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Broward & Palm Beach
"Providing News/Information and Connecting Florida’s Black Affuencers and Infuencers"
Introducing South Florida's 25 Most Influential and Prominent Black Women in Business and Leadership for 2015
Natasha Hampton markets the beauty of Miramar How black business owners are changing the face of giving in South Florida Vice Mayor Joyce W. Bryan, is the first African American Commissioner in Margate Holistic wellness in 2016 And more...
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South Florida’s 25 Most Influential and Prominent Black Women in Business and Leadership for 2015
Angela Benefield-McNair CEO/President Sister Empowering Sisters, Inc
Sandra Bernard-Bastien Chief Communications Officer The Children's Services Council of Broward County
Brenda J. Billingsley Director of Purchasing Broward County
Velma T. Blaine District Manager Fort Lauderdale East Social Security Administration
Joyce W. Bryan Vice Mayor City of Margate
Lisa Bythewod CEO / President VHU Express Inc.
Joan Cartwright, M.A. (DBA in June 2016) Founder/Director Women in Jazz South Florida, Inc.
Bernadette Clayborne Franchise Owner Golden Krust
Katina Davis-Kennedy EdD, ARNP, FNP-c Family Nurse Practitioner, Author, Adjunct Nursing Instructor, and Aerobics Instructor
Donte' Fulton-Collins Regional Director of Education for South Florida Charter Schools USA
Natasha Hampton, MPA, CLRP Chief of Marketing and Public Relations City of Miramar
Paula Hawkes, M.A.Ed. Educator, Broadcaster BCPS, Cox Media Group Miami
Vegina Hawkins, Esq. Attorney and Counselor at Law State Attorney's Office- 17th Circuit
Selina Hightower Police Lieutenant Hollywood Police Department
Bacardi Jackson, Esq. Managing Attorney Tucker law Group, LLC
Beverly Kuykendall President of Government Business American Medical Depot (AMD)
Willowstine Lawson Regional Director U.S. Senator Bill Nelson
Neki Mohan News Anchor/Reporter Local 10 News
Jacqueline Reed, MBA President and CEO Oasis of Hope Community Development Corporation, Inc.
Alison Smith Law Partner Weiss Serota Helfman Cole & Bierman Deputy City Attorney City of Miramar
Michele Stocker Shareholder Greenberg Traurig, P.A.
Jill Tracey Talk Show Host Cox Media Group
Valerie S. Wanza, PhD Chief School Performance Accountability Officer Broward County Public Schools
Stormy Wellington Network Marketer Total Life Changes
Dionne Wong Seinor Vice President Chief Human Resources Officer Broward Health
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PUBLISHER’S NOTE
Welcome to the 2015 edition of The 25 Most Influential and Prominent Black Women in Business and Leadership. We are proud to share with you the new CEO at St Mary’s Medical center in West Palm Beach….Gabrielle Finley-Hazle. Responsible for all hospital operations, this young lady has her finger on the pulse of entire facility. Read about this career ride all the way to the top. Through it all, I hope you’re inspired to connect to your own intuition which is not exclusively a woman’s domain. Whether you call it your gut, sixth sense, heart, or spirit, it is that guiding force that Kervin L. Clenance Group Publisher, Legacy Magazine Erica V. Knowles-Nelson Editor-in-Chief, Legacy Magazine Denise St. Patrick-Bell PhD Copy Editor Teekay Cover Photographer Toni Harrigan Intern
FRIDAY, JANUARY 8, 2016
lives within each of us. Use it and minimize regret, ignore it and come to wish you hadn’t. This is always my favorite issue because my life has been filled with, and influenced by, powerful women. Whether they are lawyers, doctors, colleagues, sisters, and/or friends (especially my wife), they are all keepers in my database of influence. Powerful women are a major part of my truth! As we usher in a new year, I hope this issue helps you find your truth.
Subscribe to and view the digital version of Legacy Magazine
#legacy25women
Kervin L. Clenance Group Publisher Legacy South Florida Legacy Miami
FRIDAY, JANUARY 8, 2016
WELLNESS By Nzingah Oniwosan
Nzingah Oniwosan Multidisciplinary Artist & Holistic Lifestyle Coach, Sankofa's Child Being a leader in business means you are responsible for others, have major goals to attain, and often have a lot to manage. For women the charge can be much heavier as they have to also balance it with being a mother and wife, which are two very different jobs. On the surface it may seem like she is doing a pretty decent
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5 Simple Rituals job juggling all her roles; but in the middle of this incredible balancing act she fails to see that she has placed too much tension on the string that is holding it all together-HERSELF. Too often women of color do not apply the same attention to themselves that they apply to the world around them; it can be for various reasons. More often than not it is because of guilt, not understanding the importance of exercising self-care, also not being educated on how to do so. Self-care is important because it allows an opportunity to recharge the mind, body and spirit. When any of these areas are out of balance it throws everything out of sync. This means the quality of what you do is compromised and it is at risk of crumbling. One of my favorite quotes from Audre Lorde says “ Caring for myself is not self-indulgence, it is self-preservation and that is an act of political warfare.” At the end of the day if you are not good to yourself you are not good to the people in your life or your business. So today we will focus on 5 simple rituals to maintain balance in our daily lives. 1. DRINK WATER It sounds simple enough but we take for
granted the benefits of incorporating water in our daily practice. By simply replacing sodas and juices with water you will lose a few pounds, lower your blood pressure, and help stabilize your insulin levels. You also will have a clearer mind because you will be pushing toxins out of your body. 2. DISCONNECT FOR 20 MINUTES Step away from your phone, tablet, computer and any other form of technology. Take the time to just be with yourself. You can do it in the confines of your home or better yet go outside in nature so you can get your daily dose of Vitamin D. Disconnect once a week or daily. Just devote the time so you can recharge. 3. MOVE Movement or exercise is a great opportunity for you to distress. Jump rope a few minutes a day, dance to your favorite song, or while you are disconnecting for 20 minutes take a walk. You will be processing your stress in a healthy way and your body will love you. 4. PAMPER YOURSELF Take yourself on a date, get a facial,
massage (great stress reliever) or spa manicure. By loving yourself you can get the love you want in return. 5. CONNECT TO SPIRIT Connect with your godself. Spirituality focuses on the well-being of your mind-body-spirit. Take the time to find out what works well to cultivate that connection. More recently many have chosen meditation as a means to do so. The following quote explains it best, “ Prayer is when you talk to God. Meditation is when God talks to you.” For more information follow Nzingah on instagram @yesbabyilikeitraw and visit her website www.yesbabyilikeitraw.com
“Too often women of color do not apply the same attention to themselves that they apply to the world around them”
Troubleshooting the Office Grind
The grand opening of Goldson Spine Rehabilitation Center’s new North Lauderdale office on June 13th. From left is Dr. Fidel S. Goldson Jr., Freddy Rodriguez A.P., Dr. Brittany Goldson, Dr. Rhea Conley, Dr. Koi Ibrahim, and Dr. Christopher Maylo By Dr. Koi Ibrahim of Goldson Spine Rehabilitation Center Lower back pain can be caused by severe injuries, such as herniated discs, muscle-ligament sprains, or inflamed joints in the spine. But did you know that the daily grind of the typical office can also
cause back pain? The sedentary life of desk jobs can wreak havoc of your lower back, weakening core muscles and reducing flexibility. According to the National Academy of Sport Medicine, research has found that 85 percent of U.S. adults will have low back pain in their lifetime.
The main culprits for pain are muscle imbalances, which lead to poor flexibility, thus increasing your chance for injury. For example, most of our jobs today require individuals to sit down for long periods of time. Tightness of the hip flexors (muscles that are at the front of your hips), hamstrings, and calf muscles caused by prolonged sitting abnormally affect movement of the hips, arms, and legs. And since muscles are linked like a chain, tight muscles stress joints towards arthritis and decrease function. Finding a well-trained doctor who can diagnose pain caused by tight or weak muscles is important. Research has shown chiropractic care to be highly effective in the treatment and alleviation of pain caused by muscle and joint stiffness. The right chiropractor will not only stretch and adjust joints, but will guide you into a healthier lifestyle that will allow you to independently maintain flexibility and strength, with less pain. Think of your body like a bank account. Every time you go to work, pick up the kids, stress over any little
thing, not eat well, or don't get enough rest, you are taking money out of your account. When you exercise, rest, take time to pray, make healthy food choices, and get adjusted, you are putting money back into the bank. Pain results when you overdraw your account. Find a chiropractor that will help you maintain a healthy balance. Goldson Spine Rehabilitation Center has offices in North Lauderdale, Pembroke Pines and Plantation. To schedule an appointment, call at 866-465-3766.
“Research has shown chiropractic care to be highly effective in the treatment and alleviation of pain caused by muscle and joint stiffness. The right chiropractor will not only stretch and adjust joints, but will guide you into a healthier lifestyle”
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EXECUTIVE SUITE By Zach Rinkins
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Hampton: Miramar is Full of Beauty and Progress
Natasha Hampton City of Miramar Chief Marketing Officer
Founded in 1955, the City of Miramar originally had a population of less than two hundred people. With approximately 2.9 square miles land area, Miramar's original city boundaries were: S.W. 64th Avenue on the east, University Drive on the West, the Dade County Line on the south and Pembroke Road on the north. Now six decades later, those boundaries have swelled as far east as U.S. 441, south to County Line Road, and west to U.S. 27. The municipality is now home to 122,041 residents and covers 31 square miles, representing a 600-percent population boom and a 10-fold land area expansion. With amenities including the Miramar Aquatic Center, a new City Hall building and Cultural Arts Center, and the upcoming Southcentral/Southeast Focal Point Senior Center, the city is indeed an entity of beauty and progress. “We are steadily becoming a place of tourism and destination. But, no matter how much we expand, residents and stakeholders can always get one-on-one access to their public officials and the administration,” proclaimed Natasha Hampton, the city’s Chief Marketing Officer. “We are a community with a metropolitan feel with a personal governmental approach.”
The lifelong South Floridian spent a great deal of her professional life working for the city. During her progressive 18-year tenure, Hampton served in public works and utilities, logistics, the city manager’s executive staff and led the city’s human resources department. As Miramar’s Chief Marketing Officer, she is responsible for brand management, inciting tourism and development and developing communications and marketing plans to promote the city. For these reasons and more, Legacy South Florida is pleased to recognize her as one of the Top 25 Women in Business and Industry in South Florida. “I am humbled by this honor. My career has been built on relationships. Many of those relationships are with women,” she reflected. “Often times, we as women underestimate our power. We have to be able to come together and support each other. We should not compete with each other.” Additionally, the Florida Memorial University-graduate attributes her success to divine empowerment. “You have to believe in yourself. I believe that if you dream it. You have the capacity to achieve it,” she encouraged. “We are made in God’s image. So, have faith that you can walk into whatever you choose to do.”
Hampton pointed out: “I work hard and play hard! I believe life and success are all about balance,” she added. “Family is very important to me so I make time for that.” The longtime city employee notes that Miramar offers all the support, services, and amenities to help families and businesses prosper. “Our commission responds to the needs of the people,” she shared. “Everyone from children, to young professionals, families, and business owners have a voice.” Miramar offers prospective homebuyers grants for first-time homebuyers and in some cases funding to refurbish older homes. The city has not left out the small business owner. “Our commission recently enhanced the code to allow opportunities for small businesses to do more business with the city they chose to be in,” she pointed out. “The commission recently changed the process that eliminates the competitive process for Miramar-based businesses for services that are up to $2,500. This is an excellent opportunity for small businesses. The city code also encourages contractors to utilize small and minority-owned businesses.” Discover what Miramar has to offer at www.MiramarFL.gov
Miramar Leads the Way with Influential Black Women in South Florida
Operating under the “City Manager-City Council” form of government, the City of Miramar is a dynamic City and home to more than 130,000 residents. Its
impressive portfolio of more than 2,000 small and Fortune 500 companies is why Miramar continues to be the premier place to Live, Work and Play. But that wasn’t
always the case-- the City of Miramar started as a small-bedroom community in 1955 with a population of less than 200 people. This year, Miramar celebrates 60 years of Beauty and Progress! The efforts of our community and government officials have positioned Miramar as an economic development powerhouse. Miramar is dedicated to preserving the character of our community by enhancing our quality of life while celebrating our rich cultural and diverse landscape. Miramar has produced one of the finest cities in Broward County, South Florida and beyond! The influence of Black women in the City of Miramar has shaped our city to what it is today through vision, poise and confidence. Under the leadership of City Manager Kathleen Woods-Richardson, a past two-time Legacy magazine honoree, The Miramar Amphitheater at Regional Park, Adult Day Care Center and Miramar Police Department Headquarters are just a few projects propelling Miramar to the next level. Some of Miramar’s influential
leaders that have played a vital role in the progression of Miramar include: former City of Miramar Commissioner and now Broward County Vice-Mayor Barbara Sharief, Miramar’s first Haitian-American elected official; Vice-Mayor Darline B. Riggs; Commissioner Yvette Colbourne; Deputy City Manager Allyson C. Love; Assistant City Manager of Finance Faye Munnings; Director of Social Services Marva Ricketts and City Clerk Denise Gibbs. In 2015, Legacy Magazine will honor another influential Black woman from the City of Miramar, Chief of Marketing and Public Relations, Natasha Hampton, who has been named one of South Florida’s Most Prominent and Influential Women in Business and Industry! We are proud of these and all the other dedicated women in leadership roles that have impacted and continue to impact Miramar’s vision of Beauty and Progress! Inspiration, Innovation and Influence… It’s Right Here In Miramar ©!
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BUSINESS REPORT Doing Well While Doing Good®: How Black Business Owners are Changing the Face of Giving in South Florida
By Beatrice Louissaint
Beatrice Louissaint President and CEO Southern Florida Minority Supplier Development Council Many black-owned businesses are engaged in civic, philanthropic and volunteer initiatives that are making a difference in our community. Some of these companies have established their own charitable organizations to assist their favorite causes, they belong to organizations focused on volunteerism, or they are doing acts of kindness and giving generously to assist the less fortunate. In addition, the black-owned companies provide employment, many times to those whom others consider unemployable, they pay taxes, and contribute to the overall vitality of our community and country. What drives these entrepreneurs? They are driven by the desire to find solutions to challenges, improve communities and
involve their employees in meaningful projects. Many of these stories are often overlooked. As we celebrate the season of giving, family, faith and unity, I want to celebrate, encourage and thank black-owned companies for their contributions that have a tremendous positive impact on our community. Here are three amazing examples: Sharon and Wayne Gill, Gill Law Firm, P.A. Gill Law Firm practices exclusively in the areas of collection and recovery (commercial and consumer), creditor’s rights and commercial litigation. Thirteen years ago, Sharon and Wayne Gill established Oasis Compassion Agency with a 10% tithe from a legal fee received in 2002. Now, the agency operates a women’s center, a food pantry, a thrift store and a career center. The agency has helped tens of thousands of people, including needy children. Oasis Compassion Agency is committed to showing God’s love in tangible ways by addressing the physical and spiritual needs of the poor and needy in central Palm Beach County. Oasis has dispensed more than a million pounds of food to needy families and counseled hundreds of women. The agency has taken several women from living on the streets or sleeping in their cars to gainful employment and meaningful lives. The Miami-Biscayne Bay Chapter of The Links, Incorporated The goal of the Miami-Biscayne Bay (FL) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated is to provide service to individuals throughout the community. The chapter’s outstanding
programming incorporates five facets: National Trends and Services, The Arts, Services to Youth, International Trends and Services, and Health and Human Services. The Links, Incorporated is an international, not-for-profit corporation established in 1946. The membership consists of nearly 14,000 professional women of color in 281 chapters located in 41 states, the District of Columbia and the Commonwealth of the Bahamas (many of them are business owners). Links members contribute more than 500,000 documented service hours nationwide. Two members of the Miami-Biscayne Bay Chapter of The Links, Incorporated who are making a difference every day are Lakitsia Gaines and Dr. Anita Petteway-Tyler. Lakitsia Gaines, Lakitsia Gaines State Farm Agency Lakitsia Gaines is the owner of a State Farm agency, the #1 auto, life, homeowner and boat insurer in the country. Lakitsia’s community involvement began at an early age and continues today, including speaking to various organizations about financial literacy. In her church, Lakitsia founded a dance ministry for young girls to feel more confident about themselves. She also serves on numerous boards that serve the community. Her personal motto is, “People don’t care how much you know, until they know how much you care.” Dr. Anita Petteway-Tyler Dr. Petteway-Tyler is a solo practitioner specializing in Internal Medicine. She provides preventive and primary care services along with the treatment of
chronic conditions. Dr. Petteway-Tyler speaks at local churches, schools and community group meetings about preventive medicine and serves on the board of the Family Christian Association of America (FCAA). She also is a founding board member of Women of H.O.P.E. (Health Occupations Promoting Education), Inc. She believes that she is called and gifted with the purpose of serving mankind by helping each person to live his or her best life. Recently, Lakitsia Gaines and Dr. Petteway-Tyler spearheaded an effort to raise scholarship money for students attending Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University (FAMU) during Art Basel. With the support of many black-owned businesses and the other members of the Miami-Biscayne Bay Chapter of the Links, Incorporated, they raised more than $30,000 during Linked With Basel. The business success of these entrepreneurs helps them to do well in our community. The next time someone asks why the growth of black businesses is important, give them these outstanding examples of companies Doing Well While Doing Good®. Beatrice Louissaint is President and CEO of the Southern Florida Minority Supplier Development Council. The vision of the SFMSDC is a diverse and inclusive environment where economic success is achieved. To learn more about the SFMSDC and other companies that are Doing Well While Doing Good® (a registered trademark of the SFMSDC), visit sfmsdc.org and www.doingwellwhiledoinggood.biz or call (305) 762-6151.
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POWER MOVES AARP Florida’s Dionne Polite Switches Careers and Finds her Passion By Australia Gordon
Dionne Polite A job is what you’re paid for, and a vocation is what you’re made for. Dionne Polite was like many of the young ladies she grew up with in the South American country of Guyana. “At that time, my parents saw that I developed acumen for math,” Polite recalled. “They told me I was going to be a banker or accountant.” In her home country, it wasn’t unusual for parents to dictate the career ambitions of their children. More than a decade later, the family moved to New York and Dionne
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fulfilled her parents prophesy. In 1982, she earned a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and landed a job at the former Manufacturers Handover Trust Bank. Despite a dozen years in banking and proven mathematical wizardry, she felt something just didn’t add up. “My parents meant well for me, but I hated banking and did not want to do it anymore,” she disclosed. Polite was not alone. She was one of the 70-percent of Americans who found their jobs unfulfilling, per a recent Gallup study. Unlike, her unsatisfied brethren, Polite addressed her vocational dissatisfaction directly. “I truly believe in the Mahatma Ghandi saying, ‘you must be the change you want to see.’ I take that seriously and seek to contribute to others,” she affirmed. “I was interested in social action and that led to a job in fundraising and outreach.” The City University of New York alumna enjoyed a career switch that included managerial stints at the March of Dimes and the American Diabetes Association. Since 2009, she has worked with AARP, Inc. (formerly American Association of Retired Persons). Last year she accepted the role as manager of state operations for AARP Florida. In this role, the Caribbean
transplant is responsible for managing statewide, community education and engagement, advocacy/legislative efforts and cultural experiences. “It takes vision, clear focus, direction, an open mind and flexibility,” she revealed. “A cookie cutter approach does not work in Florida. I must deliver services for all communities, regardless of cultural and/or political backgrounds.” Her success is powered by, “faith, passion, and focus.” “I am a loyal woman committed to her family and her community,” she shared. “I want to be remembered for the contributions I made to others.” Her accomplishments notwithstanding, Polite counts Darryl, her husband of 31 years, and their adult children, son Jordan, and daughter Jabrielle, as her greatest gifts. Three decades of earning family management skills transfer onto her job. “As a leader you have to coach your team. Everybody on the team wants a trophy. But, not everybody has the same skill or performance level,” she revealed. “My job is to manage everyone’s talents, strengths and weaknesses, and use them so we can get that trophy.” Polite is more than satisfied with AARP. The organization is a nonprofit, nonpartisan
organization, with a membership of more than 37 million people over the age of 50. Among other benefits, the group partners with major firms to extend healthcare, automobile insurance, financial, travel and service discounts to its members. “Life truly begins at 50,” Polite boasts. “From age one through 50, you are learning. From 50 and beyond, you are living. AARP allows members to live their best lives!” For more information, log on to www.AARP.org
“As a leader you have to coach your team. Everybody on the team wants a trophy. But, not everybody has the same skill or performance level,” she revealed. “My job is to manage everyone’s talents, strengths and weaknesses, and use them so we can get that trophy.”
Stormy Wellington: From Millionaire to Food Stamps and Back Again
Stormy Wellington In 2008, at the age of 29, Miami native, Stormy Wellington, was a millionaire. After moving to Atlanta the prior year, with just $135 to her name and no plan, she’d brought in $1.3 million as a star network marketer – and she was on top of the world. But things began to go downhill, and just four years later in 2012, she found herself hanging on by a thread, broke, in a failing marriage and fighting post-partum depression after the birth of her baby boy. Things were bad. She was “literally about to
be on food stamps.” Though Ms. Wellington had defied the odds several times before– as a ninth-grade dropout who went on to own three Miami boutiques, and again, finding success after relocating to Atlanta with almost nothing – this was a rut she couldn’t easily find hers way out of. At that time, she was in such a dark place that she turned down the opportunity to join another network marketing company, even though she was in need of income. Soon after, Ms. Wellington realized she couldn’t continue to dwell in depression. Instead, she turned to The Bible, built up her spirit and eventually broke free of her depression. However, the young woman remained broke and suffered from anxiety related to her financial situation. In October 2014, her prayers were answered with a phone call about a new networking opportunity and a delivery to her front door. “A box full of products showed up at my doorstep – and to this very day, I don’t know who gave me the products – and I started using the products and it started
working. My sister lost weight, I lost weight, everybody started to lose weight, and, I saw that the product was producing a result. I knew that if I told enough people about it, it was going to make money,” Ms. Wellington says of the turning point that put her back in the game. In just a short time after joining Total Life Changes, a network marketing company specializing in weight-loss tea, Ms. Wellington stormed back into the top ranks. Looking back on her past successes and failures, Ms. Wellington blames fear for her downfall. “Fear is worse than the devil. Fear is designed to put you in a place where you’re stagnant, where you’re not growing,” Ms. Wellington says. “The fear of not doing or not having puts you in a place where it does happen.” While her financial capacity grew, her mental capacity didn’t, which she attributes this to age, cockiness and lack of guiding principles. Her focus shifted from making money to keeping. Now, Ms. Wellington focuses on living her life like Jesus, remaining humble and treating everyone with love and kindness, with the belief that
living a principle-based life will keep her from going broke again. It’s only going up from here for Ms. Wellington, who has several ventures in the works, including opening 10 locations for a popular franchise, a docu-series she’s involved in and an ongoing pledge to help 1000 families make 6-figures. Ms. Wellington’s advice to budding entrepreneurs is, “Put God first, be careful of who you align yourself with, have attitude, stay focused and have faith and belief.”
“Fear is worse than the devil. Fear is designed to put you in a place where you’re stagnant, where you’re not growing”
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Broward Health proudly congratulates
Dionne Wong Senior Vice President, Chief Human Resources Officer
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BrowardHealth.org
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Deborah King’s Five Steps to Knockout Addiction By Zach Rinkins
Deborah King She managed heavyweight boxing icon Mike Tyson’s fan club and produced successful concert tours for hip hop acts like the Notorious B.I.G., Tupac Shakur, and others. So how does a person, with an affluent upbringing, educational attainment
and a successful executive career, get addicted to drugs? Recovery advocate Deborah King knows the answer first-hand. “I went to boarding school and graduated from college with honors. I grew up very close to the entertainment arena. I enjoyed the lifestyle, thrill and living on the edge,” she revealed. “I made the mistake of believing that nothing I paid for could ever control me. I didn’t think it would happen to me. Well, it happened to me.” If her last name sounds familiar, it’s because she is the daughter of legendary boxing promoter Don King and his late wife Henrietta. A charmed life of privilege, notwithstanding, King still found herself addicted to substances for over five years. “My mother was very grounded and my father was flamboyant. They raised me with a can-do attitude. So, I had a good upbringing and family support,” she shared. “I became an addict during my 40’s, after I had been married and had children. That’s when the drama started.” The 54-year old advocate asserts she is much more than Don King’s baby girl. “I am a survivor, an advocate and an ambassador for recovery. I love life and I am honored to be a child of
God. Without my faith, I would not have made it,” she affirmed. After realizing her own recovery, King pushed past guilt and decided to educate herself to help others by earning a graduate degree in counseling. She also founded Limitless Life Recovery and Holistic Group, a concierge full-service mental health therapy business specializing in serving addicts and high performers. “I understand that there are underlying issues that lead people to self-medicate and use substances. So, I dedicated myself to educating myself so that I could facilitate recovery for others.” King encourages current and former addicts to learn to “love themselves.” She offers this five-part combination to knock out addiction. Check Your Ego: “Too many times we as high performers and entrepreneurs take on too much. It’s important for us to delegate and trust our team.” Get Out of Denial: “Accept that you have a problem and stop making excuses. Get a sheet of paper and list the pros and cons of your lifestyle. This gives you a visual
representation. Once the cons outweigh the pros, you begin to recognize that your life has become unmanageable.” Ask For Help: “Asking for help is a sign of courage. Identify resources and support groups to help you with your addiction. Give yourself the opportunity to make better decisions.” Speak Up: “It’s very important to speak your mind. If something is bothering you and someone hurts your feelings, speak up! Don’t let it fester. That can cause you to relieve yourself with substances. Speak up and move on.” Manage Your Relationships: “Drugs were never a problem for me when I was coming up. I began taking drugs heavily because I wondered what had the attention of a lover I was pursuing. We all have to watch the company we keep.” For more information on Deborah King, contact her at: Limitlessliferecovery@gmail.com.
Vice Mayor Joyce W. Bryan, First African American Commissioner in Margate By Denise St Patrick-Bell, PhD
Joyce W. Bryan, Vice Mayor, City of Margate Margate, FL, was officially incorporated as a town in 1955 when much of it was still part of the Everglades. Today, it is a city on the move with a diverse population of over 55,000 and multi-million dollar plans to revitalize the downtown area. Margate commissioners are assigned seat numbers and then elected “at large”. This means that anyone in the city can vote on any one
of the candidates. Commissioner Joyce W. Bryan, makes history as the first African American elected in the City’s 60 year history. After running unsuccessfully 4 times, her goal of becoming part of the City’s legislative and decision-making body became reality when she was elected in August, 2014 for Seat # 2. This quiet humble woman with a powerful presence gives recognition to her husband Ivor, County Commissioner Dale Holness, and Bishop Henry Fernandez, her pastor at The Faith Center, who kept her encouraged during those times of defeat. In addition to the regular and demanding duties of the office, she also serves on the Community Redevelopment Agency Board (CRA), NW Focal Point Senior Center Board, and is vice president of the Margate Recreation Fund. This dynamic leader also represents Margate on the Florida League of Cities Governmental Relations Committee. This year she is now serving as Vice Mayor. Bryan is lauded by the populace as a community-minded leader. She is
passionate about “getting more community involvement” and so she models her mantra. You will see her at every community event. Additionally, she is on the student advisory committees for Coconut Creek high school and Atlantic Technical College. She is a founding member of MICAH, (Margate Initiative for Community Action and Hope), an organization dedicated to how to better serve schools and veterans. In 2014, the organization sponsored the first ever National Day of Prayer in Margate. It is not unusual to get a personal call from the Vice Mayor urging participation in an upcoming community event. She expressed that “she was elected to be of service and a blessing to other people.” For the past few years she has been an organizer for the cancer fundraiser Relay for Life. Her favorite quote, she shared, is one by Dr. Martin Luther King, “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, what you are doing for others?” “Something she asks herself daily during her morning prayer and meditation.”
Although Margate recognizes and has prominently participated in the events of sister cities, it has never had a major Martin Luther King Day event. As a result of the initiative created and introduced by Vice Mayor Bryan, the City of Margate is coordinating a Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr./Together We Make it a Great Day of Service on Monday, January 18, 2016 at 9:00 AM at Southgate Park to create a “butterfly garden” and inviting residents and businesses to participate. Additionally, the City is encouraging residents and businesses to coordinate their own service project and tell about it on the City website so that the community will be aware of projects happening throughout the community. Vice Mayor Joyce W. Bryan, a powerful voice for the people, has been selected as a 2015 recipient of Legacy South Florida's Most Prominent and Influential Women in Business and Industry. For more information on the City of Margate and the upcoming MLK event visit http://www.margatefl.com
ENTERPRISE
FRIDAY, JANUARY 8, 2016
By Kallan Louis
Beverly Kuykendall President of Government Business AMD Next Beverly Kuykendall has made a career as a champion for small and minority-owned businesses looking to land contracts with the federal government. Her ability to develop and leverage business relationships, coupled with her knowledge on public policy has not only been b eneficial for her clients but has put her services in high demand. It has earned her
Richard S. Davis Jr, EA www.rsdavisfinancial.com Tips to Help You Choose a Tax Preparer Many people hire a professional when it’s time to file their tax return. If you pay someone to prepare your federal income tax return, the IRS urges you to choose that person wisely. Even if you don’t prepare your own return, you’re still legally responsible for what is on it. Check the preparer’s qualifications. All paid tax preparers are required to have a Preparer Tax Identification Number or PTIN. Ask the preparer if they belong to a professional organization and attend continuing education classes. Check the preparer’s history. Check with the Better
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Minority-Owned Business Advocate Finds Success with Executive Role for Local Medical Supply Company a slew of recognitions in Los Angeles including: Supplier of the Year by the Southern California Minority Supplier Development Council; Entrepreneur of the Year by the Black Business Association; and Advocate of the Year by the National Association of Minority Contractors of Southern California. But in 2013, she relocated across the country to join American Medical Depot (AMD). Headquartered in Miramar, AMD is a medical supply company that happens to be one of nation’s ten largest diversified healthcare distributors. Kuykendall’s relationship with AMD goes back more than 20 years. “I met the owners when the company was really young,” said Kuykendall. We met in ‘93. We met because I was spearheading some major policy initiatives in Washington [D.C.].” Kuykendall, who had her own medical supply distribution company at the time, worked together with AMD executives as they examined inequities in public law that were affecting minority-owned businesses. The goal was to increase access and opportunities for those businesses. They,
MONEY MANAGEMENT By Richard S. Davis Jr, EA Income Tax Consultant/Financial Planner
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along with other groups, formed a trade organization and presented recommendations to their congressional representatives. The federal government revisited some policies and made changes, some based on what Kuykendall and the others recommended. Following the positive outcome of the initiative, Kuykendall began consulting for a number of businesses including AMD in 1997. She proved that she knew how to navigate through the federal government bureaucracies in order to get things done. “If you are working with manufacturers looking to get their product sold to the federal government, you need to tell them that you can do three things...give them a solid return on their investment, offer a strategic marketing advantage and help them realize the incremental increase in market share,” said Kuykendall. AMD has grown significantly since then and in 2013, AMD asked Kuykendall to join the company full-time. In her current role as president of government business, she is working to expand the company’s portfolio which already includes contracts with the
U.S. Department of Defense and Homeland Security. So exactly what has AMD done with the federal contracts they have secured? One recent example presented AMD with the opportunity to partner with the Defense Logistics Agency and the USAID Office of Federal Disaster Assistance to support the humanitarian relief effort in Syria and bordering countries. They developed a procurement solution that helped purchase and deliver 1.1 million relief kits with toiletries, hygiene products and other basic necessities to refugees.In October, AMD President, Akhil Agrawal, and former Florida congressman, Kendrick Meek, who is a member of AMD’s board of directors, traveled to Turkey to meet with stakeholders to discuss plans for packing and delivery of the products. Kuykendall attributes much of her success to American Medical Depot and the opportunity she has with the company. “AMD expects a lot and I’m really happy about that because I’m hoping to deliver as much as possible to help them to continue to grow this business.”
Tax and Money Matters
Business Bureau to see if the preparer has a questionable history. Check for disciplinary actions and for the status of their licenses. For certified public accountants, check with the state board of accountancy. For enrolled agents, check with the IRS Office of Enrollment. Ask about service fees. Avoid preparers who base their fee on a percentage of your refund or those who say they can get larger refunds than others can. Always make sure any refund due is sent to you or deposited into your bank account. Taxpayers should not deposit their refund into a preparer’s bank account. Make sure your preparer offers IRS e-file. Any paid preparer who prepares and files more than 10 returns for clients generally must file the returns electronically. Make sure the preparer is available. Make sure you’ll be able to contact the tax preparer after you file your return - even after the April 15 due date in the off season. Provide records and receipts. Good preparers will ask to see your records and receipts. They’ll ask you questions to determine your total income, deductions, tax credits and other items. Do not use a preparer who is willing to
e-file your return using your last pay stub instead of your Form W-2. This is against IRS e-file rules. Never sign a blank return. Don’t use a tax preparer that asks you to sign a blank tax form. Review your return before signing. Before you sign your tax return, review it and ask questions if something is not clear. Make sure you’re comfortable with the accuracy of the return before you sign it. Ensure that the preparer signs and includes their PTIN. Paid preparers must sign returns and include their PTIN as required by law. The preparer must also give you a copy of the return. Make sure the preparer keeps your documents safe to avoid the possibility of Identity theft. IRS Smartphone App Now Available Here’s what you can do with the IRS Smartphone app IRS2Go, version 4.0, available in English and Spanish: Check the status of your refund. The new version of IRS2Go includes an easy-to-use refund status tracker so taxpayers can follow their tax return step-by-step throughout the IRS process. Just enter your Social Security number, filing status and your expected refund amount. You can start
checking on the status of your refund 24 hours after the IRS confirms receipt of an e-filed return or four weeks after you mail a paper return. Since the IRS posts refund updates on a daily basis, there’s no need to check the status more than once each day. Going through a divorce? Who gets to claim the children? According to IRS regulation 1.152-4, the general rule for children of divorced parents is that the custodial parent gets to claim them as dependents, Even if the noncustodial parent is paying child support. However there is an exception to the general rule. The noncustodial parent can claim the child as a dependent if the noncustodial parent attaches to their income tax return a signed, written declaration from the custodial parent stating the custodial parent will not claim the child for the tax year. The declaration must contain the following, the name and social security number of the noncustodial parent, the name of the child, the tax year or years for the exemption, the signature of the custodial parent, and the date signed. Form 8332 can be used to accomplish this also.
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By Richard McCulloch
Women Are Changing the Color of Entrepreneurship
based in Miami. She came through our office doors to introduce her corporate lunch delivery service which featured great tasting selections prepared with healthy ingredients and in portions conducive to a responsible nutritional lifestyle. With the sedentary habits that an office environment can often facilitate, a healthy meal option that tasted good and could be delivered right to you at lunchtime was a value proposition that resonated with me. Not only was it a great idea, it was especially fulfilling to see a single mother of color take her dream and develop it into a reality. Fast forward one year after meeting Chef Yolanda and her catering service has Richard McCulloch not only grown, but has given birth to a VP of Client Services & Business Development take-out location; Tightwork Soul Food Tribeca Marketing Group. Seafood and Grill. Not only has the Chef The first time that I met Chef Yolanda earned City contracts to cater events, but James, I could not help but be the take-out version of her vision has overwhelmed with her presence. An air of become a place for her local community to confidence exudes from this Culinary Arts stop in and enjoy soul food favorites graduate from the prestigious Johnson & prepared with the culinary talents of a Wales University. Her smile illuminates a professionally trained Chef, marinated and room with a warmth only rivaled by the made with her most important ingredient; steaming pans of delicious dishes that she love. makes for clients as the founder, executive According to statistics, Chef Yolanda is chef and owner of Sweet & Savory Catering not the only woman cooking up business as
REAL ESTATE
By Barron Channer
Twitter: @BarronChanner
FRIDAY, JANUARY 8, 2016
an entrepreneur. Earlier this year, the National Women's Business Council released their analysis of preliminary Census data which revealed that there were nearly 10 million women-owned small businesses in the U.S. in 2012, a 27.5% increase from 2007. Despite male dominance when it comes to the amount of overall entrepreneurial ventures, don’t sleep on these women who mean business. In the same time period, women-owned businesses grew at a rate four times that of male-owned businesses, and earned a total of $1.6 trillion between 2007 and 2012. Though entrepreneurial motivation for women varies, there is an interesting common denominator when it comes to the rise of women of color running their own businesses. According to Margot Dorfman, CEO of the U.S. Women’s Chamber of Commerce, “We attribute the growth in women-owned firms to the lack of fair pay, fair promotion, and family-friendly policies found in corporate America,” she said. “Women of color, when you look at the statistics, are impacted more significantly by all of the negative factors that women face. It’s not surprising that they have chosen to invest in themselves.” Dorfman’s observations are certainly
supported by the growth of African American women turning to entrepreneurship as a means to make a living and forge a legacy. From 1997 to 2015, the number of African American businesses owned by women grew a staggering 322%. Despite economic factors and workforce inequalities that could simply reduce Black women to collateral damage and statistical victims of an unfair labor market, they are taking charge of business and creating their own. The legacy of Black women and mothers “holding down” the household has evolved into a quiet movement to hold down their communities and the future of their children by creating their own businesses and subsequently, becoming key contributors to job creation. If you are a woman who has ever doubted yourself as a future entrepreneur, the data is very clear; you can do it, and as you start to develop the idea for your venture, the most important question that you need to answer is; “if not now, when.” Richard McCulloch is the VP of Client Services & Business Development for Tribeca Marketing Group. He can be contacted at rm@tribecamarketinggroup.com
Real Estate is a Team Sport Real estate is like football. Success is the result of different people filling different roles while working together. The ability to recruit and collaborate with others will dictate your potential for success as an investor or developer. The leader of the team is the investor/developer. They recruit the individual members to the team and manage how the players work together. If you want to be the leader of the team then you must embrace a mindset of overseeing all the work while not controlling it directly, being responsible for solving all problems that the others players cannot solve by themselves and accepting the reality that most of the blame or glory will fall in your lap at the end of the day. The banker is a key player that helps to find money needed for the team. Most investors get a large amount of their investment money from other people. Different types of bankers may be needed for the same project. A mortgage banker will help with obtaining loans from banks and other financial companies. An investment banker will usually focuses on
finding others willing to invest money for a share in the profits or losses of a project. A good banker will focus on getting you money on terms that are comfortable for you. Remember that not all money is good money. If the investment requires construction work, the architect is a key player. As the saying goes … measure twice and cut once. It is necessary to develop plans on paper before doing physical work. Architects turn ideas into drawings that can be shared, reviewed and modified. These drawings also help with calculating how much money will be needed to complete the full job. The team should never start the job without a good idea of how much time and money will be needed to finish. Like the architect, a construction manager is a key player if there is construction work. Their primary role is to manage all of the people involved in the physical construction. During the planning stages, they lead the effort to estimating time and costs for bringing the design to life. Construction is difficult work and issues arise. It is important to trust and like the
construction manager. This relationship will determine how successful the team is. The best construction managers have prior experience with the same type of work being planned by the team and also deep relationships with construction workers. The most overlooked player is the sales or leasing agent. Real estate is about creating something that has value to others and getting paid for it. The agent is the player that works to get the team as much money as possible for the property. If possible, the agent should be involved in the planning stages. They can tell you what customers will pay for and what is meaningless. A good agent has a sense of what appeals to different types of people. Here, I have highlighted some key roles. There are others including the real estate lawyer. The big point is that success in real estate is the product of team work. You need to recruit a good team for each job. If you are the leader, you need to focus on managing how the team works, individually and collectively.
FRIDAY, JANUARY 8, 2016
By Coach Simone Kelly of Ownyourpowerlifestyle.com
Simone Kelly, Author of Like a Fly on the Wall Hey you….yeah you. Come closer….I got a secret. Shhhhhh….
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The Gut Never Lies lane to avoid that accident! Those goose bumps that made the hair raise on your arms after you landed those ‘7-digits’ of your new special friend really was a confirmation that they were a catch! What it all comes down to ladies and gentlemen is actually really, really good news! You’re not crazy! And of course there are NO coincidences. The incidences that I mentioned, I’m sure many of you have experienced at some point in your life. Those examples are your innate triggers…confirmations if you will, to let you know just how intuitive you really are…that is, when you’re aware of it and in the flow of life. Which leads me to introduce to one of my Own Your Power Lifestyle Principles:
The voice in your head that told you to call your old college roommate REALLY did help you land that new job! That squirm that rumbled in your belly really did tell you to move into the right
Trust Your Intuition Learn to trust that feeling in your gut. The gut never lies! Tap into your intuition and begin to trust what messages or feelings you receive about people, situations or your next steps. It’s a gift we
all have. Learn to start embracing it. Listen, trust and take guided action. What is the FEELING you get that warns you or even just gives you a little ‘nudge’ telling you to WAKE UP? It’s our innate protection. When we were in the jungle, fields and mountains as primitive humans we were in touch with our senses. We could smell fear. We could smell our food before we hunted it. Take Action Time: (Grab a notebook) Take a moment and think about a time that you followed your gut and it saved you from an outcome you did not want. What happened? What did you feel or hear? Think about a time you DIDN’T listen and you look back wishing you did! Why did you ignore it? What was the feeling that you ignored? Start listening to your body, the voices in your head and those hunches…they will not steer you wrong! Your intuitive ‘triggers’ are there to protect you. Use them and own your power.
St. Mary’s Medical Center Appoints Gabrielle Finley-Hazle as Chief Executive Officer
Gabrielle Finley-Hazle Chief Executive Officer St. Mary’s Medical Center
St. Mary’s Medical Center has appointed Gabrielle Finley-Hazle as the hospital’s new chief executive officer. A South Florida native, Finley-Hazle has served as the chief executive officer of Florida Medical Center, a campus of North Shore, in Fort Lauderdale since 2012. She began serving in the new role at St. Mary’s Medical Center on January 1, 2016. As CEO, Finley-Hazle will be responsible for all operations of the 464-bed acute care hospital and trauma center. “Gabrielle is a thoughtful leader who is committed to high standards of quality. She is passionate about fostering relationships with the community and will work tirelessly to ensure the hospital provides the best quality care to those it serves,” said Marsha Powers, CEO of Tenet’s Florida Region. “Her extensive experience, proven leadership and family ties to the community make her uniquely suited for this role at St. Mary’s.” As the chief executive officer of Florida Medical Center, and in her previous role as the hospital’s chief operating officer, Finley-Hazle worked with the hospital team to open the company’s first Hybrid Operating Suite, as well as the region’s first Aortic Disease Institute. She also led the
launch of the award-winning Comprehensive Stroke Center at Florida Medical Center and the region’s first freestanding emergency department. During her tenure, Florida Medical Center has earned some of the highest quality rankings in the state from organizations such as the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association and achieved other quality designations, including an “A” on the Leapfrog Hospital Safety Scorecard; the coronary intervention excellence award; Five Star ratings for coronary interventions, heart failure and hip fractures; and ranked among the top 10 percent in the nation for Cardiology by Healthgrades. “Since I have strong family ties to the West Palm Beach area, it’s a unique privilege to join the dynamic team at St. Mary’s Medical Center and the Palm Beach Children’s Hospital to continue the tradition of providing exceptional services to the community,” said Finley-Hazle. “ I look forward to working with such a well-respected medical staff and dedicated team of employees who impact the lives of so many patients every day.”
Prior to joining Florida Medical Center, Finley-Hazle served as chief executive officer of a large multi-specialty physician group practice and as administrative officer and associate administrator of a large medical center, children’s hospital and trauma center at another major healthcare network in South Florida. Finley-Hazle began her career at Carolinas Healthcare System, in Charlotte, North Carolina, where she completed her administrative fellowship, and completed externships and consulting engagements at Cayuga Heights Medical Center, Arnot-Ogden Medical Center, the New York State Department of Health and Cornell Cooperative Extension. Finley-Hazle has earned numerous local and national awards, including South Florida Business Journal’s Top 25 Influential Business Women in 2014 and Becker’s Hospital Review Top 25 Hospital and Health System Leaders Under 40 in 2013 and 2014. She has been named South Florida Business Journal’s Top 40 under 40, Legacy Magazine’s 2015 Corporate Executive of the Year and named the Lauderhill Regional Chamber of Commerce 2015 Woman of the Year.
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FRIDAY, JANUARY 8, 2016
The Urban League Young Professionals of Palm Beach County
2016-2017 Executive Board (Left to right) Jarvis Funderburk, Debbie Manigat, Peggy Laguerre, Clarice C. Redding, Jodie Mitchell, LaToya Davenport, and Chauncey Graham (Not present: Tradrick McCoy and Bobby Powell, Jr.)
The Urban League Young Professionals (ULYP) of Palm Beach County is on a mission to create a robust network of up and coming African American leaders in their area. Established in 2003, ULYP of Palm Beach County is a non-profit member organization for individuals ages 21-40. Their dedication to community
Lex Pierre-Louis, founder of Lex Promotions and Marketing Group, and Jones Pierre, CEO of IPD, collaborated with Choice Airways to bring the children of Haiti some Christmas cheer. The duo and their families brought over 5,000 items including toys, clothing and food to children in need. Several other individuals and organizations assisted with providing donations including, Boujoly Films, Crazy Hood Productions, DJ Khaled, E Class, Gotti, Miami Sign Shop, MIA Magazine, One Simple Wish, Print Giants, and Rick Ross.
empowerment is demonstrated by their support of Urban League’s efforts in the following five areas: Education & Youth, Economic, Health and Quality of Life, Civic Engagement & Leadership, and Civil Rights & Social Justice. The organization is currently led by West Palm Beach native, Clarice C. Redding,
a rising star in Palm Beach County. Clarice Redding has dedicated her life to enriching the lives of residents in her local community. Familiar with the socioeconomic, educational and political deficits plaguing minorities in Palm Beach County, Redding seeks to close this gap of disparity, by helping to offer more access to opportunities for advancement. A 2012 graduate of Florida Atlantic University, Redding is also: District Executive Secretary to State Representative Bobby Powell, Jr.; serves as a member of the Zeta Rho Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.; has been invited to join the 2016 class of New Leaders Council Palm Beach County; and sits on the Board of Directors for the Urban League of Palm Beach County. Since becoming president this past June, Redding and the Executive Board have been working tirelessly to relaunch ULYP during Join Week 2016. During the week of January 17th -23rd ULYP will be joining in the national campaign to recruit new members. Join Week 2016 will consist of daily events geared toward expressing the mission and goals of the organization.
Christmas Giving in Haiti
Attendees will have the opportunity to register and join at any of the events, and enter to win awesome prizes along the way. Another incentive is that annual membership dues will be reduced from $75 to $50 during that week only. The schedule of events is below: Sunday, January 17th Monday, January 18th
Monday, January 18th Tuesday, January 19th Wednesday, January 20th Thursday, January 21st Friday, January 22nd Saturday, January 23rd
Brunch at the Hibiscus House Martin Luther King Jr. Coordinating Committee of WPB Annual Awards Breakfast MLK Day of Service at the PBC Food Bank Informational Meeting at Greenacres Branch Library South Florida Fair Young Professionals Fair Crawl #ThirdThursday Mixer at Dirty Martini Movie Night: Ride Along 2 at Alco Theater GetFit Family Day & Health Fair at Salvation Army NWCC
11:00 am – 3:00 pm 8:00 am – 10:00 am
1:00 pm – 4:00 pm 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm
5:30-8:00 PM 7:30 pm – 11:30 pm 7:30 pm 10:00 am – 3:00 pm
For more information on the Urban League Young Professionals of Palm Beach County and Join Week 2016, please email youngprofessionalspbc@gmail.com and check them out on Facebook at facebook.com /UrbanLeagueYoungProfessionalsPBC.
FRIDAY, JANUARY 8, 2016
By HCIII
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Erica Lee Protects Humanity's Greatest Asset: Children
Erica Lee, Program Administrator, Florida Department of Children and Families’ Child Protective Services
Erica Lee started as a Child Protective Investigator protecting those most vulnerable. Lee takes her commitment very seriously because she realized early on how her role affects change for the good of a child and their families. Lee recounts, “I can honestly say that every day, I learned something new, whether it was from the families I served or the people I worked with.” Lee explains the importance of child protective services in her words. “Children’s experiences in their formative years are crucial to their adjustment as adults. The role of the Florida Department of Children and Families’ Child Protective Services is to ensure that children are free from abuse and neglect and that their families are linked to resources that will help produce better outcomes. Parents who are empowered can empower their children. Ultimately, any investment made in children and families is an investment in a stronger person, a stronger village, and stronger communities.” Being born in Plymouth, Montserrat in the West Indies, Erica Lee felt the unfairness of life because of situations out
of her control. “I remember having a feeling that I could not affect change in my life. Also, growing up with a deep dislike for the skin that I was in; at times feeling trapped being called too dark skinned or big lipped.” These feelings of inadequacy led to bad behavior, which led to her being held back in the 9th grade. But no woman in her family ever went to college or even had a driver's license making her perceived bad behavior seem acceptable for her. The turning point came as an opportunity to go to a JROTC summer camp. There she was separated from her environment and found her individuality. Lee was in charge of a platoon through an obstacle course and was terrified to take the role. However, an inspiring counselor’s encouraging words resonated with her. Instilling that a failure wouldn’t be that she could not lead her team to victory but that Lee didn’t accept herself as a leader that could cross the winning line. Her platoon succeeded and when she returned to school from the summer she ignited with fire. She turned her life around eventually working hard to get back into her proper grade level. After realizing she could
effect change, Lee went on to graduate from high school with honors. Lee got into child welfare based on a fundamental belief that children have “a right to their physiological needs being met, a right to be safe, a right to belong and a right to be respected. It's only through these needs being met that children will realize their true selves and become whatever they can be. Since joining the department in 2012, Lee initially held the position as a Child Protective Investigator and through hard work and several promotions became Program Administrator. At fifteen Erica Lee remembers, “playing on the computer at school and I ran across an article about International Child Protection, and I remembered thinking, ‘this is it!’ ”. All Lee wanted from the very beginning of her career as a Child Protective Investigator was to reach a level where she could positively impact the largest number of children. It is simple. So Erica Lee doesn’t call it “hard work,” in fact she sees it as a “commitment to something greater than myself”.
2015 Brought in New Members for Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.’s Broward County Chapters By Erica V. Knowles-Nelson
VI ThrIVYing Pearls (from the left) Francesse Lucius, Kayla Latson, Kiara Latson, Antionece Myers, Cheryl Waide, and Teombre` Skinner-Hill
In June of 2015, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Chi Psi Omega Chapter, welcomed VI ThrIVYing Pearls into the illustrious organization. The current president of their chapter is Venetta "Vee" McCullough, and the president at the time of their initiation was Veronica Phillips.
20 Dimensions of Sophistication along with presiding president JoeAnn H. Fletcher (Back row, 6th from the left) Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Zeta Rho Omega Chapter welcomed the 20 Dimensions of Sophistication into their sisterhood on November 15, 2015. The current chapter president is Annette Johnson Hurry, and the president at the
time of their initiation was JoeAnn H. Fletcher. All of the ladies have outstanding professional accomplishments and have dedicated themselves to be of service to all mankind.
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FRIDAY, JANUARY 8, 2016