As February arrives, communities across the country and right here in Florida come together to honor Black History Month, a time dedicated to recognizing and celebrating the invaluable contributions of Black individuals to our state’s history and culture. In a state as diverse as Florida, where African-American heritage is deeply woven into the fabric of society, this month serves as a crucial period of reflection, education, and appreciation
The little paper with the big picture!
Happy New Years! I can recall just a few short weeks ago as the clock struck midnight and we stepped into 2026, many of us paused with a renewed sense of optimism and possibility. You see, a new year is more than a fresh date on the calendar, it’s an opportunity to reflect, reset, and move forward with intention. We are living in some very precarious times. While I hate to admit it, I have been spending way too much time watching the news. One hand, I feel obligated to do so because that is technically part of what I do. But I'll tell you, it is tiring, and sometimes it feels like you are watching a tennis match with your head on a swivel, watching the ball go from one side of the court to the next. I miss the time when television news coverage was just background noise. However, lately it has been an ending cycle of breaking news alerts.
No matter what side of the aisle you come down on politically, I think we can all agree that the division, the rhetoric and the tone have become so uncivilized. The very fabric that held us together seems to be ripping from under us. I believe we need to be extra cautious to keep our communities together. We are all the "boots on the ground" that make our communities work. We are the fast-food workers, the bus drivers, the bank tellers, the teachers, the construction workers, and the hospitality workers that make our community thrive. We need to continue to work together to overcome barriers and develop solutions that improve our community.
One of my favorite gospel songs is "I Need You To Survive" by Hezekiah Walker. The simple, yet powerful lyrics state:
"I need you, you need me
We're all a part of God's body
Stand with me, agree with me
We're all a part of God's body
It is His will that every need be supplied
You are important to me, I need you to survive"
As we begin this new year together, it’s also a time to think about what we want for our community as a whole. When we work together, the impact reaches far beyond any one individual. Hope is what connects us and fuels kindness, inspires action, and reminds us that change is always possible. Whether through a simple act of generosity, a renewed personal commitment, or lending your voice and talents to a shared cause, each of us plays a role in shaping the year ahead.
As you step into this new year, I invite you to get involved in ways that feel right for you. Attend a community event, support a local initiative, volunteer when you can, or simply check in on a neighbor. Your participation, whether big or small, helps move our community forward. Together, let’s turn hope into action and make 2026 a year defined by connection, progress, and shared purpose.
Once again, Goodwill Industries of Central Florida will be providing tax preparation services and is currently accepting appointments for a free tax preparation service operating in the organization’s beautifully newly renovated campus at 7523 S. Orange Blossom Trail in Orlando.
For more than a decade, Goodwill Industries has partnered with the IRS and Heart of Florida United Way to serve as a site for the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, which is open to those who meet any of the following criteria:
• People with disabilities
• Individuals with language barriers
• Seniors
• Households with an income of $73,000 or less
IRS-certified volunteers at Goodwill’s S. Orange Blossom Trail location will be helping families by appointment-only every Friday from Feb. 6 through April 10. Walk-ins will not be accommodated.
“VITA volunteers understand the importance of making sure clients receive their maximum refund –laying the foundation for financial security in 2026,” said Ed Durkee, Goodwill President and CEO. “By hosting this community resource, we’re alleviating the stress and cost that often comes with filing your taxes – all in the spirit of ‘Building Lives That Work.’”
Appointments are required and can be made by calling 407-929-3435. For more information about Goodwill and VITA, visit www.GoodwillCFL.org
Senior Resource Alliance (SRA) is urging older adults to apply for its Emergency Home Assistance for the Elderly Program (EHEAP) as arctic air pushes temperatures into the 20s and 30s in Florida.
Seniors in Orange, Osceola, Seminole and Brevard counties are urged to submit an application for up to $2,000 in utility bill assistance, which can be put toward:
• Disconnection and late fees
• Pre-paying energy bills
• Purchasing blankets
“We’re ready to help our community during this dangerous weather and provide seniors with the peace of mind that their power will stay on when they need it the most” said Karla Radka, President & CEO of SRA
EHEAP applicants must provide proof of residence – such as a driver’s license or a utility bill. Seniors living with someone who receives TANF, SSI and/or SNAP must also provide documentation about benefits and total household income.
SRA distributed more than $420,000 through EHEAP from July 2024-June 2025. To apply for this assistance, visit www.seniorresourcealliance.org/eheap/
Pine Hills Seniors, Inc., group continues to operate as strong and vibrant as ever! With weekly session attendance averaging over 100 participants, they remain the talk of the town. The unique blend of exercise sessions and wellness options combined with entertainment, guest speakers, and of course, food, provides its members with a sense of belonging, safety, and camaraderie!
The group convenes weekly on Thursdays at the Orange County Multicultural Center located at 7149 W Colonial Dr., Orlando, FL 32818 from 10AM - 1 PM.
A dedicated group of members braved some of the coldest temperatures in Florida in years to take part in the City of Ocoee's 18th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Parade. The members were one of the entrants in the parade, which spanned Clark Rd. in Ocoee. The parade route ends at The West Oaks Mall, where a program and celebration were held featuring several community leaders and elected officials, including Ocoee Mayor Rusty Johnson, and hosted by Allie Braswell.
• Thursday, February 12th - Black History Month Celebation Featuring Austin Okaiwele, President and Founder of the African Leaders Council
• Thursday, February 26th - Mindfulness & Meditation: Featuring Shaquilla Roberts
For more information email us at pinehillsseniors2@gmail.com or visit our website at www.pinehillsseniors.org.
Orange County has appointed Kunal Patel, a well-known technologist and innovator, as Innovation Manager for the new Orange County Innovation Center, a 17,000to 20,000-square-foot facility expected to open at the end of April.
The Innovation Center will open alongside the County’s Multicultural Center and Senior Center, which opened its doors in 2023. The new initiative is designed to promote creativity, workforce readiness, and cross-industry collaboration by providing a shared space for entrepreneurs, researchers, STEM partners, and community leaders to collaborate on emerging ideas and technologies.
As head of the Innovation Center, Patel will oversee programming, partnerships, facilities, and the development of multiple technology labs. He will also work with Orange County departments to explore internal innovation and identify new approaches to public service delivery.
Officials say the Innovation Center will serve as a dedicated hub for experimentation and collaboration, offering an open environment where community members can co-create solutions that address real-world challenges. The Center is a key component of Mayor Jerry Demings’ vision to transform Orange County into an “Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow.”
The facility will feature a range of labs focused on high-growth and emerging technologies, including robotics, simulation, gaming, content creation, textiles & fashion, maker space,manufacturing and fabrication.
Officials anticipate the Innovation Center will play a significant role in strengthening the local innovation ecosystem while supporting workforce development and economic growth throughout the region. Once completed the new center will allow residents to:
• Explore cutting-edge technologies and tools Identify solutions and design-think strategies
• Access to workforce development opportunities
• Foster partnerships among STEM education, start-ups and nonprofits
• Stimulate entrepreneurship and economic development
The center is intended to serve residents from across Orange County while also bringing valuable resources directly into Pine Hills.
By Ollie Damm
In quarter one of 2026, Clarcona-Ocoee Road has become a flurry of activity. Local residents have a lot to look forward to, including sidewalk improvements in and around the Long Lake Hills community, a new Personal Storage Facility coming soon to Powers Drive, and a Wing Stop opening at the intersection of Clarcona-Ocoee and Powers Rd.
The sidewalk improvements are well underway, with brand new, dramatically wider concrete footpaths already lining much of Clarcona Ocoee Road.
The areas where the sidewalks aren’t yet in place are being pulled back to bare earth as municipal services prepare to fully revitalize the area’s pedestrian accessibility. In the meantime, a network of detours have been set up to guide foot traffic safely around the areas of construction.
Much of that construction centers on the intersection of Clarcona Ocoee Road and North Powers Drive, where a new Wing Stop location will soon take up residence in the corner suite of a retail plaza featuring offerings like Bubbles Laundry and a Dunkin’ drive-thru. The building's facade is decorated and ready, with opening hours posted on the window. No announcement has been made about a set date for when the potential can get their hands on the quickservice franchise's signature chicken, but construction is well underway on the building's interior, with steel framing for walls and electrical wiring already being installed.
The lot behind the new Wing Stop is the site of an even larger project. According to signage at the site, the large cinder block building being established on Bayamon Lane and Powers Drive will be the future home of Powers Storage, a new local storage facility. The project is managed by Bay to Bay Properties.
Pine Hills residents should keep an eye on this intersection as more exciting developments get ready for the public.
ANashville-based affordable housing developer has proposed a 138-unit multifamily residential complex in unincorporated Orange County under Florida’s Live Local Act, according to a pre-application recently submitted to county officials.
The project, known as Flats on Powers, is being proposed by an entity tied to the Elmington family of companies on a 6+ acre site at 6301 La Jolla St., near the northwest corner of State Road 408 and North Powers Drive. The property is locally owned by Anjali Management LLC.
A concept plan dated December 19th outlines two four-story buildings containing a mix of one-, two-, and three-bedroom units. The unit breakdown includes 35 one-bedroom apartments, 54 twobedroom units, and 49 threebedroom units.
Amenities planned for the development include a swimming pool, playground, and 208 parking spaces.
According to the pre-application, 100% of the units would be designated as affordable housing for households earning at or below 80% of the area median income (AMI). Census data shows the surrounding 32818 ZIP code has a median household income of $60,182 as of 2023, while the Orange County Property Appraiser reports a median singlefamily home market value of $212,660 in the immediate area.
The proposal would move forward under Florida’s Live Local Act, first passed in 2023 and amended in 2024, which aims to expand the supply of workforce and affordable housing statewide. The legislation provides developers with access to funding and tax incentives and allows qualifying projects to bypass certain local zoning requirements and public hearings.
While the act is intended to accelerate housing development, it has drawn mixed reactions from local governments. Several cities across Orange, Seminole, Osceola, and Lake counties have voted to opt out of the tax incentive portions of the law, citing concerns over local control and infrastructure impacts.
No construction timeline has yet been announced, and the project remains in the early review phase.
Julien Serrano-O’Neil, a name now synonymous with a new era in Pine Hills, has made history as the y oungest and first Gen Z president of the Pine Hills Community Council in its 54year history . O’Neil's journey from a young man "counted out" by society to a community leader is a powerful narrative of resilience, higher education , and a deep commitment to his hometown .
In my recent interview, O’Neil—who proudly calls himself a "homegrown kid" from Pine Hills, spoke easily about his early life. "I got into a lot of trouble as a youth," he admitted, recalling a difficult period that included experiencing homelessness. "A lot of people were like, 'Oh, you know, he's just going to keep getting in trouble...he'll be another statistic.'"
The critical turning point came during his freshman year at Evans High School in 2015, when he joined the Future Leaders United (FLU) after-school enrichment program, becoming one of its original members and eventually that organization's first student president. O’Neil noted that before joining FLU, his grades were average, "B's, C's, you know, maybe." However, the program provided a much-needed support system that led to a significant academic improvement, resulting in him graduating 81st in his class. He credited the program’s structure, which is founded on seven pillars including leadership development and c ollege preparation , along with the steadfast support of Sandra Fatmi-Hall , with putting him on a new path.
The Road to Morehouse and Return Home College was not an initial goal for O’Neil until his exposure to higher education through the FLU program and the Greater Orlando Upward Bound Math and Science Program, which allowed him to spend three summers on the Morehouse College campus. These experiences inspired him to apply. Although he was accepted into several schools, Morehouse became his top choice. When the institution didn't initially offer financial assistance, a scholarship program launched by Sandra Fatmi-Hall and her partners covered the cost of a pre-summer program. He later secured a spot in the Bonner Scholar Program , a network for community service, which resulted in him attending Morehouse on a scholarship and leaving with only about $18,000 of debt.
After graduating from Morehouse in 2021 with a degree in political science, O’Neil received major salary offers, including one for $200,000. He chose to turn them down, stating he felt a "debt owed to the community" that had supported him, prioritizing community contribution over a high salary. Upon his return, he joined the United Foundation of Central Florida as a staff member.
O’Neil’s involvement with the Pine Hills Community Council dates back to 2014, when he joined as a sponsored student member. He later served as a director at large and second vice president before being elected president for a one-year term. He now leads the council with an approach that respects its long history, which began in 1972. In his Inaugural Address, PHCC President Julien Serrano-O’Neil reflects on the Council’s legacy, responsibility, and future as he begins his term as the youngest president in its history. Grounded in the words of Dr. Benjamin E. Mays and more than five decades of civic leadership in Pine Hills, the address honors the Council’s founding, recognizes past and present leaders, and challenges incomplete narratives about the community.
President Serrano-O’Neil introduces his administration’s guiding framework, as both a call to action and an open invitation for the community to move forward together.
Serrano-O’Neil
His administration which he refers to as the " PACE" administration will have a focus on:
• P articipation: Increasing community involvement.
• A ccessibility: Making civic engagement more accessible to all residents.
• C ollaboration: Fostering partnerships with organizations and businesses that positively invest in the community.
• E xcellence: Tracking progress on established goals and producing a public report card.
The council's current primary focus is ensuring Pine Hills is a "safe, clean, and prosperous community," concentrating on beautification, zoning, economic development, and partnerships. This work, alongside the United Foundation, has been associated with positive community changes, including a reported decrease in crime of up to 46% and an increase in Evans High School's graduation rate. O’Neil emphasizes that the council welcomes "sustainable development that makes sense" and will only support ventures that yield a positive impact as the community works toward becoming an urban town center.
Regarding the topic of incorporation, O’Neil believes the community is moving in a positive direction, a view reinforced by the recent redistricting process that consolidated Pine Hills into a single district, District 7. While he is focused on present community goals, he acknowledged the possibility of future collaboration with incorporated towns like Eatonville, one of the country's oldest, as part of his collaboration goals.
O’Neil closed with our interview with "elevator speech" on Evans High School, describing it as a "place of high achievement" and the "heart and stronghold of Pine Hills." His mentor, Sandra Fatmi-Hall, shared her pride in O’Neil’s accomplishments, calling his path "history that we are in the making of." Furthermore, O’Neil’s future political aspirations were openly discussed, with Ms. Fatmi-Hall enthusiastically committing to his political career, stating she would "write the first check and be the 'loudest mouth'" in support should he run for commissioner, and eventually, the first mayor of an incorporated Pine Hills. Only time will tell, however I believe the future of Pine Hills is in great hands with Julien!
As
February arrives, communities across the country, and right here in Florida, pause to honor Black History Month, a time to celebrate the strength, brilliance, and enduring impact of Black Americans. In a state as diverse as Florida, where African American history is deeply rooted, this month invites us to reflect, learn, and honor the legacy that continues to shape our shared future.
Some may ask, why is it important to celebrate Black History Month? Because Black history is American history. It is a story of resilience in the face of adversity, creativity born from struggle, and leadership that has transformed our nation. By celebrating Black History Month, we honor those who paved the way, uplift voices that have too often gone unheard, and inspire future generations to dream boldly, lead courageously, and continue the work of building a more just and inclusive society for all.
There are a wealth of Black History Month events happening throughout the month. Thank you to our friends at Build Black Daily for compiling an incredible collection of celebratory events across the community. We loved it so much we wanted to share it with you! We encourage everyone to get involved, stay motivated, and be inspired!
On a cold but beautiful January Monday, the City of Ocoee hosted its 18th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Unity Parade & Celebration. The parade never disappoints, leaving attendees lining Clark Road inspired and motivated. Festivities continued at the West Oaks Mall with a moving program hosted by Master of Ceremonies Allie Braswell of Braswell Management, LLC, featuring remarks from Ocoee Mayor Rusty Johnson and Ocoee Commissioner George Oliver III Congratulations to everyone involved in planning the day’s events. It was indeed a memorable day!
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scheduled for Thursday, February 12, 2026.
Replacement
Scientists around the world are constantly searching for new breakthroughs in medicine. But, before any new medical treatment is available to the public, it must be tested and proven to be safe and effective. This is done through a process called clinical research. Clinical research uses individual studies (known as clinical trials) to search for groundbreaking methods of fighting various diseases. And, AdventHealth conducts hundreds of clinical trials each year right here in Central Florida.
People who volunteer to participate in clinical trials come from all different backgrounds. Through their service, researchers continue to improve health care by gaining a better understanding of how to treat a wide range of diseases and discover new cures. Clinical trials also give patients unique access to innovative treatments that are not widely available.
It is important to have a diverse population in research to ensure that the findings are applicable to all patients. Different ethnicities, ages, and genders may respond differently to a particular treatment. Thus, it is critical to study a diverse group of people to develop a full understanding of a treatment’s effectiveness, identify targeted therapies, and improve the overall health outcomes for everyone. That is why people of all backgrounds are encouraged to volunteer for these important studies.
The AdventHealth Research Institute offers more than 750 active clinical trials in 14 research areas, including exercise and metabolism, cancer, heart disease, and brain health. Beyond helping scientists provide realworld evidence and answer important questions about the safety and effectiveness of new treatments, participating in a clinical trial offers many benefits. Gives direct access to new treatments before they become widely available
Includes extra attention from your medical team
Sometimes offers monetary compensation to eligible participants
Provides a sense of purpose from knowing you’ve helped others
There are people alive today because of those who have volunteered to be part of clinical trials to investigate promising new treatments. Talking to your doctor is a great way to learn whether clinical trials may be an option for you.
All clinical trials are posted online. For local clinical trial listings at AdventHealth, you can visit WeAreTheBreakthrough.com or call 407-303-7193. You can also visit ClinicalTrials.gov and search thousands of studies available around the world.
