Tampa entrepreneur, city leader, educator dies at 60

Gwendolyn Henderson, who was elected to Tampa's City Council and owned a local independent bookstore, died at her home.

By Louis Llovio
| 4:45 p.m. June 10, 2025
| 0 Free Articles Remaining!

Gwen Henderson, owner of Black English Bookstore in Tampa, poses in her shop.

Tampa Bay-Lakeland

Gwendolyn Henderson, a Tampa City Council member, former educator and owner of the influential Black English Bookstore, has died. She was 60.

According to a statement issued by the city of Tampa Tuesday, she died of natural causes overnight at her home. She was taken by Tampa Fire Rescue to the hospital Tuesday morning but life-saving efforts were not successful.

“Councilwoman Henderson was a powerhouse in our community — she was a teacher, business owner and champion for African-American culture and Tampa’s history,” Jane Castor, the city’s mayor, and Alan Clendenin, council president, said in a joint statement.