2022 MLK Convocation Program: Guest Speaker Representative Ramon Alexander

Ramon Alexander

State Representative Ramon Alexander is recognized as one of the state’s rising political leaders and consistently uses that platform to be a voice for the voiceless. Ramon Alexander is a fifth-generation Floridian, son of Lorenzo and Cherry Alexander, a proud family man and unabashed servant of the people.

While in college, he found his passion for public service. Ramon served as the FAMU Student Body President and Student Senate President where he, along with other students and members were instrumental in organizing the historic March for Justice for Martin Lee Anderson, successfully leading a 36-hour sit-in at the Governor Office in 2001 and he spearheaded efforts to establish the Florida Access and Diversity Commission and legislature support for the lowest tuition increase in the State history.

Upon graduating from Florida A&M University, Alexander founded and developed Distinguished Young Gentlemen of America, Inc. (DYG) to effectively address the Minority Male High School Dropout Rate and Juvenile Crime Rate in Gadsden, Jefferson, and Leon Counties. Distinguished Young Gentlemen has impacted the quality of life of thousands of young people and their families throughout North Florida, effectively preparing the next generation of local, state, and national leaders.

Ramon served as Community and External Affairs Aide to the Mayor of Tallahassee from 2007 to 2010. In 2009, the Tallahassee Democrat Editorial Board named Alexander one of Named Top 25 Most Influential People in the Capital City; he was the youngest person in the Capital City to receive this recognition. National and state leaders recruited Alexander in 2010 to lead a statewide voter engagement program to build and sustain voter capacity for the 2012 re-election campaign of President Barack Obama.

Never forgetting the impact that leadership and service made on the lives of those around him, Ramon ran for the Florida House of Representatives to represent District 8 (Leon and Gadsden) and was elected in November 2016.

He has a record of championing issues relating to criminal justice, economic development, and higher education.

He served as the House Minority Leader from 2018-2022 and was elected for Leader Designate 2022-2024.

A leader amongst his colleagues, Rep. Alexander’s committee membership includes Appropriations, Careers & Competition Subcommittee, Criminal Justice Subcommittee, Environment, Agriculture and Flooding Subcommittee, Higher Education Appropriations Subcommittee, Joint Committee on Public Counsel, Joint Legislative Budget Commission, Judiciary Committee and Post-Secondary Education and Lifelong Learning Subcommittee.

Over the years, Ramon has been recognized for his many contributions. He was named Volunteer of the Year for Civic Service by the Tallahassee Democrat (2012) and awarded the prestigious National Jefferson Award for Public Service in Washington D.C. Leadership Tallahassee and the Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce named Alexander a Leadership Pacesetter Award Finalist (2013).

Ramon is a third-generation FAMUAN and is a recipient of a B.S. from the Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University and M.S. from the University of Central Florida. Just as family was a great influence in the beginning of his life, it continues to impact him now with his own family. Ramon is married to Dr. Taniyah Alexander and they have been blessed with two children, McKenzie and Miles.

PROGRAM Presiding: Carrington Whigham Trustee and President, Student Government Association PRELUDE INVOCATION

University Wind Symphony William R. Bell Senior Psychology Major

WELCOME

Marcus Thomas Vice President, Student Government Association

OCCASION

Devan M. Vilfrard State President of the NAACP Youth & College Division

MUSICAL SELECTION

Alexander Williams Junior Vocal Performance Major

INTRODUCTION OF SPEAKER

Zachary C. Bell Senate President

SPEAKER

Ramon Alexander State Representative, District 8

SPECIAL PERFORMANCE “I Have A Dream” James Moran, Ph.D. College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Institute of Public Health

University Wind Symphony PRESENTATION

CIVIL RIGHTS ANTHEM

“We Shall Overcome”

CLOSING REMARKS

Larry Robinson, Ph.D. President University Wind Symphony President Robinson

ALMA MATER University Wind Symphony (No walking or leaving during the Alma Mater.)

POSTLUDE BENEDICTION

University Wind Symphony William R. Bell