Bellamy
BY RITA SMITH
Meet Commissioner Reggie Bellamy, Manatee County Board of County Commission, District 2. Since Commissioner Bellamy took the reigns as District 2 representative, he has hit the ground running. Being born and raised in the Manatee County area, has given him a chance to see the County upfront and personal. He is a graduate of the Manatee County High School. While a student at Manatee High, he was named All-State Athlete in football and basketball. After graduating from college, he returned to Manatee High, where he worked as Drop-Out Prevention Coordinator, and a graduation coach and mentor, facilitating graduation plans and encouraging students to stay in school and excel. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Bethune Cookman University. He served in the United States Military from 1989 to 1993, when he received an honorable discharge as a Corporal.
In 1998, Reggie broke the color barrier by becoming the first African American basketball coach in Manatee County Schools and State College of Florida. While at SCF, he implemented the H.O.O.P.S. (Helping Others Obtain Personal Success) program. The program ran for six years. He also served as an Academic Advisor at the State College of Florida.
He has spent over 20 years working with the youth of Manatee County in various capacities. He worked as a Dean at Buffalo Creek Middle School. He currently serves as the Executive Director of the Palmetto Youth Center. Some of his immediate goals are to ensure that Lincoln Park pool is constructed in a timely and orderly manner. More than $5 million dollars have been raised to date for the pool. The project is in the Master Plan development stages, which includes the Pool, turf field, and discussions with FDOT on the Trojan tunnel. Goals also include street lighting, sidewalks, fully funding drug court, drug prevention.
Since becoming County Commissioner, Reggie has been appointed to the following Boards: 1. Tampa Bay Area Regional Transportation Agency (TBARTA) · Transportation (driving, walking) needs in Manatee County 2. Public Safety Council · Drug Court · Mental Health Awareness (Suicide Prevention) 3. Suncoast Career Services 4. Manatee County Port Authority 5. Suncoast Partnership to End Homelessness Commissioner Bellamy was recognized as Omega Citizen of the Year for Manatee county in 2013 by the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. Some of Commissioner Bellamy’s community involvement activities include working with the following organizations/ groups:
Barbershop Men of Prayer which focus on 1) relationship with God; 2) Good grades; 3) good character and 4) long time goal to build prayer warriors.
Mosaic Academy Program – Prepare 10-12 grade students for college and offer scholarships, partners with PepsiCo.
BLAST Program (Boys Life After School Training) – Male mentoring program at Palmetto Youth Center, which partners with United Wa y. Look for additional articles to come, including dates/times for townhall meetings, community events, etc. You can reach Commissioner Bellamy at his office at 941-748-4501.
