FROM THE PUBLISHER PUBLISHER/EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Richard “Rich” E. Black MANAGING EDITOR D. Shenell Reed, M.B.A. EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT Marianne Eggleston, M.B.A. EXECUTIVE STRATEGIST Lena Graham-Morris ASSOCIATE EDITORS Gayle Andrews Talia Ashley Laura Dorsey Sharon Fletcher Jones
RICHARD “RICH” E. BLACK NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2018
DESIGN DIRECTOR Jason Jones
Season’s Greetings! As we approach the end of another landmark year, I want to take this time to extend my very best wishes to you and your families for a joyous holiday season and welcome you to our November/ December issue. In keeping with tradition, you will find in this issue all the latest updates on Florida’s historically black colleges and universities. We also will share with you a few tips to help you through the holidays. ONYX Magazine has launched its newest initiative, ONYX Business Connect (OBC), an innovative business networking and community engagement event. This is the first of a five-city tour and Tampa kicked it off in grand style. LOVE YA, TAMPA! Stay tuned. OBC is coming to a city near you! On the cover, we are proud to feature a graduate of one of Florida’s HBCUs, Andrew Gillum of Florida Mechanical Agricultural University (FAMU). This young man has defied the odds and is making history as a public servant to the people of the great state of Florida. Also, Kudos to Desmond Mead and his team on the passing of Florida Amendment 4, which will allow more than 1.4 million ex-felons to have their rights restored. This has been an exciting and historic year and we look forward to 2019 as we continue to entertain, inspire and inform. Enjoy!
GRAPHIC DESIGNER Jamaal Whitehead BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR Matt deJager MANAGEMENT ASSISTANT Chelsey Rouse CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Gigi Brooks Damani Dickerson Penny Dickerson Laura Dorsey P. Marie Lena Graham-Morris
Mary Anne Hodel Sharon Fletcher Jones Josee Smith Kanya Stewart Erin Sullivan Lanesha Townsend
Visit Florida J. Gabriel Ware Kevin Washington, Ph.D. Jacqueline D. Woolley
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS City of Tallahassee Donald V. Stokely, Jr. Shane Valentine ONYX ADVISORY COMMITTEE Deidre Parker, Chair Michelle Tatom, Immediate Past Chair Bob Berryhill Dr. Lavon Bracy Bryon Brooks Marva Brown Johnson Hon. Mable Butler Yolanda Cash Jackson Dr. Cynthia Chestnut James Clark
John Crossman Gary Hartfield Tony Hill Alma Horne Rodney Hurst Ann Jenkins Connie Kinnard Larry Lee, Jr.
Brenda March Nancy Port Schwalb Margaret J. Thompson Gail Thomas-DeWitt Hon. Alan Williams Carla Williams Dr. Samuel Wright Lady Dhyana Ziegler
FOUNDERS
Rich
Lester and Lillian Seays ONYX Magazine is published by ONYX Communications and Media Group, Inc., Address: P.O. Box 555672, Orlando, Florida 32855-5872. Phone 321-418-7216. Subscription rate is $19.95 for six issues. For subscriptions and notification of address change, contact ONYX Magazine at the above address or e-mail us at info@onyxmagazine.com. Letters to the editor are encouraged. Copyright 2018 by ONYX Magazine. All rights reserved. No part of the publication may be reproduced without written consent of the publisher. Opinions expressed in this magazine are those of the writer or interviewee and not necessarily those of the publisher. Manuscripts, photos and art should be submitted with a self-addressed stamped envelope. The publisher does not assume responsibility for any materials not submitted in manner advised. Unsolicited materials are not subject to payment from ONYX Magazine.
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