PARRAMORE

A celebration of life was held at the Boys and Girls Club in Parramore Friday evening to honor several young people killed by gun violence.

Dozens of veterans, many who said they’re facing homelessness, came out Wednesday to a resource event in Orlando’s Parramore community that provided housing help, job workshops, medical assistance and so much more.

A short stretch of West Colonial Drive near Lake Dot was blocked off Saturday morning as an incident was investigated in the area, according to the Orlando Police Department.

Orlando commissioners voted Monday to allow the city’s police to apply for a $2.25 million federal grant aimed at reducing crime in the area.

As rising rent continues to plague Central Florida and the nation, local organizations are working together during this housing crisis to bring vital tools to residents.

At 17 years old, Serenity Gary has already made a name for herself as a Central Florida philanthropist.

Natallia Magan picked up any type of waste that was in her way while walking on Parramore Avenue Wednesday.

Construction is underway at Black Bottom House of Prayer after it suffered damage in 2019 and now more recently in Hurricane Ian.

Orlando police announced Monday that Parramore bike officers found multiple drugs, a loaded firearm and cash during a traffic stop on West Church Street.

A larger-than-life mural is now available for the public to see as city officials wish to highlight pioneers in an Orlando neighborhood.

University of Central Florida researchers have discovered one of the simplest stress relievers for families, now and during the height of the pandemic, is plain old child’s play.

Orlando police Chief Orlando Rolón will host a news conference Thursday morning from the department’s headquarters in Parramore.

A pink house seen on W. Washington Street in the Parramore community will soon be known as Ms. Betty Resilience Hub Learning Center.

Two men were wounded in a shootout in Orlando, police say.

Two men were wounded in a shootout in Orlando, police say.

Dozens of companies came together Friday to bring job opportunities to people in Parramore and surrounding communities.

Short stretches of Church Street and Central Boulevard near Exploria Stadium in downtown Orlando will be closed Sunday as the Orlando City Lions take on the New York Red Bulls.

After a two-year hiatus due to COVID-19, Red Cross volunteers and Orlando firefighters joined community members for the in-person "Sound the Alarm" event in Parramore.

A crowd joined a trio of artists in Orlando’s Parramore community Saturday — recently designated the Parramore Main Street District — to rally around three newly unveiled murals.

The goal: to bring in local business while preserving the history of the neighborhood.

A youth center in Orlando’s Parramore neighborhood is losing its space.

The center celebrated its 17th year of providing after-school care and summer programs to youth in Orlando’s Parramore neighborhood.

Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer is giving a State of Downtown address Monday afternoon at Exploria Stadium in the city's Parramore neighborhood.

Orlando's historic Black Bottom House of Prayer has until Nov. 30 to raise nearly $250,000.

Two days before Thanksgiving, dozens of people living at Jackson Court apartments in Orlando's Parramore neighborhood were treated to a food giveaway.

Wednesday, FAMU leaders unveiled a new street name in front of the school to celebrate 20 years in downtown Orlando.

An Orlando area barber who lost everything in a fire last weekend said he's overwhelmed with the support he's received from customers, developers, residents, city leaders, county leaders and state leaders.

A well-known barbershop in the Parramore community is damaged after a fire late Friday, according to officials.

City officials were joined by community leaders on Thursday to install a sign recognizing the Parramore neighborhood as a National Register Historic District.

The Monroe restaurant, named after a famous Black activist, held its grand opening in downtown Orlando's Creative Village on Tuesday.

The Kidz Zones will open up in Holden Heights, Mercy Drive and Engelwood.

The Orlando Police Department said they are searching for a missing 12-year-old kid. ORLANDO, Fla. – ***10:45 A.M. UPDATE***Orlando Police said that a missing 12-year-old was found safe Friday. OPD said Ingram was found by deputies with the Orange County Sheriff’s Office. — Orlando Police (@OrlandoPolice) February 19, 2021***ORIGINAL STORY***The Orlando Police Department said they are searching for a missing 12-year-old kid. Police said Javon Ingraham was last seen wearing a white shirt, blue shorts and black sneakers.

Dr. and Mrs. Wells about 20 years after the Wells' Built Hotel was constructed. (Credit: Wells' Built Museum)ORLANDO, Fla. – Travelers will get to learn about Central Florida Black history this month at the Orlando International Airport with the help of a new temporary exhibit. The Wells’Built Museum of African American History & Culture, in the Parramore neighborhood, opened the exhibition this week highlighting Central Florida Black legends. Wells built the entertainment venue South Street Casino to help bring African American artists to the Central Florida area. (Credit: Wells Built Museum)However, the exhibit at OIA is just a sampling of what the Wells’Built Museum has to offer.

ORLANDO, Fla. – The New Image Youth Center in Orlando’s Parramore neighborhood is known as the “good in the hood.”Dr. Shanta Barton-Stubbs founded the center when she was just 21 years old. Barton-Stubbs also wrote a book called “There is Good in My Hood,” which is the story of a young boy who finds support at a community center. How that can literally change your life -- and in return, that every child can be the good in their hood. You can purchase a copy of “There is Good in My Hood” here. To volunteer with or donate to the New Image Youth Center, visit them online.

“A lady gave us a free vending machine. She wanted us to get into the snack business,” said Street Team Movement Founder Briana Daniel. In response, they created hygiene vending machines, filled with items like toothpaste, ponchos, tampons and other sanitary items. Overcoming those obstacles, the Street Team Movement continued their vision of offering free hygiene supplies through the vending machines. The other four hygiene vending machines are expected to be installed in the next few months around Orlando.

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – The Boys & Girls Club of Central Florida in Parramore hosted a drive-thru college fair Thursday evening. High school senior Morgan Burnett attended the event and said she was relieved the event was organized. The drive-thru college fair provided prospective students with scholarship opportunities, college admissions material, and financial aid. Representatives from local and state universities and colleges were on hand to answer questions. “It’s given me so many opportunities to see plenty of different schools,” Toney said.

ORLANDO, Fla. – Access and exposure for children in Parramore are the goals for the head chef at a new restaurant opening Wednesday at the Ritz-Carlton Orlando hotel. On Tuesday, a group of Parrramore Kidz Zone participants got to tour the new restaurant and assist with the grand opening of Knife & Spoon at the five-star hotel. The new eatery is known for its tasty steak and seafood, but for head chef Gerald Sombright, the experience for the children goes way beyond the food. The restaurant is also vowing to a give a portion of its proceeds this year to the Parramore Kidz Zone. Tuesday, he and many of the children from the Parramore Kidz Zone got to tour the hotel, fine dine at the new restaurant and speak with the head chef.

ORLANDO, Fla. – Orlando city commissioners voted this week to approve $1 million to help fund the My Brother’s Keeper program, expanding it to four new neighborhoods throughout the city. The program is a national initiative started by President Barack Obama aimed at helping minority youth reach their full potential. He said he turned his life around thanks to the My Brother’s Keeper Program. Raysean Brown also mentors kids in Parramore and is a former coordinator for the My Brother’s Keeper program. You can read more about the My Brother’s Keeper Program and ways to get involved here.

The order stops the Census Bureau from winding down operations until a court hearing is held on Sept. 17. In an empty lot along Westmoreland Drive, Elder Anthony Davis and members of his outreach ministry preach to the Parramore community. A Census mobile unit joined them to help boost the response rate, something Davis said the community needs. The new order by a federal judge keeps the census bureau from winding down operations until a court hearing in mid-September. The mobile census unit stuck around for about three hours to help neighbors complete the survey.

ORLANDO, Fla. – Orlando police officer Darius Barker was born and raised in Orlando’s historically black community of Parramore. Barker became an Orlando police officer in Parramore, the neighborhood where he grew up. OPD partners with Boys 2 Men Mentoring, a Parramore-based program founded in 2016 by Pastor Daniel Ings. You can learn more about Boys 2 Men Mentoring by clicking here. The Orlando Police Department now has 22 youth outreach liaison officers who’ve volunteered for the position.

ORLANDO, Fla. Orlando Commissioner Regina Hill has partnered with the Sports + Entertainment District to bring free COVID-19 testing to the Parramore area on Saturday. Testing will take place from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Geico Garage located at 400 W. South St. in Orlando. Drive-thru and walk-up options will be available to anyone 18 and older who has an appointment. District 5 residents whod like to get tested during the event should keep in mind that masks are required and the space is not air conditioned. Quest Diagnostics will process the 500 nasal swab tests that are performed that day.

On Saturday, that mission led a basketball legend and a philanthropist to Parramore. Victor Cherry, a Parramore resident and inspirational speaker, uses his life experience to mentor youth around the world. Like Shammgod, Cherry also has a passion for giving back. Cherry is a former coach for The Boys & Girls Club and wanted to give back because he says he saw the need for it in the Parramore community. “Especially for me being good at basketball, people in the neighborhood helped my mom out with bills and stuff, so I’ve always come up with wanting to give back and wanting to be more than just a basketball player,” Shammgod said.

PARRAMORE, Fla. – Tuesday afternoon, the Orlando Police Department's Special Operations Unit raided three houses in the Parramore neighborhood and arrested nearly a dozen people that police say are responsible for much of the violence plaguing the community. "This community deserves better," Bigelow said. Bigelow said last month an armed carjacking in Parramore stemmed from a drug deal gone bad. Bobby Sullivan, a Parramore resident of 42 years, watched a raid from his apartment next door to one of the suspected drug houses. They [drug dealers] are harassing me, I can't sleep at night, they harass me all night, sell drugs all night.

More affordable housing has opened in the area and the Orlando City soccer stadium is drawing in new restaurants and shops. Crosier said he also wants to preserve the rich history of the area and encourage other people in the area to open small businesses. “I just hope everybody can last longer enough to see the full effect of the changes,” Crosier said. “We are trying to make sure we maintain the small businesses that are in Parramore,” Hill said. To read more about business incentives and services offered by the city of Orlando to assist small businesses, click here.

Six adults were displaced after a house fire in Parramore. If you need help with the Public File, call 407-291-6000.

Parramore residents want to preserve history as area growsPublished: January 23, 2020, 6:34 pmThe face of Orlando's Parramore community is changing by the day and if you ask some residents, the change is for the better.

Parramore residents trying to preserve historyPublished: January 23, 2020, 5:45 pmAs the Parramore area continues to grow, residents are trying to preserve the neighborhood's history.

Fla. – A contractor hired by the City of Orlando estimates it will cost almost $17,000 to evaluate a historic church after the roof collapsed two weeks ago. The roof of the Black Bottom House of Prayer in Parramore collapsed on Dec. 5. "God has many ways that he can make this happen and my faith is still strong," she said. News 6 found out contractors estimate it will cost $16,700 to evaluate the church to determine how crews will remove the roof with as little damage as possible. Still, Jackson believes the community will help save the church.

Crews work to preserve historic Orlando church after roof collapsePublished: December 6, 2019, 1:47 pmCrews are expected to return to the site of a historic Parramore church Friday to begin the preservation process while removing pieces of the roof that collapsed earlier this week.

ORLANDO, Fla. – For the second episode of Florida Foodie, we are taking a look at a big problem facing the Parramore neighborhood in Orlando. Parramore is what's known as a "food desert," which means the people who live there do not have easy access to quality, nutritious foods. This is not a problem that is unique to Parramore, food deserts exist in just about every major city across the country. What is unique, is how the city of Orlando is tackling this problem. They explain how this effort came together, the success they've already seen and how it is growing beyond the Parramore neighborhood.