2017 25 Most Influential & Prominent Black Women in Business and Industry Issue -Legacy Miami

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FRIDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2017

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“Providing News/Information and Connecting Florida’s Black Affluencers and Influencers”

25

Most Influential &

Prominent Black Women in Business and Industry for 2017

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Editor’s N O T E

Facebook: Facebook.com/TheMIAMagazine Twitter and Instagram: @TheMIAMagazine #BeInformed #BeInfluential #EducationIssue Dexter A. Bridgeman CEO & Founder Russell Motley Editor-in-Chief Zachary Rinkins Editor-at-Large Yanela G. McLeod Copy Editor Shannel Escoffery Associate Editor Yanique DaCosta Art Director

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While recently reading an article, I was reminded that in 1920 – less than 100 years ago –mwomen in America gained the right to vote. Keep in mind that although Black women (and Black men for that matter) had the right to vote, they were restricted in doing so by Jim Crow laws, black codes and the threat of violence by opponents of social and political equality.

In spite of the institutional limitations, black women such as civil rights activist and journalist Ida B. Wells and Mary McLeod Bethune, who founded the Daytona Literary and Industrial Training School for Negro Girls in 1904 (later to become Bethune-Cookman College in 1923), emerged as female trailblazers and examples for future generations of black women.

Today it is encouraging to know that multitudes of Black women are blazing trails throughout Miami, as you’ll see in this issue of Legacy Miami’s 25 Most Influential and Prominent Black Women in Business and Industry. Take actor JoMarie Payton, for example, famously known as Harriette Winslow from the 1990’s sitcom “Family Matters.” On numerous occasions, I’ve personally witnessed Payton lending her time and expertise to help actors, filmmakers and playwrights in Miami. And she doesn’t bite her tongue either when offering advice about everything from stage direction to the benefits of joining the Screen Actors Guild (SAG).

That’s professionalism. That’s love.

One common thread I’ve observed among Legacy’s latest honorees is their humbleness and their use of the platform in their respective fields to impact lives.

Tamara Phillippeaux, who operates Island TV in Miami, wrote to me: “For 21 years, I have strived to make an impact on one viewer at a time, but for my work to be noticed by such an esteemed publication like Legacy magazine is truly beyond my dreams.”

During the recent photo shoot for the magazine cover, the energy in the room was powerful and infectious. It was clear that these women, sporting their best power suits, had several things in common – the ability to network, share ideals and, just as importantly, laugh and enjoy themselves.

Let’s congratulate them, encourage them and hold them accountable for inspiring Legacy Miami’s next generation of Influential and Prominent Black Women in Business and Industry.

Russell Motley Legacy Editor-In-Chief

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2017

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The Honorees

25

Most Influential & Diane Amado-Tate, MSN, MS, RN Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer Doctors Hospital/ Baptist Health South Florida

Prominent Black Women in Business and Industry for 2017

DeAnne Connolly Graham President ROI Media Consultants, Inc.

Sheila Donaldson

Françoise Elizée

Founder & CEO Nudz, Inc.

Founder & Creative Director Françoise Elizée Collections & Haiti Rediscovered

Dentist/ Proprietor, Paula E. Hutchinson, DDS, Inc. /Hutchinson Dental

Dr. Hutchinson Paula

Shirlene Ingraham

JoMarie Payton

Melba Pearson

Tamara Phillippeaux

Actress/Singer/Producer/Activist Hannma Productions

Deputy Director ACLU of Florida

Chief Financial Officer The Family Christian Assoc. of America

Miko Branch

Investment Adviser Representative Prime America/Harvest Success Solutions

Tishawa W. Howard

Kim Bankhead, MBA

CEO Jackson Soul Food, Inc

TV Producer Island TV

Angela Benton Founder/CEO NewME Accelerator

Hope Buchanan

Carolyn Bermudez VP of Operations Florida City Gas

Sandra Carey

Deputy Consul General Bahamas Consul General

CEO Miss Jessie’s LLC

Marketing/Event Management The Trayvon Martin Foundation

Florence Greer, MPA, MPH

Julie Harris Nelson, Esq. Lawyer and Firm Partner ROIG Lawyers

Vice President Bank of America Merrill Lynch

Beverly James

Cynthia Johnson-Stacks, JD

Holly Moreau, PharmD

Adrian Rogers

Kerry-Ann Royes, MBA

Public Health Practicum Coordinator/Faculty Florida International University

Vice President/Finance and Operations Miami-Dade Chamber of Commerce, Inc.

Principal Liberty City Elementary School

Attorney Miami-Dade County Attorney’s Office

CEO YWCA of Greater Miami-Dade

Nadege Henry

Director of Pharmacy Prestige Health Choice

Nikisha Williams

Chief Operating Officer Opa-locka Community Development Corporation

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CONGRESSWOMAN’S REPORT

By Congresswoman Frederica S. Wilson

Advancements in technology have made the world smaller. Humans travel farther and faster than ever before. We have the ability to communicate face-to-face with anyone anywhere in the world. Yet, we seem to be losing more of our humanity as we gain more technology.

I am often asked by young people what they should do in order to

VICE CHAIRWOMAN’S REPORT

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2017

Wanted: Millennials to Bridge Gap Between Past and Future attain elected office. My answer is invariably the same – be of service to your community and humanity. The importance of selflessness cannot be overstated as we embark on a new era of artificial intelligence and automation. By our next generation we could no longer have cars driven by humans or need devices to communicate. Human employment could become obsolete. It is critical to future human development that we emphasize the importance of investing in others through sharing our time and talents.

It is not hyperbole to say the Millennial Generation is the most important to preserving humanity.

Millennials have seen the extinction of some technologies and the rise of others. The vast majority have never

owned a home phone, but also have never lived without Internet. The obsolescence and birth of technologies during this generation is unprecedented.

In that context, this generation is the last to learn from their parents about technologies that lasted for decades like cars, broadcast television, and landline phones, and teach their children about others that became outdated within years or months.

Millennials are also the last generation to have parents who may have lived during the segregation era and Civil Rights Movement. A common theme during those periods of American history was an emphasis on service and civic involvement.

Major successes in passing landmark legislation and creating social chang-

es would not have been possible without accentuating activism.

That spirit of action and service led to many civil rights leaders and organizers of that generation to enter into public service. I am confident that the same spirit will imbue the Millennial Generation and produce many bright, sincere elected officials, community organizers, and social activists who will be the “Voice of the Voiceless.”

Millennials are the bridge between our past and future, and they will define the direction of human evolution. I urge this generation to shoot for the stars on a rocket of change that is powered by service to others. I am excited by the boundless possibilities and look forward to your many successes.

Support Of Community-Based Organizations Helps Government Quickly Meet Residents’ Needs

matters most is “how people are doing.” Thus, the city is restructuring how government responds by allocating funds to programs that assist people’s lives and not funding projects and programs that make no difference within the community itself. Additionally, the mayor suggested an index of wellbeing has to be established by both government and the people.

Miami-Dade County has passed a budget that includes funding for

By Vice Chairwoman Audrey M. Edmonson, community-based organizations. In a Miami-Dade County strategic way, we funded the old and new programs. We allocated dolWhile reading a recent edition lars to these organizations with full of Governing magazine, one article knowledge that government cannot caught my attention. The city of provide services alone. However, the Santa Monica put forth an initiative litmus test is, “are services working?” to address the wellbeing of the city.

I would answer, in some areas of life, In the article, the mayor said what

yes, in other areas, no.

As rapidly as things change, government has to find ways to address things in rapid fashion. Oftentimes, bureaucracy and red tape literally bind officials. I believe community-based organizations have the ability to address needs of wellbeing at a faster pace. They are able to respond to things immediately that may take weeks to be addressed by government. They are, for certain, an intricate part of the resiliency of communities.

One organization describes a resilient community as a measure of the sustained ability of a community to utilize available resources to respond to, withstand, and recover from adverse situations. I believe this should be our goal.

What I am learning is that the wellbeing of a community begins when all factions are addressed.

We cannot combat crime and not clean up streets. We cannot create healthy lifestyle programs and not have grocery stores in all communities. We cannot upgrade parks and not have proper lighting. We cannot build housing opportunities and not prepare future residents to live there.

We cannot create economic development and job opportunities and not train and educate a workforce. There is a lot more we can do to address the wellbeing of our communities and I realize there is no one answer to the solution. However, I applaud a government that attempts to find it.

Nominate an Achiever Today!

The African-American Achievers Awards, now in its 26th year, recognizes those who have inspired others through their hard work, commitment and compassion.

An independent panel of judges from Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach

Save the Date

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Wednesday, April 25, 2018

counties selects honorees in the following categories: Arts & Culture ★ Business & Entrepreneurism Community Service ★ Education

Nominate online at

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Deadline is December 1, 2017

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FRIDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2017

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From Philanthropy To Acting: Payton ‘Keeps It Real!’

By Angeline Taylor

JoMarie Peyton

Call her a brash truth teller, a sassy matriarch, a hip ol’ soul, or a no-nonsense mother. Truth is those words describe characters played by NAACP Image Award nominated actress Jo Marie Payton.

The true measure of Payton, a long-time Miami resident, comes into focus with her latest award.

Payton is one of Legacy Miami’s 25 Most Influential and Prominent Black Women in Business and Industry. It’s

POLITICS

a distinction that brings out Payton’s humility.

“It is an honor,” she said. “I always feel embarrassed with awards. It’s hard for anyone to be acknowledged.

What I do, I’d do it without the acknowledgement.”

Payton moved to Opa-Locka with her family when she was a child. She graduated from Carol City Senior High School and later Albany State University in Albany, Ga. She is also a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Throughout her acting career, she has mentored, been a philanthropist, and juggled wearing the hats of mother, grandmother, actress, singer, sister, community organizer and mentor – to name a few. It only takes a phone call to learn a little more about Payton.

She’s been in the millions of TV homes as no-nonsense matriarch

Harriette Winslow on the long-running ABC television show “Family Matters.” Then, she took a foray into animation in what became her favorite role, Suga Mama Proud on Disney’s “The Proud Family,” where she was nominated for six awards.

“It gave me the freedom to do anything,” Payton said laughing about her role of the hip grandmother Suga Mama who was known to do Tae-bo.

“She could act like a child and I could do whatever I wanted to do.”

Those two roles, however, were just two of her most popular. Payton has played in several other popular series including: “Moesha,” “Will & Grace,” “Girlfriends,” “Meet the Browns,” “Desperate Housewives,” and is currently on Bounce TV’s “Mann and Wife.”

The acting bug bit Payton young.

As the oldest girl of nine siblings, she had imaginary friends at 3 years old

to which she would perform and sing.

She was 6 years old when she got her first acting gig at her school playing in Little Red Riding Hood.

One of her biggest compliments came from Oscar Award-winning actor Matthew McConaughey. Payton has a cameo in McConaughey’s upcoming movie “Beach Bum” where she plays a judge. After the scene, which was so convincing, McConaughey whispered, “Is she really a judge?”

In addition to “Beach Bum,” Payton is also working on a cooking show.

But don’t expect French pastries.

Instead, expect some of that downhome flair. One episode, she said, features smoked neck bones and cabbage complete with skillet cornbread with cracklins.

“It not only feeds the body, it feeds the mind,” Payton said. “I keep it real.”

The Fool’s Gold of No Party Affiliation

changing the system from within the two-party system.

Running away from the Democratic Party will not change the system. In fact, it would disempower Black political power and embolden the status quo. If you voluntarily decide not to participate in partisan primaries, then you have ceded your power to the very parties you despise.

There is a long dark history to this form of Black voter suppression in

By Chris Norwood the South. For many years, white So often we have discussions about supremacist forces successfully “how Black folk need to start their excluded Black voters from primaries own party” or better yet, “we need in the South, until Thurgood Marshall to register as Independents – No Par- argued and won the Smith v Allty Affiliation.” Why create self-inflict- wright case before the U.S. Supreme ed Black voter suppression when we Court in 1944, 10 years before Brown have been fighting for voter empow- v Board of Education. The Democratic erment for centuries. Political progParty would not allow Black folk to ress comes from staring the beast vote in their primary, as most of the straight in the face, mastering his southern states during that time. technique, and with that knowledge, The Democratic Party argued it was

not violating civil rights because the Democratic Party was a private organization and Black folk could vote in the General Election.

Today, Black voter suppression takes form in restricting voting of formerly incarcerated Americans. Leroy Jones, founder of the grassroots advocates Brothers of the Same Mind, and Neighbors and Neighbors Association (NANA), a coalition of inner-city businesses, spent many years serving his community. He hoped one day he could show his brothers that they too could get their rights restored and vote. This just happened on October 17 in Tallahassee by the Florida Clemency Board.

Jones is a product of Miami’s projects, a former drug addict and felon who went to prison three times. The people who determined whether Leroy could vote were four Republicans who were all candidates in Republi-

can primaries. The Florida Clemency Board, made up of the governor, commissioner of agriculture, attorney general and chief financial officer, are all partisan-elected officials. Governor Rick Scott changed the automatic restoration of voting rights for nonviolent offenders. If you think political party is not important, then go ask Leroy and then ask him to now limit his voting power to mostly predetermined general elections!

When you affiliate with a party you can still vote your conscience in the general election. Therefore, excluding yourself from primary elections minimizes your voter power over the long run. For me, it’s a no brainer to be party affiliated with whichever party you like. Voting in primaries is extremely important. If it were not, we would not have had to ask the U.S. Supreme Court to win that right.

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2017

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Is Entrepreneurship Your Calling?

MILLENNIAL

By Kenasha Paul

Entrepreneurs — the trendy new title given to start-up business owners who make things happen. Some may roll their eyes and wonder how is that so different from a business owner. Keep this in mind, every entrepreneur is a business owner but not every business owner is an entrepreneur. How so?

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Although an entrepreneur organizes and operates a business or businesses, they take on greater than normal financial risks in order to do so. For example, owning a franchise makes you a business owner but since franchisees are provided the infrastructure to operate the parent business the risks are not as high, as say starting a business completely from scratch and developing all the internal controls. This distinction is significant when labeling oneself an entrepreneur.

Imagine if everyone in the Black community became an entrepreneur? Who would be the teachers, the firefighters, the medical professionals? Even within businesses this would be problematic. Many are completely reliant on the teams they cultivate. Many can’t even find

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the talent they need because their destined chief operations officer is entertaining the idea that being their own CEO would be better. Most likely it would not.

While tempting to go out in the world as an entrepreneur, there are some real concerns people need to consider when pursuing that life path. The benefits we know – flexibility, being your own boss, high rewards if successful. However, the price and challenges are steep: expensive failure, depression, isolation, being overworked and the potential to produce a lower return than getting a salaried job.

Entrepreneurship has become a compelling pursuit for other reasons.

Financial freedom is the goal for many and entrepreneurship is being touted as the golden ticket. However,

we need to remove the stigma that working for or alongside someone won’t achieve that goal. You can have a salaried job and still attain wealth by pursuing investments in stocks, bonds, insurance, cryptocurrency, real estate. Find your lane and drive full throttle.

I serve as CEO of the Black Professionals Network and our “Call the Shots” program hosts workshops throughout the year to provide insight and advice from established entrepreneurs and business advisers.

Check us out at www.mybpnetwork. org or e-mail us at info@mybpnetwork.org for more info or to be directed to other resources.

Kenasha Paul, J.D. serves as CEO and president of the Black Professionals Network, a 501C3 non-profit organization based in South Florida. Follow her on Facebook and Twitter: @Kenasha

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CAREER LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2017

5 Career Tips Every Black Woman Should Know

Black Woman Stigma. Ever notice how Scandal’s Olivia Pope will listen to whomever is attempting to “read” her? If you pay close attention, you will see her initial expression and eyes tell you that she is furious.

However, right before she opens her mouth to respond, she gives this fierce smile and then goes all

By Mary Davids in. She allows her educated, skilled Black women hold the fastest and knowledgeable tongue to do the growing postsecondary graduation speaking rather than letting her neck rates in the U.S. That’s according to the latest data from the U.S. Depart- and fingers control the attention of ment of Education’s National Center the conversation.

2. Find a Mentor, Be a Mentor. for Education Statistics. But even When asked how she manages being with degrees in hand, black women a black woman in Corporate America, are less likely to hold higher paid Hallandale Beach Chamber of Comoccupations. merce CEO Norma Jules says, “Finding a mentor has been very helpful HERE ARE FIVE WAYS TO ESCAPE RACIAL ROADBLOCKS ON YOUR WAY for me. I always make sure I’m open to receiving from people who are TO THE TOP: 1. Learn How to Avoid the Angry more seasoned than me.” A mentor

can help you stay on track with your goals, especially during those most pivotal moments within your career.

Not only should you find a mentor, you should also become a mentor.

Once you make it into that room, you have an unspoken duty to reach back and open that door for another black woman to enter in as well.

3. Establish Trust Early On. Use curiosity to your advantage. Being a black woman climbing the corporate ladder already comes with added scrutiny. You can expect your nonblack colleagues to try and figure you out, study you, and test you so they can confirm the stereotype they carry in their minds. When they engage, do not resist. Welcome them. Become who Michelle Obama is to George W. Bush. Greet people with a warm embrace, learn what their interests are, and make it easy for them to engage

in conversation with you.

4. Take Charge of Your Own Career. Please understand that Human Resources is not going to help you elevate your career. Designing your own career path is vital in getting you closer to reaching your career goals.

Relying on others to do you favors or using their connections to get you into the room may help a few times, but you will need to take your own initiative to unlock those doors as well.

5. Work Smarter not Harder. It has been said we need to work twice as hard to get ahead and black women need to work even harder. That is a slavery mindset. Always come prepared to every meeting, arrive on time, and do not give anyone a reason to assume you are not qualified to do the work you are capable of doing.

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College Undergrad Finds Success With Miami’s Hottest Events App

By Makeeba Fraser

Brianna Flemings is unlike any other undergraduate student her age.

Where most students in their senior year of college are excited about possible job prospects, Flemings already has a full-time job – being the CEO of her company, Vybez LLC, a mobile application company created to connect visitors and locals in South Florida to various events around town.

The Vybez App, which successfully launched on October 21, features a mobile directory allowing event promoters and users to post and search events for free within the various categories.

The App was created after Flemings, a native of Delaware who moved to Florida, found it challenging to locate events for she and her peers to attend. After venting this frustration to a

friend, her friend suggested that she create the now popular App. “When I moved down here I did not know where to go,” she explained. “[To find events] I would have to [check] eventbrite and meetup.com. I even resorted to the events page on Craigslist. I had to do so many different things that it became too much and I figured I needed an app that directs me right there.”

Developing the App over the past few years was no overnight success, Flemings expressed saying she lucked out when her school hosted a mini “Shark Tank” competition, where she pitched her business plan two years in a row, earning third and first place recognition, along with $3,000 to help fund her mobile App. Despite being a young, black business owner and having thousands of followers on social media, Flemings

said all the money used to finance her business came from other jobs such as being a deejay, creating web designs, and providing branding services.

Apart from her savings and funds from her school, Flemings said she did not garner much financial support apart from a few friends and people she barely knew.

“It was not the black community that helped me out,” she reflected.

“That’s the crazy part. I thought that even my closest friends would have donated. The ‘GoFundMe’ I had all summer raised $350 dollars (of a $3,000 goal), which I appreciate because that was $300 more than what I started with this summer.”

Flemings says, since the launch more black business owners have agreed to support the App, which is contracted to merge with Uber, Groupon, and Booking.com.

She offered: “There needs to be more support, especially in the black community because we are still minorities. It means a lot to me when other black business owners support me, but I don’t look past others either. I would support people from every community, but I do try to look out for my black community because we need the most support.”

Brianna Flemings

Black Business Directory Seeks to Stimulate Community Economic Power

By Zach Rinkins

Local entrepreneurs Crystal Chanel, Jimmy Nickerson, and Don Wiggins, combined efforts to create the South Florida Black Business Directory, a movement designed to extend the Black dollar’s lifeline beyond the 360 minutes economist says it circulates within the Black community.

“SFLBBD was created as a digital platform to provide a place where Black businesses and consumers meet,” offered Jimmy Nickerson, directory co-founder and CEO of JNICK Management Group. “We were inspired by Black Wall Street to increase the circulation of the Black dollar beyond the current 6 hours of its rotation within our communities.”

In addition to the online directory, SFLBBD coordinates live events to promote Black-owned business, inform customers, and strengthen the economic infrastructure of the region’s

Black communities. It partnered with Miami-Dade Chamber of Commerce, among others, to increase its impact.

The co-founders say they have an ambitious mission. “We have started within the tri-county area and have enlisted 2,300 Black businesses,” Nickerson shared. “Our goal is to list all Black businesses in the Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties.”

Nickerson explained the group’s ultimate goal is to create Black enterprise where businesses will experience fewer hopeful “grand openings” and quick “grand closings.”

“Success for us looks like a place where Black businesses are thriving economically; communities are creating and sustaining wealth; our mindset shifts from being consumers to owners; and we realize and benefit from our $1.2 trillion dollar spending/buying power,” Nickerson added.

The team brings its message to people through experimental events, networking opportunities, and public forums, which included: West Park Vice Mayor Brian Johnson, Opa-locka Commissioner Matthew Pigatt, Bossy editor-in-chief Shavon Robinson, M-DCC President Eric Knowles, and others as featured panelists.

Financial expert and author Shani St. Vil noted that community support is critical.

“Whatever we support will continue. So, if we want to continue to have access to a listing of Blackowned businesses in our community all in one place we better support it,” charged St. Vil, who leads the Purse Empowerment financial movement (www.PurseEmpowerment.com).

St. Vil, a past SFLBBD panelist, advised aspiring Black entrepreneurs to get their personal financial house in order before they put up a shingle.

“Once you have created a service or a product that has a positive impact on someone’s way of life, you want to position yourself to expand that idea as far as you can,” she revealed. “By having good credit you ensure that you can expand your idea as far as you can through sources beyond your own funding. Good credit plays a huge role on your expansion.”

SFLBBD offers registrants numerous advantages. “The biggest benefits are peer support, exposure to best practices, technical assistance, and access to information about growing and scaling businesses,” said Nickerson said.

Businesses interested in being listed in the directory can register for free at www.SFLBBD.com. SFLBBD will host a closeout event on December 29. For more information, follow the company on Facebook and Instagram @SFLBBD.

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2017

MEDIATION/ARBITRATION

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An Alternative To Litigation: Getting What You Want in Mediation

pressionless face. Something recently happened, and that something was not good.

As each side gave its opening statement they mentioned the results of a Summary Judgment hearing that took place just two hours prior to the commencement of this mediation.

The judge made a partial ruling that enabled both parties to claim some sort of victory.

In short, for more than three years of litigation, multiple businessmen in two consolidated cases spent millions

By Stanley Zamor of dollars with prominent law firms to keep pushing their positions until SET THE STAGE the eve of trial. But now, after long As the parties entered the room, eloquent statements outlining how I stood smiling and welcomed each person as they took their seat around the law supports their positions, I asked them something that seemed the conference table. I stood at the to perplex the entire group. “Now head of the table and observed the perfectly coiffed group of 10. They all that we have heard each perspective seemed to share the same blank, ex- and how right each party thinks it is,

what do you want?” They all agreed that they wanted finality. I said, “Good. Then let’s get to work.”

AT THE READY One of the difficult defining points of mediation is to reduce barriers in communication. Litigation is innately adversarial in tone and process. Mediation conversely encourages collaboration while reframing the tone of the dispute to where parties may feel able to design their own resolution.

Mediation will not replace litigation. It is simply an option that works when parties need an alternative.

Legal rights and duties are important, but many times when parties are given a neutral space to express what they want, they are able resolve issues themselves.

THEIR WANTS: So, what did these disputants want and did mediation give it to

them? After a five-hour mediation, the disputants created an agreement that satisfied their desire to: 1. Have someone admit wrongdoing and be held accountable 2. Be able to move forward and beyond their business dispute 3. Take the lessons learned and establish better systems to protect themselves from future litigation 4. Recoup a portion of monies spent on legal fees 5. Make more money in a smarter way Stanley Zamor is a Florida Supreme Court certified Circuit, Family, and County Mediator, a Primary Trainer, and Qualified Arbitrator. szamor@effectivemediationconsultants.com www. effectivemediationconsultants.com www.LinkedIn.com/in/stanleyzamoradr (954) 261-8600

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SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

Small Business Development Ensures Opportunities Regardless of Circumstances

lining some neighborhood streets.

South Floridians worked diligently to restore normalcy to our community.

County and other local government employees coordinated efforts to readily provide supplies and assistance to affected residents.

The Small Business Development (SBD) Division was no different. Similarly, we responded to the post disaster needs by ensuring opportunities were created for our small businessBy Gary Hartfield es wherever the scopes of services “When life deals you lemons, you were available, resulting in new work make lemonade,” is the proverbial for certified small businesses. phrase used to describe a positive In the wake of Hurricane Irma, outcome from a negative experience. it was of utmost importance that Such was the case recently when debris be removed from streets and Hurricane Irma touched down on the alleyways, ensuring utility workers state of Florida. Miami-Dade County could access all impacted areas, and was spared what could have been residents could return to some demuch worse. gree of normalcy. Miami-Dade CounOne of a few reminders of Irty’s “Emergency Debris Removal” ma’s presence is the russet-colored prequalification pool was the catalyst remnants of fallen tree branches to attaining these objectives.

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BaptistHealth.net/DoctorsHospital

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2017

A not-for-profit organization supported by philanthropy and committed to our faith-based charitable mission of medical excellence. For giving opportunities, visit BaptistHealth.net/Foundation

Eligible bidders are required to meet certain minimum qualifications: possession of a hauling permit; previous experience for at least one year in bulk hauling of debris, fill, construction involving land clearing, demolition, trash and garbage hauling. Additionally, bidders need to demonstrate acceptable proof of being in business by providing a copy of the Miami-Dade County Local Business Tax or occupational license certification from the business’ municipality as well as a copy of the previous year’s tax returns.

SBD was aggressive in ensuring that certified small business enterprise firms already prequalified in this pool were notified of the available opportunities immediately after the hurricane so that these firms could demonstrate their readiness and availability to respond to the need and opportunity.

The scope of work consists of

removing debris caused by a disaster in the County, natural or otherwise, followed by the transport and deposition of the debris to a staging area or disposal site designated by Miami-Dade County. Emergency debris includes, but is not limited to: trees and vegetation; burnables – miscellaneous lumber, paper, furniture; construction debris – miscellaneous concrete items, metal, plaster, glass, etc.; white goods – stoves, refrigerators, washers, dryers, water heaters; and tires.

Post hurricane review has provided several teachable moments. Firms must be ready and responsive immediately after disasters via telephone.

Hauling permits must be valid. Foremost, only firms prequalified in this pool are afforded opportunities to bid on post hurricane work.

If you are interested in being added to this pool, visit https://www.miamidade.gov/DPMWW/PerpetualContracts.aspx then locate contract No. 6417-0/17.

Greater Miami-Dade

The YWCA Board of Directors would like to congratulate our CEO,

Kerry-Ann Royes for being selected as one of Legacy Magazine's 25 Most Influential and Prominent Black Women in Business and Industry for 2017!

We pledge to continue to imagine, fight for, and co-create a more socially just world for the next generation of women, and we are happy to have Kerry-Ann at the wheel! www.ywca-miami.org

BB14

AN INDEPENDENT SUPPLEMENT BY MIA MEDIA & COMMUNICATIONS GROUP TO THE MIAMI HERALD

About T O W N

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2017

Miami Gardens Mayor Oliver Gilbert weds Pandwe Gibson on Oct. 1 in Miami.

And so it begins, the wedding of the year, the bride and groom become one

The Bride is swept off her feet by her groom

Love is an art and Pandwe and Oliver have mastered it

The bride enjoys some quiet time before the big moment

Gilbert’s groomsmen enjoy pre-wedding cigars

Work Together, Love Together

Mr & Mrs Oliver Gilbert with Oliver Gilbert IV

A dreamy gentile setting for the wedding dinner

ADVERTISMENT

Legacy Magazine was a proud media sponsor of the 2017 Miami Book Fair, Nov. 18-19, Miami Dade College Wolfson Campus, Downtown Miami.

Dr. Angela J. Davis

Dr. Tameka Hobbs, Lauren-Brook Eisen, Robbie Bell, Dr. Angela J. Davis, James Forman Jr.

Michael Eric Dyson

Simone Kelly, Alex Segura, Steph Post, NBC 6 reporter Darryl Forges

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2017

AN INDEPENDENT SUPPLEMENT BY MIA MEDIA & COMMUNICATIONS GROUP TO THE MIAMI HERALD

LEGACY BRIEFS LEGACY HONOREES AMONG MIAMI FOUNDATION’S CLASS X MIAMI FELLOWS Miami Foundation recently announced its Class X of the Miami Fellows. The program is the foundation’s 14-month signature leadership experience for individuals 5 to 15 years into their professional career.

Fellows complete interactive experiences, an innovative curriculum, and service opportunities designed to help them develop a deeper understanding of effective leadership strategies and civic issues in Greater Miami. Legacy 40 under 40 honorees were among the 16-member class including LeighAnn Buchanan, J.D., Suze Guillaume, M.Ed., Linda Julien, Rashad Thomas and Nicole Washington, M.A., M.S.

tistic centerpiece in the city’s Thrive Innovation District. OLCDC commissioned acclaimed artist Hank Willis Thomas’ ‘All Power to All People,’ and placed it at the north lawn of Town Center Apartments. The more than 800 pound, 8-foot-tall afro pick is cast in aluminum and finished with a high gloss black coating. The artistic masterpiece is topped with a clenched fist often associated with strength, unity, and black power. For more information about OLCDC and Hank Willis Thomas, visit www.olcdc.org or www.hankwillisthomas.com.

UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI HIRES HOLMES AS ASSOCIATE VICE PRESIDENT AND DEAN OF STUDENTS Longtime education administrator Rodney C. Holmes, Ed.D., recently assumed the associate vice president and dean of students position at the University of Miami. Holmes is a recognized leader in identifying and managing the complex trends in student campus life and higher education overall. Holmes oversees judicial affairs, Greek affairs, campus chaplains, crisis management, and student-community relations. He also coordinates support and services for veteran students and the Sandler Center for Alcohol and Other Drug Education. He is also a graduate of Loyola University of New Orleans, University of Maryland College Park (M.A.), LaSalle University (M.A.), and the University of Texas El Paso (Ed.D.).

BB15

Marc H. Morial noted, “Minority-owned businesses are the fastest growing segment of small businesses in this country and yet they face many challenges ---- access to capital being one of them. The National Urban League is pleased to expand our national partnership to Florida.” Find out more at www.iamempowered.com.

NORTHWEST COMMUNITY GARDENS REINTRODUCES ITSELF AS STATE’S FIRST LEED-ND CERTIFIED COMMUNITY The Housing Authority of the City of Fort Lauderdale (HACFL) recently showcased the transformed Northwest Community Gardens Sustainable Neighborhood (NW Gardens), located at 1204 NW 8 Avenue in Fort CELEBRATES SEVEN YEARS OF Lauderdale. The 658-unit community Leigh-Ann Buchanan MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR SUCCESS features six community gardens, an Dudly’s Professional Services (DPS) urban farm, YAA ArtHOUSE, clubhas been delivering branding and house activities (Y-Fit), and more. project coordination services to HACFL CEO Tam English declared, individuals and businesses since “HACFL is building a new generation 2010. Clients hire DPS for diverse of affordable housing in Fort LauderURBAN LEAGUE OF BROWARD offerings including professional dale. With over $300 million invested Nicole Washington Linda Julien licensing services, Owner Controlled COUNTY JOINS COALITION TO LAUNCH CAPITAL ACCESS FUND FOR to date, we continue to fulfill our Insurance Programs and Contractor mission to provide clean, safe, decent MINORITY-OWNED FIRMS Controlled Insurance Programs docaffordable housing and to connect Morgan Stanley, National Urban ument coordination, small business those we serve to all that Fort Lauexpertise reporting, showcase display League Urban Empowerment Fund, National Development Council (NDC), derdale has to offer.” For additional coordination, web design and so information, and the Urban League of Broward much more. Since its launch, DPS visit www.hacfl.com.

Suze Guillaume County (ULBC) combined efforts to Rashad Thomas has reportedly worked on projects launch an historic initiative to provide OPA-LOCKA’S THRIVE INNOVATION for Miami Marlins Ball Park, Miami DISTRICT SERVES AS CANVASS FOR Children’s Courthouse, most recently, minority owned businesses in Florida TO BE CONSIDERED for ‘ALL POWER TO ALL PEOPLE’ the American Airlines Arena totaling greater access to capital through the Legacy Briefs, please email Capital Access Fund (CAF).

Through In the Opa-locka Community Devel$5 million. The Miami-Dade Chamber your professional promotons, the partnership, CAF and the ULBC’s opment Corporation’s (OLCDC) effort of Commerce recently honored the appointments and announcements Entrepreneurship Center will expand to redevelop Opa-locka into a desired company. Find out more at about to Editor-in-Chief Russell Motley at its efforts to promote sustainability, destination to live, work, create and DPS at www.dudlyservices.com. rm@miamediagrp.com. create jobs and build community play, the corporation unveiled an arwealth in Florida. UL National CEO

Celebrating Art, Culture and Diversity Art of Black Miami is a marketing platform and destination driver that showcases the diversity of the visual arts locally, nationally and internationally celebrating the black diaspora.

Look for multicultural events and exhibits during Art Basel located throughout Greater Miami and the Beaches’ heritage neighborhoods.

Featured Artist: Edouard Duval-Carrié “Of Cotton Gunboats and Petticoat” Mixed Media on Aluminum 72x60 2017

ORGANIZED BY:

#ArtofBlackMiami

ArtofBlackMiami.com

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