Deanna Joseph Bio
Deanna Joseph of Tampa, FL is a mother, therapist and advocate acting on behalf of the rights of children, families and those of developmental disabilities. Mrs. Joseph a native of New Orleans, Louisiana prior to Hurricane Katrina earned a Bachelor’s Degree from Grambling State University and a Master’s Degree from Southern University of New Orleans and has engaged in practice within private, state and clinical settings. The acclamation of this experience has exceeded more than 20 years of services to the community and family system desiring her expertise. Mrs. Joseph in her work and cross country travels has acquired the knowledge and foresight to engage and foster advance conversations about a vast array of issues relevant to the Black diaspora and the resolve towards justice and accountability of her deceased 14 year old son Andrew Joseph, III failed by a multifaceted distorted system and the cohorts of many black families who are recovering from the mistreatment of their children by the criminal justice system and the school districts around the world. Mrs. Joseph life work and dedication has been to increase the visibility of a functional family life and the parenting of healthy children in this world of constant complexity.
Andrew's Story
Andrew Joseph, III, 14-year-old son to Deanna and Andrew Joseph, Jr., was killed Feb. 7 as he tried to cross Interstate 4 on foot after he was illegally detained, ejected, transported and then abandoned miles from the Florida State Fair by law enforcement, with no call to his parents. Violent behavior on 'Student Day' at the fair was a typical occurrence until their son had been killed. Andrew was hit by a 19 year old motorist who was leaving the fair and headed to the casino. Since his death, the Josephs have been working to prevent what happened to their son from happening again.
The Pewee Story
Fourteen year old Andrew Joseph III was hit with an SUV after the Hillsborough County Sheriff's office took him from the Florida State Fairgrounds. The reports indicate that he was attempting to cross I-4 interstate. Earlier that evening prior to being killed by this driver, Andrew and some of his other friends were ejected/kicked out of the Florida State Fair on Student Day. On this day it was designated for students to attend the fair and most area school kids had the day off from school so that they could attend the State Fair. As a result of the student day/free pass day many kids attended. When kids are ejected the law enforcement indicated no policy which mandates that they call parents. With this flawed policy no parents were called and several young people that were subjected to this action were at risk. The health and safety of all 99 of the ejected young people (some as young as 12 years old) were jeopardized by officials failing to contact parents of the kids that were being transported and removed from the fair grounds. This travesty has left Andrew Joseph III dead and the Joseph family questioning policies and public entities. Andrew III had a promising future and had just been excepted into a prestigious high school in the Tampa Bay area. Andrew had hopes and dreams and his parents supported him in making his dreams a reality. The society and community as a whole has lost an exceptional kid as a result of lack of community care, compassionate and consideration of a 14 year old child. The family is requesting support as efforts are being made to illuminate this injustice. This is their story. Directed: JReal Promotions Executive Director: Deanna Joseph Producer: Donna Davis